905 8th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND
The
MHS
Courier
•
Volume 25, Issue 2
•
November 2016
Letter from the Editor
It came to my attention after printing and distributing the October issue that the article “Stick poking craze” unintentionally promoted an unsafe tattooing practice. This was not the goal of the article or of the staff. By calling it a “craze,” we suggested that these tattoos were the new trend. In reality, giving these tattoos is not a legal practice unless you are certified, and they can result in serious diseases or misdemeanor charges. We take this seriously, and I, specifically as Editor-in-Chief, do not condone the practice of stick poke tattooing. According to the North Dakota Department of Health:
“It is a class B misdemeanor for a person, other than a licensed health care professional acting within that professional’s scope of practice, to tattoo, brand, subdermal implant, scarify, or pierce an individual who is under eighteen years of age unless the tattooing, branding, subdermal, scarifying, or piercing takes place in the presence of and with written consent of the individual’s parent or legal guardian. “ This means that you can be fined up to 1,500 dollars, receive up to thirty days of imprisonment, or both. I apologize on behalf of the staff and myself, if “Stick poking craze” came off as a promotion of illegal practices. The policy of our paper is to be objective on its news coverage and the articles reflect the opinions of the writers not those of the entire staff or of the school administration. The Courier does not promote the use of stick poke tattooing, and in giving, or receiving these tattoos you are putting yourself and others at risk.
**** We are always looking for feedback from our readers, and encourage you to write us letters about issues you feel strongly about.
GABRIELLE WOLF Editor-in-Chief
Braves’ wait for new weights Before you kick the bucket... Hamburg to Mandan
North Dakota: split down the middle
Love is love
Calendar
Bones appear in many formations in the catacombs of Paris. - Photo By Zane Deierling
Let’s talk about sex
A Peek Inside...
Flipside
4 6 8 10 12 15 20 24
Courier Staff and Editorial Policy Gabrielle Wolf.....................................Editor-In-Chief Opinion Editor Casey Beck.............................................Sports Editor Kaelan Reedy...........................................News Editor Brenna Hammer....................................Feature Editor Shantel Jangula...............................Business Manager Olivia Borchers................................General Reporter Austin Nelson...................................General Reporter Zane Deierling.................................General Reporter Maiya Fleck.....................................General Reporter Hannah Sagaser...............................................Adviser
The Courier is a news/feature magazine 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.
Daylan Dillman
What’s your most embarrasing moment so far? “I don’t really have one.”
When did you realize you weren’t in middle school anymore? “At the end of the first day.”
Whats our most embarrassing moment so far? “Once I walked into the wrong class.”
more responsibilities.”
Kambria Leingang
“The thigh.”
What part of the chicken is the nugget?
is your freshpack? NOOBS How big“Not too big.” OF THE When did you realize you weren’t in middle school anymore? MONTH “Probably when I realized I had
“The real question is what part of the nugget is the chicken?”
“Being a McDonald’s employee, I am not at liberty to answer that... but you know.” “According to a cartoon, its the saggy chicken boosem.”
“The kind that comes from McDonalds.”
Why do you call you “chicken” when you’re scared?
How big is your freshpack? “10 pounds.”
“Maybe because the first person said ‘buh gok’” “All chicken fear Seabass... omnomnom”
“When you get scared you squat down like you’re going to lay an egg.”
“Because you run away like you’re head’s cut off... like when you cut a chickens head off.”
“They get frightened really easily and then they run away”
“The chicken, becuase the egg had to be incubated somewhere.”
Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
“The egg ‘cause dinosaurs, but the chicken ‘cause G-sauce.”
“The chicken. Its like the story of Adam and Eve, God just kind of pupt it there.”
SIDE
“The egg, because you can’t have a chicken without an egg.”
THE
“The egg, because God made the egg and than people put it in an incubator.”
Feature Editor
BRENNA HAMMER
FLIP
Ed/ Op 5
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Movie AUSTIN NELSON General Reporter
Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” was a phenomenal movie and matched up to “Sweeney Todd” and “Sleepy Hollow.” “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” kept me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the movie. Plot twists and the Tim Burton atmosphere felt in many of his previous films proves this movie to be one of Tim Burton’s stronger films. The movie was perfectly casted with Eva Green as Miss Peregrine; her performance was breathtaking. Her
expression of the character and how she acted and performed was flawless; you can really see what she’s feeling and how she cares for everyone she worked with. Asa Butterfield another actor casted as Jake, takes being a protagonist to a new level. Trying to fit in, but not really having friends or a group, Jake finds his group of other “peculiars” and later ends up having to protect them and the rest of the world. The film’s protagonist struggles to protect a group of people he has only known for a short time from an antagonist he is just barely able to compete with. The antagonist, Mr. Barron, played by Samuel Jackson, is a scary and creepy way to portray a villain. This is Samuel
Jackson’s first Tim Burton film, and it was such a great role for Samuel, really bringing a different acting side to him. Though the movie lasts for two hours and seven minutes, time flew by. Whether it is the fantastic p l o t pacing, the twists, or just the incredible acting the two hours fly by and it leaves you on the edge of the seat wanting to see more. Despite the movie’s long screen time it is fantastic and its classic Tim Burton feel should really be enough for you to go and view it yourself.
Film Reel used with permission from Flickr
Binge Watch Your Heart Out
The definitive ranking of television series on Netflix to watch when the weather starts getting chilly. According to businessinsider.com, the following are the top three most watched (school-appropriate) tv shows. After further inspection, I have ranked them in order of which is best to binge watch according to number of seasons, number of episodes in a season, length of each episode and basic plot and storyline. BRENNA HAMMER Feature Editor
Pretty Little Liars
-6 seasons -Each season is about 24 episodes -Each episode is about 43 minutes -Rated TV-14 -About 103 hours and 12 minutes of total watchage This series follows the lives of four girls, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, Emily Fields, and Spencer Hastings, whose clique diminishes after the mysterious disappearance of their leader, Alison DiLaurentis. The friends begin receiving messages from an anonymous figure who is known as "A," and threatens to reveal their deepest secrets. The show is almost impossible to stop watching as the girls try to discover who is trying to ruin their perfect lives.
Grey's Anatomy -12 seasons -Each season is about 22 episodes -Each episode is about 43 minutes -Rated TV-14 -About 189 hours and 12 minutes of total watchage This popular soap opera follows the main character, surgeon Dr. Meredith Grey, and her co-workers at Seattle Grace Hospital. The show includes many dramatic plot twists, tragic deaths, and plenty of romance. Regular plot twists and disasters can be expected. Each doctor has their own tragic childhood stories that leave them mentally and emotionally scarred and provide an even more dramatic story line.
