Friday, April 13, 2012 Volume 59 Issue 10 <editor@mvviewer.org>

Mounds View

VIEWER2011-2012http://mvviewer.org

photo by Youngjun Park

A national issue, but students say it doesn’t happen hereRacial Profiling

Following 16 years of service, Principal Julie Wikelius is stepping down at the end of the school year. Jeff Erickson, an Irondale graduate with 19 years of service in Minnetonka Public Schools, will be taking her place.

Of those 19 years, 14 were spent teaching Spanish. At the moment, he is Assistant Principal of Minnetonka High School, and received the 2012 Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year award.

Erickson is an advocate of grading reform. According to his article, “How Grade Reform Changed Our School,” Erickson describes how processes such as curving and no retakes on tests discouraged students and resulted in grades that do not reflect a student’s performance.

Erickson expressed interest both in Mounds View’s history and in leading it to a better future.

“MVHS has an incredible reputation and I felt that I can contribute to that legacy and build on it,” said Erickson.

Erickson’s current plans are to get to know the school. “Over the next weeks, I look forward to meetings with staff and students with two questions: What are the traditions of MVHS of which you are most proud and want to see continue, and what do you want to see happen in the next school year? I want to listen and learn and then lead.”

African-American musicians, religious leaders, writers and politicians have called attention to the way black teens, especially males, are racially profiled, after the February shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Congress has already held hearings on the issue of racial profiling.

Law Professor Paul Butler, who is also African-American, wrote in the Daily Beast about how he was constantly harassed, stopped and even patted down by police and security guards as a young man.

Is this the experience of nonwhite students in the Mounds View community?

Wesley Wise, 11, moved into the Mounds View school district when he was in seventh grade. Wise used to attend Northview Middle School, a largely African American school. Like most new students, Wise found that adapting to a new school was hard. This feeling was all intensified because Wise was African American.

“People have gotten to know me better as person, so I guess they are not so biased anymore, but when I first got here that was not the case,” said Wise.

Most students interviewed since the Trayvon Martin case became public say that race plays little role in day-to-day student interactions at Mounds View.

“People make jokes about [discrimination], but they never try to be mean,” said Lisa Luk, 10.

There could be a more subtle level to this issue, though. Racist jokes may seem harmless, but some argue that it only perpetuates problems with race. According to The Rhetoric of Racist Humor, “racist jokes can reinforce serious meanings about race issues.”

Racial profiling is often not a conscious action based on any rational fears; indeed, racial profiling is often based on a completely irrational fear of “others,” whether that be other ethnicities, other races, or any other group.

So, though racist jokes may be the only explicit form of racial prejudice, it doesn’t rule

out the fact that racial profiling may exist.Assistant Principal Doug Bullinger agrees

with this point. “I don’t think it is a problem in that it doesn’t cause any disruption in the day to day activities, but I think it will be naive to say that race doesn’t play a role in how students interact with each other,” Bullinger said.

Mounds View High School, though, does seem to be accepting of people of different races. Of the students interviewed for this report, few said they felt people treated them differently because of their race.

This is a noticeable improvement from Mounds View’s past. In 2003, a Mounds View student drew racially-suggestive graffiti in the school. Just a few years later, a series of Mounds View bomb scares, which some suggested were motivated by discrimination, occurred.

While Mounds View High School may lack racial profiling, a number of interviewees did say that racial discrimination seems to be more prevalent in the community.

African-American students have long felt they are separated from others in the community because of their race.

“I would walk down the street and I see some people looking at me awkwardly, and if they have their kids around they would sometimes take their kids away,” said Wise.

Troy Sawtell, 12, an African-American, agrees. “Yes, they are quick to judge and they tend to stay away,” said Sawtell.

Mounds View’s racial problems are not nearly as obvious as before. Generally, race relations have improved both in our school and in the community. But racial profiling is far from being erased.

Mounds View’s new principalby Sasha Safonovstaff reporter

by Nathaniel Nikoistaff reporter

INSIDE

Senior Sarah Stark’s story

Go see Midtown Global Market

Mounds View’s Philosophy Club

ONLINE

Mounds View’sAppearance Stereotypes

“People have gotten to know me better as per-son, so I guess they are not so biased anymore, but when I first got here that was not the case”

-Wesley Wise, 11

A taste of 112 Eatery

photo by Youngjun Park

See this issue’s Spread for a closer look at all stereotypes

It has been 16 years since Mounds View High School has had a new principal. During her time here, Principal Julie Wikelius has helped implement many improvements, such as hybrid courses and the free ACT tests to juniors, as well as overseeing a number of school controversies, such as the recent Nurse Hiner protests. The way Mounds View’s next principal, Jeff Erickson, handles these issues will be just as important in making Mounds View High School a great school. As such, the Viewer staff has come up with some characteristics we would like to see.Openness

Often times, the principal of a school is seen as taking orders from “higher up” and ignoring the complaints of students. We would hope that Erickson will be willing to hear new ideas and student opinions. More so, we hope that he will pass on student opinions to others, so that the school and district administration personnel will know about student concerns.

Openness also means more open communication

with students and parents alike. Secrecy often seems to be the preferred method to deal with controversy at this school. While we understand that negative attention openness may draw, secrecy has made many students apathetic towards trying to change things for the better at our school. We hope that Erickson will be willing to work with students to help foster positive change, even if the issue draws attention to itself.Promoting student extracurricular involvement

Mounds View High School has a very high student participation rate in extracurricular activities, complemented by a wide variety of sports and academic teams. A strong extracurricular program is a direct way for students to pursue their own passions outside of school. Indeed, many students put significantly more effort into their activities than their classwork. It is essential that Erickson continues to support our extracurricular programs.

Of course, there is still plenty of room for improvement. With the

exception of morning announcements, results of athletic and other extracurricular events are barely broadcast to the student body. Also, with the exception of select sports, such as football, or events like school plays, student attendance at school functions is marginal. Plans such as vouchers for academic performance could boost student interest, as well as providing a future source of revenue for the school. Innovation in education

The Mounds View School District has had a reputation of being “innovative” in teaching and education. We are the first district in the state to offer an Early College program. Mounds View High School is also ahead of many schools by offering hybrid course choices for students. Erickson’s experience at Minnetonka High School, a school that offers both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, should allow Mounds View to improve in its main goal--preparing students for beyond high school.

Still, we cannot just assume this innovation will

carry us. In terms of high school rankings, such as U.S. News and Report and Newsweek, we are behind other schools in the nation, as well as in Minnesota. While these rankings may have rather arbitrary scoring systems, shouldn’t a “good school” be at the top of any ranking system? We need to stop concentrating on our high MCA test scores as a reason for complacency and boost education resources across the learning spectrum, increasing AP, CIS, and other enrichment opportunities.

