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Friday, April 16, 2015
Running Home Tigers hosting two track meets this week/Page 4 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at TigerHilineOnline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Volume 55 Edition 23
Tigers turn out for teacher’s son
Submited Photo
At the Ballin’ For Blad event on Saturday, April 11, senior Tyler Forero was just one of the many who drove the court in support of world language teacher Simone Sundblad’s son. At right, watching their teammates crush their game, seniors Caleb Townsend, Jamie Becker and Addison Long warm the bench. Long organized the entire event and had the original idea to do a tournament fundraiser for Eliot Sunblad, pictured above her. Sundblad has recently undergone extensive medical procedures to remove a tumor on his kidney. Agatha Fenech Photo
Spiritual Start:
Some CFHS students are coming together for one purpose, to come to know their God and make Him known to others. A group has put together a Bible study hosted in the auditorium on Friday mornings at 7. They stress that anyone is welcome, no matter the beliefs of a person. Right now they are studying the book of James. “Anyone is invited. Even if you don’t believe in Christ, still come to share ideas about it,” junior Josiah Sabino said. “We would love to have anybody who has any desire to grow more in their relationship with Christ to come and get involved in a small group and dissect a passage.” Sabino played a huge role in creating this Friday morning Bible study. The
Agatha Fenech Photo
Students open book with new meetings for morning Bible study at high school
idea originated from him conversing with a friend, senior Kaitlyn Bown, who Sabino said did a lot of the behind the scenes work about starting up some sort of Bible study at the high school. “I was talking to Kaitlyn Bown one day after school, and we wanted to start some sort of bible study that took place in the school.” As they talked it over, more people got involved, and the idea sprouted and a plan got put into action. “I talked to six people who wanted to help lead and be a part of this Bible study, and we started a group chat on facebook and told people to add whoever wanted to come,” Sabino said. The mission of this Bible study is to promote Christians beliefs and create an environment for people with similar beliefs to come together.
“It’s easy for kids to be on spiritual highs at church and on Wednesday nights. We wanted to start where kids can dig into the Bible and apply what they learned in the morning so they can use what they learned throughout the day and weekends,” Sabino said. Other students who have helped with setting up the Bible study or attended agree that this is a good place to come together in grow in their faith, and they would like to see it keep growing. “The Bible study’s main mission is to bring the gospel to our school and keep it in the forefront in our minds throughout the day. I attended and thought it went well. I think it is a good way to spread the gospel in a school setting. I hope it continues to grow after the seniors leave,” senior Maria Garcia said.
Junior Matt Bauman has similar hopes for the new meetings. “I hope the Bible study makes us become closer as a school, and also I hope that people grow in their walk with Jesus.” Sabino said he would love to continue this on next year and get more people involved. “We only have a couple weeks left in the school year. James is good to do because it is short. We can pick it up next year with whoever is willing. I would love to see the auditorium filled with kids and to dig into the word outside of church and school. Even this year we want to keep growing. Anyone is welcome. We would love to see Friday mornings explode with high schoolers.” By Copy Editor Annebeth
AHRENHOLZ
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The
OPINION
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, April 16, 2015
Our View Classroom is perfect lab for controversy
Teaching Credentials
Decision at Dowling Catholic to resist hiring gay teacher raises questions for what makes effective teaching For those who often follow state-wide or national news, the two became one this past week when Dowling Catholic’s hiring policy fell under national scrutiny. Popular teen news apps and sites such as Buzzfeed highlighted this happening in Iowa because it raised many questions. Should a religious school be able to deny a teacher employment based on his or her sexual orientation and publicity of the fact? Should a school judge a teacher on something that in no way affects his or her ability to teach? Iowa’s Civil Rights laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, but there is a clause that exempts religious affiliations, so Dowling Catholic is technically within its legal rights to deny a teacher employment if they are publically homosexual. Dowling Catholic defended its decision, sending a letter to parents saying that the applicant’s personal life went against church teaching. The applicant, Tyler McCubbin, was an immensely popular substitute teacher who was offered a full-time position at Dowling Catholic, only to have the opportunity taken away because he is engaged to another man. Students banded behind the substitute teacher, including holding a walk-out that happened on Wednesday, April 8. More than 150 students, parents, alumni and area supporters participated in the walk out. Students emphasized that they wanted to show that though the administration may support discrimination based on sexual orientation, they do not. Parents and students passed around a petition calling for change. One parent brought up the fact that she does not want the quality of teachers at Dowling to diminish merely because the administration is discriminatory. Other speakers at the walk out came out as LGBTQ or spoke about their own struggles. Whether Dowling caves to community pressure or holds strong to its church beliefs, this event has brought to light important issues and opened the LGBTQ conversation in relation to employment at Iowan religious organizations.
