MHS Courier February 2013

THE

MHSC

Mandan High School, 905 8th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND OPINION earlier testing p.5 NEWS graduation p.6

URIER •

Volume 21, Issue 4

FEATURES cancer survivors p.12-13

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February 2013

SPORTS sports and music p.22

Successful rush returns to Bismarck-Mandan area

kaitlyn SCHELSKE

- Feature Editor

Photo by Medieval Rush

After the success of the Gladiator Rush last year, another 5K all-terrain race is coming to the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds in Bismarck on July 6, 2013. The Medieval Rush, modeled after the Gladiator Rush at Huff Hills Ski Area, has obstacles such as mud, barbed wire and climbing walls.

The cost of admission for the Rush is $55 until March 25, $65 until May 27, $75 until June 24 and $95 the day before and on the day of the Rush.

The first wave of the Rush starts at 3:30 p.m. with the next waves running every half hour until 6 p.m.

Cash prizes will be given out to the best runtime for males and females, best run time overall, the winner of the Medievalist Man competition, Stone Throw, Team TugOf-War and best Medieval Costume.

Other events such as Tournament of

Rush this year is the Beat Chubby Rob chalKnights, Team Tug-of-War, Stone Throw, lenge. Chubby Rob is a middle age, slightly Tomato Toss, Medievalist Man Competioverweight man who is being guided by tion consisting of a three way Tug-of-War tournament, Arm Wrestling and a MechaniRush creator Tanner Schweitzer to prepare for the race. He cal Bull will take will be competplace at differing in the first ent times durwave, or set time ing and after of the Rush, the Rush. and challenges After the last everyone who wave there competes to will be the beat his time.

Tournament For those who of Knights, the beat his time Medievalist in any wave, a Man Competidollar will be dotion, Medieval nated Dance Party, to charity.

Arm WresFor more tling, the prize information go ceremony and Two of last year’s participants crawling their finally fireworks. way through the Gladiator Rush. to medievalrush. com.

New to the

Influenza season starts early and aggressively

kaytlyn FLECK

- News Editor

The 2012-2013 flu season has begun earlier than usual this year, reported the North Dakota Department of Health.

The flu season that normally starts in early March, has started as early as Dec. As of Jan. 29, the North Dakota Department of Health reported 2,890 cases. In Morton County alone, 262 cases have been reported. Of these cases, 125 of these individuals were hospitalized. Most cases occurred in kids under the age of 10.

Statistics are based on cases mandatorily reported by doctors who have counted patients diagnosed with the flu. Therefore, there could be a margin of error for those

who have not gotten checked out for the flu.

Eight deaths have occurred in North Dakota this season due to influenza, according to physicians who have reported back to the department. Lindsey Vanderbush, influenza surveillance coordinator at the North Dakota Department of Health, said that some of these deaths may have been due to other health problems but influenza was a contributing factor. All deaths from the illness occurred in people over the age of 60.

Symptoms of the flu are: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, or fatigue.

Even though the season has started early, it is not too late to get the flu shot. Accord-

ing to the North Dakota Department of Health, the best way to avoid getting the flu is by getting the vaccine. By getting the vaccine, the chance of getting the flu is reduced by half. However, if a person gets the vaccine it won’t prevent them from getting the flu, it will just shorten the duration or lessen the strain. Vanderbush said that even if someone has had the flu, they can still get the vaccine to prevent from getting it again.

Vanderbush also pointed out that infants up to 6 months old are not able to get the flu vaccine, so it is a good idea for people around them to get vaccinated. Vanderbush recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months get the vaccine.

Opinion

2

MHS Courier

Staff Editorial

Easy

Cyber bullying has become an unfortunate part of our generation’s culture.

Shows like “Gossip Girl” on the CW network glorify it, while movies like ABC family’s “Cyberbully” attempt to show the effects it has on students, but nothing shows how hurtful it can be until you are the victim.

Cyber bullying needs to stop because of the effects it has on the victims and just because the concept of “Gossip Girl” worked on a TV show does not mean that it could or should work in real life.

Last month, a Bismarck High School student launched a Twitter account under the user name “Gossip Girl” and got over 400 followers before the thirtieth tweet. Not long after that, someone created a Facebook page called “Bismarck Truths.” Both accounts posted statuses insulting various students and identified them directly by tagging them in the post.

While the Twitter account was

recently deleted, the damage to the students’ lives and relationships has been done. Cyber bullying not only affects the victim on a personal basis, but embarrasses them publicly. When these rumors are posted, it allows them to be viewed by anyone who has a computer or a smart phone. The Twitter account and Facebook page announced everything from getting drunk at a party to cheating on a significant other. When the account owner tagged the students involved, it was out for anyone to see.

Students watching TV shows like “Gossip Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars” may be inspired to do similar things.

It is easier to hide behind a computer or cellphone screen to do your bullying. Many teenagers, because of the lack of contact, may not even consider it bullying. The bottom line is cyber bullying is bullying and hurts actual peoples’ feelings; there are no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Courier Staff and Editorial Policy Medium

Hard

Editor-in-Chief.................................Kat Schmidt News Editor....................................Kaytlyn Fleck Sports Editor.........................Mariah Fredericks Feature Editor..........................Kaitlyn Schelske Design Editor.......................Morgan Brinkman Opinion Editor.....................Hannah Schlosser Ad Manager...................................Sarah Kovash General Reporter..............................Steph Harr Todd Rennich Zach Scott Hannah Jacobson 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.

February

Opinion

3

MHS Courier welcomes new staff members S t e p h H a r r

My name is Steph Harr. I’m a senior and a 5 foot 6 inches tall Caucasian female. It’s physically impossible for me to get a tan. I use pale beige foundation.

Also, I would be completely lost if I didn’t have spaghetti, Pepto Bismol, The Food Network or my stuffed animal named Snoopy. My hobbies include volleyball, reading and cooking.

Here are the five newest members to The Courier. They each shared a little bit about themselves.

Enjoy!

Sarah Kovash

My name is Hannah Jacobson and my name is a palindrome. My two favorite pastimes are eating and sleeping. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy cheering, going on the internet, listening to music and drinking copious amounts of tea. People often think I have a sock bun, but it’s all natural. I’m an avid fan of Les Mis; I went three times.

T o d d R e n n i c h

H a n n a h J a c o b s e n

Z a c h My name is Todd Rennich and I am a senior. I play baseball and work at Universal Athletic in Bismarck. My favorite animal is a dog. When I don't have anything going on you can usually find me hanging out with some friends, playing sports or enjoying a heated game of Cranium.

My name is Sarah Kovash and when I am not at school, or at my job as a cashier at Central Market, I can be found 95 percent of the time watching the Food Network or my seven seasons of Criminal Minds. I’m obsessed with both and I plan on becoming an FBI agent, with a cooking show. Whoop, there it is. *All photos are staff photos

My name is Zach Scott and I am a senior. I basically have no other hobbies besides playing baseball. If I’m not at school or playing baseball, you can usually find me watching Sportscenter. People like me because I am polite and rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks. Well there you have it, that sums up my life.

S c o t t

Opinion

4

Letter to the Editor -Freshman Billy Fleck

I am writing this article in response because of the misinformation presented in the article “Government takes too many apples: Fiscal Cliff discussed” in the December 2012 issue of the Courier. While reading it, I picked out one thing that just didn’t make sense. It was that the Fiscal cliff was “no big deal”.

Being a regular reader of political news, and this being such a big issue, I knew the Fiscal Cliff was far from “no big deal”. In fact, the Fiscal cliff is a really big deal and far from a “political game” as the editor described it.

Here is why the Fiscal Cliff is a big deal. When we go over the Fiscal Cliff, on top of taxes going up on everyone, not just the rich, your paycheck will be smaller, it will be

Kat’s Ch kat SCHMIDT - Editor-in-Chief

at

Staff photo

Muah! Muah! Muah, muah, muah, muah!