A few issues ago, the Viewer ran a staff editorial on the need for Mounds View to offer more enrichment opportunities to students. As an institution of learning, Mounds View should be committed to providing a well-rounded education, while also promoting elite activities in certain subjects, whether it be a nationwide essay contest, or the Chemistry Olympiad.

2editorialsTop1010

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12011-2012 Viewer EditorsEditor-in-Chief

Ryan SlechtaManaging Editor

John Panda KeNews

Max WangEditorials

Alyssa BelsitoFeatures

Nimmy KoshyTristan Gustafson

SpreadMali Bacig

John KnopfVariety

Alvin MaReviews

Akshay PatkeSports

Camry KellyAlexander Wald

Business Manager/Online EditorErika Batiz

Design Editor Megan Ruan

PhotographerYoungjun Doesnot Park

Anders NygaardBen Kaiser

AdviserMartha Rush

Staff - Tristan Aschittino, David Gonzalez, Allison Hare, Selin Kurtoglu, David Liu, Nathaniel Nikoi, Peter Olson, Al-exander Safanov, Adam Toninato, Matthew Voges, Mikaela Warner, Joy Xie,

The Viewer is published by the student editors at:

Mounds View High School1900 Lake Valentine RdArden Hills, Minnesota

Sauk Centre Publishing

April 13, 2012

Viewer Mission Statement1. To publish news, information and opinion articles for and about student, faculty and administration activities, interests and policies. 7. 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.

Corrections from the 3/14/12 issue: None.

2 Fluffy bunny

Hard-to-get

Scrabble

Ultimate Frisbee

Settlers of Catan

Cow Tipping

House

Ninja

TickleKeshav Mangalick

Bloody knuckles

What a student wants

13 Editors Agree, 2 Editors Disagree

Games to Play

staff editorial

I am writing to you to clarify some points in a recent story and letter to the editor regard-ing support that is available to Mounds View High School students dealing with mental health concerns.

According to the National Adolescent Health Information Center as many as one in five middle school and high school age students experience symptoms of emotional distress, with the most common disorders including depression, anxiety, chemical health and eating issues. With these numbers in mind, it is logical to ask what services and resources Mounds View has in place to serve struggling students.

Mounds View offers students and family’s referral services and resources where

they can receive an assessment and possibly a treatment plan. The deans have up to date resources and information that can help a student and family determine their options for their individual circumstances. While they are not trained to diagnose or treat a mental health condition, they can refer students to a professional who can make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan.

There is a misconception among some students that seeing a dean is only for disciplinary reasons. The deans estimate that they spend less than 10% on matters that could be considered disciplinary. The majority of Mounds View students never have a disciplinary issue during their time here. Deans are

available to talk with students, support them and refer to other resources, if necessary.

There is also a misconception about the role of the school psychologist at Mounds View. School psychologists conduct educational assessments to determine if there is a need for special education services. Just as a dean, the psychologist can support students and refer if necessary, but does not provide any therapeutic services.

The Mounds View School district has partnered with several agencies through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant to provide increased access to community mental health services. Some of these partners provide culturally specific services, such as

African American Family Services (AAFS) and CLUES for Hispanic families. We also work with Northwest Youth and Family Services, an agency located in Shoreview. A therapist from Northwest comes to Mounds View to serve students who may not have transportation to Northwest. Northwest Youth and Family Services use a sliding fee scale so lack of insurance or financial resources is not a barrier.

There is no need for a student to struggle alone. The deans are available and willing to help meet a student’s needs and can help access other services should that be necessary.

-Julie Wikelius, principal

To The Editor:

3

Editor opinionsWhat your Viewer editors think of various issues.

“With the upcoming testing during the months of April and May, a few extra three-day weekends would be much appreciated by the student body.”

-Maximillian WangNews editor

editorials

“Tod Squad, Wolfpack, P-Squad; forego cliques--let’s just get people together and party! ”

- Alx WaldSports editor

“Dreadlocks are the hair of the future!”

-Alyssa BelsitoEditorials editor

Cop’s

Corner

“Magic: the Gathering is for impotent n00bs.”

- Nimmy KoshyFeaturing editor

April 13, 2012

Parking Lot Safety

Spring is upon us, and it is very evident in the student parking lot! It can be seen every day after school as students speed through the lot. Students are seen hanging out of the windows, riding on the hoods and sticking heads out of the sunroof like bobble head dolls.

All of this causes a major distraction to drivers who are already navigating an obstacle course of people backing out and lining up to get out of the driveways. Mrs. Dawson regularly blocks the incoming lane of one of the driveways to prevent students from turning it into a double turn lane which is an extreme hazard.

This type of behavior results in several fender benders per year in our lots before and after the school day. Bad decisions by pedestrians has also resulted in injuries including broken legs of students who were no match for a four thousand pound vehicle. Repeated reports of speeding and horseplay may result in the suspension of your parking permit and your ability to get one for future semesters.

DON’T FORGET TO BUCKLE UP!!

Deputy Tim Gulden651-621-7123Tim.Gulden@

moundsviewschools.org

by Deputy Guldenguest writer

Do you witness or experience discrimination amongstudents?

Viewer asks, students answer:

“It happens more in society because there are different personalities. You are not born racist, but you get it from friends and family.”

“I do not [think discrimination is an issue at Mounds View]. I think it’s more of a joke here, nothing serious. The nation itself is more racist than the school here because they [the school] have created a more diverse environment. I think [Latino discrimination] is more prevalent in the South, but up here people assume they’re more dangerous because they’ve never seen us. I don’t tell [people I first meet] that I am Latino. I kind of look Caucasian.”Cesar Mahoney, 10

“I find that discrimination does happen at Mounds View in small ways, and it’s definitely something that could be fixed. I find that America as a whole is more discriminatory than Mounds View. People as a whole judge each other based on appearance [race]; I feel judged by my appearance.”

Michael Sanchez, 9

“I have met a lot of people and they’re always niceto every-one no matter culture or race. People in Mounds View are really nice and they [seem to] go by the quote ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’”

Vedic Sharma, 10

“I have white friends and black friends and Jewish friends and Asian friends: all kinds of friends, so no, [discrimination] is not an issue. I make fun of everybody equally. JK.”

Kfir Batiller, 12Alek Van Valkenberg, 11

“In society some people try to cover up their racial biases by being nice and all, but it is obvious to me they are trying to cover up.”Wesley Wise, 11

“It’s not like people say dis-criminatory things to people’s faces. It’s like side remarks and little things.”

Minu Bhunia, 10

“Discrimination isn’t really a problem at Mounds View. Stereotyping is more of a prob-lem. There are people that are seriously racist out there, but in society as a whole it is not that terrible because there aren’t so many people with stereotypical views.”Ian Curphy, 11

“I think that discrimination definitely exists, but it hasn’t reached a point of hostility. It’s mostly indirect--behind people’s backs--not actual confrontation.”

