MHS Courier October 2017

The Courier 905 8th Ave. NW, Mandan, ND - Volume 26, Issue 1 - October 2017

YAY OR NAY: EARLY GRADUATION

NEXT STOP: MANDAN

Two students discuss the pros and cons of the new early graduation policy. Read more on page 4.

Mandan high welcomes four foreign exchange students this year. More on their stories on page 10-11.

HOMECOMING IN PICTURES Homecoming week was full of fun activities. Read more on page 12-13.

From The Editors...

Nancy Gibbs, former editor-in-chief for TIME magazine, once said something that remarkably changed our mindset for the 2017-18 year: “Our purpose is not to tell people what to think; it is to help them decide what to think about.”

As Co-Editor-In-Chief’s in a world full of journalism that isn’t journalism, hence President Donald Trump’s infamous “fake news,” we strive for an unbiased, truthful, and diverse publication. We are constantly reminded to keep true journalism near and dear to our hearts.

To our audience, both students and parents, who read this: we can only hope that our publication keeps your interest.

We spend six weeks perfecting these articles. It is our promise to you that our news and sports will always remain unbiased, our opinion pieces addressing both sides of the spectrum, and our feature captivating.

Brenna Hammer and Shantel Jangula, Co-Editor-In-Chiefs

Table of Contents

Page 4.......................................................................Yay Or Nay Page 5..................................................................Hammer Times Page 6......................................................Flipside: Hoco Edition Page 7..............................................Charlottesville:Local News Page 8....................Homecoming contest winners/Biggest Class Page 9...............................................................Courier Calendar Page 10-11....................................................Next Stop: Mandan Page 12-13.........................................Picture This: Homecoming Page 14-15.............................................Split Down The Middle Page 16.............................Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions Page 17...........................................New Teachers On The Block Page 18...............................................................Advertisements Page 19.................Homecoming Game Kicks Off New Complex Page 20.................................................................The Real Piehl Page 21.............................Becoming A School Sponsored Sport Page 22.............................................................Sports Round Up Page 23....................................................Athletes of The Month Page 24................................................................Advertisement

Courier Staff and Editorial Policy Shantel Jangula..........................................Co-Editor-In-Chief Opinion Editor Brenna Hammer.........................................Co-Editor-In-Chief Feature Editor Owen Piehl...........................................................News Editor Sports Edior Maiya Fleck..................................................General Reporter Santanah Gerhart..........................................General Reporter Savanna Hagerott..........................................General Reporter Ryan Phelps..................................................General Reporter Hannah Cahoon...........................................................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.

SAVANNA HAGEROTT General Reporter

Yay or Nay

Senior Jackson Wiese Graduating early, against new policy

I am a senior at Mandan High. The policy of early graduation was recently changed to restrict those who want to graduate early.

Through many meetings with the principal and after writing a letter asking for permission, I have been allowed to graduate early.

I believe that early graduation should be an option for everyone with sufficient credits. I don’t believe you should need “extenuating circumstances” to graduate early. If you put in the extra work to get the extra credits, you should be rewarded with the option the graduate early.

I am very thankful that I am allowed the graduate early, and I hope that kids in the future will receive the same opportunity as me.

36.9%

Senior Alyssa Olheiser Last year, the school instituted a new graduation policy which was stricter than the years before. Under the new requirements, the policy has made it difficult for students to graduate early unless they are under rare circumstances.

There has been some debate as to whether the new graduation policy was even needed, and whether it makes that much of a difference. Out of 249 responses from a poll sent out to MHS students, 36.9% of students said were going to graduate early, but are not anymore because of the new policy. On the other hand, only 53.4% of students polled were upset about the new graduation policy.

In the poll, some students who were graduating early explained what they needed to do. Some examples were “taking multiple classes during my summers,” and “going to the Brave Center Academy.”

Other students sent letters to Principal Mark Andresen and met with him and other members of the committee.

63.1%

04 Students not graduating early

04

I am an advocate for the new early graduation policy. I believe that the policy will be help seniors focus on the education they can receive at Mandan.

There are plenty of classes offered here that can be used for college credits; these classes are offered at a lower price or completely free. Advanced Placement and Dual Credit classes save students time and money; neither of which could be made up by working or taking classes on a college campus. The policy doesn't completely end early graduation either; those who have a plan and a reason to graduate early are still welcome to do so.

Overall, I think that the new policy is a great way to keep Mandan High students focused on the education that is offered to them.

46.6% 53.4%

Students whose plans did not change due to new policy Students whose plans changed due to new policy

02

Not graduating early, for new policy

Students who are not upset about the new policy Students who are upset about the new policy

06

08

Percentage of students

October 2017

0

Students graduating early

100

Opinion

The

Hammer Times

BRENNA HAMMER - Editor in Chief

Where have all the children gone?

Ernest Hemingway once said “write hard and clear about what hurts.” That is what I have done in this piece. The Hammer Times is a personal column that, if it receives positive feedback, will return in every issue of The Courier.

This particular issue I have decided to write about a very serious topic and I hope that the reader takes it with a very open mind and heart.

I have tackled this subject with a very abrupt and straight-forward style and tone in hopes that something daring will bring more attention to the cause of teen death. I do not sugar-coat anything or phrase things in ways that are generally “acceptable” to publish. For this reason, some may find the following content to be emotionally disturbing.

Finally, if you are reading this and have lost a loved one when they were much too young, I am so very sorry. I hope that this article can help to bring justice to those who have been lost and prevent others from heading down the same tragic path.

-Brenna Hammer I played a large part in raising my two younger brothers, who were always out playing in the summer time. When my mom would come home from work, she would always ask, “where are the boys?” because usually they were not at home. So, everyday, I would respond, “probably at the park.”

But now, as we have grown older, I can never seem to figure out where all the children are. I look around at my

classmates who used to worry about who was “it” when we played tag at recess and who had the scented markers. I do not see that anymore.

Now, all I can see is young adults desperately trying to find the answer to their problems in the most unfortunate places: the bottom of a bottle, in a cloud of smoke, or at the barrel of a gun.

This has lead me to the understanding that life can be broken down simply into two stages- the first one consisting of kids who want to be adults, and the second consisting of adults who want to be kids. Those who are truly unfortunate may have a third stage that consists of just wanting to be dead.

