THE Dance Moves, page 4 & 5

VOLUME 52 ISSUE 19

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

State proposes traffic camera ban Katherine Mayhew Staff Writer

Traffic cameras may be banned in Iowa in the near future. A bill that could ban all traffic cameras statewide is currently going through the Senate of the Iowa legislature. Although there were never any traffic cameras in Cedar Falls, if the bill passes, all traffic cameras will disappear from cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. For people to get ticketed for speeding or running a red light, a police officer would have to catch them in the act rather than relying on a picture. Many Iowans disagree on the safety, constitutionality and privacy of traffic cameras, but many support the proposed ban. “This issue to me is about freedom. It’s about a surveillance culture that is overtaking our society. I have 10,000 signatures on my desk wanting the state legislature to ban these cameras. A recent grass roots poll

taken in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area showed 94 percent of participants wanted traffic cameras banned. I believe this is because people don’t want a surveillance camera culture watching everything we do,” Cedar Falls Representative Walt Rogers said. A portion of the controversy is over whether traffic cameras actually make the roads safer. Social studies teacher Kevin Stewart said he believes that this is exactly what traffic cameras are meant to do. “You have to remember driving is a privilege, not your right, and so traffic cameras are designed to assist law enforcement in public safety,” Stewart said. Despite the intended purpose of traffic cameras, they also may create different traffic issues like senior Erin Harris described. “It [traffic cameras] might cause more problems than it actually makes the situation better,” Harris said.

As strange as it may seem, Harris’s thoughts questioning the safety of traffic cameras are valid. A recent safety evaluation of red-light cameras by the U.S. Department of Transportation showed that even though the presence of traffic cameras reduced the amount and severity of right-angle crashes at those particular intersections, it also increased the amount and severity of rear-end crashes at those intersections by nearly the same amounts. Another issue that English teacher Judy Timmins proposed is the possibility of the surveillance of some interstates making other routes more dangerous. “When people know someone is watching them, it changes their behavior. While it may make the interstate more safe, will they just take a different route and break the same traffic laws somewhere else?” Timmins asked. Junior Delane Klemensen

Are you in favor of traffic cameras for catching those running red lights and speeding?

YES

NO

Soph. 35%

65%

Jrs.

30%

70%

Srs.

25%

75%

This poll represents a total of 10 percent of all students — 40 per grade, 20 per gender in each grade.

said she believes traffic cameras can help in situations they were not created for. “We definitely need more cameras, so if there’s an accident we need to know who’s fault it is,” Klemensen said. Another junior, Justin Van Heiden agreed but also noted a different purpose of

the cameras. “They’re just a way for the government to get money,” Heiden said. School Liaison Officer Mark Abernathy, who has no opinion regarding the cameras, also acknowledged the possible financial benefits

Continued page 2

Iowa denies couples parental rights Maya Amjadi News Editor

Recent events in the ongoing struggle for homosexual couples in Iowa illustrate that even though gay marriage was made legal in 2009, attributing circumstances handled by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) are not dealt with equally to those of heterosexual couples. The IDPH, which Gov. Branstad oversees, issues birth and death certificates. Recently, married couple Jessica and Jennifer Buntemeyer of Davenport used in vitro fertilization to produce a child, but the baby was delivered stillborn at 30 weeks. The devastated mothers filled out a death certificate for their

son, Brayden. However, when Representative Kajtazovich they received it back from from District 21 said. On the IDPH, Jennifer’s name Feb. 8, Lambda Legal (a law had been whited We are just two women out. “The law who want to be responon the surface sible for our child. seems —Heather Garter to make Iowa parent common sense that all firm based in New York) married couples have the announced it was filing a suit same rights, but it turns out against the IDPH. it [the 2009 Supreme Court In a recent Polk County ruling] did not specifically trial, a lawyer from Lambda address the parental issues Legal debated Des Moines’ like this. It was never brought couple’s (Melissa and Heather up before the legislators to Gartner) rights to a birth ceraddress potential confusion tificate for their daughter with as some of these recent cases both of their names listed. demonstrate,” Iowa House

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“We knew a lawyer through a family member, and Lambda Legal works on these kind of cases for equality,” Heather said. The court ruled that legitimacy in spousal presumption pertains equally to married same-sex couples as it does heterosexual couples. “The judge had a 60-day window to make a decision and put it in writing. We found out about her decision from our lawyers,” Heather said. Judge Eliza Ovrom of the District Court also ruled that Iowa’s birth certificate must be gender neutral and ordered that the IDPH grant the birth certificate listing both Melissa and Heather as parents. “We were so happy with the ruling from the judge,” Heather said.

