The
Tiger HI-LINE
Friday, May 20, 2016
Volume 56 Edition 28
TIGERS AT STATE Mens’, Women’s track qualify many events/page 9 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at TigerHilineOnline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Three beloved teachers retire this year
They may be saying goodbye for now, but they will not be forgotten
Three beloved teachers are it’s like ahhhh,” she said. so good about being a teacher retiring this year: English teachFlaherty was quick to say of music. It’s amazing that I’ve er Diane Flaherty, orchestra that she will not miss grading been able to do this.” teacher Scott Hall and family papers, yet, for Flaherty, her Throughout the years, Hall and consumer science teacher. retirement is bittersweet. “I said that teaching has really Gayle Bruene have all made will really miss just being with impacted him as a person. “I lasting impacts on Cedar Falls the kids,” Flaherty said, as she think it’s helped me be more High School. wiped away a tear. “There’s so considerate and understandFlaherty, whose teaching much goodness in you guys. ing and kind. Being a teacher career has spanned 35 to 40 I will miss being a part of that has made me a better person.” years, has been teaching at Ce- every day.” Flaherty also said Hall said he is definitely sad dar Falls for at least 20 years. that she will miss snow days to leave his orchestra, but he “She is the queen,” counselor because “they’re unexpected.” felt it was time for him to move Mrs. Langan said. “Mrs. FlaAfter she retires, Flaherty on. He sees a bright future herty is very reliable and will do plans to “not grade one paahead for the CFHS orchestra. anything she can to help out per!” She also said she is ex“I hope that the orchestra will her students.” cited to have more time so that continue to be just as strong or Senior Ilsa Knivsland said, she will “be able to read a book even better,” he said. “Mrs. Flaherty has a wonderful that’s not school oriented!” Bruene is another devoted way of connecting to students Hall is another teacher retirstaff member retiring this year. and a great laugh.” Anyone in ing this year. As the director of She started her teaching cathe high school who has had the CFHS and Holmes Junior reer in 1976 and has taught at Flaherty as a teacher knows High orchestras, he has taught the high school for 24 memothat she pushes her students, at the high school for 16 years rable years, especially those but also leaves room for laugh- and led many musicians to divifrom her food/nutrition class. ter. “Teaching is Some of the who I am,” Flamost unusual “Cedar Falls has been a great place to herty said. things that She has work. Great people, great students, great happened many fond include sink memories of everything.” faucets ex—Gayle Bruene ploding and her years at Ceretiring FCS teacher students aldar Falls. “One time, there was most setting an all-school assembly, and sion one ratings at various conobjects on fire, but, of course, they asked the teachers to tests in Iowa. not everything in foods class come down and dance. Susan One highlight in Hall’s years ends in flooding or flames. Langan gave me a hip bump, of teaching is when the orchesFor Bruene, a highlight of the and I went flying across the tra goes on their tri-annual class is when students get to gym floor in front of the whole cruise trip to the Bahamas over invite guests to eat the meal student body!” she recounted, spring break. “The cruises are they have prepared. She said laughing. “One of the other always fun, and the students that she likes seeing how the faculty members was laughing really become a team,” he students are proud of what so hard he had to stand against said. Along with the always enthey made as well as the fun of the wall, and he was sliding joyable cruise trip, Hall will also having people come into the down it.” miss the daily presence of his classroom, but Bruene’s favorFlaherty said that a trip to students and especially their ite thing about teaching is what Washington, D.C., with a stu- “wonderful personalities.” she does everyday: “I just love dent is another standout memSenior Allie Taiber has had working with my students,” she ory. She also recalled a pro- Hall as a director since eighth said. gram that Cedar Falls used to grade. “Mr. Hall has been a fanAlong with teaching, Bruhave called RAMP that helped tastic leader for our orchestra. ene has been very involved to raise students’ standardized His dedication to the program with dance and cheer. She has test scores. “We, as teachers, is amazing. He will definitely be been coaching dance team helped to raise them a lot,” she missed next year,” she said. since 1995. “I have a lot of said, remembering how posiHall, who has a passion for great memories from dance tive the experience was. music, said he feels privileged team,” she said. Bruene has But for Flaherty, the best to have a job that surrounds thoroughly enjoyed being an moments are the simplest him with music every day. “The adviser to both the girls and ones: what she likes to call importance of music in young boys dance teams. “aha moments.” “When I see a students’ lives is so important,” Senior Sommer Danielsen kid struggling or a student that he said. “Music is a part of all and captain of the dance team has no idea what they’re ca- of our lives. It is integrated into has worked with Bruene yearpable of, and when they realize all of our lives whether we play round since she was a freshhow capable they actually are, it or listen to it. That’s why I feel man.