That right there was just two people macking on each other.

Maybe it’s just me.

Wait, no I know it isn’t me PDA in school bothers many people.

Everyday I’ve had to endure the near impossible task of keeping my food down after seeing not one, but many couples constantly touching each other, having their arms around each other, girl snuggling her head on boy’s shoulder, and kissing, need I say more? Its cute to see the

harder to find a doctor, and the cherry on top, it will be harder to find a job. All of this will create a snowball effect by hurting the consumers buying power and can put us back into another recession.

So how will the fiscal cliff affect you? Well first of all, you can expect less presents in 2013 because of the Bush Tax Cuts expiring and taxes on your parents will go up. Secondly, if you’re looking for a new job you might as well give up because higher taxes on small businesses means less money they have to create more jobs. Finally, any social programs your parents are enrolled in including Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits and welfare will be cut leaving less money for you and your parents to spend.

After hearing this I hope you now realize that the Fiscal Cliff, is far from no big deal, but something that could have terrible effects on the economy.

MHS Courier

Reply to letter

morgan BRINKMAN - Design Editor

It appears as though we share the same view on the economy, and perhaps I have been misunderstood. The consequences of increased taxes would likely be as detrimental to the economy as you have suggested.

However, the tax hikes were never going to be implemented in full, both parties agreed on this much. The real problem stems from the National Debt and Federal deficit.

The term “Fiscal Cliff” was something hyped up by both Republicans (Fox News) and Democrats (NBC, CNN) as a way to scare the other side into agreeing to their terms. There were no actual budget cuts, only smaller increases. This was the essence of my article, that the Fiscal Cliff was a distraction from the real issues of fiscal insolvency. As I predicted, however, no significant cuts were made, and the problem has simply been kicked down the road.

...there’s a time and place to show affection old couple holding hands at the grocery store, but macking on each other’s faces between classes doesn’t cut it.

There is a certain time when all the gushy, mushy kissing, snuggling and cuddling should happen, but some just haven’t made that realization yet. The answer to when the best time to do that is not during school hours. I go to school to learn, not to watch a cheesy soap opera love scene. There’s a time, and when there’s a time, there’s a place.

That place is not by your lockers, not in the stairwells, not in the classrooms and definitely not in the cafeteria. I’d like to keep my food down, thank you very much.

I guess the place to get all feely with each other is somewhere other than school. Just make sure that place, wherever it may be, does not involve the general public, unless it’s your wedding because that’s the only exception.

The thought of seeing your significant other at the end of that aisle may seem like a lovely image, but the only image given off

to everyone else is not lovely. In fact, that image is quite disturbing. By articulating your feelings for each other in school, a bad image and reputation is being created the second those lips touch.

Now, I’m not against affection, I just think the overly affectionate need to tone it down a notch or two, or five so the rest of us can go about our day without having to be a witness to your PDA session.

Just remember these three things: 1) sucking face was not intended for an audience, so when you’re smoochin’ away, make sure there isn’t one, because quite frankly, they didn’t pay for that 2) such affectionate behavior should be saved for a place secluded and far from the public eye, and 3) the image you’re creating for yourselves is quite frightening, but don’t worry, that can change if the PDA is toned down.

I want to say a huge “Thank you!” to all the couples that do not publicly display their affection, props to you guys. Hopefully this was the Chicken Noodle Soup for the Overly Affectionate Soul.

Opinion

February

5

Testing schedule needs to change

hannah SCHLOSSER

- Opinion Editor

Staff Photo

Warm fires, food, family and then, BOOM. Tests - one of, if not the most, dreaded things about returning to school after the long holiday break.

I believe 9-weeks and semester tests should be moved up to before the holiday break because, quite frankly, when we take a vacation, so do our minds.

There should be a split in the schedule moving everything up a week or two.

This would mean starting and ending school a bit earlier than years previous. Testing would take place before the break, which takes the stress off of students before they leave. This would

leave room for a larger holiday vacation, too, even if it’s by a day or so. The day students return from break would be the first day of the second semester. It begins with a transition instead of reviewing previous lessons and then transitioning. This, to me, would ease up the nerves of new classes, teachers and faces as well.

I feel this change would benefit a large portion of the student body and their grades as the break takes a toll on how much students remember. It’s difficult for some to remember what they had learned in the week before let alone everything covered in an entire semester.

Landing these tests in a close time frame could have the potential to raise grades instead of hurting grades when they are forced to test after much of what they learned has been

disregarded.

A change in test dates could mean a change in effort. I believe more students would be willing to go the extra mile to study hard now and get the tests over with, rather than leaving, returning, and working hard for a week just to switch classes.

Convenience is a key factor for wanting the change. Let’s face it, high school students like to take the easy way out, and if it means “getting it over with” early, they will work harder now, not later.

Since this one article can’t change the way the tests are scheduled after the break, the next step would be contacting school officials and school board members about the issue - they love to hear from students. Let them know how you feel about the situation and how it affects or has affected you personally.

The blame for killing should be reconsidered

sarah KOVASH - Reporter

Staff Photo

From the 5-yearold child continuously flapping their hands in the mall, to the man who killed 20 children, six adults, his mother and himself in Newtown, Conn., we live amongst people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Disorders don’t kill; guns don’t kill; only people kill people.

However, saying that a social disorder like ASD turned Adam Lanza into a killer is wrong. It’s like saying that guns kill people; the person behind the gun regardless of any disorder the person may have is the killer. Lanza committed an atrocity and it affected many people, but he did not do

this act of violence because he had Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), a form of autism.

James Holmes, who shot and killed 12 people in the Century Movie Theater in Aurora, CO, did not have a disorder according to USA Today.

Tom Mai, a neighbor who lived next to Holmes for years, described him as a typical American kid who liked to keep to himself.

Some other killers, like Holmes, have the desire to take the lives of others, and that is not because they have a mental, physical or social disorder.

Not having a gun will not stop someone if they want to kill a person. One of the worst domestic terrorist attacks in U.S. history was in Oklahoma City, OK, on April 19, 1995 when a rental truck full of fertilizer based explosives killed 168 people. That being said, there are alternative ways to kill mass amounts of people than with guns.

The blame needs to be placed on the source of the killings, not the sources’

choice of weapon.

Blaming AS, medication, video games or guns for the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, or even any shooting, is just leading away from the true cause of the killings; the individual. Lanza was determined to kill and he would have done so whether or not he had autism or access to guns. It is hard to change the mind set of anyone, let alone a killer once they have set their mind on hurting others.

All that can be asked of those who have blamed, or who still do blame shootings on disorders and guns, is for them to reconsider their opinion.

With numerous factors that could contribute to the cause of mass killings, picking one or more out of the many is unfair.

This causes those with a certain disorder, or those who own guns to suffer the consequences. More investigations need to be done behind the killer before conclusions should be made.

News

6

MHS Courier

Students respond to upcoming graduation sarah KOVASH requirements - Reporter

During a recent survey of sophomores and juniors at Mandan High School, 32 students gave their opinion of the new changes to graduation requirements. Of those surveyed, 21 students were not in favor of the changes.

Starting in the fall of 2013, the upcoming freshmen must attain 23 credits to graduate. In previous years, graduating classes have only been required to have 22 credits.

Also beginning in the fall of 2013, all seniors must be enrolled in five academic courses per semester. Principal Mark Andresen said that if seniors want to take a study hall, they will have to take six class periods.

Teachers and administrators have requested that these changes should be made to MHS’s current policies to encour-

age students to gain more from their opportunities in their free high school education.

“I’ll be upset about not getting out early, and taking an extra class is more stress[ful],” said junior Chelsea Peterson.

