Mhs Courier December 2015 by MHS Courier

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OPINION Christmas Review 2

ourier

CENTERSPREAD Undercover Heroes 8-9

905 8th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND

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SPORTS Mandan Hockey 13

Volume 24, Issue 3 • December 2015

Opinion

The Courier

Holiday classics: music and film gabrielle WOLF

- Asst. Editor-in-Chief

casey BECK

- Sports Editor

and the Kringle family. Kris manages to warm the wizard’s heart and deliver toys to the town of Sombertown, and he managed to win the heart of a schoolteacher along the way.

Out of all the Christmas movies, the classic claymations are the ones our generation associates with the most. *************************************** The “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” movie especially brings As Christmas back many memories for time draws people. This movie was closer, one filmed in 1964. Rudolph holiday tradition runs away after being is inescapable. bullied, and he meets an Of course, Elf named Hermey who we’re talking just wants to be a dentist. Christmas Along the way Hermey music. From and Rudolph meet “Deck the halls” Yukon Cornelius who to “Jingle Bell then accompanies them. Rock”, these They encounter the tunes are abominable snowman, everywhere this and meet an island of time of year and misfit toys. Rudolph then can turn even Photo from Wikipedia vows to see if there is grinches and Hermey the elf and Rudolph in their classic any way Santa will help scrooges into 1964 cartoon them. holiday-loving When Rudolph elves. eventually gets to the North Pole on Christmas One of the most recognizable Christmas Eve, it is too foggy for Santa to see to drive his singers is Bing Crosby. While you may not know sleigh, so Rudolph uses his nose so bright to help Santa deliver his toys. Another claymation movie is “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.” It was created in 1970 and focuses on a boy named Kris who was abandoned Trevor Murphy...........................Editor-In-Chief on the Kringle families doorstep. Feature Editor When Kris grew up he wanted to deliver toys to Gabrielle Wolf..............Assistant-Editor-In-Chief the people of Sombertown, but the Burgermeister wouldn’t allow it. Another issue is an evil wizard Opinion Editor named Winter who lives between Sombertown Casey Beck..................................Sports Editor Kaelan Reedy.................................News Editor Megan Fredericks...................General Reporter Front Page Photo By: Hannah Sagaser...................................Adviser Gabrielle Wolf

his name, everyone certainly knows his music and songs. His most popular song is “White Christmas” which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. It brings a sense of holiday cheer, and his old fashion singing portrays how Christmas was and should be. This can also be seen in his songs like “I’ll be home for Christmas” and “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” Another popular Christmas artist is Burl Ives. This man is another artist who the average person hasn’t heard of, but have lived with his music all their lives. Ives’s songs “Silver and Gold” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas” were featured in the popular 1964 “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” claymation movie. Ives also voiced the snowman, and narrated the movie as the character. Another titan of classic Christmas music and music in general is Elvis Presley. This man’s music was greatly successful and reached into many different genres. Presley is referred to as the King of Rock and Roll, after all. Elvis has had 2 Christmas albums released, and his Elvis’ Christmas Album is the bestselling Christmas/holiday album in the United States. Some of the most recognizable songs on the album are “Blue Christmas” and “Santa Bring Me My Baby Back (To Me).”

Courier Staff and Editorial Policy

This photo was taken Monday night behind the school’s auto department. This photo was taken because the snow on the trees looked really beautiful and the path seemed to be going somewhere mysterious.

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.

casey BECK

FLIP

THE

SIDE

- Sports Editor

Freshman Alex Moch

Sophomore Hayle Zacha

Junior Evan Barbie

Is it OK to use the AM radio after noon?

“Only if it’s NPR.”

“Absolutely not, AM radio should not be used at all.”

“Only if you are listening to Rush.”

Why is it that when you’re driving and looking for something, you turn down the volume on the radio?

“Turn that radio off! Hands at ten and two! Why are you not focused??”

“So that way I can focus because I’m a bad enough driver as it is.”

Why is it called a HAM radio

Kendra Knudson

“Because these questions are bologna”

“Because people get hungry when they listen to music.”

Senior Katherine Froehlich

History Teacher Ryne Jungling

”Yeah the best NPR programs are on them.”

“Only if you are driving on a parkway or parking in a driveway.”

“So the volume is quieter.”

“Can you hear me?” “No it’s too dark in here.”

“I only do that when listening to the AM radio in the afternoon.”

“All lives matter.”

“It stands for ‘Have a meatball.’ ”

“BACON radio was too similar sounding to a radio beacon.”

