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Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
WINTER READY Follow these steps to prepare your vehicle for cold weather/Page 6 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at Hiline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Volume 56 Edition 14
High school earns ‘commendable’ rating in first report of Iowa Education Department The Iowa Department of Education released report cards on every school in the state last month. Schools are given an overall grade after careful analysis of seven sub categories. The subcategories are proficiency in reading and mathematics, closing the achievement gap between high and low earning students, annual growth in students, college and career readiness, graduation rate, attendance and staff retention. After taking these individual categories into consideration, the Iowa Department of Education gave schools one of six ratings: priority, needs improvement, acceptable, commendable, high-performing and exceptional. Cedar Falls High School received a score of commendable and was very close to moving up to high performing, putting it in the top 15 percent of schools in the state. Proficiency measures a school’s success at meeting minimal performance benchmarks in reading and mathematics. Cedar Falls High School has a proficiency rating of 92.5 percent, while the state average is a 79.3 percent. Cedar Falls Community School District Superintendent Andy Pattee said he is proud of that rating. “We look at it by going student by student, skill by skill,” Patee said. “When you look at the necessary skills, we make sure every kid has that, and that some students can excel further.” Cedar Falls High School Principal Jason Wedgbury tries to keep the ratings in perspective. “I took it as another data point,” Wedgbury said. “It’s just another report on which we can reflect. I didn’t get excited about it. I just accepted it as another data point.” Closing the achievement gap is all about narrowing the performance gaps between children who are in the free lunch program, individualized education program and English learners program with the rest of the students in the school. On this note, Cedar Falls High School received a score of 54, while the state average is 50. Annual expected growth is a measurement of how many students are learning a year’s worth of learning in one school year. At 40.7 percent, the high school finds itself well below the state average, which is 58.2 percent. Patee is not too concerned with this statistic. “For schools like this one with a high percentage of students taking advanced courses and scoring high on standardized tests, it is difficult to show yearly
progress when so many students have reached the high school limit,” Pattee said. “That being said, we are looking at ways to make sure that every student in the school improves over the next few years.” Wedgbury said that raising this category could be challenging for the school. “I am yet to find a 4A school that is rated higher than CFHS,” Wedgbury said. “Our main area of improvement is growth. Our students score high for proficiency, which means that growth is hard. We need to focus on growth. We need to see how to take high achieving freshmen and push them even higher.” College and career readiness indicates the proportion of students who are likely to see success in mathematics while attending college. Cedar Falls High School is at 61.7 percent, which is much higher than the state average of 39.1 percent. Pattee still said he thinks that rating can improve. “We have to focus in on more opportunities for the students and go deeper into some fields,” Pattee said. “This rating is looking at the ACT scores and ITBS. We can go further than that and look at our coursework and how it prepares students for college.” In Cedar Falls, the high school has a 98 percent graduation rate, which is above the state average of 92.2 percent; it has an attendance rating at 94.4 percent, which is slightly below the state average of 95.5 percent; and it has a staff retention rating of 93.5 percent, while the state average is 86.3 percent. Pattee praised the commendable rating that Cedar Falls High School received, and, as in other areas, said the district is working to improve on that in the future. “We might actually be the highest performing 4A school in the state, with the schools in front of us in the rankings being significantly smaller, which can boost certain scores,” Patee said. “This is just another indicator that we will take into consideration when we plan for the future of the school district.” Wedgbury is looking to improve on the commendable rating by changing the way that students learn. “We need to continue to push critical thinking and problem solving over memorizing facts and figures,” Wedgbury said. “We want students to take those facts and apply them somewhere else. We may look to partner with some businesses in the community to give students the opportunity of high level work.
2015 State Report Results for Cedar Falls High School
The results for Cedar Falls High School and all other public schools in the state can be found on the Iowa Department of Education website at www. educateiowa.gov/schoolreportcard. Learning in the classroom is very different from learning hands on.” Senior Andrew Nurse said that the school district can be even better. “All my peers work hard to perform their best, and with our teachers, we really have the ability to be challenged at an exceptional level,” Nurse said. “It’s quite amazing what students at this high school can do, and I would expect the state to give us a fair rating relating to recent successes.” Senior Ben Hertz agreed with Nurse. “I like that the school district is working to improve on the commendable rating,” Hertz said. “While it is not bad by any stretch of the imagination, we could
be better, and that would help future generations going through this school system.” Other notable schools in the Cedar Falls School District are Hansen Elementary School and Peet Junior High. While all of the other school in the district received a commendable rating, Hansen and Peet received an exceptional and a high-performing, respectively. Pattee said Hansen’s proficiency scores are the reason, as well as Peet’s outstanding staff retention. By Editor-in-Chief Zuhayr
ALAM
2
NEWS
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2015
Senior spearheads hygiene drive for homeless Senior Katarina Walther is calling for people to donate items to a drive for hygiene products that will benefit homeless shelters around the Cedar Valley. Walther had to do a service project because she is a member of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SYAC). She has been interested in women’s health issues for some time now. “I guess I have an interest in menstruation. That sounds really weird, but last year I wrote a play about people’s different experiences with menstruation for my ALPHA project. I wanted to do more, and I had to do a service project, so I chose one that would work with my interests while doing things for other people,” Walther said. She also added that another reason why she decided to start her project was due to an article she read in the Huffington Post about how homeless women struggle with having their periods. However, this drive will not just be for female hygiene products. Walther is looking for menstrual products, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners. “Homeless men and women don’t have a lot of things to call their own, so this drive is giving them back a little bit of dignity through personal hygiene products,” she said.
At the high school, there is a collection place in the counselling office. There are also more locations around the Cedar Valley. Walther is reaching out to churches in the area and has already solidified a place where people can donate items at Big House. She said she is looking for more collection places too, with the help of counselor Amy Denholm. Walther is hoping for a large turnout
for the drive. “Cedar Falls has a legacy of being involved in the community so I hope students and staff get involved in this project to show that Cedar Falls cares about people with other socioeconomic statuses - other people who are less privileged,” she said. Benefiting from the hygiene drive will be the Cedar Valley Friends of the Family and House of Hope. The drive ends Jan. 31.
Senior Katarina Walther, the creator of the hygiene drive, with female hygiene products in tow. By Staff Writer Olivia
MARTIN
BioLife provides financial options for seniors After a needle prick inside senior Keaton Elliot’s arm, causing a slight discomfort, he lies on the chair with a cuff wrapped around his arm, and the machine next to him begins to take his blood inside a small bag. The blood swirls around the machine as it collects each ounce of plasma. Afterwards, the machine stops and the blood gradually enters back into Elliot’s body. Elliott occasionally sells his plasma at BioLife as a source of income due to currently being off his job. When Elliott makes a check-up to BioLife twice a week, he makes around $50. “The plasma market is really big compared to other things. You actually get a small percentage compared to how much plasma is actually worth,” Elliott said “If there’s a supply and demand for it, it’s a good way to draw people in. Why else would people donate their plasma, something that’s widely needed, if they didn’t get something in return?” Since it’s beginning, BioLife Plasma Services has offered the unique opportunity of accepting donor’s blood plasma in exchange for money. To be eligible for selling plasma, donors must go through a screening process where they enter in their identification. Later on, donors must go through
Sarah Storz Graphic
a process to discuss their medical history, such as going through surgeries, taking prescriptions or having allergies. Their blood also must be tested to make sure that it’s healthy enough for recipients to take. Finally, donors have to go through one final physical examination to make sure that their bodies are fit enough for donation. Another notable requirement is that the donor must also be at least 18 years old. With the age bracket, some high school senior students have started taking advantage of BioLife as a means to
make few extra dollars. Aside from earning money, Elliott also sees the benefits of helping others who are in need of plasma. “Plasma is the fluid that red and white blood cells travel through. Without plasma, they couldn’t travel through the bloodstream” Elliott said. “People with really bad blood tend to need plasma. Because of this, it feels nice knowing that I can be helping somebody.” Those who are interested in making a donation can call (319) 277-1981 for more information. By News Editor Sarah
STORTZ
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Playing a New Tune
Jan. 22, 2016
FEATURE
3
Student finds new love in music Sophomore Meron Abebe has an ongoing list of instruments she likes to play, but the list now has a new quirky addition, the ukulele. Before that, she was adapted to playing the violin and piano, along with the occasional guitar, but everything changed when she listened to Twenty One Pilots. While listening to the band she became engrossed by the funky sound of the ukelele and was inspired to play it. Meron said that the violin is her favorite instrument because she had been playing for so long (eight years) and that she had a lot of good memories from all of the practice times, but for her, the ukulele is a very close second because it's so easy to learn new songs. “I've always thought of the ukulele as a really interesting instrument. I really got interested in it when I started listening to the band Twenty One Pilots. The lead singer plays the ukulele in a few of their songs, and I thought it was really cool. About a year ago, one of my best friends got a ukulele, and she let me use it to learn how to play. The first song I learned was ‘House of Gold’ by Twenty One Pilots, and it only took me a few hours to learn the basics.” Meron has some fond memories when it comes to her music, but her favorite was when she started. That was when she was 7, and she went to Sturgis Falls Festival with her dad, and there was an "instrument petting zoo" where they let people try out a bunch of different instruments. She couldn’t remember if it was set up by the Suzuki School of Music at UNI or the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, but she remembered telling the person standing behind the table that she wanted to play the violin. So they handed her one and told her how to hold it and play. “Once I started playing, I basically moved the bow as fast as I could while changing between strings. I sounded awful, but I loved it. I told my dad that I was a fiddle player, and he started laughing. A couple minutes later, I put down the violin, and my dad and I moved on, but he signed me up to take lessons at Suzuki a few weeks later, and I'm still taking lessons there eight years later.” Meron’s music not only plays an academic role in her life but also emotional. “Any one of my friends can tell you how happy I am when I listen to or talk about music because it's the only
thing that has never hurt me or let me down. It's something I can rely on to relax me or make me feel better after a bad day, whether I'm listening to it or playing one of my instruments.” She said, “Since I started at a young age, I feel like I appreciate music and musicianship on a different level than some of my classmates and friends. Learning an instrument takes a lot of patience and perseverance, and those qualities have helped me a lot in other aspects of my life.” Meron also has some wide tastes in music. Her favorite song to play on violin is “Czardas” by Vittorio Monti. “It's a song that changed moods frequently from dark and heavy to light and joyous.” Her favorite song to play on ukulele is “House of Gold” because it was the first piece she learned. But Twenty One Pilots has her heart because “Their music is unlike anything else I've ever heard, and the lyrics have helped me through a lot.” Her musical taste overall is very broad: everything from Aretha Franklin to The Front Bottoms and a lot more. Meron still focuses first on the violin, but on the ukulele, she's open to anything. “Since my music taste is so broad,” she said, “I'll just teach myself how to play some of my favorite songs, but those can change from week to week.” Meron has been asked before if music is going to be a part of her future, and it's definitely something she has considered. “Everyone dreams of being famous for something at come point in their lives, and I always used to imagine what it would be like to be a famous singer,” she said. “Being in a band of some kind would be a dream some true for me. I've always loved performing in front of other people. Realistically, the likelihood of that happening is very slim, but I'll take any chance that I get in the future,” but if her future cannot be what she envisions, she will go study humanities. Abebe has also played in other special groups such as orchestra, choir, musical theater in speech and the 2015 AllState orchestra, which is a high honor orchestra for the best of the best musicians in the state. By Staff Writer Alyssa
Dekutoski
Brian Winkel Photo
Sophomore Meron Abede has added a ukelele to her growing list of musical ventures after inspiration from Twenty One Pilots (above).
