Justo Mania Sweeps CFHS
Tiger Hi-Line The
Volume 48 Edition 22
Spanish I and II students were entertained by Argentine singer Justo Llamas, who tours across the United States using his singing to help Spanish students learn the language and promote positive choices. To read more about Justo’s concert for CF students, turn to the Feature page.
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Mechanical Masters Robotics team captures top spot, advances to national competition Kenton Swartley Robotics Adviser
The robotics team captured first place in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Minnesota Regional last Thursday through Saturday night. Through the qualifying rounds, the robotics team finished 9-0 and ended up ranked number one. The top eight teams (out of 54 entered in the competition) continued into the elimination rounds. Each of the top eight teams then selected two partners to continue in the three on three competition. The CFHS team (team 525) selected Team 93 (Appleton, Wis.) and Team 2518 (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) as partners and went undefeated through the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. Currently the Swartdogs are ranked 11 out of more than 2,000 teams in the nation. As a result of winning this regional c ompetition, the team qualified for the FIRST Championships in Atlanta, Ga., on April 17-20. The team succeeded with an outstanding robot that earned the Motorola Quality Award at the St. Louis Regional and again at the Minnesota Regional. The robot was primarily designed by Kyle Redfern, a first-semester graduate. Many other students helped with the construction of the robot and the whole project. Once the game was announced, the team was given a six-week frame to complete their robot. The team also received another great honor by having key engineer/mentor Bruce Newendorp receive the Woodie Flowers Award. The Woodie Flowers Award celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. Dr. William Murphy founded this prestigious award in 1996 to recognize mentors who lead, inspire and empower using excellent communication skills.
Katie Dexter Cartoon
Senate File 2336 that would have placed restrictions on passengers for teen drivers was dropped from consideration for approval by this year’s Iowa legislators.
Teen driving laws face varying fates Last week one of the proposed changes in teen driving laws failed to make it past the committees in Des Moines for the House or the Senate to vote. The bill proposed that teens driving without their parents would have been prohibited from carrying passengers who weren’t their siblings during their first six months after getting intermediate driver’s licenses under Senate File 2336. Iowa legistlators are still weighing the options on a number of bills that would limit cell phone usage for all Iowa drivers (HF 2349, HF 224 and HF 2059). These considerations would allow usage for 911 calls, but all other calls must be made after the vehicle is at a complete stop and pulled off of the roadway. Those who do not follow these guidelines should they become law will be fined.
Submitted Photo
Demonstrating its superior launching abilities, the robotics team robot helped the team go 15-0 and earn first at the FIRST Minnesota Regional. This award is determined based on essays submitted by teams and two of the students, Joe Kruempel and Kavin Sundaram, who submitted outstanding essays honoring Bruce. The robot drive team that competed on the field with the robot included Kyle Redfern (coach), Kristian Sims (driver), John Lantz (robot arm controller) and Chris Guetzlaff (robotics coach that uses an IR remote control to signal the robot during the match).
Other students attending the Minnesota regional and helping with lots of other details of the competition included seniors Katie Dostal, Joe Kruempel, Kelsey Lampman, Jaron O’Dell and Kavin Sundaram, juniors Deanna Ament, Jennifer Hurban and Kenneth Paschke, sophomore Bob Guetzlaff, freshmen Kevin Dou, Hannah Easton, Dan Harter and Louis Redfern. FIRST was founded by Dean Kamen, an inventor and a MIT professor.
• • • • • •
Should teens be able to use their cell phones while driving?
News Briefs
Male CF Students
No 55%
Yes 45%
Female CF Students
No 40%
Yes 60%
Hi-Line Poll represents 10 percent of students.
