The
GYMNAST JUMPS
Tiger HI-LINE
Friday, May 11, 2018
Freshman competes at national gymnastics competition /page 4 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at TigerHilineOnline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Volume 58 Edition 27
Job shadow offers learning experience “Ever since I was young, people told me I am good at math. I don’t love math, but they said, ‘You’re good at math,’” sophomore Rachel Brokenshire said. “I really like art, and I am a really artsy person, so people were like, ‘Look into architecture,’” Brokenshire said. Her talents in art and mathematics spilled over into her interests, as Brokenshire would regularly comment on the designs of houses. “I do really like looking at houses. Even when we run I will be like, ‘Oh look at that cute house. I love their windows,” Brokenshire said. At the beginning of each semester, job shadow opportunities are posted on Schoology. Brokenshire heard about the job shadows and was immediately interested. The process of a job shadow entails signing up through Schoology to let the counselors know one is interested. One of the school counselors will then connect students to a professional who works at a career the student is interested in. Although Brokenshire has a heavy interest in art and is skilled in mathematics, the stigma of the math complexity surrounding architecture scared the sophomore away from the field. Instead, Brokenshire, who has taken many engineering classes, pursued civil engineering. “I tried civil engineering thinking maybe if I liked it I wouldn’t have to do architecture,” she said. Brokenshire, after learning about what engineering involves, decided that engineering wasn’t the right path for her. “I learned that there wasn’t enough creativity in engineering. It’s not something I want my career in,” Brokenshire said. Although this specific job shadow didn’t turn out to be a passion for Brokenshire, she still saw the value in eliminating a field that isn’t a good fit for her. Brokenshire suggested that students interested in a job shadow sign up, even if they are not sure about the exact career. “Don’t feel like you have to do a job shadow for a job that
you are going to go into a job for. The whole purpose of a job shadow is to see, would you do this job?” Brokenshire said. Sophomore Devin O’Loughlin, who job shadowed a surgeon at Allen hospital suggested students should sign up for a job shadow despite whether they’re fully committed to a specific career or not. “I would recommend anyone who is looking to go into a career that they look for a job shadow that interests them. Even if it is something that they’re not so sure about. It doesn’t hurt to just sign up,” she said. O’Loughlin, who was initially intimidated by the RN and surgeon, found that the professionals she met with wanted her to learn as much as she could and not be afraid.“The people that I was working with, the RN and the surgeon, were both very nice. They answered any questions I had and explained things out to me,” she said. “I was afraid they would be almost annoyed by me, but they definitely weren’t, they were super friendly. They just made me feel very welcome. They wanted me to learn.” After engaging in one job shadow and not receiving the results she desired, Brokenshire did not give up. She utilized the fall job shadow opportunity provided by the high school and requested a job shadow with an architect she had met during one her classes. Brokenshire’s experience at the second job shadow was a complete 360 from her first one. She found a career that excited her and utilized all of her talents. For her job shadow, Brokenshire traveled to Invison, an architecture firm in downtown Waterloo. She was introduced to all the different positions in the field, including modeling, interior design, computer programming and planning. Brokenshire enjoyed that she got to see the different parts of the jobs and where she could possibly fit if she pursued the career. “It was very cool to be there and experience that maybe this is something hard, but I really had a lot of fun. It
Did you learn anything from your job shadow? NO
“It gave me a look at what you would go in for a work day and actually do. It was really comforting.” -Rachel
Brokenshire YES Sophia Schillinger Survey
was really enjoyable, and I felt like I could stay there forever. It was also really cool to see people’s different passions,” Brokenshire said. During her visit, Brokenshire spoke to a young female who graduated from Iowa State with a degree in architecture. Brokenshire, who had interest in the college, was able to hear from someone who knew more than her about the architecture program and the benefits of Iowa State. “You hear so much, but when you get to talk to someone who actually went through it, it helps,” she said. “I got to ask really specifically like, ‘Is there any reason not to go to Iowa State if you’re going into architecture?” Brokenshire said. She found the answer to be, no, considering in-state tuition and it’s credibility, which is needed if one wants a future in architecture. Job shadows also give students the opportunity to view the work environment of a par-