Do you have any nicknames? Do you have any nicknames? “Kenja, White Socks, and Pookie Wookie” “Loebster, Mr. Swole, Muscles, Steroid Nugget, How big is your freshman pack? Loeb” “My freshpack is pretty big. Sometimes How big is your freshman pack? I accidently hit people with it. I think it “My freshpack used to be the freshest is safe to say it would probably be the around. It was nice though because I could biggest and heaviest one in MHS.” use my freshpack for shrugs.” What is your most embarrassing What is your most embarrassing moment so far? moment so far? “On a Tuesday, Sadie and I were heading “My most embarrassing moment was sitting up to the second floor when I flew back at a random lunch table since my regular suddenly into what seemed to be a sea of table was full.” upperclassmen.” As a noob, what’s your biggest fear? As a noob, what’s your biggest fear? “My biggest fear is not getting A’s for each “My biggest fear right now is to have a teacher quarter. I do not have any social fears that not like me and have no way to change his or I know of.” her opinion about me.”

Ethan Loeb

*Each month the Courier will feature one male and one female freshmen to be the noobs of the month. Noobs are randomly chosen by staff.*

Opinion

The Courier

US should allow refugees Help people in need With the recent crisis in Syria and the Middle East, The Courier staff thinks it is important to look at an important issue in American news, refugees. The staff believes that the United States should help these refugees and let them into our country. Lately, all over this country the debate on whether or not we should help these people has come up. The staff have also had this debate and think it’s time to share our opinions. First, we have to look at where these people are fleeing from. The majority of these refugees are fleeing from Syria and Iraq. Both of these countries are being torn apart by several factions that have waged war against each other and civilians. Two of the factions battling in these countries are Syria’s dictatorial government under President Bashar Al Assad and of course, ISIS. Both of these groups have committed atrocities against these people that are hardly imaginable in the American way. During the e a r l y days of the Syrian Civil War, Assad’s government attacked civilians and hospitals with chemical gas. This event injured around 5,000 people and killed anywhere between 300 and 1500, as sources vary. When it comes to ISIS and how bad they are, no one needs to stress how awful this group really is. From looting and destroying ancient artifacts, beheading foreign prisoners, to the recent attacks in Paris; this group is obviously not one to be trifled with. If you heard ISIS was coming to your town, to your neighborhood or to your door; you would run. That’s exactly what these refugees are doing. They are fleeing a power more

evil and dangerous that most of the school can’t understand. Second off, we have to see why we, as Americans, should help and accept these refugees into our country. We all now know that these refugees are fleeing an area strife with violence and chaos and that helping them should be in the best interest of anyone. Most of the refugees are not the terrorists some would believe to be. The majority of these people are simply women and children escaping a horrible situation and trying to find a better life in America. Trying to find a better life in America is what millions of people have been doing for centuries. Immigrants are what America is based upon. The United States is often called the great mixing pot of culture. No matter what background you are from, America should be open to everyone and give everyone an equal chance.

Now, some believe that allowing these people into our country will increase the risk of terrorism in the U.S. However, like we’ve stated, most of these refugees are women, orphaned children, and religious minorities. Also it is important to look at the number of terrorist attacks in the U.S. in the past 10 years. In an article by The Guardian in 2015, they show that since 9/11 the US has allowed over 700,000 refugees and only 3 of those thousands of people have ever been charged with terrorism. While domestic terrorism, such as school shooting in the US has skyrocketed. All in all, the Courier stands in belief that helping these refugees is in the best interest of the U.S. and the refugees.

Cartoon by Megan Fredericks

News

December

We’re Not Making This Up

South Dakota Ghost Town on Sale for $250,000 Via nbcnews.com

Looking for a last minute Christmas present? A six-acre ghost town in South Dakota can be yours for the low price of $250,000. The town called Swett had up to 40 residents, a post office, and a grocery store back in its heyday. Now the property consists of just one three-bedroom house, a tavern, and an old tire shop. Several parties have made offers on the town since it was put up for sale-- originally for $399,000-- back in 2014, including a Russian movie production company.

megan-FREDERICKS General Reporter

Man Who Hid 51 Turtles Crying Newborn Found In Trousers Faces Jail in NYC Church Nativity Via news.sky.com Scene Via nbcnewyork.com

27-year old Kai Xu was arrested in Michigan when wildlife agents noticed him bringing a package behind some trucks and reappearing with suspiciously lumpy sweatpants. Xu was pulled over by border patrol on his way back to his home in Ontario. The lumpy sweatpants in question turned out to be full of baby turtles taped to the man’s legs. Xu is charged with smuggling over 1,000 reptiles worth between $30,000 and $125,000. In addition to sweatpants, the turtles have been hidden in shipments of corn flakes and boots as well. Xu faces up to 10 years in prison.