Some students think the addition is unnecessary.

Sophomore Kaytlyn Bowers said [it] also leaves seniors with less free time or time to work.

Many students have taken more than the required number of classes in their prior years in high school so their senior year would be easier. Students may take a class just because they need to fill in the space.

Sophomore Ashley Bergman said, “If you already have enough or over it’s pointless to force another class on us.”

Five respondents say that the changes will not really affect them.

“It won’t affect me, there just won’t be any more classes that interest me to take,” said junior Alyssa Nardello.

The remaining six respondents agree that the change will be beneficial.

“I think it’s a good thing. It gives students an opportunity for more free education,” said junior Isabelle Renner.

Others think the changes will help them later in life.

“I think it is a good way to make sure we know our stuff and to be better rounded people,” said sophomore Kaitlyn Kipp.

In the state of N.D., MHS is one of three Class A schools that require only 22 credits, unlike other Class A schools that require 24-26 credits.

7 News Scholarship and college application deadlines are approaching MorGranSou

February

Mandan Dollars for Scholars For seniors who are attending a post-secodary education program.

Deadline: March 31, 2013

Mandan Masonic Scholarship For seniors who are attending any college, university or trade/tech school in the fall.

Deadline: March 22, 2013

George Towman Engineering For seniors pursuing a career in engineering.

Deadline: March 22, 2013

Real Deal - Bank of N.D. Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and be attending a ND college.

Names are drawn at the end of Feb. Deadline: Feb. 2013

Attention seniors! Scholarship deadlines to apply are ending soon. Some scholarship deadlines already passed, but there are a few left. They are color coded with the red ending soonest, the green ending later.

When applying for college, students should make sure to have required documents for the application process which would include the application fee, transcripts, immunization records, and of course the application itself.

A student who is planning to live on campus should also apply for housing as early as possible. Most campuses require freshmen to live on campus unless of course they are living with their parents.

Students are also reminded that if they are applying to associate degree programs that have limited enrollment.

The counseling office recommends that students apply for scholarships and colleges early as possible. Applications and information are available in the counseling office.

N.D. Crop Improvement and Seed For seniors planning to attend NDSU College of Agriculture and have a family member of County Crop Improvement Association.

Deadline: Feb. 15, 2013

Bismarck Cancer Center Must attend a Bismarck college and be pursuing a nursing degree.

Deadline: March 1 ,2013

Electric

Must be a member of MorGranSou electric to qualify.

Deadline: Feb. 15, 2013

Farm Credit Services For seniors planning to attend college who have family farms and/ or ranches and are pursuing a career in the agricultural field.

Deadline: March 1, 2013

News Roundup Science Club

The Science Club participated in a Widget Contest on Feb. 5 at Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy. The SWC Regional Science & Engineering Fair will be held in the MHS gymnasium on Wednesday, March 13. If anyone is interested in doing a science fair project, please contact Mrs. Fleck.

Junior Class

Juniors may start planning for the 2013 Prom. If you are interested in helping please contact Miss Stumpf or Mrs. Kielpinski.

Choir

The choirs are presenting their annual Choir Broadway Show on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $3 for adults and one dollar for students.

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA will have students competing in the Nursing Assistant, Welding and Automotive Technology divisions April 14-16.

All Language Clubs

All language clubs will be hosting a Mardi Gras party on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Members are encouraged to participate.

FCCLA

Students in FCCLA have started a Pinterest Night. They have another night set up for Monday, Feb. 11. They encourage students and staff to join. They also have a District STAR events competition on Feb. 20 at First Lutheran Church.

Debate

Debate had its state tournament in Fargo on Feb. 2 and 3.

National Honor Society

Applications for sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be given out to eligible students on Wednesday, Feb. 6. All applications are due to Mrs. Caya by Feb. 20. No late applications will be accepted.

The Brave Crafters

The Brave Crafters is a new club for cookers, decorators and quilters. Students, parents and community members are welcomed to join. The first meeting is Feb. 11. and they will be making sweater mittens from 7-9 p.m. in room 118.

SADD

SADD is presenting a style show on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $2 and is open to the public.

News

8

chelseTUTTLE

- Reporter

MHS Courier

We’re not making this up!

Teacher afraid of young children

Former Cincinnati High School teacher, Maria Waltherr-Willard, is suing the Ohio school district where she used to work saying administrators discriminated against her because of her rare phobia: a fear of young children. The 61-year-old Spanish and French teacher was transferred to the district’s middle school in 2009. She says the younger students triggered her phobia, causing her blood pressure to soar and forced her to retire. miamiherald.com

Dog drives over man

A Fla. man died after a dog jumped into a van and pushed the accelerator, causing the vehicle to hit the man as he opened a gate outside of his home. The incident started when the van owner returned home. The van was backed into their driveway and the passenger man got out to open a metal gate. As the driver opened the door to see where he was standing, his large boxer came running toward the van and jumped in, pressing the accelerator according to the report.

usnews.nbcnews.com

Sandwiches are not “foot long”

A Facebook user posted a picture of a subway “foot long” sub next to a tape measure, showing the sandwich coming up short; measuring a mere 11 inches. Subway responded, apologizing for the length and are planning to reinforce their policies to make sure the sandwich meets their standards. Because of this, Subway has to respond to bad messages written on their wall all for their lack of an inch.

lifeinc.today.com

Reptile defends marijuana Authorities in Northern Calif. Entered a Castro Valley home during a routine probation check and made a snappy discovery on Jan. 9. An alligator-like reptile named “Mr. Teeth,” was apparently protecting 34 pounds of marijuana. The reptile’s owner was arrested and later charged with one count of possessing marijuana, and could also face citation from the Calif. Fish and Game Commission for possessing an exotic animal without a permit. The animal was very sick when it arrived at the local zoo and passed away overnight.

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com

Snake hangs on plane wing On Jan. 18, during a two-hour flight from Australia, surprised airway passengers watched out their windows as a large python hung onto the plane’s wing. The python was able to hang on to the plane until it landed in New Guinea, but it was dead upon arrival.

abcnews.com

Upset robber gets free pizza After midnight on Jan. 22, an attempt to rob a Papa John’s pizza restaurant in Helena, Mont. Went emotional when the would be robber started crying. The man entered the restaurant just after midnight and gave the cashier a note demanding money. As the employee started to hand it over, the man broke down and confessed he was doing the deed for his wife and child. The worker determined that some free pizza, wings, and soda – to go – was what he really needed. Police were still looking to talk to the man though they were not sure if charges would be brought against him.

usnews.nbcnews.com

February

Student Life

9

10

MHS Courier Student Life A month in the life of a bisexual relationship

Two girls fake a relationship to see the challenges of being openly bisexual

kat SCHMIDT - Editor-in-Chief

bullying and harassment were likely to is not as high as I expected it to be,” said happen if Amanda and Codi ‘dated’, prinAndresen. cipal Mark Andresen said, “Unfortunately, Andresen also said that the way the law is “Lesbian!” mocked one classmate foland I say that very sincerely, unfortunately stated is possibly the reason it’s not worklowed by chuckles from the class when, [yes], I’m sad about the situation, because ing as well as intended. now former Mandan High I would think that students “You can actually be cited for false reSchool student, Amanda would be more accepting than porting, because of that, I think people are “Too many people Roehrich walked into her more cautious of these types of things,” sixth period math class. judge people when they are of peoples’ differences.” said Andresen.