The number of teen deaths is growing at an alarming rate- but you already knew that. I could tell you that kids are driving drunk (or getting hit by people who are), that kids are overdosing, that kids are taking their own lives. I could tell you that kids are dying. But you know that. Everybody knows that.

So now, when my mother asks me where all my peers have gone, I no longer point at the playground, the monkey bars, or the swing set, but at the funeral homes, ICUs, and cemeteries. Those who we used to play “ghosts in the graveyard” with are now calling that same graveyard their home. It scares me in a way that no late night horror movie marathon ever could.

Then we wonder why. Why are the children going away? Why are they leaving? Sometimes it can be one small, careless decision- not wearing a seatbelt, looking at a text while behind the wheel, getting in the car with somebody who was not sober. Other times mental illness and

other external pressures can cause a person to choose to leave.

They take pills like candy because those pills will take them places a sugar rush never could. They point guns at their heads as if they were playing cops and robbers with themselves. They tie ropes around their necks like they are trying on their mother’s pearls in a game of dress-up.

Then, those who are close to the child (or those who at least thought they were close) show up to the funeral and make social media posts about “how much they meant” to them or “how loved and special” they were. And I am paralyzed by confusion; why did you not tell them these things while they were alive?

Have the children become too sophisticated, too mature, too “adult” to express their feelings? Has it become “uncool” and “childish” to look at our best friends and tell them that we love them? I wonder how many lives could be saved if we told our friends we loved them more often. The thought feeds my insomnia.

I suppose I could find solace at the playground where my best childhood memories were made. I could try to find the children. The only problem is that the playground shares a parking lot with a church that hosts many funerals. So when I ask myself where all the children have gone, I am too afraid of which side of the parking lot I will find them on.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, please call or text 1-800-273-8255. Your life is worth living.

You matter.

1-800-273-8255 *National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Please call or text if you are in need.

Opinion

October 2017

05

Trae Steckler and Sharlee Assel

What’s the best thing about your running mate?

Which cartoon character would your hoco partner be?

If you and your partner were arm wrestling, who’d win?

Trae: “She makes homecoming fun, she’s outgoing, and shows a lot of school spirit.”

Sharlee: “Everything”

Trae: “She would be Piglet because she is very outgoing and nice” Sharlee: “Winnie the Pooh (He’s a big teddy bear)”

Trae: “If we arm wrestled I think I would win as I have more muscle.”

Sharlee: “Me. Have you seen these biceps?”

Trae: “I would say Ian and Lizi as they are very social and Which couple is your biggest well known by our peers.” competition?

Sharlee: “Watson and Jamaika”

All photos by Shantel Jangula.

Co-Editor-In-Chief

SHANTEL JANGULA

Kayla: “Fred Jones (from Scooby Doo)”

Jamaika: “Tasmanian devil from [The] Looney Tunes”

Jamaika: “Have you met Watson?! Best kid ever.”

Kayla: “He is kind, funny and good looking”

Isaac: “She’s got hella pizazz” Keatyn: “She has a bigbigbig personality”

Keatyn: “The yellow M&M in the Pretzel ad”

Kayla: “Me, hands down”

Keatyn: “Definitely Kayla”

Kayla: “Lizi and Ian”

Keatyn: “POTUS and FLOTUS”

Keatyn Skytland and Kayla Mittelsteadt

Isaac: “Defs would be Velma, a true scholar and lady”

Jamaika: “Don’t be fooled, his biceps are big, but mine are bigger.”

Isaac: “The audience”

Jamaika: “Katelyn and Castillo”

Isaac: “Probs Shar and Trae, they go hard.”

Jamaika Lee and Isaac Watson

The Flipside : Jacob: “I would say Ian and Liz because of their “IT” poster.”

Katelyn: “Sharlee and Trae because of how many pringles Trae can fit in his mouth. I’m pretty impressed myself.”

Katelyn Schmidt and Jacob Castillo

Jacob: “Lisa Simpson.”

Lizi: “The ability to find a meme to go with any situation.”

Katelyn: “The best thing about Jacob is his humor and quirky peronality. Also how genuine he is.”

Jacob: “The best thing about Ian: “She doesn’t discriminate Katelyn would be how nice she against mechanical or wooden is to everyone. She’s also really pencils so that’s sweet.” at making posters.”

Katelyn: I’d have to say either Lizi: “Spike. Ask him to draw Hei Hei from Moana or Kevin the Minion.” it for you.”

Ian: “Velma from the Scooby Doo gang”

Ian: “It’s laughable to suggest Jacob: “Probably Katelyn that she could beat me.” because I have noodle arms like Nathan Schwindt.”

Lizi: “I think we would battle Katelyn: “Definietly me. No for a while only to end in a questions asked.” tie.”

Ian: “Definitely Keatyn and Kayla. Their creativity stems from Michael Scott and Pam Beasly-Halpert.”

Lizi: “Not Jamaika”

Ian Longtin and Lizi Leingang

Hoco ion Edit

Bringing National News Home Students weigh in on Charlottesville riots RYAN PHELPS General Reporter

culture. To protest Jason Kessler, the founder of non-immigration, pro-white nonprofit, planned the August 12, 2017, Heather Mandan High School Washinton Post/ABC Unite the Right rally, to show Heyer died after getting National poll support for “white historical being hit by a car in figures”, according to The Charlottesville, Virginia.

Buisness Insider.

She was the only civilian Courts went back and forth to die in a weekend full when deciding to allow the rally of violence and tension to proceed. Those who organized following an alt-right rally the rally accused the city of that made and dominated moving their venue from the national news.

Almost Emancipation park, due to the 200 Mandan High School rallies political content, not the students were polled on safety of those attending. their opinions on the events Some, such as the North Carolina that led to and followed her Representative Robert Pittenger, death.

No opinion/ none given compare the white supremacist at the Unite the Right The conflict in Dispprove of Donald Trumps response rally to the Black Lives Matter movement. 55.5 percent Charlottesville began of MHS students disagreed when asked if the Unite the with the city’s decision Approve of Donald Trumps response Right rally was equal to the Black Lives Matter and to removing a statue of Women’s March movements.