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The
FOOD FEATURE
Tiger
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
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Guilt Free, Vegan Desserts Follow these recipes to induldge in dairy free sweetness.
Fudge Ingredients: Cookie Dough Fudge. Cookie Dough: 1/3 cup of earth balance 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 tbsp. almond milk 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Fudge: 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup earth balance pinch of salt 1/3 cup coconut milk 3 ½ cup powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup mini vegan chocolate chips
By Staff Writer Lexi
Sheeley
Lexi Sheeley Photos
Steps: •To make the cookie dough, beat both sugars and Earth Balance •Add vanilla and almond milk. Add the flour and beat until smooth. Then start the fudge. •In a saucepan, heat the brown sugar, Earth Balance, salt and coconut milk until the Earth Balance is melting and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. •Add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Add roughly around three cups, but you can add more to make it sweeter and firmer. •Add the cookie dough and stir. Then, fold in the chocolate chips. •Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and pour the fudge. Then let it chill for three hours and serve.
Truffles
Ingredients: Ginger Chocolate Truffles. 2 cups pitted dates 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1/3 cup almonds 1 tsp. orange zest 1 tbsp. orange juice 2 tsp. molasses 2 cups mini vegan chocolate chips 1 tsp. coconut oil
Steps: •Pulse the dates, and then add ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, almonds, orange zest, orange juice and molasses. Then place into a bowl. •Chill for 30 minutes. •Roll them into bite-sized balls. Then chill again for 20 minutes. If the dough is cold enough, it won’t melt in the chocolate. •Melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil. •Place the balls in the chocolate until coated. •Chill until ready to serve.
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5
The Destruction of Divorce HI-LINE
OPINION
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Even after loss, the future holds promise It’s a cold winter morning in mid December in Houston, Texas, and the smell of syrup and hot pancakes fill the room. As I get up to see what this day brings, I find myself thinking a lot about my mother’s cooking that I used to wake up to every morning. I lived with her up until I was 8-yearsold and then a dramatic change occurred. It was April of 2008. I was with my mom and her side of the family celebrating Easter. My mom got a call from my dad saying that he got full custody of me and that I would have to move in with him immediately. After I heard about this, I just broke down into tears crying to my mom saying how I didn’t want to leave her. My face turned bright red as tears flowed like a never-ending, rushing stream of water. The emotional connection my mom and I shared that day brought us closer than ever. As a young child, I couldn’t really wrap my head around why my parents didn’t live in the same house. It was tough going to school with children talking about their holidays with their mothers and fathers and how they have always had one big Christmas with their families. When I used to stay the night at my friend’s house, I used to see family pictures all around the house. I remember crying myself to sleep because I’ve never seen my parents together, and I never will, and I didn’t understand why. Being that I’ve never had one big Christmas, I used to be embarrassed to tell people that I had divorced parents.
Drew Walker Illustration
“I remember crying myself to sleep because I’ve never seen my parents together, and I never will, and I didnt understand why.” I used to think that I was the only one around that had divorced parents and didn’t want to even to talk about it. After I found out that my parents got divorced when I was born, I used to think that I was the reason that it even happened. As an eight-year-old boy, I didn’t think there was any other reason
that they could’ve gotten a divorce, so I would always put myself down because I could never see my parents together in my lifetime because of me. Although at this time I didn’t even know the real reason why, I just assumed it was because of me. Having separated parents means
Apple should stand firm behind encrypted messages
As teenagers, we obviously harbor messages or data in our cell phones that we keep between ourselves and the recipients on the other end of the line, whether cell phones, laptops, tablets or other devices. However, the British government is pushing Apple to leave an open back door to all devices for access to messages that may be tied or lead up to criminal activity, but no one would be comfortable giving their phones to the people next to them, even if there is nothing to hide; it’s still personal. It has been proposed by the British Parliament that there should be access to messages and Facetime chats. Apple’s chief executive, Tim Cook, is holding his ground and claims that politicians supporting the idea, simply do not understand the damage they could cause. Not only does it invade the privacy of the people, it also creates potential risks from other countries hacking cellphones for information. President Barack Obama and the staff in the White House have stated that they are not seeking legal changes against the matter. On the other hand, a majority of the Republican presidential candidates have advo-
cated and pushed for the government to have access to cellular text messages and data; Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has strongly pushed for the idea as well, stating that it could stop potential terrorist attacks, but is it in the best interest of the people? If the changes were to be made to comply with the laws of the Parliament, Apple pointed out that then their company and others like it would be breaking the American laws, so it is obvious that obstacles stand in the way, and if anyone were to go ahead with it, the kinks would have to be worked out. Would Apple or their competitors make two separate phones to comply with different laws? Will the two governments drop the issue? Or will both go ahead with it? The government having a way to hack into cell phones could reduce terrorist attacks like the one in San Bernadino, no doubt, but it isn’t right for anyone to have the opportunity to hack the personal lives of innocent civilians who far outnumber those who concede in domestic terrorism. By Staff Writer Cam
Grubic
a lot of going back and forth from my mom’s house to my dad’s. It’s like having a torn home and no one can do anything about it. The emotional destruction this has on children is through the roof. Many people might not think about it as only the parents being hurt in a divorce situation, but it really hurts the children also. It can break a child down to not be able to have both parents in his or her household at once, and, take it from me, I know all about being hurt because I could never see my parents together. It’s all the little things that count, something as simple as a family picture hanging on the wall that people like me never got to be a part of. In 2010, about 42 percent of marriages were expected to end in divorce, which is a drop from 2005, which was 45 percent, and 2011 was the highest number of marriages ending in divorce, where 10.2 people per thousand got divorced. So, though I know I will never get to experience the family that the other half has, at least I can take comfort that the numbers of whole families are on the rise, and I can take comfort with all of my many collective “brothers” and “sisters” out there who know what it’s like to go missing. I’m sending a hug to each and every one of you and letting you know that everything is going to be OK. By Staff Writer Drew
WALKER
Cam Grubic Photo
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The
FEATURE
Winter Ready
Tiger
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
HI-LINE
By Staff Writer AJ
GODBEY
Follow These Steps To Prepare Your Vehicle For Cold Weather
There are several steps to consider when getting your car ready for winter. Our car is our primary source for transportation, and an investment we have to care for in order to extend the life of the vehicle. Use the steps below as a guide to help you prepare for winterization. 1. BATTERY-Have your battery tested for voltage and CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). 2. ALTERNATOR-Test to check the proper amperage going back to the battery. 3. TIRES-Check for tire tread, tire depth and proper air pressure, which typically can be found on the driver’s door or door jam. 4. COOLANT-Check for proper level and correct temperature. Coolant protects your engine and cooling system from freezing if mixed properly. 5. BELTS AND HOSES-Check and replace these if they are showing signs of cracks or excessive wear. Hoses should be soft and not bulged or deformed.
Step #1
6. FUEL LEVELS AND ADDITIVES-Never let your gas tank get below one quarter of a tank. The less gas in your tank, the higher possibility to have water in your gas. Some car owners use heat or other types of additives to keep the gas from freezing in the tank. 7. OIL-Make sure car oil is changed at proper intervals. Standard oil changes are done every 3,000 miles. Synthetic oils should be changed every 5,000 miles. The oil filter should also be changed to avoid the loss of ability to filter the oil. If you go past these mileages, the oil breaks down quickly with every mile you go over.
Step #3
Step #6
8. LIGHTS-Check and replace any lights to ensure they are all working, including signal, brake and backup lights to make your car better visible while on the road. It is easiest to do this with every oil change and helps you remember to do it. 9. FLUIDS LEVELS-Check all engine compartment and other fluid levels for any leaks or low levels. Winter makes fluid levels run lower than in warmer weather.
Step #7
10. CAR BODY-Keep your vehicle clean. This will extend the life of the exterior and ward off rust that will eat through the body of your vehicle. Other drivers can also see a cleaner car when on the road. In addition to these steps, you should keep an emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, water, non-perishable foods, weather radio, jumper cables, sand or cat litter for traction and a shovel. The above guidelines are basic but necessary steps to keep your vehicle well maintained and protect your investment for years to come. If followed properly, you and your loved ones will be much safer on the road. If you are not able to perform these car car tips on your own, take your vehicle to an experienced auto mechanic or shop that you can trust. This may take some research or references by friends and family, but it is worth it.
Step #9
AJ Godbey Photos
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Chestnut Mountain Resort
7
TRAVEL
Located in Galena, Ill., Chesnut Mountain is a seemingly easy and worthwhile, two-hour drive down I-80 from Cedar Falls. When it comes to the closest slopes around, Chestnut takes the win for me. The resort’s expanse is comparitively double the size of Sundown in overall size as well as length of runs. It has many trails with varying difficulties ranging from a mere inclined plain to gnarly drops at nearly 45-degree slopes that catapult snowboarders and skiiers to break-neck speed. During my evening and night at Chestnut, the bitter Midwestern cold was unforgiveable. The sub zero temperatures made the snow crysalize into compact, slick conditions making the steeper runs sketchy to the unwary snowboarder. Although, the snow did make for extremely fast and fun conditions at the terrain park. The snow allowed me to accelerate much quicker than usual, which made for an exhilerating terrain park experience. Jibbing, which is the use of rails, tables and other obstacles to
slide accross, was a delight. The change in speed from the swift snow to the top of the jibs would catch me off-guard, though. My overall experience with Chestnut has always been and always will be a blast.
hoto PExpeditions By Staff Writer Austin Reyhons
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The
FEATURE
Qigong
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HI-LINE
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Start and end in standing meditation: Put hands over your lower abdomen, for women put left over right and men put right over left.