At first, Roehrich and they don’t even truly According to the NCA reAlthough reporting bullying was not senior Codi Simonson view survey taken in the fall of necessary here, both Roehrich and Simonknow someone” pretended to be together, son were surprised by meaning dating, just as something else. What a joke, but weren’t sure 2012 by surprised them was if it was a good idea to follow through 780 MHS the number of people with it throughout the school day. They students, who messaged and needed a better reason than just for laughs respect texted them to say to keep this going, so I told them that it of others how brave they were would be an interesting experiment to see and others’ for coming out and how people react, its effects of bullying or property, that they were strongly harassment and students’ acceptance of and acsupported. others and their beliefs over the course of ceptance of When Simonson their “relationship”. others were was asked if she felt On Jan. 6, their relationship was made ofaccomplished with ficial on Facebook with a status update and two things that ranked the experiment, she an explicit photo of them kissing to back lowest. replied, “Yes, I feel like that up. The next day in school, both say Andresen if I ever was to become they received dirty looks in the halls and in said that [bisexual], I would be class. Many people came up to them and Staff photo it was very able to come out, even asked in disbelief if it’s actually true and evident in though there were were shocked when it really was. That reacAmanda Roehrich (left) and Codi Simonson a few unsupportive the survey tion of shock or surprise made them feel (right) faced both judgement and support that the people.” somewhat excluded from the norm and that with their pretend relationship. categories Roehrich’s reasoning dating a girl was unacceptable. behind this ‘case study’ was to hopefully “I didn’t really let [the criticism] get to me, of acceptance, respect of others and their bring students to the realization that this most people were supportive, but the other property are things that scored low.

“We definitely need world is very diverse and comments and looks bothered me,” said to work on our diversity filled with people each Roehrich. “...I’m sad about the and acceptance of othwith their own beliefs In agreement, Simonson said, “Well I situation, because I would ers,” said Andresen. and that it needs to be don’t really get that offended, but in some accepted.

The bullying law does ways [the criticism] still hurt my feelings.” think that students not come into play until Although the dating aspect of the relawould be more accepting “I ‘dated’ Codi to open students’ eyes; too many after repeated offences tionship was not real, their hurt feelings than they are of peoples’ people judge people were, and the harassment and bullying that are being reported and differences.” when they don’t even went on degraded their self esteem. On one defined specifically as bullying. truly know someone,” hand, the harsh comments and criticisms said Roehrich. “Hopefully more people feel “The big thing that I can tell you right off from people seemed to be the only reaction the bat is the number of times that it has comfortable being themselves and won’t let of this experiment. been put into place and actually enacted [other] people tear them down.”

When asked if it was to be expected that

February

“I picked something I thought I couldn’t do, tried my hardest, and this was the result.”

“The Avatars were my first detailed black and white. I wanted it to look exactly the characters from the [movie].”

“I wanted people to think about life, family an d future when looking at this .”

Student Life

Senior Trey Opp For some, art will never come naturally, but for others, art comes as a gift.

Senior Trey Opp was born to create art. Opp not only lives to create art, but he wants to pursue a career in creating art. This fall, Opp will be attending the Art Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. and plans on receiving his bachelors in Design Management.

Opp is currently working on his poster titled “You Can Create Tomorrow” for a chance to win a full ride scholarship at the Art Institute.

After college Opp wants to leave the small town life behind to go live in a big city.

“I love to take on a challenge [and] making something that no one thinks I can create,” he said.

Opp is determined to succeed, but in his case, determined is simply an understatement. steph HARR - Reporter

11

y pt was to tr “My conce l ew and rea n g in th e som gle looking with an ea rizon.” over the ho

“This is one of my favorite ones. I w anted it to b e very detaile d to look lik e the real Jok er.”

“I wanted to do a small picture that people could look at and laugh a little.”

United States.

e Lymphocytic Leukemia LL) is onesteph of HARR the top 12 - Reporter cancers in children.

morgan BRINKMAN - Design Editor

4 in 5 ch can

From Patients

Three MHS seniors share their stories about

You’re sitting on a cold hard chair in a hospital room. Four white walls stare back at you. The smell of antiseptic surrounds you. Your parents are sitting next to you, each holding your hand. The minutes feel like hours as you wait for the doctor to come and give the diagnosis.

There’s a shadow by the foot of the door.

You hear someone grab the door handle.

The wide wooden door slowly opens and the doctor walks in with a tight smile. The doctor’s shoes tap loudly against the tile floor. You find yourself holding your breath.

Taking a seat across from you, the doctor clears his throat, looks up at you and says three life changing words, “You have cancer.”

Three students at Mandan High School have experienced these words. Seniors Kasey Pazdernik, Erron Collins and Sam Leingang were each diagnosed with cancer at a young age. These three cancer survivors each share their stories about overcoming their different types of cancer.

13,500 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in the a Pazdernik can proudly call himself cancer survivor. When he was three years United States. old, he was diagnosed with a rare soft cell

sarcoma called Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (P-NET).

Pazdernik said that because he was only three years old during his battle, he didn’t really have an idea of what was going on.

“It was kind of like I was just living my normal life with absolutely no idea I even had this problem,” said Pazdernik.

According to the Medscape Reference, an informative website written by top physicians about medical issues, P-NET is defined as a group of highly harmful tumors composed of small round cells that affect soft tissue and bone. Pazdernik had a tumor in his left hip.

Pazdernik underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery for one year. During his treatment, he experienced hair loss, nausea, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite.

Pazdernik said that knowing he survived cancer changes his outlook on life.

“It shows me that everything happens for a reason and that God was truly watching over me,” said Pazdernik.

Staff Photo He tries to Kasey Pazdernik, left, Erron Collins, center, and Samantha Leingang, lift the spirit of others who

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia 13,500 children diagnosed (ALL) is oneare of the top 12 with cancer every year in the cancers in children.

United States.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is one of the top 12 cancers in children.

right, are all seniors this year who have survived cancer.

are still battling cancer by participating in fundraising charities like Relay for Life.

“I am and can be motivation for other people going through the same thing I did,” said Pazdernik.

His oncologist deemed him cancer free at age four.

When Collins was four years old he was diagnosed with Wilms tumor.

According to MedlinePlus, a website that provides information about medical issues, Wilms tumor is a rare type of kidney cancer that affects children by forming a tumor on one or both kidneys.

Possible signs of a kidney tumor include a lump in the abdomen and blood in the urine. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy or a combination. Most children with Wilms tumor can be cured.

“I was young when I had cancer, so I don’t remember much of it,” said Collins. “All I remember was the fun stuff like all the food and toys I got.”

However, Collins is reminded every day that he’s a survivor by living with only one kidney.

“Life is a precious thing. I remember being in waiting rooms and other places with kids who were really sick and the next day they were gone,” Collins said. “Be

13,500 children with cancer ev United

Acute Lympho (ALL) is one cancers in

hildren diagnosed with ncer will survive.

Patients s to

their struggles, strengths and triumphs

Patients

thankful that you’ve been blessed to not go through the pain and suffering some of those kids had to go through. Sometimes I feel like the lucky one.”

After 10 years of not having any reappearances of cancer, Collins’ oncologist deemed him cancer free at age 15.

00 children are diagnosed h cancer every year in the United States.

te Lymphocytic Leukemia LL) is one of the top 12 Leingang can also call herself a cancer cancers in children.

survivor. In 2005, right before her 10th birthday, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

A person diagnosed with ALL rapidly produces white blood cells in their body which leaves a low and unhealthy amount of red blood cells and platelets.

ALL is an aggressive form of cancer that must be treated quickly. It’s the most common type of childhood cancer from infancy up to 19 years of age according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

When Leingang was nine years old, she was constantly feeling fatigued and sick. Concerned, her mother brought her into the clinic.

“They drew blood from me and found that my white blood cell count was severely elevated,” Leingang said.

Leingang was transferred to Sanford Medical Center, formerly MedCenter One, That’s where she was told that she had

n are diagnosed very year in the d States.

ocytic Leukemia of the top 12 n children.

cancer.

“At the onset of my cancer, my symptoms were dark circles under my eyes, a pale complexion, severe fatigue and soreness in my legs,” Leingang said.

