Issuu

Mounds View 2011-2012 Friday, October 28, 2011

Volume 59

Issue 3

<editor@mvviewer.org>

INSIDE

Occupy Wall Street

The “99%” occupy MN by David Liu staff reporter

New Clubs at MV

‘11-’12 Dance Schedule

Mounds View students Noble Koshy, 11, and WIll Weightman, 11, join the occupy Minnesota protests.

Over 700 people have been thrown in jail for being involved in demonstrations in over 70 different major metropolitan areas, but this is neither the Arab Spring nor a European riot. It’s happening right now in the United States, led by a group called Occupy Wall Street. These protests, which began in New York City on Sept. 17, have now branched off into other cities, including Boston, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. Occupy Wall Street and its affiliates claim to be a leaderless resistance movement representing the bottom 99 percent of the income ladder. They have become tired of “the greed and corruption of the wealthiest one percent.” Their overall intentions are not clear, but they do stress their disappointment in the handling

of finances by large banks and support increased taxes on the rich. In Minneapolis, a few hundred protesters have been occupying the People’s Plaza since Oct. 7. Recently, they demonstrated in front of Wells Fargo Center in downtown Minneapolis. Many Mounds View students believe that the Occupy movement is fighting for a good cause. Will Weightman, 11, who participated in one of the Occupy Minnesota demonstrations, said, “OccupyMN is about ending the corporate greed that led to the unstable financial situation our world finds itself in, and the deep rooted control that corporations and lobbyists have over the political process.” Sam Keillor, 11, who also participated in an Occupy Minnesota demonstration, believes the Occupy movement is voicing the frustrations of people that are frustrated with

the current wealth disparity. “The rich respond by saying ‘Why don’t you work harder?’ when in reality, working two jobs just to pay the mortgage is an everyday struggle for many people,” said Keillor. Though the Occupy movement has gained support in recent weeks, there is also substantial opposition. Many view these protests as a waste of time that could be better spent doing something more productive. “[They are a] bunch of hippie liberals who are too lazy to get their own jobs. All they do is sit at home and wait for welfare checks to come,” said Robbie He, 11. Ultimately, this movement is still in its infancy. It has yet to be seen whether this movement will be able to sufficiently organize to have a lasting impact on public policy, though few can argue that it doesn’t have an influence.

Leaving a legacy

photo courtesty of William Weightman

Julie Wikelius to step down after 17 years as principal of MVHS Pranked

Downtown St. Paul

by Ryan Slechta editor-in-chief On Oct. 19, Principal Julie Wikelius announced at an allstaff meeting that she would be leaving her position as principal, effective the 2012-2013 school year. Many factors affected Wikelius’ decision. “There are many reasons, the biggest one is probably that both of my kids are done with [graduate] school,” said Wikelius. In addition, Wikelius cites several future changes to

Mounds View as a reason to bring in a new principal. “With the new deans and the new AP courses, Mounds View could use a fresh perspective,” she said. Wikelius’ departure brings about the issue of finding a replacement. A search committee will be organized by the department of human resources and operations; members will consist of both Dan Hoverman, superintendent, and John Ward, director of human resources. “There will be plenty of opportunity for teachers, parents, and students to express who they think is right for Mounds View,” said Wikelius.

The appointment of Associate Principal Doug Bullinger in the same year as Wikelius’ departure raises questions about whether or not Bullinger will succeed Wikelius. This was not designed to happen that way. “Things just fell into place,” said Wikelius. When reflecting on her experience at Mounds View, Wikelius’ most vivid memory was during the 2001-2002 renovation. “Students stayed home for an extra two weeks, and were home for 9/11,” said Wikelius, “And now with the tenth anniversary and everyone asking ‘what were you doing on 9/11,’

I remember that I was sitting in my office with a hard hat on.” The general student consensus is that Wikelius will be missed, but the impact of her departure on the future is uncertain. “With Wikelius acting as a cornerstone for Mounds View for many years, there will be an entire shift in hierarchy. It’ll be interesting to see how the new principal will step up and take her place,” said Albert Wu, 12. Regardless of who replaces her, Wikelius is happy with her experience as principal. “It is a privilege to have been part of the success of Mounds View,” said Wikelius.

2editorials Occupy Wall Street op T 10 October 28, 2011

Things you’ll never hear a redneck say

10 8

Duct tape won’t fix that

We’re vegetarians

Hand me the small bag of pork rinds I’ll take Shakespeare for 800, Alex

6 4

You can’t feed that to the dog

Do you think my gut is too big? Hey Keshav, did you mail in my donation to Greenpeace?

Does the salad bar have sprouts?

Those truck tires are too big

I just couldn’t find a thing at Wal-Mart today

9 7 5 3 1

2010-2011 Viewer Editors Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editorials Features Spread Variety Reviews Sports Gallery

Ryan Slechta John Ke Max Wang Zane Muller Alyssa Belsito Tristan Gustafson Nimmy Koshy Mali Bacig John Knopf Alvin Ma Akshay Patke Camry Kelly Catie Mattson Lauren Nguyen

Business Manager/Online Editor Erika Batiz Photographers Youngjun Park Adviser Martha Rush

Staff

Tristan Aschittino, Anthony Blustein, Anastasia Brodsky, Brian Burke, Neal callihan, Alexandra Fream, Aaron Hammerly, Allison Hare, Peter Ingraham, Martha Kauls, Benjamin Kramka, Paul Kroska, Selin Kurtoglu, Margaret LaMere, Zachary Laughlin, Thomas Lazorik, David Liu, Ryan Mackey, Quinn Madsen, Helena Nguyen, Nathaniel Nikoi, Peter Olson, John Petersen, Alexander Safanov, Nicholas Schmidtke, Stephanie Schuba, Alexandra Severson, Christopher Severson, Madeline Shaw, Adam Toninato, Matthew Voges, Alexander Wald, Conner Walsh, Michaela Warner, Joy Xie, Christina Yoon

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

Viewer’s editorial board was divided on the issue, so in place of a staff editorial we decided to run the following opposing viewpoints

Why They Are

Right

Why They Are

Wrong

by Will Weightman guest writer With the financial collapse of the United States in 2008, millions of Americans lost their jobs and houses, and were forced into grave economic circumstances because of the irresponsible decisions made by corporate America and the complacency of the U.S. government. Workers’ wages are the lowest they have been since the 1970s, measured in terms of percentage of GDP. At the same time, corporations have earned record profits - the highest they have had since the 1950s, measured in terms of percentage of GDP. As a result, many Americans are angry at the economic injustice that has occurred, and have awoken to protest corporate greed, bank bailouts, and the subversive role that corporations play in undermining the political process. The Occupy Wall Street movement is not an anticapitalist movement, but rather a movement to reclaim democracy for the American people and end corporate influence over America’s political system. Through the use of lobbyists and special interest groups, corporations have been able to hijack our democracy and turn it into a plutocracy, where wealthy business interests run our country. Besides dismissing the movement as Communist or Un-American (which is ironic because there is something quintessentially American about the right to peacefully protest and state our complaints), the main critique of Occupy Wall Street comes down to the idea that their lack of a unified agenda makes their grievances irrelevant. On the contrary, this clearly exemplifies the truly organic nature of the movement and how it is widely supported by many Americans and people throughout the world. This movement is not a movement for a particular party, but a paradigm shift of the framework of this country to a more moral system, where people are not left behind because of the wealthiest people’s pursuit of profits. People should be more important than profits. Many Americans feel as though they have been mistreated or underrepresented. The Occupy Wall Street movement is in support of our democracy and rights. Today, in this country the wealthiest one percent control 42.7 percent of all financial wealth, while the poorest 80 percent have a total of 7 percent of total financial wealth. These staggering statistics clearly show the inequality that our nation has, and we have the right and the power to change it. This protest is about pursuing economic justice for those who have been denied it because of corporate cronyism and unjust economic decisions that affect everyone.