General Robert E. Lee, the Mandan High School After the Unite the Right man who commanded the rally was announced, various Confederate Army through groups also began to gather in most of the civil war. The Charlottesville to protest the decision to remove the rally. These counter protesters statue was over concerns of included some concerned glorifying the racial context Charlottesville citizens, but also of the confederacy. some radical groups who came According to Fox News, to fight. imilar removals have The main such group was happened in cities, all Antifa, an anti-fascist, anarchist over the U.S., such as Los group whose members dress in Angeles, Kansas City, and all black, and cover their faces Orlando. Critics see this to hide their identities from law action as trying to erase Agree Unite the Right isenforcement. Some members Disapprove of taking history. equal to BLM and thewere openly violent, while down statues of MHS students showed a others have been credited as majority of students, almost Womans March Confederate leaders being nonviolent. four in five, do not agree Disagree Unite the Right Approve of taking down President Donald Trump with taking down statues is equal to BLM and the responded several times, due to of Confederate leaders on statues of Confederate outrage over his first response. public property.

Womans March Leaders His first state statement was “Personally, I don’t think Graphics by Ryan Phelps. criticized for being delivered two we should erase history, we days after the death of Heather can’t. It’s not a good part of our history, but it is part of it.” said history teacher Brad Solemsaas. Heyer, and not specifically condemning white supremacist or neoAfter the plans to remove the statue were agreed upon, they were nazi groups, instead condemning “hatred and bigotry on all sides”.

He later did specifically condemn white supremacist, the KKK, the subject of outrage of alt-right and neo-nazi groups, who saw the removal as erasing history, or whites giving up part of their and neo-nazis, and also Antifa and the ‘alt-left’.

News

October 2017

07

Freshman Class Size Causes Complications

MAIYA FLECK General Reporter

The 2017-2018 Freshman class is the biggest class Mandan has had for the past 10-15 years. With the influx of students, the school has undergone a few changes. From scheduling differences to class size, the accommodations have been made to meet the needs for the class of 2021.

Seniors this year have to take a sixth period, last year the graduating class was able to take five periods. With teachers teaching five periods, this caused complications in scheduling classes. As a result, there was a scheduled overfill to work through. This is results with full classes and limited class options.

The graduating class of 2017 had 237 students. This year’s freshman class has 325 students. The ideal number of students in each of their class room is 30. “We have tried to cap 2017

2018

2019

237

206

235

classrooms at 30.” Principle Mark Andresen said. However, with the large numbers this year some classrooms have 32 students.

“I don't like to see [the classes] that large, but we don't have a choice,” Andresen said. To accommodate, extra desks have been brought in.

“The teachers have been really good, and understanding about it,” Andresen said.

With all factors considered, the school lunches have about the same number of meals served, compared to last year. So far this year less hot lunches have been served even with the larger number of students.

As can be seen with the large numbers of students space would be a concern, “There is roughly about 750 lockers in the school,” Andresen said. Seniors and juniors get there own lockers while freshmen and sophomores share. There are more available in the freshman and sophomore hallway for the larger mass of students.

These issues will be resolved next year when the next class of freshman come in with a smaller number of students.

2020

2021

2022

260

325

260

Homecoming Photo Contest Winners SHANTEL JANGULA Co-Editor-In-Chief

The MHS Courier has the results for the 2017 Homecoming Week Instagram photo contest. The winning pictures have been chosen by their school spirit, creativity, and attention drawing capabilities. Special recognition went to Sophie Lind for her school spirit. The second place winner is Kyllie Trenda, and she received a $15 gift card to Classic Rock Coffee. The first place winner is Reese Norton and he received a $30 gift card to the Grand Theatres. Congratulations winners, and thank you to everyone who participated in the Homecoming contest this year! The Courier received over 60 entries.

First Place winner, Reese Norton dressed completely in a jack-o-lantern suit for Holiday Day while his friend was Cinco De Mayo.

08

Second Place winner Kyllie Trenda takes the classic rock look alongside friends for Rock vs. Country Day. October 2017

Sophie Lind received honorable mentions for her pilgrim outfit on Holiday Day.

News

Courier calendar

October-November

SAVANNA HAGEROTT General Reporter

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

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Wednesday 11

Thursday 12

Friday

13 20

Saturday 14 21

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School

Event Description

School

* Calendar only includes at home events

Oct. 12-

First Leo Club Meeting

Oct. 30-

Volleyball against Minot

Oct. 18-

Football against Williston

Oct. 31-

Halloween Party for Latin Club

Oct. 17-

Volleyball against Jamestown

Nov. 2-

Volleyball play in game (IF NECESSARY)

Oct. 19-

Mini JCL at MHS for Latin Club

Nov. 6-

Choir Concert at 7:00 pm

Oct. 22-

Haunted Kids Bash for Leo Club

Prudential Spirit of Community Award Scholarship

Oct. 23-

Wendy’s Heisman Scholarship Due

Nov. 7Due

Oct. 24-

Volleyball against St. Mary’s

Oct. 25-

Horatio Alger Scholarship Due

Nov. 9-11 Nov. 16of Mary

Volleyball West Region University of Mary Mathlete Meeting at University

Legend Sporting event

Scholarship Deadline School

Band/Choir event

News

Club event October 2017

No school

09

Next Stop...

SANTANAH GERHART General Reporter

Celia Iglesias Leonis S a n t a n d e r, S p a i n Coming all the way from across the Atlantic Ocean, Leonis arrived at her temporary home on August 12, just before the start of her junior year.

Back in Spain, the summers are nice, with temperatures similar to the summers here. In winter, though, it rains a lot rather than snowing.

Leonis made the bold decision to participate in the Foreign exchange program and study abroad because she heard others talking about doing it.

“A friend of mine was going to Michigan this year, so I [said], ‘I want to go too!’” Leonis said.

When Leonis heard she would be placed in Mandan, her first

A n i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e n e w

reaction was to research it, for she had never heard of the place before.

“Okay, this is not California!” Leonis said after searching it online.

Though Leonis misses her family, she is able to communicate with them a few times a week.

However, there is a seven hour time difference, which limits when she can talk to them.

“I can talk to them when it’s about 5 p.m. here, because then it’s 12 in the morning there.” Leonis said.

In her free time, Leonis likes to ride horses, run cross country, read, and watch movies. In Spain, they offer movies in English or Spanish, but Leonis prefers to watch them in English.

“Their mouths move in English, but the words coming out are in Photo submitted by Celia Iglesias Leonis. Spanish” Leonis said.

Leonis will return home on June life in Santander, a city about the 8th.

