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Volume 48 Edition 25
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Robotics places at Nationals David Bergstrom Staff Writer
For the first time in nine years, Cedar Falls High School’s Robotics Team 525 qualified to compete at nationals in Atlanta, GA. Last Wednesday, Apr. 17 through Sunday, Apr. 20, Robotics Team 525 proved a fierce competitor in the qualifying rounds of nationals. They won in the first few steps of the competition, but came up against some obstacles in the semi-finals. “Team 525 won all of their qualifying matches, finishing 7-0 in the qualifying rounds Friday and Saturday morning. In the process, we won matches over a couple of the other top teams in our division (Archimedes Division),” robotics coach and physics teacher Kenton Swartley said. The winner of the regional continues on. “Teams are split into four divisions with each division running like a regional competition. The winning alliance from each division goes on to a
‘Final Four’,” Swartley said. In the qualifying rounds they were second, allowing them to choose their next alliance. They formed a familiar alliance. “After qualifying rounds, we were number two in our division, so we were able to pick two partners to continue with us in the tournament as the second seeded alliance in the Archimedes Division. We picked Team #27 (from Michigan) and Team #93 (from Wisconsin). Team #93 was also at the Minnesota Regional with us and the team we picked there that helped us win the Minnesota Regional, so we were happy to work with them again,” Swartley said. Playing back and forth with victories, they advanced to semi-finals. “In the Archimedes Division playoffs, our second seeded alliance faced the 7th seeded alliance in the first round. We lost the first match, won the second match, tied the third match and finally won the fourth match to advance to the semi-finals,” Swartley said.
In the semi-finals, they faced the team that went undefeated in the qualifying rounds. But their alliance had issues. “In the semi-finals, we faced the third seeded alliance (also headed by a team that was undefeated in qualifying). We won the first match, but lost the second and third matches. At some point during the second match one of our partners (Team #27) developed some mechanical problems. They were unable to fix it completely, so in the third match they were not able to perform at full strength. Despite that limitation, our alliance put up a good fight, losing 92-64 in the final match,” Swartely said. Though they didn’t finish first, the Robotics Team is very proud. “Although we were disappointed to lose at that point, we were very happy with our overall placing and performance. I’m extremely proud of our whole team, students and mentors, and what we have accomplished this season,” Swartley said.
Spring Model United Nations Symposium produces two CFHS Outstanding delegates Alex Entz Staff Writer
A competition where schools don’t compete with each other—in fact, the schools are encouraged to work together. Sound like a dream world? It’s not; it’s the Model UN “competition” that recently took place from Thursday, April 17 to Saturday, April 18. The students representing Cedar Falls High School were divided into three groups. One group represented the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), one represented Peru and the last group represented the African country of Chad. After a short opening ceremony in an expansion room at Maucker Union on the UNI campus, the students broke up into a variety of different committees. These committees included Political and Security, Legal 1, 2 and 3, and more. Within the committees, a variety of topics were discussed, with students from different schools putting aside their true feelings and acting as a mem-
ber of their school’s assigned country would. Some found it difficult, such as delegates from DPRK, who had to defend against Non-Governmental Organizations (relief groups, like the Red Cross). The head of Cedar Falls’ chapter of Model UN, Andrea Aykens, agreed. “Students need to know their assigned country’s position on the issues so they can represent that country’s position rather than their personal opinion on the issue being debated,” she said. The students wrote papers on different issues within their larger group. Sophomore Colin Ashwood wrote a paper on Non-Governmental Organizations for the Political and Security aspect of the conference. “The paper was difficult, but the conference itself was actually pretty interesting to listen to the countries debate each other,” Ashwood said. After papers were written, Aykens, a UNI student and the student’s head delegate corrected them. “I got my students ready to debate major topics by exploring their culture, correcting their papers and having deep
discussions with them,” Stephanie Koltookian, the head delegate from Chad, said. Finally, all of the pieces came together, and the students showed up to represent their countries in committees. Students raised placards to vote on amendments that students put forth. These amendments were put together to create a resolution that the students agreed on. “It was a long process, but we got some really good debating done, and the resolution we passed was a pretty good one,” Ashwood said. Cedar Falls had a good showing this year; two delegates went home with Outstanding Delegate awards: Sarah Anderson and Nicky Singh. “The hardest thing is to be able to debate well, without resorting to personal attacks,” Koltookian said. Aykens summed up the conference well. “Students worked toward finding diplomatic solutions to world problems. Students consistently represented their country’s positions and debated in a respectful manner,” Aykens said.
Earth Friendly Tips
High gas prices may be one reason to cut down on driving, but the benefit the enviroment receives is also a plus. For more tips on how to achieve this, as well as some other Earth Day information, turn to the Opinion page. This week, Mr. Black’s Ecology class is sponsoring several activities to reconize Earth Day, which was this Tuesday. The class and Mr. Black are challenging everyone to do something different to help make our environment better. We encourage you to carpool, walk to school or ride your bike.
Jazz One attends Championships Torie Jochims Opinion Editor
Last Tuesday, Cedar Falls Jazz One attended the Iowa Jazz Championships, competing with 14 other 4A jazz bands from all over the state. The competition was tough, but going into it, Jazz One had put a lot of effort forth and was confident in their ability to play their best. Kyle Engelhardt, Jazz One’s director, felt that the band had prepared very well, and were ready. “I thought we prepared very well. I feel like rehearsals were focused and progressive,” Engelhardt said. Not only the director, but also the band felt more than ready for the show. When their time came to shine on stage, the band did not disappoint, playing their set of four songs, including one that they learned right after Spring Break, “Rockin’ and Rhythm”, extremely well. Also in the set were “Take the ‘A’ Train”, “Oblivion”, and “What Goes Around”. The set, as well as the soloists, showcased the skill, hard work, and raw talent of the band very clearly. The stage was different than any other the band had played on this year, and yet they adapted wonder-
fully. “I thought we played really, really well. It was probably the best we’ve played all year. All of the soloists came through, and all of the ensemble parts were well played, and in place,” Engelhardt said. Then came the awards ceremony. The auditorium at the Civic Center was positively packed as all the bands 1A-4A, their directors, and many others struggled to find seats while the announcements began. It was a nervewracking thing for the performers to sit through, as the judging started at 1A and made its way from outstanding soloist awards to places 9-15 (in no particular order) followed by 8th – 3rd places, and finally, the top two bands, to go on to night finals, were announced. Cedar Falls, just like any of the other bands, was nervous as names were read off. The places were called off. Anxious, the remaining bands sat on the edge of their seats. 9-15 place were called off, in no particular order. Somewhere in there, hopes fell as “Cedar Falls Jazz One” was called. Engelhardt went to accept the plaque, and the rest of the awards were given out. The bands filed out of the stadium, congratulating others as they went.
Torie Jochims Photo
Diligently practicing their instruments, junior Ben Morris, sopohmore Paul Strike, senior Michael Streicher, junior Steve Ramsey and junior Natalie Takes prepare for their performance at the Iowa Jazz Championships.