Olivia Martin Photos
From top to bottom are retiring teachers Gayle Bruene, Diane Flaherty and Scott Hall. “Mrs. Bruene is the mother hen of the dance team. She always makes sure we have what we need, and she is very committed to making the team what it is today,” she said. Unlike most teachers, Bruene has never truly had a summer off. During her summers, she is still heavily involved with either coaching dance team or running the concessions for baseball and softball games
at Robinson-Dresser. She is happy to have a more relaxed summer for a change. Reflecting on her years at Cedar Falls High School, Bruene considers herself very lucky. “Cedar Falls has been a great place to work,” she said. “Great people, great students, great everything.” By Opinion Editor Olivia
MARTIN
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The
OPINION
Our View
Cup of Joe leads Valley in battle over bathrooms
With the newfound nice weather, there is a bright swing of progressivism here in the Cedar Valley. Cup of Joe has implemented gender neutral bathrooms instead of their previous gender separated rooms. “Well, they had been blue and pink with a man and woman on them since before Dawn purchased Cup of Joe, so we just kept them that way because we just kept them that way,” said Leah Franck, the current Cup of Joe Albie Nicol Photo manager. “We always encouraged people to use either one because we didn’t care,” said Franck, taking a sip of her coffee, but it’s hard not to care when there are so many exterior forces pushing the issue of transgender bathrooms. On May 13, President Obama released a “Dear Colleague” letter that said Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its regulations prevent discrimination based on gender expression/identity. Cedar Valley Patriots for Christ met May 17 to talk about their opposition on Obama’s letter to U.S. schools. A large family bombarded an unknown Target store and yelled in protest to their gender-free bathrooms. Like it or not, where people pee has now become a political stance. “We weren’t trying to make a political statement. We were certainly aware of what was going on in North Carolina,” Franck said. Now that the Cup has declared its bathrooms gender neutral, it begs the question: will other businesses follow suit? “I hope so! I mean, it’s just a bathroom. Everyone has to use one, and so I certainly hope that other places would be OK with that,” Franck said, setting her coffee lightly on the vinyl table. “We’re happy. We’re proud. We’ve had people who’ve noticed in a good way, so yeah, they [the customers] have been happy.” One small step for the world, one large step for the Cedar Valley.
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 Opinion Editor: Olivia Martin 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, May 20, 2016
Language&Friendship program opens doors
Staff writer has lasting friendship with French student My stomach started to stir watching the greyhound bus pull into the McDonalds parking lot. I held up a sign with the name of a person I had never met, a person who now would be living with me for the next month. I barely spoke her language, and I had no idea what to expect. I found out about Language and Friendship in my French 2 class sophomore year. Something about the whole thing really intrigued me, and I begged and begged to do it. My parents originally wanted nothing to do with it. They had heard all these awful horror stories about foreign exchange students coming and being total pains, but this would only be four weeks. If she was awful, we would only have to live with her for four weeks. The first time I met Melanie, it was kind of awkward. She had been awake for somewhere around 36 hours and neither my family nor her knew what we were supposed to do or say, so because I’m a big softy, I went in for a hug. What I forgot was that she was used to the customary cheek kiss. I think you all can imagine what a trainwreck that was. The car ride home we tried to ask her a few questions like was she hungry and how was the trip, but from exhaustion she was in no place to really hold a conversation in a language foreign to her. When we got home, we
discovered she had brought us gifts from her home country to greet us with. Tired and delighted, we each took these sweet offerings as a good sign. The rest of the month flew by. Before I knew it, Melanie became one of my best friends. We did live together after all. She was funny and energetic, and I can’t even tell you how many guys I had ask me if I could give them her number. Yeah, like she's going to text you from France. The night before my 16th birthday on June 25, we stayed up late watching movies. It was exactly two weeks before she was going to leave. It felt like she had been there forever in a good way, and I didn’t want her to go. The moment the clock struck 12, she ran up the stairs to her room and brought me a necklace with the letter D on it for Daphne. She had the matching M. I have countless memories with Melanie from this summer, but this one I know I will never forget. Not all experiences having a foreign exchange student live with you are going to be great, and I am very willing to say that I know that I had an unique experience with Melanie. She is truly one in a million, but for some of these students, this is the trip of a lifetime, and it is an opportunity to show people a different side of America that they don’t see in the movies.