ticular job. Being exposed to this factor can help one decide whether or not they want to pursue a specific career. “The work environment, you don’t really think about it, but getting to see their desks was interesting. They laid it out so you have your own desk, but you’re still open to the next person. It was independent, but you could still ask someone a question,” said Brokenshire, for whom being able to communicate with others is a very important factor. O’ Loughlin also benefited from witnessing different environments relating to potential careers. “It definitely made me heavily consider a career path involves working in a hospital. From that job shadow, I found that I really like that environment,” she said. Seeing one’s career in action can help students see themselves actually pursuing a career in that field one day, and this gives students a goal to work toward. “It was really cool to see different parts of
myself translate to a job. It really gives you purpose in school. ‘OK, I really need to get my math classes done so I can get the actual job,’” Brokenshire said about her job shadow experience at the architecture firm. After completing her two job shadows, Brokenshire is not locked to one career path. She still plans on signing up for many more and learning new things about herself and passions. “I’m not like, “Now I want to be an architect. That’s exactly what I want to do,” but it gave me guidance for what to plan in high school,” Brokenshire said. It’s too late to sign up for a job shadow this year, but the 2018-2019 school year will offer more opportunities for student growth. Counselors will keep students updated on opportunities through messages on Schoology. Staff Writer Sophia
SCHILLINGER
2
The
OPINION
Our View
Dahlilah Galvez-Rodriguez Photo
Sarah Hoy donated blood at the drive last year in May. Among all of the donations, 68 units of blood were given, potentially saving 204 lives.
Give blood, make a postive impact Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the United States. Simply sitting for one session can save someone’s life, and now is your time to take action and donate. On Friday, May 7, the high school will have its annual blood drive. Blood is always needed, so we need to give as much as we can. It puts it in perspective the amount of blood needed when you realise that all of the blood from one blood drive can be used after just one car accident. Blood is so simple to donate and can save people who need it most. If you are over 120 pounds, then you are eligible to donate. If you are over 18, then you can donate without a parent’s permission. If not, then you can pick up a permission slip for a parent to sign. Your first time donating blood can be scary, so there are a few things that you want to make sure to do before you donate blood. Stay Hydrated: You want to make sure to drink plenty of water to make it easier to find your veins and recover sooner after giving blood. Eat Iron-Rich foods: Before you give blood they will check to make sure your iron content in your blood is high enough to donate. You can eat foods such as spinach and red meat to boost your iron content. Eat Breakfast: Eating a balanced breakfast is important when giving blood to prevent light headedness and faster recovery. Giving blood allows us to give something that we all have to many that do not. If you have it, donate it.
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: Elise Leasure, Rachel Schmid, Sabine Martin Lead Writer: Tehya Tournier Opinion Editor: Benjamin Boezinger Staff: Saba Aydiner, Noah Forker, Chase Kline, Kendall Maslak, Sierra Miller, Skylar Promer, Sophia Schillinger, Matthew Walsh
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, May 11, 2018
Ramadan offers month of charity On my first year of promising myself that I’d fast throughout Ramadan at the age of nine, knowing the existence of my favorite cookies lying just a few feet away wasn’t helping at all. I had only half an hour left to break my fast, but dreaming about how the cookies come apart and melt in my mouth was just unbearable, so I cheated. When my parents got home right before iftar, although it was a lie, I was excited to tell them that I had fasted all day like a big girl. For some reason, my mom couldn’t stop laughing when I gave her the big news; she leaned down, gave me a kiss, then swiped her finger around the corner of my lips and touched the tip of my nose with a kind smile on her face. I crossed my eyes to see what is was, and what I saw made me blush right after: cookie frosting. If you ever ask a Muslim what their favorite time of the year is, they will probably say it’s Ramadan. Although it sounds bad to not even be able to drink water from sun up to sun down, Ramadan is not just about restraining yourself from foods and drinks. Ramadan is the month when the holy book of Islam, Quran, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad; it is believed that the gates of heaven are wide open and sins are forgiven during this month. “It is a month of moderation, abstinence and just trying to be a good person really. It’s like the reset button in your life,” sophomore Jibreel Bailey said. The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those who are less fortunate. Muslims often donate to charities and feed as many people possible in their power. Ramadan is a time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on inner-self; it is seen as a way to spiritually and physically purify, refraining from bad habits and deeds such as smoking, gossipping, lying, cursing, wishing others harm and so on. Fasting is one of the five pil-
