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Tiger HI-LINE Teachers in Transition

High school class create gifts for shelter animals/page 3

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

Volume 57 Edition 14

Wiechmann leaves math for new career program Cedar Falls High School students are in for an experience of a lifetime and the chance to make connections with local professionals while gaining college credit through the newly-introduced CAPS program, or Center for Advanced Professional Studies. The program will begin to be offered second semester and will grant students five college credits and the chance to be immersed in areas of business in the community. The program is based around giving high school students the opportunity to build professional skills and learn in a real work environment by partnering with a business within the community. Math teacher Ethan Weichmann left his traditional classroom position of 14 years to head the program and get it up and running. “When you get a client, you’re going to actually be working for a business,” he said. “They have something that needs to be done, of value and your job is to create that

value, to provide a good product, and you get great experience from doing that.” CAPS is unlike any traditional class. Students will meet at the host site, Viking Pump, and will work on projects for clients and businesses in a certain field of interest that they are partnered with. “We’re going to be talking about what your interests are and try to match you up with those respective employers,” Wiechmann said. Wiechmann will also not possess the same role as an ordinary teacher within the CAPS program. “I’m not going to be the traditional teacher,” he said. Weichmann said he prefers that the students call him by his first name to create an equal and professional environment among the students, who are referred to as “associates.” “I don’t have all the answers and we are going to be working together,” he said. Wiechmann also stressed that CAPS will be an exploration and learning experience for not only his associates, but

himself as well. “If you get on a project and you say, ‘Ethan, I don’t know how to do this,’ I’m gonna be honest. There’s going to be a lot of this I don’t know. Let’s figure out which companies are available in the Cedar Valley that might be able to answer this question, and then we’re going to find a mentor there because that’s how professionals work,” Weichmann said. “You guys are taking the lead, you guys are going to the ones having the great experiences, and a lot of times you’re going to be showing me how to do things.” College credit is not the only thing that will be gained by students who enroll in CAPS. CAPS also offers a chance to kickstart the beginning of a career path and lifelong professional identity. “You are going to be working on your brand with clients. That’s your cover letter, your resume, your job shadowing, your networking, any type of project that you do you will put in a portfolio,” Weichmann said.

Flaherty interrupts retirement to teach oral communication

Retirement: a time when folks move onto a new chapter in their lives, finally giving up work for some fun and relaxation. No one deserved this easy lifestyle more than English teacher Diane Flaherty. After 38 years in a classroom, hundreds of students and thousands of papers Flaherty finally decided to put the red pen down and take some much-needed time for herself. In the spring of 2016, she announced that she would not be returning the following year. However, after just seven short months of retirement, a beloved English teacher is returning to the high school. “Retirement was a bit dull,” Flaherty said. “I was so used to having all my nights and weekends taken up with grading papers that I didn’t foster any hobbies. I didn’t want to jump in and just fill my time with a bunch of activities that wouldn’t be fulfilling.” In her free time, Flaherty did continue her volunteer work through St. Pat’s Church and started a support group

for young adults. She also began exercising regularly, which she found to be much more fulfilling than she had anticipated. “For those who know me, this is a major accomplishment,” she said. Her favorite activity in her time off has been taking her grandchildren to school each morning. Flaherty will be returning at the beginning of second semester to teach the Hawkeye Concurrent Oral Communications class at the high school. No one else has a master’s degree in speech or communication. Therefore, she is the only person in the district who is considered qualified to teach the class. Flaherty said, “I really missed the kids. Teaching is one of the few jobs where every day is different, and I laughed at something every single day. I’m excited about coming back and enjoying my classes and colleagues again. There’s nothing like it.” By Staff Writer Mallorie

SCKERL

“So you have something to share with prospective employers, or colleges if they need something unique, that’s going to be something you have that a lot of students will not have. That’s an advantage.” CAPS students will spend two hours a day away from the school building at the host site and sites of individual projects, and they are required to provide their own transportation as well as dress appropriately for the settings they are working in. “The idea is to dress the part. When you walk out those doors, you are a professional. You have to think professionally,” Weichmann said. Other necessary skills for CAPS students include the belief in collaboration between education, business and the community and a commitment to adding value when partnering with local businesses, as well as being open to new possibilities. “You’ve got to believe in collaboration because you’re going to be working and

communicating with different entities throughout the Cedar Valley,” Weichmann said. “If nothing else, you’re going to be finding things like, ‘am I interested in this career?” Even though CAPS will only be in it’s preliminary stages when it is up and running at the start of the second semester on Jan. 16, it is a unique program that gives students the opportunity to be problem based in a real-world professional environment, network and make connections with local businesses, as well as create their own brands that can be carried into the future. Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, productivity, accountability, career exploration, ethics and customer service are just a few of the things that students enrolled in CAPS will be exposed to, and Weichmann said these are all valuable skills that will outlast time spent in the high school classroom. By Staff Writer Elise

LEASURE

Brown finds STEM job in China Coach and teacher Joe Brown has been teaching in the Cedar Falls School District for seven years, and he recently announced that he will be leaving Cedar Falls this July and moving to China. “I have always wanted to travel, visit other cultures and why wait until I am retired. I am ready for a change,” Brown said. Brown who has no family connections in China, is purely moving for an adventure. In China, Brown will be teaching at an immersion school ( similar to an international school). He will be taking a step back from his usual field and will be dipping his toes in the STEM field while working with another teacher. “I will not be a math teacher because the students will have a traditional Chinese math teacher. I will be paired with a science teacher and create a Math STEM course,” Brown said. Throughout his years at the high school, Brown has touched many lives of students, athletes and teachers. “Mr. Brown has engaged in the life of our school by engaging with students in both the classroom and athletic

“Mr.Brown is someone who is willing to step out of his boundaries to make things better for the people around him.”

— Lars Christianson sophomore

settings. Mr. Brown has demonstrated passion for both his content area as well as his experiences with swimming and running. We wish him the very best as he moves forward with this new opportunity,” Principal Jason Wedgbury said. Even though the high school is losing a great teacher and coach, his students and co-workers are excited for Brown to see new adventures and expand his teaching. “I am very excited for Mr. Brown and his new adventure in China. I think this is an awesome ‘BROWN TO CHINA’ Continued on Page 3

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

Former coach, wife killed in car accident

On Tuesday Dec. 20, a CFHS coaching and teaching legend and his wife were killed in a car accident in Kansas. Jerry Slykhuis, 73, and Jacqueline Slykhuis, 70, were killed when the SUV they were in was hit when a truck didn’t stop at a stop sign on Highway 54. The news spread through Cedar Falls, where Slykhuis touched many lives of athletes and students. Slykhuis retired in 2008 after coaching the varsity basketball team for 32 years. He guided the Tigers to a 531-305 record throughout his career, which made him one of the top 20 most winningest coaches in Iowa history. In 2008 he was named Midwest Coach of the Year, and he was later inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame the following year. Slykhuis also coached the boys’ golf team for 15 years and taught biology. He also helped run the Snow Valley basketball camp, which was recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the best teaching camps in the country. After retiring, Slykhuis volunteered to help many individuals and coaches. Even after ending his career as a coach, his presence still shined bright at Cedar Falls High School. “Coach Slykhuis had a passion for teaching kids and an unparalleled love for the game of basketball,” head basketball coach Ryan Schultz said. “His name will always be synonymous with Cedar Falls basketball, and we are grateful as a Tiger family for his years of dedication and leadership within our program,” Schultz said. It’s safe to say that Slykhuis left a legacy on the program that will last forever because of his love and knowledge for the game. His caring passion to make an impact on every kid he coached was there every day. “Many stories will abound in the coming days about past victories, games and practice sessions, but what stands out most in my memories and conversations with others was how generous he was to others, especially kids,” Schultz said. Schultz played for Slykhuis for three years and had him as a teacher his sophomore year. He then became the head sophomore coach in Slykhuis’ system. “He was very driven to see kids excel, he didn’t give up on kids,” Schultz said. “One thing most people probably wouldn’t know is how he wrote out his pregame routine on a chalkboard in the locker room before each game. The last thing he wrote at the bottom of each pregame routine was ‘HAVE FUN.’ He knew the most important thing for his players was to enjoy the game and have fun play-

Family, friends reflect on loss Sitting in their parents home, surrounded by their belongings that trailed the hallway or were stored in boxes, brothers Steve and Matt Slykhuis sat next to each other cherishing fond childhood memories as a new beam of light shined through the window. “I guess growing up I knew that I had really great parents, very accepting, but it’s sort of something like this, you realize just how great they were and how many people they touched,” said Steve, the oldest son of Jerry and Jane Slykhuis. Both brothers described their parents as wonderful people who would go above and beyond but truly thought that was normal. It was normal to help people in need. It was normal to stay a few extra minutes and help a player out in the gym. It was normal to be a genuine, helping peron. “My mom was always known by all of my friends as just the sweetest lady. She did everything for us. She was always looking for ways to serve us and take care of us,” younger brother, Matt, said. Steve said he always knew his parents as people who were always reaching out and giving toward others, never expecting anything in return. His dad, whether it was in the gym or teaching in a classroom, was always trying to go the extra mile to lend a helping hand. “I didn’t realize but when I was three years old, there was a student he had in high school that went to UNI, and he didn’t have a place to live, so they had him move into the basement for four months while he worked in order to find a place to live,” Steve said. Matt said he had a very unique and enjoyable opportunity to play high school basketball for his father. “I really enjoyed playing for my dad. He cared so much about what he was doing and coaching that he

never let me being his son get in the way of his duty as a coach. We had a great relationship before I played for him and even better after.” Both brothers said one thing their father always had in the back of his head and written out below his meticulous preparation and detailed warm ups was ‘Play hard. Have fun!’ “That really sums of his whole philosophy on coaching and life too: work hard, play hard and have fun,” Steve said. Steve also shared that even though Jerry would have a regimented game plan mapped out before any player would go out to the court and play, he wanted them to know to have fun. “That was his lesson for them to take home.” Devastation is the only word that had come to mind when thinking of their parents terrible car accident. “For me, Matt will always be my baby brother, and to have to call my baby brother and tell him mom and dad were both killed in a car accident was the hardest call I would ever have to make.” Steve and Matt are four hours

apart in time difference, with Steve living in New York and Matt living in Alaska. “It’s nothing I had ever prepared for and certainly nothing I had ever considered or thought about,” Matt said. “Right away I knew something wasn’t right. He said, mom and dad were in a car accident, and I said, tell me they’re OK and he’s like, they’re both dead.” Immediately after getting the news, Matt said he called to his wife to hold his three month old baby and take the phone, and he broke down. “I don’t think there is a better word than devastating,” Matt said. Close friend of coach Slykhuis, Keith Sandvold, said he would have to agree that losing his church buddy, basketball fanatic friend and golf partner left him without a breath. “It sucks everything out of you when they are tragically killed. You would think as you get older that you would get used to passing, but you don’t. ” Sandvold had first met Slykhuis in 1975 when Slykhuis started coaching at Cedar Falls High School. Over the years of watching his kids growing

ing the game. He knew it was just a game along with an avenue for his players to grow as people,” Athletic Director Gary Koenen said. Sophomore basketball coach and golf coach Dan Hensing taught and coached with Slykhuis for eight years. “The day he passed away, before I had heard the news, we had a basketball game that night, and I had referenced Coach Slykhuis in a story in our pregame talk. That night we won the game, yet our community lost two great people that we will all dearly miss,” Hensing said.

