Features Archives - The Viewer

Soundless storytelling: ASLHS to interpret spring musical

Mara Peacock, Staff Reporter • April 22, 2024

Mounds View offers many options for foreign language classes, such as Spanish, French, Mandarin and German. In addition to these classes, students can also take American Sign Language (ASL) with ASL Teacher...

Karin Hoyt’s artistic talent displayed in DC

Hoyt's piece, “Flyaways,” which she said took her around 25 hours to complete, now hangs in the Cannon Tunnel in Washington, D.C.

Lillian Landberg, Staff Reporter • April 9, 2024

Every year, districts in the U.S. encourage young artists to submit their art to the Congressional Art Competition. One of the 2023 winners was Mounds View junior Karin Hoyt, who is the first Mounds View...

Community spreads support for Evan Kirkland

On Feb. 16, many Mounds View students began reposting Instagram posts about a GoFundMe fundraiser for senior Evan Kirkland, who, on Jan. 30, suffered a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure.

Lale Akkin, Staff Reporter • April 8, 2024

On Feb. 16, many Mounds View students began reposting Instagram posts about a GoFundMe fundraiser for senior Evan Kirkland, who, on Jan. 30, suffered a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure. Upon...

Sports betting legalization: What does this mean for reservations?

Minnesota is expected to legalize sports betting, which begs the question: what consequences will this have on reservations, who often heavily depend on casino revenue?

Sinim Dhuguma, Staff Reporter • April 3, 2024

Gambling on Indian reservations has been a source of income for indigenous tribes for decades because in the U.S., Native American reservations are regarded as independent nations, so fewer restrictions...

Q&A with poet Shaun Canas

Senior Shaun Canas is a nonverbal autistic poet. He recently entered the Teen Poetry Slam Contest and won second place. Azure Merrill recorded the poem and played it while Canas was on stage.

Graham Hanson, Staff Reporter • April 1, 2024

Q: What inspired you to start writing poems? A: When I first learned to type at age 12, my writing had a poetic quality to it. My older sisters called it fake deep, but honestly, that's really the way...

All a-boat sailor Jack Colosi

Mounds View student Jack Colosi competes in sailing competitions across the U.S.

Isabel Li, Spread Editor • March 26, 2024

When it comes to sailing, many people picture a big sailboat with rich old men cruising leisurely along the ocean. The competitive side of sailing, however, is often overlooked. Junior Jack Colosi comes...

Marit Swenson Shining Light Foundation raises awareness for childhood cancers

The Marit Swenson Shining Light Foundation was created in 2020 in order to help fund medical research into the causes and cures of DIPG. The foundation’s goal last year was to raise $22,000 for Marit’s 22nd birthday. They reached and surpassed that goal by raising about $50,000.

Via Yang, Staff Reporter • February 26, 2024

Marit Swenson was a freshman at Mounds View High School in 2017. She was a kid who found it easy to make friends with those around her. “She’s just like, really a sweet, sweet girl who was one of those...

Meet Mitch Kalka, owner of Mitch’s Vintage in Shoreview

“I'm a Scorpio, I like throwing darts, going to the mall and eating sandwiches […] I believe in aliens, I just do. And I love having a store because my customers are all so great,” he said.

Justin Shao, Staff Reporter • February 25, 2024

Many who shop at Mitch’s Vintage on 3999 Rice St. are likely to be greeted by owner Mitch Kalka upon arrival, but few really know who he is and his story. “I'm a Scorpio, I like throwing darts,...

From Mounds View to the MN Supreme Court: Chief Justice Hudson’s distinguished career

Appointed by Governor Tim Walz last October, Hudson is the third woman and first Black person sworn in as chief justice in the court’s history. Additionally, she is a Mounds View High School alumna — class of 1975.

Tyler Quattrin, Print Editor-in-Chief • February 18, 2024

Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson achieved a historic milestone last fall when she became the third woman and first Black person to lead the state judiciary. Her journey from Mounds View High School,...

Mounds View’s own NASA ambassador: Science Teacher Jacob Hairrell

Mounds View Teacher Jacob Hairrell one of 18 U.S. teachers selected for prestigious NASA Astronomy Activation Ambassadors program.

Sidharth Sharma, Staff Reporter • January 23, 2024

NASA's Astronomy Activation Ambassadors program, a distinguished initiative for STEM teachers, recently selected Mounds View Teacher Jacob Hairrell, along with 18 other ambassadors, from thousands...

Prince of Peace Church combats homelessness with tiny home settlement

Churches across Minnesota have begun offering low-cost housing to chronically homeless individuals, supported by new state legislation.

Maya Gjelhaug, Sinim Dhuguma, and Vincent Meyer • January 18, 2024

Mounds View startup tackles mental health crisis with award-winning app Gratzi

High school students Sreya Subramanian and Zoke Sackih win second place in Junior Achievement Pitchfest for their app, Gratzi, designed to promote gratitude as a potential solution to rising mental health issues.

Lale Akkin, Staff Reporter • January 16, 2024

Mental health issues have risen in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts are rapidly searching for new medications and therapies to treat the surging mental health crisis, but recent...