Issue 12 2012-2013

Stephanie Schuba, 11, was first bullied on the bus ride home from Laurentian in the seventh grade. The bully “got the whole bus to call me a whale,” said Schuba, “and they decided that they would all move to the other side of the bus so that it wouldn’t tip over.” The insult spread quickly and lasted for years, as other students got involved and the bully gained followers. People would call her fat and even spread worse rumors, causing her to self-destruct. “I self-abused from my hatred from others,” she said. She went to her high school dean about the harassment she was facing. As a result, most of her bullies have switched schools, and her dean no longer places her in the same classes as her remaining harasser. Since her experience, Schuba has been able to get therapy and build a strong support group. Several other Mounds View students who were interviewed have reported similar stories of bullying, a possible reflection of state policy. A 2011 report from the U.S. Department of Education rated Minnesota’s anti-bullying law as the weakest in the nation. A bullying scandal in the Anoka-Hennepin school district over a series of suicides about students labeled as gay further put bullying under scrutiny last year. In an attempt to stop bullying incidents like these, legislators are discussing the Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act. It was passed by Minnesota’s House of Representatives on Monday and will be voted on by the Senate in the next few weeks. The possible law, proposed by the Minnesota Safe Schools for All Coalition, would repeal the current law and replace it with the recommendations given by the Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. The current law, while requiring school districts to have a policy against bullying, lacks any requirements in training

for educators and students on prevention and intervention of bullying. The new bill would give clear definitions for bullying, harassment, and intimidation, protecting students who are most likely to be bullied or harassed based on their race, color, creed, religion, disability, etc. Also, it would require training for students, staff, and volunteers on bullying prevention and intervention, setting-up specific procedures that school staff would be responsible for following a bullying incident. Mounds View’s current bullying stance is stated in the student handbook pages 22 to 25. It is categorized as harassment. “Since bullying takes different forms, we address it as harassment,” said Dean Irene Stewart. No matter what the incident is, Principal Jeff Erickson said he is confident that the staff will effectively deal with harassment. “Whenever there is an issue, whether it goes to a dean, the associate principal, or me, it’s dealt with immediately,” said Erickson. “We talk to the student who has been doing the bullying, we work with the family, we determine appropriate consequences, but the end result, the behavior changes. Bullying stops.” Many students believe, though, that bullying remains a prevalent problem within Mounds View. “The school, they don’t think they have time for the priority so they choose to ignore it,” said Katrina Sponheim, 9. Sponheim said she has been bullied for quite some time. “It’s not that we’re the only school that has this problem.” While senators and school administrators attempt to make a safer environment for students, Sponheim argues that the real power comes from the kids. “The people who are walking around the building, the kids who are friends of the bullies who are friends with the victim,” she said. “It doesn’t come from administrative or authorities. Once it becomes unacceptable to your friends, that’s when you stop doing it.”

www.mvviewer.org Friday, May 10, 2013 Volume 60, Issue 12

Mounds View

SLEEP ISWEAKNESS

IN EDITORIALS 2

VIDEOGAMES

IN FEATURES 4

True TeamSections

ONLINE mvviewer.org

See how Boy’s and Girls’ Track and Field did at True Team Sections.

VIEWER

POETRYWINNERS

IN SPREAD 6-7

by MONICA KEMPstaff reporter

Battling the BulliesNew anti-bullying bill aims to curb harassment

Ericksonleavesprincipal position by MATT VOGES and SASHA SAFONOVreviews and spread editiors

Principal Jeff Erickson announced his resignation on Friday, May 3, having accepted the position of principal at Minnetonka High School starting next school year. Erickson worked at Minnetonka High School for 19 years, 14 as a Spanish teacher and and five as an assistant principal. In 2012, just before coming to Mounds View, Erickson won Minnesota’s Assistant Principal of the Year award. He accepted Minnetonka’s offer to return as principal upon the retirement of its current principal, Dave Adney. “It’s like going back home for him again. I’m sure it was just a terrible, terrible decision for him to make,” said Adney. At Mounds View, there is some concern about Erickson’s departure. “He made a lot of changes in our school on his own. Whatever the future may hold after he leaves, I hope that at least some of our next principal’s views fall in line with those of Mr. Erickson. If they don’t, then all this change might be for nothing,” said Chance Carnahan, Junior Class Officer. Confirming that recent dialogues regarding changes to grading, communication, and new programs like Early College would not necessarily end with his departure, Erickson said, “Those conversations will continue--they’re not finalized. The initiatives that have been moving forward in the building, they’ll continue to move forward.” Overall, Erickson has been pleased with his experience at Mounds View and repeatedly voiced admiration for its student body. “I have enjoyed them tremendously,” said Erickson. “The students here, as I said in my letter to the community, live out the mission of respectful, responsible, and resourceful we’ve gone back to many times. That’ll be hard to say goodbye to because I’ve been amazed with that: who the students are, their leadership, the connections I’ve made with them. That will not be easy.” He is also optimistic about his remaining time. “I look forward to a strong finish. We’ve got five weeks left, we’ve got a lot of events during that time. The focus of the next five weeks is on the students and making sure that the seniors have an exceptional end of the year, and they will,” said Erickson.

photo illustration by Ben Kaiser

Loser

Moron

!

2editorials

109

87

6 54

3

12012-2013Viewer EditorsEditor-in-Chief

Max WangManaging Editors

-Online/Design Megan RuanSupreme Overlord Akshay Patke

Business ManagerTristan Aschittino

NewsPeter Olson

EditorialsDavid Gonzalez-Dysinger

Allison HareFeatures

Mali BacigCammie Kelly

SpreadJohn Knopf

Sasha SafonovVariety

Selin KurtogluReviews

Matt VogesSports

Adam ToninatoDavid Liu

GalleryYoungjun Park

Photographers/ArtistsJoy Xie, Ben Kaiser,

Anders Nygaard, Kevin Lee, Sophie Gorham, Angela Nan,

Christian Oswood Adviser Martha Rush

Staff Samantha Baschky, Josephine Berg-mann, Nina Bertelsen, James Birr, Nolan Carlson-Stevermer, Alec Edgett, Kobi En-drizzi, Namrata Gadela, Molly Hancuh, John Hingos, Jospeh Janey, Phoebe Ke, Monica Kemp, Jonathan Kim, Mitchell LeMay, Morgan Masters, Kyoka Millard, Matthew Montgomery, Rebecca Nara, Ntonobari Ollor, Kyler Roberts, Madeline Rosenow, Neha Sethi, Mark Sheldon, Thomas Sletten, Alistair Tang, Nicole Wahlin, Ryan Yoch

The Viewer is published by the student editors at:

Mounds View High School1900 Lake Valentine RdArden Hills, Minnesota

Sauk Centre Publishing

May 10, 2013

Viewer Mission Statement1. 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.

2 Count all the money you saved by not going to prom

Watch paint dry

Eat

Cry yourself to sleep four hours earlier!