Slykhuis was much older than some of his co-workers and staff, but his friendships spanned the generations. “Even though he was 25 + years older than me, we still shared common interests in basketball and golf. Coach Slykhuis also enjoyed to tease and rib the people that he liked. Coach and I couldn’t have a conversation without that happening, which I always knew we both enjoyed,” Hensing said. Jane Slykhuis also helped many people throughout her life. She worked as the disabled services

coordinator at UNI. Before that, she worked as the director of nursing and health education at UNI as well. She loved the challenges she faced and tried her best every day to assist each and every student and faculty member. Both Jane and Jerry tried to connect with everyone and became close with many people outside of school, or coaching. “On a personal level, coach and I played in some four man, best shot golf tournaments, which was a great way to know each other away from school. I will miss

Submitted Photo

Jerry and Jacqueline Slykhuis made many lasting impacts on the Cedar Valley.

up throughout the basketball program, Slykhuis encouraged Sandvold to start the Junior Tiger basketball program in 1982, and they became fast friends from then on. “He was a very intense coach and a very hardworking person,” Sandvold said. Coach Slykhuis was very invested in the Cedar Falls basketball department. He had spent time coaching high school players after retirement such as sophomore Logan Wolf and others. Slykhuis worked very hard at Snow Valley with many local basketball players and put in his own time to put in extra work with anyone who wanted it. Sandvold said it was fun for him to call Slykhuis a friend. He felt appreciated and respected by him and said he had learned a lot from him. “He left a legacy of being a straightforward, honest, Christian person. He gave a lot both spiritually and mentally.” Sandvold, close friend Jon Martin and others are helping to bring up a basketball showcase in honor of their friend, Coach Slykhuis. “As I brought up to people, all the guys, they just said, ‘Whatever it takes.’” The showcase and date was approved Jan. 6 by the high school and is set to be Dec. 15-16, 2017. “One of my ways to fill the hole in my heart and to honor him is to put on a Jerry Slykhuis Basketball Showcase,” Sandvold said. But his friends and family agree that beyond the tributes and the showcase for Jerry and Jane Slykhuis, their light will always be shining down on the Cedar Valley. By Staff Writer Tehya

TOURNIER

those times the most,” Hensing said. On Dec. 20, the Cedar Falls Community lost two great people. “Whether it was spending extra time with a group of kids teaching the fundamentals of basketball, giving advice or guidance or giving a kid a basketball or T-shirt when they didn’t have the means,” Schultz said. “Coach Slykhuis gave up himself and touched so many lives. He will be greatly missed by his Tiger family and countless others.” By Staff Writer Jack

MOODY

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Luther College loses legendary director Dec. 21, 2016 is a date that many Luther college students, alumni and fans will never forget. Weston Noble, long-time director of the Luther choirs, passed away that day after health complications following a serious fall. Noble was loved by many, and Luther alumni Elliott Kranz, who is also the CFHS choir director, remembers Noble fondly and personally. “I knew Mr. Noble in a few different ways,” Kranz said. In January of 2002, the Nordic choir was going on an East Coast tour, but Noble had recently broken his leg in a car accident. Kranz was supposed to start his student teaching that same month, but his college roommate was president of the Nordic choir and asked him to tag along and make sure Noble made it through the trip. “I had many duties that month and had the privilege of connecting with Mr. Noble on a more personal level. It was something that I will never forget.” Something Luther prizes is tradition. This proved true when talking about Noble, and how his legacy lives on. “What I observed from him as a teacher and a conductor are things I try to use in my rehearsals with my students. Some of the warm-

ups and rehearsal techniques are the same.” After graduating from Luther, Noble was asked to return as interim choir director for a year. Somehow time got lost, and one year turned into 57 years. In these years he conducted all the choirs, but most notably, he led the Nordic choir to their elite acapella status they have today. While Noble had many traditions and staple phrases, there’s one in particular that Kranz will never forget. “‘All music must dance’ was one of Mr. Noble’s favorite sayings, and it is one I still use today,” Kranz said. Kranz isn’t the only Cedar Falls citizen whose heart was touched by Noble and his teachings. Linnea Nicol, Luther alumni from ‘87, also had many positive experiences with the legendary Noble. “The last time I saw Weston Noble was on Luther campus four years ago. We went to the closing performance of the Dorian summer music camp. I saw Dr. Noble in the lobby after the conference, and upon seeing me he remembered my maiden name, that I was from Estherville, Iowa, and mentioned how much John (my son) favored my dad,” Nicol said. “I remember

going to Valder’s Hall for Messiah rehearsals. He always had a story about the music, almost as though he had been there when Handel wrote it,” Nicol said. Over the years, Noble earned honorary doctoral degrees from Augustana College, St. Olaf College, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Carthage College and Wartburg College. During his senior year of college, 1943, Noble was called into active duty. Luckily, Luther allowed him and others called to accelerate their degrees and finish before they left for active duty. He fought at Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and was part of the main Allied attack on Nazi Germany in 1945. Over the years of his musical life he has touched the hearts of many, and instilled a irremovable love of music in the minds of so many musicians. As Nicol put it so frankly, “Weston Noble was the heart of Luther College.” By Staff Writer Albie

NICOL

Weston Noble, who directed music at Luther College for 57 years, died on Dec. 21. Randi Berg Photo

Robotics team drawing up plans for 2017

Junior Porter Beland and a mentor, another mentor and sophomore Nathan Hoffman, and a student from another school and sophomore Randev Goonesekere were among the members of Team 525 converging on the high school in preparation for the upcoming season. Tana Gam-Ad Photos

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Working for the Real World

English classes putting skills Students use extension project to create on trial in mock courtrooms improvements in Peet girls bathrooms Peet junior high has been partaking mock trial the past three years in select English classes. Brian Suiter is the teacher who uses this activity to teach students how to use argumentative papers in real life situations. The situation the students will be arguing in the mock trial is about one freshman student cyber bullying another student. The victim of the bully has decided to sue the school and the bully. “I am most excited to see how the trial will play out and see who puts up the best case,” said Natalie Lang, who is playing the role of Alex Billings, the plaintiff. As for the setup of the trial, the students get to watch multiple sets of videos explaining how the trial will go down. Suiter then picks the rolls for students, and they get into three separate teams: the defense team, the plaintiff team and the jury members. The plaintiff and the defense teams will get together and come up with opening statements, and the lawyers will come up with questions for cross and direct examination. “Students learn about the legal process, school policies

“I want to become a lawyer, and this trial has helped me see how much I love being able to change someone’s opinion just by using my words.” — Sabrina Leistikow and why they are created, and how different people look at different rules and issues,” Suiter said. Many of the students have been very excited to participate in the mock trial. They have been working very hard on the case and finding strong arguments. It has even inspired some students to think about a career in law. Sabrina Leistikow is one of them. “I want to become a lawyer, and this trial has helped me see how much I love being able to change someone’s opinion just by using my words.” By Staff Writer Emmey

SHERBON

Recently, feminine hygiene dispensers were added to the girls bathrooms at Peet, after it was discovered that Holmes and the high school have already had these dispensers available, and all it took was a letter from a student at Peet to make the change. Mia Dexter, a freshman, decided to use an extension project for her English class that has students use their argumentative skills and apply it to the real world, as a perfect way to make a change in the girl’s bathrooms at Peet Junior High. After writing a letter about getting the dispensers at Peet, Dexter and another female student, Emma Dewitt, took the letter to their guidance counselor, Rebecca Lins, to bring to the school board. “I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to formally present the idea to the student counsel and Peet staff. This is something that every girl at Peet would need and benefit from in the future,” Dexter said. The letter was approved, and it was announced that the girl’s bathrooms would be getting pads and tampons dispensers installed. “It’d be one

Senior set to begin work at Capitol As the second semester rolls around, Olivia Habinck, political guru, will be beginning her first steps out of high school working as an intern at the state capitol in Des Moines. “Last year I went with the counselors and a few students for the annual Visit the Hill day. We talked with a page when at the Capitol, and I was immediately interested,” she said. Despite Habinck’s strong strive to dive into this area of work, receiving the job didn’t come without surprise and an overrun of pure excitement. “I was really shocked and immediately excited when I found out I got the job. I actually got the call during school and ended up being a couple minutes late to my next period; it was well worth it.” Working at the Capitol will consist of running notes, coffee and other tasks for the senators, all of which will help