“Developing Expressions,” a Hearst Center exhibit displaying works by young artists including CFHS students, opens April 5 and runs through May 17. The All City Orchestra Concert will be on April 7 at 7 p.m. in the CFHS auditorium. The CFHS band, orchestra and choir will participate in the Solo Ensemble Festival at East High School on April 12. The student vs. faculty basketball game to benefit the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation will be on April 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school gym. Forms to register for Student Senate’s Kickin’ It for Cambodia 5K run/walk are now available in the guidance and main office or on the CFHS website. Register before April 26 to guarantee a T-shirt. There will be a Spring Carnival on the CFHS practice football field on Saturday, April 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. Food, games and fun will be offered, and four tickets are available for $1.
Tiger Hi-Line The
OPIn n IO OPI IOnn
our view our view Abstinence-only education falls short of teen realities
A recent study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on teenage girls aged 14-19 revealed some shocking numbers last week. Prepare to feel some serious discomfort; that is our goal. If you know a teenage girl who has three friends, one of those friends, or the girl, has a sexually transmitted disease. And she may not even be aware of her infection. One in four girls infected translates to more than three million infected nationally. Even more shocking was the finding that 18 percent of girls studied had contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer as well as genital warts, but is symptom-less. Other prevalent STDs found in the girls were chlamydie, trichomoniasis and herpes simplex virus. This study has thankfully led to the revelation that the government must take serious measures in preventing unsafe sex. However, the government is spending copious amounts of money on abstinence-only sex education: about $50 million per year. The Hi-Line staff does not believe abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education can possibly be effective in achieving this goal. We feel that abstinence-only sex education’s complete avoidance of any discussion of contraceptives (except to reveal failure rates which have been found to be falsely reported) is catastrophically ignorant and misguided. Advocating abstinence is of course critical, but we must not assume that all students will indeed abstain simply because they were urged to in a classroom. Parents and schools alike should recognize that many teens will indeed become sexually active, so why not teach teens to be wise in their relationships and safe when engaging in sexual activities? In addition, a congressional study three years ago found multiple “major errors and distortions” in all but two abstinence-only programs studied. Therefore, we must push for comprehensive sex education, which discusses methods of contraception, negotiation and avoidance of STDs through safer practice. By ignoring the 50 percent of girls in this country who do engage in sex and by neglecting to teach them how to protect their health, we risk seeing exacerbated results in future studies. Will the government choose to continue to excessively fund abstinence-only sex education and allow the stomach-churning numbers to increase exponentially, or will they realize the importance of teaching prevention? We at the Hi-Line hope they will see the drastic consequences a continuation in this ignorant direction of sex education could bring to America’s youth.
Write 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. Each edition is published on Wenesdays during the school year in The Insider and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 501 Commercial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701. 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 Wednesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief: Briana McGeough News Editors: Olivia Schares and Kellie Petersen Opinion Editor: Torie Jochims and Jacqueline Jordan Sports Editor: Jakob Zierer Feature Editors: Honor Heindl and Briana McGeough On-Line Editor: Ellen Wrede Entertainment Editor: Kristen Hammer
As the snow melts...
Season change lifts spirits Things are brightening up as the snow melts, revealing the long-hidden grass. Trees are getting their annual buds, preparing to sprout. The birds are singing and chirping, giving hope to many Iowans, for the long and peneTasha Woods trating winStaff Writer ter has left us all in a fragile state. Nice weather comes to us as a relief. Now that spring is here, or rapidly approaching, the highly anticipated summer won’t be too far after. Generally speaking, people seem a lot happier. The winter normally means seasonal depression for those who long for summer. Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD, is more severe during the winter months. Increases in appetite, sleep-
ing more, social withdrawal and lack of energy are a few common effects of SAD. As the night grows longer, it may activate depression. Spring eliminates most symptoms of SAD, leading to a renewal of growth. Spring is a time for new life and a fresh start. Naturally, changes take place outdoors. I believe springtime mating uplifts spirits, resulting in a happier person. As birds receive more light, their cells start to release a thyroid-stimulating hormone, revolving around a seasonal clock, and the birds will chirp and sing. Another reason why birds sing is that the thyroid-stimulating hormone is indirectly affecting the pituitary gland. For the bird this is a natural process. For those of us that are left to witness, it gives us a sense of feeling we have been longing for through these dreary winter months. We connect certain sounds with certain things and feelings. For example, one may associate bird callings with a sunny spring morning, leaving you with a comfortable feeling. Songs can bring you back to a certain time period, even repairing a sense of smell. Music helps to store memory, and can change
human behavior and emotions. Studies have shown that music can be used to reduce stress, aid relaxation, act as an anti-depressant and help store and recall information. Meaning that birds chirping in the spring could bring you back to previous years where you were in a happier state. Howard Gardner, a Harvard psychologist stresses the importance of music. Gardner thinks of music as a way of knowing that is just as important as mathematical intelligence, linguistic intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily -kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence and intrapersonal intelligence. To animals and other birds, the chirps, coos, barks and other musical language is a way of communication; thus music is a very important part of their lives. Musical content could be used as a memory tool, or to make comfortable connections with things of the past. Music is a very powerful tool that is sometimes overlooked. Whether its man-made music or the naturally occurring sounds of the outdoors, it’s impossible to hide from music and it’s uplifting effects.