Watch Carrie

Browse 4chan

Compete at the National Science

Olympiad Tournament(or Econ Challenge)

Wonder how the heck Robbie He got a prom date

TOP10

Better things to do instead of prom

Read Viewer

STAFF EDITORIALEditors Agree

Editors Disagree15 0

“

Get real with learning

Build an ark

One of the most common things for high schoolers to complain about is lack of sleep. But what isn’t widely known is that sleep is one of the most boring and uneventful things you’ll ever do in your life. Not only that, but it’s also an incredible waste of time. As teenagers, we no longer require the insignificant activity known as sleep.

There is no doubt about it--sleeping is boring. You can’t perform physical activities, nor can you inter-act with anyone. This is pretty much the same thing as being bounded and gagged, another experience I can assure you isn’t very much fun.

Sure, everyone dreams several times over the course of the night, but in the morning barely anyone remem-bers those dreams. That’s like going to a movie and not even remembering you went. All that’s left is a blank spot in your memory where all you remem-ber is that you did nothing. Doesn’t sound very entertaining, does it?

Say the average person sleeps about seven to eight hours at night. That means that you waste about 2,737 hours a year sleeping. There is so much

you could do in those hours. You could finish that season of The Walking Dead, reach a new rank in League of Legends, or find a solution to world hunger. So the next time one of your overbearing parents de-mands that you go to bed, remind them of all the time they have been wasting on sleep that could have been used getting a medical degree.

Being teenagers means we have reached a new height of maturity. We can watch PG-13 rated movies, have Facebook accounts, and most impor-tant of all, we do not require sleep.

Other consequences of not sleeping such as forgetfulness, be-ing more prone to acne, and glut-tony are all simply coincidental. You should seek therapy or face wash to solve all of those problems.

In the end, the most useless thing that all human beings do is sleep. It is boring, unproductive, and we do not require it. Maybe if everyone spent more time awake we wouldn’t have all the political, social, and economic issues that we have today.

Sleep is for the weak!!!by ALISTAIR TANGstaff reporter

SATIRE

Mounds View needs more emphasis on mentoring programsThe end goal of education

is to become a productive mem-ber of society. So it seems odd that education is often lacking in real-world relevance. Stu-dents’ work experiences usu-ally amount to flipping burg-ers or mowing lawns—good ways to make a dime, but not really any place to gain qualifications for a future job.

Mounds View students de-serve a mentorship program that will further their education and set them up for a future—or current—internship or job.

The job market for first-time workers is competitive, as many news sources have reported. Stu-dents just out of college general-ly face a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the popula-tion because of a lack of expe-rience. The recession and weak recovery have only exacerbated the problem. A 2011 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported that America had a higher non-employment rate

among those ages 25-34 than other developed nations such as France, Britain, and Japan, at 26.6 percent. In 2000, the U.S. had a lower non-employment rate among these same nations.

An education in the classroom also removes stu-dents from the real impact that education is meant to have. Learning is supposed to be ap-plied, not tested away for just a grade. Opening students to the value that their education will make them more engaged.

Many high schools in the Twin Cities area, including Wayzata, Eden Prairie, and Min-netonka, work with the Honors Mentor Connection program, hosted through District 287. Students in Honors Mentor Con-nection work under the guidance of a professional to help and de-velop their own work. The pro-gram also gives students semi-nars in developing their skills in research and technical reading.

There is interest within the community to mentor students.

Marvin Sims, Irondale dean and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. adviser, saw a lot of support when he asked for help to develop a mentor-ship program for S.T.R.I.P.E.S.

“Our college and career dean, Scott Wiens, sent an email to parents at Mounds View and Irondale, saying that we’re looking for career coaches, people to come in and will talk about their careers first hand,” said Sims at a recent Mounds View School District meeting. “What it took them to get there, so the adversity that they faced, and what were the in and outs of being successful at that job. We had 75 responses within an hour—not only that, they want to come and mentor our kids.”

There are many different areas that students could be in-volved in through an internship program. Conducting research— whether that be wet lab research in biology or literature searches in history—would give students a deep understanding for the development of new ideas in a

field of their choice. Working for local companies would give students experience in the work-ings and skills needed to partici-pate in a business organization.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that internship oppor-tunities are a symbiotic relation-ship between mentor and stu-dent. Students, obviously, gain experience and connections in a field that interests them. Men-tors get help with their work and a creative, energized helper.

The interest and support for a mentorship program al-ready exists in Mounds View and within the community. It is a viable program that will benefit students by giving them greater experience in their area of interest, while also getting students more interested in their education. Learning to learn leads to disinterested students; a real-world program that con-nects learning to actual change and impact, well, that can make a world of a difference, for students and the community.

cartoon by Sophie Gorham

Editor opinionsWhat your Viewer editors think of various issues.

“Underclassmen and Juniors: enjoy high school while you can. It goes by faster than you would think.” - Allison Hare editorials editor

3editorials

“Snow in May? Minnesota is on drugs.”

- Youngjun Parkgallery editor

“In order to be more politi-cally correct, the Calculus BC exam should be called Calcu-lus BCE.”

- Peter Olsonnews editor

“ ”

- Sophie Gorham cartoonist

May 10, 2013

Mere moments after two explosions tore through the crowd of the Boston Marathon on April 15th, the Internet was already swarming with images of suspected bombers, conspiracy theories and support for the victims and the city of Boston.

Welcome to a terrorist attack in the Internet age, where the information is as vast as it is easily accessible. However, along with this new ability to share information to aid in the chase of suspects comes the ability to paint innocents as criminals, and to set off a series of pointless witch hunts that only end in tragedy.

With that in mind, we look at a chief example: Reddit.com, a social news and opinion forum. Reddit turned every one of its communities towards these recent attacks. A literal “search party” was formed by its users, an international community of bloggers, hackers and average joes. This group worked to hunt down individual suspects, collect testimonials through forums and promote awareness.

Though its intentions were noble and its support appreciated, the group had its failings in its ability to send people on a wild goose chase that put many innocents in hot water. By posting pictures of suspects, or those that “looked like” possible suspects, the forum was able to turn an entire group of people against certain individuals.

One of the victims of this scrutiny, Sunil Tripathy, a student at Brown University, had gone missing prior to the bombings, leaving his friends and family frantically searching for him. When his name came up as a possible attacker, his already grieving family was suddenly bombarded with media attention and hate mail from various tormentors.

Unfortunately, his body was discovered a few days later, and although the bombings might have had nothing to do with his disappearance, the speed at which his name equated to “terrorist,” and the amount of spite he and his family received is alarming.

Tripathy was only one of the many people who were harassed by the spotlight of these “terrorist hunts,” and as the net grows in its capacity to

inform people globally, it will continue to create more victims such as these.

Instead of attempting to do detective work and ruining the lives of innocents, people need to look for different ways to aid a relief effort. Donate to a charity fund, spread support for the city and those affected, share the stories of the communal strength; the list goes on. Leave the skilled work to the professionals, and realize the power that finger pointing on the internet has on an individual’s liberty.

by SHASHANK HOLALKEREstaff reporter

Boston Witch Hunts

Two assumed dead, hundreds more injured in a large blast. Many ran in terror, few stayed to help. This tragic explosion happened last Monday in Prague, and was the effect of a natural gas explosion.