Alec Martini, 10

“We [members of society] make fun of Asians for being smart, but it’s not like we hate different nationalities.”

Jason Langlie, 10

Sean Lucas, 10

“There are a lot of stereotypical jokes going around the school these days, but I don’t really think they are of malicious intent.”

Sola Olateju, 10

“I think they stereotype sometimes. I wouldn’t go outright and call them racist, but their comments suggest racial stereotyping.”

photo courtesy of MCT CampusA rally for Trayvon Martin at the University of Minnesota brings out flocks of supporters.

4features April 13, 2012

Sarah Stark, 12, was only 18 months old when “it”

happened. Her family was on a vacation in Disney World. Sarah’s older sister was pushing her around in a stroller. As Dan Stark, Sarah’s father, recalled, it was a cold, rainy day.

“Me and my wife went on a ride, and when we came walking out, I remember looking at my oldest daughter, and she had this panicked look. And we go ‘what happened?’ And she said ‘Sarah got hit on the head.’ It was a long wait for this ride, so by the time we got back the emergency personnel had already left. ”

A large umbrella stand on a restaurant table had tipped over, and came crashing down on the little 18-month-old. For the next two weeks, Sarah was in a life-or-death struggle.

“There was a point when she was so sick that the doctors began losing hope,” said Dan. “I remember making a call home saying, ‘they don’t know if she’s gonna come out of it,’ since she was that sick. And then finally, she gets better, and better, and better. After six days we were able to get her out of there, and then came home.”

Sarah’s troubles weren’t over at that point—in fact, her life-long medical complications were only starting. Within two days of returning home, Sarah got sick again, this time with pneumonia. Dan described this time as “a nightmare.”

Back to the hospital they went. Sarah’s condition was closely monitored by her doctors. Eventually, she recovered, and this time, she stayed healthy. Nevertheless, there were signs that things were not right.

“Now that I think back on that time, I can remember seeing some things that would have caught my eye now. But at that time, I… I just

couldn’t have imagined it,” said Dan Stark.

From the time of her initial injury when she was 18

months old to about her freshman year, Sarah never really noticed or felt any problems. Which is why it was all the more frightening when she started getting sick again.

“When I started ninth and tenth grade year, I overworked my brain too much. I was trying to keep up with my classmates, and it just didn’t make sense to me how they could spend so little time studying and still do well while I stayed up late studying and still couldn’t keep up. I started fainting,” she said.

This was in July 2008. Sarah said that she often started screaming from the wrenching pain in her stomach. She had trouble sleeping. She had headaches. She was in a constant state of anguish and anxiety.

Just as frustrating were the medical tests. Sarah went through nearly three years of continuous medical testing, starting at a local hospital, then at the Mayo Clinic, and then at a Minneapolis hospital.

Through their testing, doctors ruled out cancer, infectious diseases, and a host of other candidates. At the end of this process of elimination they finally arrived on a cause for Sarah’s ailments: her concussion, which happened over a decade-and-a-half ago.

An answer was no relief.“At first when I found out, I

was bawling. I slept for a month. I was embarrassed, and I didn’t want to talk about it,” said Sarah.

The diagnosis was a shock to Sarah’s parents, too.

“Honestly, when me and Marie found out, we went, ‘oh no.’ Because, you know, you have a vision of your child being successful and all these dreams, and, I hate to say it, but when the doctor first described to us her problem, and told us that ‘she’s

going to have issues going to college,’ just... gosh. The world was her oyster, but suddenly she was diagnosed, and everything was going to be different,” said Dan.

They did manage to find some optimism in the results.

“It was crazy during that time, but it was relief. At least ‘hey, we found something,’” said Dan.

The long-term effect of the concussion that impacted

Sarah the most was with her plans for college. Like most Mounds View students, Sarah expected and looked forward to college. But because of her brain injury, attending would be challenging, maybe even impossible.

“I mean, I can go to college. It’s not like they’re saying ‘you can’t go to college’, it’s just that it would take me a really, really long time to do anything. It was really hard for me to decide that I wouldn’t, like, go to 20 years of college, because I wanted to live the college life, but I think it would be better for me and healthier for me if I don’t go to college,” said Sarah.

Sarah has other big plans, though. She is an avid horseback rider and trainer, so she has contacted the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue, and will be studying there to become a horse trainer.

“She’s very, very talented, and our challenge is to utilize those talents where she can be successful,” said Dan. “Because she is limited on the education front, you know, those things, the books, the studies, that stuff is a challenge to her, but the rest of this stuff is open to her. So that’s what we’re really working with her to funnel her energy toward. The strong suit that she fits. This horse thing is to train, so as a family we kind of working at that to help her out, you know, since she can be successful, ‘cause she’s good at it.”

by Maximillian Wangnews editor

Sarah Stark stands with her horses, Little Lady and Spark.

Childhood concussion, a life of repercussionSenior Sarah Stark deals with a memory impairing injury

“We thought, ‘hey of course she likes horses, every little girl likes horses,’ but for her, it just didn’t go away.

-Dan Stark, Sarah’s father”

“”

I was embarrasssed, and I didn’t want to talk about it.

-Sarah Stark, 12

Read the full article@ mvviewer.org

photo by Maximillian Wang

photo by Maximillian Wang

photo courtesy of Sarah Stark

photo by Maximillian Wang

5April 13, 2012 features

Mounds View’s finest hit the courts at Williams Arena for an intense game of basketball. The catch? There were four baskets, the matches took place on an obstacle course, and the players shooting hoops were robots.

On March 29 and 30, Mounds View, Irondale, and over 120 other teams participated in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics 10,000 Lakes Regional competition. Mounds View placed 40th and won the Spirit Award, while Irondale made it into the championship round.

High school robotics is a popular activity, with 153 schools in MN and roughly 4000 schools nationwide sporting robotics teams. It is run by US FIRST, an organization dedicated to promoting science and technology in schools across America.

Each year, a different game is announced for teams to play at the 10,000 Lakes

Regional. This year, the game was basketball. After the game was announced on Jan. 7, teams had six weeks to design the robot, build it, program it, look for sponsors, and get prepped for the competition. Teams cooperated with engineers who served as mentors, and companies that served as sponsors and provided parts.

“Robotics is equal parts party and panic. It’s a hectic activity and nothing feels better than when you finally get an essential component to work and knock over Bobby Cerza with a basketball fired out of a cannon,” said Conor Kennedy, 12.

Mounds View Robotics is currently in its third season. The team was born when physics teachers Matt Washenberger and Michael Cartwright saw a demonstration of high school robotics at the State Fair.

