Planning on going to college? Choosing a college to go to can be hard. Knowing what you want will make the process of choosing a college much easier.

Choosing a good college is not an easy process but there are many things you can do to make this process much easier. Before making your final decision know what your interested in studying. Knowing what you want to study in college will help you choose a school because you can eliminate schools that don’t offer the classes you want to take. Also research some colleges see what you like and what you don’t like. You will probably find some schools you like. Talking to your counselor can help you get an idea of what colleges cover what you’re looking for.

You might have already chosen a college based on what people have told you, on what your family wants, or just because of the school’s name. Make sure you know what you want and make your interest your number one priority. What really matters is you, since you will be the one attending college. Remember other people might have an input but the last decision is yours.

If you have some colleges you can’t decide between, go to the schools and spend a few hours there just observing what goes on. This could help you make a better decision. The best time to visit a college is to go during spring of your junior year or at the beginning of your senior year. When going to visit a college it would be best to go during normal school session, this will give you an idea of what the school is like.

According to NBC.com over 55% of students that dropped out of college, mostly regret not investigating enough about other colleges out there. Investigating is a big part on choosing the right school. The more you investigate about schools that are out there the more convince you will be on selecting a school. Also a very common mistake that students make when choosing a college, is that they choose a collage just because their friends attends or will attend that school. This could become a mistake because you and your friends might have different goals during college. If you and your friend really want to go to the same school make sure that the school you pick has everything you want and if it doesn’t then you should choose another school even if you won’t be with your friends. Remember to think about yourself first.

If you have a school in mind but worry about being away from your friends and family, remember that every school has different students and that you would be able to make new friends at your new school. Also if your worried about being away from your family don’t worry college is not forever, you’ll be close to your family as soon as your done with an important stage in your life.

Technology has officially reached its peak of new gadgets. Throughout this past year, products such as Smartphones, the Apple Ipad, and even 3D television have been brought to stores near you. Big company corporate officials think new products and inventive ideas every day. So what is next to come for the future’s technology?

Wherever you go now a days, there seems to be a recurring pattern amongst people, their new touch screen Smartphones. More and more people are finding their way into their phone company stores to get themselves new gizmos. Even middle school children have these new fancy phones. Brands like Apple, Blackberry, and Samsung phones are what have become most popular. According to Tmcnet.com, Smartphone purchases have increased from 26% in 2008 to 33% in 2009.  So what exactly is a Smartphone? A Smartphone is a phone that lets you add personal features and web/internet access. Smartphones give you the ability to send and receive emails and Office documents. Other phones do not have the same accessories Smartphones have, which is the reason for this increase in Smartphone users.

Next on today’s technology list would be newly released Apple Ipad. The Ipad is Apple’s latest and best selling item. The Ipad was released to stores in the US on April 3 2010. The Ipad is what most call an over sized Ipod touch only with a bigger screen. Apple’s Ipad is pretty much a miniature computer that is used for Internet browsing, games, and other media. Ipad runs through Wi-Fi and also runs Iphone apps. Apple came up with this product after realizing they needed something bigger, and better than their last product. They wanted to create something accessible and fun to play around with that was also more futuristic. It doesn’t have a keyboard, and is a touch screen which is why it has been compared to the Ipod touch. The Ipad is just another example of how advanced today’s technology has become.

Last but not least, Samsung has just recently started selling 3D television for your home. All the 3D TV’s come with 3D glasses needed to get the experience of the TV. Fans were able to purchase this product in early March for an estimated $2,500.00 in the US.  According to hometheater3D.com, “3D TV is expected to change the way the world watches TV.” Many would agree that bringing 3D TV into their homes would be an ultimate experience, either bad or good.

With all these new, and improved technologies coming out, it’s hard to say what is next to come. Better and more intelligent ideas are being thought out every day and are yet to be put on paper. It will be exciting to see what is released in the next years.

By David Gillespie

Attention, pop addicted citizens of Mountain View. I have a few steps for you to follow right now.