The Prague explosion shares many characteristics with recent events in the U.S. Although both these events are terrifying and tragic, there is something one should consider with this kind of situation—perspective. The world is an enormous place, and there is the whole world we still need to think about.

Aside from the recent bombings in Boston, there have been numerous bombings in Israel, a bombing of a French embassy in Libya, and numerous bomb threats across the Eurasian area. With all of this going on, it can make one wonder what else has been missed in the media.

Many events seem to go completely unnoticed, and although some stories seem less applicable to U.S. concerns, there are many important events

slipping past the public’s eye. An example of this is the verdict on the Benghazi embassy shooting.

Many have probably heard of the lives lost during the attack on the Benghazi embassy. Few have likely followed up on the final say on the cause of this shooting. Secretary of

State Hillary Clinton has apologized for the lack of security and awareness of the dangers of the Benghazi situation. Findings like this are things that the U.S population should be readily aware of, but are not.

The media isn’t completely ignoring important issues like this,

however. Topics like Israel’s growing involvement in the Syrian conflict are reported on frequently. The Syrian conflict has been, recently, fairly easy to follow. For the media, this is a progressive step towards a broader news scope.

The next step could be more reporting on things such as the recent Prague explosion. The things that happened in Boston are terrible. Many have suffered unfathomable loss, but that does not excuse the American body to ignore the rest of the world because of this foreign attack.

In fact, it should be a reason to embrace the world. No longer is America exempt from the daily listings of attacks of terror. The world is a big place with many people. If the the people of the world could stand together, and help one another in times of strife and loss, imagine all the good the world could do.

by KOBI ENDRIZZIstaff reporter

The media’s undiscerning eye

The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon was given thorough media coverage, unlike other serious world events.

fair use from MCT Campus

Student Sunil Tripathy was placed under suspicion from mere speculation on the internet.

fair use from inquisitr.com

May 10, 20134featuresFranklin E. Brainard Awards

Each spring, seniors compete in the Franklin E. Brainard Poetry awards by submitting original poems that are judged by English teachers. This year’s winner is Thomas Hagen, and the runner up entered under the pen name Macri.

An Extra Poem A poetry contest; What a curious thing, To be measured on something That even be seen It’s not football or baseball; It’s an expression of self. How can we score things That can only be felt?-Macri

Cog Social ranking, what guiding fat resides. How classes clash as hero’s of their day. How flames of anger and jealousy flare! How the weak, the meek, and silent writhe, Under the coarse step of society. The society that you belong to. But you have had enough of these people. The resounding “click”, as you are plucked free, A shiny cog from a broken machine. With this, you are unrestrained, free to roam, Free to be free, free, free. But at what cost? The cost of social acceptance, no more. What good is a cog without a machine? From one machine, to another, you jump. But here, not this place, not among these ranks. Here we are free, here we are unstifled. Your body rejoins the spinning, You think, What is freedom, when you are just a cog.

-Thomas Hagen

The Theatre Without people, a story is only a setting with no con-nection. Without a story, people are only emotion without location. Apart, they are two pieces of broken life. Together, they are everything.

-Thomas Hagen

Darkness Dark We leave We are young The folly the youth The first spark of love We grow each day we live And we become who we will be For the time we live, we are immortal Individuals become kings in their own respect But bodies will age with time And minds will be loose The folly of age We are old We join Light

-Thomas Hagen

A Night Time Prayer Silently, Sullenly, He slips through the window, And quietly, Curious, He moves up to her room. The creak of the floorboards, The lights of the full moon, So elegant, Delicate, The face in the bedroom Then violent crashes, He’s broken an heirloom Sat resting, Collecting, Dust like an old tomb She sits up in her bed and screams, “God, who there moves?!”

“I’m a Watchman,” he says “And I’m here to protect you.” -Macri

Mounds View MaelstromI have come across something; We all worry too much About due dates, Assignments And catching the bus. It’s hard to enjoy things. We can never catch up With the mountains of work That are piling up We miss sunrises and sunsets, We miss time with our pets, We miss leisurely reading And our nephew’s first steps. But we’ll sit in our classrooms And sit in our desks And grind through assignments And barrel through tests And finish our work So we can all go back home, Shove our face in our books, and turn off our phones And stare out the window At a world still unknown And somehow never ask why We might feel so alone.-Macri

Once I was... Once I was naive Now I am aware Once I trusted people Now I wish I could Once I met a kid Now I have a friend Once, life was simple Now I see its not Once I hoped for the future Now I long for the past Once I was the minority Now, I am happy with it Once I wore a mask Now I fool everybody Once I lived by laws Now I see who makes them Once I followed God Now I walked alone Once I knew little Now I don’t know

-Thomas Hagen

5featuresMay 10, 2013

Connor Duffy, 12, and David Gon-zalez, 12, pose for a photo on the Harvard Campus in Boston.

You’re granted more freedom [with jazz] than other types of music.”

-Peter Goggin

“

photos provided by David Gonzalez and MCT Campus Website

CHAOS IN BOSTON

On the scene: A personal experience in Boston

When my plane landed in Boston, I landed in a city on lockdown. Walking out into the terminal, I encountered a group of fellow Harvard prefrosh.We chatted and observed as the airport police patrolled with enormous weapons.

Harvard officials then arrived and told us admit weekend was cancelled, and escorted us to a hotel. We all watched the TV intently, want-ing nothing more than an end to the insanity. When the guy was captured, we erupted in cheers of “Boston!”, “Har-vard”, and “USA!”

We ended up visiting Har-vard after all, although many events had been canceled. On Sunday, as Connor and I wan-dered the city, we marvelled at how quickly it had returned to normalcy. Suddenly, we saw a large group of people gathered around a blocked-off portion of the street. I asked a man what was going on and he responded incredulously, “Do you have any idea what’s been happen-ing here this past week?” That was when I realized that we were standing where the bombs had gone off.

I’m not a particularly emo-tional person, but the memorial to the bomb victims brought tears to my eyes.

I’d never been to Boston before, but the chaos far from ruined the experience for me. It inspired me to see a city rally together in the face of tragedy. I felt a swell of pride in the city I would soon call my home. And most importantly, gazing at the memorial laid out on Boylston Street, I felt some-thing powerful, more powerful than just feeling Bostonian or feeling American. I felt human.

Unsettling time for Harvard visitby DAVID GONZALEZeditorials editor

On Monday, April 15, the annual Bos-ton Marathon began as planned: 26,000 competitors lined up and ready. But about six hours in, the race took a turn for the deadly. At 2:50 p.m., two bombs went off in rapid succession, about 200 yards from the finish line. The bombs caused instant panic, killing three and injuring more than 250. Amidst the chaos, two brothers--Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev—slipped quietly away.

For the next three days, the nation stood in panic mode - who would do this?

And why? On Thursday, the FBI identified the Tsarnaev brothers through surveillance footage and pinpointed them as prime suspects.

