Page 8 & 9
Government takes too much
Page 3
Powderpuff volleyball is a success
ND hit hard with crime and people
MHS C
THE
Mandan High School, 905 8th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND
Blizzard shortens MHS Snoball Kaitlyn Schelske
Feature Editor
This year’s Snoball was nearly postponed due to a blizzard but was cut short. On Dec. 8, the annual Snoball winter semiformal dance was held in the Mandan High School gym. Dancing was the favorite part of Snoball for 47 percent of the 62 surveyed MHS students. “Dancing [was the best part] when the music was good,” said sophomore Carlie Borchers. Some improvements were suggested for the Snoball of 2013; thirty-four percent wanted a better DJ and a better choice of songs. “There was a pretty good variety of music, except for the lack of slower songs,” said junior Sydni Schmidt. Another improvement suggestion found was that 14 percent of students did not like the fountain as a decoration. “It wasn’t worth it; it leaked, and I was just waiting for someone to fall in,” said junior Elyssa Bickford. Just over 21 percent of the students polled were upset over the dance being cancelled early. “I couldn’t get my groove on,” said one disappointed anonymous sophomore. The survey was distributed during lunch, classes, and at Snoball.
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Volume 21, Issue 3
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Staff photo
December 2012
URIER
New school store in business is successful Kaitlyn Schelske
Feature Editor
“Limited school supplies, school spirit apparel and limited school clothing will Business marketing classes and DECA be sold to make it a selfare reopening a school sustaining store,” said Fry. store, called the Braves Although its name is Store, in the cafeteria to the Braves Store, DECA sell school supplies and and business marketing apparel to classes on cerstudents are looking into tain days. finding a different one. In previous years, busi“We are hoping to have a ness teachers have tried school wide contest to see to start a school store up who can come up with the again, but didn’t follow best name,” said senior through. Don Fry, busiHannah Fishbeck and ness and marketing eduDECA member. cation teacher, along with Business marketing DECA and the marketing classes and DECA opened classes, intend to not only the store on Tuesday, Dec. start it up again, but to 11. continue it with hopes of “It has been open for expanding it farther into only two days and it has the cafeteria. made close to a hundred “We hope to be able to dollars,” said Fishbeck. extend the store along Although the schedule the wall of the cafeteria,” has only a few days for said Fry. December, DECA and As for what the store marketing classes hope to will be selling, essentials open more often in 2013. for school and school Staff photo “The Braves Store will try spirit apparel and special The new up and running Braves to be open more periods items such as cookies Store is located on the north side and times next semester,” and suckers sold only on said Fishbeck. of the cafeteria. special days.
Editorial
2
MHS Courier
The Walmart effect
Easy
Medium
Hard
Mandan has taken many steps in the past few years to evolve as a city and adapt to recent changes. Part of this includes the construction of new stores, restaurants, apartment complexes and even a Walmart. This alone raises a red flag for the community. Walmart's slogan is simply “Live better”, but is that really the case when its business can harm Mandan’s character, safety and employment industry? Though a closer Walmart would be more convenient, we believe it also poses a couple of issues such as safety, increased traffic and a threat to small businesses. Safety is a concern both before and after the completion of this project. So far, a power outage has occurred throughout a large portion of Mandan and a small fire was reported on the build site. The construction alone is bringing in traffic of both vehicles and machinery, and will grow yet again when it opens. This also means heavier traffic and increased risk of accidents for residential neighborhoods and the Mandan Middle School nearby. Along with increased risk of vehicle accidents with more congestion, parents state their concern for their children who walk to and from school every single day. Yes, Walmart essentially has everything one could need, but that’s not always a
good thing. Mandan is, or in this case, had been considered a small town as long as anyone could remember. Now more than ever, small business owners, in particular local grocery stores could be affected by a Walmart Supercenter nearby. They now have to worry about another fierce competitor and their profits may suffer considerably, maybe even running them out of business in the future. It will definitely take a toll on the small ‘mom and pop’ stores Mandan is accustomed to. A new Walmart will create over 250 jobs for the Bismarck-Mandan community, which is a plus, but its corporation has been questioned about their practices. Walmart stores across the nation have been accused of hiring illegal immigrants, forcing employees to work off the clock and even discriminating against women for the job according to the article ‘Women accuse Walmart of Bias’ written byJami Floyd from ABC news. They were reported as being overly active in their attempts to stop the formation of unions among their workers as well - not exactly the best company to be involved in. So, although growth in Mandan could be great, negatively influencing the cities friendly atmosphere, businesses and safety is not the way to do it.
Courier Staff and Editorial Policy Editor-in-Chief...........................Kat Schmidt News Editor.............................Kaytlyn Fleck Sports Editor....................Mariah Fredericks Features Editor....................Kaitlyn Schelske Design Editor....................Morgan Brinkman Editorial Editor..................Hannah Schlosser Adviser................................Hannah Sagaser The Courier is a news/feature newspaper that is published throughout the school year. As an open forum for student expression, all content online and in print is decided and moderated by student editors. The staff welcomes letters, articles, submissions, of any student, faculty, or community interest. Submissions may be turned into the Courier, room 221, and by message to
mhscourier@gmail.com or facebook.com/ mhscourier. All submissions must be signed by the author if they are to be published and subject to editing if space is restricted. The Courier strives to be objective in its news coverage. Columns and letters reflect only the opinions of the writers, not those of the Courier staff, administration, teachers, or student body. Editorials that are not signed reflect the consensus of the staff. The Courier is funded entirely through advertising sales and subscriptions. Contact the Courier at mhscourier@gmail.com if interested in advertising.
