April 13, 2010 hi line

e g h iin Ti er l THE

April 13, 2010

Volume 50 Issue 24

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Sophomore interviews First Lady on CSPAN Ellen Gustavsen Staff Writer

How many CFHS students get the opportunity to speak with the First Lady of the United States? It looks like sophomore Sara Gabriele takes the prize on this one.

After entering the CSPAN Student Cam contest, Gabriele received an honorable mention award and $250 for her documentary that focused on the national school lunch program, childhood obesity and health care.

Over 1,000 entries in the national contest between junior high and high school students were sent in, almost double the number of entries

last year, and Gabriele ranked 11th in the high school division.

“It was really exciting to find out I had placed as an honorable mention because the students that won first through third really made some amazing and impressive videos,” Gabriele said.

“Just to be considered up there with some of these other kids from across the country was really cool and rewarding.”

Those entering the contest sent in a five to eight minute documentary that included footage from CSPAN about a challenge facing the nation or one of the nation’s greatest strengths. The most common theme among en-

tries was childhood obesity.

Gabriele’s documentary, titled “Improving School Lunch: Too costly, or a way to bend the cost curve?” was also done for her semester project in Honors English.

She interviewed both local and national experts, including senator Tom Harkin’s top policy advisor.

Gabriele said one of the hardest parts was gathering the information to incorporate into her documentary.

“A lot of the information I needed wasn’t simply summarized on websites,” Gabriele said. “I had to gather most of it through interviews and by looking through CSPAN footage.”

She added that sifting

through hours of CSPAN footage needed to do her research and find the necessary clips to incorporate in her film was a very time consuming and monotonous task.

But in the end, the hard work paid off. Gabriele was featured on CSPAN in a phone interview with Michelle Obama, who is working for the cause of childhood obesity.

“It was really neat to talk to her,” Gabriele said. “But I was getting really nervous because the students that talked to her before me also asked questions about school lunches, so I thought her answers would cover all four questions I had already

This April Fools’, joke is on staff Sara Gabriele Staff Writer

The morning of April Fools’ found seniors Alex Entz and Vincent Stigliani hurriedly rushing to finish writing two meticulous prank articles. After pulling a similar prank last year, the two decided to team up again to write two new fake articles: one for the math department on disproving a Fermat’s Theorem and the other for psychology about some new doubts to the popular positive psychology theory.

Stigliani decided to take on the challenge of writing about doubts cast upon the newest discipline in psych in hopes of fooling AP Psychology teacher, Charles Blair-Broeker.

Using his own AP Psych notes and a little bit of

Googling, Stigliani crafted his mock article.

But Blair-Broeker has a keen eye to get by. As a proofreader for AP essays and various publications, he said he’s “developed somewhat of a radar for April fools jokes.”

“He’s a very intelligent guy and knows his psychology, so I knew there was a good chance that he would see through it. Plus, it was right on April Fool’s,” Stigliani said, “but I thought the detail I put in the layout, making it look like a real news story, might fool him.”

Blair-Broeker admits to being fooled a little, if only for about a paragraph.

“It was very well done,” Blair-Broeker said, pointing out the layout that included a fake copyright, web advertisements and the names

of psychologists he was familiar with. “Vincent did a really good job.”

Entz also included similar layout features and details to make his article about the disproof of Fermat’s Theorem as believable as possible. He left his fake article on the table in the math department in hopes pre-calculus teacher Dave Kofoed would fall victim to the prank.

“I remembered the NOVA video Mr. Kofoed had showed us at the end of last year and how he was really into the whole concept of Fermat’s last theorem,” Entz said. “I thought it’d be fun to act like it had been disproven, so I found a bunch of real-life people and molded their information into a story.”

Kofoed took the bait.

“It was just sitting there,” Kofoed said. “I thought maybe one of the other math teachers had put on the table, and I thought, well, it’s certainly possible there are some flaws in it (the theorem).”

Although he said he probably would have become suspicious had he taken the time to Google it, Kofoed admits to jumping on the prank.

He shared the article with his fellow math teachers, and in addition, read and discussed it in his precalculus classes.

Entz said he was pretty excited to hear he had managed to prank a teacher with his fake article, although he may be one of the last to do so.

“Next year, I’m going to be on guard,” Kofoed said.

written out.”

She also commented on the feeling of being on national television. “It was weird to have my relatives in New York City calling me to say they had seen me on T.V.,” she said.