As the Tsarnaev brothers fled, they were intercepted by MIT police officer Sean Collier, who engaged them in a shootout. Collier, 26, was shot and killed. The pair stole a vehicle and a lengthy police chase ensued. The chase ended in a gunfight, leaving the elder brother, Tamer-lan, dead from gunshot wounds and blunt trauma. The younger brother, Dzhokhar, escaped.

The next day, Bostonians awoke to a police-enforced lockdown of epic pro-

portions. The entire city of Boston was completely shut down—schools closed, public transportation halted, even walking on the sidewalk forbidden as the police hunted the lone remaining suspect. False alarms and leads kept nerves strung taut throughout the day. By 6 p.m., the lock-down was lifted, though Dzhokhar had yet to be apprehended.

At 8 p.m., Dzhokhar’s bloodied, wea-ry yet still breathing body was discovered in a resident’s boat. Dzhokhar surrendered himself, and the police found him with significant head, arm, and leg wounds. Dzhokhar was treated at a local hospital, then taken into custody.

by JAMES BIRRstaff reporter

I was sitting in a Chemistry lecture at the Harvard University Science Center the afternoon I saw a text on the iPhone of the girl next to me: “Two explosions at finish line of marathon. Not sure if bombs.” Within minutes, CNN breaking news headlines began popping up on the open laptops of distracted students across the room: “BOMBING AT BOSTON MARA-THON,” along with initial pictures of the bloody carnage. Intrigued, and slightly worried, I decided to head home. Easier said than done. Several subway stations had been shut down and transit officials seemed to have no idea what was going on. More than two hours and one wildly circuitous route later, I finally managed to reach my apartment.

CPW, the MIT admitted students’ weekend, had just ended, and I was stay-ing in Boston until the next weekend for Visitas, the Harvard admitted students’ weekend. Surprisingly, however, an in-creased police presence was the only sign that anything was out of the ordinary. That is, until three days later. On Thurs-day evening, I saw several worrisome Facebook statuses: “Stay away from Stata, guys.” Gunshots had been heard at the MIT Stata Center and an MIT police officer had reportedly been shot. “MIT? Stata?!” I thought worriedly–I had been

on MIT campus several hours earlier, and I had eaten lunch at the Stata Center almost every day last summer. I followed the story online in horror as the suspects led police on a high-speed car chase, throwing improvised bombs behind them and caus-ing a standoff in a nearby suburb. It felt as though Boston was becoming a real-life Gotham.

By this time, I could hear police sirens and helicopters. I shut the window shades and camped out in front of my com-puter, watching as the events unfolded in Watertown, about three miles from where I was. It was absolutely horrifying – the guy could be anywhere, and the reports of door-to-door searches and fierce gun battles didn’t help to calm my nerves.

When I woke up early the following morning after a few hours of fitful sleep, the streets outside were silent and deserted. Police hadn’t yet apprehended the second suspect, so they were advising all Bosto-nians to stay at home and lock their doors in what amounted to a city-wide lockdown. I texted Kami [Choi] and David [Gonza-lez], who were scheduled to fly to Harvard Visitas that morning, telling them that it might not be wise to come to Boston just then.

I stayed home all day. Harvard Visitas was canceled, and all Boston-area colleges shut down for the day. Literally everything shut down– transportation, stores, busi-nesses – Boston became a temporary ghost

town. Of all times for me to visit Boston, I thought. It wasn’t very reassuring when Boston’s governor lifted the lockdown in the late afternoon, given that the second terrorist had not been found.

At about 7 p.m., reports surfaced that police had cornered the suspect in a Water-town backyard. Thank goodness, I thought, this could finally be done. About an hour later, NBC News reported that the second and final suspect had been taken alive, and images of relieved citizens cheering for police officers appeared on my screen. Outside my apartment, I heard whoops of joy in the streets, as people streamed out of their homes and celebrated loudly.

It had been a crazy week, with the violence hitting especially close to home for me because of my connection to and fondness for MIT. Though I will never forget the fear and worry I felt as the events transpired, the violence has not damaged my perception of Boston, and in fact allowed the amazing resilience of the city to shine through. I’m thankful that my friends, family, and I are safe.

Go to mvviewer.org to read the full versions of the

stories!

by CONNOR DUFFYguest writer

Boston citizens gather for a moment of silence honoring those injured and killed by the bombings.

Police diverge traffic amidst the chaos of the bombings.

Level up with video gamesDark rooms, bright televisions, pale faces and sweaty hands. Many people view video games as nothing

more than a shady, reclusive pastime. Denounced by politicians and parents alike, it may come as a surprise that what lies behind the screen might not be so bad. New studies show psychological effects

of video games in a better light and some creative uses of video games.

Either as a punishment, or due to overplaying, almost every gamer has felt the incredible sadness of being separated from a beloved game by a parent. But could parents actually be hampering the child’s emotional progress by decreasing Xbox time?

Believe it or not, playing a “healthy amount of videogames” is no paradox. A 2010 study conducted by Llorca Diez of the University of Granada analyzed 266 participants between the ages of 11 and 16. The results indicated that video games, when played in moderation, improved self-efficacy (the perception of one’s own performance). This, in turn, brings grades up.

Video games have shown increased self-efficacy in even the worst cases. In a 2011 study titled “The Efficacy of Prescribed Casual Video Games in Reducing Clinical Depression and Anxiety,” 57 percent of adults with clinical depression saw a “decrease in measurable depression symptoms” simply by playing casual games for at least 30 minutes every day.

This improvement in temperament seems to affect every age group. In a 2013 study by North Carolina State College, 140 people over the age of 63 were surveyed. Non-gamers in the study reported greater tendencies of negative emotions and

presented more cases of depression than gamers.

So is playing videogames analogous to having your daily dose of Vitamin D? Probably not. And neither will locking yourself in a room and gaming, hardcore, make you the happiest person in the world. But slowing down and taking a few moments to unwind with a video game, might not be so bad. “Video games help me feel better when something’s bothering me, or when I’m just bored,” said Ian Curphy, 12.

EmotionallyGaming - In moderation

Remember the last time you hit the brakes just in time to avoid a collision with an incompetent driver? Spatial recognition is something that

you use every day, from the simple task of packing your lunch box, to tasks as complex as playing musical instruments. And video games can help.

There are numerous studies showing a positive correlation between video games and spatial recognition. Dating all the way back to 1982, Lowery and Knirk indicated that video games can improve this trait. This was

later confirmed by Dorval and Pepin in 1986, and the relatively recent testing of Tetris by Sims and Mayer in 2002. But has anything changed with modern games?

If anything, they have been shown to be more beneficial to the cognitive processes. In a 2013 study by Nanyang Technological University, Adam Oei and Michael Patterson tested mobile games, including Bejeweled, Modern Combat: Sandstorm, and Sims 3. After the test subjects played the instructed one hour a day, five days a week, for four weeks, they were found to have to have gained perception in multiple categories

such as object memory, spatial memory, and complex sequence memory. Modern Combat, a first-person shooter that had more action than the other games tested, helped players improve in three areas where no other group did: attentional blink, multiple-object tracking, visual search and cognitive control.

While clearly not a legitimate way of studying for a test, video games can help certain attributes, such as memorizing information. Playing the occasional game might just alter a non-gamer’s perception - literally.