A newborn baby--umbilical cord and all-- was discovered in the manger of a nativity scene at the Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church. A maintenance worker found the infant wrapped in a towel. After a check-up, the baby proved to appear healthy. Surveillance videos revealed the source of the baby: a woman who entered the church about twenty minutes before the baby was found. “A woman did come into the church with some bag, left the church and the bag was sort of dangling in the wind,” Rev. Christopher Ryan Heanue told NBC. The woman’s identity is under police investigation.

News

ClubR

undUp The Courier

December and January

Mon

Tue

Wed

23 Christmas break starts

Back to School

Christmas eve

Sat

Sun

Christmas

New Year’s eve

StudCo Meeting

FCA Every Friday

Nine weeks testing

Fri

Thu

3 Last day of Christmas break

MHS Musical “Band Geeks” Semester testing FCA Every Friday

FCA Every Friday

27 Attention: Please excuse any events that were left out of this issue’s calendar. To ensure this doesn’t happen again, send event dates to mhscourier@gmail.com. Thank you.

December

News

brenna- HAMMER General Reporter The US military is our team of supermen and women. They put themselves in the front line of battle for our freedom, but it seems that the heroes back home are commonly forgotten. The families of these soldiers take on multiple new responsibilities and roles, also doing all of the everyday tasks they would have to do anyway. It’s the little things; taking little brothers and sisters to birthday parties, getting jobs, helping with homework, and being there for others, even when they need support themselves. Those are the things that keep this country going, but the stories of the heroic families are commonly forgotten to be told. Deployment affects millions of families across the world. For some, it strengthens bonds, bringing siblings and parents closer than they ever thought possible. Unfortunately for others, it tears those bonds apart. According to www.dosomething.org more than 900,000 children in the United States have experienced the deployment of one or both parents multiple times, and a handful of them live right in the community. These are the stories of two students and one staff member in Mandan High who have experienced the deployment of an immediate family member. They have felt all of the different feelings first hand and taken on more responsibilities than they bargained for. These are the heroes of Mandan High. ********************** Dakota’s Story Sophomore Dakota Kottsick was only six years old when he was told that his father, Sergeant Mark Kottsick, was to be deployed to Baghdad and Afghanistan. “My mom sat me down and told me my dad would be leaving for a while, and he would not be back for a long time,” Kottsick said. “She tried to explain in a way a six year old would understand. She explained he would be over a long ways protecting where we live.” Sgt. Kottsick’s military service has had an impact on his family beyond his deployment, as well. For children like Dakota, it’s difficult to even remember what life was like before deployment. All they can remember is generally “just being a happy family.” “I tried my hardest to spend a lot of time with him,” Kottsick said. “He was my dad so of course I [spent time with him]. At this time he was one of my only best friends.” The reality of what’s happening really kicks

Untold stories of in when the day comes that the family must Tucker’s Story say goodbye to their loved one and watch them Senior Tucker Hammer’s father, Sgt. Stuart take off. Hammer, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, “I remember walking with him to an when he was in 8th grade. equipment checkout line, I talked to him and “I found out [about his deployment] over a remembered not fully understanding,” Kottsick text message about 3 months before he left,” said. “I remember him telling me he had to go Hammer recalled. “I was really sad.” now, I was kind of sad at this point. I stood For Tucker and the rest of his family, the behind a chain link fence about six feet tall, deployment did not help improve bonding time, staring at his helicopter. I saw him get on but rather weakened relationships and was the and wave. As soon as his helicopter took off I cause of many conflicts. remember crying.” “I missed out on a lot of one on one time with The days that his father was gone were my father,” Hammer said. “It was stressful and long and hard. He only saw his mother on definitely caused more fights.” weekends since she worked to keep the family The day that Sgt. Hammer left was a day that supported, and even then, she would cry for changed Tucker forever. He had no choice but long periods of time. Dakota also took on a to be strong for his younger brothers and sister, greater responsibility than most six year olds but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t hurting too. could think of. “We went and ate breakfast with him,” “My mom always told me I acted like an adult Hammer said. “Later on, we took family pictures because my father was always gone,” he said. “I with his girlfriend and her kids before he left. took on a lot of adult responsibilities.” Then he got on a bus, and we followed it to One of the the airport. worst parts From there, about these he was put deployments on a plane. are the We did not holidays. Most speak to him families get to again until look forward he got to to seeing Fort Worth, all of their Texas. I was relatives and nervous having a good and kind of time, being scared.” all together. While his However, father was when a gone, Tucker loved one was able is deployed, to carry on there always with all of seems to be the sports an emptiness and activities Photo Submitted in the room. he would Sgt. Hammer (pictured center) and fellow soldiers received “[The normally do, Starbucks from a local store for the holidays. holidays] his father were a little just wasn’t difficult to get through, but we got through there. There was very little communication them,” Kottsick said. “A lot of times we sent between the two, and he felt obligated to take care packages to my dad so that he could enjoy on greater role. Christmas as much as we did.” “I was more of a father figure for my Overall, deployment impacted Dakota in a brothers,” Hammer said. way that will affect him as a person forever. It Holidays were among the hardest times changed his view on war, military, and family. for the Hammer family. They sent him care “It made me want to become a part of the packages with socks, underwear, and goodies. military,” he said. “ I always wanted to be like As far as presents go, their father’s girlfriend my dad- protecting the country.” would buy presents for the children and just write his name on them.