Habinck gain experience for upcoming decisions as she chooses a major at the University of Northern Iowa in the fall. “I don’t really know exactly what I want to do after this upcoming semester. As for now, I just really want to continue to work for politicians, and we will see where this job takes me. I may find this area suits me well as I decide a potential career.” While the internship will allow her to follow a passion, Habinck carries nerves with her as she packs up and moves to Des Moines. “I will be living with the former art teacher at Holmes Junior High, Andy McCormick, and his family. They’re super rad, and I am thrilled to be staying with them. However, I’m still worried about being lonely and missing my friends and family.” Though close relatives and friends will miss Olivia’s presence, their utmost support has

pushed her to pursue her passion in politics as well as take the job. “My family along with friends and teachers have supported me through the whole process. My mom loves posting about it on Facebook. It gives me reassurance in what I will be doing.” While the upcoming semester holds a plethora of nerves and concerns for Habinck as she takes on her internship, she anticipates the new memories and experiences to come. “I’m excited to see how government really works and grasp a better understanding of how a bill becomes a law. I am not completely sure what to expect, but being in Des Moines will be a really fun time.” Follow Habinck @oliviaswagyolo on Instagram and Twitter for updates on her internship at the Iowa Capitol. By Staff Writer Madison

PALMERSCHEIM

thing if no other school had them, but since all of our other schools have them, I think it’s important we have them too,” Dewitt, a member of Peet’s student council, said. Girls who forget and don’t want to ask their nurse for hygiene products will now have a new solution with the dispensers in the bathrooms. “I strongly agree that our female students need the option of purchasing tampons and/ or pads in the bathrooms here at school. Not everyone feels comfortable asking friends, a female teacher or stopping in the nurse’s office,” Lins said. A con to getting the pads and tampons dispensers was the risk of vandalism. Peet Principal Bill Boevers said that before remodeling, Peet did have dispensers installed in the bathrooms before, but they were rxgemoved. “I was told that they frequently did not work, and at times they had damage done to them,” Boevers said. But despite the possibility of damage, the dispensers are still going to be installed. “I don’t think a small risk of vandalism or not being used correctly is any reason to take it

away from the girls who would use them and respect them,” Peet freshman Amanda Friis said. “I think reminding students and having students remind each other that we need to respect the property will help,” Dewitt said. “It might take people awhile to get used to having them because it’s something new, but over time, I think people will adjust and be grateful for them.” Dexter agreed. “It’s not something that should be overlooked just because it doesn’t happen to everyone or just because it happens to girls,” she said. “There will be a point in your life where it will sneak up on you, and you won’t be ready and have the supplies, so the dispensers could save you from the embarrassment and humiliation.” Overall, the installation of the feminine hygiene dispensers is something that many girls at Peet are excited to have. “It’s not like we get to choose whether we have our period or not, so we might as well make it as convenient as possible.” Dewitt said. By Staff Writer Jade

PHAM

Submitted Photo

Senior Olivia Habinck is headed to Des Moines to work a page in the second semester of this school year.

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HI-LINE High school class creates gifts for shelter animals

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

The holiday season was all about giving, and six high school students definitely didn’t fall short this past December. On Dec. 16, six of Mrs. Frahm’s students traveled to the Cedar Bend Humane Society during power hour to deliver their hand-made donations to the shelter. Students Rachael Carley, Isaac Millman, Taryn Ackerman, Jacque Vance, Zach Carr and Kylie Elser all contributed to the project. The idea all started with Carley. She wanted to reach out and help the animals at the shelter during the holiday season, so she suggested that her class donate to them. Her fellow students were quick to hop on board. She and her classmates made toys and beds for cats and dogs at the shelter using fleece, stuffing and catnip. Senior Taryn Ackerman even hand sewed the cat toys all by herself.

“It was really fun to see all the little cats and kittens so happy,” Millman said. Special needs teacher Tammy Frahm said it was a thrill reaching out with students to help the community. “I think the whole project is about service learning and the fact that it doesn’t have to cost much. You can give back by doing, and the items that we made were inexpensive. I got excited seeing that they understand they can give in a variety of different ways. It doesn’t have to be just monetary, and, hopefully, their excitement will make them want to do more for others in the future.” The students agreed. “It makes you feel good, and it makes them feel good too. It makes you feel good to know that you’re helping people. It puts a smile on your heart, and it puts a smile on their heart too,” Carley said. By Staff Writer Clare

ROLINGER

Submitted Photo

Students in Tammy Frahm’s classes hand crafted a number of special gifts for the animals at the Cedar Bend Humane Society, and they delivered them before the holiday break. From left to right are (front row): Kylie Elser and Zach Carr, and (back row): Isaac Millman, Jacque Vance, Taryn Ackerman and Rachael Carley.

Students finding variety of ways to volunteer For junior Shelby Hartwig, volunteering at Hansen Elementary school was not only an opportunity to help out younger students, but a way for her to gain skills necessary for life. “I volunteered at Hansen Elementary School grading papers, helping students write and read, and anything else a teacher needed me to do.” Hartwig said. She is not alone in her quest to assist others. CFHS students volunteer in a variety of ways throughout the community. While Hartwig sees an opportunity to simply help out, junior Paul Pease sees his volunteering as an opportunity to give back to those who gave to him when he was a child. “I volunteer at Nazareth Lutheran Church in the Kidz Rock program. We teach them about the Bible, sing songs and play fun games with them,” Pease said. “I do this to help out the church I have grown up at, to give kids the opportunities I was given as a child to learn about God and because I enjoy connecting and having an impact with the children.” While many high schoolers are focused on money when it comes to work, Hartwig and Pease both recognize that volunteering gives off something greater than money. “I think it’s a really good experience to work for someone or something when you aren’t always getting paid. It humbles you

Volunteer Club resurrects peer tutoring A service from the past has been given new life. The Volunteer Club is bringing back the tutoring program that had been offered previously at the high school. Aastha Chandra, one of the advocates for the club, said, “I thought it would be a great project to prop back up, and garnered a lot of support for the idea when I brought it up at the first Volunteer Club meeting this year.” This program was offered a few years ago at the high school, but once the members graduated, the tutoring program came to an end. Both Chandra and Linda Peng, another member of the volunteer club, stressed the importance of wanting the program to exist after they graduate. Students teaching students has proven successful in the past, and the club members

hope to build upon this. “It’s extremely beneficial for both the tutor and the student alike: then student is able to get the help they need, and the tutor understands the concept better themselves from explaining it,” Chandra said. Tutors are required to have experience in the subject. Recruitment is ongoing. Those interested can contact the Volunteer Club to help. “The tutors are simply students who are willing to tutor,” Peng said. Group members also asked friends and classmates to recommend other tutors. The program is growing by word of mouth. One perk of the of the program is that it is quite flexible. The process begins with the student emailing the tutor, and the two setting up a meeting time. For example, Chandra said that

3-3:50 works well for many because it is right after school ends. “I want this project to be able to connect students to an easy resource and give extra help in classes,” Peng said. “The tutoring program began last week with the update in the class Schoology pages that includes a quick description and a link to the Google Document with classes and available tutors,” Chandra said. The project will continue through second semester, and members hope to continue it into the 2017-2018 school year as well. “We also wanted the student to be able to take initiative to get help in a way that is simple and informal,” Peng said.

when you get to give back to the community,” Hartwig said. “It’s also good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. It also gives you a variety of skills that you can use later in life, like being comfortable in social situations as well as time management.” Junior Abby Kobliska

agreed with Hartwig on the benefits of volunteering. “I volunteer at World’s Window. I cashier and set out items on display,” Kobliska said. “I do it because it’s fun, and I’ve learned how to work in a store setting.” Many universities nowadays like to see volunteer hours for

prospective students, so finding something one enjoys and lending one’s time is something that aides not only the people that one is helping, but oneself as well. Pease is not only able to lend his time and give back to his church, he is also able to be a role model for children he

By Staff Writer Emma

GRAENING

teaches. “The kids really connect with high schoolers and look up to them. They really enjoy their time with high schoolers and pay more attention to lessons when high schoolers are their leaders,” Pease said. As for advice to those who are unsure or looking to volunteer in the community, Hartwig said it’s an easy commitment to make and one that can be enjoyed if planned and executed correctly. “If you are looking to volunteer somewhere, I would say to consider things you enjoy. For instance, I love being around kids, so volunteering in a school classroom or leading Sunday school groups on the weekends worked well for me,” Hartwig said. In making the best of an experience, Pease said more is merrier. “If you are looking to volunteer, try and volunteer to do something you enjoy,” Pease said. “It also helps to have a friend volunteer with you and to get to know the people organizing what you are volunteering for.” Kobliska also emphasised the effects that volunteering can have on your future. “I think high schoolers should volunteer to gain experience for upcoming jobs and to go do something that will help others,” Kobliska said. “Just try it. It may be more fun and interesting than it looks.” By Staff Writer Elise

LEASURE

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Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

Planning for Perfection

After studying results from previous session, senior puts together perfect 36 on ACT

Ivan Kozlov didn’t particularly feel optimistic about his score when he was leaving the ACT in October. He even believed that he had received the worst score out of all four times he took the ACT. What he didn’t know then was that he actually was walking out with a score of 36. Being an A student, Kozlov has always pushed himself, but unlike a lot of students, his parents don’t put much pressure on him to have academic success, so all his work and effort to get the grades and scores he gets comes purely from self motivation. Kozlov spent several days prior to the test working on practice tests and questions. Coming into the test, he didn’t feel a lot of pressure. “The test goes easier if you don’t stress about it,” Kozlov

Psyching Up

Senior Ivan Kozlov said. It didn’t hurt that this wasn’t his first time walking into this test. He had gotten good enough scores the first three times to not worry that much about this last test. The first two in his junior year included the writing portion and the last two in his senior year was without writing. Kozlov described the day of the test more like a school day:

he got up early, went and took the test, then went home to do homework. The test itself took a little more than three hours, but it ended up being a lot longer because it took a while to get everyone seated and get through the instructions. Like the routine test taking, Kozlov has standard suggestions for success. “Get enough sleep, eat breakfast, etc. — the stuff that gets drilled into you. Take the test multiple times. Use the score report to find what you’re bad at and improve on it,” Kozlov said, and that is just what he did to get the maximum score on the ACT. He also recommends not arriving too early considering the test takes so long to set up and there is a lot of waiting around. By Staff Writer Lily

BECKER

Vanessa Kime Photo

Students in AP Psychology used a Snapchat activity to review for finals this week.