The CSPAN Student Cam contest is annual, meaning Gabriele could enter again next year. “It was a really fun project to work on, and I think I’d like to enter again, but work in a team with other students,” Gabriele said.

Gabriele’s documentary can be viewed on the CSPAN Student Cam website, as well as documentaries from other winners of the contest.

Correction In last week’s article on the new education budget, there was an error in regards to bus transportation. The transportation reduction currently being proposed only impacts students in grades 7-12, and increases the distance for no-cost transportation from 2 to 3 miles.

Tiger Hi-Line Online To see the latest results from another top-placing competition for the CFHS robotics team, check out the website at hiline. co.nr. Here you can also read stories from 30+ years ago in our classic print section, check out broadcast journalism’s podcasts and vodcasts and view photo slideshows.

2 opinion our view Social networking sites go too far Last year, access to social network Facebook was banned from school computers. Each day, new social networks are created. Students are taking advantage of these things, and it's becoming very obvious what some of us are up to on the weekends and our days off. Pictures of drinking and who knows what else have become more popular. Once a teacher sees these, we can't control what they do with the knowledge, whether it be reporting it or leaving it be. Come on, guys. Colleges look at Facebook, Myspace, Formspring, Twitter, Tumblr and whatever else when you apply, along with places where you apply for a job.

This is definitely not the only problem. Online harassment has become huge these days. Even here at the high school, multiple instances have occurred recently. Just sign in to Facebook or Formspring and you'll have the whole story right there in front of your eyes, at your fingertips. If we want the privilege of certain websites in school, this sort of behavior must come to an end. To have the freedom, we must show that we can accept the responsibility — something we haven't been showing.

We at the Hi-Line feel that this is disappointing.

It's best not to get involved with a cycle of mudslinging on social networks because you could find yourself in quite a bit of trouble. We're in high school.

Time to grow up. Be the bigger person and walk away.

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 DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) classes.

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: Maggie Devine and Vincent Stigliani News Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Ben Sadkowski Opinion Editor: Monica Clark Sports Editor: Alex Entz Feature Editor: Aubrey Caruso On-Line Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Maggie Devine Entertainment Editor: Maggie Devine Senior Writer: Alex Entz Photo Editor: Ben Sadkowski

THE

tiger hi-line April 13, 2010

Explore, escape outdoors Ben Sadkowski News Editor

With beautiful weather knocking more and more frequently on my door like an insistent neighborhood friend, I find it impossible not to accept its offer to go out and play. After yet another difficult Iowa winter, taking advantage of the opportunity to ride a bicycle or to explore the woods again takes priority over most other demands in my life, if only for a brief, blissful moment. The feeling of being “stuck in Cedar Falls” is unjustified, for the opportunities that lie just outside of our homes are nearly boundless.

Take the simple bicycle, for example. Here in Cedar Falls we are fortunate to have access to a plethora of parks and bike trails that weave in and out of town for miles. The simple effort of getting on your bike and

going in whichever direction you please can end up as a well-spent afternoon in which you gain the benefits of both exercise and escapism. Additionally, nearby lakes offer canoeing and kayaking options that give you exactly what biking does, with the added benefit of being essentially unreachable by those on land.

But another option is to take to the road. If you have perhaps taken the initiative and all ready explored the nature Cedar Falls offers— and you have the luxury of time—then a car is the next best escape plan. Just three hours north of us lie the Twin Cities with fantastic neighborhoods to explore, full of all manner of shops and restaurants. Even closer lies Iowa City, offering a great deal of bookstores that require browsing and an absolutely fantastic food coop offering all manners of organic and natural foods.

Regardless of whichever route you choose to take, there also exist the opportunities for detours into parks and fields; even exploring back roads could lead to an unexpected discovery and could subsequently transform your perception of where exploration and fun exist.

So enjoy these pleasures; all that is required of you is the gumption to go out.

With multitudes of media outlets vying for our attention, we become faced with the challenge to either experience things for ourselves or to view them through a pattern of pixels. It is one thing to look at photographs or to watch videos of people doing interesting and fun things; it is drastically another to choose to take the role of the catalyst, not the observer.

So, I challenge you all to emerge from your sluggish ways and go forth.

It says nothing of how we acquire them.

There has been a growing movement, especially here in the Cedar Valley, to push school lunches towards fresh, local, prepared-fromscratch meals, more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and fat. This year Price Lab launched such a program and has had overwhelmingly positive results.