Not only did Melanie learn new things, but we did too. Not much French, but the whole point of them coming is to learn English not teach French, and I learned what is different culturally. Having her come made it clear to me that I want to pursue French in my future and can hopefully speak to Melanie fluently without accidentally saying the word for condom instead of jam. Language and friendship provided me with an experience I will never forget, and for that I am extremely grateful. I highly recommend anyone interested in hosting this summer to do so. There are a mix of French and Spanish speaking students coming to the United States who would love to have a place to stay. If anyone might be interested, I suggest talking to your language teacher or going on the language and friendship website [ http://languageandfriendship.com/]. Also, if you want to know more about my time having a French exchange student and how it impacted my life, feel free to email me at my personal email beckrdaphne@gmail.com. I left Melanie just how I met her, standing in a McDonald's parking lot next to a greyhound bus, but this time I was crying and saying goodbye to a best friend.
I’ve written before about my struggle with depression and anxiety. Our mental health is easily overlooked, and I think it’s important to take time for ourselves and heal. As teenagers, it’s hard to deal with our feelings while we go to school, make time for relationships and gear up for our futures, but it’s good to take a break and breathe. Dealing with our well being comes before many things. Pouring yourself into something you’re passionate about is a big step to self help. For example, I love writing. It keeps my mind off of everything that’s stressful, and afterwards, I feel as if I’ve accomplished something. Take a bath. Baths are very soothing, and it eases anxiety. Adding bubbles or soaking in lavender soap regenerates good
feelings. Explore nature. I love feeling flowers dance beneath my fingertips. When you go outside and look at how much beauty is out there, the sadness that holds you in a dark box seems to diminish. For me, spending time in the woods or down by a lake helps me realize there’s more out there than depression. Play with animals. Animals are so innocent and kind. They curl up beside you, and they protect you from evil things. Change something up. Cut your hair, rearrange your room, get a piercing, etc. Do something different with your life. It helps throw off the same routine we follow every day. If you’re struggling one day, you’ll struggle the next day; unless you switch things up.
Look in the mirror and have a conversation with yourself. Talk about your strengths and build your confidence up. It’s hard to be kind to ourselves, but it really helps heal any emotional wounds you’re dealing with. Our lives move so fast, and we get lost as time goes on. It’s hard figuring out who we are and what we’re feeling, and we need to remember to put a pause on everything and figure out how to help ourselves. Although school and work is important, focusing on our well being comes first. Don’t overlook it. Whether you’re depressed, anxious, angry, heartbroken, happy, etc. take a moment to find more positivity in your life.
By Staff Writer Daphne
BECKER
As end of year nears, take time for peaceful mind
By Staff Writer Lexi
SHEELEY
The
Tiger
HI-LINE
Friday, May 20, 2016
OPINION
3
Recent transgender mandate sparks states rights debate
Trans people deserve to choose their own bathroom
States should determine limits of bathroom privacy
“We’re not born with pride - we take pride. Pride in celebrating who we were born to be.” This is a quote directly taken from Target’s website regarding their policy of LGBT inclusion in their store, the store itself being attacked for their stance on recent issues regarding transgender people and bathrooms. If you haven’t looked at any sort of social media, news network, newspaper or overheard anything regarding it in conversation in the past few weeks, North Carolina was the first state to pass a statewide policy that bans individuals from using bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex. Most people take access to bathrooms for granted. It’s a simple walk in, go, wash your hands and walk out. However, transgender people often face the obstacle of being confronted, questioned or even violently acted upon regarding their bathroom choice. Not only for customers, but for employees, not having bathroom access is a tremendous disgrace to any employer. Employers are legally required to provide workers bathroom facilities that are at least in decent working order. There are also laws in place that say an employer cannot impose any kind of restriction of employee use of these facilities. The Obama Administration essentially told every school in the country that if they receive federal funding, they must allow transgender students to use whichever bathroom they associate with in hopes of coaxing equality and support more. Of course, people who are in support of North Carolina’s bill, also known as the HB2, aren’t worried about the comfort, safety and accessibility that transgender people need when in regard to bathrooms. Rather, it’s a continuation of taunting and bullying that many LGBT students faced while growing up- those supportive of the bill are not actually afraid of transgender people, but instead desire to “put them in their place”. The people who support the bill without educating themselves about its effects, staying silent and not doing anything are the crowd that surrounds the child being bullied, not acting or saying a word because jumping on a bandwagon is much easier than speaking out against the public opinion or challenging the bullies. But the question that prevails over all is simple - who, exactly, is in need of protection? There are many people who are under some crazy impression that it is transgender people who we need to live in fear of. I mean, they are all just sexual predators dressed in the opposite sex’s clothes in order to gain access to victims, right? Wrong. This is a dangerous way of thinking. Not only does it dehumanize transgen-