Supernatural -11 seasons -Each season is about 22 episodes -Each episode is about 42 minutes -Rated TV-14 -About 169 hours and 24 minutes of total watchage This series follows the exciting yet terrifying journeys of Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers who follow in their father’s footsteps hunting supernatural creatures after their mother was killed. Violent memories and relationship-threatening secrets add more burdens on Sam and Dean as they investigate all things that ‘go bump in the night.’ This thriller keeps watchers on the edge of their seat, covering their eyes but also wanting to see more.
6 Ed/ Op
Let’s talk about Sex
Why America should stop teaching abstinence-only curriculum
SHANTEL JANGULA Business Manager
In the 2004 film, “Mean Girls,” Coach Carr made the infamous quote, “Don’t have sex. Cause you will get pregnant and die.” Despite being a joke within the film, the quote scarily represents abstinence-only sex education in modern day America. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, As of March 1, 2016, 24 states including the District of Columbia are required to teach sex education in schools. Of those 24 states, only 20 are required to teach education that must be medically, factually, or technically accurate. During the Freshman year of high school, every student was fed the same oversimplified scenario: Person A wants sex, Person B doesn’t want sex, but Person B doesn’t know what to do. Of course, the worksheet makes it perfectly clear that Person B should say “NO.” And while that’s great (and oversimplified) advice for refusing intercourse, it doesn’t address the act itself. The ‘act’ is a forbidden fruit. When kids are told they can’t do something, they’ll want to do it. Sex is easy, and if done improperly, dangerously life-altering. So why do we have abstinence-only education? Teachers, parents, and garbage men know teens are engaging in sex. Why pretend that teenagers are going to blindly listen to their authorities telling them ‘no’? If the goal is to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases/infections, should we not teach ways to avoid it? So, wake up America: lets talk about sex. The statistics cannot lie, teen pregnancy rates in the United States have decreased throughout the past decade. The United Nations reported that the teen birth rate of the United States is 39 per 1,000 women between the ages of 15-19 in the United States. However, our teen pregnancy rates in the States compared to the European nations is nothing to brag about. The Netherlands reported to the United Nations that their teen birth rate of 5 per 1,000 teens between the ages of 15-19. The Dutch choose to teach their children differently, perhaps for the better. The Netherlands teach students sex education in
Kindergarten, whereas the U.S. starts education around secondary school. The Netherlands has a sex education system that teaches children about their relationships, sexuality, and safe sex. Relationships in the Netherlands are taught to be healthy and open to more than a relationship between a male and a female. The Dutch teach of the different sexualities in today’s society, and on an important note, they teach that being anything other than heterosexual is okay, too. Finally, the Dutch teach safe sex, an area in which the good ol’ U.S.A. lacks. Contraceptives other than condoms and birth control are brought to light. In other words, the Netherlands does it better. In America, we teach children that they should fear engaging in sexual contact. We tell them the scary statistics using the theory of six degrees of separation. The theory of six degrees of separation theorizes that everyone is connected to another through a chain of six people. When the theory of six degrees of separation is applied in sex terminology, the numbers seem unrealistically big. Having engaged in sexual contact with two individuals can mean you’ve indirectly engaged through sexual contact with over 200 thousand partners, assuming that they have engaged in sexual contact with two others. Although those big numbers are technically true, the United States tells their students of abstinence over actual safe sex contraceptives. The problem with America is that we fail to realize that sex, no matter how much we don’t want to happen, is happening. And yes, it is important to teach children that if they are not ready to engage in sex, they should not be pressured into doing so. Abstinence-only teaching methods are failing to teach today’s children that, if you’re going to have sex, there are contraceptives to help prevent STDs and unplanned pregnancy. Though this article is pointing out the flaws with America’s sex education system, this article is in no way promoting sex. Keep in mind the safest form of birth control and protection against STDs/ STIs is remaining abstinent. The lesson plan should not be “Don’t have sex. Cause you will get pregnant and die.” But rather, “Wake up America: let’s talk about sex.”
L Aof N D the FREE 2
KAELAN REEDY News Editor
If we are mature enough to sign up for the Army and die for our country, why aren’t we mature enough to drink alcohol? Any young member of America’s Military can relate to that question. You must be 16 to drive, 18 to serve, and 18 to vote. But, in America, you must be 21 to drink, even when nearly every other country in the world keeps it at 18. What’s the reason it is not lower? Why does the Government get to say what time people can put a substance into their bodies? It almost entirely has to do with the issue of drunk driving. Let us get into some history: It’s a common misconception that the federal government decides the drinking age. As per the 10th Amendment, an issue like drinking is left to the state. That said, every state has the ability to lower or raise the drinking age. However, an organization called the “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” did not like that, and after working with congress, they eventually helped pass a bill called The National Minimum Drinking Age Act.
Ed/ Op 7
1+
This bill, passed in 1984, threatened to cut highway funding by 10% to any state that did not raise their minimum drinking age to 21. Of course, no state wants to lose that kind of funding. The act effectively bypassed the state’s right to keep the drinking age low. Though the act’s introduction was questionable, it fulfilled its intention to reduce drunk driving fatalities. In 1984, the annual fatality rate for drunk driving hit 20,000 people. Since then, the fatalities have been reduced by half. Studies, such as one performed by MIT, also show the effects of alcohol as less damaging on more developed brains, leading to a safer society. Compounded with the effectiveness of the Minimum Drinking Age Act, the government’s law is reasonable. The “serve in the army” argument is flawed in that serving is a personal choice. If you are injured protecting your country, it does not hurt anyone else. Drunk driving fatalities, on the other hand, frequently do involve innocent people.
Black Fri - YAY! Pro tips for a successful Black Friday shopping night extravaganza.
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friends h t i w st m your li ems for the e r a h S it picking ck up and pi rn for them in retu your’s up.
OLIVIA BORCHERS General Reporter
Bring beve snacks a r to pu ages if y nd l You l an all- ou plan will get nighter. hang ry.
Divide and con quer. If your going in a gro up, in different pa get in line rts of the st ore so you can ge t more of the products on y our wish list.