December
Editorial
3
Government takes too many apples: Fiscal Cliff discussed Morgan Brinkman
Design & Photo Editor
Imagine falling off a cliff that’s 3 inches tall. Well, that sums up the Fiscal Cliff; it’s hardly anything at all. It’s basically the idea that our country will be in an immediate doom when Bush’s tax cuts end and government spending increases are cut from twelve percent to seven percent. The Fiscal Cliff is all but a political game. The media portrays it as a big deal but the government and politicians are more worried about getting re-elected and deciding what to protect rather than facing the hard truth. Let me give you some basic math. Now, I’m no expert in math, but if Johnny has
Kat’s Chat Kat Schmidt
Editor-in-Chief
Yeah, football may be a contact sport, but the NFL has no competition on us teen deal-pouncin’ machines and middle aged moms on a mission. It all starts on Black Friday, or should I say a greedy frenzy that looks like survival of the fittest. I’ve even heard of fist fights over yoga pants. No pain, no gain, right? Silly people, according to ABC news, many of those same deals offered on Black Friday are more than likely to be offered again during the holiday season. If you’re like me and don’t want to walk into, or should I say gimp into grandma’s Christmas party because of some ankle twisting, shoulder bruising holiday shopping, try shopping from small businesses, hand-craft the gifts, and shop online. Those are three of many ways to get your loved ones gifts without having to pay an arm and a leg, literally. In my experience, I find that small businesses carry things that are unique and rare to find, sort of like the friend you’re shopping for! Although the prices may
two apples and Suzie takes two apples away, what’s left? Nothing. Johnny has zero apples. The problem with our government is that instead taking two apples from Johnny, they take 16 trillion apples away from Johnny. See the problem? Of course Johnny, the average taxpayer, can’t afford 16 trillion apples. So how can the government take that many apples? The answer: they can’t. Borrowing 15,999,999,999,998 apples that aren’t in existence just can’t happen. Well, that’s what our government is doing. Currently, the United States is over $16 trillion in debt, yet we continue to spend more money than we even bring in. To me, that seems like a more alerting problem. Why are we even bothering with ‘whom to tax more’ when the greater concern is
cutting government spending to reduce our deficit. Like the story with Johnny the average taxpayer, we shouldn’t be able to take more than we have. Both parties need to sit down, set differences aside, and really take a good look at where our country is going. If we don’t cut spending soon, it could end up in a disaster. Our country is already broke and the only way to recover is to cut our spending. What I’m suggesting probably won’t happen, but it’s what needs to happen. Either way, restoring the United States will be difficult. We need to cut spending across the board now, have less government and bring companies back from overseas. If not, we face an incredibly high tax on the middle class.
...alternatives for your holiday contact sport be a tad bit higher than those of what you might find at some brand name store, but I got many gifts from local stores here in Mandan. If you’re not for spending money, maybe hand-crafting something is for you. Handcrafted gifts, in my opinion, are much more sentimental and radiate in a different way how important they are to you. Since I have an artistic touch, I like to make gifts for my loved ones myself from the cards to the actual present. It gives me that warm feeling of satisfaction and usually means more to other people. Many ideas I get come from websites like Pinterest or Wanelo. Making gifts is a great way of really showing how deeply you care about someone without having to break your wallet. Online shopping is an option if you’re not very artistic and it usually won’t break your wallet. It is one of my personal favorites simply because I’ve got options. There are gazillions of online stores with even more gifts to choose from. One of my personal favorites is 15dollarstore.com; everything is $15. Now, choosing may be
quite difficult for those of you who don’t like decision making. Keep it simple, if the person you’re shopping for likes the color blue, buy something blue. You don’t need to go up and over the top with something as intricate as a handcrafted jewel stoned scarf or a bike chain star ornament. This holiday season you can put away the crutches, bandage wrap,ice packs and even the aspirin for headaches because those won’t be necessary. Make holiday shopping something enjoyable and not a pain by avoiding the “main-current” shoppers, do-it-yourself crafts, and online. By avoiding that “main-current”, you eliminate your risk of fist fights over yoga pants or the latest version of Call of Duty. Risks of pricking your finger with a sewing needle or burning your hand with a hot glue gun exist when handmaking gifts, but other than that you will probably find that those gifts mean the most. In the protection of your house, where bruises and broken bones are out of the question when shopping, online shopping is something to click into. So give the first aid kit a rest this holiday shopping season and shop smart.
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News
MHS Courier
News
December
Problem with transmission line causes small fire Kaitlyn Schelske
Feature Editor
On Monday, Nov. 26, a problem with a transmission caused itself to go out on a substation north of Mandan. This resulted in a loss of power at Mandan High School and houses north of Division street in Mandan. It also caused a small fire in an alfalfa field north of Mandan. The power outage caused the school to be without power for 30 minutes, but no damage was done while the power was out. “The only issues we had were with our phone system, technology, and regular usage. [There were] no extending issues,” said principal Mark Andresen. A small grass fire started in an alfalfa field was caused from the removal of a transmission line so the digging for the new Walmart store could begin. “The cause of the small grass fire was from a spark off the transmission line,” said MDU spokesperson Craig Lohstreter. The Mandan Rural Fire Department and Mandan Fire Department responded to the fire and put it out. “The fire north of town lasted for about 30 minutes,” said senior Tyler Fairaizl, volunteer firefighter for the Mandan Fire Department. The fire did not cause any delay in construction of the future Walmart.