BROWN TO CHINA/ Continued from Page 1 opportunity for him, and I know he is looking forward to a new challenge. I really admire his willingness to travel across the globe and share his love for students, learning and athletics,” said Shari Neese, a CFHS parent and math teacher. Replacing Brown will be a long process. “It was a very difficult decision. Cedar Falls has provided me with so many opportunities. I have been able to coach swimming, cross country and track. I created my own geometry course. I have met wonderful colleagues, future scholars and collegiate athletes, each holding a special place with me and making this decision all the more challenging,” Brown said. Brown has been a cross country coach for the women’s junior high team for three years and the women’s track coach for four years. Those who work with him say Brown is a caring coach and is always one step ahead, thinking about what’s the best for the team and the athletes individually. “He puts everything he has into the kids he is coaching and wants them to do so good, probably more than the kids want it. Which is so awesome,” eighth grader Emma Clark said. Brown is recognized as a very verbal coach and cheerleader. To one meet he wore a cowboy hat and he yelled to the athletes random words, which they set up ahead of time as a code word for speed up. “He never gives up on helping you and always has an answer to your questions,” eighth grader Noelani Mattson said. As well as a cross country coach, he has been a men’s swimming coach for seven years and a men’s track coach for two years. One thing that stands out about coach Brown is his passion for sports. “One thing I will miss about Mr. Brown is listening to him recap his races. He has such passion for running. It is very inspiring and motivating to listen to his stories and experiences as a runner. He was either a track or cross country coach for each of my children, and I

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Students and teachers best memories of Brown: “My best memory is the summer of 2014 when I did Relay Iowa on a team with Mr. Brown. 48 hours of running across this beautiful state dressed up as various super heroes was one of the best running experiences I’ve ever had. Mr. Brown was our team leader and was always finding ways to keep us motivated and running.” —Scott Bohlmann math teacher “My best memories of Mr. Brown come through the classroom and his teachings.” —Lars Christianson sophomore student “My best memory was during my seventh grade year of cross country after State when I got my best time of the year, and I felt that he was very proud of me.” —Noelani Mattson cross country runner “Probably the state cross country meet because our whole team got drops (personal records), and it was really fun.” —Emma Clark cross country runner know they loved his stories and benefited from his knowledge of running too,” Neese said. “Mr Brown doesn’t do anything he isn’t passionate about. He puts in all the effort he can into helping students and athletes improve to meet their potential, even when he is physically and emotionally tired. The success of those he works with drives him,” Scott Bohlmann, Brown’s assistant swim coach, said. Along with juggling women’s and men’s sports, Brown teaches honors geometry at the high school. In the classroom he doesn’t only teach the students about math; he teaches them how to be good people. “Joe has taught me patience when learning new concept and ideas,” sophomore Lars Christianson said. “His overall attitude helps us understand that doing things for others and not worrying about yourself is what the world needs.” By Staff Writer Sophia

SCHILLINGER

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LEARN TO DRIVE Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

Peet teachers, staff recount experiences with their first cars “It was as if you were sitting in a rocketship.”

—Science teacher Hilary Iehl

Physical education teacher Ethan Jennings “For an old car, it was in very good shape.” Model of car: 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Color: Surf green Nickname: Not given One memory: “I had my school and work permit and was out practicing driving with my mom. I accelerated the car and the gas pedal stuck in the down position. With quick thinking, my mother was able to release the pedal before we got going too fast. My uncle was willing to buy it back

Math teacher Lori Boyer “I stalled it at many stop signs, and maybe all of them. I can’t remember.” Model: Mustang Color: Silver (picture above is, “not actual, but pretty close.”) Nickname: Not given One memory: “It was a stick shift, which I had never learned how to drive. My dad just handed me the keys, and, with only very basic instructions, sent me on my way.”

Social studies teacher Sarah Carlson “It makes me really appreciate the ability to afford a new car as an adult.” Age when car was given: 16 Model of car: 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Color: Brown Nickname: Bessy. “I hated this car, but it just kept running, so I kept driving it.” One memory: “My first winter with it, it had no heat, so I drove around with a blanket. The ceiling fabric was stapled to the ceiling, and most times the driver door didn’t open, so I climbed through the backseat door and over the seats to get in. The rust on the driver’s side door was so bad I could see the outside through a hole. I put fuzzy dice on the mirror and a fuzzy blue steering wheel cover on, and I cruised in that car for two years.”

Health assistant Pamela Foland “I was the youngest, so by the time it was passed onto me, it looked horrible.” Model of car: 1976 Ford Grand Torino Color: “It was supposed to be blue but, it had a lot of grey primer on it.” Nickname: Not given One memory: “The driver’s seat didn’t have any springs. We put bricks under the seat to hold it up. The carpet was ripping, and the air conditioner didn’t work any more. My car was so big, I could fit a lot of friends in it :) We had so much fun. Lots of fun memories in that car. I put a lot of miles on it cruising up and down University Ave. every Friday and Saturday night. Lots of laughs about how horrible it looked. The thing is, I was happy to have a car no matter what it looked like. I never complained to my parents

English teacher Nathaniel Norby: “It was like a boat; it would float along as I drove.” Model of car: 1988 Dodge Dynasty Color: “Maroon and a thing of a beauty.” Nickname: Not given One memory: “My friends and I, who were idiots, would bring it out to icy parking lots and see how many times we could get it to spin in circles by putting it in reverse, speeding up, turning the steering wheel, and slamming on the brakes. Our record was six. Luckily, we didn’t hurt ourselves — like I said, we were idiots. We had a saying, ‘If you’re going to die, you might as well Dynasty.’ Seriously though, that car was so well built that it was probably the safest car we could have been in. Don’t do this kids. It is a bad idea.”

“‘If you’re going to die, you might as well Dynasty.’” Special education paraeducator Kylee Ferrell “I named it Blueberry, but I mainly call it Blue.” Age when car was given: 16 Model of car: 1998 Mercury Sable Color: Blue Nickname: “Blueberry, aka, Blue” One memory: “I have a huge crack in the bumper on the passenger side. I got my crack when I attended CFHS. I was parked in the center parking on the street, and someone hit my car when they were trying to parallel park.”

Science teacher Hilary Iehl:

—English teacher Nathanel Norby

“It was as if you were sitting in a rocketship.” Age when car was given: 16 Model of car: 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette Color: Grey Nickname: “The Shuttle” One memory: “During my junior year, the door latch was broken, so I either climbed in through the passenger door or left the window down and reached in to open it.”

By Staff Writer Vipsa

DODIYA

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With this project, every day is perfect for making snowmen What You Will Need: • • • • •

• • • • •

Plain white sock A bag of rice Some ribbon A pair of scissors Super glue

Step 1

Materials

Some string Beads for the eyes Some buttons Baby socks Something to scoop out the rice with.

Step 2

Steps:

1. Cut off the part top of the sock. 2. Start filling the sock with rice. Make sure the sock is nice and full by packing the rice down. 3. While stuffing the sock with rice, round out the bottom of the sock and start shaping your snowman. 4. Then tie off the sock with a piece of string.

Step 7

Step 3&4

Step 5

5. After that’s done, you need to also tie a piece of string around the area of the sock for the head and body. 6. Then cut off a piece of ribbon and tie that around the snow - man’s neck. 7. After you tie the scarf on, use super glue to hold it in place by gluing in the center of where you tied off the scarf. 8. Cut off the excess sock from the top of the snowman’s head (if there is any).

Step 8&9

9. Then take one of the baby socks and put it on top the snow - man’s head for the hat. 10. Glue the buttons on the body of the snowman. 11. Lastly, use the beads for the eyes and nose and glue them onto the snowman’s “head.“ By Staff Writer Mackenzie

MICHAELS

Step 10

Step 11

Say goodbye to overexposed trends in makeup It’s makeup trends that need to die in 2017. New year, new beauty tips and tricks. Going back and pulling makeup and beauty trends from the past year is never bad, but sometimes it’s time to just let things die. There was contouring, strobing, yellow concealer and so many more, but some of them, at least to me, have come to their natural end in life. CONTOURING WITH RANDOM OBJECTS. From knifes and tape to high heels, this trend definitely needs to die. This whole trend creates unnatural lines in the hopes of reconstructing your face. You may think you look snatched, but you really just have sharp lines drawn on the hollows of your face.

TOO LIGHT CONCEALER. A makeup trick once revealed by Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist in which a slightly lighter, yellow toned, concealer was placed to brighten up the face. Now things have gone too far. Excessive use of this trend places a concealer too light (three to four shades lighter) under on the eyes and lights up the face in a hideous, unnatural way. OVERDRAWN LIPS. I can’t tell you how much I HATE overdrawn lips. Like honestly, do you really think that people can’t tell that you’ve gone outside of the natural lines of your lips? You’ve got to know that you’ve put lipstick on your chin right? Lip-lining is great in moderation, like all things, so please do

yourself a favor in 2016 and love your natural lips. EXCESSIVE HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOURING. I do contouring and highlighting, especially this winter. It’s one of the best ways to achieve a dewy, glowing look. But there’s a huge difference between applying your makeup products in the right places and being so obsessed with them. What I’m trying to say is this: Find the right highlighter or illuminator for you, know how to apply them and please don’t go overboard. You don’t need an uber-shiny face. OVERDONE EYEBROWS Those hideous, dark, over-painted, vinyl-looking eyebrows need to go away. I'm not

sure why some trends catch on and others don't, especially some that might have been born on a catwalk and meant to augment a trend, but those really awful stenciled-on brows are quite frightening and flatter no face. FOUNDATION MASKS With all the HD cameras and lighting we're using (gone are the days of a simple cell phone selfie), we're using heavier and fuller coverage foundation and powders in excess. It’s aging and ends up reading mask-like. In 2017, we're going to see more skin, more freckles and a move toward a more sheer, natural complexion. By Staff Writer Yoon

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Charmed Lives

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

FEATURE

KEEP bracelets allow for collecting life’s precious mementos

Everyone has that one object or thing that they prioritize or think about the most. Not a living human or pet, but an object. Something that you hold close to your heart. This object might tell a story or bring you closer to someone special. For some, that item is a charm bracelet, and it does both. KEEP Collective is a brand of bracelets and charms. They also sell necklaces, key fobs and so much more. If you want a bracelet to tell your story go to https://www.keepcollective.com. Alayna Yates: This is a purple leather bracelet with an infinity sign charm on it. About a month ago, my gramma was sick and in the hospital at Iowa City. There were days where she was all I could think about. I tried not to let it disturb me during school or affect my grades, and to my luck it didn’t, but nevertheless I still thought about her all of the time. So, I started wearing this bracelet. Why? Purple is my gramma’s favorite color, and I picked the infinity charm because for me it resembled that my gramma would always be in my thoughts. It seemed to me as if this bracelet is what was making her get better and one more day closer to coming home. I wore it till the end of 2016. I stopped wearing it at the start of the new year because I knew that now she was back home and everything was going to be OK.