undercover heroes “[The holidays] weren’t the same without been in the ND Army National Guard (January him there, but we carried on,” Hammer said. 2000- present). “We didn’t get to talk to him, so that was His full-time duty influences everybody in his disappointing.” family. He cannot always be there when others Despite the rare communication and rising would like him to. This includes everything up to tension between his family, everything seemed to be going okay. That is, until December 3rd, 2012. “I wasn’t really concerned about his safety until he called and told me there had been a huge accident,” Photo Submitted Hammer The Quintus family walks Tim Quintus to the helicopter the day he left for recalled. “It Bosnia in 2005. Pictured left to right: Ashlyn, McKenna, Aubrey, Morgan. involved 2 men [Sgt. Darren Linde and Specialist Tyler Orgaard] in missing weddings, funerals, and birthdays. his platoon who had been killed and one injured “Most of our married life has revolved around after an IED [improvised explosive device] blew his career,” Mrs. Quintus said. “Our wedding up one of their humvees.” date was set for December 28, 1990 and we The family was scared, but luckily Sgt. had to change it because he was in flight school Hammer had not been hurt by the explosion. during Desert Storm. Instead we got married on Overall, the deployment was not a good thing New Year’s Eve on his three day pass.” for the Hammer family. It caused fights, resulted The harsh reality for many of these military in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for Sgt. families is that their country always comes first. Hammer, lowered communication even after Their everyday schedule revolves around their he came home, and changed Tucker’s view on work schedule, which doesn’t allow for sick or military and war. personal days. “I don’t think you can ever win anything “I learned early on that Uncle Sam comes without fighting for it,” Hammer said. first,” Mrs. Quintus said. “Old timers told me when we were first married that if the Army Mrs. Quintus’s story wanted you to have a family, they would have English teacher Lisa Quintus has experienced issued you one. It was a joke, yes, but at times the deployment of her husband, Tim Quintus, it seemed true.” six times (Somalia in 1990, Haiti in 1994, Tim has had to sacrifice a lot for his service Unaccompanied tour to Korea in 1995-1996, including many holidays and milestones that Kuwait in 1999, Bosnia in 2005, and Iraq in a normal parent would be there for, including 2009). Tim is ranked Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, his (CW5), Aviation Maintenance Logistic Officer children’s first steps and words and much more. and Supervisory Test Pilot and is in the ND “Life goes on and we had to deal the National Guard full-time. best we could,” Mrs. Quintus said. Through Tim’s military service, his When Tim was gone, the Quintus family has had to move several times; they have family faced a lot of anxiety, and been stationed in Alabama, Germany, New York, stress. The deployments were long, Colorado, and Kentucky. and at times overwhelming and He spent 14 years active duty (1986-1990) depressing. combined in Air Force and Army, and has since “Through the years I think both the

kids and I sometimes got numb to him being gone,” Mrs. Quintus said. “We all had to be strong and put our ‘game face’ on to do what needed to be done.” Despite the separations, Mrs. Quintus says her children are very close to their dad and have learned to savor the time they do get to be together. They have learned to be thankful for family time and don’t waste time together, but it doesn’t seem to make the periods of separation any easier, as communication was rare to come by at times. “We had a hard time connecting through skype during some deployments, so we used email,” Mrs. Quintus said. “In his early deployments we only had letters, and overall there were very few calls.” The times only got more overwhelming as the children grew up and started having conflicting schedules. It was hard on all of them when he missed concerts, plays, state competitions, sporting events, proms, and such. Though times have been anything but easy for the Quintus family, they were lucky to have a support system who cared about them as if they were family. “We have been blessed with loving friends, babysitters, and neighbors who have selflessly helped us as if they were family along with family members who all helped us survive his absences in many different ways,” Mrs. Quintus said. “I never would have made it without them.” Despite the challenges of separation and military life, the Quintus family is proud of Tim’s service to their country and are grateful for the life lessons it has taught them. *************************************** The US military does the unimaginable for the United States and its citizens. All give some, and some give all. But it is now quite evident that families of these soldiers sacrifice just as much as those in duty. So maybe the heroes of this nation consist of more than just those in duty. Maybe there is a battle beyond the war front, equally as hard and terrifying. Maybe the families are heroes too.