Staff photo
Problems with transmission lines caused the fire north of Mandan.
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News Roundup Concert Band
Concert Band I left Dec. 17 for the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago. The 66th annual conference ran from Dec. 19-22 at McCormick Place West in Chicago. The Mandan Concert Band I performs on Dec. 21. The Concert Band I is the first band from North Dakota to be invited to perform.
Student Council
Members attended North Dakota’s Association of Student Councils state convention at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The convention went from Dec. 9-12.
Debate
The Debate team had a round robin tournament on Dec. 14 at Fargo Davies High School. Senior Hannah Fishbeck and senior Mitch Hersch took third place in the varsity competition.
French Club
The MHS French Club had a Christmas party on Dec. 15 in room 223. They played Minute To Win It games, exchanged white elephant gifts and ate pizza and Christmas goodies.
National Honor Society
DECA
National Honor Society members volunteered to speak at elementary schools to talk about internet safety. They visited Roosevelt on Dec. 10, Lewis and Clark on Dec. 11, Fort Lincoln on Dec. 13, amd Custer on Dec. 14.
Jazz Band
Latin Club had a Christmas party on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in Neil Souther’s room in the portable. Freshman James Haaland won the ugly sweater contest and sophomore Kaytlyn Bowers won musical chairs.
Seventh grader Juliann Spilman took first place in the Christmas cookie eating contest at the DECA Christmas Party. The event took place on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in Don Fry’s room. Senior Hannah Fishbeck took second place in the contest. Jazz II will be performing at the University of Mary on Jan. 25 and Jazz I will perform on Jan. 26.
Pep Band
Pep Band starts performing again on Jan. 8 at the boys’ basketball gameagainst Minot at 6:30 p.m. in the MHS gym.
Latin Club
Drama-Musical
Mandan High students will perform the Broadway classic “Bye Bye Birdie” at the MHS Auditorium January 18 and Saturday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, January 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Safety awareness announcement On Dec. 12, William Moore,a mentally unstable individual, made several threats to Mandan Police Department, one including a threat to Mandan High School. According to superintendent Dr. Mike Bitz, the school staff and the Mandan Police DepartPhoto by administration ment did a sweep of the William Moore threatened the school looking for any- safety of MHS students on Dec. 12. thing unusual. After go-
ing through the building, it was deemed safe and students were allowed to return to class. Administration wants the student body to be aware of William Moore. He drives a 1992 Grey Mercury Tracer, license plate number DUX 897. If seen around the building, please contact administration immediately.
News
6
Kaytlyn Fleck News Editor
We’re not making this up!
Monkey escaped to IKEA parking lot
A 7-month old monkey named Darwin was spotted running around the parking lot of IKEA after he escaped from his owner. One onlooker said she thought the monkey was fake at first, but realized it wasn’t after it began darting around the crowd and screaming. Onlookers eventually were able to get the monkey inside and it was then captured by authorities. telegraph.co.uk
Woman photographs herself unlocking stolen phone
MHS Courier
Earlier this month an iPhone was reported stolen from a nightclub in Great Britain. When the woman who stole it tried to unlock the phone, the phone immediately took a picture of her. The owner of the phone had previously installed an App that sends an image of anyone who types in a wrong passcode to them. The phone and the woman have not been found, but the location and time of the photo is known thanks to the app. telegraph.co.uk
Prisoner gets stuck trying to escape
A prisoner in Brazil attempted to break out of jail through a hole but got stuck after he tried to escape. He managed to get halfway through, but while other inmates tried to push him out, his screams of pain alerted the authorities. The man was caught but one other escapee managed to get out and has not yet been found. news.yahoo.com
Pizza Hut introduces own perfume What began as a joke on the Pizza Hut’s Facebook page, is now reality; the making of a perfume which smells of freshly baked dough and seasoning. The perfume was awarded to the fans who were among the first to comment about it on the original post. There is a chance it could be sold in stores eventually, according to the company. nbcnewyork.com
Three dogs learn to drive An animal rescue charity in New Zealand encourages adoption by teaching dogs to drive. The three dogs Monty, Ginny, and Porter have learned 10 crucial behaviors that would be needed to drive a car such
as starting it, accelerating, changing gears and steering. The organization did this in an effort to show how smart animals can be and why they deserve a home. metro.co.uk
Man calls 911 on himself Christopher Moore, a suspected burglar of Texas, called 911 after the owner of the home he attempted to rob held him at gunpoint. While the man called police, the home owner had also made a phone call dealing with the burglary. When police arrived both were still on the phone with 911 dispatchers. Moore was later arrested and charged with burglary. news.yahoo.com
Firearm found in case of meat A supermarket employee in New Mexico found a firearm that had seven rounds of ammunition in a case of frozen meat. After wiping it clean the employee brought it to the Roswell Police Department. Since it had been wiped clean, it was difficult for police to identify any fingerprints. The packaging date on the box which was 6-8-2011 which means the gun has not been reported as stolen. Police are still investigating the situation. usnews.nbcnews.com
December
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Stop by our Deli for daily student specials 504 West Main Street • Mandan, ND 58554 Phone: 701-663-9885
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1715 Burnt Boat Drive Bismarck, ND 58503 701-221-2600 “Promoting a better quality of life.” www.roshauwellness.com Family Health Constead Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner
7
Kat Schmidt
Editor-in-Chief
Population is rising quickly, crime rates ar
RACHEL FORD’S STORY It was a Friday night when junior Rachel Ford got home. Thinking she’d only be home for a short moment, left her car unlocked. Her plans got canceled, so her dad moved her car. As he was walking out, he noticed that the lights in his own car were on. When he got close to it, he saw a man sitting in the passenger seat rummaging through the glove compartment. Before her dad had time to even think about what he was seeing, the man took a mad dash to escape. Then unexpectedly, the man stopped, turned around and asked, “Do you have a cigarette?” Rachel’s dad replied, “No! I don’t smoke,” and the man began running again. Upon examination of the car, nothing was taken. On reflection, her dad thought the man looked like he was on drugs and probably meant no harm, but just really wanted a cigarette. “I never thought this would happen because we live a block away from the police station,” said Rachel. “This just goes to show that no matter where you live, you should always lock your car.”