Leonis enjoys size of Bismarck, near the ocean and mountains spending time with friends on the beach.

student not only for the experience, but also for the opportunity to earn a scholarship for swimming. Pimenta works hard and is already training and preparing for the boys’ swim season this spring.

Matheus Laperriere Pimenta traveled over 5,000 miles for the “The main goal is this, but I can’t say I’m here just to swim; I am once in a lifetime experience of [here to] experience the American life.” studying abroad with a specific Pimenta said. goal in mind: a scholarship. He Pimenta keeps in close contact with will spend his junior year of his family back home.There is only a two high school at MHS. hour time difference between Mandan Pimenta’s hometown of Belo and Belo Horizonte, so communication Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil with his family is easy. is a big city with millions of In his free time, Pimenta likes to hang people, skyscrapers, and warm out with friends, play soccer, and swim. weather year round; the polar Back in Brazil, students play sports opposite of Mandan. One of the through clubs rather than through their big differences he’s noticed is school. The clubs have professional Photo submitted by Matheus Laperriere Pimenta. athletes as their trainers, who provide that people here tend to spend their money differently than Pimenta poses with his dad while on vacation really good training. Back home, soccer they typically do in Brazil. is a popular sport to not only play, but to in the Caribbean.

“Here in North Dakota people watch as well. like to spend money on houses “In Brazil, [professional] soccer is as big as American football is and cars, but in Brazil [my family] spends money on travelling,” here,” Pimenta said.

Pimenta said.

He will return home in July 2018.

He made the decision to come to America as a foreign exchange

Matheus Laperriere Pimenta

B ilo H o r i z o n te , M G, B ra zil

10

October 2017

Feature

MANDAN

foreign exchange students of MHS

exchange program. She made this bold choice for the same reason as many others around the world; she did it for the experience of a lifetime.

“I did it to [experience] different cultures,” YuJia said.

When she found out that she would be placed in North Dakota, Liu YuJia set foot in America for YuJia was confused, to say the least. the first time on August 19, 2017 to “I didn’t know North Dakota before complete her junior year at Mandan I came here, so I searched it online,” High School. Because the name Liu YuJia said. doesn’t translate to English, YuJia Upon arrival, her first impression of had the opportunity to choose any her new home was that it was cold . In American name she wanted. Out of Shanghai, there are changing seasons, the endless options, she decided that but the temperatures are warmer, and she wants to be called Phyllis by her snow is rare. She knows that it will American peers, friends, family, and be much cooler here and is excited for teachers. the snow this coming winter.

The transition from a city with a YuJia regularly keeps in contact with huge population to a small town in a her family through texting despite the rural state takes some getting used to.

13 hour time difference. However, In Shanghai, China, the population is Photo submitted by Liu YuJia. there is a limit on how much she can over 24 million, but here in Mandan, talk to her family.

YuJia poses with her friends back in the population consists of less than 22 “My program said I should text Shanghai. thousand people. them only once a week,” YuJia said.

YuJia is the only student in her In her free time, YuJia likes to read Chinese adventure novels and whole school back in Shanghai to become involved in the foreign has been to volleyball and football games to cheer on the Braves.

She will return home to China in June.

Liu YuJia (Phyllis) Shanghai, China

Vanja Milosavljevic Cacak, Serbia

decision to be a foreign exchange student because she is eager to try new things and experience life in different cultures.

“I wanted to see how people live here and how school works,” Milosavljevic said.

Because she has only been here a couple months, she doesn’t miss her family too bad yet. Every weekend Milosavljevic is able to talk to her family through the smartphone apps Viber or WhatsApp. There is a seven hour time difference, though, which limits when she is able to talk to them.

In America, Milosavljevic likes to watch movies, go shopping, hang out with her new friends, and try new things.

She is a cultured traveler and has been to many places in Europe including Austria, Photo submitted by Vanja Milosavljevic. Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, and more.

Milosavljevic will return home on May Milosavljevic poses with three of her 26, 2017. friends back in Serbia.

Vanja Milosavljevic packed her bags and flew to America all the way from Cacak, Serbia for the opportunity to study abroad.

She will be spending her senior year at Mandan High. On August 12, Milosavljevic arrived at her temporary home where she lives with the Gange-Bernard family; her host sister is senior Tayla Gange.

“They are nice to me and they try to make me feel like home, so I like them,” Milosavljevic said.

Back in Serbia, Milosavljevic lives in a city with a population of over 100,000 people. Summers are hot, and winters are cool with occasional snow. After finding out she would be living in Mandan and doing research on it, she found out that the nature here is pretty, but winters are longer and colder than she is used to.

“I [think] that I’m going to freeze,” Milosavljevic said.

Like many others, Milosavljevic made the once in a lifetime

Feature

October 2017

11

D

A

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H E B

C

I

F

PICTURE THIS: HOMECOMING WEEK

All photos taken by Brenna Hammer.

BRENNA HAMMER Co-Editor-In-Chief

A: Homecoming nominee Lizi Lengaing participates in a game at Monday’s pep rally.

B: Junior Nathan Mattoon, senior Gavin Miller, and junior Isaiah Lengaing play a trio during the homecoming half-time show.

C: Seniors Sabrina Matthews, Hannah Thomas, Kylie Meyer, Alexys Walker, Tayla Gange, and Alexis Hanson pose during powderpuff game.

the

D: The student section gets rowdy during the homecoming football game.

E: FACS teacher Breanna Brothers plays in the annual homecoming dodgeball tournament.

F: Students participate in an intense game of musical chairs during Friday’s homecoming rally.

G: Seniors give their class yell during Friday’s pep rally.

H: The Kachinas pose before performing during half-time at the homecoming football game.

12

October 2017

Feature

J

K

O

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M P

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I: Homecoming Court members smile after Jacob Castillo and Katelyn Schmidt are named King and Queen.

J: Senior Myles Schlosser signals the audience to be quiet after he cheats during a game at Friday’s pep rally.

K: Senior Keatyn Skytland points at his next victim during the dodgeball tournament.

L: Senior Sabrina Matthews gets pumped up with her teammates before the powderpuff football game.

M: Sophomore Kobe Poitra celebrates after tackling an opponent.

N: Homecoming King Jacob Castillo plays a solo during the half-time show at the homecoming game.

O: Football players run onto the field, proudly carrying their flag, at the start of the homecoming game.