However, the IDPH is appealing the rule. “But we were both very upset with the appeal, very upset. There are a lot of other issues that need to be dealt with in the state besides this, and it is a waste of taxpayers’ money. We are just two women who want to be responsible for our child,” Heather said. Kajtazovich said that it is too early to know what will happen. “The governor’s appeal highlights that the fight for equality for same-sex couples and marriages is not over. One thing we can conclude as of now is that if the appeal prevails, the legislature might need to address this issue,” Kajtazovich said.

Continued page 3

Feb. 14, 2012

News

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Two students make it to NC-ACDA jazz choir Hannah Roethler Staff Writer

Senior Erin Keiser and junior Ryan Ehrhardt earned the honor to perform in Madison, Wisc., on Saturday, Feb. 11 for the North Central - American Choral Directors Association (NC-ACDA) jazz choir. To be able to perform for the NC-ACDA, they had to go through an audition process. “Before I even could think about performing, I had to audition. The audition process was fairly simple.” Keiser said. NC-ACDA includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Out of the 650 people that auditioned, there were only about 150 selected to take part in the jazz choir. After Erhhardt and Keiser’s auditions were accepted, tons more preparation had to be put in before they went to Wisconsin. Everyone prepares in different ways,

Traffic Lights Continued from Page 1 of traffic cameras for Another legal dilemma police departments. “A lot that comes with trafof the controversy is on fic cameras is the ticket whether their effectiveautomatically goes to the ness is from a revenue or driver of the car, no matter traffic safety standpoint,” who drove at the time of Abernathy said. the violation. With police Accordofficers ing to issuing Rogers, traffic traffic violacameras tion do not tickets, even the make driver sense as will a source receive of the —Walt Rogers revenue. ticket “The Cedar Falls Representative even revenue if they stream are is poor; 40 driving their parent’s car. percent goes to the vendor Another argument out of state,” Rogers said. concerning traffic cameras On the issue of conis the possible privacy stitutionality, Rogers also violation they make by exsaid he believes that traffic isting. Do traffic cameras cameras violate Ameridiscreetly monitor our evcans’ fifth amendment due ery move, slowly creating process rights. “There is a a controlled society which lack of due process. Violawill eventually mimic that tors are assumed guilty and of George Orwell’s 1984? must prove their innocence. Opinions on our possible This is not American. I surveillance varies greatly. believe there are legal due Stewart does not process rights given up and believe that traffic cameras broader fairness issues. For are creating a dystopian instance, a police officer world. “I think the camhas discretion in the field eras are OK at this point. as to the circumstances It’s not like Big Brother is of your traffic violation. watching you.” It may be snowing, icy or Senior Grace McNeal you may be in a funeral completely disagreed. procession; all those things “Big Brother is watching allow the officer to give you,” McNeal said. you due process considerTimmins, who teaches ation,” Rogers said. Orwell’s book in her EngSocial studies teacher lish classes, recognizes the Robert Schmidt disagreed, privacy complications of although he has no opinion the cameras, but could not regarding the proposed resolve her thoughts on ban. “I think it will be whether or not they go too difficult to prove that our far trying to keep people constitutional rights are safe. “It’s a hard line to being violated. However, if draw between privacy and you get into personal freesafety,” Timmins said. doms, change won’t come Both Rogers and Aberwith constitutional change. nathy believe the bill will It comes with popular sovpass. “My feeling is that ereignty. The only people it will pass, and you’ll see we have to blame for it is the cameras disappear,” ourselves,” Schmidt said. Abernathy said.