“We witnessed that and thought that was something we wanted to be involved with,” said Washenberger.

Robotics has had its biggest year ever in terms of enrollment. 30 people joined

at the beginning of the season, and others contributed to the program as part of the Hybrid Science of Engineering class. The class is primarily aimed at students with an interest in pursuing careers in engineering, and working in conjunction with the robotics team helps keep the team on track. “The class itself gives the team the structure,” said Washenberger, who stresses the importance of having the team be as self-sufficient as possible, and not relying on the coaches for everything.

“Robotics is awesome because you learn an outrageous amount of things, meet amazing people that become good friends, and have an amazing time at competition,” said Karl Rehfuss, 12.

Participants stress the social aspect of Robotics as the best part of the activity. Getting to know other teams was the favorite part of the meet for Bobby Cerza, 12.

“There were some teams there that were so inspiring and so amazing. There was a team there that came all the way from Tennessee! It was crazy!” said Cerza.

Despite not performing as well as hoped, Mounds View won the Spirit Award, which team captain Sam Van Tassel, 12, said was a great honor, and was thanks to the team’s close bonding and positive attitude.

“It was as important to me that everyone have a good time together and become more open people as it was for us to build an awesome robot,” said Van Tassel.

The team also received recognition when Cerza was awarded the Star of the Day

Award out of every person at the meet for going above and beyond in his commitment to safety, and lending a helping hand to other teams.

“[It was] easily the best experience I’ve had in a long time,” said Cerza.

Mounds View’s Robotics legacy faces an uncertain future, however; the vast majority of its members are seniors, and there is no clear line of succession. However, Van Tassel predicts that sophomore captain McKenna Taylor, 10, and programmer Erik Madson, 11, will step up and take the helm.

Fortunately, the interest in Robotics is there. At the eighth grade orientation, Robotics had around 40 eighth graders sign up for more information, more than any other sport. Plus, Van Tassel hopes to return as a mentor next year. Fueled by the enthusiasm of its team members, Mounds View Robotics has the possibility of a continuing into a glorious mechanized future.

“I recommend doing Robotics to anyone, even if you don’t feel like you’re the robotics type,” said Cerza.

Robotics: A glorious, mechanized future

German student Kelsey Murphy, 10, recently won the AATG / Pädagogischer Austauschdienst Study Trip to Germany, one of only 44 students in the entire nation. She will be spending a month in Germany, from the end of June to the end of July.The specific dates are yet to be determined. For three weeks, she will be living with a family in a small town. She will then stay at a hotel in Berlin for the last week, where she will get a chance to explore the city.

“I want to see some historical sites and learn more about the culture,” she said.

Her German family members sparked her interest in German culture.

“I chose to take German because some of my family lives in Germany. I want to talk to my German family members in their native tongue,” she said.

The National German Exam tests students on material that others schools teach at the same level. When taking the National German Exam, Murphy was confident, but didn’t think she would win.

“I felt that I would score

well, but I didn’t think I would win any prizes,” said Murphy.

After she scored in the top 10 percent, she filled out an application in German about German-American political relationships and about her plans of the future. From there, she got an interview at the College of St. Benedict, where she answered questions in German.

“They asked me basic questions in German and how I would act in a different culture,” she said.

Murphy admits to being a little rattled during the interview.

“I was really nervous. I think I bombed the interview. I am pretty sure that my application carried me through,” she said.

Yet, she won her trip to Germany. and was ecstatic about it.

“I felt really happy and was excited,” she said.

Murphy will be receiving more information about her trip, her host family, and the school that she will attend in Germany in May.

Murphy plays girls softball, and is in Volunteer Club, Science Olympiad, and choir.

Sprechen Sie Deutch?

by David Gonzalezstaff reporter

by David Gonzalezstaff reporter

photo by Anders Nygaard

photo by Ben Kaiser

George Zimmerman, the Florida community patrolman responsible for the killing of teenager Trayvon Martin in February, had told a 911 operator minutes earlier: "This guy looks like he's up to no good.”

Since then, the fact that Martin was wearing a hoodie when he was shot has been a large part of the story, and has raised questions about how much clothing stereotypes can impact teenagers.

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera said, “His hoodie killed Trayvon Mar-tin just as surely as George Zimmerman did.” Following the event, protesters have worn hoodies to demonstrate how unjust they believe that is.

Even multiple sports icons, famed musicians, and esteemed political fig-ures have sported the hoodie in support of justice against profiling.

"I didn't know wearing a hoodie made me such a target," tweeted music mogul, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Though some label hoodie-wearers as gangsters or wannabe thugs, hoodies have been a part of our culture since the 1970s, first as apparel worn by fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, then by ‘80s rap icons like Ice Cube. More recently, current New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has sported hood-ies on gameday, and even former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was pictured on the cover of Newsweek in a hoodie.

The point is that hoodies are ubiq-uitous in American dress culture, not limited to delinquent hoodlums. Still, teenagers wearing hoodies are often assumed to be looking for trouble.

Looking beyond the scope of the Trayvon Martin case, clothing stereo-types are evident in every nook and cranny of society. When people sag jeans, sport Timberlands and cap it off with a flat bill, they’re “ghetto.” If they use reading spectacles and wear overalls, they’re a nerd. If someone

looks grim and despondent and wear dark clothing or skinny jeans, they’re “emo.”

“I think society does judge people by their appearance,” said Becca Souza, 11. “I think people at Mounds View with similar interests tend to dress alike.”

Although this stereotyping hap-pens, many students don’t seem too concerned.

“I don’t really think that people generalize others simply based on their clothing,” said Blake Durbahn, 12. “It is a bit of a stretch to draw a direct line connecting people’s outward appear-ance to why they are labeled unfairly.”

However, a recent study by Tufts University suggested otherwise as it illustrated strong evidence that people’s perceptions of others are indeed altered by specific indicators—the number one indicator being clothing.

Researcher Jonathan Freeman, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the Tufts Graduate School of Arts and Sciences said, "The study shows how the perception of a face is always a compromise between the visual cues before our eyes and the baggage we bring to the table, like the stereotypes we hold."

Freeman’s research has shown that the effects of top down processing -- extrapolating one’s knowledge of a person’s background, cultural environ-ment, and stereotypes -- are more than three times as likely to influence behav-ior toward a new acquaintance.

Hannah Hellmich, 12, said, “I think most high schoolers do make superficial judgments of people based on clothing selection.”

Dana Sherman, 12, agreed with Hellmich but also noted that people might have a habitual, unintended reflex when it comes to stereotyping others: “Oftentimes, people don’t even realize that the underlying root of their arbitrary perception of someone is due to assumptions made on a superficial basis.”