8 News
Courier Calendar
OLIVIA BORCHERS General Reporter
Sun
Mon
13
14
20
21
November-December Tue
15
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22 #1
27
29
28
#1
4
#1
11
13
12
#1
18
19
20 #1
16
#1
Thu
17
*
23
24
*
30
1 #1
*
6
5
Wed
7
8 #1
*
14
*
21
15
22
* *
Fri
Sat
18
19
25
26
2
*
3 #1
#1
#1
#1
#1
10
9
#1
*
16
*
23
17 #1
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24
Due to limited space, The Courier Calendar includes only home sporting events.
Event Description
November 21-
CBIII/8th grade band concert- 6pm/MHS Auditorium
November 22-
Jazz I/6th grade band concert- 7:30pm/MHS Auditorium
November 23-
November 29-
December 2December 3-
Math meet at University of Mary
Girls Hockey vs. Fargo North- 7pm/All Seasons Arena
#1
Boys Wrestling invite- 3:30pm/MMS
#1
Girls Basketball vs. Jamestown- 7:30pm/MHS Gym
#1
Work Keys Test Boys Hockey vs. Williston 6pm/All Seasons Arena
#1
#1
Girls Hockey vs. Devils Lake- 8pm/All Seasons Arena
December 10-
#1
Concert Choir/Swing Choir Christmas Concert- 7pm/MHS Auditorium
December 20December 23-
Girls Hockey vs. Grand Forks- 1pm/All Seasons Arena
Snoball- 6:30-11:30pm
Boys Hockey vs. Century- 7:30/All Seasons Arena
#1
December 16December 17-
No school
Boys Basketball vs. Jamestown- 7:30/MHS Gym
#1
December 12December 13-
Club event
Boys Wrestling invite- 9am/MMS
#1
#1
#1
#1
Legend Band/Choir event
Girls Hockey vs. Dickinson- 7pm/All Seasons Arena
Boys Hockey vs. Dickinson- 7:30pm/All Seasons Arena
#1
December 7-
December 9-
Boys Wrestling vs. Bismarck- 7pm/MHS Gym
No School- Thanksgiving Break
#1
December 6-
December 8-
#1
ASVAB Test
November 24/25-
December 1-
CBII/8th grade band concert- 7:30pm/MHS Auditorium
Boys Swim/Dive invite- 5pm/Mandan Aquatic Center
#1
#1
Boys Basketball vs.Dickinson- 7:30pm/MHS Gym Girls Hockey vs. Jamestown- 7pm/All Seasons Arena No School- Start of Christmas Break
*Art Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday in the art room after 7th period
Girls Basketball vs. Dickinson- 7:30/MHS Gym
#1
#1
Sporting event
Girls Hockey vs. Williston- 7pm/All Seasons Arena
Boys Swim/Dive vs. Minot- 5pm/Mandan Aquatics Center
Special Testing
News 9
The iPad Aftermath KAELAN REEDY News Editor
O ne year ago, students only had permitted access to electronics in class when teachers brought in laptops or briefly allowed cell phones. If they had free time in class, there were few options; they could read a book or relax, if a teacher let them. With the addition of iPads to the curriculum, they now have a much larger and more versatile tool at their disposal: access to the internet. The $400,000 iPad project wasn’t just to enhance student lull time; its primary long-term purpose is to give teacher’s lessons a technological upgrade, and more adequately prepare students for an increasingly digital world. Some teachers have showed concern as to how it prepares the students. “From what I have seen, students seem to play more games than use [the iPads] for educational purposes,” Science Teacher Travis Coyle said. Though the extent of iPad usage differs heavily from class to class, the tablets are still in the experimental stage for most
instructors. The most widespread use involves the app “Canvas,” which has received a mixed response from students. “It doesn’t save paper whatsoever: teachers still use paper copies,” senior Maddie Moch said. “It’s more annoying than it is reliable.” Others enjoy the app’s organizational features. “Instead of carrying around all my notebooks, I can just look on my canvas app and have everything I need,” freshman Liberty Hurley said. The transfer of student announcements from the intercom to the iPad emailing feature has also had mixed responses. “Only half of the school dressed up for Pink Out Day just because they didn’t know about it,” senior Kaycee Fry said. “The only people who would have known [about it] were people who read their emails, and the friends those people told… and no one reads their emails.” Though the iPads have been fully integrated, the school administration will continue to take student opinions and critiques, and encourage students to report their feedback.
10 News
Students Weigh in on I&E Poll reveal student opinions on new class period
ZANE DEIERLING
I&E also helps athletes in the school place. Before, it was very difficult for student-athletes to find a time to get help from teachers. This was due to conflicting schedules A new class period has been implemented into the with sport practices being right after school. Mandan school day. Intervention and Enrichment, Now, most everyone in the school having or I&E, has been chosen by the MHS the same prep period, it is much easier for administration with support from teachers and teachers, athletes, and students the school board to be a time in the s Ye to schedule time for tutoring. school day when students are o Recently, various I&E classes N able to go and get the help they 66.4% at Mandan were questioned on % .8 31 need from their teachers. their views of the new class period. I&E is held each day between While some may say that the I&E period sixth and seventh period, it is mandatory for is a waste of time, 64 percent of those any student that has a scheduled polled said that they use their class period A class both periods. N/ % for homework while only 13% said the do 9 I&E was not just a random idea 1. not do anything. Other common answers were for our school. It has been used listening to music and reading. and proven to be effective at helping The students were also asked what students in the school setting across the Do you think the class period should remain they would change about I&E if there nation. a part of the school day? could be any changes. Surprisingly, the A study at the University of Notre most common answer with 34 percent Dame found that 71 percent of the was to actually make I&E a full class period instead of the 25 students strongly agreed that mandatory study hall improved their minutes it currently is. performance in school.
General Reporter
Eight years of promises
News 11
A look at the promises of President Obama in his eight years in office CASEY BECK Sports Editor
Eight years ago, America was in one of the most important elections of its history. From mudslinging to hundreds of promises, many voters had no idea what to believe. Looking back, there are numerous differences between this year’s election and that of 2008, but one thing that always exists is campaign promises. As President Barack Obama counts down his days in the Oval Office, a look back at his first campaign may be important when looking at the next Commander-in-Chief. In 2008, Obama entered the presidency with a laundry list of promises, just as every candidate does. However, after eight years, several of those promises didn’t last long. According to the New York Times article “Obama Wins Elections” the president built his campaign on cutting taxes for most Americans, getting the United States out of Iraq in a fast and orderly fashion, and expanding health care.