Everyday colleges and universities across the world host a wide variety of events, many of which are free. M o s t of these events receive very little publicity outside of camDonnie Simmet pus flyStaff Writer ers or calendars, and as far as I can tell, they are open to the public and waiting for discovery. Concerts, speakers, movies, dance parties, cultural features, and discussions up the wazoo. Films can frequently be found at the University of Northern Iowa (This I know from experience; I assume it is a similar situation at other large universities). Many of these films are recent and popular, such as Pirates of the Ca-
ribbean. Some time ago I discovered an Ingmar Bergman film series, which met once a week for three weeks. I was previously unfamiliar with this amazing Swedish filmmaker. Each time the small, informal group met we watched a movie and proceeded to discuss it afterwards. I felt as if I had learned a great deal, and I was quite excited about this introduction to Bergman. There is always somebody speaking at a college. Whether it is a politician or a movie star, somebody is always stepping up to the podium. When I was a sophomore, I carpooled up to Decorah with other Amnesty members to see Paul Rusesabagina speak at Luther College. Rusesabagina has been internationally honored for saving 1,268 lives during the Rwandan Genocide. The film Hotel Rwanda was based on his story. Another memorable speaker is a local man who gave a presentation at UNI about the history of dance music.
He was quite informative and when he was finished there were excellent refreshments (free of course). As far as free music goes, Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, certainly takes the cake. They frequently have performers, which are more than worthy of the hour and a half ride. These include acts such as Spoon, Andrew Bird, Liars, Mason Jennings, The Mountain Goats, William Elliot Whitmore, and many more. Performances are usually small and awesome. Seeing Akron Family at Grinnell is one of the best shows I have ever been to. There is a website (www.grinnellconcerts.com) which is frequently updated with new information and shows. Many times they fall on a Friday or Saturday night, providing the perfect opportunity for a small weekend road trip. There is always something going on at the local colleges. One can stumble across events quite easily by checking their websites or roaming the campuses with an eye out for flyers.
Colleges offer many events year-round
Tiger Hi-Line The
SPORTS SPORTS
Women’s tennis team hopeful for season despite lack of depth Alex Entz Staff Writer
In a season where athletics at Cedar Falls High School have been outstanding, another, younger team is working toward achieving the same notoriety awarded to the other programs. The sport is women’s tennis, but the climb will be quite a bit steeper than the climb was for other teams. “We only have four or five true club members,” head women’s tennis coach Van Hardy said. “The rest see it as more of a recreational sport; they don’t work during the off-season.” The team has just started practices, yet the players feel optimism for what the season may hold. “I think that we will go out and have a good year,” team member Emily Polmateer said. “My personal goal is to become more mentally tough through the season.” Hardy is hoping that the team can come out above .500, but he said this
with a cautious optimism. “We’re going to show up to compete,” he said. The team’s practices have been focusing mostly on the basics; Hardy maintains that teaching strategy will come later. “We’re doing forehand work and backhand word, as well as condition and hitting,” Polmateer said. The team has some sketchy angles. “Our biggest problem is dealing with playing experience,” Hardy said. Polmateer emphasized the same point, but also added, “Confidence is another thing we need to work on.” The team does have a few notable strengths, however. The team has a good work ethic, and they have been willing to learn and adapt thus far into the season. Not to mention that, when some of the younger players get some more experience, the team will be a notably deep team that could contend with the powerhouses in their conference.