This is my orange bracelet. This orange bracelet tells my story through the color and the several charms on it. Orange is my favorite color, and for the last 18 months I’ve worn orange every single Friday as a way to remember my elementary school music teacher. He and two of his children tragically passed away in a car accident on June 10, 2015. Orange was his favorite color, and it was bold like he was. The charms have their own stories too. First, there’s the safety pin. I got this one recently to give me safety in my opinions and the safety to be me. Second, is the peace sign. The peace sign reminds me of easier times as a young kid when I had peace signs all over my bedroom. In the middle is the word JOY. This reminds me to always stay positive and happy. Next is the music note. This was one of my first charms, and it resembles my love for music. Lastly is the puzzle piece charm. KEEP came out with this charm to support Autism Awareness Month in April. I love this charm because I have cousins who have autism, and it just reminds me of them.

Mackenzie MIchael Freshman Mackenzie Michael loved her KEEP Bracelet the minute she opened it. “I was happy when I received it. The bracelet was really shiny and cool looking,” Michael said. Not only did it look cool, but the meaning behind it made it that much more special. “The M stands for my last name, Michael, and the numbers 3634 stand for my dad's police badge number,” Michael said. While Michael said she thinks that they are really cool and unique, she states she wouldn’t have hers any other way. “I wouldn't like to add charms to mine. I like it just the way it is,” Michael said.

Amy McGovern Kari Yates Tends to go all out with her KEEP Bracelets. “I got a KEEP bracelet because I loved the idea of having a flexible bracelet with a watch, but also so I could add fun charms as I wanted, so if I want to be dressy one day I could add a nice charm, but if I was going to my kids’ sporting events, I could add their number and sporting charm,” Yates said. Instantly in love with the idea of KEEP Bracelets, Yates thought everyone should have one. “When I first got my bracelet, I wanted to show everyone. I thought everyone should have it. I shared it with family and friends by having a party at my house because I thought it was just a really nice idea that most ladies would like. Everyone has a story, and with KEEP, everyone can make their own unique bracelet and be able to tell their story through different charms,” Yates said.

My aunt, Amy McGovern, loves KEEP for two reasons. First, for supporting so many different causes and second the uniqueness of each of them. “I think it's a wonderful way to show support for causes that are close to your heart. I love the added touch of personal style that I have created on my own and seen in bracelets of friends and family,” McGovern said. The charms don’t always have to have a special meaning McGovern said. “Some are only to be pretty or blingy. Others are for support of battles that either I am fighting through or something a friend or family member is going through,” McGovern said. McGovern has recommended these bracelets to many friends and family members because like people, no two bracelets are the same.

Jo Slickers My grandma, Jo Slickers, bought her first KEEP Bracelets when her daughter hosted a party. Now she gifts them for her kids and her grandkids. When she puts on her KEEP Bracelet she thinks of her family. “They picked it out for me and they know what I like,” Slickers said. She loves the look and feel of the bracelets and agrees that they are well worth the money. Like many others, she wishes to add more charms to further tell her family story. By Staff Writer Alayna

YATES

10 Cohen among many song writers lost after 2016 The

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Leonard Cohen, one of the most influential poets and musicians, passed away on Nov. 7 last year. Cohen’s career started off by writing poems as well as novels, yet he didn’t establish a music career until he was 33 years old. A common theme in Cohen’s work is relationships, politics and religion. Just before he died, Cohen released his 14th studio album, “You Want It Darker.” The album was given four out of five stars by Rolling Stone. Here are some of Cohen’s most popular songs:

“Suzanne,” one of Cohen’s most well known songs, was written in 1967 on his first album, “Songs of Leonard Cohen.” The song speaks of the solace found by the riverside as he speaks of his longtime relationship with Suzanne Verdal. The lyrics take you through the trust of sharing your mind with someone. It speaks of the sheer beauty in someone’s heart and getting lost while traveling with someone that’s close your heart. Cohen makes a religious reference as he compares Jesus to a broken sailor walking on the water and watching the seas from his wooden watch tower. Finally, as the two explore the city of Montreal, he sings of how she is the one who touched his soul instead of him touching hers. This song originated from a poem in Cohen’s book, “Parasites of Heaven.”

“Hallelujah,” Cohen’s most popular song was made famous for being featured on the soundtracks of many popular films. This song illustrates having a failing faith while seeking proof of it’s foundation. The lyrics of the song talk about the overpowering feeling of love and lust. This song questions the difference between the holy and the broken. I interpret this song as a love ballad, making beauty out of the mess that can tangle you in the promises of “I love you,” and “you’ll always be mine.” If you listen to the song, you can hear the many different emotions that Cohen is referencing. Before this song was put on his album “Various Positions,” there were around 80 drafts of the song written before Cohen decided on the final ballad.

TRIGGERED

Dark tale of anxiety, pain worth exploration “Forgive Me Leonard Peacock” by Matthew Quick is an intense and very dark thriller that pulls you in, and makes you want more. The story starts with a 17-year-old boy on his birthday. However, he is planning on shooting his old friend, then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol. The whole novel takes place all in one day, and shows how his thoughts evolve and the process for the events soon to happen. Throughout the story, Leonard goes to four people that have affected his life: his Humphrey Bogart-loving neighbor, his violin playing friend from school Baback, his crush Lauren and his teacher Herr. He wanted to give them gifts because they were the few

people that made life as good as it could be for him. You can tell that he really cares for these people, but it still doesn’t change his decision and plans. Yes, this is a very intense novel, and it definitely has some touchy subjects, but it's definitely worth the read. More than likely you also won’t relate a lot to the main character, though some could understand and relate to the anxiety and depression that Leonard faces. As you progress through the novel, you get to see memories and view Leonard from a funnier and happier perspective. This wonderful novel shows anxiety and pain to its core. As I said before, it can get very intense, but the story is nothing like I have ever read before. It gives a different perspective to a hurt teenager and how he copes with pain. I recommend this novel to those who want a new kind of story, and want a novel that they won’t be able to put down. By Staff Writer Sydney

SEE

“You Want it Darker,” the title track off of his new album, is a song about religion, specifically the Jewish religion. The title of this song is fitting as this is one of the darker Leonard Cohen songs as he highlights aspects of his Jewish religion. There is plenty of religious references in this tune, as he says “magnified, sanctified, by thy holy name.” Leonard also pays his respects to the tragedy that was the Holocaust as he says, “a million candles burning for a love that never came.” This is one of my favorite Leonard Cohen songs, as it shows the true emotion and effort that he puts into his craft.

“Dance Me to the End of Love” is one of Cohen’s more upbeat

tunes. Usually his songs are crafted to channel darker and more melancholy emotions. This song is the telling of a romantic encounter of two strangers meeting for the first time, while dancing. The lyrics in this song paint the beautiful picture between two people moving to the graceful sounds of a violin while moving in relationship to the music. This song highlights the pros that Cohen feels comes with being in love. Cohen has learned a lot from his previous relationships, and this is portrayed in his music. By Staff Writer Emma

GRAENING

Online comic captures fresh perspectives “The Disabled Life,” a blog created on Tumblr by Lianna and Jessica Oddi, has wheelchair users literally “rolling” on the floor laughing. The Canadian sister’s comics and posts document the “jerks and perks,” of not only being a wheelchair user, but also the true disabled experience. Their various social media accounts featuring the comics began as a mode for the Oddis to share their sarcastic musings and life experience with the others, and they have won over both disabled/chronically ill and able-bodied audiences in the process. They have also caught the attention of press organizations such as The Mighty and Huffington Post. The sister’s artistic style is visually appealing due to its minimalist nature.

Most of their comics work with very limited color palettes or are simply monochrome. Their lettering is relatively easy to read and is often sized in a matter that aides in legibility. On their tumblr account, they do offer extensive visual descriptions for those who are blind, visually impaired or have vision problems. Their refreshing illustrations with witty captions deal with serious subjects such as equal access, body image and misdiagnosis in the least “preachy” way. By putting powerful messages in more humorous and approachable packages, these women will most definitely make a bigger mark in the social justice and evolution of the perception of such topics. By Staff Writer Halie

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Six Overlooked Games of 2016