A NEW WAVE OF CRIME For some, a new wave of crime has taken over the once quieter towns of N.D. Headlines such as “Gerald pleads guilty to burglary, peeping charges” from the Bismarck Tribune, “Three children slain in New Town laid to rest” from the Williston Herald, “Dickinson man in court for allegedly putting gun to woman’s head and pulling trigger” from the Dickinson Press and “Idaho kidnapping suspect faces four felony charges in ND” from the Jamestown Sun are becoming more common. And to
state the obvious, crime is on the rise, doubled. and it’s rising fast. North Dakota’s world Some might ask why there is such a is changing dramatically, but adapting dramatic increase; some speculate that to and accepting urbanization of the it is because of the Oil Boom. state may be as “I think the growth much of a challenge “...I remember a lot of these and the additional as the crime itself. people has brought same stories. And all of a According to some changes to NeighborhoodScout. sudden, BOOM. It stopped.” our community,” com, a source of said Mandan Deputy location-based data and risk analysis Chief Paul Leingang. information run by Location Inc., Today, Williston is one of many towns the chances of becoming a victim of in the western part of the state that has property crime in N.D. are 1 in 56 per been greatly affected by the influx of 1,000 residents. Property crime includes people. The population in Williston has burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. doubled in the past decade to some Mandan had a population of 18,507 30,000 residents. More than half of in 2011, according to the Williston’s residents work U.S. Census Bureau, which in oil-related jobs, and means the chances of the city’s unemployment being victim of property rate is at 1 percent, crime in Mandan are according to the article, about 1.7 percent. “ND oil boom city reaping Chances of becoming a prosperity, problems” victim of a violent crime, by AP writer James which include murder, Macpherson. rape, robbery and assault, Additionally, in in N.D. are 1 in 444 per Williston, the number of 1,000 residents according domestic disturbance calls to NeighborhoodScout. and arrests for crimes com. That figures out such as DUIs, assault and to about a 0.2 percent theft in the first half of chance of being victim of 2011 was double the total Staff photo for all of 2010, according a violent crime in Mandan. According to to the article “Williston the Mandan Police North Dakota Oil Boom: Department’s 2011 Crime to Small Towns”, Annual Report, in the written by APUSA writer past three years domestic violence Mr. Bela. assaults increased by 62 percent, theft Today’s oil boom shows many crimes have increased 13 percent and parallels, almost a mirror image, of possession of stolen property crimes the oil boom from the 1970s such as more than doubled. In 2011, there were a shortage in law enforcement and 4,262 total crime offences, compared housing, increase in criminal activity to 2,376 back in 2009. Overall, total and population density, and high traffic occurrences of crime have nearly beating down roadways.
Houses are sold quickly due to the mass rise in population.
re not far behind “Based on just purely my recall and no research conducted, I remember a lot of these same stories. And all of a sudden, BOOM. It stopped; it dried up and everybody left and the area [deflated],” said Joe Ellefson, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Bismarck State College. During time of prosperity, much time and money was spent accommodating to the changes, but the extra housing and debt rested on the shoulders of the hard hit cities when it ended. It seems as if the oil boom is to blame, but population increase is the real culprit.