How do you use Cedar Falls bike trails? By Staff Writer Kendall
MASLAK
Submitted Photo
Ramadan begins on May 15 until June 15. In the symbol above, a mosque stands in the middle of a crecent moon. This symbolizes Ramadan. lars of Islam along with five daily prayers, charity and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. “Fasting can sometimes be difficult; it is hard to miss out on lunch with friends and wake up for suhoor. Although fasting is lengthy and tiresome, it all pays off because we Muslims believe that God will multiply our blessings, and there is amazing food,” Bailey said. A traditional day of Ramadan usually starts with someone walking around the streets, playing a huge drum and loudly reading slang poems about the benefits of Ramadan to wake people up for the nightly feast, suhoor. It may sound like a simple thing, but it is the one of the biggest excitements for children during Ramadan to wake up, watch and wave at the person playing the drum. During day time, eating or drinking in any sort is restricted till the dinner to break the fast, iftar, when the sun goes down. The fast is usually opened by eating a date or drinking water. After iftar, Muslims are allowed to eat and drink till the next sunrise. There is also an optional
“I ride my bike or walk my dog.”
—Emma Dewitt sophomore
prayer at the mosque at the end of every day throughout the month, taraweeh, for the ones who wish to pray. Of course, not everybody is advised to fast during Ramadan; there are exceptions for children, the elderly, the ones who are ill, women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating, and people traveling, which can includes athletes as well. Fasting is observed in nearly all religions, such as Lent in Christianity, Yom Kippur in Judaism, Dhutanga practice in Buddhism and many more including, Hinduism, and the Baha’i. This year millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on May 15 and end on June 15. After 30 days of fasting, Muslims will end Ramadan with one of the two religious holidays: Eid al-Fitr. Holiday of Charity. During this holiday, Muslims usually visit their elders and a big breakfast happens. Afterward, children start getting gifts, candy and money. By Staff Writer Saba
AYDINER
“I take my dogs on walks and listen to —Tenchi Porter podcats.”
“I walk and run on the trails.”
junior
—Mrs. Wilson special needs teacher
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
By Staff Writer Skylar
Friday, May 11, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT
3
Love turns deadly in a new heart-pounding thriller from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Cellar’ and ‘The Cabin’.
PROMMER
Submitted Photo
“Mystic Messanger” is a newly updated novel game that allows players to build a relationship with a virtual player. Different scenarios lead to different outcomes depending on the player’s choices. This game is free to download for everyone in app stores.
Visual novel games increasing in popularity Visual novel games, also known as otome games (otome translating literally to maiden game), have recently become increasingly popular. The games are mainly, if not always, set in the goal to get the main character, the player, to date one of the characters in the game. Though this is not always the case with every game, it is almost always the same goal; to get close to, befriend and eventually succeed in having a relationship with the player’s preferred character, but this task is not always as easy as it seems. In games such as “Mystic Messenger” by Cheritz, one needs to interact in a certain amount of gameplay in order to build a relationship between the main character and game character. In this sort of otome game, it is important to check in every hour or so to assure you haven’t missed any checkpoints in the game that could cause your character to get a “bad ending.” In other visual novel games such as the Ikémen Series by Cybird, though, the
“The games are mainly, if not always, set in the goal to get the main character, the player, to date one of the characters in the game.” player is not required to play every day as one would while playing “Mystic Messenger.” Every once in awhile during gameplay, one will be interrupted by a “love challenge” or a “royal challenge” depending on the game. These “love challenges” are little obstacles that one has to get through before continuing to read the rest of the story. Most of the time, these challenges will be a simple task like buying an item from the game’s store with the coins one has collected throughout the story. Other times, the challenge may take a bit more time. In the game mentioned before, the Ikémen Series, one might have to raise their “grace level,” “love level” or “marriage points.” In this case, one would have to proceed to take “princess lessons” or “lessons,” and this