P: Sophomore Danek Vega runs through “the tunnel” as his name is announced at the game.

Q: Senior Erika Morrell shows off her flexibility during the Kachinas’ performance at half-time.

R: Homecoming Queen Katelyn Schmidt runs with the ball while avoiding opponents during the powderpuff football game.

S: Seniors Isaac Watson, Skylar Bossert, Quinn Halstengard, Dylan Fleck, Kaden Krause, Easton Miller, and Matt Blotsky pose with their trophies after winning the dodgeball tournament.

T: Seniors Sharlee Assel and Keatyn Skytland converse before a game at Monday’s pep rally.

Feature

October 2017

13

SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE

HOW DIVORCE AFFECTS CHILDREN BRENNA HAMMER Co-Editor-In-Chief

Divorce h a s seemingly become the norm for American relationships with a marriage ending every 13 seconds. Since it is so common, divorce can look, from the surface, like a fairly simple situation. However, there is much more to ending a marriage than deciding which party gets to keep the couch.

In fact, it is becoming more and more common for children to be involved in a divorce.

This can cause innumerable problems including custody battles, mental damage, and being caught in the middle of parents’ disputes.

Children’s educational experiences can also be affected by the divorce or absence of parents. A recent poll taken by 245 MHS students found that students whose parents lived together had an average of a 3.85 GPA whereas students whose parents do not live together had an average of a 2.85 GPA. However, statistical outliers prove that there is no simple way to group children’s family and educational lives. For some students, the marital status of parents did not have an apparent effect of their grades.

A recent study by Daniel Potter at the University of Virginia found that students care less about their academic achievement during the process of their parents’ marital dispute. There have been contradictory research projects of the effects of a divorce at an early age versus a divorce at an older age, so this is still a major question for researchers.

As for how divorce can affect a child’s relationship skills, MHS students feel that their experiences, whether positive or negative, have affected their outlook on relationships in a positive

Nationally, students from broken families have grades 11% lower than their peers from nuclear families.

0

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40

60

80

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Approximately 40% of marriages in the United States will end in divorce.

QUICK VOCABULARY

Broken family: a family in which the parents are divorced or separated Nuclear family: a family composed of two parents and their children

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October 2017

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“Talking about it is going to be very helpful. Not hiding it, not suppressing it, that is not going to help.”

-Alyssa Caya, guidance counselor The effect of broken families on education:

The m o s t important thing this poll showed was that every case of divorce or of a “broken” family is different. It can be very easy to label kids as “children of divorce,” but, for about 25% of students, this title is not sufficient.

Parents who get divorced often get involved in other relationships or even remarried, sometimes multiple times. This only complicates the situation and adds extra stress and damage to any children involved.

“Its going to be a huge change in dynamic,” guidance councelor Alyssa Caya said regarding divorce and other family changes, “and we know that doesn’t just go away when [students] walk in the school doors.”

If a student is going through a parental split, the school coucelors encourage them to reach out and get help.

“If its hard for them to focus, we encourage them to come talk to us,” Caya said, “even if its just to process everything thats going on.”

If a student feels uncomfortable reaching out to a school councelor, they may find it helpful to go to a councelor that is not through the school. Support groups are also offered throughout the community to help students cope with family issues.

The idea behind many of these groups is that students can help support and give advice to each other.

“They have the opportunity to hear from students who have gone through or are going through the same experiences,” Caya said, “and sometimes when you see that its not just you... that can help.”

Average GPA (Grade Point Average)

way.

4.00 3.00

3.85 2.85

2.00 1.00

Children with married parents Children without married parents

64% of MHS students come from broken families.

MHS stdents from broken families

MHS students families

from

nuclear

36% 64%

Sources: http://www.marripedia.org/effects_of_divorce_on_children_s_education http://www.divorcesource.com/ds/main/u-s-divorce-rates-and-statistics-1037.shtml http://www.children-and-divorce.com/effects-of-divorce-on-children.html

Feature

October 2017

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Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions

All the world events you missed this summer July August May OWEN PIEHL

News / Sports Editor

August 3July 4Massachusetts woman Michelle Carter North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison after regime tested its first intercontinental May 29she was found ballistic missile, which landed Champion golfer Tiger Woods was guilty of urging in the sea of Japan.

The North arrested for driving under the influence in her boyfriend Korean regime claims this test Jupiter, Florida. Toxicology reports later to commit proves the U.S. is within their found five drugs in his system at the time suicide via text firing distance. of the arrest. messaging.

July 7August 9The G20 summit of world North Korea leaders, set to discuss climate June 2announced plans change, terrorism, and other President Trump announced plans for the topics, was overshadowed by to fire missiles U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate 25-30 miles large and Agreement, off the coast violent an agreement of Guam, a US protests t h r o u g h territory in the on the the United South Pacific, streets of Photo used with permission from N a t i o n s 3,000 Hamburg, openclipart.com about aimed to miles away from Germany.

North Korea was another curb carbon North Korea.

July 9major player in global news emissions.

President Trump Iraqi June 8this summer, as tensions responded with P r i m e James Minister between the communist nation threats of “fire Comey, the and fury” if any Haider and the U.S. increased.

Photo by Brenna Hammer former FBI action was taken al-Abadi President Trump, pictured here at the director fired declared victory over on any US territory or ally.

by President Mandan Andeavor Refinery, was at Islamic State forces August 12T r u m p , the center of many news articles this White nationalist rally in Charlottesville, in Mosul, marking testified an end to a campaign Virginia, turned violent as clashes between summer. before the that killed thousands Unite the Right rally-goers and counterSenate Intelligence committee on being of people and displaced millions. protesters caused Virginia’s governor to fired in the midst of investigations into July 19declare a state of emergency. A car was Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential Arizona senator John McCain, who had driven into a crowd of counter-protesters, election. Comey said, “I take the president been diagnosed with brain cancer, returns killing one and injuring 19. In the wake at his word that I was fired because of the to congress to vote on the GOP’s attempt to of the violence, President Donald Trump Russia investigation.” called the events “an egregious display repeal Obamacare.

June 14of hatred, bigotry and violence on many July 26Grenfell Tower, a 24 story apartment President Donald Trump announced sides,” prompting condemnation from both building in West London, goes up in plans to ban people who identify as parties. (For more info, see page 7) flames, injuring 70 and killing an estimated transgender from serving in the military.