Taoist yoga provides many benefits The ancient Chinese practice of qigong, pronounced chi kung, integrates poses and breathing techniques that aim to declutter your mind of all other thoughts besides the movements you are executing. Qi translates into life force or vital-energy that flows through everything living thing in the universe. Gong translates to accomplishment or skill acquired through much practice. When you put the two words together, it sums up what qigong is all about; cultivating positive energy. Also called taoist yoga, qigong has both physical and mental benefits. Improving the immune system, increasing stamina and vitality are only a few of the many benefits qigong offers. The simple, rhythmic movements of qigong can also increase concentration, reduce stress and help clear the mind of any worries. The eight brocades practice is named after silk brocades suggesting that all of the movements and breathing should be smooth and seamless, just like a piece of silk. It is recommended to do each movement a total of six or eight times, which is about a 20-minute routine. However, for those who are in a rush and don’t have that kind of time, by doing each movement two times, they will be able to reap the many benefits of qigong. To watch a step by step video of how to do the eight brocades, and other qigong routines checkout Mimi Kuo-Deemer on YouTube. For more of a modern take on qigong, check out Lee Holden’s YouTube videos. Storry and Photos by Staff Writer Hannah
SANDERMAN
Watch Hannah perform the steps by following the links on her story at hiline.cfschools.org
Before you begin: Finish each brocade move with a clearing. Bring your hands up to the level of your heart and palms float down in front of your body.
Two hands support the heavens: inhale, lifting your hands, palms facing up, up above your head, and interlace your fingers once they reach your forehead with palms toward the sky. Exhale slowly bringing your arms down.
1 Raising the hands to condition the stomach and spleen: Push left hand to the floor and right hand to the sky. Inhale and bring your arms to a T-position, then as you exhale switch hands so the left hand is pushing to the sky and the right is pushing to the floor.
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
FEATURE
Drawing the bow and letting the arrow fly: Step feet wide apart with your arms together in front of your face. Exhale, bend your knees into a slight squat and push out your left hand in a L-shape and pull back your right hand away from your left. Inhale and straighten your legs, bringing arms back together, elbows touching. Exhale again bending into a slight squat but switch arms pushing out your right hand into an L and pulling back your left hand away from it.
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Shake the back seven times to eliminate the 100 illnesses: Exhale and fold down, and then inhale and roll back up and go into a slight backbend. Exhale and come up from the backbend and lift your heels up and bring them back down, shaking the body.
Looking back to eliminate five fatigues and seven illnesses: Start with your feet shoulder width apart. Turn your head to one side while at the same time opening your palms and arms to face forward. Inhale, bringing your head back to center with palms facing down. Now exhale turning your head to the other side and again open up your arms and palms.
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Two hands climb the legs to strengthen the kidneys: Feet shoulder width apart, inhale, placing your hands on your lower back. Exhale and trace fingers down the backs of your legs to your feet. Then inhale and trace fingers up the inner legs, and once your hands reach your torso, float your arms in front of you and bring them up over your head. Then bring your arms down, palms facing the floor.
Bending over and wagging the tail to stop heart fire: Step your feet wide apart and bend your knees, placing your hands on your thighs. Exhale and bend your torso down towards your right leg and rotate your head and chest around to the left leg. Inhale, bring your body back to the middle, and then exhale again bending down to your left leg and swing your torso to the right leg.
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Punching with an angry gaze to increase strength: Feet shoulder width apart, exhale, pushing your right hand in a fist forward. Then draw that hand back, placing the fist, palm facing upward, on your hip with your elbow bent. Exhale again and push your left hand out, and then bring the fist back to rest on your hip palm facing up.
10
Locks of Love FEATURE
Imagine the smile on a little girl’s face when the strange stares finally stop. Finally setting an alarm a half hour earlier to get ready for school. Finally feeling somewhat normal and having hair again after going through the treatment of chemo and becoming a bald teenage girl. Seniors Emily Braun and Ellie Burken have recently donated their hair to the Locks of Love foundation where they send their hair to make wigs for mainly cancer patients and people suffering from alopecia, which also causes loss of hair. Over Thanksgiving break, Braun went to Cost Cutters, where they chopped 10 inches from her hair. “I wanted to give it to people who needed it more than I did,” Braun said. This is not her first time donating her hair for a good cause. She donated her hair two other times as well, once in the fourth grade and another as a sophomore. In fourth grade Braun donated 18 inches of her hair. She donated enough hair for a whole wig. Braun’s hair made a wig for a 13-year-old cancer survivor, and Braun had the opportunity to meet the new owner of her hair. She was able to witness the smile on the girl’s face after she put the wig on for the first time. The family asked to meet Braun because they were so thankful for her donation to their daughter. “This is why I keep donating it,” Braun said. “It was such an awesome experience.” Burken donated her hair a few weeks ago. “I thought about it for about 13 hours, and then I did it,” Burken said. She donated 11 inches of her hair. She had been growing out her hair since ninth grade before she finally decided to chop it short. Burken got her hair cut at a new hair salon called Posh. “My friend Erin Hendrickson inspired me to donate my hair. I just called Posh and asked if they donated,” Burken said. She said she loves the length of her new short hair. It gives her more of a style and is a lot easier to take care of. “I would definitely do it again,” Burken said. Art teacher Emily Luensman has donated her hair on multiple occasions as well. “I think it’s a good cause, and it’s something to do with the hair I would just have thrown away. It’s a good way of recycling,” Luensman said. Like Braun, Luensman goes to Cost Cutters to donate her hair. Cost Cutters throws in a free haircut for her when she donates. Her latest dona-
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Students donate hair for wigs
“I wanted to give it to someone who needed it more than I did.” —Senior Emily Braun
Mission:
“Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under the age of 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.”
Above: Senior Ellie Burken before donating her hair. Left: An 11 inch braid all donated to Locks of Love from Burken. Below: Burken sporting her new style after donating.
tion was 10 inches. “It’s a big commitment giving that much hair, but if you’re going to do it, it’s a good cause,” Luensman said. Locks of Love is only one of the many foundations that accepts donated hair. The restrictions for donating may vary from organization to organization, but normally they ask for 8-10 inches of hair. They prefer the hair isn’t damaged or dyed, although most will take any hair donated. Other donation organizations are Pantene Beautiful Lengths or Wigs for Kids. Each of these charity organizations are non-profit, meaning it is free to donate. “It’s fun to surprise people,” Burken said, and it will put a smile on a little girl’s face. By Staff Writer Emma
GERDES
Places To Go: • Cost Cutters (include one free haircut)
319-266-1140 ( 1710 W. 1st Street, Cedar Falls) 319-277-7520 (5901 Univeristy Ave, Cedar Falls)
•Razor’s Edge Hairstyling 319-268-1682 (2211 College Street, Cedar Falls) •Kate’s on Main 319-266-7517 (206 Main Street, Cedar Falls) •Polk-A-Dot 319-266-6603 (6015 University Avenue, Cedar Falls) •Professionally Speaking 319-266-0760 (2224 College Street, Cedar Falls)
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
OPINION
11
Every day’s self-image struggles of living with forgotten disease creates ups, downs It’s 12 at night. The sky has been dark for hours, and my mind has only been dark with thoughts for little over an hour. Not the good thoughts that I usually have, but the darks ones, dark thoughts about myself. The thoughts that I had were the usual: I’m ugly, I am not beautiful, nobody cares about me and so on. I needed someone to talk to, so I texted my best friend. I told him what I was thinking. He told me that I was wrong, and that I was beautiful, but I still didn’t think so. He said that nobody has really ever told me that I was beautiful. Now that made me feel a little bit better. We talked for a little bit more while I was watching a show on Netflix. The next thing I knew, it was after one in the morning, and I fell asleep. The next morning I slept in, and I felt a little bit better. And as the day went on, I improved even more, but I knew that I still had a long way to go. Most girls my age or any age have their hair, but I don’t. I have a disease called Alopecia Areata. It’s the forgetten disease. Alopecia is where the immune system attacks the hair follicles and makes the hair fall out. You can’t tell when it will fall out or grow back. It’s very random. There are a ton of people who have this, both men and women, but it mostly happens with women. You would think that for how many people have it, there would be a cure for it, but there is no cure for it. However, there are treatments to help it. Even though this is a disease, I am in good health. I don’t have cancer, so if you ever see me or anyone else without hair, don’t ask if they have cancer. If you do, that will most likely make them mad. There are a ton of reasons why someone might not have any hair. I have struggled mentally and emotionally with this for some years now. There would are days when I feel happy with myself and about myself. Then there are other days where I feel down because I am around people every day who have their hair, and I don’t. It was around the time I was in fourth grade that I was diagnosed with Alopecia, but I had little bald spots since I was four. I think it was easier for me to handle back then because the kids who were in my class I pretty much knew since kindergarten. I had gotten to wear hats in school because of it, both in elementary school and at the junior high. When I got to the junior high, it was difficult for me because there were kids that I didn’t know. I thought that I would get made fun of for not having any hair. Then I soon learned that there were nice kids there, and I made some new friends. Even though I have made great friends over the past few years, I still get upset about my condition. When I was at the junior high, during the passing period, I would look at the other kids in the hallway, and I would think that they are giving me bad stares. It was like they didn’t want to see me, but I would only think that on the days when I would feel bad about myself. I feel like all my worries started on the first day of junior high. Everyone there was so nice
Junior Mercede Kraabel has been struggling with Alopecia since the age of four. She has learned what true beauty means, and she tries to have a positive outlook each and every day. about it. I felt like they felt sorry for me. At first, I wanted people to feel sorry for me because if they did, then I thought they cared about me. But in the 10th grade, I realized that I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I hate it when people tell me that they are sorry because then that makes me feel like they know what I’m going through, but they don’t. Nobody knows what I am going through unless you yourself have gone through it. I feel that what everyone does is try to make sense of a situation that they haven’t gone through, but no one knows what it is like to be me. Now, a year later, I really don’t care what people think of me. Yes, I will always have bad days. I hope there will be more of the happy days and less of the bad ones, but everyone has to have bad days just to love the good even better. If you look at me at school, at the store or wherever you see me, you wouldn’t think that
I have this disease because I wear a wig. Even some of my closest friends didn’t know I had Alopecia because I wear the wig. I have been wearing a wig since this past March, 10 months and counting. This was the first wig I have ever had. I had never wanted a wig before, but last time when I had almost lost my hair again, I knew I was gonna miss having hair, so I decided to get a wig. When I had first gotten my new wig, my best friends were saying that it wasn’t me and that they love the person I was, with or without hair. When I heard that, I was happy, but even so, I still had wanted to wear the wig. I have always loved my hair. When I didn’t have any hair, I would miss it. I missed feeling it when I swam in the pool, and I missed having to put it in a ponytail. It was one of those things that you don’t know how much it meant to you until you lose it. It was the same way with my hair. I also didn’t want to deal with the questions
or the stares anymore. That was the reason I wanted to wear a wig. I know now that the other reason why I wanted to wear a wig was that it helped me. It helped me to realize that I didn’t care if I have any hair or not. I haven’t had any hair since this past March. I started to count the months until it started to grow back. It was seven months, and then it started to grow back in September. I have some hair now but not as much as I wanted it to be. It has never taken this long before to grow back. I am still wearing the wig, but very recently I decided that if my hair didn’t grow very much before spring break, then I would shave it off or not shave it all off and stop wearing wigs. I will go back to just wearing hats. I know that when spring break comes around I may decide to keep wearing wigs. I really don’t care anymore if I wear hats or wear a wig. I don’t care if I have hair or don’t have any hair. Having Alopecia is the best thing for me. If I didn’t have it, then I wouldn’t know who I would be today. All my thoughts about the world are because of having Alopecia. I try to stay positive about everything and anything. I don’t judge people because of what I’m going through. I try to treat everyone with kindness and respect, but if you don’t treat me the same, then I won’t treat you with kindness and respect. I also see beauty differently than other people. The definition of beauty in the Merriam Webster Dictionary: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. In my mind, the definition of beauty is this: everything that makes you, you. What you do, who you are. Now in my mind, beautiful is what makes you different. Beauty and beautiful to most people are looks, but as I already said, they’re not. I really don’t know who I would be today if I didn’t have Alopecia. I guess I wouldn’t see the world through the same eyes that I do today. I wouldn’t see flaws and the imperfections as perfect. There are perfect humans beings. Humans are perfect in their own little ways, with the flaws and imperfections. That is how I see the world, and I love it. Every day, I have to fight with myself to keep going, to stay happy. Fight with myself to not feel alone when I’m with my friends. Fight with myself to not feel bad about myself. Fight with myself to not think that I am ugly when I am beautiful. To feel strong, to feel brave. Now, you are probably thinking that I’m just writing this so you can feel sorry for me, but that’s not what this is. This is just me telling my story. Telling what it’s been like for me to live with Alopecia. Telling a side of the story that I don’t like to tell people. I am happy, but there are the times when I feel down about myself, but I will always have days where I feel down. This is something I will always be dealing with. I still have a long ways to go before I can ever truly love myself. By Staff Writer Mercede