Should a school judge a teacher on something that in no way affects his or her ability to teach?
Contact Us
The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes at Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.cfschools.org. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Fridays to read during their fifth period classes. Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hi-Line staff or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial is presented weekly in the editorial labeled Our View, and it is the view of the majority of the editors listed below. 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 Monday for publication in the following Friday edition. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Writers should include their contact information for verification. Editor-in-Chief: Austin Anderson Online Editor: Zuhayr Alam Copy Editor: Annebeth Ahrenholz Staff Writers: Sommer Danielsen, Agatha Fenech, Taylor Hylton, Ben Louviere, Mikaela Mallin, Malcolm Musoni, Dino Odobasic, Josie Speltz, Skylar Starbeck and Sarah Stortz
Recent decision to ban book avoids deeper truths at its heart Sherman Alexie’s young adult novel, National Book Award Winner The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, speaks autobiographically of the range of issues that young adolescents frequently face. He covers the topics of violence, gang warfare, physical and sexual abuse, mental trauma, depression, absentee parenting, alcoholism, racism and poverty; all issues he himself faced as he grew up on a neglected indian reservation. His book expresses the real struggles that an infinite number of real teenagers face, and does so in an extremely relatable way. So why has it been banned in school systems across the country? Recently, the Waterloo School District’s executive director of K-12 curriculum, Debbie Lee, banned the book from from coursework in it’s middle schools on the premise that it is “inarguably inappropriate.” Yes, the text contains references to masturbation and profane language, but what Lee and others who have banned the book fail to understand is that such references are essential to understanding the messages about adolescence that the text sends. Kevin Roberts, a literacy teacher at George Washington Carver Academy, was in the middle of teaching a unit on Alexie’s novel when it was pulled. “As one who has used this book in the classroom, navigated the references to masturbation and profanity and fostered rigorous dialogue about theme and action in our community, I disagree with the blanket censorship of this book,” he said. Roberts is aware of how much his 13- to 14-year-old students can relate to the novel’s depiction of an adolescent struggling against adversity. During the first years of teenhood, students are at a crucial social-learning age. It is necessary for all students to understand the oncoming struggles of adolescence all students will be face in life in one form or another. There is no way to protect young teens from all of adversity’s disguises. It is essential to teach them, in a classroom setting, what the experience of adolescence is like. Instead of banning the book the first time a swear word or controversial situation is seen, teachers and
executive curriculum directors should instead focus on teaching why those words and situations are used, and how they give significance and meaning to the purpose of the text as a whole. Alexie’s novel is meant to open up readers’ eyes to the struggles of young adulthood. Banning the book is doing just the opposite of that: it is narrowing minds, taking a whole world, a world that is screaming to be heard, and shutting it down. Alexie, in a recent article published by the Wall Street Journal, wrote “ I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don’t write to protect them. It’s far too late for that. I write to give them weapons—in the form of words and ideas—that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.” This specific ban brings up the larger controversy of censorship in the education system.
Alexie’s novel is most certainly not the first to be banned from school systems, and advancements in technology are bringing about more recent website bans as well. Donna Mallin, a junior high English teacher, commented on the issue. “Censorship is not a new issue, and it is shocking to see that it continues. Everyone’s knee-jerk reaction is burn the book! You, [as students] have the right to follow an inquiry you have, and any obstacle put in the way of your learning could almost be deemed antieducation,” she said, Students’ inquiries, interests and muses are shut down nearly daily by broad censorship of both written and online material. Yes, some students will abuse negative material when given the chance, but this doesn’t justify harsh restrictions for all students, especially when such restrictions stifle our educational By Staff Writer Mikaela
MALLIN
The
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Friday, April 16, 2015
OPINION
3
Searching the Pushing past the limits of pop charts SOUNDSCAPE reveals wide spectrum of experience