by Zane Muller editorials editor It’s impossible to argue with the fact that the Occupy Wall Street protesters have accomplished something big. In a short amount of time, the movement has grown from a handful of protesters in New York City, to thousands of protesters spread throughout the country and the world. The movement has no official leadership, yet it has gained national media attention. The protesters have become media darlings nearly overnight. Nearly every major news outlet is releasing article after article and airing broadcast after broadcast that paint the protests as a move in the right direction. However, this idea couldn’t be further from the truth. These protesters should be setting up camp in front of the White House, where the disastrous economic policies that crippled this country were put forth by both the Bush and Obama administrations, not on Wall Street. The protesters have set up a list of demands on their website, including ending Wall Street’s influence on the political game in Washington, destroying capitalism, and returning power to “the 99%.” The slogan that has been adopted by the movement is “We are the 99,” which is speaking in reference to the belief that 1% of the population - the truly wealthy - rules the other 99%. If the protesters actually paid attention, they would realize that the whole notion of the top 1 percent ruling the country is a blatant lie. Even if it was the truth, the protests probably would fail to point out that the top 1 percent pays 28 percent of all taxes; doesn’t seem so unfair now, does it? Many of the protesters have begun to turn against the Tea Party, who they deem partly responsible for the financial meltdown. But what the protesters won’t tell you is that the majority of Wall Street financiers are registered Democrats, and that, according to opensecrets.org, during Obama’s 2008 election campaign, three of his top ten campaign donors were based on Wall Street. The list includes Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, who combined donated nearly $1.8 million to his election effort. On top of the fact that the protesters are protesting at the completely wrong location, many of them have begun to turn to violence and vandalism to accomplish their goals. In New York, hundreds have been arrested in clashes with police. There have been countless accusations of police brutality, yet not one person can offer up any proof. The protesters need to clean up their act, or they should be forced to leave.

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

October 28, 2011

Letter to the Editor Uninclusive dress code by Ariel Welter guest writer “Building an inclusive community of responsible, respectful and resourceful citizens who value learning.” On Friday, Oct. 16, I experienced something which led me to question the consistency of Mounds View High School’s mission statement. On that fateful day, I decided to wear a narrow, flowered headband horizontally around my head. Later that day, I was told to remove the band from my head, as it was not allowable within the dress code. I’m not usually one to argue, but I felt offended and singled out, as there is NOTHING in the dress code about a flowered headband. Many girls at MVHS wear these daily. How can we continue to build or even maintain an inclusive community when students are singled out and made to feel excluded based off of an innocuous accessory they choose to wear? I recently learned that the school conducts teacher/

student surveys to measure student connectedness. In these surveys, staff are asked to point out certain students who do not seem connected to anyone–or as I interpret it, students who are outcasts. This is a good idea. It’s a worthwhile undertaking to help students who feel alone and isolated be more connected. At the same time the school is making numerous attempts to show their concern for student connectedness, it is ironic that I was made to feel guilty and disconnected because of an accessory choice. People may ask why I’m causing such a fuss over a headband, but maybe this minute aspect of a ‘contraband’ headband represents more. All through life there will be a pattern of comfort in conformity. Once in a while, though, there is a fluorescent break in the code, a breath of fresh air. And that’s good. However, when that break comes forth we need to nurture it, not destroy it. Small minds always presume to accept small answers, and honestly, I’m tired of it. Given the school’s current concern for inclusiveness, the way that I was treated

was counterproductive and definitely not something that would make anyone feel more connected. In fact, I felt utterly singled out. As it was quite obvious that there was nothing offensive about my headband, I can’t help but wonder what message the school is really sending about community and connection. Correct me if I’m wrong, but pointing out and demonizing someone’s differences has never made any community stronger or more embracing of diversity. In theory, it’s easy for a school like Mounds View to embrace

editorials3 inclusiveness when the majority of its population is homogeneous. Most students are still quite similar. However, I am not. All this means is that I have a different style, world view and social outlook than most. I am not dangerous. I am not the enemy. I am not a troublemaker. I just want to wear my headband free from oppression.

photo by Youngjun Park

Ariel Welter, 10

Worth the Weight

It’s time for Honors courses at MV to be weighted by Tristan Aschittino staff reporter As students at Mounds View are acclimating to yet another year of difficult coursework, many who are taking a difficult class find that the amount of time consumed and the rigor of the class are not worth getting the word “honors” or “accelerated” on their transcripts. Honors and accelerated courses are weighted the same as a regular level course at Mounds View. In essence, an “A” in Accelerated Algebra II with Precalculus (Squish) affects a student’s grade the same way as an “A” in Foods. In order to attract more students to honors classes, Mounds View needs to weight honors and accelerated classes. Many argue that what one learns in an honors course and the skills gained from the challenge of the class are

Editor opinions What your Viewer editors think of various issues.

the rewards for taking such courses, but what do colleges think? For example, the University of Wisconsin recommends honors, advanced, and accelerated classes when appropriate for students in order to successfully prepare themselves for college. Unfortunately, students who take these classes face the risk of a significant hit to their GPA, one of the most important deciding factors in college admissions. Honors classes currently have only one major benefit: the knowledge gained from the course. To provide a better incentive, they should be weighted at least at 1.125 to reward the students that exert great efforts in a more challenging course. This weighting would not be as extensive as that of collegelevel Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which are

weighted at 1.25. A weight of 1.125 would mean that if a student received a “B” in an honors or advanced class, instead of a 3.0 being factored into the GPA, he or she would receive a 3.37, which is slightly higher than a “B+.” A class such as Honors English 9, for example, has a curriculum that includes very difficult tests, and despite a large amount of studying, few manage to receive an “A.” With weight, a studious student may forgo the option to take an supposedly “easy A” English class, and instead challenge themselves in a Honors English 9 class. Schools in other districts and states also weight honors classes. Schools in the St. Paul School District, such as Highland Park Senior High School and Como Park High School, weight their honors classes. Como Park even

weights their honors classes at 1.25, according to their school website, so that an “A” in an honors course at Como is worth 5.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students are definitely in favor of a change. “The people who are doing more rigorous work are not getting the grade that they are striving for because it is more difficult for them to do so without weight,” said Ryder Wahl, 10. This discourages even the most studious and hardworking students from challenging themselves, because the minuscule rewards gained are outweighed by the negative impact on one’s GPA and the hundreds of hours of sleep lost doing homework and studying for honors classes. “It’s like they’re punishing people for taking risks by taking higher level classes,” said Sean Lucas, 10.

“Using grammar goodly is sexy!”

“Angry Birds is superior to Cat Physics.”

“Protesting Wall Street won’t solve anything. The protestors need to think of better ways to express themselves.”

