10,000 Hits and Counting: The Maȟpíya Lúta Times

David LaDeaux, Sierra Concha, and Phil Zimiga. Photo by Michael Sunderland. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

10,000 Hits and Counting: The Maȟpíya Lúta Times

 By Christian Phelps '13

As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, what better way to reflect on it than by referencing the blog that documented it all? The Maȟpíya Lúta Times has been the go-to internet blog for all of Red Cloud’s daily news happenings. Run by senior English teacher, Michael “Suds” Sunderland, The Maȟpíya Lúta Times recounted all the activities going on starting from its inception at the start of the second semester to the graduation week for the Class of 2013. Articles have included profiles interviewing new teachers and students, athletic accolades made by the Crusaders, after-school clubs’ adventures, and so on. Articles like “The Diaper Dandy,” a profile featuring Kobey O’Rourke and his escapades on the hardwood by Cully Pourier’13, have gained ML Times fame by remaining on the “popular posts” lists since being published. Other fame can be found in the article’s subjects; Colton Sierra’14 has been featured multiple times on the blog and holds several positions on the popular list.

Suds offers extra credit points in his classes to students who write ML Times-worthy articles, but the majority of the site’s editorials come from his 4th period Journalism class. The class consists of only three of the senior class’ top columnists: Elyssa Sierra Concha, David LaDeaux, and Phillip “Hard-Hitter” Zimiga. When asked on what it was like to be writing for Suds and The Times, Sierra Concha stated: “It was fun, yet difficult because [Suds] had strict deadlines. Sometimes I only had one class period to write an article!” The pressure seems to have worked in a positive fashion, though, as Concha took home the coveted “Outstanding Achievement” Award for the Journalism class. Her fellow reporters could not be reached for comment, but it is not hard to tell that they, too, enjoyed their time in the class, evidenced by the numerous articles and smiles seen as they went through the halls on the way to their next ML Times exclusive.

It is noted by the counter on the website that The Maȟpíya Lúta Times has recently passed the 10,000 views marker, a goal made by Sunderland back when the Times was first instituted in January. So coming from an occasional reporter and avid reader: Here’s to the next 10K, Mikey.