Physically “Do you even VIDEO GAME?”

Video games have been shown to be unorthodox simulators. But there are surprising ways in which video games may improve the greater whole of the science community. Like many indie developers, Jerome Waldispühl and Mathieu Blanchette spent hours developing a game in hopes of attracting attention. What makes them unique is that they are computer scientists at McGill University in Montreal. Also their game, Phylo, has the potential to cure specific diseases.

Released in 2012, Phylo is a simple color matching game that corresponds to different genes in different animals. “When a computer tries to solve the problem, it will always try to solve it the same way – the way it has been programmed to solve it,” said Blanchette in an interview with PBS.org. “Whereas humans, because we don’t tell them how to solve it, they’ll have different strategies.

That will provide us with a variety of different solutions, some of which will turn out to be better than those found by the computer.”

And this knowledge shouldn’t be taken lightly. “Potentially your game will improve the data, and these data will be useful to solve a disease and save the life of someone,” he said Waldispühl. The game is available for free at http://phylo.cs.mcgill.ca/.

Not all positive effects from video games are intentional. In 2005, the popular MMORPG World of Warcraft had a pandemic. The virtual disease “Corrupted Blood,” intended by developers to be an extra challenge, escaped its confines in one of the dungeons. Having an irreversible effect on player’s characters, quarantines were instituted by the developers, and low rank players found themselves at a disadvantage at this “glitch.”

This “glitch” also sparked the attention of

epidemiologists. Epidemiologists, scientists that use complex mathematical models to track the spread of a disease, are ordinarily very restricted in their models, only having previous epidemic data to draw from. Enter “Corrupted Blood,” which had surprisingly similar characteristics to a real world epidemic, as noted by Lofgren and Fefferman in the Epidemiology paper. “Appropriate exploitation of these gaming systems could greatly advance the capabilities of applied simulation modelling in infectious disease research.”

More than just a simple simulation, video games have shown surprising potential in impacting the science community through unadulterated human input.

IntellectuallyThe Science of Gaming

information compiled by Kobi Endrizzi

Level up with video games

Emotionally

Intellectually

information compiled by Kobi Endrizzi

“My life is a video game.” Just like Aaron Gehl, 10, many students have trouble balancing video games and everything else.

“Playing video games can make you lose track of time. You begin playing a game, and then you’re like, ‘Shoot, it’s night already!’” said Matt Anderson, 11.

According to WebMD.com, video game addiction is a very real, compulsive behavior, similar to gambling addiction. “It affects the same pleasure centers in the brain that make people want to come back,” said Dr. Michael Fraser, clinical psychologist and college professor at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Sites such as WoWdetox.com help addicts cope with their condition; countries like Amsterdam even have addiction treatment centers for video game addicts.

It’s always good to be able to exercise self-restraint. If you feel familiar with any of the symptoms below, it might be beneficial to keep the screen black for a few hours.

- Secrecy or lying about use- Spending more than 24-30 hours a week online not for work or school- Mood shifts, such as increased irritability, if access is taken away- A significant decrease in other activities and interests- Neglecting friends, family and other responsibilities- Sleep problems- Deterioration of personal hygiene

7 signs of a gaming or internet addiction:

information compiled by Rebecca Nara

MJ

A

Guns, chainsaws, blood, guts, and gore. Ever since the controversial 1976 game “Gremlins,” violent video games have plagued teenagers’ minds and caused restless nights for parents. Countries including Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany have already taken steps to ban violent video games, such as Grand Theft Auto and Dead Rising, that are available in the United States. The move to limit video game consumption is not new. The debate over whether video games are harmful has been raging for several decades, with no end in sight.

In 2013, a group in Southington, Connecticut called the SouthingtonSOS planned (and later canceled) a protest to destroy violent media (giving gift certificates in return) after “achieving awareness.” DebraLee Hovey, a Connecticut state representative, has suggested that a 10 percent “sin tax” be applied to M-rated games.

California went a step farther in 2005, when it passed a law banning the sale of Mature-rated games to minors, which was declared unconstitutional in 2011.

A study conducted at Ohio State demonstrated that people who consistently play violent video games are more aggressive than those who don’t by having participants blast an air horn at someone in another room. The study only indicated a short-term spike in aggression, similar to what one would get after watching a kung-fu movie.

Grand Theft Childhood, a book co-written by Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D., and Cheryl Olson, Sc.D., pointed out numerous flaws in studies linking aggression to video games. In an interview with G4, a video game news channel, Olson explained contradictory studies on video game violence.

“They [experimental psychologists] try to say that aggression in the real world is the same as aggression in the lab where they are blasting an air horn for a fraction of a second longer... Does this really make sense? Is this anything like aggression in the real world?”

Kutner and Olson conducted a study involving over 1,250 children and 500 parents, which found that two groups of boys were at most risk for engaging in violent activities: boys that played

almost exclusively M-rated games for 15 hours more in week, and boys that did not play video games at all. The study conducted by Kutner and Olson indicated that playing video games among teenage boys is a “marker of social competence.”

After every school shooting there is the usual case of finger pointing, usually targeting any violent media the suspect used. As they are the new type of media, video games are often singled out. In the 1950s, the new media was the comic book, which was deemed unhealthy for the youth and heavily censored (In 1954, comic-book publishers adopted a code that banned the words “terror” and “horror”). Many video gamers claim that video games are simply the next scapegoat in line.

A 2004 US Secret Service review of previous school-based attacks found that one-eighth of attackers showed an interest in violent video games, less than the rate of interest attackers showed in violent movies, books, and violence in their own writings.

In the Journal of Adolescent Research 2008, an article titled Development: Boys’ Perspectives: The Role of Violent Video Game Content in Adolescent summarized the numerous benefits of video games.

“By providing adolescents with situations not typically experienced in the real world, video game play may facilitate exploration of rules and consequences. Violent games are also a safe place to experiment with emotions and roles that may be unacceptable in daily life.Interviews with adolescents and young adults suggest that many view violent video games as incorporating realistic situations and consequences.”

In short, violent video games may actually be a safe outlet for violent feelings. “After I’ve done my screaming and throwing the controller, it’s quite therapeutic,” said Nick Gedig, 11.

While many other factors influence teenage crime rate, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that violent video games provide a safe outlet. According to the New York Times, “The number of violent youth offenders fell by more than half between 1994 and 2010, to 224

per 100,000 population, according to government statistics, while video game sales have more than doubled since 1996.”

One would think that such a significant increase in popularity of video games would have a visible effect on crime rate.

Video games don’t seem to pose quite the problem in other nations. Washington Post journalist Max Fischer analyzed the ten largest video game markets in the world (“most of which, such as Korea and the Netherlands, play the same spectrum of games as the United States”), and found that the United States had six times the per-capita gun related murders of the other nine countries. In fact, “countries where video game consumption is highest tend to be some of the safest countries in the world.”

In 1999, Marilyn Manson wrote a response to the horrific Columbine High School Massacre. “We applaud the creation of a bomb whose sole purpose is to destroy all of mankind, and we grow up watching our president’s brains splattered all over Texas. Times have not become more violent. They have just become more televised... I think that the National Rifle Association is far too powerful to take on, so most people choose Doom, The Basketball Diaries or yours truly.”