- Zane Muller editorials editor

-Ryan Slechta editor in chief

- Tristan Gustafson features editor

Underage Consumption

It is illegal and also a bad idea to drink any form of alcoholic beverage when you are under the age of 21. It is a worse idea to drink alcohol before or during school or at a school-sponsored event. The decision to drink alcohol just once at this age can have a variety of consequences that could stay with you for a lifetime. Losing the trust of your parents would affect every facet of your life, including your social life. Being grounded and having restrictions can really ruin the weekends! If you are caught at school you will face a three-day suspension at the TRY Program. If you are involved in school-sponsored sports or activities you could face a three-game or three-week suspension from that as well. Missing three weeks could really ruin some stats or raise the eyebrows of potential scouts who are handing out scholarship funding. The consumption of alcohol can result in an underage consumption ticket and the loss of your drivers license if you were behind the wheel. This petty misdemeanor will get you in court. You may also have to listen to the stories of people who have lost loved ones to drunk driving or people that have killed others because of it. Excessive amounts of alcohol lead people of all ages to make very poor decisions. Those decisions often make them victims of crimes or puts them behind bars as suspects to crimes. Deputy Tim Gulden 651-621-7123 Tim.Gulden@ moundsviewschools.org

Cop’s

or er n

“Standardized tests are pointless. They are not able to accurately represent a person’s intelligence. Rather, they test how well you can manipulate the system.” -Youngjun Park photo editor

4features

October 28, 2011

New clubs add adventure to Mounds View One... step... more... by Nick Schmidtke staff reporter Each footchip is a challenge, but as climbers finish their route, a sense of accomplishment energizes them to do it again. For climber Marissa Pauly, 12, “Rock climbing gives me a sense of accomplishment once I finish. It is really rewarding.” “I joined because after I tried it out and after I had finished certain routes, I felt really good. I also really love the team,” said Praki Srinand, 12. Several students from all grades have decided to look beyond activities offered at Mounds View and join the “Rock Climbing Team,” organized by Vertical Endeavors, which is a indoor rock climbing facility. The team consists of climbers from across the northern suburbs, ranging from Mounds View to Stillwater. Practices are held twice a week on Tuesday and Friday from 4 to 6:30

at Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul. Mounds View has been underrepresented on the Rock Climbing Team in the past few years. In fact, only two students joined during the 2010-2011 school year. This year, however, recruitment efforts are projected to result in as many as 10 new members. Students interested in joining should talk to team members Alyssa Belsito, 12 or Abby Vanderheiden, 12. Climbers cite many reasons to join the team. For Vanderheiden, it’s the physical workout that brings her to a route. “It’s super fun and will get you ripped,” she said. The satisfaction of finishing the challenge set before them is what motivates other climbers. “Climbing pushes you both mentally and physically and it feels really awesome when you complete a route,” said Belsito. Not only do people join for the mental and physical exercise but also for the social atmosphere. “I think people should join because it pushes limits and overcomes fears. It also

Not just a basement game builds a strong group of friends. Also, climbing rocks,” said Patrick Sullivan, 12. Along with being a good work-out, many team members point out that rock climbing is a individual sport, so they are more concerned with becoming a better climber than racing and defeating others. This motivation helps them focus more on their personal challenges instead of relying on their teammates for success. The close-knit atmosphere of the group is also a great way to bond and make new friends. Even though it’s a little expensive (the price ranges from $200$300) the Rock climbing team is something students might come to love.

See page 8 to learn more about Vertical Endeavors.

by Selin Kurtoglu staff reporter Most people think table tennis is just a fun game. They don’t think of it as a sport, as something that creates wildly devoted athletes. However, at Mounds View, a growing group of students are beginning to take the “game” seriously. Although not as prominent as other sports, the Mounds View table tennis club has some serious skill in its midst. Most students have never heard of the club because it actually started with a bunch of friends playing table tennis in their basements. By word of mouth, groups of friends playing in basements eventually grew to be a legitimate club 35 members strong. Despite the large number of participants, there are no female teammates. “Most of us actually play Ping Pong in our basements when we all hang out and do homework. We never worked with girls, so we never played with them... Not that we don’t like them or anything,” said Zhao. The club has a variety of people, from beginners to more experienced members. The widely acknowledged

“best player” on the club is David Lee, 9. Lee is currently ranked 25th among all table tennis players in Minnesota. At practice, he’s either playing an intense game with the older students or giving lessons to teammates. “I love watching him play, and I also love playing with him. It’s really fun,” said Keshav Mangalick, 12. Seniors Alan Zhao, Sam Kim, Ben Rush, Mangalick and Cody Erickson are the current captains. Last year, 2011 graduate Emmy Li created the first Mounds View table tennis club, but according to Zhao, she didn’t leave much of a foundation, forcing the captains to “refound” the club again The team officially meets and practices on Fridays at 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Chippewa. There usually aren’t supporters coming to matches, but the club wouldn’t be opposed if fans would like to watch. The team’s ultimate goal is to compete in and win the Minnesota Table Tennis State Championship, operated by Table Tennis Minnesota. The tournament will be hosted by the Rochester Table Tennis Club on Jan. 28.

Darlin’ it’s better under the sea by Alex Fream staff reporter Marine biologists dive under the waters to study and research the amazing world that lies beneath the surface of the sea. The newly established Marine Biology Club gives Mounds View students the chance to learn more about this “under the sea” science. The club is just getting started, so many things are yet to be determined. However, it promises to be a great experience. One of the things that is still undetermined are the specific activities of the

club. “The club is open as far as its agenda,” said advisor Holly Maeckelbergh. “The students can let their ideas flow, and we can pick activities from there. The kids really have control over what we do.” Maeckelbergh is the new Honors Biology and Anatomy and Physiology teacher this year, and she was eager to start the club. “I was in charge of the Marine Biology Club when I worked at Coon Rapids. The Anoka-Hennepin School District has the club at every school, so I was excited to bring the club to Mounds View,” she said. The club meets on Monday evenings once a month, and Maeckelbergh is planning a trip for students who are interested in

going to the Cayman Islands next summer. On the trip, students will spend up to six days diving at various locations on the islands. Prior to the trip, students will have to be trained in diving, which the club will provide to participants. Rachel Travers, 12, is hoping that she will be able to scuba dive at the Cayman Islands with the rest of the group. “I mostly just want to learn about scuba diving, I want to learn more about sea life. It’s always been on my bucket list of things to do,” she said. Travers also swims for Mounds View’s swim team and for her, scuba diving is just a branch out of what she loves to do. According to her, “being in the water is something that I do a lot. With swimming 2.5-3 hours a day you learn to love water and you

have a certain appreciation for it. Scuba diving is just another view of everything to do with water.” The Cayman Islands were chosen because they have some of the top places in the world for diving. “I love to dive and it’s fun to watch the students get excited about it. I’m happy to share that passion with

them,” said Maeckelbergh. However, if students want to join the club but are not interested in going on the trip, they can still join, free of charge. There will just be a few separate meetings for the students who are going to the Cayman Islands. The club’s first meeting is in early November.

picture courtesy of wikipedia.com

October 28, 2011

5 features

A world without Jobs

photo illustration by Tristan Gustafson photos courtesy of MCT Campus

by David Liu staff reporter The iPod, the iPad, the iPhone, the Mac, and many more of these sleek and stylish products have taken the world by storm. All of these gadgets were the brain children of one man, whose creative, genius, and savvy marketing skills created a whole new perspective and market for personal technology. This man was Steve Jobs. On October 5, 2011, Jobs died from complications of pancreatic cancer. At the news of Jobs’s death, many people held a vigil at Apple headquarters and others paid their respects at their local Apple stores. There was an international outpouring of grief for the creative genius that changed our world. Jobs started Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and

Ronald Wayne. With only a little previous experience in electronics and a semester’s worth of classes from Reed College, this new venture was very risky. In early 1980, Jobs saw the commercial potential of Xerox PARC’s mouse-driven graphical user interface (GUI). In October 1983, Macintosh, which made use of the mouse and GUI, was released to the public. The new products revolutionized computers. For the first time, users could use screens and physically “interact” with their computers, as opposed to typing code commands. “ [Macintoshes] are pretty cool,” said Vi Huynh, 11. Although things were going great for Apple, trouble soon arose for Jobs. After continual struggles with then CEO John Sculley, Jobs was forced out of his position at Apple in May 1985.