Kraabel
12
The
OPINION
Our View
For the sake of successful finals,
Governor should leave school start date up to us
This school year has brought with it some major changes to Cedar Falls High School. From power hour to the proliferation of new clubs, many changes have been home grown initiatives that have made each day better; however, one new change was neither home grown nor for the better: the change of the dates of finals due to the governor ordering later start dates for schools. Although it made sense to some at the state level and in communities with bigger agricultural connections to have the school year start a few weeks later because of conflicts with participating in the Iowa State Fair, at this point in the semester, the later start has wreaked havoc on our school routine. We believe that finals should be before winter break. It makes sense for all parties involved, sans those few who wish to attend the state fair in the summertime. The fact that finals are after break creates major problems for both students and teachers. For students, having finals right before break means that they can finally relax after intense periods of studying. We think that it is a little absurd to allow a week-long break from learning and then demand that students take difficult exams that can impact their grades soon after. In addition, holiday break is definitely not being used as a time for studying. Rather, the holidays are a time when families get together and when students can take a break from thinking about their schoolwork. The effects of the new dates of finals are counterproductive for CFHS students. They can have difficulty retaining information they learned previously. They can also have difficulty focusing so intensely on school after not having that school routine and rhythm over break. The changes also present obstacles for teachers. Instead of having winter break to not only relax but also get in some quality grading time, teachers now are forced to grade all of their student’s exams in a mere couple of days. This adds stress to already stressed out teachers who are trying their best to finish their semesters with grace, not chaos. We wish that, for a second, Iowa lawmakers and communities who value the fair over education would put themselves in our shoes. If they did, they would soon understand that the system in place is not a good one. Students and teachers alike have responded negatively to having final exams after winter break. Governor Branstad and legislators in Des Moines, for the sake of the student body and the community of teachers at Cedar Falls High School, there needs to be another change in the schedule, but this time, back to the way it once was.
Contact Us
The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes at Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.cfschools.org. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Fridays to read during their third period classes. Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hi-Line staff or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial is presented weekly in the editorial labeled Our View, and it is the view of the majority of the editors listed below. Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to The Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Letters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Monday for publication in the following Friday edition. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Writers should include their contact information for verification. Editors-in-Chief: Zuhayr Alam and Sommer Danielsen Entertainment Editor: Tana Gam-Ad News Editor: Sarah Stortz Online Editor: Zuhayr Alam Feature Editor: Sommer Danielsen Sports Editor: Jason Rathjen Graphic Artist: Sierra Steen Staff Writers: Annebeth Ahrenholz, Billie Ann Albert, Daphne Becker, Madison Belden, Jamie Blair, Ben Boezinger, Abbey Carlson, Gabi Carr, Miranda Cole, Amanda Crockett, Ashton Cross, Sommer Danielsen, Alyssa Dekutoski, Noah Forker, Emma Gerdes, A. J. Godbey, Camryn Grubic, Amna Haider, Aaron Heimbuck, Noah Hermansen, Cody Hood, Nathan Hoy, Jacob Jensen, Kierston Johnson, Brennan Kohls, Mercede Kraabel, Sam Magee, Olivia Martin, Jade McBroom, Scott Miller, Nolan Nickerson, Madeline Nicol, Kaylee Olson, Austin Reyhons, Hannah Sanderman, Lane Schwickerath, Lexi Sheeley, Allie Taiber, Tehya Tournier, Isaac Turner-Hall, Drew Walker, Isabella Wilson
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Islamophopia has no place in our country of freedom “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Ever since we were no more than four feet tall, we’ve stood together, united as one, hand over hearts to recite The Pledge of Allegiance to our exceptional country. We stand with pride and dignity promising to be loyal to the symbol of our nation, a nation of 50 states and several territories, each with certain rights of their own. It’s a country where the people elect representatives from among themselves to make laws for the people, representing the values of the government, in which everyone is equal under the law. It’s a country formed under God, whose people are free to believe as they wish. It’s a unified nation that cannot be split into parts, with freedom and an equal system of law for every person in the nation, regardless of their differences. Yet there are millions of Muslim American citizens struggling to experience this feeling of freedom, as the United States fears their presence. A disliking of or prejudice against the religion of Islam, or Muslims is the effect of a cultural racism. Our Muslim-American community has been wrongfully labeled as a threat to society. Many people (not all), equate Islam with evil through portrayals of Muslims as irrational, uncivilized or threatening. This term is known as Islamophobia. The racial constructions following 9/11 made by leading social and political figures has preyed on our culture’s common fear of terrorism. “Islam has attacked us,” said Franklin Graham, shortly after 9/11. He’s one of America’s most powerful evangelical leaders. “Islam, is a very evil and wicked religion,” he said. It is not the religion or Muslims that are violent, but the select few who wrongly interpret Islam to satisfy their demonic desires. Associating all Muslims with the word evil has expanded throughout the world. Current events have highlighted any negative aspects within Islam, and only violent acts are attributed. There is a lack in showing the good they do the doctors who have saved countless lives and the millions of other peaceful, law-abiding Muslim-Americans who benefit American society. Thousands of crimes are committed every day by non-Muslim Americans, yet when a crime is done by almost anyone who re-
Allie Taiber Photo
Sophomore Hana Malik is praying at the Islamic Prayer Ritual at the Islamic Center in Waterloo recently. “I have wanted to show people that just because I am of this race does not make me a bad person,” she said. sembles Middle Eastern descent, it is an act of terrorism. GOP frontrunner Donald Trump has added to a heightened feeling of Islamophobia, making claims such as “a ban of all Muslims” or his push for Muslim identification cards. After Trump confirmed that he would set up a database for Muslim-Americans, an NBC reporter asked him point blank: “Is there a difference between requiring Muslims to register and Jews in Nazi Germany?” A clearly annoyed Trump at first refused to respond, but then told the reporter, “You tell me,” and walked away. Muslim-American sophomore Hana Malik described her take on Islamophobia when she said, “I have wanted to show people that just because I am of this race, does not make me a bad person.” I had the opportunity to attend an Islamic Prayer Ritual at the Islamic Center in Waterloo just two
weeks ago with Hana. They welcomed me with open arms, and I felt as though I was a part of the bond they all share. In no way is the religion of Islam evil or dangerous. I witnessed love and peace, not terrorism. Muslims fear terrorism just as everyone else; there was no valid reason to remove this group of loving people from their country. “Every human life is important to Muslims,” Malik said. It’s time we all start practicing true equality for all races. It’s time to stop painting all Muslims with the same brush. As long as this reaction of fear continues, the terrorists continue terrorizing. They know that after every brutal murder, the media and politicians start ranting about how to deal with average Muslims. The real culprits, meanwhile, get exactly what they want. By Staff Writer Allie
TAIBER
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
OPINION
13
Letters to the Editor Writers respond to Jan. 8 feminism article
Civil exploration of feminism reveals benefits for all In regards to a recent article published in the Hi-Line, Some feminism goes too far, and the outbreak that surrounded it, I believe there are a few things that should be cleared up. As plainly stated at the opening of the article, according to Dekutoski, feminism is: “advocacy (public support) of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality of men.” There is no source listed for this definition; however, the official Webster’s Dictionary definition is “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” In short, feminism is a near synonym to equality and aids both genders. When read carefully, you’ll notice that neither definition claims that men or women are above one another, as it is true that both genders face oppression in different aspects of life. Here lies the fatal flaw: discussion took place over an inaccurate portrayal of the nature of feminism. However, there is no shame in making mistakes, so I’ll break it down. This article, and most of the following discussion, makes feminism out to be something reserved for women, whereas it is for everyone and each gender can benefit. Nowhere in the article is anything said about what feminism does for anyone but the heterosexual, American, female, and it completely ignores the existence of male feminists. The feminist movement promotes safety for male rape victims, breaking down the barriers of male masculinity standards and diminishing gender roles. It also acknowledges female rapists, male on male rape, and female on female rape. Some feminism goes too far touches upon female “feminists” who shut men down and seem to hypocritically aim for female supremacy. Revisiting the definition, evidently these people are not feminists. They can call themselves what they please, but if they believe their gender entitles them, they’re working against equality; they are misandrists. Back to my good friend the dictionary, misandry is “a hatred of men.” If they don’t work for equality, they are not feminists. Next, the article addresses the wage
“The article and most of the following discussion, makes feminism out to be something reserved for women, whereas it is for everyone and each gender can benefit.” gap, deeming it debunked and totally untrue. Again there is no source cited for this, so I’m not sure which study is being referred to, but I believe the most common one to have been conducted by Stanford. The truth of the matter is that there is no released study that can accurately prove or disprove it. The study by Stanford does not account for qualifications, position, length of employment, performance, etc. The only credible, available studies are comparisons of average incomes. Because no precise study has been administered on a large scale, we cannot say that a wage gap does or does not exist. Expanding further on inequality in the workplace, the article states: “sex discrimination in the workplace is illegal since the enactment of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1946.” Just because discrimination has been made illegal, does not mean it doesn’t happen. Laws are not always followed, nor are crimes always recognized, reported or tried in court. Nevertheless, publicly-known instances of discrimination in the workplace on all aspects of gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. continue to happen. Two infractions that have garnered media attention in recent years include Godfrey v. City of Chicago (Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho) and Robertson v. Hunter Panels, LCC (Danaher, Donahue, Fazzini). Females obtaining plenty positions of power is also listed as a reason for why “modern feminism” might seem unnecessary. Dekutoski said these positions include “highest offices of political power in many countries.” According to the United Nations, globally there are currently 12 females who are head of national governments. I will admit this is amazing progress, but since there
are 196 countries in the world, only 6.1 percent of governments are led by women. This is probably much due the fact that in many countries females wed and bear children at a younger age, so they often don’t finish school and are expected to stay home with children even more so than here in America. Not only does this limit females, but males as well. Men must work, rather than stay home with their children as they may want to do. The final point I would like to make about feminism is on the global scale. The end of the article addresses third world country inequalities such as legalized rape. I was glad to see these issues mentioned but perplexed because it seems like it is being said that these are not matters that (“modern”) feminism addresses. Nowhere is it stated, nor do any feminists I know believe, that feminism only applies to Americans (or each their own country), because I believe we all know how well off we are in America. Many feminists do what they can to help out women and men in foreign countries. A good example is CFHS senior Katarina Walther who is currently planning a drive through the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council, which will provide women in third world countries with feminine hygiene products. Being a caucasian, upper middle class, heterosexual, cisgendered (meaning I identify with the gender assigned to me at birth), able, educated, female in America I am not afraid to acknowledge that I am one of the most privileged people in the world. Although I am a feminist, I do not play the victim, as many say we do. I am fully aware of my capabilities and consider myself to be quite ambitious. After high school I plan to attend Northwestern in Chicago (or a similar
university), receive a degree in General Human Resources, attend law school receiving a degree in International Human Rights and eventually become a civil rights attorney. Finding my place in feminism has empowered me to do what I can to help those who don’t have the privileges I do or are unable to see their potential due to antagonists. I wish for a world someday where a transgender, Pakistani Muslim or a gay, South American atheist is on the same level as a heterosexual, American-born Christian. My aforementioned privileges should not put me ahead of anyone, aid my future success or even be considered advantageous in life. However, I plan to use the prerogatives I was given at birth to help spread fair opportunities for all. With respect to the outbreak on social media following the release of “Some feminism goes too far,” I think that some students need to take a step back and ask themselves what they are trying to accomplish. I believe that all should be able to voice their opinions publicly, as I am doing now, but I don’t believe it is beneficial to tear others down in a classless, slanderous manner and attack others’ opinions with their own — especially over the Internet. I’d like to note that members of both “sides” in the argument were guilty of disrespectful conduct. I have personally never seen an argument online end positively. Has anyone ever swayed your entire outlook over an Internet fight? Sometimes we must face the facts that an opinion is an opinion, and not everyone will agree with you. I fully anticipate that this will be picked apart, and that’s OK. I ask that you keep an open mind, consider all viewpoints and never stop educating yourself in order to maintain an informed opinion. If you do have an opposing stance or I have said something that offends you and you’d like to discuss it, don’t hesitate to stop me in the hall and share it. We all span the ages of 15-18 years; let’s start acting like it.