is where one would use one’s game stamina to play a sort of “battle” against another player in amount of beauty and grace points that one gains throughout the story and gameplay alike. If one’s beauty and grace points exceed another player’s points, the player then receives an extra amount of either grace or beauty points. A winning in these battles also almost always includes a short, encouraging message from the character one is pursuing in the regular gameplay. Be aware that these types of challenges may require the player to take them again and again for several days or so to gain a certain amount of grace or beauty points in order to pass the challenge and start reading the main story again. There will be many times where one will have to participate in these battles
or challenges throughout the story. Though, once the player gets ahold on how the challenges work, one is sure to get through them in a breeze. As mentioned before, otome translates to maiden, which means these games tend to lean more toward a female audience, though there are a few of these games where the main character is drawn and regarded as a male, such as in “Cradle Of Thorns,” “Vampire Darling,” “Dear My Mononoke Sacrifice” and “Shall We Date?: Lost Island.” The story part of the visual novel may vary depending on the company that made the game and the theme of the story. The games made by lesser known companies tend to have the story in broken English, and the game seems to have a lot more problems such as sudden glitching, pictures or background not loading, certain functions not working, etc. For this reason, it is suggested to play the visual novel games that have been made either by Cheritz,
Cybird Co, Voltage Inc, NTT Solmare, Arithmetic, Abracadabra Inc, Genius LLC, OKKO, Ice Queen Media, Underdogs Inc, NIFTY corporation or D3PUBLISHER. There are many more reliable otome game companies, but these are some of the most well known. Game prices are always something one has to worry about when wanting to try out a new game. Luckily, most otome games are free. In-game purchases aren’t impossible to escape. Though it will take more time than one would like to reach the end of the story, it’s not impossible to make it to the end of the game without spending a cent. Just by spending some dedicated time to the game, as others would to other, traditional games, one can get passed the game in no time. No one ever said a game was easy, especially in the beginning. Games take time to master and get used to. It’s the same way with otome games. By Staff Writer Skylar
PROMER
4
SPORTS
Bounce Back
Although the baseball team took a hard hit and lost nine seniors last season, head coach Nick Klein said that he is excited for the new energy to be brought by a younger team this season. “I'm looking forward to seeing guys compete for spots, so, it will be fun to see what the makeup of this team is and how guys approach the different position battles.” Some difficulties past seasons have faced are mental errors and off games. “There are so many little things that can happen during a game, and being able to handle them can be the difference in the outcome,” Klein said. Klein said he is looking to tighten that up this season to become a more aggressive team, both mentally and physically. “We have to be able to take adversity and use it as a motivator to achieve something positive. You always run into some games that you're just not hitting, or you're making mistakes in the field, or you're just feeling worn down,” Klein said. “In those games, you have to be able to block that stuff out, move on to the next pitch, and win the game by just out-working the other team.” The boys will face the West High School Wahawks May 21 in Waterloo. They have started and are preparing like any other team facing their rival opponent, by cleaning up mistakes and
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, May 11, 2018
After losing senior-dominated roster, baseball team prepares for strong season working hard to swoop a first win. “We are focusing on the fundamentals of the game right now and trying to clean up all the little things. Good teams have to be prepared for any situation at any time, and that's what we need to be ready for right at the first game.” Fundamentals and focus are keys to making a great team, but another important part of a team is positive leaders. Klein named seniors Ben Paxson and Jacob Renda as dedicated players. “They are guys that we need to log some quality innings on the mound and are strike-throwers. They have the ability to set the tone that way by going to the mound and competing. They exemplify what we need out of pitchers.” Renda said that by being a senior, he gets to play as a role model on and off the field to give examples to younger players. “My role is being a leader for the younger kids and holding everybody accountable for their actions.” Renda said he hopes to have a more solid and aggressive defense than last year's team because there's more versatility with each position in this season. He also said besides wanting to win a state championship or beating Cedar Rapids Prairie, he said he looks forward to spending time with his teammates in