Step 1: Put down the Rolling Stone Magazine

Step 2: Step away from the radio tuned to 94.1 FM

Step 3: Step out of your world of billboard charts, glam music videos, and solo artists

Step 4: Prepare to enter a world you are not familiar with. A world of dissonance, synthesizers, and lead singers who don’t thrive off of magazine covers.

In this world, there are no electric drums, no background dancers, no auto-tuned microphones, and there are no songs that end up getting covered on American Idol. These are bands that rise to the top of their genre with originality, talent, and a little bit of luck. So go to your bathroom and clean out your ears from all the bass that you’ve had pounding into your ears, and give these albums a listen.

Neon Trees Habits:

4/5

From Mercury Records, Neon Trees deliver a debut album reminiscent of the Killers debut, ”Hot Fuss”. The difference is, this ‘Brandon Flowers (Tyler Glenn of Provo, Utah) is a Mohawk stricken, bow-tie toting animal on stage. Far from holding back his physical actions, he moves about the stage in an imitation of the angst that he is belting out through the lyrics, commanding his keyboards all the while. Backed by the instrumental talents of Chris Allen on the guitar, Branden Campbell on bass, and Elaine Doty on the drums, this Utah band brings a killer vegas-rock feel in their debut album, “Habits”.

Say Anything Say Anything:

4/5

When a band has a lead vocalist tormented by schizophrenia, a bi-polar disorder, and other mental issues, you can expect the lyrics to be…interesting. And put simply, Say Anything does not disappoint. With painfully honest lyrics, and quirky synth/guitar leads, one finds Say Anything’s 4^th and self-titled album surprisingly enjoyable. Backed by Alex Kent, Jake and Jeff Turner, Parker Chase, and the bands only other original member Coby Linder, Max Bemis makes music that is honest to his own emotions and issues without any discrepancy, which is a rare find in today’s mainstream music business. Whether you are enjoying the religious humor of “Died a Jew”, or relating to the puppy love lyrics of “Crush’d”, there is something for anyone and everyone in the 2009 album, “Say Anything”.

The Decemberists The Hazards of Love:

3/5

You’re going to need to buckle up for this one. The Decemberists have always been a band in love with their own theatrics, shown clearly in Her Majesty, and Picaresque. But they may have gone too far on this one. Granted, the Portland based fans of this middle-finger-to-the-world band may love this new album, “The Hazards of Love”, but new listeners would leave this album thinking, “huh?”. Not to say that this album doesn’t leave the listener with some highlights. Oh no, the reprise of this makeshift rock opera “Hazards of Love”, highlights excellent acoustic guitar riffs, with banjo leads sneaking their way in here and there. And with guest vocalists Becky Stark, Shara Worden, and Jim James, no one can say that this album is a total bust. But heed this warning: “The Hazards of Love” is not for Decemberist beginners!

Grizzly Bear Veckatimest:

3/5

Even though bassist Chris Taylor acclaims “Veckatimest” as his bands most accessible album to date, this isn’t saying too much when you look back at the bands first two albums, which are laden with spacey synth chords, saxophone lines, clarinets, and the occasional accordion. This isn’t to say that the album doesn’t have a few tracks that would be quite accessible to the proto-typical pop rocker. The tracks “Two Weeks”, and “While You Wait for the Others” are something like you would expect to hear the soundtrack for “Where the Wild Things Are”. But nevertheless, they will leave you with your head bobbing to the catchy synth beats. Saturated with vocal harmonies, and a plethora of great reviews for their live performances, there is no doubting that this band is one with no shortage of musical talent, but “Veckatimest” may just not be your ‘cup of tea’.

Phoenix Wolfgang, Amadeus, Phoenix:

5/5

Having been together now for 10 years, Phoenix has risen from a garage band in Versailles, France, to an alternative band gaining global recognition, with their latest single “1901” hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot Alternative Songs list. On January 31^st, 2010, they won the Grammy for Best Alternative Rock album. Vocalist Thomas Mars, Bassist Deck D’Arcy, and guitarist Christian Mazzalai started as a simple garage band in the suburbs of Paris. Soon after, Mazzalai’s older brother, Laurent Brancowitz soon joined the fray, playing guitar. Since 2000, they have released 5 Albums, each with a truly unique alternative sound. Echoing guitar riffs, precise and complex drum rhythms, and keyboard melody lines bring Phoenix’s music to life. So, if you haven’t had the chance to give them a listen, do yourself a favor and give “Wolfgang, Amadeus, Phoenix” a listen.