—Courtney Dobson Junior
Student: “While others may not need feminism, I do.” My introduction to feminism came, as many concepts do these days, from the Internet. In middle school, I saw a video on Youtube about the glass ceiling, a completely foreign concept to me at the time. Researching the glass ceiling led to researching the wage gap and led to researching the social expectations of women. I was irritated at the disparity between the sexes: if women work as hard as men, they should earn the same amount of money and be viewed as equally capable. Conveniently, I stumbled upon a term for that thinking: feminism. I immediately slapped that label onto myself and went about my business, thinking this equality was common sense. However, that is not the case. Some men think feminism threatens them, tipping the scales so women are in charge of everything and catering
to the misandrists. Others dislike feminism because of traditional or religious beliefs, but I believe aversion to feminism is at least partly due to a skewed representation of feminism in the media. Not only are women presented in the media as submissive, oftentimes shown in commercials as mere sexual objects, it seems to be a pervading belief that feminists are a group of crazy women threatening to establish a female dictatorship over everyone. The only feminists that ever make the news are the ones that parade around for the Free the Nipple movement or antagonize men. However, that’s not good feminism. Feminism is a political and social belief to establish women on an equal level as men. There is no tipping of the scales, no female dictatorship. Just equality. I acknowledge that white feminism is a
major issue with modern feminism. Fighting for the rights of white women while disregarding the oppression and issues of women of color only results in antagonism between women and a greater divide between white women and women of color. White feminism trivializes all women that aren’t white, but that doesn’t mean we should all hate all white feminists. We should condemn white feminism, not white feminists. Women of color have an even smaller voice than white women, so even those who do speak out aren’t necessarily heard. Modern feminism also tends to ignore transgender women. This is part of a much larger issue of gender identity and people’s acceptance, but the bottom line is that modern feminism sometimes doesn’t include all women and that needs to be fixed if any progress can
be made. While others may not need feminism, I do. I already work extremely hard to accomplish my goals, so it’s not right to make that even harder due to the fact I’m female. Not being submissive should not equate to not being a woman. Why am I not allowed to be charismatic, to be competitive, to be strong? I need feminism because the number of girls in my honors science classes dwindled until there were only three girls, myself included, in my AP physics class last year to the 15 boys. According to the data for 2014 collected by the census, a white woman only makes about 78 cents to every man’s dollar, and women of color make even less. Maybe this is OK for some people, but I am not FEMINISM Continued on Page 15
14
The
OPINION
Tiger
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
HI-LINE
Sanders’ socialism not right for America Two candidates hold the majority of points on the Democrat side of the presidential campaign currently, Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State whose campaign is plagued with scandals, and Bernie Sanders, the self proclaimed “democratic socialist.” Socialism and communism are two names for one thing, the main difference being that communism is a form of both a political and an economic system, whereas socialism is just an economic system. They both end on the same page, destroying wealth and success. The main goal of communism is make everyone equal, and the way the government accomplishes its goal of equality is that everyone is poor under it. They take everyone’s hard earned money and redistribute it. In communism there is no such thing as private property. The government owns the market; they own your house; they own everything. The USSR’s economy collapsed under communism, and we’ve recently seen communist China attempting to copy our form of capitalism. Socialism is when the government owns all means of production, and it provides you with college, healthcare and other services at the taxpayer’s expense. The government steals the wealth from hard working people and redistributes it to everyone. Socialists feel that they are entitled to everyone else’s hard earned money. It is the economic system of envy. The main goal of socialism, just like communism, is complete, total equality, no classes, no private property and no incentive for success. The socialist mindset is, “If I can’t afford something, then the government should give it to me.” A commonly used lure by socialists is “free college” and “free healthcare.” If the government says it’s going to give you something for free, it never means free. The government is funded by taxpayers like you and I, so nothing you receive from the government is free. Socialism is the government reaching into your pockets and giving your hard earned money to someone else. To make his followers believe in his socialist ideology, Sanders calls it “democratic socialism.” Sanders tries to convince everyone that by adding “democratic” to the front of socialism, it somehow makes it remarkably better, and the shocking thing is that his followers believe him. All Sanders is doing is putting lipstick on a pig. “Democratic” socialism is socialism and socialism is communism. It just changes names as soon as everyone figures out how bad the current communist system is. The main evidence advocating for socialism that Sanders uses is the example of Scandinavia. He always brings up the “free” college and healthcare. In Denmark, the median income tax in 2014 according to the Danish Central Tax Administration was a whopping 55.6 percent. Out of every $100 you make,
Sierra Steen Photo
Presidential candiate Sen. Bernie Sanders from Vermont stopped at Waterloo West High School last month to give a campaign speech.
“Democratic socialism is socialism, and socialism is communism. It just changes names as soon as everyone figures out how bad the current communist system is.” $55 is taken out, leaving you with only $45 of your hard-earned money. Margaret Thatcher once said, “Socialism works, until you run out of other people’s money.” After Scandinavia, Sanders brings up Canada’s “free” health care as an example. According to a study from the Fraser Institute in 2011, the average wait time for treatment with a medical specialist takes 9.5 weeks. What happens if you are in dire need of an appointment with a doctor in Canada? Too bad. Wait your turn because, remember, everyone is equal in socialism. The average wait time to see a neurosurgeon is 17.4 weeks. The wait time actually costs Canada almost $1 billion in lost productivity every year, on top of the $2.7 trillion collective medical bill. As with almost anything the government sticks its nose in, the results slow down massively and become snagged in the bureaucracy that is government. Imagine the DOT, only the
doctors office version. Recently we’ve seen socialism destroy Greece. The Greek government has been spending rampantly on bailouts and their welfare system. According to GSIS, Greece, the income tax in Greece is 46 percent, and on top of that, a 42 percent social security tax is added, making the final tax rate coming out to be 88 percent. Along with that, there is a 23 percent sales tax, and yet Greece is still tremendously in debt. They tax the citizens outrageously because of the out of control government spending. The European Union has given billions of dollars to Greece, trying to get them out of their hole, but with no success because they are constantly spending on the socialist policies. Sanders’ plans include “free” college, “free” healthcare, attempting to create higher paying jobs while forcing the minimum wage up and 12 weeks of paid family and medical time off. Econo-
mists have estimated that these policies will cost almost $18 trillion on top of the $18 trillion we already owe. This debt will be forced on the future generations of Americans. Our children, and their kids, will be forced to pay this off for decades if these socialist ideas are ever implemented. To make his supporters believe in his socialist ideas, Sanders calls it “democratic socialism.” We all know he means regular communist-based socialism. We’ve seen communism and socialism fail, time and time again in Greece and the USSR. It drives national debt upward and success into the ground. Taxes skyrocket, jobs disappear and working Americans will bring home much less in their paychecks. If Sanders becomes president, all of our wallets will be feeling the “Bern.” By Staff Writer Brennan
KOHLS
15
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
Cartoon exhibits tolerance toward many If you were to turn on a television at any given time in the day and flip to either Disney, Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network, it is almost guaranteed that a cartoon will be on. Today’s cartoons are typically aimed at a young audience, filled with colorful and weird characters doing mischievous things in order to capture viewer’s attention. While Nickelodeon is gearing more towards these silly cartoons with no real meaning, more to pass the time than to really enjoy, Cartoon Network has produced a few shows that have not only a great story line but great representation as well. Representation is important as children grow up. Up until about a few years ago, many children didn’t have a figure to look up to. Superheroes were mostly men, cartoons dared not show any relationships that weren’t heterosexual, and many of the popular shows were heavily staffed with white actors. Of course, there were a few shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that went against these “norms” in the entertainment industry, but that doesn’t change the fact that most of the shows back then fell victim to traditional societal standards. These days, fortunately, representation of various minorities is becoming more and more prevalent in television. Most importantly, cartoons are including more and more characters with varying races, sexual orientation and genders that children can look up to and view as normal. Cartoon Network is doing an outstanding job of pushing boundaries to show representation. One of the best shows on the network for this is Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar. Some of the people trying to censor what the show wants to portray to the audience claim that the representation is only theories conjured up by fans, but Sugar knows exactly what she is doing. The show has representation of gender, race, varying body types and sexuality, the latter of which being a huge deal as many cartoons have never even hinted at anything besides heterosexual relationships existing. Out of the main characters, more than half of them are women. The Crystal Gems, the main heroes of the show, are all por-
FEMINISM Continued from Page 13
comfortable with being overlooked or patronized for something as trivial as gender. I feel unsafe walking around at night purely because I’m a woman. Yes, girls in developing nations are significantly more unsafe than me and many of them are subject to horrible sexual assault and rape before they even hit puberty, and I have the privilege of living in a country where that doesn’t happen. However, that does not mean there is no rape here, and my fears are unjustified. If I get raped in America, I won’t get killed by my family, but I was still raped, and if my story even makes the news, I’ll only get blamed for it.