During the first stages of Leingang’s treatment, she underwent chemotherapy.

“Because chemo medicines are harsh and can often burn veins, my oncologist, Dr. Boyko, surgically installed a portacath under my skin on the left side of my chest near my clavicle bone. From that device, tubing ran directly into my jugular vein,” said Leingang.

Leingang said, “Some of the treatments weren’t painful, but they often made me feel drained, sick, and unambitious.”

Leingang’s treatment program lasted for two years with many transfusions of red blood cells and platelets.

Chemotherapy also caused Leingang to lose her hair.

“I was bald and looked like a big round balloon, so that didn’t help me much in the ‘looks’ department,” Leingang said.

To strengthen her body to handle the large amounts of medicine, Leingang was given corticosteroid steroids.

“They made my face red all the time, made me hungry and I gained a lot of weight. They also made me have the strangest food cravings,” said Leingang.

Leingang also had leg shots and spinal taps which checked her spinal fluid for any cancer cells that could travel through her spine to the brain and nervous system.

When Leingang was 12 years old, her oncologist deemed her cancer free.

Photo by Sam Leingang

Samantha Leingang shows off her scar and cancer survivor tattoo. can give life a whole new meaning: “You are cancer free.” There’s a reason these three seniors are cancer survivors: they’re physically, mentally and emotionally strong.

During her battle, Leingang told herself, “I can do this because I’m strong and only the strong and capable are given this kind of battle.”

Seniors Pazdernik, Collins and Leingang are motivation for those who are still battling or have overcome their fight against cancer.

4 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer will survive.

Three words can change a person’s life, but four words

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Student Life

MHS Courier

Student Life

February

Does That Make Me Crazy?

kat SCHMIDT - Editor-in-Chief

mariah FREDERICKS - Sports Editor

Does it make me crazy that I don’t eat any fruit. I just hate the texture, but I love fruit juice.

~Frutti Freak

MARIAH: I don’t think you're crazy Frutti Freak. I have a huge issue with food texture.

If the texture’s weird, it doesn't matter how good it tastes.

KAT: Yes, it does. First off, you’re depriving yourself from essential nutrients. Secondly, fruit tastes amazing. Nuff said.

Does it make me crazy that everytime I walk past a mirror, I check myself out?

~Mirror Maniac MARIAH: ...I hope not, because I do the same thing. Ba dum, tsch! We might be a bit vain though...

KAT: No, I don’t think so. I do that too sometimes. But you might be crazy if you watched yourself in the mirror more than you do tv!

Does it make me crazy that, for bedtime, I wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, a sweater and cover up with three blankets just to keep warm, but refuse to wear socks?

~Sock Scrooge MARIAH: Hmm, I just find it crazy that you need that many layers of clothing. Do your parents believe in heating?

KAT: I sleep with socks on when it’s cold and I’ve found that it works wonders! I consider you crazy since you do everything you can to keep warm just to avoid wearing socks. That’s just silly!

*Students can submit their crazy tendencies anonymously to the Courier in room 221 or message us on Facebook.

Dr. Brad R. Roshau

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

15

Top 10: ways to spend Valentine’s Day alone

10. Watch Lifetime movies and cry into your pillow.

9. Rock out to Taylor Swift.

8. Pretend your pet is your boyfriend.

7. Go to a restaurant and get a table for two.

6. Creep your ex on Facebook.

5. Quote “Pitch Perfect” by yourself all night.

4. Sit on your couch and wait for Channing Tatum to realize he loves you.

3. Eat a bucket of ice cream and feel no shame.

2. Buy cats.

1. Treat yo’ self!

Student Life

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MHS Courier

The Do’s and Don'ts of Prom steph HARR

Be the date that everyone wants

- Reporter

It’s that time of year again. Although it seems far away, Spring will be here soon.

The buzz about dates, dresses and dancing is in the air; Prom is right around the corner. The night dedicated for the upperclassmen of Mandan High School to get all dressed up and to take dozens of photos that will later blow up everyone’s Facebook news feed is April 20.

However, every year after the dance, there seems to be that one repeated phrase: “My date was so annoying.” Someone always seems to have the date that follows them around all night, or the date that’s constantly nagging at them. This date could be anyone: guy or girl. Follow these tips to prevent yourself from being the date that people love to hate.

Ladies Do Have Good Time Management

Guys may not believe it, but there’s a lot of planning to be done for Prom. Dresses and corsages need to be ordered and hair and nail appointments need to be scheduled.

Order your dress early. Late Feb. or early March is an ideal time to start shopping.

Schedule your hair appointments in advance, and if necessary, call the restaurant ahead of time to make a reservation. Don’t over think things. Just have fun.

Don’t Be A Pain

Nothing annoys guys more than listening to girls complain, especially for hours at a time. Don’t complain to your date about how stressful planning for this day has been. Your date only wants to hear when he should pick up the tux, what time he needs to pick you up and especially where he will be eating dinner. The last thing he wants to hear is constant whining.

Do Agree On Plans

Be sure to make compromises with your date. The two of you should discuss where to eat and who is paying for what. Decide together if taking professional pictures is on the agenda. When planning a Prom group, choose people whom you and your date are both friends with to avoid an awkward situation.

Don’t Be Irrational

So another girl has the same dress as you.

Big deal. No one likes the girl that’s throwing a fit because someone else has her dress. Stressing over it is not worth annoying your friends and ruining your night.

Do Be Considerate

Your date understands that you want a lot of pictures of your night, but try to not to take too long. Make time for about 20 minutes to be spent on group pictures. This way your date isn’t annoyed and everyone can get to dinner on time.

Don’t Be Nosy

When complimenting another girl on her dress, don’t ask her how much it cost. Some people are uncomfortable being asked this question and it’s none of your business.

Gentlemen Do Be Punctual

If you are picking up your date, be sure to pick her up on time. You don’t want to be the reason that everyone was late for dinner. Also be sure to clean out your car. No girl wants to sit in a vehicle that smells like sweaty socks.

Don’t Use Too Much Product

Try not to overdo the gel in your hair or “flow”. Girls aren’t fans of greasy, overgelled hair. Natural is key.

Do Practice Good Hygiene

A woman prefers a man who is freshly showered and clean shaven. Be sure to wear plenty of deodorant/cologne for all the dancing you’ll be doing later that night, but don’t overdo it. Your date doesn’t want to suffocate every time you stand next to her.

Don’t Get Hand Happy

During photo taking, it doesn’t look good if there are two hands on your date’s stomach. It takes away from her dress. These are Prom pictures, not maternity pictures.

You can never go wrong with subtly placing your hand on the side of her hip.

Do Be A Gentleman

If it’s icy during Prom, offer your arm to your date to help her walk in her heels.

Dropping her off at the front door will also be appreciated because it’s less of a distance for her to walk in her heels. To put the icing on the cake, make sure to open doors for your date. Follow these tips, and you’ll be the ultimate gentleman.

Don’t Park Next to A Snow Bank

If there is still snow during Prom and you didn’t drop your date off at the door, don’t park next to a huge snow bank. As the passenger, your date has no choice but to step out into the cold snow with her heels on. Expect to hear some complaints. You’ll never understand how painfully cold walking barefoot through snow is until you have tried it.

Student Life Bromances are flourishing at MHS

February

kaytlyn FLECK

- News Editor

17

Two pairs of best friends share their stories

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is already in the air. Whether your Valentine is a boyfriend or girlfriend, a family member, or just a close friend, everyone has a different way of showing their love. For two pairs of boys at Mandan High School, they share close bonds with a close guy friend called a bromance. According to Oxford dictionaries, a bromance is defined as a close non-sexual relationship between two men. Bromances are becoming more common, in the eyes of a number of students interviewed from MHS, they agree.

kind of scary.”