PROBLEMS NORTH DAKOTA FACES WITH URBANIZATION The problem is not just the oil field “roughnecks” or the oil boom since that is when the state’s economy flourished, but the bigger problem is that N.D. can’t deal with the changes as quickly and efficiently as needed. Law enforcement feels stretched thin as well as cities’ infrastructures. There is not a large enough police force to keep up with all the calls and not enough housing for people moving here. The oil boom in the 1970s made Dickinson a cop’s nightmare, according to a 2005 article, “Two Illustrations of Booms and Busts in North Dakota’s Oil Industry” by Bismarck Tribune author Lauren Donovan. As oil rig workers celebrated their wealth which often meant heavy drinking and fighting which kept the police force on their toes. Similar to today, the police force is kept extremely busy. “There are many times where people call the police department and they need help with something, but we don’t have anybody to send because they
Tips to keep yourself safe 1) Educate yourself on the concealed weapons regulations. Take defense classes to prepare yourself if an attack were to happen. 2) Lock all doors of your house and vehicle whether you’re home or not. 3) Use the buddy system. Walk with a friend or near people when by yourself. 4) Play the “what if” game like, ‘what if a man came around that corner and attacked me what should I do?’. 5) Listen to your gut. Use common sense and instincts when not sure what to do. 6) Call the police when you see suspicious activity. 7) Stay in a well lighted area when alone. 8) Report situations that endanger your safety or anyone else’s. are already busy on something else,” is more traffic and more people so there said Leingang. “We simply don’t have is more of an opportunity for things like enough officers right now to meet the that to happen,” said Leingang. demands.” “Typically North Dakotans are pretty Back in the 1970s, law enforcement laid back and they don’t interfere with fell short, but so did Dickinson’s anybody else’s business, ‘You live your infrastructure. It couldn’t upgrade and life and I’ll live mine’, [but] they’re build fast enough to accommodate the seeing a huge disruption to their normal changes and when they finally caught lifestyle..,” said Ellefson. up, the boom was over. The Dickinson Many of the people moving to N.D. Police Department website says that the are here to stay. Jobs are hiring left and population swelled to right creating about 23,000 people. more jobs. North “It’s just that there’s While the city’s Dakota is being website states by 1980 more of it because hit hardest out the population grew west, but the there’s more people.” to nearly 16,000. Either issues that come way, the population with increasing increased dramatically. population are trickling down into cities Very similar to what’s happening now, and towns across the state. there is not enough housing for such “I think a lot of times people blame a a large influx of people. Leingang said lot of things on the oil and gas industry that towns like Williston and Dickinson that aren’t always fair because the are having a difficult time hiring and majority of stuff is still being committed keeping law enforcement because they by people who are or have lived here for don’t have enough housing and those periods of time,” said Leingang. “It’s just that are there can’t afford the housing. that there’s more of it because there’s “We had a 46 percent increase in more people.” accidents... I think that’s indicative of the increased number of people... and there
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Student Life
MHS Courier
December
Sophomore Bryce Helm This edition’s “Student Spotlight” features an excerpt from sophomore Bryce Helm’s short story “Misunderstood Echoes”. He enjoys writing, computers, designing websites and building model cars. To be featured in the “Student Spotlight” submit your work at mhscourier@ gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ mhscourier or contact a Courier staff member.
Misunderstood Echoes The hallway took her to a part of the school she did not know, getting herself lost. But she felt as if some strong presence was there, pulling her towards it. She walked a bit farther, starting for the other end of the hallway in hopes of finding someone to tell her how to get to her class. Her steps were soft, echoing throughout the hallway and bouncing back to her. She craned her neck to look at some of the doors to the side, none of them with labels. She came upon a small room in the hallway, probably a study area for groups. There were 6 tables in a row, pencil sharpeners and notebooks in a neat stack on them. There was a strange buzzing in her head, signaling something was about to happen, but she just could not place it. She saw a
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Student Life
flicker of movement below one of the tables, a flash of blue. Her face turned a pale white as she noticed it was a cat; but a blue one? Staff Photo She questioned herself. She followed the fast cat through the tables, keeping out of sight from its gaze. lt sat down, and began licking its paw in rhythm,unaware that Kimi was watching it. lt looked up, and Kimi could swear there was a flash of recognition in the cat’s eyes, flickering in its eyes like a light. Kimi gasped, “T-...Tam!?” There was no possible way this was true, but it looked almost exactly like Tam with its bright blue fur,the same color as his hair. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything more, the cat bolted around the corner so fast that it seemed as if it wasn’t even there in the first place.Kimi stood up, puzzled. “How strange...How did a cat get into this school in the first place?” Unless the school has some weird cat problem, she thought to herself. A door opened to the side of her, a teacher of stocky build stepping out and stretching a little, probably the gym teacher she thought quietly. “Excuse me? Could you show me out of here? l’m a little lost...”she said.
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The man looked up “Of course, follow me.” He said in a bright voice. “What are you doing this far into the school? You know this area is closed at this time of the day.” They continued walking down the hallway, coming out into the main part of the school and stopping.”What was that section used for?” Kimi asked, trying to get a few answers, “Was it a Biology wing? Or an animal wing?...I saw a bright blue furred cat back in the study area.” She added.The teacher looked at her, bewildered, “Blue furred cat? You must have been dreaming!” he exclaimed, starting to chuckle. “But it’s true! You have to believe me!” She begged. “Get to your class young lady, and try not to get lost next time.” The teacher turned his back, and began walking back down the hallway to where they were before. Kimi’s face burned. “People can be so ignorant and judgmental!” she screamed in her head. Tam was being treated like an outcast, and Kimi was beginning to feel like nobody seemed to truly understand him. She felt as though she was being secluded as well, especially from Sanakka, She headed towards her next class, Physics. Her thoughts on that blue cat that she saw, still curious about how it got in the school in the first place. And why did it remind me of Tam?