DANCES ‘11-’12 November

December

February

Halloween Dance

Ice Dance informal no guests

informal guests allowed

March

April

May

informal no guests

MORP

informal no guests

Battle of the Bands/ Techno dance informal no guests

Sadies

Prom

Formal guests allowed

During his absence, Apple suffered from poor sales, and was forced into a series of mergers. These mergers ended up bringing Jobs back to Apple, where he was soon re-appointed as CEO. The company subsequently branched out, introducing and improving upon other digital appliances. The iPod, unveiled on Oct. 23, 2001, and the iPhone, released on June 29, 2007, were all improvements made in the MP3 and the smartphone industries, respectively. Many people have enjoyed these products, almost to an obsession. “Being able to access Facebook from my iPhone is ruining my life,” said Andrew Schlais,11. At a time when it seemed that nothing could stand in the way of Jobs and Apple, a new dilemma arose. In mid2004, Jobs announced to his

employees that he had been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his pancreas. The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is usually very poor. Jobs stated that he had a rare, far less aggressive type known as islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. In April 2009, Jobs underwent a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Memphis, Tennessee. Jobs’ prognosis was described as ‘excellent’. Despite this prognosis, Jobs announced his resignation as Apple’s CEO on August 24, 2011. Just a few short months later Jobs died at his California home. People have come together to remember Jobs and his accomplishments. “[Apple] allowed me to talk to people I know in other countries face to face, and I am able to have my music everywhere I go,” said Kfir Batiller, 12.

Many people saw Apple as an innovator and a trendsetter. “Apple was definitely the most significant pioneer in the handheld device market. The [MP3 player, smartphone, and tablet] markets were completely different before Apple got into the picture,” Said Nick Day, 10. Apple’s future is now in question. Before his death, Jobs named Tim Cook as his successor. But how will this new company manage without their leader? Jobs was the head, heart, and soul of Apple. Can Apple continue his work, or will the void that was left be too large to fill? Only time will tell. “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” - Steve Jobs

Snelling undergoes construction by Allison Hare staff reporter According to some, Minnesota has two seasons: winter and road construction. Although winter is fast approaching, October still falls under the road construction category, which is pretty evident when one heads down Snelling Avenue, currently undergoing a resurfacing project. The work on Snelling, which began on Oct. 10, is scheduled to last through November. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), the project’s focus is on the section of road between Pierce Butler Route and Como Avenue, including all the

ramps that lie in this area. The project is just one of the 258 Mn/DOT has scheduled for 2011. There is even additional roadwork at Snelling that will last until spring 2013--reconstruction of the interchange of I-694 and Hwy 10 at Snelling and Hamline Avenues. However, only one lane currently handles the through-traffic at I-694 and Hwy 51’s interchange, causing major delays and leaving many drivers feeling inconvenienced. For Amanda Chen, 11, Snelling is the quickest way to school from her house in Snail Lake Landing. Due to construction, she has been unable to use this route. “It’s so annoying,” said Chen. “Now I have to take the

long way to Mounds View, and it takes an extra five to ten minutes to get to school every day.” Chen is one of the many Mounds View students whose routes have been disrupted due to construction on Snelling. While it can be hard to see the roadwork on Snelling from a positive point of view, Tom Sorel, Mn/DOT commissioner, believes that this construction will have many benefits. “Mn/DOT is focused on improving our roads and bridges and maximizing the capacity of our multi-modal transportation system,” said Sorel, on Mn/DOT’s website. “[Snelling’s reconstruction will] give the traveling public more options and improve Minnesotans’ quality of life.”

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In 1996, Taco Bell ran an ad in six major newspapers saying that they were going to help with the national debt by purchasing the Liberty Bell, one of the country’s many historic treasures. “While some may find this controversial, we hope our move will prompt other corporations to take similar action to do their part to reduce the country’s debt,” said Taco Bell officials. Many politicians were fooled by this prank and called in to voice their complaints about Taco Bell’s aspirations of acquiring the Liberty Bell.

In 1957, some pranksters at BBC wrote a segment on the coming of spring after a mild winter and what it meant for Swiss farmers. They said it would produce an unusually large spaghetti crop. According to the Museum of Hoaxes, several viewers were fooled and called BBC so they could learn how to grow their own spaghetti trees. The reply from the BBC was to place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.

When Vice President Constantine Simonides came to open up his office at MIT, he thought he was on the wrong floor. There was a bulletin covering where the door should have been. What he didn’t know was that his office was still there, it was carefully built to fit smoothly into the entry way, but was removable.

In 1978, Dick Smith, a millionaire businessman, had been promoting his plan to tow an iceberg from Antarctica to Sydney Harbour. It seemed that he had succeeded when a large, white floating object was towed into the harbour. Smith claim that he would shave small chunks off the iceberg and sell them. The cubes were promised to improve the flavor of any drink that they cooled. Not until it started to rain, In 1993, the did news reporters and fascinated on“Arm the Homeless” lookers see that the “iceberg” was group sent a press release really just white plastic sheets to a newspaper in Columbus, covered in shaving cream Ohio that said they would be and firefighting collecting donations to provide firefoam. arms to the homeless of Columbus. The group would turn out to be three students from The Ohio State University who didn’t plan to provide the homeless with fire arms. Instead, they just wanted to attract atIn 1994 at the tention to the issues of guns, Massachusetts Institute violence, homelessness and of Technology (MIT), a group media manipulation of undergraduate students pulled in society. a prank at the top of the “Great Dome” of Building 10, a campus building. They assembled a fake Campus Police cruiser on top of the dome. It was only the outer metal parts of a Chevrolet Cavalier In 1933, attached to a multi-piece wooden frame, with the Madison Capa dummy on the inside dressed as a police ital-Times announced officer, but it looked real. It drew the atthat the Wisconsin State tention of many when they saw the flashcapitol building had collapsed ing lights of the police car. TV stations after a series of strange exploshowed footage of the car, and it sions they attributed to “large appeared in numerous newspapers quantities of gas, generated all over the world, and even through many weeks of verbose as far off as in Israel debate in the Senate and Asand Korea. sembly chambers.” Some were outraged, but most caught onto the joke. information compiled by Nathaniel Nikoi

by Peter Olson and Sasha Safonov staff reporters A bad prank may be nothing more than a crude joke, but a a sterling prank is actually a delicate process that requires a lot of ingenuity. Pranks need to be creative and bold enough to stand apart from others, but must remain light-hearted and cause absolutely no damage, whether it be to living beings or inanimate objects. Anything else is just boring or destructive. A prank can range from being a minor gag to an intricate scheme that makes it into the news. “Once, my sister froze my orange juice, so when I went to drink it, it slammed into my face. I found it funny,” said Steve Hokanson, 10. On a larger scale endeavour, students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) converted MIT’s great dome into an over-sized replica of R2-D2 to commemorate the opening of The Phantom Menace.