They enjoy playing horror computer games, cracking unlimited amounts of jokes and pestering Long’s mom. Both said they have too many memories together - too many to even remember, but they can recall a few. Schwindt recalled a time where both of them were playing the game Amnesia and a monster came out of the corner of the screen making them scream and kick their legs in fear like little girls.

Along with a number of memories, both had very admiring words to say about one another. Long said the thing that he admires most about Schwindt is his beautiful crisp glasses. For Schwindt, it was Long’s eyes.

Their relationship can also be characterized by always being there for one another.

Schwindt and Long would do anything for each other which in their eyes includes defending one another if they were attacked by a lion or even a dragon.

Both also felt that they have more loyalty than other bromances.

“We share deep information which each other sometimes, maybe even a little too much information,” said Schwindt.

“It’s strange because we used to hate each other.”

Devin and Dustin

For senior Devin Schwindt and sophomore Dustin Long, their bromance started just a few years ago. The pair have known each other for about 12 years, but they hadn’t always been friends.

“It’s strange because we used to hate each other,” said Long.

Schwindt and Long contributed not being friends to having different points of view.

As soon as the two hit high school, they grew closer after hanging out frequently during an entire summer. They both came to realize that they had more in common than they had originally thought.

“We’re like the exact same person most of the time,” said Schwindt. “It’s actually

Staff Photo

Devin and Dustin share an embrace.

Staff Photo

Brian and Jackson have each other’s backs being honest with each other. Their honesty is what they believe separates them from any other bromance.

They both also find themselves finishing each others sentences.

“Sometimes when I start a sentence..,” said Murphy, “I finish it,” concluded Keidel.

Along with common personalities, both were kind enough to share what traits they admired about each other. For Murphy, it is Keidel’s blue eyes. For Keidel, it is Murphy’s talent for graphic design.

Murphy and Keidel both share a common interest in graphic design. They have made it a part of their friendship and have even sometimes made it a competition.

Both also have girlfriends who get to witness the joy in their bromance. In the eyes of Murphy and Keidel, their girlfriends love it, but junior Caitlin Heinze has different feelings towards it.

“It’s pretty hilarious, but at the same time it’s kind of annoying. They can be more into each other one moment than Genna and I,” said Heinze.

In response, Jackson and Brian said that’s when they have each other and they can have what Jackson and Brian call a “sismance.”

Senior Genna Boehm agrees with Murphy and Keidel. “I just have my own sistermance with Caitlin. I’m still first on [Brian’s] priority list,” said Boehm.

“I’m still first on [Brian’s] priority list.”

Jackson and Brian

Sophomores Jackson Murphy and Brian Keidel share a bit of a different story. Both do not remember exactly how they met, but know it was sometime in sixth grade.

They weren’t friends to begin with, but after about two years and a couple classes together, their groups of friends merged and the two became close friends.

Both described their relationship similar to that of the relationship between two brothers, but closer.

“We have the same sense of humor,” said Keidel.

They keep their relationship strong by just

Review

18

MHS Courier

“Bye Bye Birdie”, a spectactular performance morgan BRINKMAN

Conrad fan club screamed at the sight of him. They made the musical fun to watch and helped bring back memories of silly elementary crushes.

This year’s musical production of “Bye Bye The characters, overall, maintained a Birdie” was a wonderful success under the peppy mood with high energy, especially direction of Anne Jorgenson Green. This the fan club. The costumes were just was her first production here at Mandan charming and actors were able to sing their High School and her abilities shined parts. I never once felt that the musical through. “Bye Bye Birdie” was a perfect, was dragging its feet. The music was uplifting pick and one of the better upbeat and the transitions between musicals performed by the drama scenes were fantastic to watch. department.

The set design allowed for the The musical is a satire originally center piece to be rotated and moved based off of Conway Twitty’s earlier for multiple scenes. It was a lot of musical career. In the 1950’s, he rivaled maneuvering for the tech crew but with Elvis Presley to be the best rock ‘n all was enjoyed. Being able to watch roll star. the scenes change before your eyes It’s a play on words for one of the was another one of the best parts. main character’s name, Conrad Birdie, You could see where each scene’s played by junior Kristian Stenslie. The location was from the kitchen painted entire musical is wrapped around on the back of the center piece or Conrad’s draft into war. with the multiple signs stating exact He’s a young sensation for teenage approximation. girls and agent/songwriter Albert There honestly wasn’t much to pick Peterson, played by junior Adam out about the musical that was bad. It Michal, wants to write the perfect song was well casted, the vocal capabilities for Birdie’s last were met and the kiss before he plot was adorable leaves. Albert’s and light secretary Rose hearted. I almost Alvarez, played always could by senior Mariah understand what Higgins, chooses the characters a random girl were saying and to be kissed by singing and the Conrad. enthusiasm was The plot in there. There was general was enough people engaging. for a large cast Conrad’s fan and everyone club was one looked the part.

All photos are staff photos of my many It really just was a favorite parts. great musical this Top: Conrad Birdie woes his fans by singing to them, sometimes even making His arrival to year and director them faint. (Madison Jansky, left, Kristian Stenslie, center, Anita Cornell, right, Sweet Apple, Anne Jorgenson Genna Boehm, above right.) Left: Albert Peterson with his secretary Rose Alvarez Green will be one Ohio marked a sensation for the (Adam Michal, left, Mariah Higgins, right.) Right: Conrad drinking his morning to watch for in many teenage the future. juice as his adoring fans watch in awe. (Kristian Stenslie, left, Genna Bohem, cen- Design Editor

girls in love with him. Their preparation for him was hilarious with ‘We love Conrad’ buttons and the special song the girls sing when they seem him. At the point of his finger they would faint left and right.

Throughout the entire musical Conrad hardly said anything while Albert acted as his spokesperson. Still, the Sweet Apple

ter, Lexi Duppong, right.)

February

Review Best knoephla soup is at Rolling Hills Truck Stop

steph HARR - Reporter

hannah JACOBSON - Reporter

Soup: the ultimate comfort food. Yet nothing is more comforting than the potato and dumpling soup our German dominated state likes to call Knoephla.

Many Mandan citizens come from a German ancestry, so German food, especially knoephla soup, is very much a part of culture in this area. Fried’s Family Restaurant, Kroll’s Diner and the Rolling Hills Truck Stop are restaurants in Mandan that are known to serve German dishes with knoephla soup being the star of their menu.

With so many hometown restaurants all serving knoephla, there is great controversy over which restaurant serves the best. We set out to Fried’s, Kroll’s and the Truck Stop to find whose knoephla soup reigns supe-

received a total of five stars. rior.

Coming in a close second was the knoThe criteria for the best knoephla soup ephla soup at Fried’s with was based on a total of four stars. Their taste, creaminess soup was rich and creamy and adequate and had a great knoephla knoephla to poto potato ratio as well. It tato ratio. came down to flavor and After tasting that’s where the Rolling all three soups, it Hills Truck Stop claimed was decided that the victory. the Rolling Hills The knoephla soup Truck Stop serves at Kroll’s came in last the best knoephplace with a total of two la. Their soup is Staff photo stars. The soup lacked the perfectly rich and creamy and has This bowl of knoephla soup from the expectation of being rich and creamy and instead plenty of flavor- Rolling Hills Truck Stop wins. was very watery. Also, there ful dumplings were many large potato chunks with hardly and potatoes in every spoonful. Because any knoephla. this soup exceeded all expectations, it has

iTunes 11 is worth the upgrade

kat SCHMIDT

19

containing the Library of music, podcasts - Editor-in-Chief and movies, Devices and Playlists, all that Apple recently upgraded its iTunes music is directed into one drop box. By selecting, for example, “Music” in the drop box, player to iTunes 11, which is free for its users have the entire window to view all users. A new and improved design was the qualities of the songs. In previous verincorporated for easier navigation and to sions of iTunes, that left column took up so emphasize album art instead of just the much space that music and it could be used works. It is stepmore efficiently. ping away from The new qualithat typical IE ties of iTunes Menu bar that 11 makes users consisted of feel as if they File, Edit, View, are using an Favorites, etc. iPad or iPod on It was somea desktop. There what compliare “tabs”, if you cated to figure will, at the center out how to Staff photo top of Songs, navigate, but An album with its track emphasizing album Albums, Artists, after using it art, not just the music.