Student Life
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MHS Courier
Early graduates’ plans and advice
“Start working full time, move out and travel.” -Alyssa Leingang
Seventeen seniors on track right now to graduate early. Take a look at what they have planned after finishing, and hear the advice they have for anyone looking to graduate early. “Get a head start on life.” -Ashley Mormann “Attend U-Mary for nursing and work more often. “ -LeAnna Olsen “I can work to pay for college and achieve things.” -Eve Nadeau
“Get a good paying job and make bank.” -Rowan Dahners
“I’ll make and save money, and attend college in the fall.” -Bailee Rebenitsch
“Just to feel good about myself and to become independent.” -Haley Droog
“Start hair school at Paul Mitchell and get a business degree at BSC.” -Ashley Seehafer
“Work and sleep. Get CNA license. Start college in fall.” - Karley Keigley
“Start becoming an independent adult.” -Jaden Allickson
“I can use that time to actually improve my photography/business skills.” -Jessica Heller *All photos are submitted photos
Does That Make Me Crazy? Kat Schmidt & Mariah Fredericks
Editor-in-Chief & Sports Editor
Does it make me crazy if I put ketchup on my Mac and Cheese? ~Noodle Nut MARIAH: Yes! Eeeeeew, thats like eating a cheesy tomato, or putting sugary tomato paste on nachos. It’s not right. KAT: I disagree with Mariah, I think you’re completely normal. Personally, I don’t like ketchup on my noodles, but I know too many people who do to say you’re crazy.
When I cut up an apple I throw away the apple slices and just eat the core, does that make me crazy? ~Core Cruncher MARIAH: Dear Core Cruncher, this is by far one of the weirdest things I’ve ever heard of. When I eat an apple I stay as far away from the core as possible. You must be crazy to eat a hard, gross, middle part of a delicious apple.
KAT: I think this definitely DOES make you crazy! Try not slicing an apple at all, and eat the EDIBLE portion of it. It might even taste a little better. *Students submit their crazy tendencies anonymously to the Courier in room 221 or message us on Facebook.
top ten:
ways the world will end
1. You wake up and it was all a dream. 2. Illuminati takes over the world 3. justin Beiber uses his masses of fans to take over the world. 4. Alien Invasion. 5. Siri leads a robot revoltion. 6. Biochemicals cause a Zombie outbreak. 7. Dinosaurs come back to life. 8. The kraken is released. 9. Solar flares burn the earth. 10. Global warming melts the ice caps and floods the earth.
Student Life
December
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Changes in the cheer squad: More males interested Hannah Jacobson
bling and mainly stunting. With their natuWhat caused them to join after that, Spilman said, “I see how passionate every- rally stronger bodies, boys help elevate In life, and especially high school, it the level of stunting being performed. body is that is in cheerleading and I see can be hard to go against the norm. But “I really think stunting is going to proghow hard they work to win, yet they can't that’s exactly what four Mandan High ress. I believe the boys are going to endo what we can easily do.” School boys have done. This basketball ergize the crowd and bring a new dimenSpilman said that after that he talked season, senior Alex Spilman, junior Tyler Peterson into joining the team. sion of spirit to the school.” Wanner said. Jans, sophomore Trevor Peterson and She also believes they will bring a new Peterson said he “...honestly wouldn't sophomore Sheldon Senger decided have joined if they weren't in it.” But when dimension to the team’s competitions. to make the all-girls The boys say they look forward to most the boys decided to cheerleading team of the stunting. Spilman said, “I think it’s join, they meant it. I feel that equality is co-ed. And while their [legit] when we throw them up high.” “We are really important and if a boy decision has caused Other, more personal parts of stunting lucky because the mixed responses of is interested in dance four young men who are going to be hard to get used to. “It’s teasing, name calling very weird to think that we can just palm are working with or cheer, that’s great. and support, the boys us are not making a somebody's butt and pick them up. For are sticking it out. joke of it.” says Wan- me, that’s going to be really weird.” exOther than one student who cheered plained Spilman. ner. “They are trying.” briefly in 2010, the boys are the first male For the boys practice is very different Once the boys decided to join, they had cheerleaders at MHS for a very long time. to try out. from they other sports they are involved A member of the cheer team approached in. Spilman and Peterson are in wrestling For the girls that consisted of jumps, the boys and convinced them to join. Then reciting a cheer and tumbling skills. For and football, while Jans is in football and came tryouts, practice, and possibly the Senger is in golf. the boys on the team, try outs consisted hardest part of it all: adjusting to a sport so of stating their name and what team they Spilman said, “Stretching for 15 seconds unlike anything they were used to. is a waste of my time. Touching my toes wanted to be on. Mandan cheerleading team coach Peterson said, “It was really easy. We just isn't going to happen.” Sheree Wanner said, “I like having boys on went in there The boys are the team. I feel that equality is important currently going and talked for and if a boy is interested in dance or to three morning like 30 seccheer, that’s great. I think it’s opening up practices a week, onds.” new opportunities for the future. I think we Wanner said, and Spilman and are going to set precedence, and in the Trevor agree that “The boys are future we will have, hopefully, more young known as alterthe extra physimen going out for it. We’ll call it a co-ed cal activity on top nates,” but that sport rather than focus on it being a girls “they still have of their wrestling sport. In bigger cities it’s not unheard of. the opportunity practice is a lot. I feel like we are paving the way for small to get work in.” While the boys communities like we have.” are on the teamWanner said, How did this happen after so many years “I refer to mostly for comof the sport being girl-dominated? Well, it them as our petition and to started with a little recruiting. fill in at games strength and Junior Tyler Jans and sophomore Sheldon Senger Peterson said, “Hannah (Stork) apfor girls who support team. help