Taxes
When it came to taxes, Obama kept roughly 50 percent of his promises. Several of his kept promises included: extending Bush tax cuts for those in lower income brackets, creating an international tax haven watch list, and phasing out exemptions and deductions for higher earners. Despite these gains he was not able to fulfill all of his promises
involving taxes. Obama failed to close all gas and corporate tax loopholes. He also failed to create requirements for automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans.
Iraq War
Another major goal for Obama was a speedy withdrawal from the Iraq War. This was a major point of contention during the first term of the Obama administration. While it took almost four years for the Iraq War to be ended, Obama did fulfill his promises. In October of 2012, Obama made the announcement that American troops would be home for the holidays.
Health Care
The last major promises made by the younger Obama were those regarding health care. When it comes to his promises regarding the American health care system, Obama kept a majority of his promises. Many know of his divisive Obamacare plan, but this plan includes his promise to close loopholes in Medicare Part D, require coverage despite preexisting conditions, and require health care insurance for children. While Obama did fulfill many of his promises, he still faltered to do several other things in the insurance field. This list of broken promises covers not being able to import prescription drugs and allowing for Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Other than his main three promises, Obama built his campaign on a promise to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; however with only a few months left the President has not done so. According to Politifact.com, Obama kept less than 50 percent of his campaign promises. Only time will tell how this process goes for the next president.
The Obameter Promise Kept - 45% Compromise - 26% Promise Broken - 22% Stalled - 1% In the Works - 5%
Photos used with permission of Wikipedia.com Statistics from Politifact.com
12 News
Mandan split dow
CASEY BECK Sports Editor
A look at the background and impact of the Within days, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sued the Corps. The tribe stated that the pipeline “threatens the Tribe’s environmental and economic well-being, and would damage and destroy sites of great historic, religious, and cultural significance.”
In recent months, North Dakota has been virtually split down the middle due to the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Hundreds Pipeline Concerns of people have flocked to One of the major concerns regarding the pipeline Morton County and central is the possible damage to areas of significance to North Dakota to both protest several tribes in the area. These areas of significance the pipeline and help local Photo by Casey Beck include burial sites and other areas with artifacts. law enforcement. The Bismarck Police Department and other North Dakota’s Chief Archaeologist Paul Picha Over the past few months, law enforcement agencies have come to stated in a report that these claims were unfounded both demonstrators and and his team found no evidence of “human Morton County in order to help with the law enforcement have remains, a burial, or other cultural remains.” intensified their presence increase work load In late October, reports surfaced that Dakota and both have come to Access had encountered artifacts and beginnings of a possible a head in several instances. Before diving into several of the burial site. The company did not report their findings to Picha issues, people, and places that have taken center stage, an or to the Public Service Commission, as they are required to do, understanding of the root controversy should be met. and diverted the pipeline around the site. The other main problem brought up by tribal and environmental Background activists is the possible harm to the area’s water and land. Many The primary spark for the protest is the Dakota Access Pipeline, protesters worry about possible harm to the environment if the commonly referred to as the DAPL. This pipeline, authorized pipeline were to break. The pipeline will run under the Missouri by the Army Corps of Engineers in July, would start in the oil River, a major source of clean water for thousands of people in fields of the Bakken formation in western North Dakota. the area. Due to this possible The pipeline’s route then follows closely to the Missouri threat, many activists and call river and snakes into South Dakota, Iowa, and finally themselves ‘water protectors.’ Illinois to centralization hubs. “We came out (to a protest This 1,172 mile long project would pump an estimated on October 17) to protect 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day, according to the the land and the water from company responsible for developing the pipeline, the onslaught of continued Energy Transfer Partners. destruction,” said one protester In North Dakota, the pipeline will traverse roughly calling himself Orange. 346 miles and cross seven counties, with Morton Fear of a possible leak or County holding the most amount of pipework. Morton’s break in the pipeline has 71 miles of pipe and the miles of pipe being laid in motivated hundreds of people Photo by Casey Beck other counties is expected to cost $1.4 billion dollars, to come to Morton County. Words such as these, have become according to the DAPLpipelinefacts.com. Proponents of the pipeline slogans for the anti-DAPL movement claim that this project will be and showcase some of the goals of the a safer and more efficient way Pipeline Support Advocates of the pipeline, including Energy Transfer groups involved to transport crude oil when Partners, have stated that this project will cause not only compared to transportation via a boom in local areas, but create a nationwide decrease trucks and trains. in foreign oil. North Dakota is estimated to receive $47.7 An article by the Chicago Tribune, reported that since 1995 million dollars from both sales and property taxes connected to there has been an average of 100 oil pipeline leaks per year. the pipeline. With the reasons and background established, the next thing to While Energy Transfer Partners is the firm financing and examine is the demonstration and Morton County. developing the pipeline, Dakota Access, LLC will be doing the actual building and placing of pipework. The Protests The larger conflict did not begin until this summer, when the In late July, protests began in Morton County with the Army Corps of Engineers granted the project its final permits. Army Corps of Engineers authorizing the final plans for the
own the middle
News 13
the Dakota Access Pipeline and protests
86%
project. Response from local law This was one of the first confrontations between police enforcement and media was almost and activists on Mandan Streets. While that gathering immediate. On August 3, protesters brought many to Mandan, it also brought national media started their first major action on attention to the pipeline issue. of polled students the North Dakota Capitol Grounds. support construction In late October, actors and activists flocked to the camp Within two weeks of the first on Highway 1806, these included actor Mark Ruffalo, of the pipeline protests, the movement had moved actor A Martinez, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and even actor to areas near St. Anthony and the Leonardo DiCaprio. pipeline’s route. This time-frame *317 students were given polls in “I was inspired by the Standing Rock Sioux to say no also marked the first arrests and to the pipeline, and even more so to the response that classes based on availability flashes of violence during the followed when they asked for help,” Martinez said. demonstration. Within days of this Hollywood support, the main camp Since the movement began, over 400 people have been and roadblock on arrested in connection with the pipeline. These charges range Highway 1806 was from trespassing to attempted murder. The people arrested have raided by police been out-of state protesters, activists from around the area, and the camp was journalists, and even celebrities. With sentiments against the moved to a site near pipeline growing around the Cannonball, ND. globe, several in North Dakota This act by police have spoken out in support of stirred controversy the oil company. with the arrest of over “I am just so totally fed up 130 people and the with the anarchy that this thing use of rubber bullets is about. It is just completely and pepper spray. illicit, illegal, and out of bounds Backlash from for America,” Mandan resident police action included Ron Shaw said, who could be the of burning tires, seen at several protests waving bridges, and vehicles. an American flag. One woman was It was the celebrities’ and Map from DAPLpipelinefacts.com even arrested for journalists’ arrests who This map shows the DAPL route through allegedly producing a garnered national attention pistol and firing shots North Dakota and South Dakota. Morton at police. Photo by Tyler Tweten in September and October. Those arrested include actress County alone holds 71 miles of pipeline. Protests and The pipeline issue Shailene Woodley, Green d e m o n strations has attracted national Party Presidential Candidate Jill continue on in the areas around Cannonball and Highway 1806. attention. Actors, such Stein, and ‘Democracy Now!’ In recent weeks groups have also demonstrated at the North as A Martinez, have journalist Amy Goodman. Dakota Capitol building, and Mandan Police Department. The arrest of Goodman, in Both sides remain firm on either seeing the pipeline built or used their fame to stopping the pipeline process. No matter what the situation has put a spotlight on the particular, started a series of protests and debates across the in-store next, both camps remain positive. problems at hand. nation. Goodman, a journalist, “No matter the outcome, something great has happened just in was charged with criminal the fact of the unity has been achieved with this idea,” Martinez trespassing and inciting a riot. Both charges were thrown out said. or withdrawn by State’s Attorney Ladd R. Erickson and District Judge John Grinsteiner, respectively. Front page photo by Casey Beck This event involving Goodman brought protesters and Caption: North Dakota State Troopers and Mandan Police demonstrators to the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan. stand in line with riot gear, across the street from protesters.