Last Friday, the Obama administration sent out a letter to states advising schools to be inclusive of any students who “identify different than their birth sex.” The letter stems from the ongoing controversy over North Carolina’s new law that its citizens must use the bathroom of the gender specified on their birth certificate. The letter brought about a firestorm from conservatives everywhere. The issue not only being males going into a women’s bathrooms because they think they’re a female, but because the ruling questioned the authority of states’ rights against a large federal government. In the letter, the administration threatened to pull federal aid unless schools “treat students consistent with their gender identity even if their education records or identification documents indicate a different sex.” So, basically, if I said I identify as a girl, the school must allow me to use the girls’ locker room, or they will receive no money from the federal government, and it’s Democrats who accuse Republicans of being anti-education. You know the federal government is too big when they begin to strong arm states just to advance their own agenda, but threatening to pull federal funding from schools because of fairly local issues is a huge violation of states’ rights. The Justice Department is suing North Carolina for civil rights violations, but we all know that this is purely political. It’s because North Carolina is taking a stand for what’s right and is standing up against President Obama. Besides the obvious issue of states’ rights and the size and power of the federal government, let’s take a look at the issue itself, the fact that a 40-year-old man can go into the same bathroom as a five-year-old little girl, just because he feels that he is a woman. If that last sentence didn’t ring any alarms, then evidently you need to open your eyes. The large department store chain Target, recently announced last April that they are opening their bathrooms to everyone and anyone, essentially inviting crime. A petition garnered over one million signatures from everyday Americans vowing to not shop at the store again because everyone else can see how much trouble this could bring upon its customers. We’ve seen assaults and crimes happen before because
der people as some sort of monsters, but it also pokes insult at actual victims of sexual assault and their assaulters, because rather than focusing on their issues that are actually happening, people are just trying to find excuses to hate transgender people. Here’s a fun fact for you: eight out of ten bathroom assault cases are done by people that the victim already knows, whether it be a family member, caretaker or friend. These facts are taken right from the Justice Department. I know you’re begging for another fun fact regarding this, and do I have one for you. Sixty-four percent of all transgender people experience sexual assault at some point in their lives, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Center for Transgender Equality. Plus, predators planning on sexually assaulting someone are going to go into a bathroom regardless of if it corresponds to their gender. While transgender people are simply trying to go to the bathroom, there are legitimate sexual predators who hide out in bathrooms that they knowingly don’t correspond to their gender, exploiting that position in order to harm others. The law also doesn’t take into account that men can be victims of sexual assault, with people instead screaming that “our women and children are all at stake”. Transgender men who have had to use women’s bathrooms due to such laws and norms have experienced debilitating amounts of violence and being told that they don’t belong there, not only erasing their identity but taking away their simple right to go to the bathroom. What I want to know is, when did it become a crime to use a toilet? By making transgender people use a bathroom that doesn’t correspond with their gender identity, it can out them as transgender if they aren’t ready to come out yet, leading to harassment and violence within their schools, workplaces and etcetera. Also, by accusing someone of not being “feminine” or “masculine” enough for a certain bathroom, you’re harming everyone by policing anyone dressed in a way that doesn’t correspond to your close-minded gender standards. The reality is that most people at some point have shared a bathroom with a transgender person without knowing and without anything happening. There isn’t even any evidence that proves that gender-segregated bathrooms are safer for cisgender people than unisex bathrooms. Creating public bathrooms would only result in more safety for transgender people, letting them be free to pee. By Staff Writer Sierra
STEEN
Should the federal government support states rights if states go against federal agenda/ideas?
