May 11, 2011 hi line

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE 24 1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Global service committee leads project at North Cedar Elementary Maya Amjadi Staff writer

They walk into each classroom with a mission, a bucket of clinking pennies in one hand and a proud smile on their faces. The group is a committee of Harmony — the CFHS club dedicated to helping eliminate discrimination and intolerance — and they focus on promoting these same ideals, but on a worldwide scale. Their goal is to help to reduce intolerance and discrimination for different cultures by increasing students’ cultural awareness.

Led by junior Sara Gabriele, the group consists of over 20 members, and their first endeavor is leading a servicelearning project at North Cedar Elementary.

Junior Donald Halbmeier was enthusiastic about the project from the very beginning. He said he thought what he contributed to the committee was important not only because it was for a good cause, but also because it promotes awareness to younger students of events happening

all around the world. For their project, the group has conducted culture-based activities in North Cedar classrooms and is leading a penny drive.

They have decided to focus on the specific impoverished regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the money collected will be donated to an organization called BRAC that helps build schools in this region.

“The best part about going into the classrooms at North Cedar was being able to personally interact with the kids and see the effect a project like this can have on them,” senior Caitlin Schreck said. She went along with seniors Melina Gotera and Sara Buffington and visited the kindergarten classes. They started out by explaining the project in “kindergarten language” and then told a story of the daily life of a Pakistani child; they also led the class in a craft relating the different cultures.

A jar was left in each room so that the classes could raise money to build schools for children in the remote regions

of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

However, the elementary students were encouraged only to bring in pennies so that all students could participate.

“The focus of the project isn’t solely to raise money to build a school,” Gabriele said. “We want to help teach the elementary students about a different culture and give them a service learning experience that empowers them to make a difference — even in a country that’s half-way across the globe.”

The project was originally going to be based off of Greg Mortenson’s organization called Pennies for Peace, but after recent news surrounding the integrity of his organization, the group decided to shift focus.

“We didn’t want to support an organization where we weren’t sure where our money would be going,” senior Daniel Yehieli said. “We decided to keep the focus of the project the same, but instead donate the money to a different organization with the same goal of building schools in this region.”

vision I ratings, Kranz said, “The men’s and women’s choruses both gave their best performances of the year. The concert choir also performed well and moved many in the audience to tears with their final piece.”

The two orchestras, string and symphony orchestra, were directed by Scott Hall. The string orchestra performed the “Simple Symphony” by Benjamin Britten and received a Division I rating and two perfect ballots, missing two points on the third ballot.

The symphony orchestra

performed the “Russian Easter Overture” by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and also received a Division I rating and two perfect ballots, missing only a single point on the third ballot.

Hall said, “The students performed with precision and musicality. I am extremely proud of the orchestras and their performances.”

The concert bands, the symphonic band and the wind symphony, both performed in the afternoon.

The symphonic band, under the direction of Kyle

Kaylee Micu Photo

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Seniors Kelley Lattimer (back left), Alex Huffman and Brittney Lenth celebrate Cinco de Mayo with confetti for their Spanish IV class last Friday.

CF musicians sweep Division I’s at Large Group Lucas Hamilton Staff Writer

The CFHS band, choir and orchestras received eight Division I ratings this past Saturday, May 7, at the large group music contest at the high school.

The choirs were all directed by Eliott Kranz.

Men’s and women’s choruses combined for two songs to create a mixed chorus.

Men’s chorus and women’s chorus also performed as single groups, and concert choir performed as well.

Regarding their four Di-

Engelhardt, received a Division I rating and the wind symphony, under direction from Gerald Ramsey, also received a Division I rating for their performance of “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli.

Engelhardt said, “It is exciting to be a part of a department at the high school that works so well together and has such talented students. For every group to earn a Division I at the State Music Festival is a huge accomplishment.”

Ramsey said, “Both bands played exceptionally

well. I thought they both had their peak performances at contest. I was particularly pleased that the kids were so well focused for performances on the day of prom.”

As the school year ends, the groups will be having their final performances in the coming weeks. The final performances include the orchestra concert on Thursday, May 19, the band concert on Tuesday, May 24, and the chorus concert on Thursday, May 26. All performances will be in the auditorium.

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May 11, 2011

Bin Laden’s death marks new beginning Karl Sadkowski

‘Three Cups of Tea’ Spilled:

Staff Writer

Mortenson efforts questionable

President Obama addressed the nation late Sunday night to confirm the death of Osama bin Laden, the United States’ most wanted person since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. Stating the ringing phrase “justice has been done,” he also declared that this would not mark the end of terrorism.

Thousands of people gathered around the White House, cheering as the Star Spangled Banner and “God Bless America” could be heard sung intermittently through the crowds. In New York City, people rushed to Ground Zero as word quickly spread of the long-awaited death of the mastermind behind the Sept.