News

kaelan REEDY

The Courier

Removal of the Mural

- News Editor

The mural in Mandan High School’s cafeteria was removed in late October, leaving a bare wall in its place. Its removal will come with large-scale changes across the entire cafeteria. “We’re in the process of a 2 year renovation of the facility,” said Principal Mark Andresen. “We’re replacing the tables and furniture in the room, and trying to give the place a facelift. This is a part of that process.” The mural’s removal is apart of a plan to update the lunch room for the modern day. The mural had been in the cafeteria for over a decade, having been painted by 2004’s art students. “We want to make [the cafeteria] a more decorative and attractive place to have lunch.”, Andresen said. In the future, the administration plans to dress the cafeteria with a new design and furniture such as booths. In the meantime, temporary plans to enhance the bare wall will be put into place. Student art will be framed and displayed on the wall, and

new pieces will be swapped with older ones the current look of the bare wall. “[The removal] makes us look like every other periodically. school out there. It gets “It will almost rid of our diversity,” said be like a revolving junior Nicole Geltel. gallery, as opposed Some students, to a straight mural. however, welcomed the This will change the change. look and feel [of the “ I think it’s good. It cafeteria],” said Art gives students a chance Club advisor John to be diverse, and show Gieser. people their talents,” The removal said junior Briahna Lee. initially prompted “I’m ok with it. many reactions Personally, being in art from students, who club, it gives me an were unsure of the opportunity to show off cafeteria’s future. Photo by Kaelan Reedy “I was really sad to The bare wall following the removal of the my talent, and leave an imprint on our school,” see that the mural was mural. said junior Maddie Vega gone. I can recall the The cafeteria wall will no longer display a conversations I had with others about what the mural was about, and now cherished piece of art from the past, but it will I won’t have those anymore,” said junior Micayla hold many pieces of art from students in the future. Bitz. Some student reactions were negative, criticizing

Student Life

December

One student’s ascention to fame trevor MURPHY

- Editor-in-Chief

Student Spotlight has recently featured some of the veteran students here at the high school, but it’s time to look at a younger student. From the outside, this young woman is just your average freshman, but how many times have you heard that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Because this is definitely a person worth taking a deeper look into. Freshman Brianna Helbling is a young woman who is working to become a professional singer, but she’s had a quite the journey getting to this level. “I started singing when I was one. My dad had cancer and we were drove to Texas for one of his appointments. My mom said that I had them play “The Bear In the Big Blue House” CD on replay and I knew every word.” Helbling said. Moving forward, Helbling has been a singer since she was a very young lady, but she’s only

trying to set the bar higher for herself. Last June, for instance, she opened for the band Tigirlily in Medora, which was, as she said, “ a dream come true.” However, that’s a part of the past, and more recently Helbling was the feature performer at the Belle Mehus. She sang with Kat Perkins. For those who don’t know, Kat Perkins is a singer from North Dakota who became famous through the TV show “The Voice.” In the future, Helbling intends on being a country singer, and she has clearly been taking steps to accomplish those dreams. There are of a bunch of

Photo Submitted

Brianna holding her guitar.

different ways to improve at something or accomplish goals, but one tip that any pro will tell you is that you have to practice. “Instead of just playing the same song over and over, I try to play songs that have different cords or really high and low parts.” Helbling said, “That helps me to get better at what I do, instead of just staying on the same level.” Overall, Helbling is an outstanding singer; however, she’s been singing for such a long time, but this is still more or less just the beginning of her career. Helbling shows promise and could be the next Carrie Underwood sooner than she things.

Feature

The Courier

Star Wars - the force awakens Wars

Star

†e

Force

Awakens

What you need to know You

What

kaelan REEDY

- News Editor

Kålan

REEDY

-News Editor

The first Star Wars film in just over a decade is set to release on December 18th. Old and new fans will be brought together to experience the latest installment in a franchise spanning three generations. For those upcoming fans, it might help to understand what’s going on. For those who haven’t seen Star Wars, taking on the 6 movies is a long and slightly confusing (but rewarding) endeavor. Knowing what order to watch the movies in is half the battle.

