The
STATE BOUND
Tiger HI-LINE
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Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 Volume 59 Edition 17
Four students advance to DECA Nationals Seven students led by business teacher Mike Hansel competed at the state DECA competition in Des Moines this weekend, and four of those students advanced to the National competition in Nashville. These students are Kimi Du, Hunter Peterson, TJ Tomlyanovich and Jack Plagge. DECA is a business club with groups all over the nation, and even into Canada, and teaches students valuable lessons in business and teamwork. At competitions, students compete as either individuals or partners, and face a series of challenges. Competitions typically consist of both a multiple choice test and role play situation where they must solve a business problem. They could also involve prep work beforehand, like papers or written business propositions. Students can choose to compete in six different categories: hospitality and tourism, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, business management and administration, and personal finance literacy. Every DECA student is allowed to participate in Districts, which serves as a kind of practice round, and they then automatically move on to State. However, only those who rank first, second or third in their category can advance from State to Nationals. This year’s DECA season has been a bit of a wild card compared to past
Submitted Photo
Kimi Du, Hunter Peterson, Jack Plagge,Galen O’Brien-Carlstein, Joey Kliewer, Zayn Abbas, TJ Tomlyanovich competed in Des Moines at the state DECA competition last weekend. years however. First, intense snowstorms in January led to the Districts competition in Waverly being cancelled. Districts usually serve as an important opportunity for DECA members to try out their skills in a low risk environment. “Everyone gets to do Districts, like a practice round” Hansel said, “but it's more of a practice, lower stakes. It's just like what State is but just on a smaller level because there’s five or six schools there instead of twenty some.” But without Districts, students were
Vandalism stuns staff, students Vandals struck the high school at 4 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 22 drawing racial slurs, hate symbols and a “lower body extremity,” on a back wall and on a portable. The damage has now become a police investigation. Currently, the police department is reviewing video from nearby surveillance cameras for evidence, but Associate Principal Dana Deines said the vandals are disguised so it’s hard to make out their identities. He said they’re also not sure if it was Cedar Falls students, community members or other students. Deines said that once the vandals are identified, the police department and the high school will both press charges.
left to compete at State without that practice under their belts. Even experienced DECA members like senior Hunter Peterson felt jitters during the competition. “I was nervous and excited,” Peterson said. However, he said he could find some solace in his teammate, Du. “Working on a team was great since it allowed collaboration.” Another difference in this DECA season is their leadership. Hansel is leading DECA for the first time, replacing previous director Mark Aalderks. “It’s been an interesting first year
experience. Students will ask me questions about State and Nationals, and all I can say is, ‘I don’t know. I’ve never been there,’” Hansel laughs. With first experiences for directors and students alike, Hansel said that “It’s been a learning process for everybody.” Regardless, Hansel dove headfirst into the responsibility, busily preparing students for competition since the fall. He noted, however, that a lot of the work is self directed by the students themselves. This allows students to learn skills like taking initiative and self direction. Both Hansel and Peterson also cited communication as one of the most important skills learned through DECA. Students must be able to precisely convey their ideas to both their teammates and to a panel of judges. On top of that, Hansel said DECA also challenges students to learn how to “present and talk about your idea to someone you’ve never met before. That can be pretty scary.” Above all, both Hansel and Peterson echo the idea that DECA is all about having fun. Peterson encouraged students to “go out, try an event or two, and have a great time,” while Hansel looked forward to Nationals. “I think it's going to be a fun and exciting trip to Nashville.” By Staff Writer Kellen
CHENOWETH
Spring budding in Cedar Valley
Counselor Susan Langan said she thinks it’s important that students have a voice right now. “It’s so simple. We just need to be nice to people. We need to make sure we send that message that this is not OK. This is not going to be tolerated,” she said. Although graffiti has happened in the past at the high school and other places in town, Langan said she believes it’s more threatening to students when it occurs on campus. “When they do it in the school, it just seems a little worse, because it’s targeted at the students at C.F.” Brian Winkel Photo
By Co-Editor-in-Chief Sophia
SCHILLINGER
Temperatures are warming up and these Cedar Waxwings are coming back to finish up last year’s bounty of fruits, nuts and berries.