Young men’s tennis team starts new season with new coach Sara Strever Staff Writer
CFHS Tennis is hitting hard this season. The men’s tennis team was led by new coach, Ryan Yossi, as practice officially began on March 24. “This year we have an excellent coach (Ryan Yossi) and he really knows what he is doing. He actually makes a living teaching tennis, so I think it will benefit the team a lot,” Freshman Louis Redfern said. A challenge with this year’s team is the lack of returning varsity players. Colin Ashwood and Nicky Singh are the only returning varsity players. “With this being my first season with the team and having only two returning varsity players, I hope to see some of the younger guys step up and fill the large number of open varsity positions,” Yossi said. Luckily, the team has freshman ready to step up their game. Redfern said he believes that he will be playing in one of the first three slots. “I haven’t heard much about the incoming freshmen. I have had the chance to see freshman Louis Redfern play and feel he has something to bring to this team,” said Yossi.
Louis Redfern has not only talent, but he is very experienced in tennis. “Currently, I am ranked number 33 in the boys 14 and under division, although due to an error, I should really be ranked 31,” Redfern said. Coach Yossi is focused on this particular season, not the past. “I hope to further their tennis knowledge but most of all give them a respect for the game, respect for others and confidence in themselves. This is my first season with the team and how the team did in the past is not really a concern for me in this coming season,” Yossi said. Coach Yossi also has the team organized and structured for each practice. “I’ve enjoyed practice a lot, but I love it anytime I can get on the court. We have split up into freshman/sophomores for an hour and juniors/seniors for an hour. We warm up by jogging around the courts, and then we usually hit a little for about 10 minutes. It is very windy at Robinson Dresser courts, though, and that makes it tough, but it is good to be practiced at playing in the wind, because some meets will be windy too. We do about 15 minutes of sprints/agility/conditioning at the end of practices, too,” Redfern said.
Athlete Week of the
Faith Burt Women’s Track & Field
Ben Bremner Photo
Finishing his windup for his second place finish at the Special Olympic Regional Track Meet on Sunday, March 30, is junior Tyler Nelson in the softball throw. Nelson earned a 1st in the 50m dash and joined eight other CFHS athletes who advanced to State in Ames on May 22-24 after individual first place finishes at the UNI Dome on Sunday.