Purchasing food from nine different local suppliers, they have seen an increase in the number of lunches served. Satisfaction with the lunch has increased as well.

One concern is that such an initiative is not feasible at a larger school like Cedar Falls. Another local example would suggest the contrary. This year Water-

loo Community Schools provided 1,200 pounds of grapes, 50 bushels of apples and a variety of other fruits and vegetables all grown by local farmers. Next year’s plans include serving local produce daily and re-designing kitchens for the program.

This movement is quickly gathering steam, and it would be wise for Cedar Falls High School to seriously consider it. If executed properly, it could yield a multitude of positive effects: stimulation of the local economy, increased nutritional value and satisfaction in lunches and a school with a reputation for foresight and innovation.

Now there’s some food for thought.

Consider options for school lunches Vincent Stigliani Editor-in-Chief

Since the early 1980s, the childhood obesity rates in America have nearly tripled. Today, the number hovers around 33 percent.

National initiatives like the ramping up of physical education in school have dampened the ascending rates. Even so, the prevalence is still far too high.

Perhaps more can be done here at the local level to chop away at this epidemic.

One potential slice through this Gordian Knot could lie in the way we go about school lunches.

Physical activity undeniably serves as an essential component to the solution, but it only addresses how we should shed the pounds.

THE

tiger hi-line April 13, 2010

SPORTS 3

Women rely on experience, defense

Junior varsity member Kaili Meyer dribbles downfield against Cedar Rapids Washington last Thursday.

The Tigers lost the match by a final score of 2-3, despite two early goals.

Jayne Durnin Staff Writer

This year the women’s soccer team has high hopes for the upcoming season.

“I’m very happy with this year’s team. They rely on each other a lot and work together very well,” varsity coach Beth Huber said.

The varsity team has five core senior players who keep the team going nonstop on the field.

“The senior girls on the team have been playing with each other since they were 11, and their knowledge of each other and leadership skills are great,” Huber said.

“One of our many strengths this year is definitely our defense. With three starting defenders from last year and a solid goalie all returning, they should be pretty tough to get past,” sophomore varsity player Laura Schwickerath said, “but you’ll find lots of experienced

Jayne Durnin Photo

strong players all over the field.”

The team has always been in an extremely tough division and is not ranked. Despite the rough competition the team is confident.

“Some of our biggest competitions are from the big cities, like Kennedy, Jefferson and Xavier,” Huber said.

Despite the tough competition, the team is very strong and confi-

dent for the season to come.

“We have a great work ethic and tenacity; this year’s team is also very speedy,” Huber said. “One of our weaknesses is that we are not as technical as some of the bigger teams in the division.”

Coach Huber has been the women’s soccer coach at Cedar Falls for eight years and has been coaching beyond that since 1980.

Athlete Week of the

James Roberts Trapshooting Senior

1. How did you do at the Ventura meet the other day?

I shot a 45 out of 50. That didn’t place, but I was happy with it.

2. What is your favorite part about trapshooting? How did you get started?

I love the competition and the fun times with teammates. My dad got me started hunting and trapshooting and taught me a lot of fundamentals.

3. What is your favorite activity to partake in outside of trapshoooting?

Playing other sports like football and golf, hanging out with friends and watching Jeopardy.

Tigers in Action

much more

Support Student Press

The list of businesses and individuals included here are backers of the real world educational opportunities made possible by all the publication and broadcasting programs at Cedar Falls High School. Check out their links at our website: http://www.hiline.co.nr

Women’s Track Away 4/16 @ Wahawk Invite, 5 p.m.

Men’s Track Home 4/16 @ Cole Collinge Relays, 4:45 p.m.

Women’s Soccer Away 4/15 @ Dubuque Wahlert, 4:15 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Home 4/15 vs. Dubuque Wahlert, 5 p.m.

Women’s Golf Away 4/14 @ MVC Triangular Women’s Tennis Home 4/20 vs. Iowa City West, 4 p.m.

Men’s Tennis Away 4/20 @ Iowa City West, 4 p.m.