Video games may be part of the problem; they may not. Regardless, they will continue to draw attention.

Critics blame games for violenceby SASHA SAFONOVspread editor

Research mixed on links between virtual and real-world violence

Do you think video games promote violence?

69%

22%

9%Said that they do not

Said that they do

Think it depends on the game/person

45 students were polled

This is how we format a pull-quote.”

-Student name, xx

“

May 10, 20138variety

A Solid Future Begins with a Solid Plan.

There is life beyond high school.

Check out our 35+ career programs

today!

AnokaTech.edu 763-576-4700

© 201 Anoka Technical College An equal opportunity employer and educator and a member of the Minnesota State

Colleges and Universities system. Accredited by the Higher Leaning Commission. This document is available in alternate formats to individuals with disabilities by calling

763-576-4700 or TTY: 7-1-1.

Is it possible to create sustainable style from recycled materials, even in today’s world? From Jan. 19 to May 23, 2013 at the McNeal Hall Gallery located at the University of Minnesota, students, faculty and apparel professionals from all across the world are taking up this challenge during the Redefining, Redesigning Fashion exhibit.

Two hundred different submissions are presented during the exhibit, each judged by a panel for its creativity and use of material. The hall is turned from an ordinary showcase room to a gallery bursting with style and originality. Upon entering, one is taken aback by the complexity of each design, showcased behind a

grey backdrop and stage lighting. Though each look may be of

thrift material, they are all red carpet

ready. The backdrop further contributes to the sense of professionalism; the exhibit is laid out in such a way that it takes each visitor out of Minnesota and into the tents of Fashion Week. Lovers of vibrant colors will be jubilant at the sight of brilliant and intricate patterns that are just in time for spring, with everything from crochet material to layers of different colored ruffles in sight.

Those with a flair for vintage will find that their tastes are accounted for with the transformation of heirloom clothing into modern day wear and old world patterned garments. And, for the more classic stylists, there’s enough little black dresses and monochromatic designs to make Coco Chanel envious. Though each item may be made from second hand materials, each design could easily earn a place on the catwalk. Combining couture and creativity, this exhibit is not just for fashionistas;

Same material, new mentalityFor those who are excited about The

Great Gatsby coming to theaters, and want to know more about the man behind the story, you may want to check out This Side of Paradise, a theatrical production put on by the History Theater in Saint Paul.

The play encompasses the life and love of F. Scott Fitzgerald, told by his wife, Zelda. The play focuses mainly on the sadder parts of their lives, where they struggle to make ends meet. That being said, This Side of Paradise does include a couple lighter-hearted scenes such as F. Scott publishing his first work, The Great Gatsby, and the fame that follows him after that.

This Side of Paradise is much more than just a simple biography of a husband and wife. The story begins with Zelda as an old woman, when she had been admitted to an insane asylum. The whole story of their life together is told through her flashbacks, telling the audience why she thinks that way and describes her actions.

The theatrical depiction in this form is quite intriguing. As the actors draw you into the play, spectators can almost feel the terror and anguish radiating from a trapped Zelda Fitzgerald, who is locked and hidden away from her world, along with the spot-on depiction of misery and desperation of her husband as he tries to pay the bills after his latest books go flat.

Through the musical numbers, a well-crafted tone was created for the story; songs such as “The Bills are Piling Up” gave way to stronger emotion and a more powerful meaning than others. Overall, the musical numbers were incredible; every actor in the show sang their own song at one point, and each, except for the three main roles, played more than one part expertly. The music behind the set was live and transitioned perfectly between the traditional jazz style of the roarin’ ‘20s and a free flowing ballroom dance, showing the range of the musicians’ talents.

While some of the music helped to break up the melancholy feel of This Side of Paradise, a few of the numbers had an eerie way about them, going well with Zelda’s stint in the asylum when she experiences numerous breakdowns. As the music lurks deeper into the genre of hair-raising and ominous, Zelda dives deeper into her mental abyss, and ends the song with a blood-curdling scream worthy of a demonic haunted house. Zelda’s ominous musical numbers happen multiple times through the play and are rather unnerving, while also drawing watchers in to the emotion of the play.

Although there are some embellishments and omissions for the sake of producing and acting the play, the main story stays true to the roller-coaster-esque life of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The play shows at 8 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays until May 19.

The play does take time to comprehend, but once you understand it, it becomes much more enjoyable. It is highly recommended for people who are interested in the art side of The Great Gatsby and the reasoning behind it.

THIS

SIDE

OF

PARADISE

by KYOKA MILLARDstaff reporter

by NOLAN CARLSON-STEVERMER staff reporter

reviewsMay 10, 2013 9Post-apocalyptic promenade

8/10

9/10Progress in pop

9/10Rises from the ashes

photo courtesy of seat42f.com

photo courtesy of emusic.com

photo courtesy of absolutepunk.net

The latest special-effects enriched science fiction thriller, Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise, was released April 9, making $37.1 million on opening week. The movie was the most successful release of any Tom Cruise film excluding his hit Mission Impossible series and the famous War of the Worlds 2005 remake.

Oblivion was a combination of many different science fiction films, having parallels with Independence Day (1996) and other groundbreaking science fiction movies. It managed to combine the elements in a unique and entertaining fashion, but its influences never rendered it unoriginal.

The beginning of Oblivion is a walk through of the monotonous life of Tech 49 Jack Harper (Cruise). Harper is a repairman. He lives on a platform high in the clouds with his co-worker, Victoria, and leaves in a sleek aircraft only to repair battle drones. The drones defend massive fusion reactors that are assumed to supply a human colony on Titan, a moon of Saturn, with

power. The Earth was made uninhabitable after it became the battleground of a war with an alien menace.

The special effects are dramatically showcased: the shiny whites and silvers of the futuristic scouting aircraft and living platform contrast richly with the war-torn, gray world in which Cruise proceeds to explore. From the very beginning, Oblivion is a visual joy ride. It showcases incredible, futuristic machines, advanced weaponry, and an astounding and horrifying depiction of the Earth in ruins.

The plot is full of twists and turns that are quite shocking, but after a certain point become slightly over the top and predictable. Cruise’s acting was very good, despite the small amount of dialogue. He expressed emotions flawlessly without the need for dialogue.

Even though the film wasn’t an enthralling, intricate masterpiece, it did engage the mind. Subtle foreshadowing, such as the repetition of the phrase “we won the war”, hint at what is to come. Some moral and ethical questions are also raised concerning dependence on technology, blind servitude, and self-sacrifice.

The most troubling part of the film was the ambiguous, seemingly meaningless symbolism in some situations. Some over emphasis on flashbacks that were not particularly well put together also took away from its greatness.

The length, over two hours, was not at all problematic. The visual stimulation and decent plot were more than enough to keep audiences captivated for the duration, and of course, an appearance by Morgan Freeman also kept the attention of viewers. There was the perfect amount of action of all sorts: explosions, combat scenes, and intense moments, adding to its captivating nature.