The situation being reported on is constantly in flux and changing. This article was written in order to inform students on the DAPL issue as it stands at the time of writing. All informatio is as current as November 7. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II was unavailable for comment.
14 News Beautiful painting by Philip James de Loutherbourg Images by Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay Talking Food provided by Pixabay
We're not ma king this up! KAELAN REEDY News Editor
Some pieces of news are too ridiculous to seem believable. Each of these stories, from 911 operators to toilet seeking to peanut butter vandalism, have been reported by credible sources. We promise, “we’re not making this up!”
“HPD: 911 operator says “ain’t nobody got time for this” and hangs up on callers” 911 dispatcher Cheshanda Williams was charged with interference with an emergency telephone call after thousands of calls had been shorter than usual. That was her justification. -independent.co.uk
“Man searching for toilet stumbles across 49,000 year-old evidence of earliest human settlement in Australia” When Adnyamathanha elder Clifford Coulthard was surveying gorges, “nature called.” Though he didn’t find a toilet, he did make a discovery which proved that Aboriginal Australians settled in Australia 10,000 years earlier than originally predicted. -cw39.com
“Woman mistakes town meeting for Donald Trump rally and smears 30 cars with smooth peanut butter in protest”
Turns out the meeting was for a local environmental organization, the Tomorrow River Conservation Club. Christina Ferguson, the vandal, later entered the meeting, shouting how much she hated Donald Trump. -independent.co.uk
Feature 15
l ve is l ve
Exploring What it means to be LGBTQ+ in high school
BRENNA HAMMER Feature Editor
The LGBTQ+ community has recently been gaining national attention from pride parades, to the legalization of gay marriage, to the Pulse shooting in Orlando. Americans have very divided opinions on LGBTQ+ laws and rights. Overall, however, this community has been far more accepted in 2016 than in previous years. So what is it like to be part of the LGBTQ+ community in today’s society? Specifically, what is it like to be part of this community in high school? There are thousands of high schoolers who are a part of this community all around the country, and there are even some right here in Mandan. It’s important that we understand and accept these students and treat them how we would treat anybody else. Junior Taylor McDowell came out as gay, meaning he has a romantic interest in men, for the first time when he was a freshman in high school. However, he went through a short period of self denial and came out again his sophomore year. “I never liked girls,” McDowell said, “but in the 8th grade I started realizing that maybe something wasn’t right.” When McDowell came out, he had mixed reactions from his friends and family, but over time they have come to be more supportive of him. “My mom was really upset about it at first,” McDowell said, ”but then she accepted it and now she’s really chill about it.” McDowell has not lost any friends for being gay and doesn’t feel as though he is bullied or treated differently for being gay. Sophomore Courtney Braun has had similar experiences as
McDowell. She realized she was bisexual, finding romantic interest in both men and women, in 6th grade and came out about two months ago. Her family had a hard time understanding why she was bisexual, but they did their best to be supportive and accepting of her. “I came out to my mother by telling her straight up.” Braun said. “She then told me she accepts me, but didn’t really understand, and she continues to make an effort to understand. My father and grandmother, on the other hand, were very upset. After they saw how their reaction hurt me, they said they were sorry and that they still accepted me because... I’m still the same person.” Fortunately, Braun’s friends and peers were very accepting and supportive of her right away. “...people tend to treat others based on personality... I’m still the same person with the same personality, and sexual orientation has little to do with personality.” Braun said. Though we have come very far in being more accepting of those who are ‘different’ in the past five, 10, or 15 years, we still have a little way to go. It’s important that we let those who are struggling know that there is always somebody who is willing to listen to and help them. “Being uncomfortable with something is perfectly okay,” Braun said. “What’s not okay is putting someone down for being themselves and making themselves comfortable. LGBTQ people aren’t trying to harm or offend anybody, so please don’t try to harm or offend us.”
“I’m still the same person with the same personality; sexual orientation has little to do with personality.”