Pranks can be b well. According to C assistant professor o at the University of lumbia’s Robert J. T lege of Business, “J the job can actually effect on productivi retention.” This can the learning environ Unfortunately, have a hard time set their pranks. Pranks that cau should be avoided. A The Huffington Post intruder entered and ville Consolidated H Indiana last June. Fe the bomb squad was find a relatively non up doll. Tyell Morto responsible for this and received eight h nity service. Schools take pr and dire consequenc At Mounds Vie consequences can ra tion to suspension a Reevaluate Yourself

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A legacy that by Alx Wald staff reporter The four years that we, the Class of 2012, have spent together at Mounds View will come to a screeching halt in June. Soon, we will go our separate ways as life in the real world finally begins. But not before we give our childhood one last triumph -- one last chance to express ourselves as a class, finally unified after all the egregious amount of time we’ve spent writing papers, balancing equations, and conquering those ever-elusive gateways. It will be time for our senior prank. To the Class of 2012, the senior prank is more than just dropping bouncy balls in the commons or wearing shirts that bear the time of a prank that will never happen. It’s all about class unity, a story that will be fondly retold for generations to come. Catie Mattson, 12, can recall the senior prank of her father’s class as if she were there. “Him and his bud-

dies crafted an 82 [denoti Irondale class of 1982] ou of railroad tracks and put on top of Irondale. It was great way to promote clas spirit without causing any harm,” she said. Kate Mullin, Mounds V class of 2003, also saw he class prank as a way to br her senior class together b fore they drifted their sep ways. “We all got to school a un-godly hour of the mor ing, before the teachers w there, and parked our cars the teacher lot, on which proudly spray-painted “S Lot,” she said. “It felt go make the teachers walk a way across the parking lo once.” Dan Evanson, Mounds View class of 2011, wasn satisfied with his senior p experience. “All year we had discu what we were going to do and by the end of the yea hadn’t reached a consens On the last day of school, scrambled to manage a fr flash in the commons; it w so embarrassing,” he said

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use panic According to t, an unknown d exited RushHigh School in earing the worst, s called, only to n-lethal blowon, the student act, pled guilty hours of commu-

ranks seriously, ces can result. ew, “the school ange from detenat the TRY [To f Program],” said

Deputy Tim Gulden. “There are also legal consequences if someone is harmed, property is damaged, or if it disrupts learning.” Pranks that damage the property of others, like egging houses and destroying mailboxes can be considered vandalism. When a prank causes physical or emotional pain, it is not fair to the recipient. “Pranks cross the line when they make people break down and cry or hurt them,” said Nathan Kaeter, 11. Hurtful pranks end up being no more than an ornate form of bullying. Sometimes pranks just aren’t worth it for the exact opposite reason. Recent senior pranks have proven to be a waste of time. Last year, seniors agreed to freeze for several minutes in the Commons. “Their idea of a prank was to do absolutely nothing in unison,” said Jay Goebel, 10. This just proves that pranking is a delicate process that requires the right balance and technique. “Pranking is all about the tim-

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“To this day, it still haunts my peers from the class of 2011 and myself that our senior prank was a dud.” With all the contemplation presiding over the senior prank, it raises the question: What makes a senior prank great? To Jenny Mullin, 12, the senior prank is “a tradition that should be fun for everyone, as long as nobody gets hurt.” Zach Louwagie, 12, echoes Mullin’s sentiments and adds that any potential senior prank should be one that ultimately brings the class closer. “Everyone should pee their pants at the same time in class,” he said. “They can search for our backpacks and stop us from smuggling in pranking contraband, but they can’t force the class of 2012 to leave our bladders on the front steps.” No one knows yet what the Class of 2012 will attempt. Whatever we choose, it will be our last chance to leave a legacy. One thing is for sure we will try to make it respectful, resourceful, responsible -- and remarkable.

ing,” said Michael Day, 12. “You need to know when it’s appropriate to pull one. When done correctly, pranks can lighten the mood of everyone, even the victim.” Needless to say, it is not so easy to execute a successful prank. Pranks shouldn’t be a mandatory burden to carry on a questionable tradition, nor should they escalate to the point of being illicit. They should be played for the enjoyment of everyone. “I Saran-wrapped a doorway so that you couldn’t tell that it [the Saran wrap] was there. When my sister came along, she unknowingly walked straight into the wrap; she was very shocked,” said Matt Anderson, 10.

vs.

The “Code of Ethics”

MIT pranks - or “hacks” - are famous for going to the extremes, as long as they follow the “Code of Ethics” This informal code is a self-enforced attitude that ensures hacks will continue to be amusing and well-received both within and outside MIT. According to the “hacker ethic,” a hack must:

1. 2. 3.

Be safe

Be funny, at least to most of the people who experience it

Not damage anything Not damage anyone, physically, mentally or emotionally

There is no way of enforcing this code, but anything that directly contradicts it will probably not be considered a “hack” by most of the MIT community. Source: MIT Hack Gallery

Senior shenanigans by Julie Wikelius guest writer If you want to raise a high school principal’s blood pressure, all you need to do is mention the word “prank”. One of the dictionary definitions of the word is “A trick of a malicious nature” and for me, malicious is the operative word. I know in the distant past pranks were considered good, harmless fun and while I enjoy a good laugh as much as the next person, pranks at Mounds View have been nothing to laugh at. When I came to Mounds View in 1995, pranks typically involved vandalism, damage to property and disruptions to the school day. In an on-going attempt for each class to outdo the class before, the malicious nature of pranks grew by the year, resulting in injuries and students choosing to stay home if a rumor of a prank was circulating. Some things that have

happened under the guise of a prank and therefore, good fun were: -pouring cooking oil down a flight of stairs, -emptying a gunny sack of golf balls over the top of a stair case, -turning animals loose in the building -neighbors incurring significant damage to a gardens and retaining walls. Good fun? I don’t think so. In the first two examples, a teacher and several students fell down the stairs and were understandably very upset, not to mention injured. The part about the animals that no one seems to remember is that several of them died as result of being in the school. In last example, Mounds View was presented with a substantial bill for the property damage, and a positive relationship with a neighbor was irreparably harmed. These activities should be named to reflect what they really were - irresponsible behavior that compromised

personal safety, damaged property and violations of the law. Ending the school year on this note always sent students, teachers and community members into the summer with a negative feeling, no matter how successful the year had been otherwise. Mounds View High School enjoys a long and proud tradition of excellence, and irresponsible actions are not part of our tradition. That is why the students of recent classes deserve kudos for making sure the year ended on a positive note. The senior dress-up day speaks volumes about the character and class of Mounds View students. There is an adage that says “a joke is only funny if everyone thinks it is funny.” I believe the same is true of a prank.

variety 8Spend a day downtown this weekend October 28, 2011

Such great heights

Vertical Endeavors offers students a chance to try rock climbing by Tom Lazorik staff reporter Spider-Man is completely fictional, and no human can match his climbing skills, but rock climbing is probably the closest thing. Rock climbing is not only a fun sport but a serious challenge for the body and mind. Most Mounds View climbers would agree that the best place to go scale the walls is Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul. To many students, Vertical Endeavors offers a break away from studies while helping build physical strength. “It teaches determination and perseverance. It gets you in great shape and gets you away from academics,” said Patrick Sullivan, 12. Vertical Endeavors is a huge and magical gym where almost everything is covered in rock. Hundreds of ropes and routes make

it easy for everyone to get their turn. After some practice, one can even paw his or her way across the ceiling of the building. The facility offers lessons and plenty of other programs and is a friendly place if one wants to learn how to climb up and down difficult courses. When asked about her favorite part of Vertical Endeavors, long-time Mounds View climber Abby Vanderheiden, 12, said “That it exists! Everyone there is helpful and it’s a community.” Rock climbing is a fullbody workout. So if when looking for a sport that is out of the ordinary, give climbing a try and conquer that fear of heights. And when it comes to ascending towering walls, Vertical Endeavors is the place.

Amsterdam lights up St. Paul by Aaron Hammerly staff reporter

The opening of Amsterdam Bar and Hall may now help St. Paul live up to what a capital city should be. For years, St. Paul has been considered the “city that sleeps.”Out of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis is much more popular than the capital, and sometimes performers onstage in St. Paul have even called it Minneapolis. But this may change now that Jon and Jarret Oulman, owners of the 331 Club in Minneapolis, have opened a new music venue called Amsterdam Bar and Hall on 6th Street. One of the main goals of Amsterdam Bar and Hall is to bring more liveliness and energy to St. Paul. According to Amsterdam’s website, the Oulmans said, “Much like the 331 was at the forefront of the arts boom in NE Minneapolis, we hope to bring that energy to downtown St. Paul.”