These RPGS deserve more attention from gamers With 2016 over, we have a lot to look forward to, especially in the gaming industry, however I think it’s also important to look back at what has happened. I think it’s good to learn from your mistakes, but more importantly, learn from your happy accidents. Quite a few best of 2016 lists are coming out, and they are full of good games. “Overwatch,” “Dishonored” and “Dark Souls” are all great games, but everyone knows about those. The following list is of six games that are underrated and fairly unknown. The first entry on this list is a bit of a cheat. “The Witcher 3, Blood and Wine.” Yes, yes, “The Witcher 3” is an insanely popular game, but as the hype of last years game of the year died down, something brilliant dropped onto the scene. “Blood and Wine” is only a DLC addition to the already brilliant RPG known as “The Witcher,” centering around a sword-fighting beast hunter that has to save someone close to him. “Blood and Wine” is both a very different and very similar experience to the base game, the strangely beautiful, realistically medieval landscape in the base game being traded for an almost fantasy like one. Though the world is beautiful, sadness and darkness merge with the humor and happiness, becoming closely related and almost identical. The main character is brought to this land of roller coasters to seek out a monster within it, something unknown who has been killing trusted nights and other important people. The mystery and intrigue forms an interesting plot for “The Witcher,” and the tight gameplay forms a near-perfect combat system. It’s bloody, it’s deadly, and it’s quick, yet also dark and mysterious. The DLC not only holds up to the rest of the game, but in some ways exceeds it, providing fun for hours. It’s content is likely more fleshed out than many full priced games, and being the last occurrence of the long-loved main character, Geralt of Rivia, it is necessary for any fan. Each engaging session that you play is almost bittersweet as it is one session closer to the end of the game, which is actually a pretty good thing. The second entry has only technically come out this year because of it’s massive, game changing updates. “Crypt of the Necrodancer” is a fairly standard RPG where a girl goes to save her uncle, yet rather than fighting mon-

sters like a regular RPG, you have to move in perfect time with the beat of either their preset songs or an mp3 of your own. This is excruciatingly challenging for those who have little sense of rhythm, but for those who play music or have a natural sense for beat, it can be very easy. The game relies heavily on the recognition of patterns, and the ability to think quickly, while also strategizing, forming an almost turn based combat style. The dark stone dungeon floors light up with color as the tempo increases, and like a disco, the girl and monsters dance around, battling with flashes of light and baited moves. It’s a niche game, but the dancing mechanic creates something new and interesting that would be interesting to explore in further titles. Another of these games is “Darkest Dungeon.” Living up to it’s name, “Darkest Dungeon” is an extremely dark game, it’s bleak concept based on trying to scrounge up enough money to live while hiring mercenaries to seek out the long forgotten treasures deep underneath an old castle. In the descent to find the treasure, the mercenaries must fight deadly creatures and countless horrors, their in game sanity meter slowly waning until the hired blades are so crazy that they are hurting more than they are helping. The challenge of getting through these sprawling dungeons only increases as time goes on, running out of torches and food until they are reduced to cold husks. Though the game is slightly depressing with a bleak plot, the almost gothic art style is beautiful, and the almost pet-like attachment you grow to the mercenaries you hire makes losing them all the more impactful. The payoff you receive when completing a dungeon or saving one of your favorite characters is massive because of the steep difficulty curve. This game does one thing very well — forming attachments to characters and not being afraid to kill them off. “Fire Emblem Fates” is another game that is criminally underrated, even though published by Nintendo. Though the game is targeted at teens, the adjustable difficulty settings can make the game challenging for small children and expert strategists alike. Much like “Darkest Dungeon,” the player controls several heroes that must take turns to fight an enemy AI; however, unlike the previous game, the

soldiers are viewed from a top down perspective and are outnumbered at least 2-1. The challenge presents itself in a head on assault, the tough enemies charging in as you are forced to outgun and outmaneuver their seemingly endless ranks until you secure the upper hand and try to vanquish your foe. Playing on the harder difficulties makes the game brutally unforgiving, making the player analyze the battlefield like a chess match, and sometimes make tough sacrifices to keep key fighters alive. Yet during downtime between fights, the extremely well written cast of 51 characters comes to life and has discussions. These characters form relationships and camaraderie based on how they’re played. For example, if two characters constantly protected each other in battles, their relations would improve, making them closer and even making them fight more strongly together. This strength can manifest in different ways, the characters becoming best friends or even getting married. Yet again, depending on the difficulty setting, you can lose your units; however, with the beautifully dynamic relationship building mechanic, the deaths become all the more meaningful. This can add to the story, but most players avoid their favorite character’s deaths at all costs. Though the pre-set story can be almost hilariously dramatic at times, the game manages to give an unexpectedly compelling experience. An extremely controversial game that many looked on with disdain was “Firewatch.” The game was masterfully crafted in terms of story and mood, but the gameplay was rather lacking. Labeled by many as a walking simulator, “Firewatch” takes place in Shoshone National Forest, where Henry, the main character whose wife recently befell tragedy, is assigned to a tower that overlooks the forest, so that he can make sure fires do not rage out of control. While it starts as an escape to nature, Henry quickly becomes attached to the beautiful landscape and his fellow Fire Watcher, Delilah. There is no specific goal to the game besides enjoying the story and building your relationship with Delilah and the land, which makes many not even consider it a game. While the gameplay isn’t exactly the most enjoyable, and players often find themselves lost in the massive park, the brilliantly structured and well executed story is amazing, and the voice acting is some

of the best gaming has seen in a long time. As you delve deeper into the game, more and more threads become untangled, and the plot takes several interesting twists, making the seemingly boring game shine only brighter. If it can be considered a game, then “Firewatch” is a brilliant and beautiful one, definitely worth checking out. Finally, “Hyper Light Drifter” also deserves a spot on this list. With the increased popularity of pixel art, and a more retro design, “Drifter” takes it’s art to the next level, the vibrantly colored, well shaded, yet somehow retro looking art probably the best we’ve seen. The game is an action RPG with a quite vague, almost interpretive story. You play as some kind of alien swordsman with the ability to blink, or teleport, very short distances. With very little other intelligent life forms and almost no allies, the game instills a sense of the player being the last bastion of intelligent life. The world is beautiful, yet slowly becoming slightly overgrown, the amazing almost neon wall designs slowly turning greenish grey as roots and moss cover them. With hordes of enemies blocking you, only one direction can be taken: forward. As you unlock other directions and get more clues in the story, more and more enemies come, and the fights become a difficult struggle of blinking around the map and attacking in almost a guerilla warfare type fashion. Unless you like the vague kind of plot structure, story is not the main goal of “Hyper Light Drifter,” and neither is the character development, because the main character has little to no dialogue. However the insanely catchy gameplay and the stunning visuals make the at times frustratingly difficult game worth playing. Color is bound to flicker and flash upon the player’s screen as he or she flits around like a humming bird using the blink ability like an almost neon blue sword slashing through the ever colorful rooms and paths. Though these games can be enjoyable to most people on a surface level, many people use entertainment as an escape, a much needed commodity in 2016. In these trying times, with the future looking somewhat bleak, these overlooked beacons of hope can give gamers just enough energy to push through. Most of these games can be located at store.steampowered.com, and those that can’t can be found at Gamestop.com. By Staff Writer Luke

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“Life is about becoming a better version of yourself, yes. But the most fulfilling thing is helping someone through kindness and love. ”

In 2017, let’s resolve to place more time giving than receiving

Leah Forsblom Photo Vanessa Kime Graphic

With the new year, now is the time to plan to reach new targets

With the new year already begun and 2016 in the past, the new year has allowed people to have a fresh start. Goals can be mental like wanting to receive a grade point average of 4.0 or physical like wanting to hitchhike up a mountain. Knowing how to set appropriate goals for oneself is crucial because it makes it easier to accomplish the goals and create the right goals that can be obtainable. Keeping the goal going on throughout the year is important, and it pushes people to try their best. There are certain steps that people take that help them keep their goal alive until the end of the year. Here are the steps: 1. Take one goal at a time and do not set too many goals that are not possible. 2. Make the goal important. 3. Plan the goal far in advance and think about what goal is the right fit. 4. Think about what could go wrong while achieving the goal and prevent any problems in the future. 5. Pick a start date to begin, and it does not have to been right when the New Year begins. 6. Go for the goal and do not hesitate to give 100%. 7. If the goal is not met, accept failure and know that failure is OK. 8. Plan rewards for once the goal is met to keep the motivation constant. Good luck to everyone and happy New Year!

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. Editor-in-Chief: Tana Gam-Ad Opinion Editor: Brennan Kohls Staff: Macen Adams, Beau Anderson, Jibreel Bailey, Lily Becker, Ben Boezinger, Cassidy Christopher, Logan Cole, Noah Dexter, Vipsa Dodiya, Alexis Dowden, Noah Forker, Halie Frahm, Kyandra Gillum, Emma Graening, Ethan Gunnuscio, Cody Hood, Jubilee Joyce, Yoon Ki, Jackson Kliewer, Mercede Kraabel, Olivia Kress, Elise Leasure, Sabine Martin, Luke Mattingly, Kate Mauss, Casey McIntyre, MacKenzie Michael, Kate Middleton, Jack Moody, Andrew Nickey, Albie Nicol, Maddie Palmersheim, Jade Pham, Skylar Promer, Claire Rolinger, Claire Sabino, Kim Salmon, Madison Schaefer, Sohia Schillinger, Lillian Schmid, Mallorie Sckerl, Sydney See, Lexi Sheeley, Emmey Sherbon, Colin Shultz, Lilah Skaar, Sam Spratt, Mia Stark, Brayden Stotser, Alex Templeton, Tehya Tournier, Matthew Walsh, Haley Williams, Alayna Yates

As 2017 began, New Year’s resolutions such as “lose weight” or “stop eating junk food” seem to be on the tops of everyone’s lists. It’s cliche, but when it comes to resolutions, no one seems to look at the whole. Goals should be based on what you can do to help change the world, and less so on things you can do to just help yourself. Just before the very start of the year, my parents separated. Of course, I was taken aback. For 17 years I’ve always had both of my parent’s beside me; now it’s either my mom or dad. My resolution was to somehow end up getting my parent’s back together this year, but I realized my resolution was something that would make me happy, but it would throw my parents back into a loveless relationship. It benefited me and my feelings, but it went against the two people I love most. So, I tried to change it into something more helpful. Obviously this isn’t exactly how I planned my family would turn out, but I forced myself into accepting the fact that my family no longer fits well together. I wasn’t angry at either one of my parents. I was just in shock that after 20 years of being together, they decided it was all wrong. The first thing on my list was “being a good daughter.” Throughout this short time of the

separation, I’ve learned and seen a lot. As my parents struggle to get by, the last thing they need is a rebellious teenager to handle. It’s time that I step up and take my responsibilities more seriously. Our parents have always been there to help us when we need it most, and at times like these it’s our turn to return the favor. The second thing was “rebuild relationships.” Once my sister and I found out about everything, things started to fall apart quickly. None of us could get along, and we all fought until my mom moved out. In a sad way, I picked my mom. I’d rather stay with her than my dad, but I realize that although they don’t love each other anymore, they will always love my sister and I. I will always be a part of them no matter what we go through. So, I spend half the week with my dad. I’ve been trying to communicate better with him and build up a father-daughter relationship I’ve always wanted but never got. It’s hard not to blame someone for the separation, but it’s easier to try and connect with them as much as you can. Although I sometimes want to scream at my parents for this, I learned that they don’t deserve the hatred of their children because they couldn’t fix their marriage. At first, I wanted to beg them to stay together. Not having my family be a “family” anymore

terrified me, but they weren’t happy. I couldn’t be angry for that. People become distant all too quickly, and doing what we can to support each other and help out is what we need to do. Instead of trying to get them back together for my sake, I’ve been trying my best to help out however they need in order to make this transition easier for everyone. I’ve done my best to not be bitter about the situation because like I said, whether my parents are together or not, they love me nonetheless. This year is going to be so different for me. I’m not sure what’s going to happen regarding all of this, but I do know that I’m going to be a better daughter for my parents. They need me the most right now, and I can’t let them down by being angry with them. I don’t want to be selfish right now. I just want to make sure my parents are happy before anything else. Giving and caring about others is what life is about. If we all took time to be a little more loving toward one another, things would begin to change. Life is about becoming a better version of yourself, yes. But the most fulfilling thing is helping someone through kindness and love. Holding grudges and being bitter is selfish. I’m done being selfish over things that bring pain to people I love. By Staff Writer Lexi