80. Protestors criticized the lack of safety This announcement was met with backlash This article was meant as a brief measures in the building. from both parties.

June 17overview of world events this Sources: The Bill Cosby aggravated assault trial www.cnn.com summer, and is not a complete list was declared a mistrial after the jury was www.cbsnews.com of all stories this summer. unable to reach a verdict. www.nytimes.com www.onthisday.com

June

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October 2017

News

Mandan welcomes new teachers SAVANNA HAGEROTT General Reporter

nish Meastra Shelley

Spa

Q&A with Mandan’s newest staff

Mrs. Brothers F

AC S

around here is great, it’s a lot different than where I was,so for me, it’s night and day difference in this school is awesome.”

Sp Ed ecia uc l at io

Mrs. Burman

n

Meastra Shelley and her two sons, Leo and Marco, at a formal.

Where did you graduate college from?

“It is called Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. I got my bachelor’s degree there and part of my master’s degree, but I finished my master’s at the University of Mary.”

How do you like MHS so far?

“I absolutely love it. When I decided to come back to teaching, I could choose Bismarck or Mandan. I fell in love with the teaching philosophy of Mandan, and I said there is no way I’m going to work any place but Mandan.”

Did you teach anywhere before coming to Mandan?

“This is my twenty second year teaching.

I am originally from Mexico. I started working there [at] public schools, and then [at] a private school for seven years there, teaching the English language. I came 12 years ago to the United States and I was working in Houston, Texas. I taught there in a private school and then in a public school.”

g

ldin e W

Mrs. Brothers with her husband Dan, and her two sons Ryan and Dylan.

Mrs. Burman and her daughter, Kylynn, on a nature walk.

Where did you graduate college from?

“I just graduated with my masters from UND and then before that from Minnesota State University Moorhead. My masters is of Science and Special Education, and my undergrad is actually a bachelor of Arts for Graphic Design.”

Have you learned anything or gotten any tips from any teachers yet?

“There’s always something new that you really don’t know as far as in special education especially the paperwork and the way things are done over here.”

Mrs. Erhardt

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icu

ltu

Mr. Schmaltz after one of his favorite past times, pheasant hunting.

Mrs. Erhardt and her husband, Jacob after her brother’s confirmation last spring.

Where did you graduate college from?

“NDSU in 2015, Agriculture Education” What is something students would be surprised to find out about you?

“They would be surprised that I’m a very avid sports person. I like hunting, fishing and anything that deals with farming or ranching. ” How do you like MHS so far?

“I like it, the students are great. The culture

Mr. Schmaltz

th Ma

Mr. Kessler

Mr. Kessler and his wife, Leah, working calves in Watford City.

Where did you graduate college from?

“I graduated college from Dickinson State University. Elementary Education” Did you work anywhere before coming to Mandan?

“My first year teaching I taught out in a little school called Naughton. It’s a one room country school house northeast of Bismarck. I taught for three years in New Salem. Now I’m here.”

What was your favorite subject in school?

“German. I love the language, I just couldn’t go any farther with it after high A school.”

Where did you graduate college from?

“I’ll be graduating from Dickinson State University in December. My major is Secondary Mathematics Education and I will be getting my Middle School Endorsement as well.”

How do you spend your summer breaks?

“In between my summers at college I would just work as much as I could to save up money for the next coming year. But I also enjoy spending time with family as much as I can, not only in the summers but on the weekends.”

October 2017

Where did you graduate college from?

“I graduated from NDSU [with] Agricultural Education [and] minors in Extension Education Ag. Business.”

What made you decide to start teaching?

“I decided to start teaching [when] I was a state officer for FFA. I also have 216 allergies, so it’s the closest I can get to actually being in production agriculture without actually being in the dust and the dirt.”

What was your favorite subject in school?

“I was a big science guy, I enjoyed science so teaching agriscience is right up my alley.”

All photos submitted by said teachers.

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Homecoming Game Kicks Off New Complex BRENNA HAMMER

and storm issues. So we took a look and just technologically superior to the older decided what was best for our community.” facilities with complete wireless internet At approximately 84,000 square feet in throughout the building, updated The Starion Sports Complex that was total area, the new complex goes above concessions, and motion sensored LED once a dream for many young athletes is and beyond lights. now a reality. The complex opened to the in meeting Though the new public on September 29 at the homecoming the needs of $23.6 million football game which hosted around 3,500 the sports complex can spectators. The complex will be home to a p r e v i o u s l y accompany much variety of Mandan sports including track listed.

The bigger crowds, and field, hockey, gymnastics, soccer, and, lower portion those involved of course, football. of the building in the design The idea of a new sports complex started i n c l u d e s and construction in 2014. After a meeting with all of the c o m p l e t e are were very sports directors, Park Board Director Cole rubber flooring skeptical of Higlin started designing a complex that so skaters the facility’s would meet the needs of certain athletes. can Photo by Brenna Hammer. ability to hold walk However, not all needs could be entirely w h e r e v e r The new football field has markings for both the massive satisfied. they want e x p e c t e d high school and NCAA games as well as “The price tag got so big that, realistically, w i t h o u t crowd for the lines that can be used for soccer games. we knew it wouldn’t pass as a sales tax. So r i s k i n g homecoming we broke it down to our biggest needs in damage to their skates. The football field football game. the community,” Higlin said. “Gymnastics doubles as a soccer field and has top-of“We know that the first home have is going was our most dire needed facility. It is not the-line turf and track. The field can also to have a lot more people than a normal accessible to a lot of people and it is really host NCAA football. game just because of the newness, because just horrible. At our current All Seasons “The only NCAA fields in town are the of homecoming, because of the Bismarck Arena the compressor is shot. It was about community bowl and [the Starion Sports Legacy rivalry type of game,” Higlin said. a $1.5 million replacement and we would Complex],” Higlin said. “[Other schools] “We can hold about 2,300 people, but we never get two sheets of ice in there, so we can not have NCAA games and we can. We do not know if that is going to be enough… started over. Last was Faris Field. We could wanted to make sure we could do that.”

For this first game there is going to be a no longer host meets because of drainage In addition, the building is also lot of unknowns on where we are going to place everybody.”

As for what will happen with the old facilities there has been much talk. The old pavilion in the All Seasons Arena has already been renovated into a new wrestling room. The old wrestling room has been made into classrooms and an athletic training room. The All Seasons Arena will be made into all-purpose courts that can be used for basketball, volleyball, and physical education. Faris Field will most likely be made into baseball diamonds.