Graphic by Staff Writer Alyssa trayed as women (I say “portrayed” as they are aliens and possibly don’t even fall under any sort of gender construct). In fact, all of the gems (the name of the race of aliens) in the show are portrayed as women, and strong women at that. Every female character in the show, including humans Connie and Sadie, are shown as brave and strong, and all have important character arcs that shape them as the women they are. This is so important as it shows girls that they are capable of being their own heroes, and it shows boys that women can be strong and capable of doing anything that a man can do. Garnet, one of the main Crystal Gems, is perhaps the most vital character in the show when it comes to representation. She is a black woman who is one of the strongest characters in the world they live in, which is inspiring as it is, but there is another important key factor about her. There is a method used by gems called fusion, which is exactly what it sounds like –– two gems fusing together as one. This can be interpreted in I feel uncomfortable wearing some clothes because it’s “distracting” for the boys. Why should I have to change myself? Why can’t “the boys” just control themselves? Why do I have to automatically be cautious of any strange man because I don’t know if he’ll rape me later? While the idea of the “Dangerous College Campus” is untrue, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, one out of every six American women is a victim of attempted or completed rape. These are American women. Since not every woman is raped, I can’t be scared? One out of six isn’t a big enough statistic to garner fear? The problems I face are first-world, but they are still problems, and they still need to be addressed. Why are we satisfied with the bare
DEKUTOSKI
some sense as a relationship, whether platonic or romantic. Garnet (spoiler alert) is a fusion between two gems, Ruby and Sapphire, who are both girls and who are obviously more than just friends. They hug and kiss and protect each other, and Garnet in one episode sings about how she is made out of the love between the two gems. Having a lesbian relationship on the show is extremely important and amazing, especially considering some of Cartoon Network’s staff attempts to censor it. To normalize a homosexual or otherwise relationship on a cartoon that millions of children watch is outstanding, especially in an era that is attempting to grow out of past prejudice against same sex relationships. Along with Garnet being black, there are also other races represented. There is the Pizza family who are all black, and there are the Maheswaran’s (one of the main characters, Connie, is part of this family) who are Indian. Other characters are more up to fan interpretation, such as Lars being possibly part black and/or part Asian. Children
“I already work extremely hard to acomplish my goals, so it’s not right to make that even harder to to the fact I’m female.” minimum? Since women get to vote and serve in the army, everything is fine and dandy? Women are still immensely outnumbered in positions of power. We’ve never had a female president or vice president, and, according to Fortune magazine, women make up a whopping 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs and, according to the Federation of American Scientists, 20 percent of Congress. How can people pass this
watching will see representation of their race, which is a big part of understanding themselves and realizing their importance in the world. Another important aspect that Steven Universe shows is varying body types. The main character, Steven, is chubby. He likes to eat a lot, and he feels absolutely no shame in his body. Amethyst, one of the three main Crystal Gems, is also chubby, and she is absolutely powerful and wonderful and loves herself just as she is. Many times in popular media, fat characters are ridiculed, hate their bodies or are shown more as sidekicks rather than heroes. Fat is not an insult, as many people are raised to believe. It’s simply a body type, just the same as skinny, muscular and everything in between. Steven and Amethyst are two of the big heroes on the show, and the fact that they are shown embracing their bodies and being powerful heroes shows young children, fat or not, that heavier people are very capable of doing amazing things. Every character on the show has a different body type, so no two characters are alike in the way their bodies are set up, just as it is in the real world. Seeing various body types in a children’s show helps children see that everyone is different and that your body is valid and beautiful just as it is. Steven Universe isn’t the only show that is starting to show more representation — for example, the show Clarence stars a chubby kid who has a friend with lesbian mothers. Even if it’s subtle, representation matters so much, both to kids growing up watching television and to those already grown up who are now tuning in. Empowering women, various races, religions and sexualities tells the audience that everyone is important and beautiful in their own ways and that they matter. Even amongst silly shows that are simply meant to entertain without any actual meaning, shows like Steven Universe are finally stepping up and producing content full of representation. By Graphic Artist Sierra
STEEN
for equality? Women make up half of the population; positions of power need to reflect that gender ratio to fulfill equality. Western feminism isn’t without its flaws, but it’s still necessary. I refuse to fight hate with hate, but I can only regard a man’s opinion on feminism so far. A man hasn’t experienced what I have; he hasn’t felt threatened as a 12-year-old by middle-aged men leering and grabbing at him when he was just trying to walk down the street. This has happened to me, this will continue to happen to me and that’s why I need feminism.
—Sarah Gao Senior
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These top selections from 2015 are built to last
Metal
Heard?
Deafheaven - New Bermuda Personally, Deafheaven’s third studio album — following their 2013 masterpiece, Sunbather — was my most anticipated album of the year. Sunbather changed my mind about metal music. Acclaimed for shattering the confines of traditional black metal, Sunbather blended emotion-wrenching, voracious black metal with shimmering beauty and qualities of shoegaze — a lofty, obliteratingyet-blissful sea of ascending sounds and vivid colors. The anticipation for New Bermuda was met with an earth-shattering response. This thing is heavier, more driven and most of all — more ear-grippingly tangible. The lofty sounds have been brought down to crack the ground and open up the earth with a dark, passionate power. It’s awesome. High On Fire - Luminiferous If this album doesn’t make you want to get some tattoos, put on a leather jacket and ride a growling motorcycle to a bar fight, then I simply don’t know what will. Boiling over the brim with fire and flames, High On Fire’s seventh album throws a series of steady, furious punches with diversity, experienced songwriting and fantastically palpable stoner metal instrumentation — including some murderous guitar solos. Grumbling with an expertly crafted rawness, Luminiferous is a fantastic package of pure sludge and righteousness. Ghost - Meliora I’ve once before heard this band dubbed as “metal for people who aren’t into metal.” Yet, even for those who are in fact into metal, this thing is just glorious. The incredibly thematic Meliora is the third full-length studio album from acclaimed heavy metal band Ghost, and it is ominously grim, occult and powerful — yet pure, captivating and simply enjoyable. As is rule-of-thumb with metal, play at high volume for optimal results. Also Noteworthy: -Leviathan - Scar Sighted
Pop
Electronic Pop
Jamie xx - In Colour Another one of my top personal favorites of the year is the captivating solo effort from English producer Jamie xx — otherwise known as the man behind the captivating sound of the beloved soft indie-pop outfit, The xx. Whereas the gentle, subdued vibes of The xx can be infatuating, it is obvious that Jamie has been eager to abhore these confines to pour out a broader spectrum of vivid sonic colors. The sounds invoked in the world of In Colour possess a reminiscent aura, floating in an atmosphere of nostalgia and emotion. Bringing in members Romy and Oliver of The xx to contribute on several songs, Jamie adds and accentuates to their traditional style. With a true flourishing of his abilities, Jamie also works with Young Thug and Popcaan, delivering one of the most entertaining songs of 2015, “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times).” Neon Indian Vega INTL. Night School Stay up past midnight, zip up your skinny jeans, flip on the colored fluorescent lights and dive into the realm of Vega INTL. Night School, soaking up all of its saturated retro grooviness. Cascading like a syrupy waterfall of sloshy, disco-influenced beats, Alan Palomo of Neon Indian delivers his third studio album of catchy and immersive synth pop. Also Noteworthy: Alina Baraz & Galimatias Urban Flora EP
Everything Everything Get To Heaven Near the very top of my favorite releases of 2015 was Get to Heaven — a dazzlingly vibrant art-pop/rock album from this British indie band. Jam packed with infatuating tracks of engrossing style and sheer catchiness, this album is sonically bursting at the seams with color and energy. Underneath these layers of flavorful instrumentation and synthetic dreaminess are engaging lyrics of modern societal commentary, written in ways that will have you singing “I don’t want to get older!” forever — the chorus of the track “Spring / Sun / Winter / Dread.” Get your hands on this album and get to heaven, ASAP. Grimes - Art Angels Prior fans of Claire Boucher, otherwise known as Grimes, have lavished in three years of bliss via her acclaimed 2012 album, Visions. With lofty vocals and dreamy synth progressions, Visions was a masterpiece of subtle, ethereal bedroom pop. But now, in an energized flourish of artistic evolution, Grimes has smashed through the wall of the bedroom and jumped outside, landing on a shooting star of wild poppiness and dynamic energy. Entirely self-produced, Grimes unveils new and exciting territory in her spectrum of talent with astounding left-field popappeal. Julia Holter Have You In My Wilderness In a spirited compilation of baroquepop tunes, Julia Holter encapsulates the sunshine, the smell of the seaside, the gentleness of the spring breeze and the evocation of true beauty on her fourth album. With her voice and equally dreamy baroque-style instrumentation, Holter composes 10 truly captivating pieces of blissful musical splendour, full of instrumental layering and detail. Also Noteworthy: -Joanna Newsom - Divers -Belle and Sebastian Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Rock
Protomartyr - The Agent Intellect The third studio album from Detroit post-punk outfit Protomartyr tells tales of corruption and loneliness, violence and neglect, and the emptiness of stark reality with sharp touches of style and snarl. Offering sounds of a dark, drunken nature and trudging through life’s philosophical implications, The Agent Intellect is moody, yet refrains from melodramaticism. It’s poignant and driven, yet not incessantly edgy. It is the cloudy answer to the harrowing feelings we so incessantly repress. Jeff Rosenstock - We Cool? I first heard this album while riding around town on a summer day on my bicycle, and, oh man, it just felt so right. Like a bike ride, Rosenstock coasts and pedals up and down hills and curves and all around the neighborhood with this indie punk rock project. With whimsical, hair-tossing instrumentation and fun, idiosyncratic lyrics, We Cool deals with getting older in the sunny rays of nostalgic youth. If you were into the old Fall Out Boy or Blink 182, you might as well give this enjoyable 2015 project a try. Tame Impala - Currents You find yourself in the control room of a spaceship. There are switches and knobs and gauges and colorful lights blinking all around you. However, you know exactly where to set each and every switch and knob, gauge and light. You have worked tirelessly in order to meticulously calibrate this machine, orchestrated down to the smallest of details. Then, you take some sort of drugs that make everything super pretty. Congratulations — the result is Currents, and you are Kevin Parker, the man behind Tame Impala and the band’s third studio album, where he writes, performs and produces a majority of the album himself. Manipulating the band’s brand of contemporary psychedelic rock, Parker sails through seas of color with a much more synthetic, poppy approach — all while maintaining the illustrious dreaminess of previous releases from Tame Impala. It’s beautiful, catchy and the production is handled with legendary finesse. Also Noteworthy: -Deerhunter - Fading Frontier -Godspeed You! Black Emporer Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Hip-Hop