16 Feature
Madrid to Mandan Julia Redondo, a foreign exchange student from Madrid, Spain, will complete her junior year at MHS. MAIYA FLECK General Reporter
diminished a lot in Mandan. The food quality was better in Madrid but it was also a lot more Junior Julia Redondo, from Madrid, Spain, has been placed in expensive. North Dakota for her foreign exchange term. Hearing about her “I eat more fast food,” Redondo said. friend’s past experiences in the program, Redondo was skeptical Back home, Redondo participates at first. After being persuaded and pushed by her in windsurfing and plays tennis mom, Redondo made the decision to apply. occasionally. Redondo was on a When Redondo heard she was being placed here, it team in the summer, and whenever was not her ideal option. She would have preferred a the weather was nice she would go place like New York or California. windsurfing. Redondo plans to join “What is this?” Redondo said when she first landed the tennis team this spring but is still in ND. contemplating the decision. Although her first impression was not good, she Redondo feels strongly about the grew to like it here. At first she thought it was foreign exchange opportunity and boring, but then she was able to branch out and wants to inform anyone that wants to make friends. try it out. A major wave of culture shock hit Redondo when “At first it’s scary but it’s an she came to Mandan. experience you will only get to “When I put North Dakota in Google, cows popped experience once in your life,” up,” Redondo said. Redondo said. “It’s a time when It is something Redondo has never experienced you are 16 to go and experience before even though she is a cultured traveler. something without your parents.” Redondo has extensively traveled to Italy, England, France, Redondo is having a hard time coming to terms with the cold Ireland, Africa, Germany, Turkey, Greece, and her most recent weather, and she thought it was abnormal to be freezing at Friday destination, Florida. Out of all her travels Mandan remains to be night football games. Redondo has encountered the freezing unique to itself. snow before but just not the extensive amount North Dakota Redondo’s most difficult subject at Mandan High is history. receives. With its expansive vocabulary, she is not familiar with a vast Redondo had a hard time the first week of being in North majority of words. Dakota because she missed her family and friends. She is now Back in Madrid they did not elaborate on history lessons of content in the United Mandan States, so after having she has no settled in background and getting knowledge comfortable. on this Redondo‘s subject. host family Food is the options vary Helblings, when you and she travel to a is content different t h e r e . c o u n t r y. Redondo Redondo will be has noticed returning a major to Spain on c h a n g e in school Photos submitted by Julia Redondo June 30. l u n c h e s . On the right Redondo posses in Alicante where one of her three houses is. On the left She says the Redondo posses with her three best friends back in Madrid. quality is
“...It’s an experience you will only get... Once in your life.”
Hamburg
Feature 17
to Mandan
Julian Engler, a foreign exchange student from Hamburg ,Germany, will complete his junior year at MHS. MAIYA FLECK General Reporter
Back in Germany, Engler has a 14 year old sister. His stay here is comfortable and content because he does not miss his family Jet set here from Hamburg, Germany, Julian Engler was that much. interested in getting an education in a foreign place. Hearing With that being said, North Dakota is about this program treating him well for him not knowing through his school where in United States he wanted to go. three years ago, he Education here compared to in knew it was something Hamburg differs intensely. Engler he would like to expressed that in Hamburg there are experience. Engler three levels of education, starting liked the idea of living at a more simplistic basic level and and experiencing a expanding towards more advanced different culture, so he educational opportunities. pursued this curiosity Engler was in the top level of schooling and decided to try out in Hamburg, Gymnasium, and says this experience. Mandan High would rank towards the Almost 2 million middle of the educational challenge people live in his home scale. town of Hamburg, and The educational average is lower in comparison Engler here because we only have one level. thought Mandan was Photo submitted by Julian Engler He says his most challenging class at small. school is English. Julian posses with his classmates and teacher on a His perspective of Being on the top level of education, North Dakota was school trip. most of the classes are not as limited because he had challenging as the ones he would be never heard of it before he researched it. taking in Hamburg. Going from a massive city to a small town atmosphere can The United States is looked at as an obese country, with fast be major culture change. Engler expressed how he thought food and delectable treats. That being said, Engler has noticed Mandan would be a lot smaller than it an influx in the fast food he eats. actually was. When he glanced at our His school in Hamburg lacked small population of twenty-thousand, he providing school lunches, so when thought it microscopic compared to that Julian came to school in Mandan, of Hamburg. he was not familiar with the school His first opinion on arriving in Mandan lunch. was that it was hot. He understands this The most popular sport in perspective will change when he has to Germany is soccer, in which Engler experience North Dakota’s harsh, cold does not actually participate, but he winter. He has never seen the large does play hockey. quantities of snow we know as normal. Engler said that in comparison, the Engler’s host family is the Davenports, rules and the game are exactly the and he is extremely happy with his same. placement there. He joined the Braves hockey Germany and Mandan have a team, and said it was larger than his time difference of seven hours. previous team. Photo submitted by Julian Engler Communication is difficult with this Engler has traveled to far more Julian posses with his father on a family places than just the United States, drastic time difference. At about midnight in Germany, it is vacation to Rome, Italy. including the Dominican Republic morning here, so this is the time Engler four times, most countries in communicates with his family and his friends for about 20 Europe, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. minutes. Engler will return to Germany in August of 2017.
18 Feature 4 Ed/ Op
Student Showc ase OLIVIA BORCHERS General Reporter
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The Courier wanted to dedicate a space to recognizing student submitted work, such as poetry, drawings, story excerpts, etc. If you have anything you would like to submit, please email a scan or picture to mhscourier@gmail.com or give a hard copy of the work to Mrs.Cahoon in Room 221.
Expectation Vs.REALITY
SHANTEL JANGULA
GABRIELLE WOLF
Business Manager
Students often find themselves looking for a career they want to pursue for the rest of their lives. TV series like Grey’s Anatomy and C.S.I. influence their opinions. Although the characters that portray these doctors and crime specialists seem pretty awesome, the realities of their job are not what TV screens show.
H
GREY’S ANATOMY
Expectation
There will be life changing surgeries preformed within the first month of internship.
REALITY
First year interns rarely get to see the inside of an operating room and spent most of their time dealing with post-operation patients.
Expectation
If medical mistakes are made (i.e., going crazy and cutting your fiancées LVAD wire) there will be a small suspension.
REALITY
If medical mistakes are made it is possible to be sued, forced to resign from practicing medicine, and potentially jailed.
Feature 19
Editor-in-Chief
C.S.I. Expectation
Evidence comes back from the lab within the span of an hour.
REALITY
Evidence takes days, or in some cases months to come back from testing.
Expectation
Forensic analysts get to do crime scene/ lab work and participate in criminal interrogations and police work.
REALITY
Most forensic analysts have no contact with witnesses or suspects and they do most work in the lab.
Expectation
DNA is everywhere, and can easily be lifted off of the crime scene and indicate everything about the suspect.
REALITY
DNA is extremely hard to lift, and does not always identify who the DNA came from when examined.
Expectation
Expectation
Ultraviolet light analysis causes all body fluids to give off a fluorescent light.
REALITY
Unlike most crime shows portray, blood does not glow under ultraviolet light. UV light does cause other body fluids glow though, such saliva, and urine.
The patients undergoing surgery do not have their eyes taped down. If the patient’s eyes aren’t shut, the patient can suffer from corneal abrasions (tears on the eye).