Genres, Playlists more I’ve found it’s easier to use and I think to myself, “Why and Radio that also allow for easier navigation just like at the bottom of the iPad or didn’t they come up with this before?” iPod screen.

Along with a better navigation system, it is Although it may take a little getting used now faster and more web savvy by allowing users access to the store right from the to, this is overall a satisfactory product. iTunes made a new face for themselves library.

Instead of having that column on the left with iTunes 11 and it’s great.

Eat outside the box!

Staff photo

Potstickers from the Rice Bowl are a treat for anyone looking to spice up their meal.

Want to try something new? Try the Asian appetizer called the potsticker.

This savory dumpling has a soft yet crunchy pan seared outside with a medley of seasoned pork and vegetables on the inside. It is a twist on the egg roll, combining the meaty filling with the golden brown crust of a wonton. This dish can be found at the Rice Bowl in Mandan and other various restaurants throughout Bismarck.

Sports

20

MHS Courier

Playing with intuition from head to skate mariah FREDERICKS - Sports Editor

Hockey players are built differently

situations. the best one thing is needed: intuition, or “Tripping up during a fast break is the in other words “hockey sense.” Take the worst,” said senior best player technically; they Imagine playing a game that has the Nicole Trenda. “Hitting can skate, shoot, pass, do it strategy of soccer, the speed and fast “Hockey takes a lot of the goal posts hurts all, but if they can’t see the breaks of basketball and the physicality skill but it also takes the most.” game and anticipate what’s of football. Now add ice. This is hockey, working with your When a stick is coming next, all that skill goes one of the most difficult sports played at team.” added to the mix, to waste. the high school level or any level for that This intuition is what makes matter. This unique sport requires unique along with the technical aspects, the already difficult game good players great play-makers. Being players, and as a result, these athletes are becomes even more elaborate. Puck hanable to improvise, think on your feet and wired differently. dling, passing and react to different situations is all a part of Starting from a shooting are vital this hockey sense. young age, players skills that require From head to skates, a hockey playdevelop new muscle grace in the midst er is uniquely formed for this unique memory and skill of the chaos. sport. sets specific to the “Hockey takes a Next time in the stands, watch the skatsport. Many have lot of skill but it ing, the hitting, the puck handling and been playing with also takes worklook for that pass going nowhere only to each other for years, ing with your be received by a teammate who read the and all those years team,” junior ice and reacted. of experience builds Shaylynn Mack these players until said. “It’s not at they are prepped for all an individual battle.

If you were to build Staff Photo sport, there’s five people out there a hockey player, Senior Brady Zittleman gets ready and everyone has where would you for the puck to drop in a faceoff. to participate to start? The skates of score and win.” course, which are the all-important base Which brings us to the most important of a player. Even a great athlete is humpart of building your hockey player: the bled when they learn a new skill such as mind. As a player evolves, so does the skating as this ability is a necessity in the game.

Once the speed of play increases, sport. Most sports are based on running the reaction time and walking, a feat that we needs to as well. as people perform everyday.

“Tripping up during a Kids learn to crawl, walk and fast break is the worst.” When that little black puck starts finally run, but hockey playflying all over ers go one step further and learn to glide on frozen water, sometimes the place, there is no time to to ho P spare.

A player can have f even backwards. f Sta all the skills, be a pro After establishing the skates, we add a at skating and know how to body with an armor of pads. Along with hit,but unless they know how playing on ice, hockey is a full contact to share the puck with a teammate, they sport like football. Flying on the ice at 4.5 Sophomore Trever Leingang plays can’t be successful. mph while initiating contact with other forward for the Braves varsity team.

Hockey players agree, to be the best of players can create some out of control

Sports

February

21

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m Possible’ Michael Kaip receives the ‘Yes I Can’ award for going above and beyond toddRENNICH - Reporter Michael Kaip is, in many ways, a typical high school senior. He participates in sports, is relieved when it’s finally time to go to gym and choir and just figured out his plans for college.

He plans on attending the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater where he will major in History Education and minor in Coaching Education all while getting his certification in Adaptive Physical Education.

Although he may seem like a normal high school student, he stands out in a different way.

What makes Kaip unique is that he is one of the 764,000 Americans living with Cerebral Palsy. It is a disorder that can disrupt brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking according to The National Center for Biotechnology, which provides public access to articles in medicine and health.

Although he has Cerebral Palsy, he does not let that roadblock slow him down even the slightest bit.

Another thing about Kaip is that he is a die-hard sports fan. He is a student manager for the boys’ hockey and baseball teams, and for most of his life he thought that he would forever be stuck on the sidelines.

That all changed last year when he was introduced to sled hockey by an organization in Fargo called Hope Inc. Sled hockey is played sitting down on a chair with two blades on the bottom; participants have two sticks used to propel oneself, pass and shoot the puck.

For Kaip, it was a way that he could finally be part of the action in the sport that he loved.

“That was just a great day all around. I was so happy to finally be out there [on the ice] that they had to pull me off,” Kaip

said. “I waited 16 years to get out there and hockey, indoor soccer, track and even dance I didn’t know when I was coming back [to troupes. play again].”

Kaip said, “Regardless of what sports can He knew going into that day he would do for me, I want other kids to have the finally be able to play hockey. What he did chance to experience it too.” not know was that the Mandan High School Aside from the joy that he gets from boys’ hockey knowing that the organization is making the team was going lives of kids with disabilities more enjoyto surprise him able, Kaip also received national recognition and make the trip for the work he did with Dreams in Motion. to Fargo so they He recently found out that he is the could play with winner of the "Yes I Can Award" from the and support him Council for Exceptional Children in the catlike he did for them at every practice and egory of School and Community Activities. game.

He received this award because the comKaip said, “It was a blast to be able to mittee saw his efforts to reduce the limitago and play with all the tions on people who guys that I’ve had to have disabilities. watch for so long.”

In April, he and his That day turned out to family will make the be very inspirational for trip to San Antonio, Kaip and the rest of his Texas, where Kaip family. On their way home will be presented later, he realized that they with the “Yes I Can shouldn’t have to drive all Award” along with the the way to Fargo just to national winners in enjoy a game of hockey all of their respective with friends. categories.

Then an idea was born.

Kaip does have to Kaip and his parents unlive with Cerebral Palderstood what they needsy, but that does not ed to do. They needed to define what he can give other people with and cannot accomdisabilities the chance to plish. He is still able to participate in sporting live a typical life, but events. he chooses not to. He From that, Dreams In Photo by Annette Kaip chooses to take it one Motion was founded. step further by helpKaip playing sled hockey with Dreams in Motion is a ing other people like non-profit organization, friends. himself. which Kaip is a founding As an 18 year member of. Their mission is “To provide old senior in high school, he has already sporting opportunities for youth and young founded an organization to help benefit adults, from ages 2-25, with mobility chalother people. Compared to others his age, lenges or visual impairments, and their his work with Dreams in Motion is provfamilies and friends.” ing to everyone that teens are not all just They accomplished that mission by getFacebook junkies, but that they can have a ting together and putting on games of sled purpose.

“...I want other kids to have the chance to experience it too.”