How to Watch Them How

Watç

†em

Need

Know

(the 3 prequels) before the grand finale. with less details confirmed, revolves around For those new to Star Wars, the first the early life of Han Solo. Rumors of another “Episode” (or movie) in the series is Episode 4, anthology film starring bounty hunter Boba Fett released in 1977, with 5 and 6 released shortly have also circulated, along with another movies after. Being the first movies released, these are with details currently unannounced. called the “Original Trilogy”. Episodes 1, 2, and 3 were made as a backstory to the originals, and released in the early 2000’s. These are commonly known as the “Prequel Trilogy”. In only 13 hours (not counting breaks, but who needs those?), you will be fully prepared to watch the newest movie in the franchise, and the start of the “Sequel Trilogy” - Episode 7!

future of Star wars Future

Star

Wars

Episode 7 won’t be the last we hear of Star Wars by a long shot. The aforementioned “Sequel Trilogy” will air over the next 3 years, up until Episode 9. But it doesn’t stop there. Between the next 3 Episodes, there will be side movies created to tell other stories. These films will be under the “Star Wars Anthologies” series. The first anthology film being released is titled Star Wars: Rogue One, set for release on December 4 g 5 g (1 g 2 g 3) g 6 g 7 16th, 2016. Rogue One takes place directly before Episode 4, and tells the story of the Rebels who Watching the movies in this order prevents spoilers stole the Death Star’s plans directly before the for the original movie, and gives a big flashback events of Episode 4. The other anthology movie, Setting up the Star Wars movies for viewing can be tricky. Sure, you could watch them by episode - that is, Episodes 1 through 6 - or, perhaps you‘d want to watch the originals first, starting with Episodes 4-6 and then watching 1-3. However, to get the full experience out of the movies, a specific watch-order has been devised. By Episode number, it goes like this:

What to do now What

Now

Star Wars has always had video games and books, but with the new movie, only newer material is officially endorsed. Currently, there are two lesser-known Star Wars television series. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars', available on Netflix, and “Star Wars: Rebels, available on Disney XD. After watching those, there’s plenty of video games and books, especially dipping into the “Legends” material (any books/games released before April 25th, 2014. Finally, before the movie, it’s recommended to completely avoid any social interaction in order to prevent spoilers for Episode 7. A man-sized hole, preferably sound-proofed, should do the trick. After all of this, we can’t afford to get spoiled, now, can we? Death Star by from Flickr, Other Photos from Wikicommons

Sports Winter sports injuries on the rise

December

casey BECK

- Sports Editor

Winter activities can be some of the most fun and enjoyable of the year. From skiing and sledding to the school sports of hockey, Mandan students participate in wide array of snow time fun. However, when the snow falls, the amount of sports related injuries goes up. Cuts and bruises may come with any sport, but with snow and ice, the risk of broken bones and concussions, alike, raises extremely. One of the most dangerous sports for this time of the year is skiing and snowboarding. These slippery slopes are a leading cause for broken bones in the winter season. Many students from Mandan love skiing and snowboarding, but quite a few have also been injured on the slopes, such as junior Orin Osse, who broke his arm in the eighth grade. “Well, I was going down the Black Diamond Run on the right side coming down of the ski lift. I guess I hit some ice and just fell pretty hard,” Osse said.

Sophomore Dayton Haugen also broke her arm during the eighth grade trip to Huff Hills. While both students broke their arms snowboarding they were affected in different ways. “It happened that Friday and I only missed one day of hockey that next week,” said Haugen. Non-school activities aren’t the only thing to do in the winter. Of course, students also participate in a variety of school sports. From wrestling to basketball to hockey, school sports can also have plenty of perils. One of the more obvious and dangerous sports is hockey. Both boys’ and girls’ hockey is one of the more competitive winter sports and the injury statistics show this. According to the Insurance Information Institute around 40.4% of all participants of high school ice hockey are injured in some way. Doctor Bob Schulte, who is not only a doctor of physical medicine and a professor at the University of Mary, but also provides sports medicine for Mandan athletes, believes that with winter sports come an added degree of injury. From sprains to concussions, Schulte diagnoses

and treats Mandan athletes when they are injured in a sport. He highlights not only major injuries, but also transition injuries that can occur early in a season. “We have a lot of contact sports and more or less collision sport. So for example hockey, we will see a lot of AC shoulder separations from being checked into the boards,” Schulte said. “Basketball is not a contact sport, but there are collisions. We get to see a lot of ankle sprains and things of that nature.” Recently, more sports programs have adapted new ways to prevent injury and try to keep a team as healthy as possible. “I don’t see it on my team as much, because we do a lot of weight training. So we are strengthening ourselves.” said Girls’ Hockey Coach DeWitt Mack. With the winter sports season can come fun and enjoyment for both athletes and spectators; however, with these sports can come the added risk of injury. From skiing and snowboarding to ice hockey and basketball, the risk of injuries are a serious issues.