“Is that right?” the young girl asks. “Close,” I respond, looking down on the small swirling letter that she has written. “Just try and curve around a little bit more. Like this.” She watches as I once again trace the letter across the paper while showing her an old but useful skill and handing her back the pencil as I watch her try again and again. Watching her learn to write cursively makes me realize a very present truth in our coming age. Many young children of her age will no longer have the chance to learn this once well used language and art. In recent times, teaching rules have changed and no longer require teaching students how to read and write cursive writing. The language of our past has started to erase from our lives as well as our old ways. In a world of

technological advances and discovery, it’s not favorable to look back. Now, passing an elementary school as the final bell rings, you’ll see a multitude of children walking out with their heads down looking upon electronic devices. This in many ways disturbs me. While I can understand the amazing quality of technology connecting people from all spans of the world to each other in a matter of moments, it takes many things from the quality of life that the past held. A handwritten letter filled with passion and care, a trip into an unknown country with a diverse culture that you learn about on your own, an old face that you haven’t seen or heard from in years, family meals without anything to supplement the conversation other than the days events. In our world we may be farther than ever in our technological

advances, but we’ve lost a part of humanity that makes our lives liveable. Remembering the past is important to our future. Each time that we allow the past to be ignored, it fades, becoming a distant memory. While cursive writing may seem a small part of our past, I see it differently. I picture a soldier reading a letter from a smalltown girl he hasn’t seen in multiple years. I imagine a young girl scribbling her Christmas list on a sheet of pink paper or a 16-year-old girl running home to check the mailbox for another letter from the boy a town over. I see the signatures written upon the bottom of a piece of parchment calling for our independence. Words — spoken, written, shouted, painted — have shaped our past and will affect our future. By Staff Writer Cassidy

For lasting impact, writers should not forget the lasting power of handwritten connections

SHEELEY

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OPINION

Jackson Kliewer Photo

The industrialization of our planet and patterns of our lives have been causing measurable, cumulative damages to the environment, destroying the place that we call home.

Failing to address climate change will lead to real impacts

Climate change is no fictional tale. As more and more evidence is released each day showing the truth of our severe influence on our globe, the more and more it seems the oil companies try harder to spread misinformation, confusing the public. Recently, the Alt Right news website Breitbart published an article further pushing the false idea that one of the most dangerous things facing our world today is a hoax, like many times before, but this time they distorted reality even farther. While addressing climate change, Breitbart used clips of The Weather Channel out of context in an attempt to appear more factual in their lies, but The Weather Channel responded. Kait Parker, a meteorologist who had one of her broadcasts falsely edited by the news site, addressed them directly while on air by shaming them for their disgustingly twisted lies. She then went on to disprove an argument Breitbart had made, as they stated that the earth is actually one degree celsius colder this year, being a record low within the 21st century so far. Parker shows that this statistic was only found by looking at land, not oceans. Our planet is 70 percent water and is also where most

of our heat is stored, which is actually at record highs this year. The statement that our land is colder this year is also unreliable, having only one satellite estimation to back it up. When talking of climate change, it is important to differentiate facts from feelings. When someone asks a climate change denier why the government would develop such an elaborate and pointless lie, usually the denier does not have a reasonable response. When pushed, most of them will bring up the “greedy scientists” wanting all of that wealthy grant money for themselves. This needs to be stated right now. If you want a lot of money, You. Do. Not. Go. Into. Science. These scientists (which the overwhelming majority of 84 percent have stated that humans play a major role in our changing climate) go into science because of fascination, not greed. Can anyone guess where one might go to for greed? Oil companies. Isn’t that rather curious? It almost seems like these people are formulating some sort of elaborate lie as a way of making sure they no longer have to worry about their money being trampled on.

Scientists do not receive much money, most of them have just about enough to sustain themselves all in the attempt to move forward in our limited understandings of reality and what illuminates it, but the oil companies have money spilling out of their greedy pockets, wanting to keep every last cent to add to their mountains of green. Maybe in the end there really is a conspiracy surrounding climate change, but in the opposite direction these people suspect. Wouldn’t it seem much more logical if the people who had money to lose wanted to stop the spreading of information by the ones who only want to educate by telling people the reputationdestroying facts? Wouldn’t they then have something to actually gain in their attempts, rather than the ones who reap no benefits? It is undeniable that our climate has been rising since the 20th century along with our oceans, and as science properly understands this; it is clearly not natural. The industrial revolution resulted in the use of non renewable resources worldwide, and even though it was one of the most important periods in human progression, we now need to stop this

ridiculous denying of science and come together to combat this deadly force we have created. One cannot help but feel afraid, though, for the future of the globe as President Elect Donald J. Trump states that he will wrench us from the Paris Agreement on day one of his presidency and even recently has stated “nobody really knows” if climate change is true or not. Picking so many climate change deniers into the government is very worrying, seeming as if we are going to be pushed far back in our progress with our environmental efforts. We are heading into scary times. Climate change is real and dangerous. It needs to be treated as a major threat to the world, and if it’s not, well, some day in the future we may be living in a flooded world of waste and decay. As we rope ourselves back into the fog that has been consuming our minds for so long, all I can do is hope that someday, someday soon, we will awaken, the human race will open their closed eyes and step into the light, into reality. By Staff Writer Jackson

KLIEWER

14 As America reevaluates its alliances, OPINION

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

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Hungarian political shifts may hold lessons

The presidential election of 2016 continues to occupy discussions not only in the United States, but worldwide. America’s rightward shift under president-elect Donald Trump means international relations may be reorganized. Trump is already well-known to be a fan of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Just a few days ago, Trump invited another Putin-like leader to visit him in the United States: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Although America is not a parliamentary country like Hungary, our current president-elect Donald Trump and his authoritarian ideas for the country’s future are very similar in ways to Hungary’s current views under the leadership of Orban. In 2015, as hundred of thousands Syrians left their war-torn country, Orban built a wall and heavily guarded the surrounding borders of Croatia and Serbia in Hungary. Orban’s anti-immigrant laws have hurt many harmless immigrant families trying to pass through Hungary on their way to settle in Germany. Orban also speaks negatively about ethnic minority Roma people in Hungary (more commonly known as gypsies). President-elect Trump also had the idea of building a wall on the border of Mexico to keep out Latin American immigrants, and also a promise to ban Muslims from entering the United States. According to a study in 2016 by political scientist Matthew Macwilliams of (university) the main reason why Trump supporters voted for him was simply be-

cause of the way he was going to rule America if he was elected. Trump promised change and quick action — such as building a wall and making Mexico pay for it, banning Muslims or putting Hillary Clinton in jail — regardless of whether it was actually possible or legal. Authoritarian leaders are usually elected because of political fear, and many authoritarian leaders in history have also been classified as dictators. In Hungary, Orban has moved closer to being a dictator in the past few years, gaining control of the parliament and the judicial branch of government to rewrite the constitution to further solidify his power and weaken opposition parties. With the leadership similarities of Orban and Trump, it may raise the question of how our country could turn out if the approach of authoritarianism continues. By Staff Writer Sabine

MARTIN

Sabine Martin Photos

Top image is the Parliment in Budapest, the capitol of Hungary. Bottom left image is Chain Bridge view from the Pest side of Budapest. Bottom middle image is a town in Hungary named Pech. Bottom right image is the Chain Bridge in Hungary that includes a view of the river between the (Buda) and (Pest) sides called the Danube.

Pro Elect-Trump Leaders

Russia: Vladmir Putin

Philippines: Rodrigo Duterte

Poland: Andrzej Duda

Hungary: Viktor Orban

Against Elect-Trump Leaders

China: Xi JingPing

Germany: Angela Merkel

Mexico: Enrique Pena Nieto

France: Francois Hollande

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2016 has definitely been one of the most bizarre and exciting years in sports ever. First off, the loveable losers broke their 108 years of cursed championship runs in one of the greatest game seven’s in the history of sports. Don’t forget the Cleveland Cavaliers breaking their 46year streak, and their first title for the city since ‘52. The greatest regular season team, the Golden State Warriors, blew a 3-1 series lead, one thing no one thought was possible. The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl LI based solely on great defense, and against a Carolina team with an incredibly explosive offense. Peyton Manning, who is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, retired the only way a Manning can, by finishing a winner. The lights gleamed off the shiny Super Bowl trophy, and his great big oval-shaped forehead. The kid himself Sidney Crosby hoisted his second cup, doing so by beating a great San Jose Sharks team. Now I’m going to countdown the greatest sports players teams and moments from 2016, starting at number five with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 5. The Pittsburgh Penguins kind of snuck themselves from the division series to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Sharks, on the other hand, dominated the playoffs, beating the Kings very easily in a series where Los Angeles was projected to dominate. The Sharks were led throughout the series by wildman Brent Burns. Burns has more or less become a face of the NHL over the past season. Easily detectable by his thick and manly beard and toothless grin, Burns is one of the best defensemen in the league. But since the Penguins won the cup last June, they have been on a tear to start the season. They’re third in the league right now, and Sidney Crosby is also on fire. Crosby has started off with 21 goals and 37 points, leading the team in both respective categories. 4. Super Bowl LI was a matchup for the ages. A highly explosive offense that’s speed was only matched by its unpredictability. Then there was a defense whose sheer willpower

15 Cubs World Series victory atop

Jan. 12, 2017

SPORTS OPINION

2016 most memorable moments “Zobrist’s RBI double and Almora’s excellent baserunning were the factors that ended the drought. It was all elation from then on.”