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Erin Keiser

and Ehrhardt said, “The way I prepared for this was listening to actual performances of this music while looking at the music score.” Even after learning the four pieces, the choir wasn’t done working, “Once we got to Madison and began rehearsals, we were given an additional piece that we had never seen before and learned it as a choir in the few short days we were together,” Keiser said. “The concert was fantastic. It was incredible being able

Ryan Ehrhardt

to perform in such a large and beautiful concert hall,” Keiser said. Not only did Keiser feel the concert was amazing, Ehrhardt also said, “I feel the concert went exceptionally well. It was truly amazing singing in that large performance area.” Being a part of the NCACDA jazz choir is a very high achievement, and is more than just singing in a chorus. “It’s so much more than simply another music festival.” Keiser said.

Orchestra Pops Concert

Allie Harris Photo

The Orchestra Pops Concert was held in the auditorium on Thursday, February 9. Skits were made to introduce the selections, and students worked to perform their best for the annual event.

There is a lack of due process. Violators are assumed guilty and must prove their innocence. This is not American.

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News

Feb. 14, 2012

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Speech team advances to All-State Katherine Mayhew Staff Writer

The CFHS speech team is preparing for Large Group All-State and Individual Events. Large Group All-State will be at the Iowa State Center in Ames on Saturday, Feb. 18. The District Individual Contest is on Feb. 25. This year, choral reading will perform at the All-State Large Group Festival and improvisation team Bruess is invited, but will not perform. Meanwhile, the speech team is also practicing for the Individual District Contest. Where large group focuses on how each group works as an ensemble, individual events allow performers to develop distinct individual voice. “Because IE [individual events] are solo performances, students can concentrate more on their own character development, diction, phrasing and ability to deliver a solid, oneperson scene.” speech coach Rebecca Kauten said.

Junior Jillian Ross agreed. “Individuals is a lot different than group. It’s focused on you, and there are a lot of events you can choose from,” Ross said. Like Ross noted, individual events have a wide variety of categories, many more than large group has. The categories are divided into memorized performances or performances without scripts like public address and improvisation, and pieces read from scripts like interpretive poetry and radio news broadcasting. Due to the wide variety of categories and the opportunities for individualizing pieces, individual speeches can have even more creative scripts than large group. For example, sophomore Noah Miller described one of his pieces for individuals. “I’m writing a speech for a group of people who are too obsessed with Star Wars and need help assimilating into normal society,” Miller said.

Katherine Mayhew, Lindsey Davis, Maya Amjadi and Emily Duval crouch over Toad (Ben Merz) while performing their All-State piece “Wind in the Willows” After District Individuals Competition, those who earned a high scores will compete at State, then 300 performers statewide will be

Lesbian Couple from Page 1 MacKenzie, the Gartners’ daughter who was born through donor insemination, is now two years old. “It has been two years already, and with the appeal it could be another year. Our daughter would be three by the time the appeal could be over,” Heather said. “It shouldn’t have even been something we needed to fight. In the state of Iowa, when married, the spouse is presumed the parent.” If this appeal is recognized, there is a possibility of it appearing at the Capitol in Des Moines. “The Republican Party is overwhelmingly against same-sex marriage, and they have made it clear that they

will do all they can to overturn the 2009 Supreme Court ruling,” Kajtazovich said. “I have witnessed some hostility toward homosexuals from the Republican Party members. I think due to the current political make up, we are not having much discussion on marriage equality and now specifically on parental rights for the same-sex couples.” The seventh annual Iowa Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth to be held on March 8 has become a debated topic because some people cannot understand why the governor is advocating something so “left wing.” “I think the youth conference controversy highlights how contentious this issue remains and the influence the extreme groups will have going into the 2012 elections.

This conference is to raise awareness on protecting gay students from bullying. The very religious groups continue to deny any conversation on the issues affecting the gay and lesbian students,” Kajtazovich said. Nationally, there have been different portrayals of homosexual rights. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, California’s Proposition 8 (which passed in November of 2008 and reads that marriage is between a man and a woman) was ruled unconstitutional by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Panel. Then on Feb. 8, Washington became the seventh state to allow same-sex marriage by a 2-1 majority.

selected for All State. “CF can be proud of the fact that since 2003, we have had All State speech performers every year — and in both

large group and IE events most years. Again, something to be very, very proud of,” Kauten said.