Nine CFHS athletes advance to State after Special Olympic Regions at Dome Omeed Kashef Staff Writer
About 300 athletes from all over Northeast Iowa came to the UNI Dome to participate in the regional track meet for Special Olympics on Sunday, March 30 at 10 a.m., and nine Cedar Falls athletes captured first place finishes among all the participants. The track and field and swimming events included competitions the freestyle and backstroke for swimming, shot put and running long jump as field events, and 25-meter non-motor wheelchair straight race and 1,500 meter run as track events. All together there were about 350 volunteers that helped plan, organize, direct and help out athletes. Jim Seeley, the coach of the Cedar Falls group, believes that this event is a great way to unite everybody and get everyone involved from big and small towns. “Personally I feel the fact that kids have a chance to compete means a lot to them,” Seeley said. For one student from Cedar Falls High School, Tyler Nelson, the training and practice in the Dome a few times a week paid off. Nelson received a second place ribbon in the softball throw. Jeff Porter, another CFHS student, obtained a blue ribbon in the standing long jump competition. Complete results were as follows:
Zach Barnes: 1st-100m, 1st-200m, 1st-400m relay Brandon Duncan: 1st-50m, 2nd100m, 1st-400m relay Tiffany Flugum: 1st-25m, 2nd-softball throw Morgan Henriksen: 1st-long jump, 2nd-softball throw Justin Kaufmann: 1st-softball throw, 1st-50m Deb Mahler: 1st-100m, 1st-200m Tyler Nelson: 1st-50m, 2nd-softball throw Jeff Porter: 1st-long jump, 2nd-softball throw Caitlin Thoms: 1st-25m, 4th softball throw Blue ribbon athletes qualify to go to Ames for the Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games, which is held on May 22-24. Several thousand athletes compete in the Iowa Summer Games. “We’ll qualify a lot of kids for State in May, but what they learn and take home is more important than the competition itself,” Seeley said. Joe Wilson, the director for the Northeast Iowa Special Olympics, was also very pleased to see so many people come to this event and help out. “It went real well, good participation, a good list of volunteers and everything ran smoothly. I would especially like to thank all the volunteers for everything. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
In the Dickinson Indoor Championship, senior Faith Burt won the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. She also joined the 4x200 in a first place finish. All three set new meet records. She also earned a first in the 4x100. 1.) Do you plan to run in College? Yes, I plan on running track in college, but I haven’t decided what school yet. 2.) How do you prepare for every race? I prepare for my races by listening to my iPod and then visualize myself in the races I run that night. I also go through what I want to accomplish that night. 3.) What is your biggest success? My biggest success is becoming a better person off the track as well as on the track. My most memorable time was winning Drake my freshman year in the 100 meter and seeing my coaches and family’s reaction. 4.) What will you miss after high school is over? I will miss being part of the team and the girls, but I’m really going to miss (head coach Troy) Becker!
Tigers in Action
Women’s Track J-Hawk Invite 4/4 (CR Jefferson @ 5 p.m.) Men’s Track Earlybird Invite 4/4 (Marshalltown @ 5 p.m.) Women’s Soccer CR Washington 4/3 (Home @ 4:15 p.m.) Men’s Soccer CR Washington 4/3 (CR Washington @ 4:15 p.m.) Women’s Tennis Dubuque Hempstead 4/5 (Dubuque @ 9 a.m.) Men’s Tennis Dubuque Hempstead 4/5 (Home @ 9 a.m.) Women’s Golf MVC Quadrangular 4/8 (Cedar Rapids @ 3:15 p.m.) Trap Shooting Charles City 4/12 (National Fish and Game Center @ TBA)
Tiger Hi-Line The
FEATURE FEATURE
Fans go All out for Latin Singer UNO on UNO ! o t s u J h t Wi
Kristen Counsell Staff Writer
A famous singer from Argentina performed in the CFHS auditorium on Thursday, March 27 for Spanish students from all over Northeast Iowa. First- and second-year Spanish students from the Cedar Falls School District and students from Dubuque and Marshalltown and other schools had the opportunity to attend the Spanish concert. The concert featured Justo Lamas. As a way to bring out Lamas, five boys came out with their shirts off and each had a letter on their stomachs spelling Justo. They got the crowed pumped and set the mood for the concert. “I don’t have any favorite part of the concert. I liked it all,” sophomore Ashley Dana said. Argentineans are known for the tango, a dance in which they move their hips in ways that our culture isn’t used to. Another cultural difference is when he greeted girls by kissing them on the cheek. “I absolutely loved the concert! I think he really participated with the audience, and he was excited, so that made me excited, and I thought he has a lot of guts to speak his story in front of a bunch of high school students he didn’t know,” sophomore Laura Hen-