The official grand opening was held Sept. 23-25 and hosted local bands such as Communist Daughter, Twilight Hours, and Zoo Animal. Although many concerts are only for people that are 21 and over, the hall does host concerts for 18 year olds and all-ages. Besides great band performances they also have a wide variety of food that isn’t typical bar food. It includes Broodjes, or Dutch Sandwiches with fillings that include steak tartare, fried eggplant, chicken liver mousse, and for something less adventurous, they do have hamburgers. The appetizers range from simple potato frites to mussels steamed in vermouth, tomatoes, and herbs. Amsterdam Bar and Hall may help turn St. Paul from the shy, neglected kid, to the popular one that gets all the dates. Musicians from out of state may finally remember that they are playing in St. Paul, not Minneapolis, and maybe the city lights will stay on past 9 p.m.

See page 4 to learn about Mounds View’s rock climbing team

photo courtesy of PhotosByJeremiah

More than just spaghetti and meatballs

Biaggi’s in Maple Grove redefines casual dining by Matthew Voges staff reporter Biaggi’s, located in Maple Grove, is a shining gem of a restaurant perfect for any dining situation. It has everything: pizza, pasta, seafood, all professionally prepared and served at a price almost too good to be true. Upon entering the restaurant I was met by a lounge area, a helpful maître d’hôtel, and a dimly lit, romantic atmosphere with Sinatra playing softly in the background. A split between the bar and the main restaurant area offers the only obstruction to the venue’s open and inviting feel. I was promptly waited on after taking my seat at a comfortable booth. The service was attentive, drinks were refilled without mention, and removing dishes never seemed obtrusive to any dining or conversation. Along with a dipping mixture of pepper, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, Biaggi’s provides two breads, one with a hard crust, and one’s crust delicate, and herb laden. The lighter bread absorbs the dip to one of the most delicious

ends of any bread yet to cross my pallet. I had to be careful not to eat too much. As for beverages, my water and espresso were perfect, the espresso came complete with a delightful almond biscotti; a small but impressionable detail. The appetizer I ordered, calamari, or squid, came breaded, fried, and served with either marinara or Italian sauce. The Italian sauce gives the subtle dish a lively zest, which compliments its comprehensive texture. The portion of calamari is generous, and one order is plenty for a small group. The dishes tried were all splendid, artistic, and filling. Spaghetti was served plate hot. The meatballs were entwined with spinach, and added a lot of weight to the meal. For seafood fans, their tilapia is exceptionally tender, crusted by a salty potato-Parmesan breading. Biaggi’s four-cheese quatro formaggi ravioli is divine. This is nothing like simple ravioli purchased in supermarkets, but rather finely crafted delicacies with cream and marinara sauces vying for control of the senses. The taste

is cheesy, soft, and sharp; I will order this dish on every subsequent visit—of which there will be many. To finish off this wonderful meal, dessert was due. After lifetimes spent pouring over the menu, each entry seeming finer than the last, crème bruelee to torta ciocolatta and everything in-between, I chose tiramisu, and it did not disappoint. Damp, but not too soggy, it is rich, chocolaty, beautiful to look at, and bathed in espresso. Despite expectations based on the glamour of the meal, the price is surprising. Entrees are particularly cheap, the ravioli costing about fifteen dollars, and more expensive items, like the filet Mignon, closer to twenty. They do not provide free salads, and the appetizers averaged around seven dollars while the desserts a dollar less. Overall, a meal of that calibre, per person costing around twenty to thirty five dollars, is a bargain for the satisfaction implied. The price means that even Mounds View students, who are short on money, can enjoy a meal out with friends, dates, or even their families.

photo courtesy of www.biaggis.com

October 28, 2011

From Disney to dubstep

The return of punk pop

Once famous Disney Star Joe Jonas releases his debut solo album

by Quinn Madsen staff reporter

8/10

by Peter Ingraham staff reporter After their fourth album in 2009, the Jonas Brothers set off on an indefinite hiatus while the band’s front man, Joe Jonas, started working on his solo album. Last week, Jonas surprised the world with his new album, Fast Life, which had no resemblance to his work with the Jonas Brothers. Most of Jonas’ tracks do not even have guitar, but it is an album filled with superb, catchy dance songs and beats. Jonas used to sing and play guitar and drums with the Jonas Brothers. Now, he sings more of an R&B/dance style as opposed to the “Disney Pop” sound of the Jonas Brothers. Jonas is much better as a solo artist; he no longer has to rely on the rest of the band and can instead use synthesizer back-ups. The first single from this album, “Love Slayer,” is a trance-like song, comparable to most Taio Cruz songs. Danja, who is well-known for producing hits like “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado and “Sexyback” by Justin Timberlake, also produces this track, and Jonas takes advantage of Danja’s beats. This collaboration has resulted in an instant hit. The third and most popular single, “Just In Love,” has a spectacular catchy chorus. Warning: the chorus tends to get stuck in heads. On Oct. 4, the single was released again, but this time it had a different second verse, performed by none other than rapper Lil Wayne. This song gave the album an explicit mark, which is shocking for a former innocent Disney star. Jonas and Lil Wayne prove to be an interesting combination as they make the song flow well together with Wayne’s great lyrical mastery. Jonas’ new album is a combination of pop and R&B. Some songs even have dubstep lines. There will be some hits, but several songs on the album lack the seemingly addictive qualities of “Love Slayer” or “Just in Love.” Fast Life has high peaks and low valleys, but the number of quality songs makes for a very good album.

Editor

Singles

Kid Cudi- “No One Believes Me”

Though, “No One Believes Me” successfully illustrates a spooky Halloween scene, it is too simplistic to meet the standard of Kid Cudi’s other songs.

Sounds like: A soon-to-be Halloween classic. -Akshay Patke 6/10 reviews editor

Nineties American punk-pop band Blink-182 has recently gotten back together. After separating and announcing they were going on indefinite hiatus in February 2005, the musicians began to pursue new projects. Drummer Travis Barker and vocalist/bass guitarist Mark Hoppus formed the band +44, while vocalist/ guitarist Tom DeLonge joined the popular group Angels & Airwaves. The guys recently started to spend time together and talk about the fueling rumors of a Blink-182 comeback. The group announced their reunion at the 2010 Grammy Awards when they appeared on stage together for the first time in four years. After working on the new track for about three years, the three members collaborated and produced the album Neighborhoods, released Sept. 27, and the album does not disappoint. The music is somewhat of a mix between alternative rock, pop and punk. Blink-182’s new album has a strong resemblance to their third album, Enema of the State. This earlier album was more of a true rock album with a large use of guitar solos, unbelievable drumming and a belting chorus to go along with every song. Similarly, Neighborhoods returns to the band’s early style of music, with

great guitar riffs, pulsating drumming, and sing-a-long chorus lines. At the same time Blink-182 is still able to communicate to fans their ideas of life about failing at love, breaking up, and sex. The hit single, “Up All Night” is a great song and is reminiscent of “All the Small Things,” both sung by DeLonge, whose distinct and sometimes odd voice is what makes these songs so great. Another song from Neighborhoods reminiscent of Blink182’s songs from the 1990s and early 2000s is “After Midnight.” The song uses a low-key and smooth melody and it shows how diverse and unique Blink-182’s music is. Some of their older songs like “Story of a Lonely Guy,” “Stay Together for the Kids,” and “Always” are toned down in comparison to the punk-pop group’s new songs. Even so, their new sound still gives Blink182 fans want they want to hear. The diversity of their music is a key factor in the band’s success and its ability to return to the limelight after parting ways. They are just three guys who flat out know how to make good music. Although Neighborhoods may not be as big a seller as Blink-182’s past albums, faithful fans will be buying their music again. It may be the first step on Blink-182’s way back to the top of the music charts. photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

by Maggie LaMere staff reporter

8/10 hora let

9 reviews

With names like Steven Spielberg and Aaron Kaplan, nothing but success would be expected from the new FOX’s new hit TV show, Terra Nova. The shows lives up to its expectations; in the first week alone, the number of viewers was well into the millions. Terra Nova takes viewers on a thrilling adventure from the future to the prehistoric past. The show starts off in the future in year 2149. The dying earth does not have enough resources to support its growing population. However, scientists have found a way to travel 85 million years in the past to help save the human race, and hopefully change the future to create a healthier civilization. While traveling into the past, scientists are able to take only a limited number of families to escape the harsh environment of 2149.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds- “If I Had a Gun...” “If I Had a Gun...” has soft guitar chords and a melancholy melody, in other words, it is very hipster. Sounds like: The music that is played during walking scenes in movies.