News Briefs: AP Registration Nears Registering for AP exams will take place in May. Registration began Feb. 2 and will go until Thursday, March 1, with Courtney Lubs in the English Department. The fee for the each exam is $87 (checks must be written to CFHS AP Exam). Students are encouraged to check with their college or univeristy to be certain how the accept an AP score. Not all colleges or universities treat them the same way.The AP exam is optional, although AP students are once again encouraged to take the exam.

Sign Up Open for Europe Trip

You can still sign up to go on the trip to Germany, France and Italy this summer. See Paris, Venice, the Swiss Alps and important German cities. Sign up by Feb 22nd. Travel dates are from June 11 through June 23, 2012. You must be at least 16 years of age by the departure date. Contact Frau Brost (German teacher) for more information.

hiline.co.nr

The Wop

Three hours is a long time to dance — so in case junior Raud Kashef has Youtube dance crazes t

The Meerkat

The Dougie

Dance This Friday, Feb. 17, the high school will host a dance marathon, held in the gym on from 7 p.m to 11 p.m. The event is sponsored by Student Senate, who has teamed up with West High School and UNI to raise money for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. UNI has held a dance marathon for this cause for the past few years; teaming up with two other high schools is something new. West High School has held their dance marathon already, raising $4,000. The three schools will combine all the money raised and donate it to the hospital. Tickets will be sold during lunch and after school in the lobby. They will be available for $10, and if bought with a dance marathon T-shirt, $15. At the door, tickets will remain $10, but shirts will be sold for $10 separately. However, if pledges of $10 or more are raised, they will be free. The dance marathon is for only CFHS students. Teachers can also pledge money, but some are also donating their time by chaperoning the different events. The dance will take place on one side of the gym; on the other, there will be dodgegball games, 9-square and even a “casino” room. There will be a sign up sheet in the activities office for the different dodgeball teams, and there is a music request sheet in the counseling office. “Because of the formal being canceled, I think people want something to do, and if enough people turn out, it’s going to be really fun,” junior Rachel Nurse said. “I’m hoping for a great turnout and a lot of fun for those who come. There will be a lot of different things to do, and, overall, it’s just a great cause,” Student Senate adviser Erin Gardner said.

Feature Marathon Dance you

The Jerk

Feb. 14, 2012

Feature ur tail off

Feb. 14, 2012

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Story by Sandra Omari-Boetang & Anna Love Photos

The Berney

The Cat Daddy

The Stanky Leg

The Shuffle

e you run out of any moves, to help you out.

Opinion

Feb. 14, 2012 hiline.nr.co

Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it? Izzie Hayes Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day has always been known as a day to show your loved ones how much you truly care. But as of late, this “holiday” has been taking a different meaning. Some folks tend to believe that Valentine’s Day is meant as an opportunity for greeting card, flower and chocolate companies to make an extra buck. Valentine’s Day is named after a saint, but the truth of the matter is we do not actually know which Saint Valentine it is actually named after since there are three known Saint Valentines. Legend says that Saint Valentine sent the first valentine while in prison for marrying the king’s soldiers. He had fallen in love with the jailer’s blind daughter, and before he was sentenced to death wrote her a letter and signed it “From your Valentine.” Although the history of this holiday is unclear, the holiday is loved ... and hated. One reason for haters is because of its unnecessary nature and the encouragement of spending money on over-priced flowers and chocolate for that special someone. Another reason it is the No. 1 holiday to hate is

“I think Valentine’s Day is only meaningful for people who are out of school and are truly in love.” —Emily Neff, junior

“I think it’s kind of an excuse for girls to get gifts from their boyfriends but then again, guys aren’t being chivalrous on their own anymore so I don’t really have a problem with it.” —Braden Cervetti, senior “I think it is very meaningful if you have someone to spend it with, but if you don’t why not get a close friend and spend some time together. Nobody wants to spend that day alone.” —Shawn Hagarty, Senior

for those of the population that do not have a significant other the snuggle up to. For those that hate Valentine’s Day, it is estimated that 15 percent of women send themselves flowers on the dreaded day. However, it is not known how many of those women are single or in a relationship. And for those that believe that V-Day is a “Hallmark” holiday, over $1 billion dollars is spent on chocolate on Valentine’s Day.