While stereotyping may not be a major concern of many Mounds View

students, it could become one in the near future. When students apply for jobs, the image they present could make the difference on their employ-ment status.

transitionAccording to Scott Wiens, Mounds

View Dean, “If kids are applying for jobs, employers want them to dress a certain way. It may hurt their chances of getting the job.”

Richard Carlson, 12, agrees. “Not that you should change in order to please people, but if it is for your own well-being, you have to prepare for society’s condescending nature,” said Carlson. “If you dress as a gangster, society will view you as a gangster, and you need to be aware of that.”

While changing in order to get a job may be necessary in many in-stances, a problem equally troubling as stereotyping itself surrounds the prospect that kids lose their identity due to their perceived need to fit into a certain niche.

Sydney Long, 12, who decided last year to get a somewhat unortho-dox hairdo—“the side shave”—feels no such need for conformity. “I don’t know what people say about it too much but I do get a lot of compliments saying they love how different it is, or how I can pull it off,” said Long. “Most people, mainly adults, say that it is ‘interesting’ perhaps not intended as a compliment, but I’ll take it that way. I like being interesting.”

Stereotypesby Peter Colestaff reporter

Q: Do you think students who dress differently than the majority of stu-dents at Mounds View are targeted more often when they behave poorly?

A: “I watch all of the kids and some stand out, but for reasons other than the way they dress. It’s more of a behavior type of thing, especially the history of that student’s behavior in the past.”

Q: Would you advise these students to change the way they present themselves in order to make a better appearance to other people? A: “Not at all - it doesn’t matter how you dress as long as you respect yourself and others. Students should enjoy their indi-viduality.”

Q: When you see a student with tat-toos or piercings, do you feel different around them?

A: “I would say no. I realize everyone is different and I deal with kids from all walks of life. I look and treat everyone the same, as long as they treat me with respect.”

Q&A with

Dean Wiens Q&A with

Deputy Gulden

How much should the way you dress impact how others view you? The controversial killing of Trayvon Martin has caused students to re-examine clothing stereotypes.

”Looks that get a reaction

Robbie McNeil

Jena Kocur

Sydney Long

“I used to try to have kind of a punk look going on in middle school, and as I grew older I just stopped caring about what I wore and just kinda found my own style. People at Mounds View especially are really chill about what others wear; rarely have any of my friends or myself had issues with our clothing choices and actually, I get compli-mented on what I wear, as do many of my friends whose styles aren’t the norm.

”“I’ve had my side shave since March 14, 2011. A few weeks prior to getting the side shave I realized I was completely sick of my hair, I needed to do something new to it but I didn’t want to just get a bob since that seemed to be a trend. I don’t know what people say about it too much but I do get a lot of compliments. Most people, mainly adults, say that it is “interesting” perhaps not intended as a compliment, but I’ll take it that way. I like being interesting.

”“I was in a really dark place and I met this guy Brian, who has since become a big brother to me. He helped me get through my stuff, and gave me hope for a future. Greek is such a pure language so I chose it. I think that people were surprised when I got it, but I mean they don’t know what I got.

Q: Do you think the way students dress impact them socially with their peers at Mounds View? A: “Students definitely do treat kids with an alternate style differently. They tend to be uncomfortable with things that are different than themselves, and when they are uncomfortable with someone, they tend to treat them differ-ently.”

Q: From your experience, do students typically act according to how they’re dressed? A: “People can tend to act like their ste-reotypes. Not every kid with an alternate style is going to be a behavior problem, however. Many students dress differently because they want to stand out.”

Q: When you see a student with tat-toos or piercings, do you feel different around them?

A: “I don’t feel any different around students who dress differently. The way you dress can indicate your preferences, it indicates who you are.”

information compiled by Allison Hare

Q&A with

Dean Wiens

JMA

Dining at the Safari Express is not for the faint of heart--or stomach. Upon reaching the counter, one can already tell there’s an African theme to the

cuisine due to the two massive free-hand paintings of lions on opposite pillars. These giants almost seem to be ‘guarding’ the cafe from intruders, but welcoming diners. While Safari Express does not serve lion, they do make up for the lack with their camel burgers, goat sandwiches, and assorted extra-spicy curries. The camel burger, accompanied by thick-cut fries and a Fanta, was relatively normal in taste, but just had a finer texture compared to a regular hamburger. The condiments included Thousand Island dressing and interestingly enough, a slice of pineapple. Safari Express is a great stop on your trip around the Midtown Global Market due to its unique and authentic foods.

Set in the middle of the global market, the Salty Tart bakery was adorably quaint-looking with green and white counters. They make every cookie,

cupcake and tart from scratch every day, and it shows through in the food. The Salty Tart is famous for their coconut macaroons. The humble cookie seems ordinary on the outside but the sweet, salty balance of the chewy macaroon makes it delicious and unique.

The other sweets at the bakery are great as well and make up for the not-so-wide range of options. For example, the chocolate-dulce-de-leche cupcake was a masterpiece and one of the best desserts one can find in the Twin Cities. While the bakery is famous for its sweets, it also offers savory treats. In the winter, it features homemade soups, and in the summer, fresh sandwiches on home-baked bread. Their imaginative pastries also serve as delicious snacks, for those not hungry enough for a full lunch. As for people that are trying to limit their rich foods, Salty Tart was stocked with fresh desserts that will satisfy any sweet tooth without giving anyone a sugar-headache.

8variety April 13, 2012

Midtown Global Market

A cultural haven of Minneapolis, the Midtown Global Market gives visitors access to an ethnic conglomerate of foods and apparel. The market is located at 920 E Lake St. and stands as a pleasant place for individuals with a sense of culinary adventure or those simply looking for a fun time and a new experience. The general market is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Some particular stores have different hours, however.

Since its debut in 2006, Midtown Global Market has had a clear goal. The mission statement, found on Midtown Global Market’s website, outlines this objective: “We exist to develop and maintain a public market that builds upon the economic, social and cultural assets within the surrounding community and welcomes

the diverse peoples of this community to share and celebrate together the healthy foods, arts, crafts and other aspects of their heritages.” Their mission is seen through the assortment of stores all beneath one inclusive roof.

They have grocers from many backgrounds including the Swedish Café Finspang, the Latin American Cosecha Imports, the local Grass Roots Gourmet, the Italian Jakeeno’s Trattoria, and the Middle Eastern Holy Land Grocery & Deli. For those with a sweet tooth, bakeries, along with a multitude of vendors, offer everything from imported chocolates to entirely foreign candies and treats.These stores, among others, sell high-quality imported or carefully hand-crafted groceries.

Meat and seafood are prevalent in several aforementioned grocers and the Sea Port Market. In addition to the ethnic groceries, numerous restaurants like the Pan-Asian Pham’s Deli, the East African Safari Express, the Mexican La Loma

Tamales, and the classic American Andy’s Garage offer opportunities for customers to dine in the midst of the Midtown labyrinth.