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The
OPINION
Our View
Shooter drills needed for students’ safety Two of the largest teacher unions in the nation are now advocating for schools to eliminate active shooter drills, claiming that the practice hurts children’s mental health and can create a traumatic experience. The main argument against school shooting drills is that they cause more harm than they do good. Many teachers are now calling for the drills to be completely eliminated, saying that it is better to talk through scenarios rather than physically put kids through the experience. But in the world we live in, shootings can happen at any time and anywhere. It’s not a far off threat: in fact, at the end of 2019, there had been 417 mass shootings, surpassing the 337 shootings that occurred in 2018. School shootings, unfortunately, are a known evil that most students have in the back of their minds throughout the entire day, and the thing that makes it the scariest is the fact that we have no idea when or if it is going to happen. Education is the key to protecting our nation’s children from a world of fear and misinformation. If our teachers no longer educate us on what to do if an active shooter situation occurs, kids will have no idea what to do or how to handle that intense of a situation. By physically going through hiding drills, students are forced to take time to think of their own individual action plan that could one day save their lives. And the education shouldn’t just stop there, either. Our schools need to actively participate in shooter drills as well as mental health training in recognizing the signs of potentially violent behavior. Until we have stricter gun laws, our schools need to do what they’re supposed to do: educate. This includes physically going through the motions of what to do if there was a shooter in the building. While for some this may be “traumatic,” it is ultimately necessary for the greater good. Scary situations surround us in our everyday lives anyway. For instance, schools wouldn’t ban tornado or fire drills just because students find it traumatic because they know that being scared is a small price to pay when it comes to being prepared for life-threatening situations. No matter what kind of drills we practice or education we receive, there is truly nothing that can completely compare us for a situation like a school shooting. It’s daunting, but if there’s anything we can do to even help us a little bit, it will ultimately be worthwhile. One drill can hold the power to save a student’s life, and that alone makes all of the rest worth it.
Corrections In the Feb. 14 article “Preparation key to college success” and Feb. 21 article “Online star releases new makeup palette,” the byline was incorrect. Both articles said there were by Kaitlyn Harris, but they were actually written by Justine Yang.
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 third 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. Editors: Sophia Schillinger and Alayna Yates Staff: Kaitlyn Harris, AQuandas Jackson, Ashlyn Keve, Alyssa Nelson., Chloe Schuerman, Myra Stineman, Justine Yang Opinion Editor: Kellen Chenoweth Online Editor: Skylar Promer News Editor: Erin McCrae
Tiger
HI-LINE
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020
PSO system threatens citizen safety I’m not typically one to get involved in local politics, but this city council decision to implement PSOs has got me fired up (no pun intended). On Thursday, Feb. 20, there was a special city council meeting discussing the full implementation of Public Safety Officers (PSOs) in Cedar Falls. Their plan being to replace firefighters with PSOs, the council said firefighters should be cross-trained as police officers and firefighters. Cedar Falls started playing with this model in 2014. For the last six years our city has had three positions for responders: firefighters, police officers and PSOs. The idea behind PSOs is that they’ll save the city money and increase the number of responders in CF. The practice the city is utilizing now is hiring PSOs as current employees retire or resign. Another option the council was looking into regards “reorganization” of CF fire departments. The plan presented at the meeting lists as follows: “maintain fire supervisory positions and eliminate firefighter positions assist firefighters with other employment in the city (PSO and other city positions) if a firefighter chooses to leave employment with the city, we offer a separation package of six months pay and six months health insurance” The city council meeting regarding the decision lasted nearly four hours and ended in a 5-2 vote in support of implementing the PSO program. It didn’t last long though since Mayor Rob Green decided to veto the council’s decision on Friday, Feb. 21. He issued the following statement on Facebook: “I’ve transmitted my veto of last night’s council action to the City Clerk a few moments ago. I’m very disappointed it’s come to this. The council should have waited until after the special election to make it’s ‘Full Implementation /Eliminate Traditional Firefighters Immediately’ decision—this rush job by council is unacceptable. I now have the dubious distinction of issuing the first Mayor veto in 20
years; I realize the supermajority makes it only symbolic, and it will be overruled by our March 2 meeting, but I am issuing it nonetheless.” Mayor Green also stated in his veto that it’s his job “to seek to ensure fairness” and that “the process and timeline used for the Special Meeting was decidedly unfair.” Although he said his veto will likely be overruled, I was beyond happy to see Green take a stand on the issue in support of the many families that will be affected by the council’s decision. Over 30 supporters and opponents spoke in the time given for public comments at the special meeting. The one that resonated with me the most was Sheri Purdy, the wife of a Cedar Falls firefighter. “You are affecting my family,” Purdy said. “It’s more than just safety, it’s families that are affected.” Purdy said her husband has dedicated 22 years to his profession as a firefighter for the city, and he now helps train PSOs. “Firefighters go into that job for the love of the job, for the safety of the people. Police officers do the same thing and they are two different skill sets,” Purdy said. Purdy then went on to conclude her thoughts on how it’s absurd that her husband has been a part of training these PSOs. “I find it asinine that he’s training the guys that will be pushing him out of a job,” Purdy said. After her emotional speech at the special meeting, community members clapped and cheered before Green went on to say no more applause would be allowed for speakers the rest of the night. Daves Sires and Simon Harding were the two council votes against the PSO implementation. Both made comments throughout the hearing that the council was not representing what the community members wanted. “I do believe this is not truly representative of what the people want,” Harding said. As a member of the Cedar Falls community, I feel unsafe in a town that struggles to put the wants and needs of its citizens