REALITY
20 Feature
GABRIELLE WOLF Editor-in-Chief
Before you kick the bucket...
During high school, many students start thinking about their futures. This is a stressful period during every student’s life, and in order to make sense of all the experiences avaiable, a bucket list is essential. Bucket lists are made to help you keep track of all the experiences you want to accomplish at some time during your life. Here are some B. unique ideas to add to your personal bucket list. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Navigate a Personal Underwater SUB Go to the Great Barrier Reef Visit Pompeii Take a selfie with the llamas and alpacas at Monte Picchu Camel race in the desert Stay at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya Tour the Winchester house in San Jose, California (A.) Go to the iconic Alcatraz Island Visit the tomb of the unknown soldier in Washington D.C. Have a tropical Christmas (F.) Read 5 books in a month (G.) Try caviar (D.) Learn how to drive a stick-shift vehicle Go bareback horseback riding Ride a mechanical bull See the catacombs in Paris (E.) Hold a koala Go on a mission trip to build homes Go to a concert Go on a road trip with friends Master tap dancing G. Go on a helicopter ride Go skydiving Go on a ghost tour Participate in a turtle race Fly in a hot air balloon (B.) Perfect the push-up Do a color run Sing karaoke Learn to play chess (C.) • (D.) Photo used with permission by Wikimedia Commons Attempt water-skiing • (E.) Photo submitted by Zane Learn to ballroom dance Deierling •
(F. & G.) Photos by Gabrielle Wolf
A.
D. C.
F. • • •
(A.) https://www.flickr.com/photos/ bella731/88086623 (B.) https://www.flickr.com/photos/ paul_everett82/2580917932 (C.) Photo used with permission by Wikimedia Commons
E.
Sports 22 CASEY BECK
Sports Round-up
Sports Editor
Boys’ Hockey Despite losing eight seniors from the previous season, the Mandan Braves’ boys hockey team is still looking to be a serious contender in the WDA. This season will be Head Coach Matt Mullally’s fourth season as head coach. This year the team will see 12 letterwinners return to the ice. The seniors planning to lace up their skates include forwards Austin Leingang and Alex Horner. On the blue line, you can expect to see Ricky Zander, Ty Leingang, Trae Bennett, and Andrew Morgan. Those not on the senior roster, but will make an impact include junior Quinn Halstengard, sophomore Jackson Zittleman, and foreign exchange student Julian Engler. With the graduation of three of the Braves’ four top scorers, offense is going to be a bit of a catch up game for the team. Mandan is still hopeful for a great season.
Wrestling
The Mandan Braves’ wrestling team looks like it will have one of its strongest seasons in recent memory. With the loss of only three seniors, Head Coach Luke Mellmer is confident in his squad of wrestlers. “We are going to have kids to fill in those spot,” Mellmer said. The team for Mandan will be fairly young, once again, but with the experience found in the four seniors the will be in a good spot. This years seniors include state-champion Dale Spilman, Karsen Mosbrucker, Eric Spilman, Kolten Krance, and Logen Pudwill. Mellmer stressed the importance of coming out to participate and to cheer on the Mandan Braves, especially at our Bismarck dual at home on Nov. 22. “That’s gonna be one our biggest dual, and Bismarck hasn’t been beaten in a dual in… I don’t even know how long, but this could be the first year to do it,” Mellmer said.
Boys’ Basketball Boys’ Swim and The Mandan Braves boys’ basketball team lost several key players from the 2015Dive 2016 season, but should be able to compete in the WDA. Head Coach Brandon Shafer lost five seniors; however this was a trend seen throughout the West Region. The returning team will not be without varsity experience. Juniors Trae and Camren Steckler, and seniors Landon Kleingartner, Tyler Tweten, Alex Rath, Griffen Fettig, and Jaden Andresen all say time on the court. The team should be able to repeat or improve on their WDA performance. The 2015-2016 team was able to one their first game against Bismarck High, but then lost the next two games. This put the Braves in eighth place and unable to go to State. The Braves’ basketball squad looks to be in a similar situation, but could surprise and improve from the previous year.
Girls’ Basketball
WIth a second place finish in the WDA during the previous season, the Mandan Braves girls’ basketball team can only hope to replicate their success. While the team only lost three seniors, those seniors were key players to the success of the team. “However, we are returning several players with good experience and have some great up and comers that will do a great job filling those three spots,” Head Coach Abby Thomas said. The Braves will be returning several key players with varsity experience, including senior Mackensi Higlin, junior Courtney Olson, and sophomores Kennedy Harris and Megan Zander. Overall, Thomas is expecting 10 to 12 girls on the varsity squad; however this smaller team doesn’t worry the head coach. “We are going to look different this year… This group of girls works very hard and are very competitive! They want to be the best and aren’t afraid of the work it takes to get there,” Thomas said.
The 2016-2017 boys’ swim and dive season looks to be one of the best in recent memory for the Braves. Head Coach Ralph Manley is returning this year with 16 letter winners. Manley is confident in a key core of returning upperclassmen and the goals they have set for this season. “I think it is important that they have the attitude of ‘we can be competitive with anyone’ and that’s really gonna help us,” Manley said. WDA All Conference placers for the Mandan Braves swim team include, seniors Luke Peterson and Reed Bergman, junior Joey Clark, and sophomore diver Johnny Mindt. For anyone interested in boys’ swim and dive, Manley stressed the importance of just coming to the pool. “Come on out! I always say ‘we know you have the talent’. If you can survive freshman swim class… you can do anything here,” Manley said “Give our team a chance”.
Girls’ Hockey
The Mandan girls’ hockey team looks to be one of the better in recent memory. This will be the first year without former-Head Coach Dewitt Mack. As a whole the Braves also lost nine players, from their 25 people roster. Returning seniors for the 2016-2017 season include, Maiah Mcowen, McKenna Quintus, Sam Bussman, and Sophia Munns. Last year, the Braves had an overall positive record of 13-11-0. The team’s greatest successes seemed to be at home in the All-Seasons Arena. On their home ice, the team went 6-2-0. Mandan crowds will have to watch if the Braves can repeat this magic. This will be the first season for new Head Coach Matt Strinden and overall it looks to be a positive season full of good games.
All statistics and information comes from wdasports.org and the respective coaches.