Mandan Hockey shines on the ice casey BECK

have also helped to add serious points throughout the season. Those three players are part of a core group of nine seniors on the boys’ team Every team has had its that have made a difference ups and downs throughout this year. the years. However, the “We have a good nucleus 2015-2016 season looks to of kids that have played at be one of the best years the varsity level and some yet for the boys’ and girls’ great younger players who hockey teams. have come into the When it comes to success program. This year” Head the stats don’t lie. The boys’ Boys’ Coach Matt Mullally are currently ranked fourth said. in the WDA, while the girls’ One notable player this take the number six spot in Photo by Casey Beck year has to be freshman the west. Both teams have Number 2 Jackson Zittleman vies for Jackson Zittleman, who winning records and are only looking to expand upon the puck during the Williston game scored a hat trick in the game against Dickinson and that. has put numbers on the Every team as factors to their success, and board ever since. Braves hockey is no different. This season has The girls also have their key power players given a spotlight for certain players to shine and and playmakers. really help out their teams. “Maiah McCowan is going very hard. Taley On the boys’ team, sophomore Quinn Davis had a very good game in Fargo for us,” Halstengard had a great game against Williston Head Girls’ Coach Dewitt Mack said. “Mariah scoring two of the three points. Seniors Garrett Marsh is our points leader.” Murphy, Colyn Haugen, and Jarad Zittleman Senior Goalie Chelsea Norton has also played

- Sports Editor

well this year alongside Marsh, who leads the team in total scored points. However, the year hasn’t gone exactly to plan. The boys had several players out in the first few weeks of the season. Junior Andrew Morgan and Senior Garett Schmidt were both out with injuries. The girls’ team also had a few hiccups along the way losing to the multi-school teams of Bismarck and Fargo North-South. Despite a few issues both teams are looking their best. Both teams have their goals set and their eyes on the state tournament in February.

Sports

caseyBECK

- Sports Editor

Wrestling

Head Coach Luke Mellmer’s Wrestling

The Courier

Sports Round-Up Miller, and Gabe Meschke. These seniors will be playing with the additions of sophomores Cam and Trae Steckler, and Senior Eric Porter, who had a great junior varsity season as a junior. All in all the Boys’ are currently sixth in the WDA with a 1-1 conference record. The next game for the Braves will be December 28 at the St. Cloud, MN Tournament

team has become one of the best in the WDA this year. The Braves currently have 2-2 overall record and are ranked 4th in the west. As of yet, the dual against Dickinson on the 10th was the most successful meet with the Braves winning eight of their 14 matches with five of the wins being pins. Leading the top wrestlers for the boys Boys’ Hockey is near the top, once again are junior Dale Spilman and senior Brandon this year as they fight to get to state. Zachmeier. Senior Isaac Fleck also did The boys’ team is currently 3-2 in the very well early in WDA. This record the season, but was puts them in third taken out due to a leg place in the WDA, injury. just behind Minot However, his and Bismarck. brother freshman The Braves have Ethan Fleck and a key set of seniors several other of the and other players younger wrestlers with varsity and on the team have state experience picked up the slack that have made and constantly added a difference this to the points on the season. Junior goalie board. Sawyer Schmidt is Photo by Casey Beck The next meet one of those players; Junior Eric Spilman grabs a hold of Adam for the boys will be with 3 years of DeBoer of Bismarck High the Bismarck Rotary varsity experience Invite on January 8-9 at the Bismarck Event Schmidt has made himself out to be one Center. the best goalies in the west region. Overall the Braves have a great team this year with an even better chance at the state tournament. Mandan’s boys’ basketball has a great season ahead of them. The Braves may not have had the best of seasons last year with The Girls’ Hockey team has had a good only four wins. However, the 2015-2016 year and it appears it will be staying that season looks to be a redemption year. way. The girls are currently 3-2 overall and Both polls and different publications their only WDA game was a victory against seem to echo this fact with Hoopster, the Dickinson. state preseason magazine, placing the That 5-0 win marked the season off for Mandan Braves in fourth place in the WDA a great start, but couldn’t repeat that win before the season started. against the combined Fargo North-South The Braves have six returning starters, who outsped and outshot the Braves. including seniors Jeremey Friesz, Nick Coach DeWitt Mack and his girls are Information taken from wdasports.org and updated Dec. 17

Boys’ Hockey

Boys’ Basketball

Girls’ Hockey

currently ranked sixth in the WDA, but have only played two games. “I think we have a lot of good possibilities. We’ve got a lot of girls who have played hockey for a long time, who understand the expectations,” Mack said. The next meet for the girls will be the non-conference game against MorrisBenson, MN on December 29th.

