THE Feature, page 4
VOLUME 52 ISSUE 17
High school hosts variety of jazz ensembles Rhydian Talbot Staff Writer
On Feb. 4, the high school will host a showcase featuring a variety of jazz ensembles. The Holmes Junior High and Peet Junior High jazz bands play a free concert, followed by performances by the high school’s Jazz One and Jazz, Too! instrumental ensembles with a set by Vocal Jazz in between. In a night celebrating an oft-forgotten musical genre, Jazz One director Kyle Engelhardt acknowledges the beneficial opportunity to showcase the school’s own talent to a diverse audience. “The jazz show is a great chance to see the jazz bands and jazz choir. We have some of the top jazz groups in the state, and it’s a neat chance to see these guys play and perform in their home environment. It’s a fun night, and the selections for all the groups are very audience friendly and feature almost everyone at some point or another.” Among the featured musicians are senior Sarah Welter on “Deedle’s Blues,” a grammynominated arrangment for Diane Schuur and the Count Basie orchestra, and senior Ian Abbott on Duke Ellington’s “Isfahan.” Senior trombonist Nathaniel Welshons also appreciates the chance to provide peers with an entertaining lesson in a less mainstream musical genre. “I feel like a lot of high school students don’t listen to jazz typically, and it’s really interesting because it uses melodies and rhythms that aren’t as common in more popular forms of music, so it helps you be a well-rounded listener.” Performances by the junior high jazz ensembles begin at 5 p.m. and are free to the public. Performances for the high school jazz ensembles begin at 7:30. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students.
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Unsung heroes rewarded for actions Rhydian Talbot Staff Writer
In efforts to recognize peers of outstanding character, a student organization has enacted the Exceptional Effort Award. Before the start of the school year, Senior Leadership and coordinator Diane Flaherty acknowledged that certain students and staff in the school exceed expectations in terms of spirit and dedication. Through discussion, they agreed on the importance of celebrating the unsung heroes of the school community. “Each individual had someone who they knew who works really hard and does so without ever expecting any credit or acknowledgement,” Flaherty said. “The group did the first nominees and now they have opened it up to the whole school to nominate those individuals who really go above and beyond to make the high school a better place.” Each month, a staff member and a student from the sophomore, junior and senior classes will receive recognition for their good deeds that often go unnoticed. Dec. 20 marked the giving of the first ever Exceptional Effort award. Principal Dr. Powers, along with a small crew of senior leadership members, surprised sophomore Richie
Korneisel, junior Rachel Nurse, senior Karl Sadkowski and FCS teacher Gayle Bruene in their classrooms with a certificate of recognition and a Scratch cupcake. “When Dr. Powers first announced my name in front of my first hour, I had no idea what why he was there. I was more confused than anything as to why there was a group of people asking for me,” Nurse said. According to those who nominated her, Nurse’s active involvement in extracurricular activities like Student Senate and Junior Leadership made her an excellent candidate, contributing her time and a positive attitude for the betterment of the school. Flaherty acknowledged Bruene as an obvious choice for a recipient as well, citing her passion and verve for her students both during the school year and into the summer months. “She does so much with dance team in terms of fund raising, practicing and building up the girls. She is out at the ball park every night in the summer. She gives everything to the dance team.” Students and staff may be recognized for a variety of contributions to the school. “A teacher might nominate a student who he sees help other students all the time. There are so many
students who work behind the scenes helping teachers, programs and other students. The award recognizes leadership effort, but we knew there are so many others who make small and large contributions.” Besides giving a monthly nod to the under-appreciated, the award also provides a subtle incentive for all members of the school to go “above and beyond” in their participation. Such exceptional behavior can be exemplified through enthusiasm, diligence, unselfishness and empathy for peers. Acknowledging good deeds as they occur provides a boost to the do-gooders as peers express their appreciation. Nurse, however, believes that intrinsic motivation should provide the driving force for behaving with integrity, forgoing public recognition for a sense of personal satisfaction. “There shouldn’t have to be an award for being involved. It’s self-rewarding already. I’ll admit that it will probably motivate students to realize that there are a variety of ways to get involved.” Nomination forms for future Exceptional Effort Award recipients are available in the ERC and Main Office, along with an online ballot found on the front page of the high school’s website.
Over at Peet and Holmes Junior High, general algebra is no longer taught. This has led to one change in the CFHS math department: instead of pre-algebra, the high school will offer algebra fundamentals class. This class will help the students who need extra time to learn the concepts of algebra, and will be spread out over the course of two years. However, with new classes coming in, some of the current classes will no longer be available. In the science department geology and astronomy will no longer be offered; in their place will be three other similar classes. Environmental science will now be offered as a semester class, with biology as a prerequisite. Another class, earth science, will require students to have taken Algebra I. The third class, integrated science, will not require a prerequisite.
For students who take the course called Project Lead the Way, there is a new class called C.I.M. (Computer Integrated Manufacturing). There is a three class sequence for Project Lead the Way, and this will be the second of the three. This means that the sequence will change for everyone taking the three class sequence. “Students need to get into their Infinite Campus and start to look at the classes they would like to start taking. They need to start choosing electives, classes that will help them meet their high school requirements and look into college requirements,” counselor Susan Langan said. “The reason for all these changes is because the Iowa Core has started raising requirements.” These new classes will be a choice during registration for next fall. Registration for next year’s classes will be on Feb. 6 and Feb. 7 for juniors and Feb. 8 and Feb. 9 for sophomores.
Multiple departments offer new classes Sandra Omari-Boateng Feature Editor
Next year, new classes will be introduced in multiple departments throughout the school. In the business department, there will be two new classes offered: marketing concepts (which will replace the already existing sales class) and sports entertainment marketing. The latter has already caught the interest of students. “Sports and entertainment marketing is a great opportunity for students to get exposed to this booming industry; it helps teach how to plan for events and marketing to be successful. Sales and Marketing are both popular classes, so I think this could be another. Anybody interested in business would interested in either class,” business education teacher Brad Remmert said.