While the new complex is surely a crowd pleaser, athletes and spectators will still miss their old facilities- places they once called home.

“I think [the complex] was good,” said Photo by Brenna Hammer. sophmore Reese Camacho, “but I think I liked Faris more. Its where we started. We The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on September 29 and was have some pretty good memories there.” attended by many important figures in the community including Cole

Co-Editor-In-Chief

Higlin, Mayor Tim Helbling, and MHS’s retired and beloved resource officer Walter Schott.

Sports

October 2017

19

The Real Piehl

An athletes guide and advice to recovering from a sport-related injury OWEN PIEHL

a similar scenario, just keep pushing. Often the road to recovery is not an easy one, News / Sports Editor but there is always a light The Real Piehl is a sports column at the end of that will appear in every issue of the tunnel, no The Courier. I will try to write about matter how far things in sports and life that people or how hard may find interesting. This edition is you have to push to get about my own personal experiences there. with sports injuries.

While I’m on the subject I get hurt every single year. As I sit and of others who write this, my right thumb is immobilized have been by a splint as I recover from a season injured, here ending surgery to fix a fractured joint and are some tips torn ligament I suffered while playing from a seasoned Injured Reserve veteran. football.

Ibuprofen helps both I joined wrestling pain and swelling, during my freshman whereas tylenol is for year of high school, pain only. If you have and at the second injured something tournament of the year before and there’s I fractured my femur even a small chance of and tore my LCL. Last reinjury, put on a brace/ year on the third day tape it. If something of football practice I hurts or is swollen, fractured a joint in my ICE IT. And most foot, requiring surgery. importantly, listen to None of these injuries your doctors. They’re have a very cool story called experts for a behind them. A guy Photo by Brenna Hammer reason. hit my knee too hard, I went in to the Picture of the Water Gang. I I stepped wrong, I doctor for my thumb personally think it’s important tripped and, upon with the thought that I trying to catch myself, to stay active in your activities, would be able to put a shredded the inside of even when you can no longer club on it and go play. my thumb. compete.

Within a few minutes, I wish I could tell it became apparent people that the reason I’m on the sideline that the only option which would lead to is because I sacrificed my body for a win me having a functioning thumb later in life or hit somebody so hard I hurt myself, too. was surgery. I went in a few days later, a But the truth is, I’m just unlucky.

Friday, and after a lengthy wait, went onto I realize that with any sport comes risk. the operating table.

People get injured all the time, and for According to the operating surgeon, my anyone reading this who is going through

thumb was completely shredded. When I was put under, my thumb went completely limp and basically flopped around, as there was nothing holding it in place anymore.

Without the surgery my thumb would probably never work properly again.

I woke up to a nice clean bandage on my hand and a warm blanket over me, an oddly comforting ending to an uncomfortable ordeal.

The painkillers you’re given after surgery are usually quite strong, as they’re intended to take away the pain of someone cutting into your body. They can also be addictive, and proper use is essential while you’re in recovery.

I had a whole weekend to recover, and I spent most of it in an opioid-induced daze, but while my hand stopped hurting, I still felt like I was back at square one.

I’ve spent too many offseasons recovering from injury, only to be put back in the same place the next season.

Currently I haven’t yet started physical therapy, and while it marks a milestone in recovering from an injury, it isn’t something I look forward to. It is boring and repetitive, but it is also one of the most important things you can do to recover, and you need to put your all into it in order to come away from injury stronger.

I only have one more season to play football. I’m going to spend this offseason doing what I’ve done for the last two. I may just be unlucky, but I’m going to control the things I can control.

If you want to see how things turn out for me, come watch the Braves’ football team next year. I’ll be the one with braces on half of my body. Hopefully you can look for me on the field.

"I may just be unlucky, but I'm going to control the things I can control."

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October 2017

Banana graphic by Shantel Jangula.

Sports

Becoming a school sponsored sport

MAIYA FLECK General Reporter

MHS has multiple school sponsored sports students can participate year round. These activities range from widely popular sports like football too various sports like golf, and tennis. However, there are multiple activities students participate in that are not sponsored by the school.

Junior Tanner Berger has been participating in rodeo since the fifth grade. On average he misses about four days of school in his rodeo season.

“I would love to support the High School rodeo team,” Berger said. “We don’t get excused if were gone, and we don’t get notice of all the hard work we put into the sport.”

A multitude of students participate in rodeo at the high school. “You really have to have a heart off passion for rodeo, you have to be at your best ability to compete every time,” Berger said. The passion students show for rodeo, and other not sponsored sports are sometimes not recognized, and forgotten by their peers.

Senior Mollie Hostetter has been in dance since she was three.

21

Students have interest in a not sponsored school sport.

The students bring this idea to administration.

This idea will be brought up to the local school board.

If the local school board approves and, decides the school would like this they contact other schools. Participation is needed by twelve other schools in the state.

If the participation standard is met it will be Brought to the attention of North Dakota High School Activities Association.

It comes down the NDHSAA having a board meeting, and finding the pros and cons to make the final decision.

“Ever since elementary school, I’ve missed an average of three to four days a semester,” Hostetter said. “It would be easier to miss a day of school than a day of dance,” Hostetter said.

Mandan High has a school-sponsored dance team, however, Hostetter has been apart of Let’s Dance Studio for a significant amount of time.

“Leaving my dance family would be harder than leaving my actual family,” Hostetter said.

For all the students that are in non-sponsored sports, and who want to make a sport school sponsored, participation is where to begin the process. A large number of students need to have interest in the sport.

If a group of the students body is big enough for a team they can bring it to the attention of administration. If the local school board approves the new activity, Mandan would find 12 others schools to participate.

NDHSSA would finalize a decision if they wanted it to be a North Dakota sport.

The school districts participating will find coaching,and begin training for the sport.

October 2017

Sports

OWEN PIEHL

Sports Round-up

News / Sports Editor

Football

team they recently played to five games in a close loss, ahead of them in the standings.

With the first half of their season behind them, the girls have high expectations going forward.

“We have a really great defense that keeps us in close matches and make some amazing plays to keep the ball up,” junior Kennedy Harris said. “We have not been to state in a few years and that is a big goal of ours… we’re ready to cause a lot of damage going into the second half of the WDA.”