Oblivion was a pleasure to watch, not perfect, but definitely well done and very entertaining. The plot was engaging, the effects even more so, and Cruise had a wonderful performance.

by TRISTAN ASCHITTINObusiness manager

Hot off Saturday Night Live and headlining the Coachella Music Festival, Phoenix, a four member group from Versailles, France, is back with their highly anticipated new album. The alternative rock group first gained attention in 2009 with their album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, and the hit single, “1901.” It’s been four years since their breakthrough album, but the group is back with Bankrupt!, and they are ready to take the reins of the music scene.

This new album is a joyride full of synthesizer packed synth-pop tracks. Similar to that of fellow French act Daft Punk, many songs are powered by heavy, electronic melodies and infectious drum patterns. “Bankrupt!” in particular, emphasizes the constant use of synthesizers, which transforms their usual, light sound, into an aggressive, buffed up version. Even though they changed their sound, they kept their masterful quality of music.

While most of the album was dominated by

heavy synthesizer use, the addition of the keyboard brought the album to new levels, giving it a feeling of peacefulness and tranquility. Further, Thomas Mars has a voice that connects with listeners. He makes them feel as if they are listening live to each track. Even the drum set on this album has a unique feel to it, keeping the music steady, but still injecting excitement into each song.

Phoenix’s style can best be described as indie-rock mixed with an electronic ambience. They use the traditional guitar, drum set, keyboard, and bass, typical of most rock bands. However, they also use the synthesizer and other electronic elements to revolutionize the genre.

The standout track, “Entertainment,” is the album’s lead single, and features a catchy dance melody reminiscent of a 1980s synthpop jam. Another solid track on the album is “Chloroform,” which is composed of heavy synth hits and a slow drum pattern. Phoenix added another fresh song in “The Real Thing”, a love song which switches the tone of the album to a more longing feel. The closing song, “Oblique City”, completes Phoenix’s style of synth and vocal heavy tunes.

Bankrupt! is different from other Phoenix albums, and other alternative rock music, in that it makes heavy use of synthesizers and other electronic elements. Phoenix created their own niche in the music business by making a unique sound that no one could recreate, a sweet mix of alternative rock and synthpop music, where fans of both genres can come together to enjoy.

by TOMMY SLETTENstaff writer

With a combination of upbeat synth lines and piano rock influences, Andrew McMahon, former frontman of Jack’s Mannequin, brings a well-needed breath of fresh air to pop music with his new EP entitled The Pop Underground.

Right from the start of his music career, Andrew McMahon found success. His high school piano rock band, Something Corporate, was signed to Drive-Thru Records after releasing a ten-song demo in 2000.

With Something Corporate, McMahon toured the world and built a small but strong fan base. However, in 2003, the band took a hiatus; during this time, McMahon began a solo project--Jack’s Mannequin.

Although commonly referred to as an alternative rock band, Jack’s Mannequin expanded McMahon’s fan base even further as the band mixed elements of indie music, Californian rock, and piano rock dabbed with low-key electronic influences.

After their debut album’s (Everything In

Transit) release, McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia, but he managed to make a full recovery in a matter of six months. He then proceeded to release two more high-quality albums with Jack’s Mannequin. Suddenly, McMahon found himself at 30: a cancer survivor with multiple successful music projects, he felt it was time to close the Jack’s Mannequin chapter of his life and take his music in a new direction as an indie artist.

The Pop Underground EP shows, despite everything he’s been through, McMahon’s drive for music has not wavered in the slightest. With this four-track EP McMahon made the risky choice of experimenting with the repetitive and commonly disliked genre of pop music; however, he succeeded.

The first single from the EP, “Synesthesia,” initially sounds like a Jack’s Mannequin song only with emphasized electronic aspects. Then comes the chorus and interlude; with a sugarcoated piano line and rhythmic bass, the song manages to provide the listener with something new and interesting.

The other three songs on the EP, “Catching Cold,” “Learn to Dance” and “After the Fire”

completely leave the Jack’s Mannequin roots of “Synesthesia” and instead move toward a fast-paced dancey, electro-pop style. “Learn to Dance” can brighten anyone’s mood with it’s indie pop claps and vocal samples. The underlying intense bass synth line consumes the listener’s whole body urging them to get up and start jumping around.

Perhaps the only fault of the albums lies with the poetic lyrics. McMahon always writes beautiful phrases; however, they often do not match the rhythm and affects the song’s overall flow. What differentiates The Pop Underground EP from other kinds of pop music are namely McMahon’s unique vocals and his innovative style.

McMahon adds an effect to all of his vocals that creates a sense of distance. These stylistic effects paired with in-your-face electronic synth, guitar and piano accents creates an intriguing contrast. McMahon’s ability to fuse various elements of several different genres of music is what makes The Pop Underground EP a pop album with artistic value-- perhaps one that will lead to mainstream success.

by AKSHAY PATKEmanaging editor

10sports May 10, 2013

Ask any track athlete you know: “What is the most important meet of the season?” The answer is always: True Team. But why is this meet so revered?

True Team section and state are two meets that are scored differently from most other meets in the

track season. During most meets, the top six to nine finishers are the only athletes to score points.

A team with five or six big studs can sweep just about any meet it wants, because the top dogs will rake in all the points. In comparison, all of the 27 competitors in a True Team event scores points--the winner of the event, 27 points, the last-place finisher, just one point.

This means that the team with just a few studs will have much more trouble winning, because the second and third competitors from each team needs to do well for the team to win. It is apparent how much depth is a factor in True Team, and team-wide success is more important than points of power.

Pole Vaulter Jonathan Young, 12, said, “True Team is all about depth. It’s not a singular sport anymore; it’s about making sure the guy standing next to you does as well or better than you do. During True Team, if one kid has a bad day, the team has a bad day. Now more than ever everything you do for is for the team.”

The pressure can be overwhelming, but many embrace the feeling “I can’t wait.”

Brian Lee, 12, said, “It’s always fun to watch your teammates succeed but at True Team, it is way more

gratifying because it just... it’s like their win feels like my win, and when I succeed, they succeed. It’s a different feeling, it’s hard to explain... but it’s a great feeling.”

Winning True Team requires a good team, something that most track events don’t emphasize. It doesn’t matter who has the one or two D1 athletes it’s about the team that has strength at down to their last man. A title that any teams would like to boast of.

“True Team sections is our meet. It is our meet on our track. We do not let other teams win our meet. Nobody takes a victory lap on our track,” said John

COME SAIL AWAYMeet Mounds View’s very own sailing club

by ADAM TONINATOsports editor

Get two shades darker in just 15 minutes!

One organic airbrush tanning session is equal to six trips to the tanning bed! And it’s good for your skin! First time clients only $20.

Colleen & Company3092 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville, MN 55113651-483-4966

Walk-ins welcome!

True Team: More than meets the eye

“I’m on a boat and, its going fast and...” Much like Lonely Island’s skit, sailing club participants are on a boat, and they’re definitely going fast. The sailing club meets in the spring and fall at Bel Air Beach in White Bear Lake. The club has participants from other schools, with about 20 other students from White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi, and Mounds Park. Seven of the sailors attend Mounds View.