7/10

-Lauren Nguyen gallery editor

This newly developed civilization is named Terra Nova after the Latin and Portuguese interpretations of “new found land.” The show focuses on the Shannon family. The mother, Elisabeth (Shelley Conn), is a doctor who is recruited to travel back in time, and is able to bring along her children and husband, Jim (Jason O’Mara). The family leaves the year 2149 on the 10th pilgrimage to the past thinking that they are starting over, but they later have to face the consequences of leaving behind their loved ones, the lack of modern conveniences, and constant run-ins with dangerous dinosaurs. The characters in the show were all dynamically created, but one character, Jim, stands out from the rest. Jason O’Mara’s character also adds comedic value that softens up the life or death situations that the civilization experiences, like dealing with dangerous predators living in the

Drake ft. Nicki Minaj- “Make Me Proud” Drake’s monotonous mixture of singing and rapping simply does not work. Not in this song, or in any other song that he has released. Sounds like: A politician with a sudden urge to rap.

2/10

-Tristan Gustafson features editor

area. Although Terra Nova is a science fiction TV show, the graphics of the dinosaurs are lacking. Though the sub-par graphics may disappoint viewers at first, the dramatic and intense plot line will be having all sci-fi nuts on the edge of their seats. For all romantics, the love interests are endless and will always leave in anticipation for next week’s episodes. Terra Nova does a great job of incorporating qualities of both prehistoric times and sci-fi themes. It deals with drama and relationships that anyone of any age could enjoy. The show is a must-see and with only four episodes aired so far, it is already getting a lot of great viewer hype. Basically, Terra Nova is the complete package.

9.5/10 Girl’s Generation (SNSD)“The Boys” SNSD’s first foray into American music takes advantage of their strong vocals, but fails to reach the bar set by their Korean hits. Sounds like: A biker group took over town--except one made up of Asian girls. -John Ke 7.5/10 managing editor

10sports Small

fierce

October 28, 2011

but

Are middle school athletes helping the team or stealing the thunder?

by Tony Blustein

staff reporter

The typical Mounds View sports program consists of a varsity, junior varsity, B-squad, and a freshman team. Usually athletes have to labor through each level to get to varsity their senior year. Of course there are exceptions as dedicated upperclassmen often get passed over for younger players. But what if they are way younger, maybe not even in high school? Mounds View teams are full of talented athletes. However, there is the occasional middle school student on the roster. Famed Mounds View athletes such as cross country captain Zach Roozen, 12, and tennis captain

Melanie Yates,12, competed at the high school level while still in middle school. Cross Country runner Annalee Blake, an 8th grader, is a current example of a middle school athlete on the high school team. She has raised some eyebrows since joining the team in seventh grade. “Certain people were more shocked than others, especially when they found out that I was 12, and not just a middleschooler, but a 12 year old,” said Blake. Blake admitted to being a little scared to join the team at first, until she met her teammates. Thankfully, all of Mounds View’s teams practice good sportsmanship. “I have never seen any

Athlete of the Issue

Carly Bandt

sophomore

Allie Severson

staff reporter

While only in her first season running cross country, Carly Bandt, 10, is turning heads as she makes varsity and becomes one of Mounds View’s best cross country runners. Q: How long have you been competing in cross country?

A: This is my first year, I was on the diving team before, but I decided to cross country after really liking track last year. Q: What are your goals?

A: I really want our team to make it to state this year, and I also hope to make All-Conference or place in sections.

Q:What are your personal records?

A: We have only had a total of three races this year, but I got 20 minutes and 23 seconds in a 5k at Griak, and 15 minutes and 35 seconds in a 4k at the meet in Alexandria.

Q: What’s your training schedule like?

A: We usually do 2-3 workouts each week, and on the other days we just go on 30 minute runs. We also do core each day and lift weights. Q:What’s your favorite partof cross country?

A: My favorite part it the unique things we do as a team, like go on a camp out up north over the summer, go aqua jogging in the lake, dress up crazy for Friday practices, and everyone is super nice. Also, I feel really accomplished when I finish a hard work out or race. photo by Youngjun Park

hazing,” said Madison, “Students do a good job to help them fit in.” Not just any middle school athlete can play high school level sports. Tennis coach Mike Cartwright believes that it is appropriate if they are an elite athlete. Other factors are taken into consideration. “We make sure they are socially, emotionally, and academically prepared,” said Activities Director Bob Madison. The decision to join the high school team is usually not made by the middle school student alone. “Someone will suggest the idea to them. (In tennis) they will hear it from a pro they work with, and then contact me,” said Cartwright. In Blake’s case, she

was contacted by the coach. “(Coach) Jimmy saw me run in the summer going into seventh grade. He said I would be a good addition to the team and I liked the idea of getting ahead while I can,” said Blake. An eighth-grader cannot just show up to Mounds View on the first day of tryouts, though. They must go through a process to become eligible. The athlete has to get a sign-off from the coach, the principals from both the high school and middle school, and from the Activities Director. However, no high school students can be cut to allow a middle school athlete on the team. “We believe high school sports are for high-schoolers,” said Madison. They also have to deal

with scheduling conflicts. They cannot get out of school early to practice, and it is the parent’s responsibility to transport the athlete to practices. Several middle school students have been able to jump these obstacles and play for the high school, just as many current seniors did when they were younger. It is likely that you will encounter a middle school athlete on the field at Mounds View. Many of them could use a few humble tips from a wellrounded senior. “I was really full of myself when I ran cross country in eighth grade,” said David Alexander, 12. “I thought I was really cool--but I wasn’t.”

Trip of wonders by Martha Kauls

staff reporter

To outsiders, the Mounds View Cross Country team’s trip to Alexandria each fall is an event shrouded in mystery. “You feel scared to ask about it,” said Alex Vang, 11. Despite its “What happens in Vegas” approach, Alexandria is more than just a mythical adventure to the middle of nowhere for the crazy people who run for fun. It is tradition. Each year, the schedule is the same. “We get on a coach bus, it’s comfortable, quiet, and the best part is we get to watch movies,” said Coach Ross Fleming. “Normally it is an inspirational runningrelated movie.” After the two-hour bus ride up, both the girls and boys teams check into Arrowwood, the hotel that hosts up to 25 schools for the race, and the grounds that the race take place on.

