e g h iin Ti er l THE
March 30, 2010
Volume 50 Issue 22
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Four chosen for Boys, Girls State Sara Gabriele Staff Writer
Juniors Tori Hurst, Sophie Lilja, Austin Javellana and Sam Orvis have been selected to attend Girls and Boys State during a week in June along with approximately 300 other students from around the state. Both programs are sponsored by the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary and are week-long programs where high school juniors study city, county and state government processes. Students chosen for Girls State were first nominated by teachers and then selected based on an interview with sponsor Louise McGinnis, however, the participants for Boys State were determined solely by faculty recommendation.
“We look for people that are interested in government, which is key, but also kids that are involved in a lot of activities around the school and have displayed citizenship and leadership,” history and sociology teacher John Mullan said. While at Girls and Boys State, students are divided into “cities” made of around 40 students in which they set up mock city, county and state governments and administer them according to the laws of Iowa. Elections are held almost every day, and those wishing to gain a position must give speeches, rally, debate and vote. Senior Megan Pattee, who attended Girls State last summer, ran for platform committee and won the position of mayor, where she then had to conduct a
city meeting and pass city laws, which, as she recalled, “could be either practical or ridiculous.” Pattee, who originally didn’t plan to run for any positions, also ended up running for governor (the highest position) and although she didn’t win, made it into the top four candidates. “It’s an amazing experience; I gave eight speeches that week, which is something I never would have though I would have done,” Pattee said. “It’s a great environment; everyone is so encouraging, and (it’s a great place) to lose your inhibitions and go way outside your comfort zone.” Javellana, who is currently the treasurer for student forum, plans to run for governor while at Boys
State — gaining a position he hopes will give him an experience he can apply next year when he runs for student body president. “I think it will give me insight into how to lead meetings and do a better job, and will be an opportunity to see other ways to do things,” Javellana said. Hurst also plans to run for positions during her week at Girls State. “It’s a really good opportunity — (especially for) leadership experience. I intend on running for governor, which would be a huge honor, and it seems like fun.” Also throughout the week the students get a chance to hear from several notable guest speakers along with local and state government officials.
“The speakers are phenomenal,” Pattee said. “We heard from a U.S. diplomat that was held captive, and her story was so incredible.” However, as past students recall, one of the best parts of the week lay outside the structured activities. “I met a lot of cool guys,” said senior Brian Harris, who attend Boys State last summer. “The first day of Boys State we were all a bunch of strangers to each other, but throughout the week we became a really tight group of friends, kind of like a pact.” Boys State will be held at the Iowa National Guard Camp Dodge on June 13-18 and Girls State at Iowa State University from June 20-25.
Tigers take top spots in two recent contests Senior Carter Allen (left) was one of 14 CFHS students that received Division I ratings (and four Division II’s) at the State Individual Speech Contest. Last night at the McLeod Center, five performed: Allen, senior Gage Stoneman, junior Sam Takes, sophomore Rhydian Talbot and freshman Maya Amjadi. At right, senior Jacob Tayloe pedals his human powered water heater, which placed second (along with Paul Strike) at the Physics Olympics in the UNI Dome last Thursday. In addition, CF had one state-qualifying first place team in the optical slalom with seniors Steven Danielson and Blake Cervetti and a third place finish in the mousetrap car for juniors Shannon McClintock and Darby Sheehan Photo Chris Guetzlaff.
All State Individual Speech
Physics Olympics
Vincent Stigliani Photo
2 opinion our view Angry responses go too far on health care "If I could start a country with a bunch of people, they'd be the folks who were standing with us the last few days. Let's hope we don't have to do that! Let's beat that other side to a pulp! Let's take them out. Let's chase them down. There's going to be a reckoning!" No, these are not the words of an Aryan Brotherhood leader or a memo from some radical terrorist organization. Rather, this was said by Iowa’s own U.S. Rep. Steve King soon after the House’s recent passing of the health care bill. This is just one instance in what has been a slew of threatening and inappropriate responses in the wake of the controversial bill. Even closer to home, Waterloo’s own U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat and proponent of the bill, has received threats of physical violence that have forced him to meet with Capitol police. Nationally, the death threats and harassment have amounted to 10 members of Congress being offered law enforcement protection. A New York Democrat’s office was evacuated after a suspicious letter containing white powder was discovered. Last Wednesday over 100 House Democrats met with U.S. Capitol police and FBI officials regarding security measures. We feel that the recent response to healthcare reform is entirely inappropriate and unproductive. Admittedly there are debatable aspects to the bill, as any initiative of this scale would contain. The reaction we are seeing, however, is far from a thoughtful, civil and reasoned analysis. No matter the issue, political debate should be devoid of personal threats and harassment. Put simply, don’t hate the politician, hate the bill.