Aside from food and drink, one can find unique shopping opportunities in stores like Hmong Handicrafts or Sari Fashion, which sell jewelry and clothing among other things.

During certain days of the week, Midtown Global Market hosts events that range from simple family nights to dance lessons to cooking classes and even live music.

This locale – though a bit of a trek for Mounds View students – offers a taste of the culture and experiences beyond the safety of the suburbs. Midtown Global Market combines entrepreneurial spirit with community values to create a wonderful mid-city institution.

by Matthew Vogesstaff reporter

Midtown Global Market looks at the different cultures of Minneapolis

all photos by Matthew Voges

by Selin Kurtoglustaff reporter

This is not another run of the mill “taco-burrito-or-nacho?” type Mexican restaurant. Instead, Taqueria Los Ocampo’s menu boasts a

long list of their specialties, 28 delicious and different looking dishes in all. One of the best dishes is the sincronizadas, a warm quesadilla stuffed with ‘spicy’ chicken and served with guacamole and pico de gallo (a type of fresh salsa) on the side. While the chicken wasn’t very spicy in the least, the sincronizadas were very good and definitely worth the small waiting time. The drink of choice was a rice and cinnamon flavored horchata, or flavored water. The horchata was reminiscent of a cold chai latte and very refreshing. If one is in the mood for some authentic Mexican cuisine, salsa dance out of the Chipotle line and go to Taqueria Los Ocampo instead.

Notable places worth visiting Safari Express.

Salty Tart Bakery.

Taqueria Los Ocampo.

reviews9April 13, 2012

Editor SinglesJohn Mayer- “Shadows Days”

9/10

Arcade Fire- “Abraham’s Daughter”

-Nimmy Koshyfeatures editor9.5/10

The whole Hunger Games album is immensely satisfying to the Games fanatic. However, the single Abraham’s Daughter by Arcade Fire embodies the book series the best. The dark eerie Biblical spin off plays perfectly with tone and theme of the series.

Sounds like: A children’s choir from The Twilight Zone.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop ft. June- “Up and Away”

-Akshay Patkereviews editor8.5/10

With crescendo-ing trumpets lead-ing up to a funky guitar and energetic raps, “Up and Away” can only be described as absolutely epic. Sounds like: A young, fresh version of the Beastie Boys

Justin Bieber- “Boyfriend”

-John Ke managing editor

Bieber showcases his range of tal-ent, from whisper-rapping to falsetto, bringing up memories from a bygone era, specifically the Jonas Brothers. Still, the only addition to culture that “Boyfriend” offers is making “swag” a four-letter word.

Sounds like: Bieber was watching Disney Channel while recording in a closet.

6/10

A classic Mayer-styled combination of blues and folk music, with a clarity un-like any of his previous songs.

Sounds like: The Piano Man after he leaves the bar.

-Max Wangnews editor

plethora

The best restaurant in the midwestThe Viewer reviews award-winning restaurant 112 Eatery

Found in a narrow, brick structure on a stony venue, 112 Eatery captures everything one could ask for in a restaurant with the exemplification of “debonair.”

This restaurant, located at 112 N. 3rd St. in Minneapolis, has a plethora of price ranges and is suitable for an equally diverse assortment of occasions from the friendly group outing to a special date. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., this restaurant offers the late night dining experience of the patron’s aspiration.

112’s website says “Reservations Recommended,” and for a good reason. With its two charming floors and James Beard Award-winning chef, Isaac Becker, the place is filled to a comfortable brim with attractive bar-dwelling couples to scholarly old persons and everything in-between. The atmosphere was clearly made with variety in mind particularly in accordance to their ambient music — R&B to metal to slow pop to Jazz.

The candle-accented lighting is dim, and the urbane feel of the location – brick monotony broken by abstract art, dark woods, and the din of dialogues masked by distance and music – makes for an impressive locale. It feels like the first

third of Goodfellas minus the dangerous Italians encapsulated in an evening.

The casual yet classy atmosphere is a perfect follower to the Eatery’s menu. The menu includes a vast spectrum from $32 nori encrusted sirloin w/ponzu to a $9 cheeseburger and an exasperatingly wide array of sides, appetizers, and entrees. Serving both the familiar and the delicate, a journey to 112 Eatery is limited only by the size of your stomach and the depth of your pocket.

Before the meal, each table is given olives and toasted almonds adorned with salt, sugar, chile flakes, and egg white. The breads comprise the highly contrasting chewy French baguette and the porous parmesan focaccia bread. The lengths 112 Eatery goes to provide for everyone is perhaps best exemplified by their prompt, knowledgeable, and numerous staff.

One appetizer, the 112 Steak Tartar, involves finely diced, raw steak with egg yolk, mustard, onion, cornichon pickles, tabasco, fried onions, capers, Worcestershire, and ketchup mixed into a frenzy of textures meant to be dipped into by a warm bread slice. Another appetizer, the Boston bibb with fine herb vinaigrette is essentially a salad balanced on a knife. The greens are the perfect watery fresh while the dressing is the precise amount of flavor and subtlety needed to perform in its sprightly citrus way.

Of the more familiar entrees, the

112 Cheese Burger is possibly the most surprising. The first bite warrants a heavenly cascade of succulent brie cheese. As a whole, the 112 burger is like no other. It has a willowy English muffin that becomes crispy around the burger along with a substantial portion of cheese atop the ground beef. This seems to reflect the textural variety found all throughout the restaurant.

The finer entrees are exemplified by the pristine frog legs. Reasonably priced, they have the feel of a dainty chicken made in the image of Reese Witherspoon.They come with a highly complementary lemon sauce and every sort of entrée goes well with the twice-cooked Belgian style fries.

After the entrées, one cheats his party not to order a dessert. 112 has a great variety of flavors and degrees of richness. The coconut custard cake with pineapple compote comes rum-soaked with a scattering of pineapple bits, a shaved dried pineapple acting as a beautiful canopy, and Hawaii in the form of a pineapple sorbet. The chocolate cinnamon torte with vanilla ice cream has creamy meringue with each facet of the treat in perfect complement.

112 Eatery brings atmosphere, service, and cuisine together in a way that will leave its customers visibly gratified. One visit is less business than this city sanctuary—and the aspiring palate—deserves.

by Matt Vogesstaff reporter

Yes, the snow has all melted. No, I haven’t stopped listening to Miike Snow’s new album, Happy to You.

Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, it’s fairly easy to guess where the second half of Miike Snow’s name came from. The ‘Miike’ part, though, is slightly harder to place. The spelling is said to be inspired by a Japanese film director named Takashi Miike.