Contact the Tiger Hi-Line

The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.co.nr. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Tuesdays to read in their free time. Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial staff view is presented weekly in the editorial labeled as Our View. Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to the Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Letters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Tuesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.

Editorial Staff

Editors-in-Chief: Sara Gabriele, Ellen Gustavson, Meg Lane News Editors: Maya Amjadi, Sara Gabriele, Chandal Geerdes Opinion Editors: Meg Lane, Karl Sadkowski Sports Editor: Jared Hylton Feature Editors: Ellen Gustavson, Sandra Omari-Boateng Entertainment Editor: Lucas Hamilton Hi-Line Online Editor: Martha Hall Staff Writers: Sarah Church, Lindsey Davis, Chase Eremieff, Mikayla Foland, Isabelle Hayes, Trevor Johnson, Kathrine Mayhew, Diamond Spann, Rhydian Talbot

“Well, since I’ve never had someone to spend it with, I kind of think it’s a bunch of crap, because if you love someone you shouldn’t need a day to express how you feel.” —Haley Springer, junior “I think it’s a good way to show your love for someone, but you should do that every day even when it’s not a holiday.” —Alaina Kittrel, junior “Valentine’s Day is a waste of money. I’d rather spend money on a carwash or something.” —Hunter Bell, junior

Approximately 110 million red roses will be sent in the United States alone within a three day Valentine’s Day period.

our view Is your Macarena ready?

This Friday, Feb. 17, the high school will host a dance marathon in the gym from 7 p.m to 11 p.m. The event is sponsored by Student Senate, who has teamed up with West High School and UNI to raise money for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Tickets will be sold during lunch and after school in the lobby. They will be available for $10, and if bought with a dance marathon T-shirt, $15. At the door, tickets will remain $10, but shirts will be sold for $10 separately. However, if pledges of $10 or more are raised, they will be free. The dance marathon is for only CFHS students. Teachers can also pledge money, but some are also donating their time by chaperoning the different events. The dance will take place on one side of the gym; on the other will be dodge ball games, 9-square and even a “casino” room. There will be a sign up sheet in the activities office for the different dodge ball teams, and there is a music request sheet in the counseling office. “Because of the formal being canceled, I think people want something to do, and if enough people turn out, it’s going to be really fun,” junior Rachel Nurse said. Very true, Rachel, very true. Only a large number of people could make this the absolute grooviest dance in this high school’s history. Go out and buy your ticket today, and remember: the fate of this event lies in your hands. It won’t be the same without you.

Opinion

Feb. 14, 2012

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Can’t touch this (No, really, I mean it.) Rhydian Talbot Staff Writer

Well, it’s Valentine’s Day. Hand check! Perhaps you’re giddy in the throes of a burgeoning relationship, or maybe you’ve reached that “Babe, every day is sweatpants day” level of comfort with your significant other. First and foremost, kudos to the pair of you; knowing the seedier side of a person and still choosing to stick around takes guts. If you could spare a second, it’d be much appreciated if you could remove yourself from your partner’s face to review just a couple of common decency reminders regarding public displays of affection. There’s a right way and an awful, terrible, stop-fondlingeach-other-like-that way to handle public displays of affection (or “PDA” to all you text-savvy folks). In moderation, little complaint can be made about modest PDA. Feel free to hold hands (cupped or laced, that’s your choice) or briefly(!) hug before parting

ways in the halls. If you feel overwhelmed with passion, give each other a lust-filled high-five. You’ve earned it. Chaste affection quietly lets the world know that, hey, I am a significant other, I am worthy of love and I’m confident enough in our partnership that I don’t need to make my classmates watch as I bathe in my other’s saliva just to prove it. PDA, when done correctly, leaves others wondering whether the two of you are Facebook official or simply really, really good friends; a good dose of mystery can do a relationship good. And then there’s GPDA. Gross Public Displays of Affection — gross in the sense of a) excessive, and b) disgusting — are solely responsible for the economy tanking, 99.98 percent of all vehicular-related mammal deaths, surprise Rick-rolling and Newt Gingrich’s stillactive bid in the presidential race (or so I’ve heard). Feeding off of the obscene, GPDA turns even the tamest of individuals into neurotic