Here are some special mentions:

MGMT Congratulations 4/5

Gorillaz Plastic Beach 4/5

Broken Bells Broken Bells 3/5

Dr. Dog Shame Shame 3/5

Spoon Transference 4/5

OK Go Of the Blue Colour of the Sky 5/5

The Bravery Stir the Blood 4/5

Blacrok Blacrok 2/5

The XX XX 3/5

Passion Pit Manners 3/5

Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion 1/5

St. Vincent Actor 3/5

The Antlers Hospice 2/5

666 Votes away from winning the title of the year’s best road song. Mountain View’s band the Tree Dweller’s is just one of many bands at MVHS, but is more commonly known for their song “Destination Unknown.”

The Tree Dwellers is a four-man band who have been playing together for quite some time now. Jake Munsen, Forrest Grenfell, Kyle Pickard, and Ian Newbaur are all the members of the band. With Jake on guitar, Forrest on the keyboard/synthesizer, Kyle on drums, and Ian on bass, the Tree Dwellers music is a well balanced mix of new jazz and their own creativity.

This fall, the Tree Dwellers sent in a recording to a competion called Garage Band Playoffs to win the “next road song.” When the band made it into the first round, the voting began. The band made flyers and went around MVHS telling people about how much their votes count to get them into the finals. Garagebandplayoff.com was where the voting all took place. After the first round, the Tree Dwellers were exstatic to find out they made the top list for the next round.

After another long session of votinig and more copies of flyers, the band was working to win the finals. 666 votes shy, the Tree Dwellers sadly lost to one of the competition bands. Though their song wasn’t the new road song, the band was still proud at where they stood, and of the fact that they got so far.

“Our band has gone a long way to make it to where we are. We practice and take as much time as we can for our band. This will not be our last competition.” Says the Tree Dwellers.

Most students and teachers would say that it was very cool to see a school band be a part of a nation wide competition.

What really must have been challenging was keeping school and their band balanced out. Many people have trouble keeping school and an extracuricular activity at the same time because their school work will fall behind, but the Tree Dwellers did a good job making time for homework and still getting in practice time.

After this experience, the Tree Dwellers know what it takes to go the distance and get to where they want to be musically. MVHS can definitely say this will not be the last time we will hear of their music. With school and the band balanced, the Tree Dwellers will not be slowing down anytime soon.

Ben was born September 15^th, 1991. When he was born he had noticeable spots called café au lait spots. These spots are linked with Neurofibromatosis, which is a genetically inherited disease in which nerve tissue grows tumors that may be harmless or may cause serious damage by compressing nerves and other tissues.

In Ben’s case, he has tumors encompassing his abdominal area and his entire spinal cord causing extensive spinal damage. He also has Scoliosis.

Because of all this, Ben was our Sparrow here at Mountain View last year. Sparrow Clubs provide financial and emotional support for ill children and their families. Our Sparrow Club raised $2,600.00, which paid for most of his surgery. Students did community service hours to also raise money.

Mountain View held an assembly for Ben last year. His family was there, and they showed a slideshow with pictures of him, and talked about his illness. Ben claimed that it made him feel special.

“When everyone watched the slideshow it was like everyone got to see who I really am.” Said Ben.

He has overcome since being our Sparrow last year though, he had surgery over the summer in August, and is doing better now.

“I wish I was still the Sparrow. It was awesome.” Said Ben. “I could use it as an excuse for everything.” As he laughs.

Ben still suffers with back pain, headaches, not being able to bend over, doing any contact sports, and also being extremely tired. His disease takes a lot out of him.