Practices start with a “chalk talk,”

where members learn new techniques, such as rigging a boat, sail setting, and knotting. Afterwards, the sailors are assigned boats and boat partners. “The coaches like everyone to help. Once on the water, we usually do sailing drills that involve tacking and jibing, mark rounding, etc.,” said Jan Waszczuk, 12.

Sailing is a sport like no other. “The atmosphere is really friendly and relaxed. It’s all about getting together and enjoying sailing,” said Waszczuk.

by KOBI ENDRIZZIstaff reporter

Chris Johnston jumping 6’2”.photo by Maximillian Wang

Seamen tacking across White Bear Lake.

phot

o by

And

ers

Nyg

aard

phot

o by

And

ers

Nyg

aard

Sailing team practicing their techinique.

Q: How did you get started playing tennis?

A: Well, my dad played tennis. He lived in New York, so we often went to the U.S. Open, and I just got interested in playing tennis. That was when I was about 5. But I didn’t start [playing tennis] until I got here [Minnesota], which was around 10. Q: What do you prefer, singles or doubles? Why?

A: I prefer singles because it is more independent, not dependent, which I like better. And you can’t really blame others, like a partner, since it’s all on you. It builds character. Q: What are some of the teams goals this year? A: I am just hoping that we can beat Maple Grove and make it to state. Q: Who is your favorite tennis player? Why?

A: It would probably be Andy Murray because I really like his form and how he hits the ball, and I think it’s really funny when he talks to himself. Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?

A: I think I am a baseline orientated player. So I don’t come up to the net. I tend to stay back and hit the ball and hope that my opponent makes a mistake. But at the same time I try and be aggressive. Q: Do you have any plans to play tennis in the future?

A: Probably recreationally. Maybe I’ll join a tennis club in college, just for fun. Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be? Why?

A: It would probably be whatever I draw on paper, would come to life. Then during class, I would have some incentive in class to doodle. Instead of drawing stick figures, I would draw animals.

11sportsMay 10, 2013

Athlete of the Issue

Jeffrey LiaoSenior

Varsity Tennis

information compiled by David Liu

Nicole Balzer

At 6’ 6”, Sam Hentges, 11, towers over the competition. As a junior, he has not only managed to attract the attention of scouts across the country, but got the chance to try out for Team USA this summer.

After tearing his ACL last year, Hentges’s future looked unpromising. He had to go through physical therapy and skip many

practices and most of his hockey season. Despite the setback, Hentges is stronger than ever this year. With two hits so far this season, both home runs, he is one of the top batters for the Mustangs.

“Sam is just a good athlete. He is a really good hitter, he plays the field well, and can also pitch pretty well.” said Head Coach Jon Nuss. “He has his size, speed, and strength all helping him out. He’s also a lefty, which is golden in the baseball

world.”But Hentges is not

focused on his future; he is focused on this season. “Our goal for this year is to make it to State, and we have a strong group of seniors who can lead us there,” said Hentges.

Over the summer, Hentges plays for the Tri-City Red team, which has players from Mounds View and Totino Grace. The tri-city team went to State last summer, and since many of the players are returning, they hope to make another state appearance this summer.

“I think that our Tri-City team will be very good this season,” said Hentges. Another one of his summer plans is trying out for Team USA, which will be held in North Carolina.

As for college, Hentges is still deciding. “I’m starting to narrow it down, but I still haven’t decided,” said Hentges. Scouts from the University of Minnesota have already came out to watch him play, and Nebraska is also considering him for its team. “Most colleges would be happy to have him, so I think that it’s really just up to where Sam wants to go,” said Nuss.

Wherever he chooses, Hentges has the skills and the potential to play in college. But for right now, his focus is on doing his best this season and trying to make a state appearance for Mounds View.

Sam HentgesThere are few athletes

that can excel at one track event. There are even fewer athletes that excel at three. And on top of all that, there are only a handful of athletes that began a varsity track career in the eighth grade.

Nicole Balzer, 12, is one of those elite athletes. She participates in the 800 m, 400 m, and high jump. As a senior captain this year, she looks to lead the Mustangs to a run at the state championship.

“I really hope to have a great season and finish strong,” said Balzer.

But Balzer’s story doesn’t end here. Balzer will attend Bethel University and compete on their track team. Great athletes are hard to come by, but Balzer has put in the hard work and hopefully that work will turn into championships.

by JOE JANEY staff reporter

photo by Anders NygaardBalzer bursts off the starting block.

by NICOLE WAHINstaff reporter

photo by Anders Nygaard

TTTMay 10, 2013

This is how we format a pull-quote.”

-Student name, xx

“

12gallery

TOP PROM PROPOSALS

What do you get when you mix a hot tub, candles, and a guy? A prom proposal. Junior Nick Gedig decided to take prom proposals to the extreme by hiding in Haldi Nielsen’s hot tub while wearing swim trunks and a tie. To top it all off, he had a fancy glass of lemonade and strawberries with him. He even performed a speech. There was a little problem with the hot tub though. “It took a long time to warm up, so the hot tub was really cold. It wasn’t really a hot tub,” said Gedig, 11.

Nielsen recounts the pleasantly surprising proposal. “I went out and there were candles and rose petals lining the path to my hot tub, I saw him, at first I was freaked out but then I was excited,” said Nielsen,12.

Getting creative doesn’t have to be tricky; it can just be fun. Robbie He, 12, decided to ask his date with the help of a few of his friends and some garbage bags. “Her friends gave me the idea; I thought that it would be hilarious,” said He,12. Jin was surprised when Robbie popped out of some trash bags and said, “Let’s get trashed at prom!” The only thing that Robbie was worried about was the trash bag. “I was worried that she would not get there in time because I was losing my breath,” said He, 12. For the record, the couple doesn’t plan on getting “trashed,” just enjoying a pun.

Flowers are all over the school as Prom season is in swing. Although there are typical ways to ask someone to prom such as flowers, stuffed animals, or a card, some students have taken this chance to get creative.

35 votes

20 votes

45votes

Allison HareT Elliott Gehl

Haldi NielsenT Nick Gedig

Emmy Jin T Robbie He

T2ND

T3RD

When you think of hamburger buns, you would usually think of delicious burgers

and grills. However, for Allison Hare, 12, it meant one of the best nights of her time in high school with her friends and her date Elliott Gehl, 12. “Elliott Gehl got me a toy dump truck filled with hamburger buns, and there was a sign that said ‘Can I haul your buns to prom?’” said Hare. The funny thing was that she was the source of the idea. “I was actually the one who came up with the idea months ago, and I tried to get all my friends to use it for Sadie’s; no one would though. So I was really excited when Elliott actually used the idea on me,” said Hare. The only problem to the plan was the time at

which the proposal took place. “I was sleeping when he rang my doorbell, so he had to do it twice,”

said Hare.

T1ST

photos by Megan Ruan

Stories by Neha Sethi, Namrata Gadela

photos by Youngjun Park

photos by Youngjun Park

information compiled by Neha Sethi, Namrata Gadela