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
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tiger hi-line March 30, 2010
Valley ripe with volunteer options Whether it's required for a class, for church or just because you want to, volunteering is a fun way to get involved in your community and help out. There are many opportunities to Photo by Kaylee Micu volunteer in After volunteering at the Cedar Bend Humane Society with the Cedar their youth group from St. Patricks Church, an unidentified NU Valley and here are just High student and sophomores Alesha Rettenmeier and Adam Mackey fulfilled part of their obligations for confirmation. a few. The Cehelping out at ASPIRE. maintenance, controlled dar Bend Humane Society ASPIRE is a therapeutic burning, gift shop attendant provides care to all sorts of horse riding program for and administrative jobs. pets who don't have a home individuals with disabilities. Also, they have a lot of and they need many volunThey only have two paid yearly events that they need teers to keep the work ethic staff workers so they need help with, like the Earth up. They need volunteers to all the volunteers they can Fair and the Maple Syrup exercise the pets, do desk get. Festival. Applications are work, show Volunteers available on the website. pets for adopare needed to One more idea to help tion and help assist in ofout in the community would with commufice work, be be volunteering at the Lunity outreach. side walkers theran Home. Also, you for horses The Lutheran Home is can volunteer and be barn just one of many nursing to provide a assistants. homes in the Cedar Valley temporary It is recomthat needs volunteers. They home to mended that need wellness assistants, animals in you have good manicure and makeover need. Animals people skills specialists, baking group that need this and training is assistants and recreation asspecial care provided sistants to name a few jobs. Jayne Durnin are ones who for those For more information Staff Writer are recovering volunteerand an application you can from abuse or illness or a ing. go on the website of any new litter of kittens or pupA volunteer form can be group homes in the area. pies that need extra care. printed off of their website. These are just a few To volunteer at the HuIf you love the outvolunteering suggestions to mane Society, you can go to doors, you might consider help out in the Cedar Valtheir website and fill out an volunteering at the Hartman ley. There are many other application. Reserve. organizations that need your Another good volunteer Some opportunities to help, so think about what opportunity for those who help out there would be trail you could offer your comlike to work with animals is munity.
SPORTS 3
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tiger hi-line March 30, 2010
Dome hosts Special Olympics Donald Halbmaier Staff Writer
When someone thinks of the UNI Dome, they think of roaring crowds and state football matches. One thing not too many people think about is that the UNI Dome is used for the local district Special Olympics track meet. On Sunday, March 29, nearly 200 people filled the UNI Dome to watch the meet. Competitors participated in events that are a part of a typical track meet. Throughout the day the athleletes showed off their abilities against each other as well as other schools. “They had some UNI football players challenge some atheletes to a throw
off in the softball throw, and they almost got beat, so that was exciting.” senior and student coach Alex Entz said. To the 19 CFHS students that ran, shot and threw coach Scott Bohlmann said it’s not about winning. “I ran track in high school, so when I would run bad I would mope and get dissapointed about it, but these students never get down about not winning. They are just happy to be involved and to be running,” Bolhmann said. These Olymics aren’t just a way to show off the athletic talents. They are a way for the students to bond with others from different schools and get the sense of community.
Athlete Week of the
Omeed Kashef Men’s Soccer Senior 1. You play in an indoor league in the winter. Please explain your role. There are a few indoor leagues and tournaments our team competes in, including one at UNI, Wartburg and Cedar Rapids. My major role on the team is to be the best teammate I can be. I usually play striker. 2. What’s your favorite thing to do outside soccer? Lying on the couch, eating jalepeno chips and watching “The Office” or “Sunny.”
Darby Sheehan photo The Cedar Falls 400-meter relay team members gets ready to receive ribbons. The team won its heat and will participate at the state meet in May. “Speaking with special education instructors, like Frahm and Bakula, I can tell that the students look forward to the events all year long. I also get to see them
all make friends at events that they get to see again,” Bohlmann said. Thirteen of the 19 students will be sent to the state meet in Ames in May.
