MHS Courier February 2013

Page 1

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

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.


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