11 attacks.

Prior to his death, bin Laden was kept in a heavily fortified $1 million compound, where he was hidden even from the locals in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After resisting capture by United States commandos who ambushed the compound, he, along with his brother, son and courier, was shot and killed unarmed.

Following traditional Islamic customs after taking custody of his body, Bin Laden was buried within 24 hours of his death. The United States Carl Vinson aircraft carried dropped him at an unstated location in the north Arabian Sea to avoid his grave becoming a shrine in his honor by Al Qaeda members and other extremists. After searching for nearly a decade, the chase for bin Laden now ends with great celebration in the United States.

Ironically, it was bin Laden and others like him that the United States supported in 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. For fear of the spread of communism, the United States strongly supported the Mujahaddin (of which bin Laden was a member), a military resistance against the Soviet Union’s

The Middle East seems to be grabbing everyone’s attention again. In Pakistan, Osama bin Laden was found and eliminated, Gaddafi merely escaped with his life in recent air strikes by NATO and the revolutions in many countries like Yemen, Syria and Libya continue on as people yearn for freedom. With all these headlines it wouldn’t be difficult to miss another recent, smaller issue going on, i.e. Greg Mortenson.

Mortenson is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, Three Cups of Tea, his daring tale of how he made it his mission to build schools to promote education in the poorest regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Sounds pretty legitimate, right?

Well, not exactly. In fact, it was recently discovered that Mortenson’s intentions may not have been in the right place. The trouble began with Pennies For Peace, created

by Mortenson and his former partner Dr. Jean Hoerni.

The organization was designed to teach children about the Middle East, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also teaches the principle that pennies can make a huge difference — enough difference to build a school, but the whole group is a trap, especially, for the young readers who follow Mortenson’s venture to help village children receive an education.

A couple weeks ago, 60 Minutes exposed Mortenson’s wild tale. It was found that much of the money that American school children donated to Pennies for Peace was actually used to promote Mortenson’s book tour. Even afterwards, another discovery was made: Three Cups of Tea was in part fabricated. Mortenson may never have gone to the places he claimed victory in, and many of the schools were merely shacks.

This prominent incident raises many questions and makes many wonder if donating money is worthwhile.

While Mortenson isn’t alone in a world of crooked charities, his actions should be marked as a lesson to be learned. If people want to know their money is going to the right place, then they should carefully research any possible charities. Charity Watch and the Better Business Bureau provide oversight of top chartities around the globe.

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.

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Editorial Staff

Editors-in-Chief: Sara Gabriele and Ellen Gustavson News Editor: Ben Olson and Sara Gabriele Opinion Editor: Meg Lane and Kaylee Micu Sports Editor: Ben Olson and Allyson Vuong Feature Editors: Ellen Gustavson Entertainment Editors: Meg Lane and Kaylee Micu Photo Editor: Tracy Lukasiewicz

occupation of the country.

After the Soviet Union left in 1988, the United States failed to help develop Afghanistan’s weak political institutions and infrastructure, allowing radical Muslims who later became the Taliban to take power in the 1990s, enforcing very harsh Islamic laws throughout the country. It was later when the United States established its own military presence in Saudi Arabia after the First Gulf War that bin Laden began to develop Al Qaeda with the aid of the anti-American Taliban, enraged at Western nations for polluting the “holy land” of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is home to the city of Mecca, the holiest place in the world according to Islamic beliefs. This lightly justifies bin Laden’s own ideologies, yet does not agree that the means through which he proved his views deserves praise. Nor does it verify that his cause was for Islam—thousands of Muslims and Christians alike were killed at his command.

The greater underlying question is whether Americans really should celebrate bin Laden’s death as much as they are. Politically, it is a bad move to laugh in the face of Al Qaeda, a group whose primary enemy is the United States. Not only would this give Al Qaeda supporters a reason to call their prized leader a martyr, it would also further enrage Al Qaeda and give it increased motives to seek retribution and continue planning attacks against the United States. As a world superpower, would it speak better for the United States to treat bin Laden as if he were a shot animal from an exciting and rewarding hunting trip, or to move on from the infamous leader’s death and preserve the dignity and respect of both conflicting sides? Religious leader the Dalai Lama, talking about bin Laden’s death, said, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forget what happened.

If something is serious and it is necessary to take countermeasures, you have to take

counter-measures” (Los Angeles Times). His killing was justified. But it does not have to be continually restated to prove this point.

The popular desire by the American public for the government to release photographs of bin Laden’s body after being shot in the head and chest also gives testament to the poor attitudes that are harming Pakistani-American relations. Fortunately, President Obama declared that he would not allow the photographs to reach the public, as he stated that gloating over the photographs “is not who we are” and that it “would pose a national security risk” (New York Times), and rightly so; the United States would equally not look kindly upon Al Qaeda if it took photographs of a dead American soldier and streamed them over the Internet for the world to see. Releasing images of bin Laden’s body would not help the United States’ longstanding efforts to stifle Al Qaeda.