Sometimes football games are decided by single plays. The Braves football team has found that out the hard way this year, after a 2-3 start in which all three losses have been by a single score, including two overtime losses. They had a strong start to the season, as evidenced by the Braves’ 40-0 victory in game one against Grand Forks Central. In week two against Fargo South the Braves faced a tougher challenge in a close game that ultimately ended in This year has been a fairly successful one an overtime loss. In their next two games for Mandan girls’ swim/dive. Sophomore against Century and Bismarck High, the Mayson Sheldon has been leading the boys dropped both games after serving swimmers shutouts in the first half. A with solid game in Dickinson was just times all year, what the team needed, and and the rest of they came out on top, 31-6. the team has Homecoming week brought been stepping the first game at the team’s up and putting shiny new facility, Starion themselves to Financial Field. The Braves the test. On the came out hard, but it wasn’t diving side, enough as they lost another Photo by Brenna Hammer junior Olivia close game, 16-10. Looking has Multiple Braves’ defenders rally to Lacher forward, the Braves will been scoring the backfield on a sack by senior aim to win both halves and consistently Karsen Meyer. finish games. well, with strong placing throughout the season. With Mandan boys’ soccer sits at 2-10-1, a dual record of 5-4 going into the second putting them behind other teams in the half of the season, there is room to improve, West Region. They have lost many games but the girls have the ability to make some this season by wide margins, which can waves this year.

Girls’Swim/Dive

Boys’ Soccer

be attributed to many things, teamwork among them. After a regular season during which many things go wrong, many teams would simply throw in the towel. This team, however, has high expectations of themselves going into WDA. They will look to keep games close and fight through adversity. Working as a team will be essential to achieving the goals they have for the end of their season.

Volleyball

Mandan Braves volleyball has had some tough seasons. After a state tournament drought the last few seasons, this year’s team has the potential to make a splash with their play. They currently sit at second in the West Region, with only Jamestown, a

22

Girls’ Cross Country

The girls’ Cross Country team this year has been able to maintain a level of performance that keeps them competitive with the other teams in the state. Sophomore Kelby Rinas has been leading the team throughout the season, and is making a name for herself as one of the best runners in the state. As the season progresses the team must look to each other to improve their placing, and hopefully work toward a strong second half of the year.

Girls’ Golf

If you ask Girls’ golf coach Dean Johs about being named North Dakota Girls Golf

Coach of the Year, he’ll smile and direct the credit to his team and coaching staff. His team has had a strong year to say the least.

When a team loses two of its top golfers to graduation, a drop in production is often expected the following year. This, however, wasn’t the case for the Braves this year, as they moved up one spot in WDA, from 3-4. Two All-Conference golfers, Payton Roehrich and Cortnie Mongeon, have helped out a lot as team leaders. The team has received plenty of help from multiple 7th & 8th graders as well, who have done a lot to add depth to the team. The girls have the largest team in the state with more than 30 girls, a good sign of things to come for a team with a bright future in coming years.

Boys’ Cross Country

The Mandan boys cross country team came out of the gates on fire. In their first meet they took first place, giving them a high bar to try to stay up with. Since, they have stayed middle of the pack, but that doesn’t mean they have been letting up at all, as the boys can often be found either at Faris Field running the track, or around town preparing for their next meet. Sophomore Brayden Johnson has been leading the team, setting the pace for everyone else to succeed. The only way for the boy to go forward is as a team, and they are looking to do just that.

Boys’ Tennis

Young teams often need time to gain experience. This year for the Mandan boys’ tennis team has given many players the opportunity to get experience under their belt and become better as a whole.

For a team in which 13 of its 17 players are between the grades of seven and nine, the ultimate goal is to improve every day, and this team has been doing just that this season. While Kamden Sedivec and Ben Gartner are two standout players on a team with only one senior, David Hoffman, the entire team has potential and are working hard toward being the best they can be. The boys look to peak at the end of the season and finish strong, a worthy goal for a team with a bright outlook.

Sports up to date as of September 29.

All statistics and information comes from wdasports.org and the respective coaches.

October 2017

Sports

September Athletes of The Month

RYAN PHELPS General Reporter

Senior Kaden Krause Boys’ Football

Sophomore Mayson Sheldon Girls’ Swim and Dive

Why do you think you’re Athlete of the Month?

“The team really started off hot so that helped me elevate my game and performance” What is your favorite moment from this season?

“Starting the season with a huge win.”

What was your least favorite moment from this season?

“Not being able to finish the close games.”

What song best represents your sport?

“Any song that is good.”

What/who motivates you to be better?

“My family and my teammates motivate me to work harder and get better.”

Who from you team would you nominate for being athlete of the month and why?

“The offensive line because without them we wouldn’t be able to do anything” What animal best represent you while competing?

“A wolf because they work in a pack just like we work as a team on the field.”

Whats the worst part of practice/training?

“None it’s all part of the process.”

Whats the best part of practice/training? “ Getting better and seeing your teammates get better.”

Why do you think you’re Athlete of the Month?

“I think I got athlete of the month because I did well at the first couple of weeks of the season.”

What is your favorite moment from this season?

“My favorite moment from this season is when I qualified in my last event the 100 freestyle, at the University of North Dakota meet.”

What was your least favorite moment from this season? “My least favorite moment from this season is getting robbed.”

What song best represents your sport?

“The Jaws theme song is a song that represents my sport.”

What/who motivates you to be better?

“My teammates, family, and coaches motivate me to be better.”

Who from you team would you nominate for being athlete of the month? Why? “I would nominate Kiana Haug because she works everyday, and is always able to put a smile on everyone’s face.”

What animal best represent you while competing?

“Nemo.”

Whats the worst part of practice/training?

“The worst part of practicing is being sore after lifting weights.”

Whats the best part of practice/training?

“The best part of practicing is getting done with it.”

Junior Megan Zander* Girls’ Volleyball

What is your favorite moment from this season?

“Beating BHS on our opening game.”

What was your least favorite moment from this season?

“Losing to Century.”

What/who motivates you to be better?

“My teammates and coaches.”

Whats the best part of practice/training?

“When our coach gives us practice off because she has to ‘mow her lawn.’”

*Questions where no answer was given were not included in the article.

Sports

October 2017

All photos from mandan.k12.nd.us

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