And yet even with everything he goes through, he always has a smile on his face and is in a great mood.

“Ben is a super cool kid. He’s a good friend, and he’s really funny.” Said Senior Tyler Dufresne.

Ben is a very nice guy, and students here at Mountain View should take the time to get to know him. Next time you see him walking in the halls, take a second and say hello.

By: Kassi Walker

We asked Mr. Crum 10 wacky questions to finish out the interview..

1. When is your Birthday?

June 1.

2. If you were a fruit what kind would you be?

A banana of course.

3. Do you have any pets?

Unfortunately, a cat.

4. What was the last cd/album you bought?

Over 15 years ago.  I don’t listen to music.  Thanks to ESPN radio

5. What kind of student were you in h.s.?

Salutatorian.

6. What’s the best meal you can cook?

Tri-Tip and Mashed potatoes. Awesome.

7. What’s your favorite kind of dinosaur and why?

Pterodactyl.  A dinosaur and you can fly.  C’mon.

8. If you could create a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would it be?

Iced tea.

9. What’s a sport that isn’t in the Olympics but you think should be?

Tiddly winks.  You just beat on people.

10. Best present you’ve ever received?

Anything from my three kids.

By: Cameron Springstun

“In my opinion, the band here at Mountain View High School is very important. The music raises the energy level. Our school band is like any school’s cheerleading team; they don’t get the recognition they deserve, but the school wouldn’t be the same without them.” Says MVHS band teacher Ted Burton.

Some people never notice what the band does for games, but they really get the crowd and the team hyped.

Next time you go to a game, really listen to the band and maybe you’ll understand their importance to the school.

By: Miryssa Espinoza

Susan Evans is taking the place of Mr. Plants in the choir department. She teaches Concert, Jazz, and Mixed Choir. She has been preparing the choir for their first choral performance coming up in a few weeks.

Matt Fox just transferred to MVHS from Bend High and is currently teaching Journalism, News Staff, and Read180.
“I love the school atmosphere, the staff is really friendly, plus I have a classroom with windows, how awesome is that?!” It looks like Fox is very enthusiastic about this school year, and he is looking forward to seeing what the year may bring.

Mountain View gladly welcomes newcomer teacher Bibiana Gomes to the staff. Gomes teaches metals and natural resources. Before Gomes got a job at MVHS, she was working as a student teacher in Molalla, Oregon.

In the science department we have newcomer Sandy Webb who teaches Physical Science and Biology. Webb came all the way from Hawaii to be here at MVHS.
“It’s a good school, I’m lucky to be here. The people in the science department, and the office are really nice. I have some good students, a couple rascals, but still good students.”

Holly Graham transferred here from Santana High School in Santee, California, there she taught Social Studies. Graham currently teaches Spanish here at MVHS.

Now these unknown faces shouldn’t seem so unfamiliar, so do your part in making these new teachers feel welcome and show them what’s it like to be apart of the cats with class!

Our Link Crew leaders are the ones to step up and help new students feel more comfortable and welcomed to Mountain View. Link Crew leaders are a group of upperclassmen that support incoming freshmen by giving them tours around the school, playing games, and most of all vital information to help them survive the transition. Of course, they also dress their groups in ridiculous outfits to loosen them up. “If we all look goofy together, then there’s no time for embarrassment” says Mike Huff, the advisor of the MVHS Link Crew.

Huff believes that the over 400 new freshmen need mentors and someone to look up to, entering high school. Mckenna Wilcox and Chelsea Wilcox, both seniors this year, agree with Huff and chose to be Link Crew leaders this year.  Both girls believe that a “freshmen only” day is important so the new students can find their way around the school with less crowded halls. Mckenna had her group dress as superheroes while Chelsea’s group was dressed in a Hawiian theme, Both said they had a lot of fun.

All the group leaders played games with their students including name tag and “64 Squares”. They gave the new students advice, gave them tours of the school and their classrooms, told them the rules, and most of all, taught them the fight song.

So, thanks to those upperclassmen who welcomed the new freshmen with Cougar pride!