Women’s soccer focusing on season Meg Lane Staff Writer
The women’s soccer team is back in action. This year the Tigers are ready to improve their game and come out strong this season. Last year the team lost in the second round of Regionals against Cedar Rapids Washington, but this year hope to advance farther. The team’s biggest goal is to ultimately go to State, but they know that the Missiouri Valley Conference is
even tougher this year. “Not only is our goal to go to State but to also work together as a team. We can’t predict winning or losing, but we can control how we improve our skills together,” coach Beth Huber said. Huber also stressed that this season is all about growth and improvement for the players to sharpen their skills and teamwork so they can beat their bigger rivals. The Tigers biggest rivals are Cedar Rapids Kennedy
and Dubuque Wahlert, who Huber hopes to hold up strong against. “Cedar Falls and Waterloo teams have a disadvantage compared to those teams because those teams play year round. We have just three months to get ready, and it can be difficult, but if we focus and work hard, we can be just as good.” The team this year has eight returning seniors and several juniors players returning as well. Huber said
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The list of businesses and individuals included here are backers of the real world educational opportunities made possible by all the publication and broadcasting programs at Cedar Falls High School. Check out their links at our website: http://www.hiline.co.nr
that she has several players from track and 15 freshman who have come to play this season. “We have a good group of seniors who can work together to have solid team. We just need to be skill wise; we’re a little weak, but we can work on that to keep up with the other teams,” Huber said. The women began practice March 22, and their first game will be April 5 in the Metro Jamobree. The time is yet to be determined.
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
Tigers in Action
Women’s Track Home 4/1 @ Early Bird Invitational, 4:45 p.m. Away 4/6 @ Ames Invitational, 11 a.m. Men’s Track Away 4/1 Early Bird Invitational @ Marshalltown, 5 p.m. Away 4/6 Quadrangular @ Marshalltown, 5 p.m. Women’s Soccer Metro Jamboree 4/5 , time and place TBA Men’s Soccer Away 4/1@ Jamboree @ Waterloo Columbus, 4:30 p.m. Trapshooting Away 4/5 @ Ventura Invitational @ Ventura Gun Club, 4:15 p.m.
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.
tiger hi-line feature 4 THE
March 30, 2010
Facing muscular dystrophy
Eight-year-old speaks out about her disorder Meg Lane Staff Writer
"In P.E. I use a scooter with a seat. Sometimes I have to sit out during some activities with a lot of running; otherwise, my school day is the same as everyone else’s." Mrs. Frahm also said, "I feel blessed that I have Halie as a daughter. She has taught us how to persevere, adapt and accept everyone for who they are inside." Both Halie and Mrs. Frahm expressed that any child with a disability despite any circumstance is still normal. "Kids that have disabilities are like everyone else. Their hearts beat on the inside just like you and me," Mrs. Frahm said. Now there is no treat-
Most of us could not imagine at the age of eight not being able to run like all the other kids. Halie Frahm, however has grown pretty immune to such a situation. Halie has congenital myopathy. In other words, a type of muscular dystrophy which makes her muscles not work like they are supposed to. Halie is the daughter of CFHS resource teacher Tammy Frahm. She was diagnosed with her form of muscular dystrophy when she was a year old, but Halie Frahm said, "I didn't understand I had a muscle problems until I was older." “I feel blessed that I have Having a form of muscuHalie as a daughter. She has lar dystrophy taught us how to persevere, has had it's ups adapt and accept everyone and downs. "I hate for who they are inside.” needles. Many —Resource of the tests have needles in teacher Tammy Frahm, them. Needles mother of Halie Frahm are my enemy. I wish I could get up off the floor ment for Muscular Dystroeasier and run as fast as my phy, but the Frahm's have friends," Halie Frahm said. hope that some day there
might be. "As a family, we are always interested in new research related to muscle disorders. Hopefully, through our connection with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and participation in research studies, they will find a cure for Halie’s muscle disorder in the future," Mrs. Frahm said. "Research will save lives." The Frahm's have to travel to Iowa City yearly for physical therapy, orthopedic issues and any muscle weakness Halie might have. Doing this may sound frustrating, but Mrs.Frahm said, "Visiting physicians is not difficult; it almost becomes a part of your routine. As a parent you want to make sure your child receives the best care as possible to stay healthy." Throughout all of this, Mrs. Frahm noted that raising Halie is not that hard. "Halie is a humorous, energetic and strong, young girl. She is easy to parent because she is very wise and mature beyond her age," Mrs. Frahm said. Maturity that has opened up doors now for Frahm to speak out about her condition. With a gift for gabbing,
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The list of businesses and individuals included here are backers of the real world educational opportunities made possible by all the publication and broadcasting programs at Cedar Falls High School. Check out their links at our website: http://www.hiline.co.nr
Frahm was very excited to hear that she had become Black Hawk County's MDA Ambassador. This gave her the chance to educate others about what Muscular Dystrophy is and get involved in the community. Events such as Ride and Strides, the Shamrock fundraiser and the MDA telethon have helped Halie Frahm to achieve that goal. "I have met many people involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I
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
have also met others that have muscular dystrophy. I can’t wait for the MDA camp this summer to meet other girls like me. It's not all work and no play. At camp they have huge water fights," Halie Frahm said. Mrs. Frahm said, "I have seen Halie’s joy of speaking and meeting new people grow and expand since becoming an ambassador. Halie is very aware of her muscle disorder, and she has become her best advocate.”
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.