Sports

22

MHS Courier

Different music drives different players

Hip Hop/Rap was the most popular genre ey, wrestling and football listened to rock with 70 percent of participants listening to and rap most. Of the 13 basketball players mariah FREDERICKS it. This was favored by male athletes with 74 polled, 92 percent listened to Hip Hop/Rap. - Sports Editor percent listening to it while the top choice Athletes in running sports such as track Every athlete searches for that haven and cross country had the for females was Pop, before competing. Nerves, pressure and most diverse results listening which tallied 83 percent anxiety threaten players, runners, wrestlers of listeners. Country, Rock to pop, singer/songwriter, and swimmers alike. One of the oldest and dance, country and even and Dance were the next most popular ways to tackle these threats classical. most popular pump up is through music, an athlete’s best friend. A Some multi-sport athletes music. recent poll of 50 high school athletes dove even listened to different The difference between deeper into the relationship between music girls and guys preference genres for different sports. and sports.

“For golf I listen to in music varied. Male Nearly all of those polled said they listen athletes tend to stick more low key music because to music before a competition with the golf is a sport of concenwith Rap/Hip Hop and exception of one. Reasons for listening to tration,” said junior Kayla shy away from the less music included getting focused, pumped up popular such as Dance Helbling. “Track is a fastStaff photo and calming down. paced sport where I listen and Country; but female “It gets me athletes Senior Austin Tweet listens to more pump up music.” focused or ‘in the Freshman Madelyn Jablonski range “It gets me focused or ‘in to music before playing zone’ if you will. listens to anything in basketfrom the zone’ if you will. Some basketball.

Some songs get ball; but when it comes to alternasongs get my adrenaline and my adrenaline and cross country and track, she prefers dance tive to singer/songwriter. aggression pumping.” aggression pumpand pop.

“With track, [I listen to] ing,” said sophomore Different sports and situations call upon something easy going Ethan Cermak. different genres of music. From the concenbecause it’s really not that intense,” junior In a few cases some athletes admitted Benaiah Simburger said. “With wrestling, it’s tration of tennis, to the pressure of swimthat music can make them more nervous as something like rap so I can get in the zone.” ming, music soothes nerves and blocks out well. One thing’s for sure, music does somedistractions of athletes every day.

Preferred music genres often varied by thing to get a competitors blood pumping. sport. More aggressive sports such as hock-

Teams

Highlights

Coach’s Quote

Girls’ Basketball

The team played very well in the first two games of the Gillette Holiday Tournament.

“For us to compete in more games we will have to up our scoring average.”

-Coach Len Stanley

Wrestling

Junior Curt Zachmeier is ranked number one in his weight class.

“We need the team to stay healthy going into state.”

-Coach Jon Gums

Boys’ Swim/Dive

They defeated BHS as they just passed the halfway point of their season.

“We have great leadership from our captains this year.”

-Coach Ralph Manley

Team Traditions

Player Spotlight

Upcoming events

Senior Makenzie Before every game Schmidt was named to the girls dance in the the all tournament team locker room. at the Gillette Holiday Tournament.

The girls’ next home game is Feb. 8 against Turtle Mountain.

The wrestlers play some Nintendo 64 on all of their road trips.

Seniors Konnor Peterson and Adam Stein, as well as sophomore Ryan Zachmeier are doing well.

WDA will be in Williston on Feb. 9. State will be in Fargo Feb. 14-16.

The team finished “hell week” which is a week of intense conditioning.

Sophomores Brody Kindsvogel and Keaton Sedivec are improving.

The Boys’ swim/dive team has the Mandan Invite on Feb. 9.

Sports

February mariah FREDERICKS - Sports Editor

We all know Williston is not the same place it was a few years ago.

The city hard hit by the oil boom has been radically altered by it. Stories drift down, along with the many truck drivers, making people wonder just how far gone Williston is. I saw for myself how “different” it was on our basketball trip to Williston this past month.

Now, no matter how bad Williston sounds, our sports teams must make a journey up there at least once in a season.

The volleyball team brought back stories of hideously disgusting locker rooms. State competitions have even been moved from Williston due to lack of hotels to stay at.

The stories of crime, traffic and scandals made us all wonder whether or not it was safe to stay in a Williston hotel room while many parents chose the seemingly safer Minot hotels, but of course our anxiety did

Staff photo

23

Fredericks’ finesse...have no fear

not change anything.

When we first arrived at the hotel, two police cruisers were parked blatantly in front of the entrance. That was comforting. What exactly happened at three in the afternoon that would require law enforcement? They told us that there had been an “incident,” though we never found out what that was exactly.

On our way to the hotel rooms, a man opened up one room that had a full grown pit bull inside. That was interesting and a bit suspicious, but we wandered on.

We were told to stay in our rooms that night and use the buddy system. The night was relatively uneventful besides the music blasting from a party in the hotel. The hotel had a very lively bar/club and the rock and roll and country band didn't quite play us a lullaby.

The next morning we got up, got on the bus and drove to the high school which I heard was in terrible condition with locker rooms that had clogged toilets, miscella-

neous clothes and filthy floors.

When we arrived, I found nothing out of the ordinary walking through the halls and had a realization; Williston was just a normal high school. In fact, there was nothing scary, suspicious or worrisome about the place. The rumors and expectations of intimidating oil-workers everywhere were just that, rumors. Even the locker rooms were spotless.

Even after the game, we went to a perfectly pleasant McDonald’s. Although the people there were colorful, a few oil-workers getting off shifts, a man yelling on the phone in another language and a group of grisly old men, everyone having a bite there seemed harmless.

Williston I discovered, after hearing all the scary stories, is just another school, in another town that has streets full of trucks.

So next time you travel up there for sports, have no fear, you may see a pit bull, but it will be alright.

December Athletes of the Month

Senior Nathan Berger

“Being a diver plus helping the swimmers out when needed speaks a lot about this young man and why he was voted in as captain for this season,” said Boys’ Swimming and Diving Head Coach Ralph Manley.

“Her composure and relaxed demeanor brings an emotional calmness to the team as she stands in front of the net waiting for another barrage of pucks flying at her,” said Girls’ Hockey Freshman Chelsey Head Coach Dewitt Norton Mack.

kaitlyn SCHELSKE

- Feature Editor

Freshman Deliverance Boehm

Is it wrong for a vegetarian to eat animal crackers?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Yes. They’re still eating animals, just a different flavor.

Sophomore Adam Hartman

Only if they’re really into it.

Junior Marcie Woehl

Senior Chance Maxon

No, they’re just I suppose it depends on how firmly crackers. That’s like rooted their beliefs asking is it wrong for of not eating animal- people to eat baby corn! related products are.

Mrs. J. Marman Special Education

No, as long as they’re covered in chocolate!

Yes, definitely.

I’m THE morality supplier.

Morality comes from morons the same way baby oil comes from babies it doesn't.

First of all, electricity does not come from electrons, because electricity comes from my fingertips...

And. I. Am. Electrifying!

No, because morons don’t even know what morality means.

I’d call it a deafening.

I don’t think it matters to a deaf person.

Yes, the judicial system can’t be prejudiced to those with hearing impairments.

It’s called a hearing... AID!

Of course!

Flow of the month 1) What is your technique?

“Anybody who does a flow should not give out their technique.”

2) What benefits does “The Flow” offer?

“Obviously the best part is having the flow of the month.”

3) Is it an efficient chick-magnet?

“Nope, I don't have any baby chickens running at me.”

Senior Jackson Wenstrom

Staff Photo

*All photos for Flipside are staff photos.

Noob of the month

Freshman Ashlyn Quintus

Staff Photo

1) How big is your freshman pack?

“It’s like, I don’t know. It’s so-so.”

2) How does it feel to be a noob?

“I’m feeling it.”

3) What’s your most embarrassing moment so far?

“I run into people in the hallway.

I repelled off one person and into another.”