ny said. She was one of the students who got up stage and sang with Lamas to the song “Hoy Doy Gracias.” Students went crazy when Lamas sang and moved his hips. “I was amazed and loved his dancing. He just let loose and I loved it. It makes me want to go to fiestas in Argentina and dance with Spanish men,” Henny said. Lamas is a famous Spanish-speaking singer, native to Argentina. He has performed for students all over the United States. He sang and danced to his own music and to some popular Spanish songs. He also talked to the students about making good decisions and to never give up on your dreams, no matter what. During his speech he talked in Spanish, while Senora Valdez interpreted for him. “I got encouragement to really go for my dreams no matter what the circumstance, because really looking at his story, his dream was so out of whack, but look at him now, and I have a lot of respect for him following and not quitting,” Henny said. Lamas had performed for CFHS students previously, five years ago. “I honestly didn’t expect him to be so funny,” Henny said. To prepare the students for when he came, the teachers were given Lamas’s lyrics to his songs, so that the students could get to know the words and understand what he was saying. In
class they also did some activities to help students reinforce certain grammar topics. For example: the students have underlined verbs and nouns and have also played fill in the blanks with his music. “The Selena Quintinalla-Perez song was my favorite part of the concert. It is called ‘Bidi bidi bom bom,’ sophomore Mary Jo Baumgartner said. Students were not required to attend the concert, though it was highly encouraged by teachers. “I liked the concert, because it’s fun just to get out of class and have some fun,” Dana said. Teachers and students found ways to raise money to pay for tickets. One fundraiser idea was to sell Spanish T-shirts (the T-shirts are not necessarily concerning Justo Lamas). Students came up with an idea that deals with Destinos. Destinos is a Spanish soap opera that the students watch all throughout Spanish, starting in their second year. Everyone was encouraged to purchase a T-shirt. The T-shirts cost $10 for short sleeves and $13 for long sleeves. Lamas had his own merchandise for sale after the concert as well. He also came out to do signing for the students. He signed T-shirts, CD’s and anything that students wanted signed. “I would want to see him in concert again,” Dana said.
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Live at Cedar Falls High School
Matt Hart: Well, ah, how’s the tour going for you? Justo Lamas: Great, great, very good, very good. In this tour I had 62 concerts around the U.S.A. Vincent Stigliani: Spanish is becoming a really important language to learn here in the U.S., so what gave you the idea to teach it through music? Justo: It was 12 years ago when I was in Argentina, some teacher invited me to the United States to do a concert at some high school in Texas. After the concert, the teachers who were in the show just began to invite me. I really started these things just singing love songs, and then I began to be involved in the Spanish teaching English, so no one gave me the idea. It was mainly spontaneous. Matt: What’s the best part about touring through America? Justo: The best part? Just when I’m on stage singing. The other thing I love is having the opportunity to see a different culture, different people not only from the United States but all over the world. The United States is home to people from all over the world. Here you have the opportunity to know about different cultures. Matt: Have you heard any stories from students about what you’ve done to help them with Spanish? Justo: Yeah, yeah, if you go to my website, you can read all the testimonials. It is www.justolamas.com, or you can go to my myspace. Matt: Hahaha, of course. Vincent: Alright, you are obviously a big star here in the U.S. We have been listening to you in our Spanish classes for a while now, but are you as big of a star in Argentina? Do people know of you? Justo: You know, in Argentina I had my career. I used to make my career in Argentina, but now I don’t have time. You know, I had to take a decision years ago where to perform, and I chose the U.S. because I love this part of my career. To sing for students—because this is an opportunity to promote my country and the Spanish culture, to talk with the future of the nation. Vincent: So what’s the craziest thing a high school has done for you? Justo: I remember some girl, years ago, she kissed me … on the lips. I think it was in Lubbock (Texas), but I think that was more than five years ago. Matt: Where do you draw your inspiration from? Justo: My own life because I had a really hard childhood, so today I will talk about my childhood in the concert. My own life gave me the lyrics, the message, the lyrics of my songs. Also, it is different people, my father, my mom, my family. People inspire me all the time. Vincent: I think I read somewhere you first became a musician after hearing your dad, or your dad inspired you to play music. Is that right? Justo: Yeah, yeah, because my dad used to sing in the church, so I really admire him. So yeah, he inspired me to sing.
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