Singer/Songwriter
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly 2015 was a prolific year for hip-hop as it dominated pop culture with loads of exciting releases from a myriad of artists. There are too many albums to list. However, sitting atop of the incredible hip-hop mountain — the crown jewel — is TPAB. Sending critics into a frenzy of acclaim, this album is, simply put, a modern classic. It is shocking, innovative, expressive, vulnerable, wildly dynamic, political, cultural and intricate. Delivered at a crucial time in the midst of escalating prevailing racial tensions in America, Lamar screams out in a voice of pure black — that is, pure life, passion, power and will. Travis Scott - Rodeo With the year 2015, hip-hop music has reached a crossroads. On the first road of this intersection is a car playing lyrical hip-hop through the speakers — telling stories, constructing concepts with intricate poetry and wordplay. On the other road is another car, driving a little faster, bumping a newer breed of hip-hop — one which I tend to refer to as production-focused hip-hop. This car is driving from the trap house to the club, popping bottles, smoking weed and drinking lean. Forging the path for melodic, production-focused hip-hop in 2015 are Young Thug’s Barter Six and Future’s Dirty Sprite 2. Travis Scott then came through with his debut studio album, Rodeo, which took this booming production to a place of sleek, dark, stylish refinement. It is potent, intoxicating and laced with moments of beauty. Milo - So the Flies Don’t Come Hailing from the land of the left-field is the obscure, the eclectic, the verbose, the philosophy major turned rapper — Rory Ferreira, aka Milo. Generating one of the most interesting takes on hip-hop music, Milo is among several left-field rappers of the Los Angeles based Hellfyre Club rap collective. Over producer Kenny Segal’s nocturnal beats, tailored in an unusually perfect way to suit his idiosyncratic style of spoken-word delivery, Milo weaves his esoteric vocabulary into strands of intricate rhymes and wordplay. However, the true talent is exhibited in Milo’s ability to be so peculiar, yet maintain a sound that is so pleasantly personable and engaging. So the Flies Don’t Come is a cohesive portrayal of Milo’s infectious talent as a hip-hop artist and is a crucial addition to his portfolio of work. Also Noteworthy: -Joey Bada$$ - B4DA$$ -Vince Staples - Summertime ‘06 -Pusha T King Push - Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude -Drake If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Experimental Electronic
Iglooghost - Chinese Nü Yr EP Welcome to the weirdest world in the weirdest dimension of the weirdest universe you can imagine. Here, we find the gelatinous worm-creature depicted on the cover art of this EP from Iglooghost — the 18-year-old producer signed to the Brainfeeder label headed by the infamous Flying Lotus. This EP is the ear-boggling escapade of the wormcreature as he traverses through wormholes and dimensions in this space-time continuum in exasperating fanaticism. The funny part is that it totally bangs. Play this in a car with some adequate bass-response and become a creature of an entirely new, wild universe. Also Noteworthy: Oneohtrix Point Never Garden of Delete
Experimental Hip-Hop
Lil Ugly Mane - Oblivion Access / Third Side of Tape Hidden deep within a small corner of the underground gutter is Travis Miller, a man who produces hip hop music under the moniker Lil Ugly Mane. After a short, prolific career shrouded in obscurity, Oblivion Access is Miller’s final endeavor in the Lil Ugly Mane project. Never intended to truly be recognized, much less appreciated, this project is quite disgusting. Miller has dug his claws into the stark, depressing, grotesque grime of the existential garbagepile. With manic bursts and sluggish toil, Miller compiles sonic depictions of his grievances with shockingly lucid introspection. It is unsettling and alien, yet simultaneously is way too real. Also Noteworthy: Death Grips - The Powers That B
R&B
FKA Twigs - M3LL155A EP Tahliah Debrett Barnett is more than an artist making music in the R&B genre. Barnett, known better as FKA Twigs, is the epicenter of a contemporary R&B earthquake. With her glassy vocals and smokey, ethereal presence, Twigs soared to acclaim with her 2014 full-length debut, LP1. The R&B genre is celebrated for its themes of sex, movement, fluidity, delicacy and the expression of intimate emotions. Twigs, then, is celebrated for pushing these things further as she dances precisely in and out and above confines of the genre. The release of this EP was accompanied by a 16-minute short film music video, which I would highly recommend viewing in order to experience the full artistic force that Twigs is empowered with. Also Noteworthy: -Lianne La Havas - Blood
Jazz
Kamasi Washington - The Epic To say that an album titled “The Epic” is truly deserving of its title is quite a bold claim. However, this statement becomes less of a claim and more of a fact after the experience that is the three-hour, three-volume, modern jazz magnum opus from saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Known for his crucial saxophone contributions on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, Washington then emerged with The Epic through Brainfeeder Records to garner raving acclaim. Washington nods his head to soul and fusion jazz, reminiscing on the likes of John Coltrane and Miles Davis. If you know anything about the art form, give a listen to this grandiose jazz behemoth. Also Noteworthy: -Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Stretch Music
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell This album may emotionally destroy you. Renowned singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens was raised in Michigan by his father and stepmother, and he would occasionally visit his mother, Carrie, in Oregon, and her second husband, Lowell Brahms. Steven’s mother, who abandoned him on multiple occasions, suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug addiction and substance abuse before she died in 2012 of stomach cancer. With a title and narrative of his mother and stepfather, this is more than an album of thematic songs to add to Steven’s substantial discography. This is the gripping tale of Sufjan Stevens himself — it is a man’s reflection on his own life, hauntingly depicted in its most vulnerable, tender, heartbreaking form. Stevens tears himself open, illustrating the intimately personal paths of his existence to embody themes of family, love, depression, faith and life itself. Stripped nearly bare to his indiefolk roots, with his endearing falsetto, Carrie & Lowell is absolutely beautiful and truly profound — just prepare for some teary eyes and broken hearts. Destroyer - Poison Season As you stroll through the iridescent lights illuminating Central Park at nightfall, you toss your locks of hair and laugh, thinking of just how romantic the world is. The razzle and dazzle of Times Square fuels your poetic heart. This world is that of Dan Bejar and the band Destroyer, releasing their 10th studio album, Poison Season. With captivating poetry and sophisticated instrumentation and flair, from the exciting swings to the lovely ballads, this project may in fact have you twirling in the stars. Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear In the most endearing way, singer/ songwriter Josh Tillman, under the name Father John Misty, is here to deliver unto you some of the most lush, eye-closing, head-swaying, entertaining tunes of the year. Most essential, though, is Tillman’s lyricism. In the dreamy clouds of pink, Tillman is funny, cynical, sarcastic, self-deprecating, witty, sincere, mean and most simply, a great storyteller. “Save me white Jesus!” he cries out, as he denounces the pitfalls of a normal life on the ballad “Bored In The USA.” Also Noteworthy: -Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit -Tobias Jesso Jr. - Goon
By Staff Writer Ben
LOUVIERE
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SPORTS
Recruiting at a Glance
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Vanessa Kime Photo
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Four students share recruiting experiences
Any high school athlete will where I would stay, eat and tell you they want to play at the stuff like that. Then I get intronext level, but unless they are duced to a professor (usually getting recruited, they don’t a business professor because know what an involved process that’s my intended major) and that can be. Unless one is a talk to them about the educatop athlete in the country for tion side of things. Then I will a sport, this process of recruit- usually catch a game, and then ment is long, time consuming after the game I would talk to and stress inducing. them about everything that Many people think they happened that day.” have an idea of how one can Coaches are also looking get offor a player fered a who fits into s c h o l a r“At first I thought it was their team, ship to representplay at the cool when schools started ing the next level. sending me letters and community You have and school. a great stuff about their program “Lots of season or and now it’s getting really coaches are two, and looking for c o a c h e s hectic because it’s a lot s o m e o n e will find of work texting coaches who is goyou and ing to try then of- and reading all the emails their best in fer you a when you already have a school and s c h o l a rsomeone ship. Case busy schedule.” who is re—Tra’Von Fagan ally respectclosed, Senior basketball player ful. but this They is not the want to r e a l i t y. have great Those who want to play at the chemistry with you throughout next level have to sell them- the whole recruiting process,” selves to college coaches, they senior basketball player Emma have to show interest in the Gerdes said. school and they have to be proThe biggest challenge duractive in reaching out. Coaches ing the recruiting process is don’t care solely about talent; the stress that comes with trythey want to know what type ing to find the right school. of students their prospects are, “Every coach kind of says the what type of choices they’re same thing, and everyone is making and what they do in super nice and pursues you a their communities. lot by coming to practices and Sophomore AJ Green has games. It adds to the stress of had the luxury of big schools finding the right school and and an easy recruiting process also trying to figure out what so far. “The colleges that have you want to study, ”Gerdes sent me letters or I have visited said. are Virginia, Stanford, Iowa, Senior Marquise Jones Nebraska, Minnesota, UNI and explained the difference beWestern Illinois,” he said. Get- tween a gameday visit and an ting Division I teams knocking official visit. “If it is a game day at the door isn’t an easy task, visit, then you go hang out with and the success Green has had some of the other recruits and at such a young age is reserved meet some of the players and for the elite in the recruiting coaches. On an official visit, process. the school pays for everything. Another key step to receiv- You stay the night with playing a scholarship to play sports ers, and you look at more of is “the visit.” Senior Tra’Von the school than just the athletic Fagan explained. “They usu- stuff. Football players only get ally start off with talking to five official visits to Division I me about the facilities and and II schools.” introducing me to some of By Staff Writer Nolan the staff. Then we take a tour Nickerson of the campus and talk about
Tra’Von Fagan Photo
John Dunlop Photo
John Dunlop Photo
Pictured from top left and going clockwise are senior Emma Gerdes, senior Marquise Jones, sophomore AJ Green and senior Tra’Von Fagan. In the middle is a pile of recruiting letters from Fagan.
