March 2, 2010 hi line

e g h iin l Ti er THE

March 2, 2010

Volume 50 Issue 19

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Spring Fling

Theater students offer two comedies for weekend Sara Gabriele Staff Writer

If the fall drama production evoked heart-wrenching emotion, this spring’s comedies are sure to elicit many lighthearted laughs.

The three act play is called Boy Meets Girl and is a farce of life in Hollywood. Set in the early Hollywood movie system, it is the story of a group of writers who, in desperation to come up with the next new brilliant script, see a pregnant waitress and decide they’re going to use her new born baby as the star for their next string of films. From that point on, chaos ensues.

“I wanted to give something the complete opposite of the fall drama, and what’s more opposite than a ridicu-

lous farce,” director Michelle Rathe said.

Senior Gage Stoneman described his thoughts on the farce. “(It’s basically) overdone, exaggerated comedy.

The characters are so big and ridiculous, there’s no way they could exist in real life. It’s the polar opposite of the drama done the fall play.”

Going from emotionally taxing drama to comedic farce has been a hard transition for many of the cast members because it has required a complete switch of acting ideology.

“For drama, you can’t overdo it. You have to make it believable, but with farce, you’re not supposed to make your characters believable.

You have to think of what someone ridiculous would do in that situation and times it by

Also a challenge for the actors is the limited number of props in the play.

“Instead of using props, to be funny, we have to use our physicality — our movements and facial expressions — rather than objects to get laughs,” senior Greyson Henderson said.

And the audience should expect to laugh. The production is fast-paced and features a witty script Ben Sadkowski Photo that, even as a farce, incorporates many Junior Reed Bowden and senior Katlyn DeSerano share a pasdifferent layers of sionate kiss on stage during a rehearsal of Boy Meets Girl. comedy.

“It’s more than slapstick 10,” senior Bryan Anderson first we were trying to make said. “I think it was hard for the characters more real than FEATURE, page 4 us in the beginning because at they should have been.”

CFHS speech team balances for State Donald Halbmaier Staff Writer

Waking up early on a Saturday morning may seem foreign to many high school students, but not to the CFHS speech team.

On Saturday, Feb. 27, the team headed to Iowa Falls for the District Individual Events Contest. The team did excellent coming out with 21 Division I ratings and 12 who earned Division II. Since there is the spring theater production and a small turnaround from group speech, there has been minimal time to prepare for the individual speech contests.

“Every year it would be

nice to have more time, but then again there’s something to be said for the adrenaline of the quick turnaround. If we started too early, I worry folks would get bored — not to mention we would creep into large group practice time,” speech team coach Rebecca Kauten said.

Some students had a more difficult time than others balancing activities such as the play.

“It was not extremely difficult balancing the two. I went to speech rehearsal and had someone call me or let me know when my scene for the play was coming up, so I owe a lot of people for helping me balance that. It did take

away my time to rehearse with over the last five years, which my coaches though,” junior is a very good thing. I’d rather Heather Kelly said. see us sustain than go in either Throughout the same direction at this point. It’s a situations pretty manageevery year, able team at the “This year we the team size that it is,” have a few more Kauten said. has stayed consistent.

They well folks from Peet “We are be performing and Holmes fairly close a recital for participating, which the public at to the mark for individual is great to see.” Cedar Falls High events particSchool in the ipation. This auditorium at 7 —Rebecca Kauten p.m. on Monday, year we have speech coach March 8, and a few more folks from will be performPeet and Holmes participating, ing at the State Competition which is great to see. The 10at Starmont High School on 12 grade participation levels Saturday, March 13. have remained pretty constant The following are the per-

formers that well be attending the State competition on the 13th: Carter Allen/Improv, Gage Stoneman/After Dinner Speaking, Maggie Devine/Expository Address, Sam Takes/Solo Musical Theatre, Jillian Ross/ Lit. Program, Leah Franke/ Storytelling, Elena Bruess/Poetry, Katie McDaniel/ Radio, Rhydian Talbot/Acting, Maya Amjadi/ Acting, Alex Staudt/ Prose, Sam Takes/ Prose, Scott Sesterhenn/Improv, Heather Kelly/Lit. Program, Maggie Devine/Radio, Carter Allen/ Solo Musical Theatre, Heather Kelly/Acting, Justin Marshall/ Prose, Ashley Sorensen/Poetry, Justin Marshall/Improv and Darby Sheehan/Prose.

2 opinion our view Choir’s prom dress sale worthy of exploration Prom only comes once a year, but is that an excuse to spend hundreds of dollars?

Here at the high school, the women’s choir is “fighting” against the epidemic of overspending and raising money for the choir program, which has experienced a budget cut this school year.

The choir is selling reused and recycled prom dresses for much lower rates than what you’d find at a typical boutique or shop.

Choir director and “CEO” of the Something Elegant fundraiser Kendra Wohlert is excited about putting this event on for its second year now.