perform a stunt. proached me and asked me if I wanted to I would like to can't be there, the join the team and I figured I could help male cheerleaders at MHS are making a integrate them with the girls and have a them for their stunting.” big difference. They’ve taken the judgco-ed experience. There might be a boy Stork sought Sheldon and Alex, too, and that comes along that would be able to go ment in stride, and for many people, the said, “I know a lot of guys don't normally through a full-blown tryout, if you want to doubts have turned into curiosity and have the desire to join the cheer team, so get down to true equality. And he might support. Stork said, “I think the criticism we kind of had to recruit. The boys are go- just beat a girl out for a varsity spot.” has switched directions and some people ing to help a lot with progressing our team There are many things males are useful have actually gained a lot of respect for with stunting.” these people for doing it.” for in cheerleading, such as jumps, tumReporter
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MHS Courier Sports How to lose pounds, the wrestler’s way
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do all that they can to gain the upper hand. Senior Chad Zachmeier doesn’t wrestle, Sports Editor but he sees the effects of weight-cutting Wrestlers are slaves to the scale. in his brothers, junior Curt and freshman The number that scale spits out can mean Brandon. victory or defeat. The pressure to make “They’ll lose up to eight pounds of water weight has led wrestlers to “cut weight”, weight in a practice,” Chad said. “It takes a practice in wrestling that has become a dedication.” He continued to explain that custom. the boys cut back on water and food in “It takes passion,” that’s what many wresorder to weigh in their correct weight. tlers will reply when they “Even a few pounds are asked about cutting count in a match,” weight. Practice after Curt said. “I’ve heard practice they run in an 80 of people losing 20 degree training facility to pounds in a week in shed the pounds, desperextreme situations.” ate to make it into that The state placer admitgoal weight class. ted that there are some Cutting weight is as disadvantages to the much a part in wrestling practice, “You are more as a normal drill in any tired and not as strong. other sport. Wrestlers cut You feel kind of weak.” weight, or lose weight, in Assistant coach Jon order to move into anothStaff Photo Gums has seen it all in er weight class. There are Brandon Zachmeier wrestles his 20 years of coach14 weight classes begining. in the 113 pound weight class. “Cutting ning at 106 pounds and weight isn’t leading up to 285+ pounds. what it used to be. Most of the time it Weight is so important in the wrestling [involves] cutting out a meal, maybe extra world because it’s an advantage. If two workouts, or staying longer after practice,” wrestlers are evenly matched in skill, the said Gums. wrestler with the greater weight has a sigMost of the weight comes off naturally, a nificant advantage. Because of this, teams result of working out and getting in shape. Mariah Fredericks
In earlier years however, wrestling had an ugly side when it came to cutting weight. “Back 20 years ago where there [were] no guidelines on cutting weight, wrestlers took all means possible to get weight down,” Gums said. “From plastic [suits], to saunas, to everything else. Those now have been banned.” Before regulations were put in place, the dangerous practices wrestlers used to cut weight like wearing plastic suits and overheating their bodies which caused many health issues such as hyperthermia. In an extreme case, a Division I college wrestler from Michigan died during an extensive workout in a plastic suit in 1997. Since then, regulations have been placed to keep wrestlers from cutting one pound too many. Hydration tests, for example, take the body fat percentage while hydrated and calculate a weight loss program to outline the most weight a wrestler can lose. In some states, wrestlers cannot compete if they exceed their weight loss maximum. The Mandan wrestling team has a physician who keeps track of the wrestlers’ weight loss and hydration. Cutting weight may sound crazy at first, but this custom has become a fact of life in wrestling. The dedication and discipline it takes to slim down for a match shows the physical and mental toughness of wrestlers.
Fredericks’ finesse ...a lesson on class for all ages Mariah Fredericks
Sports Editor
From pumping up the players to creating the atmosphere, fans play a huge role in sports. The most embarrassing fan, though, is the one with bad sportsmanship. You know who I’m talking about; the fan who purposely makes fun of the opposing team and thinks every call against their own team is the end of the world. Granted, I understand that it’s tempting to cheer against the other team, but trash-talking the entire game or match is pathetic, in my opinion.
One student section, whose name I will leave out, has its fans organized to tear down the other teams’ players with name calling and chants such as, “Ginger has no soul.” They even attack crowd members with hateful remarks “Smells like tuna.” Hateful cheers do nothing for their own team and reflect poorly on them. Cheering for one’s own team, however, would build up players’ confidence and maybe even motivate them to play better. Even more disgusting is when parents act like bullies in the stands. At an away basketball game, I witnessed the most pathetic crowd I have ever seen. Parents threw tantrums and stomped their feet at
a foul call. Some fathers of players participated in a cheering match against other fans just for the sake of pride rather than cheering on their own kid. The most pathetic act was seeing full-grown adults, screaming at the top of their lungs, while Mandan shot a free throw. If I was a student at that school, I would be too embarrassed to even walk into the gym. Some fight fire with fire, but sinking to the low levels of trashy fans will only take away from the sport. I am honestly proud that our student section cheers for our own team and not against the other. Class beats trash.
Sports First ever powderpuff volleyball
December
Teams
Highlights
Coach’s Quote
Team Traditions
“Maddi is our scoring leader with 2 goals. Her contribution off the ice has also been crucial. Maddi has been working very hard on the ice as well as off the ice during dry land and Senior Madison zero hour,” said coach Huber Mack.