Debuting their first single in 2009, this European indie-rock gem has been credited with a slew of electronic dance tracks. Their first album was primarily a dance album, but with a backbone of piano and drums that set the electronic music scene ablaze.

But that wasn’t the first time the members had gotten their music talents recognized. While many Americans might not recognize Miike Snow by name, chances are about all of them have heard a Miike Snow-produced song. In 2005, Miike Snow

(back then referred to as Bloodshy & Avant), won a Grammy alongside Britney Spears for co-writing and producing Spears’ instant hit “Toxic.”

“Devil’s Work,” is the most popular song on Happy to You. The synth-y undertones and electro-noise mesh shockingly well with the traditional drums and piano combo. In contrast to “Devil’s Work,” “Black Tin Box” kept it interesting with haunting lyrics and far-off sounding drums.

Fortunately for cheerful listeners, the darker sounds of “Black Tin Box” were few and far between on the new album. The rest of the Happy to You was filled with upbeat, electronic dance mixes, and the album line up is no doubt better with more of them.

While the electronic genre is quite varied in style and in talent, Miike Snow provides a nice starting point.The key to finding a tolerable electronic band is equal parts normal and dance-able.

In Happy to You, Miike Snow went from equal parts of electro-weirdness and predictable goodness, to a huge slant towards the outlandish. Even with the difficult-to-swallow switch, Happy to You still sounded like piano-and-synth-noise formula

that ran throughout the first album and couldn’t have done it better. Slightly slower, slightly funkier, completely dance-party-worthy, and completely, 100%, Miike Snow.

by Selin Kurtoglustaff reporter

Happy To You: an electronic album enjoyable for all

11.2/10photo courtesy of foodhoe.com

8/10

photo courtesy of thewildhoneypie.com

10sports April 13, 2012

Climbing to the top

Rock climber Kyra Condie, 10, is always striving for new heights.

When faced with a wall, most people will turn around and walk away. They see the wall as an obstacle.

But there are others who live to for the chance to meet a wall. These outliers in the population enjoy the strain of their fingers as they pull themselves up. They aren’t afraid to climb to heights that are unfathomable to the rest of us. They are sometimes even willing to climb without a harness or a rope.

This special breed of people are rock climbers.

Kyra Condie, 10, is one of them. Her love for rock climbing stemmed from a simple childhood activity. “I got hooked on climbing after going to a couple of birthday parties,” said Condie.

Soon after, Condie began training at Vertical Endeavors Indoor Rock Climbing Facilities.

Her rigorous training and determination got her far in her climbing career. She recently got first place in the national competition. It wasn’t easy to achieve such an honor, but her love to climb helped her get the medal.

“I just climbed all the time because I liked it so much,” said Condie.

She competes for Vertical Endeavors’ highest team.

“We usually have practice three times a week, but I usually go in an extra day. We usually train and climb routes,” said Condie, “It’s really all about commitment.”

A typical practice begins with a warm-up climbs. Then they proceed to climb “project routes.” “Project routes are routes that you keep falling on,” said Condie. “You work on it so that you don’t fall anymore.”

The team closes out the practice with some conditioning, which can of consist of “laps” on the climbing wall, some core workouts, and finally some stretching.

Rock climbing is more than a pastime or a hobby - it is a competitive sport. The sport’s governing body, USA Climbing, organizes two national competitions a year. One of them is the Sports Climbing Series, which will begin in May, and the other is the American Bouldering Series (ABS), which was recently completed.

By placing in the top four of these national competitions, a climber can qualify to become a member of the national climbing team.

Last year Condie went to the ABS National Competition and placed eighth.

“That was the best I had done at nationals,” said Condie, “I was pretty happy about it.”

This year, Condie went into nationals with a simple mindset. “I just

wanted to do better than last year, and hopefully I could make the podium,” said Condie.

The competition is about how far a climber can get on a certain route. Scoring and ranking is based on the difficulty of the route, how far the climber got, and how many attempts were made by the climber. Coming into the competition, Condie felt that she held some advantages over her opponents.

“I’m good at the routes that are very

steep,” said Condie. “Not very many people have that as a strength.”

While she had not performed her best during the qualifying rounds, she was able to exceed her goal by taking home the gold from the national competition.

“I was kinda surprised to get first, but it’s awesome,” she said.

With this victory, Condie qualifies for the national rock climbing team and will compete at the Pan-American games in Chile. But her goals don’t stop there. Condie hopes to get sponsored in the near future.

“You get free shoes, clothes, and gear in exchange for wearing it at competitions and/or blogging for [the producer],” said Condie.

Also, she hopes to make the World Championships for climbing this summer.

“The worlds competition is based on the summer season,” said Condie.

Although it’s only spring, she has already begun to prepare.

“I’m going to focus at getting lock-offs [rock climbing technique].” said Condie. “Also I’m going train 4-5 days a week for the few months before it.”

In the end, Condie wants everyone to know how fun rock climbing is. “Just go out and [rock climb],” said Condie, “It’s really addicting.”

by David Liustaff reporter

Where to climb Vertical Endeavors:V.E. indoor gyms offer over 100 courses, many of which are top rope climbs, plenty of lead routes, and even 20 automatic belays which work the ropes for you. They also all have a bouldering cave on the upper level.

R.E.I:The central R.E.I. hub in Bloom-ington has two “Pinnacle Towers.” These towers are pillars not attached to any wall. Once attached, the climber has free reign on the pil-lar and can use any route he or she chooses to get to the top.

LifeTime:LifeTime fitness gyms in the Twin Cities area have rock climbing walls for their members. Currently, the LifeTime gyms in Chanhassen, Ea-gan, Lakeville, and Plymouth have climbing walls.

Midwest Mountaineering:MM has a free bouldering cave in their basement that is open to all customers.

information compiled by Adam Toninato

“”

I got hooked on climbing after going to a couple of birthday parties.

11April 13, 2012 sports

Athlete of the Issue

Steve Hokansonsophomore

Steve Hokanson is the only Mounds View Nordic skier who made it to state this year. He also went to Junior Nationals this winter. He is only a sophomore and already has a commendable skiing career. His best time for a 5k race is a remarkable 13:30.

Q: When did you start skiing?

A: When I was five years

old. I joined the

Mounds View team when I was in 8th grade, and I started skiing varsity my freshman year.

Q: Why did you start skiing?

A: My dad convinced me

Q: Do you find it difficult to be in three sports: Cross Country, Nordic and Track?

A: The sports themselves aren’t so bad because they all work pretty

much the same stuff. Balancing with school is tricky though because there is no off season.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence so far?

A: The upperclassmen on the team have really been an influence and helped me.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: Just don’t

feel sorry for yourself. Just learn to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

information compiled by Adam Toninato

Noah Lucas was first exposed to swimming as a young kid, when he was forced to attend his older sister’s swim practices at the YMCA. Since then, he has spent countless early hours making the monotonous journey across the 25 yard or 50 meter pool.