Gold Star Sponsors ($250) •Cedar Falls Community Credit Union •Element Portraits and Design •National Dance Academy Cedar Falls •Sandee’s •The Shirt Shack •Together for Youth at Allen Women’s Clinic

Silver Star Sponsors ($180) •Gary and Margaret Clark Bronze Star Sponsors ($100) •Raymond and Judith Burfeind •Jiva Salon Spa •Larry and Judy Timmins

To find out how you can be a Journalism Backer, call 553-2590 or email hiline.devine@gmail.com or hiline.stigliani@gmail.com.

tiger hi-line feature 4 THE

April 13, 2010

“On MY HONOr” CFHS Eagle Scouts share insight on the true meaning of scouting over the years Ben Olson Sports Editor

Many boys throughout generations have participated in the rich tradition of scouting; including (you guessed it) the clichéd merit badges, knot-tying and firestarting along with the rest of its glory. However, out of 100 boys that join a Boy Scout troop, only about four will attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest and most sought-after honor in the scouting program.

But what does it truly mean to those who achieve their Eagle Scout badge?

Well, first, it is a symbol of long-term commitment.

Many scouts begin their journey in first grade as a Tiger Cub scout, working their way through Cub Scouts, finally reaching Boy Scouts in junior high.

Second, the rank represents self-will and organization, as a Boy Scout has to meet very strict requirements and plan and actually carry out a community service project. A scout must be active in the troop six months after achieving the Life Scout rank, the rank preceding Eagle Scout.

The scout must then prove that they live by the Scout Oath and Law by providing recommendations from teachers, parents, coaches or religious leaders. Next, the scout must earn a minimum of 21 required merit badges, ranging from first aid to

cycling. Then, a position of responsibility must be held in the troop for six months as a Life Scout. Following that, the scout has to plan, supervise and carry out a service project benefiting the community in some way. Finally, after a lengthy application reviewing process, the scout must endure a conference with their troop’s leader and a board of review, the equivalent of an immensely important job interview where the scout demonstrates everything he has learned over his scouting career. After meeting these requirements, then and only then may the scout achieve their Eagle badge.

All of this must be done before the scout’s 18th birthday.

Above all, however, achieving the Eagle rank is a sense of pride. After all, the statistics speak for themselves: To date, only 40,029 Eagle Scout badges have been awarded and at least one Eagle Scout out of four say they valued their Eagle rank more than their college degree.

Here at Cedar Falls High School, there are many Eagle Scouts, including those who have finished their service projects and are waiting for their reviews, and in Cedar Falls alone, there are several Boy Scout troops. The following scouts shared their insight on what the scouting program has personally meant for them.

Name: Nick Carlo Troop: 55 Years Involved in Scouting: 10 years Eagle Project: “I planned and lanscaped the flowerbed in front of Peet Junior High in May 2008. It took eight hours.”

Best Memories: “The campouts in general were always fun because we went to lots of different places. Our trip to Colorado was the best because we got to travel out of state and go rafting, hiking and a lot of things we aren’t able to do in Iowa.”

Life Lessons: “I’ve learned no matter what to have fun, be responsible and to be someone others can look up to.”

Future Preparation: “[Scouting] has given me leadership skills, tools to deal with difficult situations and getting along with people you don’t necessarily like all the time.”

Name: Scott Sesterhenn Troop: 158 Years Involved in Scouting: 10 years Eagle Project: “I did a landscaping project for Southdale School. I planted new plants and installed a gravel path.”

Best Memories: “We went on a trip up to the Boundary Waters in Summer ’08. It was very cool to get away from everything and be out in the open.”

Life Lessons: “This has taught me the value of hard work and responsibility.”

Future Preparation: “The rank of Eagle itself is helpful in getting into college in jobs, but everything you take away from scouting will always stay with you.”

Name: Dana Conrad Troop: 55 Years Involved in Scouting: 10 years Eagle Project: “I poured some concrete steps at Orchard Hill Church from the parking lot to the doors because in the winter time it is very slippery there.”

Meaning of Eagle: “It’s certainly a big honor because it’s kind of like a brotherhood. A lot of great people have achieved it.”

Life Lessons: “I’ve learned that sometimes you might feel like you don’t have enough time to be involved in something, but to stick to things because it will be worth it.”

Future Preparation: “Besides good credentials, it will help me in terms of seeing things through, and the friendships will last a long time.”

Name: Phillip Weinert Troop: 158 Years Involved in Scouting: 10 years Eagle Project: “I landscaped St. Stevens church to prevent erosion. It took three days of labor.”

Life Lessons: “Besides learning how to tie knots, I’ve learned about being a better leader and how to do things you don’t always want to do.”

Future Preparation: “The process of becoming an Eagle scout is challenging, and that applies to facing challenges in real life.”