Phyne Photography
Juñors’ coach junior Sara Aune said “My team has got a lot of height. We play with a Sports Editor & Editor-in-Chief lot of heart.” On Nov. 27, competition filled the air in Senior Daniel Peterson begged to differ the Mandan gymnasium, as did the smell and said, “[The] Juñiors have no chance of of it. The first Powderpuff Volleyball tourwinning. Chest and biceps.” The Juñors nament, held by student council as a fundbeat the Senior A team, lost to the Senior raiser, turned out to be a hit. In the stands, the crowd had high expec- B team and beat the Mambas in two sets to take third place. tations for the fun spectacle. Freshman Both senior teams made it to the champiAlexis Tapia said, “It’s going to be funny. [It onship match. Due to a lack of time howwill be] enjoyable to watch.” ever, the game ended after only two sets. The event was held as a tournament The first was won by Senior A, 15-7. Senior consisting of four teams: White Mambas B won the close second set 17-15. (the sophomores), Juñors (the juniors), and Although this new event was fun and exthe Senior A and Senior B teams. citing for both the players and the crowd, It’s safe to say that these amateur players there was some definite room for improvemay have been in over their heads. Even ment in organization and planning of the with athleticism, playing volleyball was a event. challenge since it is an extremely techniEven with the event’s success, there is cal sport. Many times teams simply spiked still room for improvement. Peterson sugit, or in this case, slapped it over the net on gested mud volleyball next time. Junior the first hit. However, even with the messy Shaelynn Purvis suggested beach volplay, the teams didn’t lose heart. leyball. For next year, many of the players Going into the competition, both the and audience members even hope for a coaches and teams were confident and teacher team. competetive. Principal Mark Andresen said, “TradiWhite Mambas’ coach sophomore Rachtions are made to be created, so you never elle Harr said, “We are really looking for know. I’m glad to see the turnout and glad a win, actually, we are going to win.” Her to see the kids are having fun.” team took fourth in the competition.
November Athletes of the Month
Phyne Photography
Mariah Fredericks & Kat Schmidt
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Sophomore Tucker Bruington
“This is Tucker’s first year on the boy’s hockey team. Tucker has stepped out in the practice every day and he has gotten better as the days go by. He has over a 90 percent save average [as a goalie],” said coach Budeau.
Player Spotlight
Upcoming events After playing in the St. Cloud tournament over the break, the team plays Minot at home Jan. 8.
Gymnastics
The team took second place at their very first meet in five years. They beat the third place team by over six points.
“Our goal for this year is to make it a positive adventure for everyone involved.” ~Coach Amanda Lantz
As a new team, the closest thing to tradition the girls have is yelling “clear” when switching lanes on the bus.
Dokken Olson, a post player, opened some eyes last friday against Jamestown with powerful blocks and rebounding. After being retired for two years, sophomore Kaytlyn Bowers returned as an AllAround gymnast, competing in four events.
Girls’ Hockey
The team outshot Minot and led for the first time ever against North Fargo.
“This is the most talented group of girls to play hockey for Mandan.”~Coach Dewitt Mack
A tradition in girls hockey is having Uncle Brad Hellman drive the team to all out-oftown games.
Freshman Chelsey Norton, who plays goalie, recorded 70 saves against Grand Forks to set a new school record.
Boys’ Basketball
The boys came out Coach Jason Horner Having a moment of strong with a win in said that this years silence and prayer Jamestown last Friday. boys basketball before a game is a The final score was team will be a fun team tradition for 72-55. group to watch. the boys.
The girls gymnastic team has a meet in Bismarck on Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. The girl’s first home game of the new year will be against Fargo South at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 5.
Kaytlyn Fleck
News Editor
Freshman Kelsi Hatzenbuhler
Sophomore Eileen Spilman
Junior Trevor Lind
Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?
“Jane isn’t fond of facial hair.”
“He’s not mature enough to have a beard.”
“Because he shaves it with a knife.”
“Because he hasn’t hit puberty yet.
Why is it that when you blow on a dog’s face it goes mad, yet when you take him on a car ride he sticks his head out the window?
“The window is more fun.”
“Cause its owner’s breath stinks.”
“Because he doesn’t like his face to get wet.”
“Cause your breath is nasty.”
Why is it that when we know the batteries in a remote are dead, we push the buttons harder?
“Maybe it will work then.”
“Just got to double check.”
“There still had to be something left.”
Senior Trex Opp
“I don’t do that. Batteries are dead. YOLO!”
Ms. Novak English
“Because a long beard would get tangled in the jungle vines.”
“So other dogs will see him in the car and be jealous.”
“Because we’re overwhelmed by the thought of the effort it would take to change the batteries.”
*All photos for Flipside are staff photos.
Flow of the month 1) What is your technique? “I shower, brush my hair back when it’s wet and put a hat on. No gel, hairspray, etc. Keepin’ it natural!” 2) What benefits does “The Flow” offer?
Senior Nathan Berger
Noob of the month
Freshman Savannah Miller
“My freshman pack is a decent. Always room for downsizing though!”
Staff Photo
2) How does it feel to be a noob?
“Uhmm.. It’s actually kind of scary knowing that almost the whole school is reading this..”
“It’s a funny Facebook fight subject! It also looks professional and who doesn’t want to look like a hockey player?!”
3) What’s your most embarrassing moment so far?
3) Is it an efficient chick-magnet? “I know it’s a very efficient chick repellent for MHS at least. But for college? Definitely a chick-magnet!”
1) How big is your freshman pack?
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Staff Photo
“Falling UP the stairs..Yeah, kind of embarrassing!”