his last season of high school baseball. Another few leaders are juniors Casey Sole, Mitch Young, Tate Johnson and Conner Gerdes. “As a team, we want to play better defense and commit less errors, and don't beat ourselves up. This summer I'm looking forward to playing ball with the boys,” Gerdes said. Klein said that these young men have put in the time and work ethic to play fast, scoop starting positions and their confidence in themselves and most of all, the team. A team goal for Gerdes, the coaching staff and the rest of the team is to make it past the first round of sub state and to be the team to beat in their conference. “We have to be a team that will never stop playing hard no matter what the score is, and is always pressuring. As a team, our goal needs to be that they just keep improving and building. Again, we're young, so we have a lot to learn,” Klein said. And by being young, Klein said that this also means there is a lot of room to grow. “Hopefully they are much better players, and we're a much better team at the end of the year than when we start it. If that happens, then anything can happen in the playoffs.” By Lead Writer Tehya
TOURNIER
Freshman gymnast competes at Nationals
When freshman Grace Penrith steps onto the gymnastics mat, she can only think about the countless times she has performed her routine in practice. But this time, at the U.S. Junior Olympics Level 9 Western National Championships in Sandy, Utah, last weekend, it had to be close to perfect. “My coach always tells me to go through it like practice and get through it like any other time when I am competing,” Penrith said. At the national competition, Penrith successfully placed third in the floor event, where there was a tie for second place. Being a committed gymnast, Penrith dedicates a lot of her time to the gym, while balancing school and social life. “I practice five days a week and usually four-hour sessions adding up to about 20 hours a week,” she said. At this point, Penrith’s team is like a second family. “I spend so much time with them that we know everything submitted photo about each other and are basically At age 15, Penrith has spent the majority of her life training as a gymnast. family,” she said. With Penrith’s dedication to the ground in athletics. Both of her brothsport of gymnastics, her family plays a ers are strong in wrestling, and her huge role being supportive and keepfather, Brad Penrith, is a former coach ing her focused on what is important. at the University of Northern Iowa and “My family is a huge part and are alcurrent wrestling coach at the high ways supporting me if I have a mental school. “Sometimes it is a little intimiblock in a competition. With them I dating to be in such an athletic family, know I can do anything,” she said. but we all try our best,” she said. Penrith’s family has a strong backHer love for gymnastics started ear-
ly on in her life with the influence of her older brothers. She has now been competing for 12 years. “My brothers were in it, and I would always run around the mats at the competitions. Now here I am 12 years later,” she said. With the stress of competing and practicing constantly, Penrith has had some setbacks. “I have a sore wrist that is holding me back right now, but as gymnasts we always have mental blocks, and I have learned how to get over that,” she said. In the future, Penrith will attempt to increase her skill level from her current level 9 to level 10. “I am trying to go to level 10 next year. Most of my skills are at level 10, so I am hoping to next year if my coach thinks I am ready for it,” she said. Penrith is also looking forward to continuing her gymnastics career in college. She has focused on gymnastics as a sport but has also noticed that in many real life situations her skills and wisdom from the mat pays off. “I have been doing gymnastics my whole life, and it gives me so many opportunities. In real life it teaches me how to be a good person. Overall, it keeps me out of trouble and helps me focus in school,” she said. By Editor-In-Chief Sabine
MARTIN
Athlete of The Week
Joseph Schneider Men’s Tennis
How long have you been playing tennis? I have been playing tennis for 14 years. What has been your biggest accomplishment from this season so far? My biggest accomplishment of this season so far has been pulling out a match in a super tie breaker against my opponent from Dubuqe Wahlert. What are some personal goals? To make it to state tennis, and after high school, become number one on the college team I am going to play for. What are some struggles you have faced with tennis? Coming down wwith bronchitis sophomore year of tennis, and spraining my ankle at the beginning of senior year. Are you planning on playing tennis after this year? Yes, I am planning to play at Loras College and Dubuque.
Tigers in
Action
Men’s Soccer Friday, May 11 vs. Xavier @ Cedar Valley Soccer Complex 5 p.m. Womens Golf Friday, May 11 @ Pheasant Ridge Golf Course Women’s Soccer Friday, May 11 @ Xavier High School 4:15 p.m. Men’s Tennis Saturday, May 12 vs. IHSAA @ IHSAA