The war on terrorism is a far cry from ending, and will not conclude on a field of battle; additional troops and bullets will only act as a fuel source for the motives of socalled “terrorists” to continue their causes, and confirm their hatred for the United States. To reach a conclusion in this war, a change in ideology is essential—for years, a dominating goal of the United States was to capture bin Laden; President Obama specifically asked Leon Panetta, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, to make this a top priority. But now that bin Laden is gone, the United States should begin new efforts to reestablish its influence as a leader of peace and diplomacy in the minds of its enemies.

In the case of terrorism, the United States will not set a productive tone with its glorification of bin Laden’s death.

War is still ongoing; let’s not celebrate too early.

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May 11, 2011

Athlete Week

In Other News

DECA goes to Nationals Jessica Dally Staff Writer

A select few students traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete with students from around the country in the National DECA competition last week. The competition consists of students competing in writing and presenting papers to judges or taking a test with a case study and solving the problem that’s given.

The competitors also went to Universal Studios and Cocoa Beach, and they hung around the pool when not competing.

To be eligible for Nationals, students had to place at State. CFHS qualifiers included junior Kelley Dobson, junior Celeste Southall, senior Alana Alberts, senior Jordan Smoldt, junior Ben Challgren, senior Matt Klinehart, senior Stephen Poe and senior Danny

of the

Karns. No one from any of the Iowa chapters placed in Nationals. Adviser Matt Flaherty took the kids down to Orlando.

Challgren said, “DECA offers a lot of opportunites to meet new people, look for new career classes and to put yourself in contact with people who can help you in whatever career you chose.”

Alberts said, “I liked meeting and hanging out with people from other schools.”

Challgren was voted next year’s Iowa DECA President. He wrote a speech, was interviewed and was elected by his peers all over the state of Iowa.

Challgren said “It was an honor to be picked as President. My goals for next year are to promote cooperation throughout the chapters and find new sources of funding.”

Zach Rahnavardi Wrestling Junior

1. How did you get involved with wrestling?

“I got involved in wrestling because my dad was a wrestling coach at West High way back when.”

2. How do you think you did at the meet against France?

“I think I did decently against them, but it wasn’t one of my better matches.”

3. How do you stay focused during a meet?

“The thought of getting your hand raised after a vicory is always a lot better than seeing your opponent get his.”

4. Do you plan on wrestling at college?

“Maybe, but football sounds like it’d be fun also.”

Blood drive set for Friday Sandra OmariBoateng Staff Writer

This Friday, May 13, there will be Blood Drive held at the school from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. The Blood Drive is being put on through the Blood Drive Center of Iowa. The donations will be taken from first through sixth hour.

At the high school, there is a blood drive once a year. Last year, about 80 people donated one pint of blood. This year there are

about 120 people signed up to donate so far.

“They try and target the high schools to get the students aware of it, to help them keep it up and to make lifetime donors of the students,” Health Assistant Sharron Frost said.

Donors must be at least 120 pounds, sign up in advance and follow certain guidelines before donating.

“The Blood Bank is always in need of blood and people are more likely to donate at a younger age,” counselor Erin Gardner said.

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French Connection CF wrestlers stage contest with traveling French team Top, Junior Zach Rahnavardi wins his match against the French wrestler. Bottom, freshman Cassie Herkelman tries to pin her opponent down. Right, Rahanavardi is sizing up an opponent.

2011 Tiger Golf Classic

Sponsored by the Cedar Falls Booster Club Thursday, June 23, 2011 $75 per person (includes greens fees, T-shirt, beverage tickets, BBQ dinner and evening program) This is a four person best shot with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. with awards for men’s and women’s flights, flag events and raffles.

Registration forms available at the high school or at http://tigerclassic2011.com

Tigersin

Action

Men’s Soccer 5/10, vs. IC West, 4:15 p.m.

5/13, vs. CR Kennedy @ home, 5 p.m.

5/16, vs. Dub Hempstead, 4:15 p.m.

Men’s Track 5/12, Coed Districts/ Regional Meet, Men’s Tennis 5/10, vs. Waterloo East, 4:30 p.m.

5/12, Districts, Women’s Soccer 5/10, vs. IC West @ home, 5 p.m.

5/14, vs. CR Jefferson @ home, 8 a.m.

5/14, vs. CR Washington @ home, noon.

5/16, Waverly-Shell Rock @ home, 5 p.m.

Women’s Track 5/12, Coed Districts/ Regional Meet, Women’s Golf 5/12, Metro Meet @ South Hills, 3:15 p.m.

Women’s Tennis 5/10, vs. IC West @ home, 4:30 p.m.