Ben Boezinger Photo

Kris Bryant walks climbs out of the dugout during a May 6 game against the Nationals. and determination cleared the way for easy access to the run game, but linebacker Von Miller (who won Super Bowl MVP) who was starting to seem unstoppable. It seemed like Cam Newton and the Panthers could never get it going down the stretch against the Bronco’s surging secondary. Miller had two strip sacks that would both lead to touchdowns, the final one being one of the most iconic in history, as he put the game out of reach for the Panthers. In the legendary QB’s final game, Manning threw for 156 and a completion percentage of 56 percent, almost identical to John Elway’s ‘98 Super Bowl performance. 3. The Golden State Warriors regular season stretching from 2015-2016 is the best ever in recorded NBA history. During the regular season, they went 73-9, beating out Michael Jordan’s ‘95 Bulls team. The team was dominant from the first tip off in October to the fifth game of the NBA Finals before they blew a 3-1

series lead to the Cavs. During that time, point guard Stephen Curry had one of the best seasons in history. He was the first unanimous MVP in the league, and he broke his own 3-point record about ¾ of the way through the season. He finished with a record-shattering 402 threes made. Averaging 30 points and 6 assists last season, Curry has slowed down to start this season, and since adding Kevin Durant over the summer, Curry and company have not been as great. Even though the Warriors have only lost four times, KD and Klay Thompson have been carrying the offensive load. With a lackluster Draymond Green and Steph, one must wonder if we’re doomed for another Finals matchup with the Cavs. 2. Speaking of the Finals, how about the Cavs? As a fan, I am a little biased, but that still doesn’t change the fact that they upheld all odds to beat the Warriors.

Sitting at three games, I knew it was over. I thought that there was no possible way that they could come back. Not against the statistically best team in the history of the NBA. Not since the dynastic era that was headlined by Michael Jordan. But they did it, majorly in part by three key factors. Curry was a no-show during virtually the whole playoffs. Green’s crucial game five suspension due to flagrant fouling was a huge handicap. And Lebron James. Lebron absolutely came alive in the last games of the finals, including the iconic chase down block on Andre Iguodala in the closing seconds of game seven. I also might add that the Cavs couldn’t have won without Kyrie Irving in the final three games of the series. Game five Irving went off for 41 points alongside James, and that really throttled their comeback. Finally, that game-clinching three in Steph’s face. It is nearly as iconic as the chase down block. 1. Finally number one. You guessed it, the ending of the 108-year championship drought. The Cubs managed to win against all superstitious odds. They handled the Giants even with all that even year mumbo jumbo. In the beginning of the Dodgers series, things were not good. Rizzo and Bryant were struggling, the bullpen was starting to disintegrate against the veterans like Adrian Gonzalez and I started to worry. Game four changed everything. In the beginning, a crucial run was disallowed because of inconclusive evidence. It was a big break for the Cubs and one that started a huge offensive explosion. In the end, the Cubs scored 10 runs and it didn’t let up after that. Rizzo

finally found his bat, and the pitchers found their stroke. Then came the Indians. Both were battling streaks, and both had things to prove. The final series was like a boxing match where the Indians were landing steady blows. The Cubs could not bounce back and all hope in Chicago seemed to diminish. Aroldis Chapman may have singlehandedly stopped the Indian onslaught and preserved the Cubs chances of a World Series championship. Game six was a different story. Kris Bryant went yard twice off the Indians pitching staff. The sizzling Addison Russell hit a grand slam that went halfway up the outfield bleachers, and Rizzo hit a major confidence booster deep into the left field nosebleeds. Arrieta pitched a perfect game into the fifth inning before giving up a home run to Kipnis. The game was a dominant sign that Chicago would not give up. Then came game seven. A number of nerves I felt during the game was a lot, to say the least. The four runs that the Cubs put up in the first few innings seemed like enough to cruise to the end with, but, of course, it wasn’t. The Indians soon posted enough to tie, and after Rajai Davis’ eighth-inning home run, I thought all hope was lost. During the rain delay, I had almost fallen asleep, but little did Chicago know it was a blessing in disguise. Zobrist’s RBI double and Almora’s excellent baserunning were the factors that ended the drought. It was all elation from then on, and all the Chicago curses were finally slain. Now Chicago is looking to go back to back with key acquisitions of Wade Davis and Jon Jay. See you in October in Chicago. By Staff Writer Ben

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Warriors split series with top rated team The Warriors split the series with the top team in the Midwest High School Hockey League, the Des Moines Capitals, last weekend. On Saturday, Jan. 7, the Warriors fell short to the Capitals, as Jake Beal had the only goal of the day for the Warriors, and Kole Latusick added the only assist. The Warriors fought hard, but not hard enough as they fell 1-2. On Sunday, Jan. 8, the Warriors found their groove and lit up the rink with a 4-3 victory against the highest ranked team. The Warriors are now ranked fifth in the Midwest High School Hockey League with a record of 10-7. After a nine-game win streak with big wins against Cedar Rapids twice (6-2) and (5-1) as well as big wins against Dubuque twice (7-1) and (4-0), the Warriors win streak came to an end with shutouts against Lincoln on Dec. 30 and 31.

Madison Posekany Photo

Junior Ben Boezinger adds to the winning effort against an opponent from the Dubuque Devils back in November. One key to those losses may have been because their star senior Kyle Schott was injured.

But now the team is right back in the thick of it, and team member Kole Latusick digs into the importance of

coaches do a great job on keeping us focused in and making sure we keep getting better and better.” Frericks is a starter and has fought for it. He said, “It feels good. I think it is a great accomplishment. I’ve worked hard for this, and I feel like I deserve it. I put forth my full effort day in and day out.” This is paying off, as the Tigers are 7-2 overall, 5-1 in the conference. Frericks said that the Tigers are falling into a rhythm as a team, practice after practice. “From the beginning I think we have always had a good groove, but now I think our team is getting more comfortable with each other. Our players have good chemistry, and we can rely on each other do to our jobs. I think we have every opportunity and have the potential to make it to State, yet it will be a tough road. We will have to keep getting better. We have a lot more to get better at. Our team will need to execute every practice, get better each game and we will see how it ends up later in the year.” There are many emerging leaders and talented boys on the team. Coach Schultz starts with the captains. “Our captains are AJ Green, Ben Gerdes, Isaiah Johnson and Dan Martinson. They take on a large leadership role for our team. AJ Green is being highly

recruited at the Division I level and continues to prove he is among the top players in the state. Ben Gerdes has really stepped up his scoring role this year and will be asked to defend physical players. Isaiah Johnson is another returning starter who brings tremendous energy on defense and is scoring more too. Two sophomores, Jackson Frericks and Logan Wolf, are starting and doing a fantastic job. Both players had double, doubles (double digits in two major categories) in recent conference wins. Furthermore, we are starting to get really good production and energy from our first line of subs. Jack Campbell, Sam Gary, Dan Martinson and Reese Gardner have been playing very well and looking more and more comfortable recently. Our entire team is doing a good job in preparation and seems very committed to their roles and continuing to improve. That is a real positive for our team if that continues to hold true.” Frericks sees it all coming together too. “Our team is starting to feel like a family. I think our team gets together very well and has a lot of fun together. I love being apart of this team, and I will do everything I can to make us the best we can be.”

the playing style of the game and looks into the future of the Warriors. “Well it was a tough one on Saturday, but we bounced back hard on Sunday,” Latusick said. “As they were tired playing their third game in three days, but it’s an important two points in the standings to pick up. This sets the tone for us at State as we most likely will be seeing those guys if we go far enough.” Waterloo came in and owned the rink with 5 total assists for the weekend, 10 total points and 5 goals. Also, the Sunday game proved the skills of Chase Pabst, a Warrior goalie. Pabst was the shining of the game as he had a career high of 80 saves. Pabst said, “It felt great because it was a career high, and my team really needed it. We needed to get back on the winning side, and that’s what we did.” The tournament was flushed with penalties, but the Warriors still topped the Capi-

tals. Although the Warriors have lost their best scorer, they still managed to show Des Moines what they are made of. After Schott was injured to a broken collarbone, he still has the best stats of anyone on the Warriors. Schott has 36 points (2.57 ppg), 20 assists, 16 goals and 4 gwg. Teammates feel deep sorrow for the injury but do not let that get in their way. Teammate Ben Sinnott said, “I feel very good because we beat the No. 1 team in the league and snapped their win streak, and I feel even better with the victory knowing we did not have our best player.” Warriors coach Brian Cook is also impressed and proud with the victory, as he said he is “very confident going into the back half of our season. A great job by the players to bounce back against the top team in the league.” By Staff Writer Jibreel

BAILEY

Men’s basketball team finding winning formula As The men’s basketball team enters mid-season, the 7-2 team has adjusted its strategies to stay on top. Head coach Ryan Schultz said, “At the beginning of the year, practices are longer, conditioning is a big component, and there is so much to put in place in a very limited amount of time before the games start. In those early days, two to three hours of practice per day with a lot of running and thinking is the norm. By this point in the year, most of the things we do are pretty set, so this is the time of year where we may sprinkle in a few new things to keep things fresh, but it is much more about refinement and building consistency. “Furthermore, we believe it is very important in a long, physically demanding season to shorten practices and go a little easier on legs when possible. We really put a lot into trying to keep our team both mentally and physically fresh as we move into the middle and latter part of the season. There will be weeks where we are playing three intense games, so it is important for us to be cognizant of that fact and find ways to combat physical and mental fatigue as much as possible.” Sophomore Jackson Frericks agreed. “It gets a little shorter but just as, or more intense. Our

By Staff Writer Claire

SABINO

John Dunlop Photo

Senior Isaiah Johnson adds two points in a home victory over Waterloo East on Friday, Jan. 6.