balls of hormonal-blech. Innocent third parties can observe as a crazed look crosses your eyes right before pouncing on your partner, beginning to paw at each other like rabid cats in heat. It’s terrifying. You shouldn’t just “get a room” but an entire cage in a zoo for all your animalistic displays. School should be a safe zone where students needn’t feel threatened. Your GPDA, however, challenges that. There’s no scenario more horrifying than separating a couple sucking face directly in front of your locker, faces mashed so inhumanly close that they’re melding into one glob of teenage lust. I feel like I need to arm myself with rolled newspapers and squirt bottles so that I can separate the pair of you with a swat to the head or a quick squirt to the face, shouting “Bad lovebirds! Very, very bad!” Bottom line: I’ve been subjected to human health units in 6th, 7th and 10th grade, and an interactive refresher course on the birds

Trevor Johnson cartoon

and the bees really isn’t necessary. Your GPDA, however, forces me to relive some of the most traumatic, grossly embarrassing health class moments of my life. Please, just cool it in public. Radiate love from every pore and look at each other with gooey googly eyes, that’s fine — but if I as an innocent bystander risk pregnancy just by stand-

ing within the ten-foot sexual force field surrounding the pair of you, you’re doing it wrong. Please, don’t spray me with your pheromones as I walk by, untangle yourself from the Gordian knot that is your entangled limbs, and keep it rated G. Modest is hottest, kids. Now go and enjoy your VDay — just not too much.

Iowa couple deserves parental rights Maya Amjadi News Editor

Imagine the feeling of tearing open a letter from the Iowa Department of Public Health that is supposed to contain your stillborn child’s death certificate, only to find that your name has been whited out. Jessica and Jennifer Buntemeyer went through the stresses of saving up $18,000 for in vitro fertalization, the pain of losing their Brayden at 30 weeks and the heart-ache of having to fight their own government for their legal rights. The couple had Jennifer’s egg and an anonymously donated sperm, fertilized and inserted into Jessica’s womb. Yet, the IDPH only listed Jessica as the parent on the

death certificate. The couple is rightfully suing the governor’s administration, working with a lawyer from Lambda Legal. But the Buntemeyer’s shouldn’t have to file a law suit against the IDPH at a time that should be full of reverence and black dress. The inability for Iowa’s government to list same-sex spouses as parents is appalling considering homosexual marriage has been legal since 2009. Our government has the responsibility to protect and serve all its people, not to

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pick at which gender is listed for the parents of a newly delivered child. Additionally, Des Moines

receiving the birth certificate yet due to a repercussion. The IDPH is appealing the judge’s rule. It is incomprehensible to even entertain the idea that spousal presumption legitimacy could be any different for married same-sex couples than heterosexual couples. Although Judge Eliza Ovrom declared that birth certificates must be interpreted gender neutrally, the IDPH’s incapacity to follow out such orders is evident by

Our government has the responsibility to protect and serve all its people, not to pick at which gender is listed for the parents of a newly delivered child. couple Melissa and Heather Gartner were denied a birth certificate by the IDPH that listed both spouses as parents to two-year-old MacKenzie. The Polk County District Court ruled in favor of the Gartners, but they will not be

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the appeal. Gay couples’ deserve the same protection of rights that heterosexual couples have. In the black curtain of such horrific times as losing a premature child or in the light happiness and relief that only new life can bring, same sex couples do not deserve to be judged on a level any different than their heterosexual neighbors. The court proceedings illuminate a real problem in our society and government that is often neglected as a result of ignorance and intolerance, but the excuses are running out. It is in no way justified that the IDPH can deny its citizens accurate birth or death certificates based on sexual orientation.