first. I’m appalled at how it seems the council members are more concerned about saving money rather than hearing out the complaints of their people. It doesn’t make sense to me. Police officers go into their professions because they want to be police officers. Firefighters go into their professions because they want to be firefighters. Both share the jobs of saving people and protecting our city, but they require vastly different skill sets like Purdy said at the special meeting. It seems ridiculous that one profession could be responsible for all of the safety needs in an emergency situation. It seems to me that if there was an emergency situation, these PSOs would divide and conquer anyway. Some will put their “police” hat on and others will put their “firefighter” hat on. One can’t save someone from a burning building and arrest the person who started it at the same time. There are going to be two roles no matter what. What if a firefighter doesn’t want to carry a gun? What if a police officer doesn’t want to run through burning buildings? By implementing this plan we are forcing people who have dedicated years of work to their professions in this city by turning them into the people they didn’t want to be. Many arguments have been made that there’s always been the divide between firefighters and police officers, but what makes us think that adding another party to the mix is going to solve any problems? Especially when this new party is taking over their jobs. I guess my idea is that we need to let police officers do their jobs and let firefighters do their jobs. If they aren’t getting along, make them do team building exercises or something, but please, Cedar Falls, don’t compromise my safety, my family’s safety and my community’s safety just to save money and implement these PSOs. By Co-Editor-In-Chief Alayna
YATES
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Perfect Recipe Co-Artists of The Week
ALEXA McNALLY & CAELEY READE
Culinary Artists Seniors Alexa McNally and Caeley Reade not only tag team just about every aspect of their daily lives, but they also take on new challenges together in the kitchen as a part of Tiger Cafe. Both girls have taken every FCS class in junior high and have now taken all three Foods courses the high school has to offer. Not just doing it for a credit, McNally said cooking is a skill she’s always had fun pursuing. “I took food classes because it was fun and easy and cooking is a skill everyone should eventually learn for the future,” McNally said. In their third and final Foods course, McNally and Reade are a part of the Tiger Cafe. Foods instructor Madison Walker said Tiger Cafe serves meals to the CFHS staff. “We are on a rotation, so we serve a hot teacher lunch one week and on opposite weeks we make Take n' Bake casseroles that teachers can pick up at the end of the week and bake at home for dinner,” Walker said. Walker said Reade is new to her class, but that didn’t stop her from jumping right in. “Her bubbly personality always brings fun to the class period. Caeley is always a helping hand and is willing to go the extra mile,” Walker said. McNally has taken two Foods classes, and Walker said she enjoyed having her in class both times. “Each day Alexa comes to class, works hard and is willing to try new things. While Alexa is working hard to put her best foot forward, she always has a smile on her face,” Walker said. Both McNally and Reade agree that this class has helped prepare them for life outside of high school. “I have learned a little bit about everything dealing with preparing and baking different types of food,” Reade said. “I have learned how to use different types of utensils and cooking techniques when making different dishes, and I am sure that I carry those skills with me in the future.” Taking their skills learned in class home, the friends said they both prepare meals for their families. “I have to make dinner for my siblings a lot, and the experience
I've had from this class has made me a better cook,” McNally said. Reade also said she plays chef for the night sometimes when her parents aren’t around. “I make meals for my family sometimes when my parents get home later, and I am able to prepare meals because I have learned skills from these Foods classes,” Reade said. Reade said she first took the Foods classes out of enjoyment, but the benefits of learning culinary skills are now starting to pay off in her personal life. “I took food classes during junior high and high school because I enjoy baking and learning new ways to bake things,” Reade said. “By taking these classes they have become very handy when baking at my house, and for my family and I am sure I will take the skills I have learned in these classes with me to college.” Focusing on the here and now, McNally and Reade enjoy the immediate perks of participating in Tiger Cafe. Last week the girls got to try out the meal they served the staff and agreed it was some of their best work. For that meal, they made chicken quesadillas, Mexican rice, chips and salsa, and churros. This week Tiger Cafe is making million dollar spaghetti with chocolate chip cookies for Take n’ Bake. Being in the same fourth hour Foods III class, McNally said cooking together makes the class a lot more fun. “We are in the same group and being with your friends definitely makes the experience so much fun,” McNally said. Reade said each new week comes with it’s own unique challenges that make for a lot of fun together. “We each have a job with our team that changes each week when we get a new meal to prepare,” Reade said. Reade said spending time with her friends has definitely been a huge motivator for her in taking these Foods classes. “A lot of my friends joined food classes with me, and it helped inspire me to join them,” Reade said. McNally agreed and said that her friends make for a positive classroom culture. “Being able to cook with your friends in classes has inspired my love for cooking today,” McNally said. Adding on to that, Reade said not only did her friends inspire her to take the class but so did the Foods teachers she had each year because “they were always welcoming and wanted students to join their class.”