“It’s not a democracy. I choose the room assignments,” said Fleming. Both teams go on a quick run around the course. Then the boys team returns to the hotel to get ready for the traditional dinner at Angelina’s. After a carbfilled dinner the coach bus takes the boys to a grocery store to load up on Gatorade, SoBe, Pop-Tarts, and granola bars for some postrace snacks. Meanwhile, the girls team enjoys a meal provided by the hotel. Afterwards, it’s time for the team meetings back at the hotel. “We have a theme for the team meeting. This year, we [the boys team] focused on gratitude,” said Fleming. The night before the race, bedtime is strictly 10 p.m. The team cannot afford to do anything to compromise their chances for a good race, but they can admire the field from their rooms. “Mounds View always

gets first-floor rooms that look out at the finish line,” said Fleming. “So the field of battle lays before you.” The anticipation before the 5k race for the boys and 4k for the girls the next morning fills the halls of the hotel. Mounds View traditionally does very well in Alexandria, and this year was no different, with senior Zach Roozen placing first. After the race, the social frenzy begins. There’s ping-pong, football, swimming, video-games, and above all — food. The girls team usually stays in Alexandria for two nights, but this year could only stay for one. “We already had an overnight meet this year, but it’s not the same. I really missed playing football with the guys team!” said Katie McDaniels, 11. Alexandria is something that defines the crosscountry teams. “It’s a trip that all of us look forward to. It goes by so fast,” said

October 28, 2011

Court Supremacy Girls tennis returns to state by Paul Kroska staff reporter The Mounds View girls tennis team has had a tradition of success and pride. The girls team rolled through the first three rounds of sections and had a tight section final between Centennial that ended with a 5-2 victory for the Mustangs. It was a high intensity match with Centennial looking for revenge after losing to the Mustangs for five straight years. They competed in the team state tournament, held at the Baseline Tennis Center this week. Number two Mounds View drew Edina in the first round, the number one ranked team in the state. The thought would scare most teams, but several MV athletes have a different perspective on the issue. “In a way you think its bad that we play Edina, but it’s a good thing because when we beat them the rest will be easy,” said Summer Brills, 10. The team is very strong this year with seven returning players including captains Melanie Yates, 12, and Tacy Haws-Lay, 12. Yates is currently ranked number one in singles while the team of Haws-Lay and Brills rank number one in doubles. In

photo courtesy of Melanie Yates

Captains Melanie Yates and Tacy Haws-Lay after winning sections

a meeting before practice, the two captains stepped up and gave advice for the state tournament. “We just need to have fun with it and be confident,” said Yates. “We are serious, you cannot get frustrated,” said Haws-Lay. The two senior captains are incredibly passionate players that lead their team on and off the court. The lineup has some young players with good state tournament experience, making them a top contender for the title. Catie Meinen, 11, played singles at sections while Paige Thayer, 11, and Kourtney

Jakubic, 11, competed in doubles. The girls were undefeated in section play and were handed their only loss during the season by Edina. In addition to the team as a whole making yet another trip to the state tournament, Yates and the team of Haws-Lay and Brills will be representing MV at the individual state tournament that started Thursday, Oct 27. Both placed first in the section tournament, which was Oct. 17-18. While the players are some of the best in the state, they still need leadership and advice from Head Coach Mike Cartwright. Many know him as the physics teacher with the toy potato gun, but he is also one of the best coaches in the state. In preparation for state, Cartwright said a few words of advice to the team. “Beating Edina is our main goal, don’t let anger or frustration get you down,” said Cartwright. The girls are confident about their chances this year and believe they have a very good shot at the title. “This is the end; we have nothing to lose and we should win” said Meinen.

See mvviewer.org for state tournament results.

sports11

Locked

by Ryan Mackey staff reporter On July 1, the National Basketball Association (NBA) lockout went into full effect after the negotiation of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Players Association and the team owners fell through. NBA players were put out of work along with thousands of other employees of the same organizations. The players no longer had access to training facilities or coaches, and team owners could not trade, sign, or even contact players. The main point of contention between the two sides is the split of the basketball-related income (BRI). Under the former CBA, players received 57 percent of the BRI, but with so many teams losing money in past years, the association felt the need for a change. Owners wanted a more even split, and the players have been somewhat flexible in their demands, but both sides are still unable to come to an agreement. Tony Moga 10, said, “I don’t really care who settles, just as long as the NBA is on TV and entertaining me and millions of others worldwide.”

The entire pre-season and the first two weeks of the regular season have already been canceled. As more time goes by without an agreement, the possibility of a full season is becoming distant. Players are even signing with teams overseas until the debate is settled. Free agents like J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler have already decided to play the entire season in China. Many options have been proposed about what to do after an agreement is made. A shorter season is a possibility, but regardless of the length the schedule will need adjustments. Ideas have been proposed to run a full season a month delayed so that each team would gain three to eight home games back, in order to make up for revenue loss. Although this seems like a plausible solution, there are many downfalls to cramming a full season into the shortened time period, such as injuries and sloppy play. With both sides still at a stalemate, many fans are expecting a long wait until the first ball swishes through the hoop.

Arrowwood Resort

Mounds View Cross Country at the Lions Inviational in Alexandria See story on page 10

Ming ea cons aut vel iniamcons er senis dolorer Runners’ legs were covered with mud after the race

photos courtesy of Annalee Blake

12gallery

October 28, 2011

They’re creepy

and they’re kooky

1. 2.

6. 7. 8.

mysterious and spooky

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Wear a unique costume; no one likes to give the king size candy bars to ghosts and witches.

Despicable Minions by Neal Callinan staff reporter

Never let them know you are in high school; if they ask whip out your old middle school ID.

Halloween is closing in and students are starting to put their costume plans together. Mounds View’s Halloween dance has been a student favorite every year, functioning as a place to either test or show off costumes. This year, students are looking to go all out with their costumes. Senior girls Annie Gustafson, Meredith

Bring a little brother, sister, or neighbor along. Nothing says “give me candy” like a cute little smiling face. If they don’t answer the door the first time, keep ringing the doorbell. You know they are home. If you haven’t met your quota for the night, go home, change costumes and hit the same houses again.

DeWitt, and Rachel Phillippi are going as minions from the movie Despicable Me. “When we saw the movie we were inspired to be them because they were so cute,” said Phillippi. “We are going to paint ourselves yellow and wear goggles with blue overalls.”

photo courtesy of http://www.thegeekgeneration.com

Peaking out by Christina Yoon staff reporter A swirl of exquisite colors emanates from the darkness. A beautiful feathered tail comes into view. Sarah Schuler, 10, emerges dressed as a peacock. Schuler got inspiration for her costume from her peacock-like

Avoid a dentist’s house. You’re bound to get a tooth brush.

homecoming dress, which she will use as part of her costume. To complete the outfit, Schuler will paint a bright feather across her face. “Peacocks are so unique,” said Schuler. “You never see a person dressed up as a peacock for Halloween!”

An irregular taxi ride by Lauren Nguyen gallery editor

When you say trick o’ treat, emphasize on the “trick.” Wear roller blades; you can go from house to house a lot faster.

compiled by Zach Laughlin

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Discovering the most unique costumes within the Mounds View student body

photo courtesy of http://www.sripuram.com

Tips and Tricks to getting MORE candy

photo by Ben Kaiser

Most Halloween trick o’ treaters see a variety of witches, vampires, and ghosts. But seeing a hand-made vehicle like the famous Cash Cab, running around from house to house is an odd sight on Halloween night. The yellow cab will be driven by Mitch Allen, 12, who will be going as the host of Cash Cab, Ben Bailey, and Kathryn Zessman, 12, will be his passenger. “We came up with the idea one night watching TV, and decided from

there that we should go through with it,” said Zessman, 12. In addition, the couple has also made a twist on the traditional Halloween night. “We are going to ask trivia questions to people that we see through out the night, and if they get three [in a row] correct, then we are going to give them some of our candy,” said Allen. Get ready and study up on your trivia trick o’ treaters, it will be an exciting night to be riding in the Cash Cab.