Feb. 14, 2012

Sports

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Tigers advance four to State in wrestling Izzie Hays Staff Writer

The Cedar Falls High School Tigers advanced four wrestlers on to state in the district meet this last Saturday, Feb. 11. Dan Kelly (106), Sam Dagit (131), Nick Hagedorn (160) and Nick Terpstra (285) all advanced to the state tournament, representing the Tigers. Ethan Wiechmann, math teacher and also a wrestling coach, said he was proud of the outcome of Saturday’s Districts, although it also had some tough matches. “(Districts) was a huge roller coaster of emotions. There were a lot of ups and downs. Wrestling is very unique in that regards with its individual aspect. One moment you are flying high with

excitement for your kids and other to do their best at the seconds later you crash. Then state tournament. it’s back on a high, and the “I will be there for them as roller they coaster will be I will be there for confor me. tinues. I will them as they will be When cheer for me. I will cheer the ride them finally on them on and be came to and be a stop their their biggest supSaturbiggest porter as well as a day, we supqualiporter teammate fied as well —Nick Terpstra four, as a state wrestling qualifier and that teamis an mate. I imwill do proveanyment,” Wiechmann said. thing in order to help my Tigers that will be particiteammates out,” Terpstra said. pating in the state tournament However, the dream of start Feb. 16 and want to keep State ended early for some. working hard to push each Cassy Herkelman came close

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to a repeat of last year’s performance of heading down to State. Although Herkelman placed third at Districts (the top two finishers advance) and was not given the chance to continue on to State, she finished the season with a record of 31-15. Kelly is just a freshman, but he said feels no extra stress going to State. “I don’t feel any pressure. This is where I want to be. I’m going to prepare for State like any other tournament and get myself mentally prepared and ready for a tough tournament,” Kelly said. The state wrestling tournament is from Feb. 16-18. Cedar Falls High School will be sending a pep bus down to Des Moines on Thursday, Feb 16 for those who wish to go and support the wrestlers.

Opinion: Fighting has its place in hockey Jared Hylton Sports Editor

When was the last time you attended a hockey game and thought to yourself, “I hope I don’t see a fight?” Never. Fighting in hockey is essential to why people love the game. For some teams, bone-crushing checks and finesse plays aren’t enough to fill a stadium — forget the fact that the attendance for professional hockey games is at an all-time low. For

instance, the Phoenix Coyotes are averaging just 11,624 fans per game. Fighting livens the game up, draws fans and can cause momentum swings. Fighting is punishable by a five-minute major penalty in the National Hockey League and in some Junior Hockey Leagues. In International play and other leagues, fighting will get you a one-way ticket to the locker room. Fights aren’t always about two players who have a grudge, or sticking up for a teammate. Actually, it may come as a surprise to you that many are staged. Staged fights happen between teams’ enforcers. Enforcers, or goons, are players that see limited playing time, and their sole role is to cause trouble and fight. Fights may be staged because of an incident that happened earlier in the season or

to try and swing the momentum. The life of an enforcer isn’t as easy as it may seem. They don’t get any glory for scoring goals or winning games; instead, they are used and manipulated. Enforcers have lots of respect for each other, and it shows. You will see them saying, “good job” or, “way to go” following a fight. The people who say that there is no place for fighting in hockey have a solid case though. The Minnesota Wild’s enforcer, Derek Boogaard, died at the young of 28 with serious brain damage. Boogaard had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as C.T.E., a close relative of Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head. C.T.E. is what lead to the alcohol abuse and drug overdose that resulted in

the death of one of hockey’s toughest players. Dr. Robert Cantu studied Boogaard’s brain following his death to see if fighting was what drove him to the edge. “There’s no way to know how much was damage caused by fighting as opposed to hits to the head sustained in the normal course of playing the game. Personally, though, I suspect it’s caused more by fighting,” Cantu said. Wade Belak, 35, and Rick Rypien, were retired fighters who took their own lives, all within two months of each other. These incidents raised many questions in the hockey community. There’s no way to tell if these deaths are a direct result of fighting, though. With hockey becoming increasingly less popular with Americans, fighting is essential to keeping the game alive in the States.

Athlete Week of the

Krystal Graves Women’s Basketball

1. How has the season been going? It’s more successful than last year, and there’s a good chance of going to State this year. 2. What are your expectations? That we keep working hard and hopefully make it to State. 3.How are you preparing? Knowing the competition and figuring out ways to win.

Tigers in Action

MEN’S BASKETBALL- Feb. 14 @ Cedar Rapids Prairie 7 p.m. WRESTLING- Feb. 16 @ Des Moines MEN’S & WOMEN’S BOWLING- Feb. 14 @ Iowa City High 3:15 p.m.