“The women really get into it and have a lot of fun. With the budget cut for music this year, it really is a good fundraiser for us, too. We love being able to give women an option to find a beautiful dress at a great price. I also like to encourage buying things second hand in general, and this is a great way to support that way of thinking,” Wohlert said.

Here is a list of times that the girls will be showcasing their inventory to the public: Friday, March 5 (Sneak Peek Fashion Show) from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 6 from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday March 7 from noon to 4 p.m.

We encourage you to stop by and check out the offerings. Prom doesn’t need to burn a hole in your wallet, and this cost-saving option would keep your money right in the high school!

Contact the Tiger Hi-Line

The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.co.nr. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Tuesdays to read in their DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) classes.

Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial staff view is presented weekly in the editorial labeled as Our View.

Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to the Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Letters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Tuesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.

Editorial Staff

Editors-in-Chief: Maggie Devine and Vincent Stigliani News Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Ben Sadkowski Opinion Editor: Monica Clark Sports Editor: Alex Entz Feature Editor: Aubrey Caruso On-Line Editors: Vincent Stigliani and Maggie Devine Entertainment Editor: Maggie Devine Senior Writer: Alex Entz Photo Editor: Ben Sadkowski

THE

tiger hi-line March 2, 2010

Weighted grades would motivate students to deeper challenges I don’t have many gripes prides itself on strong acawith school policy. I can demics, and rightfully so, understand the rationale but I believe that unweightbehind most programs and ed grades hold it back from practices, at least to some an even greater level of degree. What I still cannot student success. Weighted wrap my mind around, grades would undoubtedly however, is the logic behind act as a powerful incentive the school’s unweighted for students to challenge grading system. and push themselves further.

With our current method, This, in turn, would likely every course raise the is equal in overall level the context of student of GPA. achievement Someone and bolster receiving an the school’s A in regular strong chemistry academic is exactly reputation. equivalent to In a someone else weighted receiving an system, A in honors certain chemistry. advanced Vincent Stigliani classes This also Editor-in-Chief means that carry more someone “weight.” taking all available honors This means that, depending classes for four years and on the method, these classes receiving one B will have a lower GPA, and thus class rank, than another student taking all regular-level classes who receives all A’s. are based on a 4.5 or a 5.0 As anyone could predict, scale. Which courses carry this greatly reduces the inweight is a point of debate, centive to choose challengbut I would advocate it ing coursework. Although for honors core classes in an ideal world everyone (English, math, science, and would learn for learnsocial studies) and all Ading’s sake, in actuality this vanced Placement courses. doesn’t hold true. For many, There are multiple comthe choice seems simple; plaints I have heard against why forge through the extra this system, one along the work and increased diffilines of, “Why should we culty when you can receive reward and punish people the exact same credit with based on in-born intellectual much less effort? differences?” I completely Cedar Falls High School understand this argument

and agree with it when applied to a system like the Renaissance test exemption (whose abolishing I wholly supported). In the context of weighted grades, however, the reasoning hardly applies, for there is no “reward” that only some students are receiving.

Everyone receives a GPA, which should be a measure self-motivation, level of achievement and academic aptitude. As the sole factor in class rank and a deciding factor in college admissions, unweighted grades invalidly assess these qualities.

A second argument, one which I believe carries more merit, says, “Why should a semester’s worth of work and accomplishments of a dedicated band student carry less weight than the work of an honors biology student.” I strongly believe in the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to education, where musical and artistic ability are nurtured. I also support requirements for classes in these areas. However, I think a fair weighted system would only recognize advanced classes in core areas.

First, while only a handful of students will pursue music, for example, in college, nearly everyone will encounter and utilize the core areas in some capacity. Additionally, for the fine arts, students often supplement their applications with personal auditions or bodies of work, with GPA being less of a factor.

With this in mind, I hope that school policy-makers will weigh their options, and, with any luck, our grades as well.

“What I still cannot wrap my mind around, however, is the logic behind the school’s unweighted grading system.”

THE

tiger hi-line March 2, 2010

SPORTS 3

Tigers face Jefferson tonight in substate finals at McLeod Center Ali Miller Staff Writer

Men’s head basketball coach Tom Bardal and his boys were fired up for Friday’s 79-55 win against Waterloo East.

After East beat West on Monday, Feb. 21, stakes were high for the CF boys.

“East is a tremendous rebounding team. They’ve given us a lot of trouble in that area already this season,” Bardal said.

With a healthy team, there were minimal nerves.

“We don’t have just one weapon. We rely on everybody to do the job. They all bring something different to the table,” Bardal said.

The strength on Friday came from defense. “East’s strength is their ability to get to the offensive glass.

With our lack of size, it’s important we do a good job of boxing out.”

Now getting deeper into the playoffs, Bardal said

“We don’t have just one weapon. We rely on everybody to do the job.”

—Tom Bardal men’s BB coach they’d start thinking about the next opponent and room for improvement with State inching its way forward.