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2015
SPORTS
Dismantling of three No. 1 teams by Iowa schools shows possibilites for true Madness in March
This year the state of Iowa has become a graveyard for No. 1 teams, as Iowa State improved the state’s record against top-rated teams to 3-0 on Monday with an 82-77 victory over Oklahoma. The previous two wins came when Iowa defeated Michigan State 8370 late in December, and when Northern Iowa beat North Carolina 71-67 in only the fourth game of the season. The last time something like this happened was the 1997-98 season when Duke topped Arizona, North Carolina beat Duke, and NC State knocked off North Carolina. It already feels like March in college basketball this season amid all of this madness. At this point last season, we still had only one team ranked at the top of the polls, but after this week we will have our sixth team ranked at the top of the AP poll. Basketball has rarely been better in Iowa with Northern Iowa tipping off the huge year for the state with a huge win over North Carolina after they scheduled the game as a farewell gift to Marcus Paige, who is a national Player Of The Year (POY) candidate. He played basketball in high school with Matt Bohannon, who plays now for UNI and was a fellow Linn-Mar grad. On the day of UNI’s victory, Paige didn’t play, which probably helped the Panthers slightly in their upset bid, but the Panthers were out to prove that it wasn’t luck that helped them beat the nation’s top team when they beat Iowa State in the state’s Big Four Classic, but the Panthers have been the most inconsistent of the three teams since beating the No. 1 and No. 4 teams. The Panthers are 10-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play The Hawkeyes are currently ranked No. 9 in the nation and
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Athlete of the
Week
Tra’Von Fagan Men’s Basketball
What were thinking when UNI took down No. 1 North Carolina? “I knew UNC coming in to Cedar Falls was a big mistake because when you come to Cedar Falls, you leave with the L.” —Kevin Rippentrop
What were you thinking when Iowa took down No. 1 Michigan State? “I was so excited. After Iowa beat Michigan State, I have faith. I was considering Iowa as a school, which made the game that much more exciting.” —Jordan Taylorson
have rattled off seven straight victories since their heartbreaking loss to Iowa State, including three wins over ranked teams, one of which was over top-ranked Michigan State, who were without their POY candidate Denzel Valentine, but the Hawkeyes proved that it was no fluke a couple of weeks later when they beat Valentine and the then No. 4-ranked Spartans in Michigan. Not many people expected Iowa to be as good as they are; in fact, many experts had Iowa not even finishing in the top half of the Big Ten, but now they are tied at the top of the Big Ten and are 5-0 in conference play. Iowa, who wanted to simply make the tournament at the beginning of the season, now has thoughts about making a deep run into the tournament. The team that brought all of the
attention to the state of Iowa in the preseason was the Iowa State Cyclones by losing head coach Fred Hoiberg to the Chicago Bulls, but Iowa State and new head coach Steve Prohm have their own plan, and it doesn’t include Hoiberg. Prohm and the Cyclones began the season ranked No. 6, and they started the season on fire beating everybody they played including beating Iowa on a clutch final possession shot by Monte Morris. At one time, the Cyclones were ranked as high as No. 2 in polls, until the Cyclones finally came across their first bump in the road which was 81-79 defeat to Northern Iowa, who had just beaten North Carolina and had taken on the role of the “giant killers,” but that didn’t stop Iowa State as they moved into their extremely tough conference schedule where
What were you thinking when ISU took down No. 1 Oklahoma? “I knew ISU had it in them because Monte Morris and Georges (Niang) are good enough to carry them over the hump in most games, but the whole team finally played well together and had an impressive victory.” —Nolan Nickerson
they’ve started 3-3. One of those losses came against No. 3 ranked Oklahoma in Norman, but they would get their shot at revenge a couple weeks later against the now No 1. ranked Oklahoma, and this time it was in Ames. The Cyclones shocked the Sooners in what was a great game of basketball. Morris hit another clutch shot for the Cyclones that put them up one with 21 seconds, and they Cyclones would hold on for the victory. This year has been anarchy so far, and nobody knows what will happen next, but one thing is for sure: if this is any indication of what the postseason will bring us, then we are going to have some fun this March Madness. By Staff Writer Isaac
TURNER-HALL
Senior big man Tra’Von Fagan is on fire midway through the season, averaging a team high 20 points a game and shooting at a clip of 59.4 percent from the field and 65.8 percent from the free throw line. Fagan is also leading the team in blocks, tallying 15, and steals, with 26 through the season’s first 11 games. What do you give credit to for your huge start to your senior season? I give all the credit to God first because I can’t do anything without him and then my family for how hard they have pushed me. Especially my dad. He has just always wanted the best for me, and I just learned so much from him. What extra work did you put in this summer to get ready for the season? I ended up having an injury with having fluid in my knee, so I really couldn’t run and cut how I was used to, so I was doing rehab for about a month. Duringrehab,Icouldn’tdotheworkouts that I used to do, but I sometimes think it was a good thing because I got to learn how to play a little different. I was really focused on playing slower and more balanced. It also gave me a good opportunity to work on my shot and form. I did a lot of dribbling and form shooting because I wanted to improve my shooting as I started to play outside on the perimeter more during AAU, and coaches really wanted to see me have an all around game. The team has a big game this Friday at Kennedy, but what do you think the winning formula will be next Tuesday when you guys host Iowa City West? There is no formula. We just got to play with heart and never stop fighting. This will be a great test for us, but in the long run, they are another team that can be beat as Wahlert demonstrated. We just have to handle business and make surewecanfixsomeoftheloosescrews. Turnovers is a big part of that.
Men’s basketball team prepares for tough mid-season games
The men’s basketball team has gotten to the meat of its 21-game schedule with a respectable 8-3 record. With quality wins over Ames and Iowa City High, the team is going to need to ride that confidence into the next week. The team enters a two-game gauntlet of Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Iowa City West, who has an identical record to the Tigers of 8-3 and is ranked second in the state according to BCMoore rankings. Tough stretches of games in this part of the season can be tiring for a team. “Legs are tired from
all the games and practices. Some mental fatigue can set in. We’ve been going for two full months, and practices can start to feel draining,” head coach Ryan Schultz said. “I think the way you try to combat that is by shortening practices, insert a couple new wrinkles to keep things new, try to have some drills that are just fun, continue to make things competitive in practice and continue to discuss the importance of each game and how the process of getting better in order to peak and be the best team possible never stops,” Schultz said.
Tough games like this not only affect coaching strategy, but also the way that players practice and prepare for the big game. “We treat it as another game. Practices are more intense, and we lock into what we have to do for our team to win,” senior guard Taylen Alexander said. “Playing a team like IC West is always fun. They’re usually very good, so it’s a great opportunity to get a quality win,” senior Jacob Leisinger said. Going into a week like this, the team has to act like a team. “Our brand this year has been tough-
ness, accountability and teamwork. If we can truly play as a team, be accountable to one another and play with toughness and all that entails, then things will take care of themselves,” Schultz said. After a series of tough games, it can be easy for a team to just coast through the rest of the season. With a trip to the state tournament in sight, that is not something the team can afford to do. “Every team goes through midseason lulls, but the good teams are able to overcome them. It just takes 100 percent effort and focus on the goals
we’ve made as a team,” Leisinger said. “We like to think that we’re one of the good teams, so hopefully we can continue to string together some W’s even during the midseason grind.” The team’s game against Kennedy will be tonight in Cedar Rapids at 7:30, and the big game against the Trojans of Iowa City West will be in the CFHS gymnasium with a 7:30 tip-off on Tuesday, Jan. 26. By Sports Editor Jason
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Friday, Jan. 22, 2016
Submitted Photos
Ever since the slopes of Chestnut Mountain became ready for action this winter, junior Kenzie Roberts has been there to polish her passion for competitive skiing.
High Expectation
The two long, narrow skis cut back and forth down the mountain, barely missing the red and blue gates that overlay the snow-covered mountainside. Working hard to be as efficient as possible and keep her balance, junior Kenzie Roberts only has one goal in mind: get down to the bottom of the mountain as fast as physically possible. The cold rips through her GS suit that consists of nothing but spandex and padding. Roberts’ mind however is not focused on the cold, nor the possibility of clipping a gate and getting seriously injured. Instead, her mind is fixed on beating the competition and creating a personal record for herself. Roberts has been competitive downhill skiing since before she can even remember, literally. Waiting only 365 days into her life, Robert’s parents had her on the slopes the second she knew how to stand on her own. Her father learned to ski in college, but instead of competing down the slopes, he played hockey growing up. His father then told him about skiing and what it can actually entail, which peaked his inter-
From before she can remember, junior has chased a need to ski
“I love the adrenaline you get while racing. It’s pretty indescribable.
—junior Kenzie Roberts
est greatly. He continued to receive all the levels of certification for instructing possible. He met his wife in college. She too loved to ski, and from that point on, skiing was a no brainer for the Roberts family and the family members soon to come. Their first daughter was born and was quickly taught to ski. Five years later, Kenzie was born, and the family of skiers was complete. Her father then decided to start coaching because of his kids. After six years of vigourous training and preparing, Roberts started competing against actual competition at the age of seven. Her dad was the assistant coach and very good friends with the head coach, which is how the competing all started. Three years later when Roberts was 10, her dad took over and became the head coach. Roberts is a part of the Chestnut Mountain Race Team. They compete through
an association called the WIJARA. This association consists of a bunch of teams from different ski resorts such as Cascade and Sundown. They are split into different age groups such as under 16, under 18 and under 20. These different groups of racers then compete and race against each other. Once December hits, Roberts doesn’t exactly know much else besides skiing. “I train Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I don’t exactly get to do too much else in the winter time,” Roberts said while shaking her head and laughing. “Come December, Chestnut Mountain is all I know.” During the two- to threehour-long practices, the skiers exercise different drills just like in any other sport to strengthen the things they need in a race. They also do gate run throughs to ensure a fast start out of the gate. Roberts races
every other weekend starting in December and going until February. In downhill skiing, there are two different types of races. There is the GS (giant slalom) and the slalom. In GS racing, the athlete will go left around the gate and then go wide right around another. In slalom racing, there are two separate races, and it’s a little more complicated. The turns are shorter, and the combinations of “left” and “right” also have flushes thrown in there, which are when two gates close together causing a very quick sequence. Usually, Roberts races the giant slalom on Saturday and the slalom on Sundays. Roberts’ face glowed with excitement as she began to explain her race day. “I wake up at 6, and course inspection starts at 8,” Roberts said. “Course inspection is where we go through the course and see where we’ll be turning and stuff like that so we know what it looks like.” When the age group is called, the girls all line up and wait for their starting time. When it’s their turn, they will then go into the race gate, and the people in charge of the races will tell them to go when
they are ready. The athlete will race down the mountain side three different times. The first two times are combined into one time, and the third run is timed on its own. All together, there ends up only really being two races. “I love the adrenaline you get while racing. It’s pretty indescribable,” Roberts said with a huge grin, “but the thrill of racing is exciting and something to work towards, and something that encourages you to get better. You’re always trying to get better.” At the end of her third and final race on a recent weekend, she packed up her skis and prepared to head back to Cedar Falls, where things aren’t quite as thrilling as the slopes she’s used to flying down; however, she can’t help but love the idea that she gets to turn around and do it all over again in less than two days, continuing the never ending process of getting faster, smarter and over all falling more in love with the beautiful mountain side that has become more of a home than any sheltered building she’s ever lived in. By Staff Writer Nathan
HOY