Music possesses a special kind of appeal to nearly every human in the world, and it has since the dawn of humanity. Pitches can be arranged in a nearly infinite amount of combinations. These waves of energy are then received by an organ specific to the body (our human ears), and are transmitted as signals in our brains to evoke an emotional response — it is truly an astounding concept. What is even more astounding is musical taste — the idea that certain sounds, pitches, melodies, rhythms, etc. invoke a response in every individual in a unique way. These sounds may affect some more profoundly, pleasurably, or create any number of specific mental responses depending upon the listener. A person’s musical taste is defined, obviously, by the content of music that they enjoy and styles of music that they listen to regularly. Currently in the world of music today, on the forefront of popularity is pop-music, including subgenres of pop-rap and R&B, as well as pop-country styles of music. Trendy influences of the dance and electro realms of music are also present in quite a bit of relevant music today. However, when it comes to pop-music, the explanation is in the name — although it is a fairly eclectic genre — the term is derived from “popular music.” This music is considered the norm because it appeals to the taste of the masses — it is designed to do so. Many are comfortable and content with this type of music that is easy to listen to, often has a structured and catchy verse-chorus-verse format and contains lyrical messages that are often
Artists mentioned, albums to check out:
Animal Collective
The Books
Death Grips
Shlohmo
fun and easy to access. For example, a song about a night out partying and dancing, or possibly a relatable break-up. Why, then, could there be other genres of music that are so much less popular, yet are still out there, being produced by and listened to by people with ears just like yours and the rest of the world’s? Could there be a dynamic of musical experience and perception that some choose to experience, despite it’s lack of popularity? The answer is yes. Why listen to the disorienting and obscure vocal samples compiled within an album by The Books when you could simply let “Uptown Funk!” funk you up? You may never know unless you delve into the world of
underground and experimental music and experience the personal depth it has to offer. Imagine, for a moment, the entire spectrum of the human experience and emotion. In fact, take a few moments — it’s a massive, spectacular idea. Now consider every work of music ever produced — yes, ALL of them. Experience and emotion have a unique and incredibly special connection with music. Music itself is the expression of these experiences and emotions. It is a bridge — the origin is the artist and the destination is the listener — a connection formed by expression from one human to another. Music, to me, is entirely about understanding, empa-
Strawberry Jam, Merriweather Post Pavillion
Exmilitary, The Money Store
Lesson in Letters
Staff writer builds friendship with English penpal
The Way Out, Lost and Safe
Bad Vibes, Vacation EP
Friendships can extend over miles … and sometimes overseas. When I was in eighth grade, I made a friend. Her name is Amy and she lives in England. Despite the distance between us, and some cultural and language differences, we met over a writing website. We had subscribed to each other’s story. Conversation bubbled between us. We spoke at length about little things. Days passed and conversation did not die out. Weeks passed, and still nothing changed. She offered her email to me and I offered mine. Amy and I did more things together
thy and personal connection. Songs are packaged feelings which you can choose to experience. The sounds of “different” kinds of music may instantly turn away many listeners. Often, they may directly compare these sounds with what they hear in popular styles of music. What many fail to do is ask the question, why then do some people enjoy this music? It doesn’t offer the same things that people enjoy about pop-music; however, you can’t expect it to. The appeal of music sonically depends entirely on your perception of it. For example, if you listen to the album “Bad Vibes” from electro artist Shlohmo — filled with melodic beauty, a dark sense of brooding, jostled by abrasive yet coordinated percussive hitches, undercut with sandpapery patches of ambient fuzz — yet you compare it only with the things you loved about the latest hit single from Katy Perry, you will likely not enjoy this music. However, experiencing the album for what it is in the context of its own style, you may find yourself falling in love with the disorienting dream-like grooves and ambient sounds. When it comes to underground and experimental music, the music is truly created in the interest of expression for those who listen. There is often no intent from the artist to become successful in the mainstream. In fact, some types of music are created by artists and enjoyed by listeners directly in the interest of counterculture; for example, artists like Death Grips take the clichés of much of modern rap and accentuate them to shocking extremes. Music that is not focused on mass fan attraction or money attracts fans based solely on
the closer we got. We talked through our cameras despite the eight-hour difference. We made gifts, bought gifts, sent things by mail and eventually we edited each other’s work. Our exchanges brushed the surface, dove deep and were nothing short of inspirational. To this day, we draw strength from one another when we need someone to be there for us. I have never quite had a friendship like ours before. In a way, it is in its own category. These mountains we have climbed together, the things we have overcome, they are a promise for the future. Thick or thin, tough or easy, we’ll be there for each other.
