Dec 15, 2009 hi line

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e g h iin l Ti er THE

Dec. 15, 2009

Volume 50 Issue 12

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

CFHS junior off to Washington Maggie Devine Editor-in-Chief

Junior Nick Carlo pauses during a rest in last week’s band concert. The choir and orchestra performed their winter tunes last night.

CFHS junior and Hi-Line sports editor Ben Olson has been chosen to serve as a congressional page for Representative Bruce Braley. He will work and go to school in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 24 to June 4. “My dad got an email forwarded to him from someone from Braley’s office saying that there was an opportunity to be a page. I got the email two weeks before the application was due, so I thought about doing it for one week, and when I decided to do it, I had about five days to get all of my recommendations and essays done, so it was hectic, but I’m definitely glad I chose to send in my app,” Olson said. Congressman Braley said he chose Olson because of his many outstanding achievements. “This is an extremely rare opportunity to see how our

popular art forms. Senior Alexis Rokes, who is taking advanced design with Klenske, wishes the change had come earlier. “We had a short photography unit where we made a collage out of pictures,” Rokes said, “but I wish that we had spent more time on the photography unit instead of just brushing past it.” Junior Darby Sheehan was excited about the new course offering. “Yes, I’m definitely planning on taking it,” Sheehan said. “I take pictures for school events right now, but that sometimes can be not very interesting. Hopefully this new class will allow me to take

pictures of what I want.” The curriculum for the course is being formed by expanding what is currently skimmed over in computer graphics. “We’re going to have more time to be creative with our cameras and with our Photoshop scanners,” Klenske said. The class is seen as a very important addition to the art department. “It’s essential because we have so many outlets for art here (at Cedar Falls High School), but one of the most mainstream and creative forms of it isn’t available,” Sheehan said. “It’s a pretty major past time.” Klenske pointed out a few other advantages that the

Looking Spiffy

Tiffany Payne Photo

nation’s government works, and I’m proud to have had the opportunity to nominate Ben,” Braley said. “Ben’s strong academic transcript, Eagle Scout Rank and involvement in his community reflect the outstanding moral character, dedication to public service and emotional maturity needed for success in this program.” Braley nominated Olson and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi then confirmed Olson for the position. Olson said he doesn’t completely know what to expect during his stay in Washington, D.C., but he is optimistic it will be a good experience. “I really have no idea what it’s going to be like. I’m hoping that it is going to be exciting and not too stressful, but it will definitely be a change. This is one of those things where you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you get there,” Olson said. Olson said his parents are

concerned about the distance. “I’m pretty sure that my mom is more nervous than I am about me being gone for so long, but I told her that’s what cell phones and email are for,” he said. Olson will study in the attic of the House of Representatives for about half a day on average, and he will work the other half of the day. He will earn about $1,000 a month, not counting taxes, but he will also be responsible for paying rent on his apartment. Among the jobs Olson will be responsible for are answering phones and delivering messages. “I’m really excited for this,” Olson said. “I’m nervous, too, because I’ve never had to cook meals for myself or do a ton of laundry or live on my own with people I don’t know, but I think it will be a good test for me to see if I would survive going to college far away from home or not. I’ve always wanted to try something new.”

Photography class enters curriculum Alex Entz Senior Writer

A course that students have been wanting for years is finally coming to Cedar Falls High School. Starting next year, the art department will be adding a digital photography course, taught by Lisa Klenske. “Right now we have computer graphics as a class,” Klenske said. “We’re going to split that into two different classes, and one of those courses will be digital photography while the other will be graphic design.” Some seniors are disappointed that they never got to take a class focusing solely on photography, one of the more

digital photography class will bring. “It will allow us to offer an art course to students who don’t feel very artistically inclined or creative that will use technology to create art,” Klenske said. “It also will allow students interested in pursuing graphic design after high school to take a more detailed and preparatory course for college rather than just skimming over the basic points.” Klenske spoke about what she was most looking forward to about teaching this new class. “I’m really going to enjoy being able to devote more time to do more creative projects. Right now, the course is like

a salad bar where we just get little samples; once the new course gets added, we get to feast.” The class is expected to be very popular among students. Due to the raw enthusiasm shown by students pushing for this project in past years, Klenske believes that the class is going to be a hit. “I think it will be especially popular among people who might not normally see themselves as artistic. I don’t really see any downsides to this class, except for the difficulties that might arise from me trucking back and forth between this class and my other classes and forgetting things,” she laughed.


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