Bardal said, “Our strength has been our kids

understanding what their roles are and trying to improve in the areas we need to improve in.”

The 16-5 CF team will face 17-4 Cedar Rapids Jefferson tonight in the last game before of substate to determine the winner of a trip to State.

On Jan. 12, Jefferson beat the Tigers 65-48.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at the McLeod Center. If CF wins, the team ‘s first state tournament game would be on Wednesday, March 10

dodge, duck, dip, dive

and dodge!

Brian Hughes Photos In action last week are senior Conar Reed, sophomore Matt Adrian and junior Chris Roland. The finals for intramural dodgeball are moved to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 8, due to earlier snow days.

Athlete Week of the

Jessica Fuller Women’s Bowling Senior Fuller made her third trip to State in the last three years last Friday.

1. What motivates you to be successful in bowling?

I would have to say the thought of bowling a great score motivates me to be successful.

2. What was your favorite moment at State?

My favorite moment would have to be bowling the final qualification. I got 6th place.

3. When/how did you get started bowling?

I started bowling when I was about 6 years old.

My mom got me started because my whole family bowls.

4. What is your favorite activity outside of bowling?

I don’t really do any other activity but bowling. The only other thing I do is work. I enjoy hanging out with my friends too though.

Tigers in Action

Women’s Track Away 3/2 @ Wartburg Invitational, 3 p.m.

Away 3/8 @ Warburg CoEd Invitational, 3 p.m.

Men’s Track Away 3/8 @ Wartburg CoEd Invitational, 3:00 p.m.

Intramural Dodgeball Home 3/4, 7:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball 3/2 @ McLeod Center vs.

CR Jefferson, 7 p.m.

tiger hi-line feature 4 THE

March 2, 2010

Spring Play

Junior Melina Gotera cons senior Bryan Anderson into giving her money.

from page 1

because it’s not just physical comedy,” Rathe said. “(It has) multiple levels of comedy; it has the physical humor elements on top, but there’s also lots of line humor and development of the script itself.”

Or as Henderson put it, “It’s like the fart jokes without the fart.”

The play will also feature a number of multimedia components such as song numbers and a movie trailer that add to the performance.

All this will be preceded by the one act play which will feature some innovative and risky theatrical features of its own.

For the first time ever, CFHS students are writing their own play. This one act play, called The Niki Taylor Project, is a devised theater piece, meaning it’s a collaborative project in which the ensemble creates the piece from scratch.

The comedy is about a girl who wakes up in Facebook and encounters various people and applications while trying to get out.

“We basically started by posing the question, what if Facebook was real,” said Laura A. Neill, UNI theater major and the director of the play along with Danni Jo Stephenson. “We wanted something new and relatable

Senior Gage Stoneman assaults junior Reed Bowden, and senior Greyson Henderson breaks up the fight. to high schoolers.”

To get the students started, the directors began with lots of ensemble building and improv games to help the cast begin working together as a unit. The students were given “buzz words” that they then devised scenes around in small groups.

“I think we’re all so used to having a set format to follow, and it’s been a nice change to get out of main structure (by) improving every day for weeks and also trying to write a script for the randomness of our own heads,” said sophomore Dylan Martin, who plays the lead of Niki Taylor.

Stephenson, who is co-directing the play as her

Junior Sam Takes steals the limelight from sophomore Rhydian Talbot.

Photos by Ben Sadkowski

UNI senior project, shared her thoughts on the comedy.

“It’s a new type of theater. It’s has a new type of energy to it and a new type of format.”

However, the lack of the structure in a devised play that is usually presented by a script creates a challenge for the cast.

“We’ve focused a lot on learning more to bounce off of what other people do. If you don’t know what they’re going to say, you still have to be able to stay in your character and bounce back from that and give them something to work with,” Martin said.

Although a group of students have outlined a script, there are still no set lines,

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and parts were only decided on last week.

“As an actor, there’s nothing you have to work in (to create your character).

We still don’t have set lines, and we won’t because the directors have enough faith in us and our improv skills they’ve taught us through the different games that we will be able to carry on a full show,” junior Tracy Lukasiewicz said.

The one act part of the show will span about 20 minutes before the three act play.

The whole

Gold Star Sponsors ($250) •Cedar Falls Community Credit Union •Element Portraits and Design •National Dance Academy Cedar Falls •Sandee’s •The Shirt Shack •Together for Youth at Allen Women’s Clinic

performance will be on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, at 7:30 in CFHS auditorium. Tickets will be $4 for students, $5 for adults and activity passes will be accepted.

much more

Silver Star Sponsors ($180) •Gary and Margaret Clark Bronze Star Sponsors ($100) •Raymond and Judith Burfeind •Jiva Salon Spa •Larry and Judy Timmins

To find out how you can be a Journalism Backer, call 553-2590 or email hiline.devine@gmail.com or hiline.stigliani@gmail.com.