“I was bored out of my mind watching so I decided to hop in and swim while I waited, and the rest is history,” said Lucas, 11.

Lucas began swimming for the YMCA as a nine-year old. “I was good. I didn’t win a ton of races but I had a lot of fun,” said Lucas.

After his successes at the YMCA he decided to join a swim club to further his swimming career. “I started swimming for the North Suburban Swim Club. That was fun because I got to swim with a lot of guys from here that I knew,” he said.

Through hard work Lucas began to distinguish himself from his peers. As an 11-year-old, his times were fast enough to qualify for the Central Zone Championships in Kansas, a regional competition featuring the

fastest swimmers in the Midwest for each age group. Here, he, along with Minnesota’s other top swimmers, swam representing Team Minnesota against other Midwestern states.

Since then, he has traversed the metro area, swimming for various swim clubs. He currently swims for the Edina Swim Club.

As a sophomore, he qualified for Junior Nationals in California, a competition featuring the fastest swimmers from around the country for each age group. There, he came away with a middle-of-the-pack performance.

“The thing about Junior Nationals is that you have 200 people all within two seconds of each other,” said Lucas, “I finished somewhere around 100th, but had I swam a a half second faster I would have been top 50.”

As for his Mounds View career, he began swimming varsity as a seventh grader. Freshman year he raised eyebrows by going to the state meet in the 500 freestyle. As a sophomore, he continued to improve, placing 7th in the 200 freestyle and nearly notching out a state championship in the 500 freestyle, before notching his first state

meet medal, a silver.Erik Luk, a senior on the swim

team, recalls these days fondly. “That was back when he was only a little bit better than everyone else, I remember him being kind of immature, but then again I dare you to find a mature kid on the swim team,” said Luk. “Sometimes after practice he used to hide our stuff around the locker room, at the time I would get mad. I like him a lot more now.”

This year Lucas was determined to end his state championship drought. “My goal was to win state and break the school record in the 500, and make it to state in the 200.”

Lucas more than exceeded expectations at the state meet in the 200 freestyle, erasing Pete Stacy’s old school record of 1:40.96 and setting the new mark at 1:39.89, a time that also garnered All-American Considerations.

In the 500 freestyle he swam stroke for stroke nearly the whole race against Woodbury’s Greg Norsten, a good friend of his, before edging him out in the last 50 meters by 26 one-hundredths of a second, one of the closest finishes of the meet, and

once again earning All-American Considerations.

What is the secret to moving through the water so rapidly?

“Hard work, there’s no way around it. My old coach from the Twin Cities Swim Club used to say, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’ That’s the best advice I’ve ever received.”

“I think that’s what makes him so scary,” said senior captain Jake Loewen. “He’s got hard work AND talent.”

As for right now Lucas is not worrying about the pressure to be a repeat champion, he has his sights on an even higher goal, qualifying for the Olympic Trials this summer in Omaha. “I won’t make it to London, but it would still be cool to go to the Olympic Trials.”

by Alx Waldstaff reporter

Doing swimmingly Junior Noah Lucas had a remarkable swimming season, winning two gold medals at the state tournament

12 April 13, 2012galleryAllergies: the seasonal sniffle

Top 3 Biggest Allergy Mistakes

According to the EPA, allergens quickly build up inside tightly-sealed homes, reaching levels more than triple what you inhale outdoors. To clear them out fast, open a few windows for 15 minutes daily to let a fresh breeze blow through. Experts at Canada’s National Research Council say a daily blast of fresh air is so effective at whisking out airborne mold spores, dust mites and more, that it can cut winter allergy flare-ups in half.

Like carpeting, stuffed animals are magnets for dander, pollen and other airborne aller-gens and they can become breeding grounds for dust mites, say researchers at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Running them through a hot washer and dryer every week can solve the problem fast, but many stuffed animals are too delicate for that type of treatment. If you have enough room, you can toss them in your freezer overnight, suggests Neeti Gupta, M.D., an allergist and immunolo-gist in East Windsor, N.J. “Dust mites are surpris-ingly sensitive to cold and dry air, so that’s a great way to kill them off.”

Due to poor drainage and damp crevices, washing machines are mold havens. Mold is not only embedded in clothing, but you’ll inhale it every time you’re in the laundry room. Pour 8 ounces of bleach into your empty washer and run it for a full cycle at the hottest temperature setting. To halt fu-ture growth of moisture-loving mold, leave the washing machine door open to help the machine dry out completely.

1.

3.

2.

You Exercise at the Wrong Time

If you love an outdoor workout, avoid the morning or early afternoon. Grasses and trees start releasing pollen at sunrise, with levels peaking in the late morning and early afternoon. Dr. David Rosenstreich, at the Diagnostic Laboratory and Dermatological Immunology Institute in New York, said, “I always suggest people run after work in the late afternoon or evening.” And if pollen counts are going to be high on a given day, opt for a less strenuous workout.

You’re Down with Down

Love that cozy comforter? It might be trouble, particularly if you’ve had it for a long time. Feathers can be very allergenic, and become even more so as they age and break down, says Dr. Rosenstreich. If a pillow or comforter suddenly starts to make your nose itch, it has more than likely reached the end of its use. Synthetic pillow stuffing, like polyester fiberfill, is a better choice for people with allergies. You can make your pillows even less sneeze-inducing by getting dust mite-proof covers for them.

You Sleep With Your Pet

It may seem sweet to snooze with your pup or kitty at night, but it’s not a great idea if you have allergies. Even if you’re not allergic to animals, pets can bring in pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens from the outdoors. It’s best to avoid letting your dog or cat hang out on your bed.

Potted plants give off mold spores that cause a sore throat, stuffy nose, and dry cough. Instead, decorate your sleeping zone with peace lilies, which soak up airborne mold spores, reducing a room’s mold count as much as 60 percent.

Your Washing Machine

Your Bedroom GreeneryYour Windows and Doors

Your Stuffed AnimalsThat much-used mat harbors at least 10 times more dust mites and mold than the floor it’s laying on. “These allergy triggers reproduce like crazy when they’re surrounded by humidity -- and a bathmat that’s used daily is rarely ever truly dry,” explains Dr. Hans Bassett at the University of Cin-cinnati. To protect yourself, wash your bathmat once a week in hot water, then dry it completely before putting it back in its usual place.

Your Bath Mat

information compiled by Megan Ruan

photo by Youngjun Park

Time of Day

Polle

n co

unts

(ppm

)

What time of day is most irritable to your pollen-sensitive sinuses?

*information taken from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

12 noon 8 p.m.4 p.m.8 a.m.4 a.m.

5

25

20

15

10