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020
FEATURES
3
Senior friends advance their culinary skills in Tiger Cafe
Sophia Schillinger Photo
Senior Alexa McNally and Caeley Reade cook ground beef for a spaghetti bake they are making for the Tiger Cafe in their Foods class. Joining Foods III was a nobrainer for McNally after receiving a little encouragement from Walker. “Mrs. Walker talked about what Foods III was like and it sounded like so much fun. I thought the Tiger Cafe was a great idea, and I was excited to join,” McNally said. Enjoying how unique the class is compared to the rest of her schedule, Reade said the class provides new opportunities for students each day. “My favorite part of the Tiger Cafe is getting the opportunity to create meals for our teachers and staff in the building,” Reade said. “I think that it is really cool that we as the students get to create and plan meals to prepare for the staff in the building.” McNally said she enjoys having more of a say in what the class cooks each week. “We get to pick what we make for everyone every week,” McNally said. “I also like how this class is different from the others, and we get to make the product and actually sell it to other people.”
Both girls recommend the class as an elective to students looking to try something different as they plan their schedules. “Food classes are always so fun, and it's a good elective to take if you need a class that doesn't cause much stress and you just want to have fun,” McNally said. Reade also encourages students to find time for Foods in their schedule so that they can enjoy the same atmosphere she loves to be a part of in class. “I would highly recommend this class to others because it is a great experience and you can learn many skills that you can carry with you in the future. It is also just a great environment that I enjoy being in every day,” Reade said. Although some may not understand why cooking is considered a form of art, McNally and Reade said it allows for creative expression just like music, drawing and any other form of art. “Cooking is an art because you can play around with flavors and colors that make the food taste however you want,” McNally said.
“Being able to cook with your friends in classes has inspired my love for cooking today,”
— Alexa McNally culinary artist
Reade said much like a painter has the freedom to work with different colors and consistencies, chefs can play around with their cuisines to create the perfect masterpiece. “When cooking you are able to have some freedom by adding different flavors and spices while making recipes and also by garnishing dishes we are able to be creative and show the creative side of us,” Reade said. By Co-Editor-In-Chief Alayna
YATES
4 Tigers head to State, 51-41 SPORTS
Friday, Feb. 27, 2020
The
Tiger
HI-LINE Athlete of the
Week
MADISON HANSEN Cheerleading
Alayna Yates Photos
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the women’s basketball team beat Ankeny Centennial by 10 points in the regional game. Leading the game with the most points was sophomore Sydney Remmert with 12. Following her was junior Anaya Barney, who scored 10 points as well as eight rebounds and five assists. The Tigers will be playing Waterloo West at the Wells Fargo Arena on Monday, March 2.
Why do you like cheerleading? I like it because everyone on the team is so fun, and it’s really fun to cheer on other sports. Plus, stunting is really fun. What is the most challenging part about cheerleading? The most challenging thing about cheer is the stunting because learning new stunts can be difficult and frustrating at times. How did/do you cope with any setbacks/losses you’ve experienced in your sport? I always try to keep a positive attitude and try to do better the next time. What makes your sport special and different? Cheer is different because we are on the sideline cheering on another sport. It’s really fun cheering on the football players and wrestlers, especially since we get the best seats. What motivates you to do better? Seeing my teammates achieving goals they have set, whether that’s tumbling or getting a new stunt, and that helps me want to work hard to achieve my goals. What do you do to prepare yourself before a game? Before a game my friends and I will get ready together and then blast music in the car on the way to the UNI Dome or high school to hype ourselves up. What’s a personal skill that you have been targeting lately? Lately, I have been working on making my jumps better since that has always been a weak spot of mine. Who has been particularly influential in helping your growth in this sport? My coaches have been very influential in helping me grow because they are always encouraging me and telling me that I can do things when I am doubting myself.