musical interest. This results in a much smaller fanbase for a majority of lesser known music styles. However, this allows for the involving of yourself in the fanbase of your favorite music to be a much more personal and unique experience. If you were to find yourself discovering and enjoying new forms of music, it is safe to say that you have expanded your musical taste. Once you discover things that click with you personally, it may become more difficult to go back and listen to the music that is made to be accessible for the masses. Your taste has now been influenced with an extra edge, tailored to the unique ways that certain musical qualities appeal to you in your own way. With personal opinions set aside, music listening can be a wonderful experience regardless of whether you’re listening to Lady Gaga or an album from an artist like Animal Collective. You can sing and dance all night almost anywhere to the latest pop music. The hottest music artists have huge influence in the pop-culture world. Non-accessible music, on the other hand, offers a musical experience that allows listeners to explore and develop the true depth of musical taste. Where the curated Hot-100 song list and pop-culture define the taste of the masses, there are countless artists producing music with so much else to offer to whoever will listen. To those who allow it to, music in its entirety can allow for profound enjoyment in understanding the vast glory that is the spectrum of human experience and emotion. By Staff Writer Ben
LOUVIERE
Over all these years, I have learned many things from her struggles, including racism, but I have learned great things from her triumphs, as well. From afar, I have been moved as Amy has shared happiness, hope, grace, an open mind and, most of all, no judgment. To this day, we have never met in person, but I have faith that we will be life-long friends. Pen pals are adventures. Treat them right, and they could be the adventure of your lifetime. By Staff Writer Taylor
HYLTON
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The
SPORTS
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Friday, April 16, 2015
Men’s soccer seeing ups, downs in early season The men’s soccer season is well underway. After a grueling week of practice during spring break, the Tigers began to prepare new tactics and strategies for the season for the next few weeks after spring break. The Tigers first game was last Thursday in Iowa City against Iowa City High School. After a weather delay, the game got underway. Unfortunately, after a hard-fought 80-minute battle, the Tigers fell 1-0. The team didn’t get much time to rest, however, with a tournament with six other teams at Linn Mar High School all day Saturday. The Tigers
had their first game at 10:30 a.m. against Vinton-Shellsburg High School, winning the game 3-0 with goals from junior Adrian Diaz, junior Steven Skidmore and senior Skylar Loper. Skidmore, who moved to Cedar Falls over the summer, loved the feeling of scoring his first goal for his new school. “It felt fantastic,” Skidmore said. “Scoring my first goal made me hungry to score more goals for CFHS this season.” After a long break, the Tigers took the field again at 4:30 p.m. against Davenport Central High School. A win in this game would take the Tigers to the final of the tour-
nament, which the Tigers accomplished. Goals from Diaz, senior Brady Weber and Loper, paved the way for a 3-1 victory to take the Tigers to a final against the hosts, Linn Mar. While Linn Mar had the majority of the day to rest after their first two games, the Tigers got 15 minutes. Partly due to fatigue, the Tigers fell to Linn Mar 7-1. On Tuesday, however, the Tigers had another shot at Linn Mar, with the Lions coming to Cedar Falls to play the Tiger’s second game of the season. Cedar Falls High School got on the scoresheet first with a well-placed penalty from Loper
after Diaz was fouled in the box. The Tigers held the lead for about 25 minutes until Linn Mar scored three goals in quick succession right before the half ended. The game ended 3-1. Junior captain Aaron Iehl looks forward to the upcoming games. “We saw what we can do against teams of Linn Mar’s caliber,” Iehl said. “We have to keep that play up for the other upcoming games.” The Tigers’ next game is Thursday, April 16 against Dubuque Senior High School at home. By Online Editor Zuhayr
ALAM
HI-LINE
Athlete
of the
Week
Steven Skidmore Soccer
Junior Steven Skidmore just moved to Cedar Falls from Kansas City this year and in his first season on the team was one of the four elected captains. The Tigers have gotten off to a slow start, but Skidmore found the back of the net for the first time as a Tiger this weekend.
Did you feel accepted by the team right away? Yeah, I did. I played football, which helped because there were a couple soccer kids on the football team. I kind of made my way to a group of soccer kids to be friends with them, so when I started playing, I knew most of the kids, so that helped out a lot. How did it feel to be elected captain? That was kind of surprising. I try to step up and be a leader on the team, but I didn’t think I would be a captain, so that was a big deal for me since I’m a new kid.
Home Stand
The women’s track and field team hosted its first and final meet on their home track for the 2015 season. The Tigers fought hard in front of their home crowd on senior night and finished the meet on top as meet champions. Top: Freshman Claire Gerdes clears the high jump. Bottom left: Junior Ilsa Knivsland gets ready to take the baton from senior Elizabeth Sesker. Bottom Right: Senior MacKenzie Dallenbach throws aggressively in the shot put. Jackie Norman Photos
How are you going to turn around the slow start? There are just a couple things that we’ve been working on in practice and in games that have been key factors in losing, so we’re gonna work on a couple things and see what we do [next game.]
Tigers in
Action
Women’s Track April 16 @ Waterloo West Wahawk Invite 4:45 p.m. Men’s Track April 16 vs Cole Collinge Relays @ 4:45 p.m. Women’s Soccer April 16 @ Dubuque Senior 4:15 p.m. Men’s Soccer April 16 vs Dubuque Senior 5 p.m. Women’s Golf April 20 MVC Triangular Home @ 3:15 p.m. Women’s Tennis April 21 @ IC High @ 9 a.m. Men’s Tennis April 20 @ Western Dubuque 4 p.m.