Girls’ Basketball The girls’ basketball team has had a rough start to the year. The Braves are currently 0-2 and ranked eighth in the WDA. However, the girls still have a great chance of turning the season around. The girls are yet to have a home game, as one against Jamestown was cancelled. Home games are normally when the girls can shine and put some points on the board. The girls played both games very well and lost only with 10 points at the most. The Braves also have the smallest team in the WDA,made up of only 10 players coached by second year Head Coach Abby Thomas. The next game for the girls will be the Holiday Tournament in Gillette, WY.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving As of the time of printing, the Boys’ swimming season had not started yet, but the boys still have a great season ahead of them. Veteran Head Coach Ralph Manely and his Braves are looking to make their mark at WDA and at state. Juniors, such as Luke Peterson and Reed Bergman with seniors Logan Weigel and Clayton Kaldova have led the pack in practice and are also the team’s captains. The next meet for the boys will be the Mandan Pentathlon on December 31.

Sports

December

October Athletes of the Month megan-FREDERICKS General Reporter

Senior Erik Porter Boys’ Tennis The MAR club male Athlete of the Month for October is Senior Erik Porter. Tennis coach Paul Christen describes Porter’s accomplishments as follows: “Erik Porter capped his high school boys’ tennis career with a great state tournament. Going into the tournament, Erik was the #1 seed from the West, after defending his West Region singles title the week before. After a 6-2, 6-0 win in the first round, Erik faced one of the only two players in the state to defeat him this season. In a difficult match, both physically and mentally, Erik was defeated. The next day, Erik bounced back and defeated his next three opponents to place 5th and earn All-State honors.

Senior Chantell Mindt Girls’ Diving The MAR club female athlete for October is Senior Chantell Mindt for girls’ diving. Coach Ralph Manly had this to say about Mindt’s accomplishments: “Chantell had a great month of diving for the Braves in October. She had six 1st place finishes and two 2nd place finishes in dual meets (6 dive competitions) for the month. During the invites (11 dive competitions), she had one 3rd place finish at the Jamestown Invite, one 2nd place finish at the Mandan Invite, and one 1st place finish at the Williston Invite. Her skills in diving really shined through at the Williston Invite, not only placing 1st but scoring 406.00 points, which qualified her for the State meet, 1st Team North Dakota All-State and

Erik’s four wins at the state tournament general an individual sport, the team dynamic extended his team records for singles (29) and does play a part. The players are all responsible overall (37) wins in a season and career singles for cheering each other on and lending support (91) and overall (161) when morale is low. wins. “We struggled to stay Erik is a tremendous positive as a team when tennis player, possibly the we weren’t winning a lot best ever from Mandan, of matches” Porter said. but his greatest attributes That wasn’t the only appear when he is off hardship of Porter’s the court. He has been season. One loss at the a great leader for our beginning of the season team, inspiring the other hit him particularly hard. players to be the best they He stated: “I lost a close can be throughout the one to the eventual state season and offseason. He champ, even after being in Photo by Megan Fredericks exhibits the highest level position to win a set.” of sportsmanship and work Porter prepares to hit a forehand in a Despite these struggles, WDA match. ethic that every coach Porter was able to bounce dreams of.” back and finish out With a great deal of accomplishments to choose arguably one of the best high school tennis from, Porter was asked to describe one highlight careers at Mandan. of this tennis season. “The 5th place match at state will stick in my “One of my favorite moments of the season mind because I got the opportunity to end my was beating century 5-4 as a team during the high school career on a win,” Porter said. He regular season,” Porter said. added, “I couldn’t have done it without Coach Although tennis is--aside from doubles--in Christen.”

qualified her for National All-American – Wow! not a bad day of Diving! Chantell is also a leader on the team, working and helping the younger divers to learn new dives and reach their potential. She is a hard worker willing to learn new and more difficult dives. She is always willing to help out the swimmers by filling an open spot on a relay so the swimmers in that real can swim. Chantell has had a very impressive month of October!” After such a successful career, the one win that was really memorable for Mindt was her first place win at WDA. “I got so much love and gratitude given to me by my team and coaches,” Mindt said, “and the feeling of being on the top podium spot is feeling I’ll never forget.”

A successful season such as Mindt’s, even through dealing with a shoulder injury, could likely be accredited to her positive attitude. “There isn’t a loss I ever felt bad about since I knew I gave a 100% effort at every single competition,” Mindt said. She recounts another highlight of the swim & dive season aside from WDA: “One of my favorites moments of the season was being able to compete at [state] with such amazing girls! And taking second overall at that meet was awesome!” Another contributing factor to Mindt’s successful season seems to be the positive relationship between she and her team mates. “This season wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the amazing team I have gotten to know over the past 6 years of my life. They are my family and I don’t know where I would be without them!”

This season wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the amazing team I have gotten to know over the past 6 years of my life. They are my family and I don’t know where I would be without them!