Sports 23
September Athletes of the Month ZANE DEIERLING General Reporter
Photo by Casey Beck
Senior Tyler Tweten Boys’ Tennis
Is there a win that sticks in your mind? Why does it? “Beating the #3 seed from the East to make semis; I hit a kid in the eye and it swelled shut.” How about a loss? “When we lost to the team that ended up winning state, because we should’ve beat them.” If you could be any flavor of pizza, what would you be? Why? “KFC, appeal to my brothas.” What teammate should we be following on Instagram? Why? “Tyler Tweten @tyler.tweten, my teammates don’t need any.” Who is your sports role model? “Trae Steckler, kids an animal.” If you could arm wrestle any teammate, who would you? Why? “Immanyal Mwathi, he is a straight G.” What song best describes your sport? “Hulk Hogan’s walkout song.” Anything else you would like to add? “Funny how no one ever came to the tennis matches, but we did better than
means my time wasn’t recorded at all. All of that hard work training was just thrown away in a matter of seconds.” If you could be any flavor of pizza, what would you be? Why? “I would be a Hawaiian pizza because that is my favorite.” What teammate should we be following on Instagram? Why? “You should be following Maiya Fleck if you aren’t already. She posts constantly and her captions are on point.” Who is your sports role model? “I praise anyone that can run the full marathon. As for a specific athlete, I love watching Gabby Douglas and Usain Bolt at Photo used with permission of .mandan.k12.nd.us the Olympics.” If you could arm wrestle any teammate, who would you? Why? “Maiah McCowan, it just seems like the type of thing she would do.” Is there a meet that sticks in your mind? What song best describes your sport? The Running Man Why does it? Coach’s response: “Rapid City, last season. Our team had three girls placed in the top 20; I was one Coach Hilary Fiest nominated Kaycee and of them. I was super excited until I looked had this to say about her accomplishments: down at my shoe. I had lost my chip! That “Senior Kaycee Fry is the number two
Senior Kaycee Fry
Girls’ Cross Country
football.”
Coach’s response: Coach Paul Christian nominated Tyler and said this about his accomplishments: “Tyler really came into his own as a tennis player this year. He dedicated himself in the offseason and his time and effort really paid off in his final season for the Braves.” He compiled a doubles record of 10-3 and an overall record 12-7. At the beginning of the month, he placed 2nd at #1 Doubles in the West Fargo Invite, a tournament that includes every team in the state. In our last conference match of the season against Jamestown, Tyler gave their #2 singles player only his 2nd loss of the season in Tyler’s best singles performance of the year. At the West Region team tournament, Tyler went 2-1 to help give his team a chance at qualifying but unfortunately the team fell short. In the Individual tournament, he and his partner were awarded the #2 seed and received a bye in the first round. In the quarterfinals, they easily took care of their opponents to reach the semifinals (which were played the next day on October 1). runner on our girls’ cross country team this year. She is a very dedicated athlete and always gives her all. She even goes above and beyond by lifting weights a few mornings each week. She always pushes them to do their best and cheers them on at the end of their runs/workouts, as well as in competitions when she has already finished her race. She leads the entire team in a pre-race prayer before each race and tells them all good luck. She has also been a real help to me as a new coach this year. She lets me know what kind of things they did last year, but always supports me when I change up their “old” routine with my new one, even in front of her teammates who do not always want to change what they are used to. Other athletes nominated for the month of September were: Mayson Sheldon, Freshman, Girls’ Swimming and Diving; Megan Zander, Sophomore, Girls’ Volleyball; Landon Kleingartner, Senior, Boys’ Cross Country; and Dale Spilman, Senior, Football.
24 Sports
The Braves wait for new weights Why the Braves are worthy of new equipment
ZANE DEIERLING
Community Center, to the building the the weight room has to offer, improving weight room is currently located in. the equipment our sport programs use may The weights that were brought over were help the programs overall. The Mandan Braves are no strangers to the Due to the rather on campus weight room. While coaches mostly machines, or equipment small size of the influence their athletes to frequently train in comprised of pulleys, levers, and weight room, the weight room, it is open to any Mandan inclines. About four years ago the machines various sports student who would like to workout. were taken out and replaced by free teams struggle to Many weights. find their own time students The purpose behind in the weight room. filter in the change to free While we may and out of weights was that free perform as a school the gym weights force you to in our sports, it before first stabilize your own is hard to believe period and body while you lift the Photo by Casey Beck that we would not after class weights. You are also Dumbbells are essential improve if we had throughout equipment Photo by Zane Deierling able to do far more to any workout facility. more the school Benches and squat racks make exercises with free and some new year. The Mandan Braves’ programs for the weights as opposed to During the up a considerable portion of all weight room has a variety athletes to partake fall of 2005, equipment in the Mandan weight machines designed for of different styles. just a few specific lifts. in. the weight room. The Braves are in Our athletes will machines used by the Braves were transported from need of some new equipment. While our continue to work to reach our full potential the Braves Center, formally known as the athletes continue to make do with what and compete to our fullest in every contest.
General Reporter
The three sport athlete How playing multiple sports can benefit you
ZANE DEIERLING General Reporter
Mandan is home to a multitude of athletes. There are a specific few who go out of their way to be in a sport every season of the school year. This means that during the fall, winter, and spring these students are full-time students, participating in training every day, and perhaps even working, all at the same time. There is a major debate regarding whether athletes should specialize in one sport or continue playing in multiple sports as long as possible. Many coaches and even athletes will argue that playing more than one sport is going to make you a more well rounded athlete and help you in each individual sport. On the other hand, some will tell you that you need to figure out which sport you really want to be in and dedicate your life
to it. The thoughts behind this being you will not be able to excel if you are busy with another sport for a period of time during the year. Although you may have your own opinion, it is difficult to argue with the statistics. Dr. Neeru Jayanthi of Loyola University conducted a study of 1200 athletes. He found that specialization in a single sport is one of the strongest predictors of injury with 73 to 90 percent more likely to be injured than multiple sport athletes. There are many benefits that come with being a multiple sport athlete.
If you are in more than one sport, in theory, more coaches should be able to see you in regards to scouting for college. You also have more opportunity to show off your potential to these collegiate coaches. Senior Landon Kleingartner participates in cross country in the fall, basketball in th e winter, and he runs track and field in the spring. “I think it is more beneficial to play multiple sports because it will allow you to become a better athlete. Running cross country definitely gets me in better shape for basketball with all the conditioning. Basketball also helps me in track with quickness. Each of them also help me to be more mentally strong in my other sports as well.
73 percent of athletes who received college scholarships from 2011-2015 played more than one sport.