YES Girls 30% Boys 60%
NO Girls 70% Boys 40% This Hi-Line Poll conducted by staff writer Miranda Cole represents 10 percent of all students in proportion to gender and the three grades at the high school.
someone claimed to be “transgender.” In February of 2016, a man in Seattle gained access to a women’s locker room at a local swimming pool citing a recent law in Washington that allows the choice of facilities based on what gender you “identify” with. In the locker room at the time, were young girls changing for swimming practice. In early March, a man in Toronto abused several women at a women’s shelter shower facility after claiming to be “transgender.” Just imagine if that was a member of your family being abused by a guy who claims that he’s a woman. So obviously these policies are dangerous to women, but keep in mind that supposedly it’s conservatives who are waging a “war on women.” The Obama administration and the federal government are abusing their power. They are strong arming states into complying with their liberal agenda and trampling our rights as states. Their agenda is also dangerous to everyday Americans too. It’s so obvious how these policies could be abused for evil, but yet there is still support for it from the people who claim they fight for women and accuse the opposing party of starting a “war on women.” This is just another prime example of how liberals live in their own little fantasy world, a Utopia where nothing goes wrong, and everyone does the right thing. Unfortunately, this is the real world, where real things happen, and real people get hurt. By Staff Writer Brennan
KOHLS
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OPINION
HI-LINE
Friday, May 20, 2016
Seniors offer their last words of wisdom Inspiring quotes can lead to revelations of one’s aspirations I spend an obscene amount of time on Pinterest. Most of my time on the app is spent scrolling through quotes. I am a huge fan of quotes. I set them as my phone background, send them to my friends, my mom and look back at them constantly.
1.
“A secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is, instead of what you think it should be.” Learning to let things just be, not worry and see how it turns out is so freeing. Without any expectations or desire to be in control, you can just let life happen. A lot of the time things will not work out in the way you have planned, but you just have to roll with it and make the most of the situation.
2.
“Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a something that’s meant to come.” When life just straight up sucks, you need to know that this sadness you are feeling and the pain you hold in your heart is helping you grow. You need to address the sadness and pain, know that you feel them, then let it go. This is where you learn something new about yourself and what you need to do to become the best version of you.
This year I have discovered many quotes that I wish I would have came across my sophomore year. I have compiled a few of my favorites and give some advice to my sophomore self. By Staff Writer Hannah
3.
“Your story is unique and so so different and not worthy of comparison.” There will never be anyone like you again. Own that. Own your awkwardness, your one of a kind combination of interests, your ability to be compassionate and thoughtful. Do not compare yourself to your peers because you will always fall short. The reason: you are not them, you are you.
4.
SANDERMAN
“Make today so awesome yesterday gets jealous.” Every day you wake up with an opportunity to make the day the best day you can. Do not start your day thinking that it is going to be horrible because then it will be. Even if all the odds are stacked against you and you have no reason to have a good day, prove to yourself that you can. Go out and try your very hardest to make your day awesome.
Speaking from experience, senior shares ‘declassified survival guide’ You’ve probably all heard a lot of different takes on what senior year is like. Some people say it’s a breeze and is the most laid back year in high. Others say it is one of the most stressful and hectic experiences you will ever have. For most people, it’s somewhere in the middle. Senior year can be really fun and enjoyable as you get ready to say
Tip #1
AVOID SENIORITIS: I struggled with one of the worst cases of senioritis to ever hit Cedar Falls High School. It’s a plague that is near impossible to prevent. There are a few simple steps to avoid it, though. Find a time and place that works for you to get some kind of work done every day (even an hour can make a huge difference in keeping up with work). Get plenty of sleep. Trust me, no sleep will catch up with you! Keep track of your grades because you’d be surprised how quickly you can fall behind. Establish some good studying habits that work with your style of learning. Cramming before a test is never the way to go. Lastly, don’t be afraid to communicate with teachers. If you are struggling or falling behind, chances are that your teacher is going to work with you if you put in the effort.
TIP #2
STAY OUT OF DRAMA: As most of you know, rumors spread around a high school quicker than a wildfire. You can think something negative about someone, and it’s all over your Twitter feed before you can even know what hit you. As someone who participated in a fair share of my own drama, I’m here to tell you to avoid it at all costs. There’s nothing wrong with jokes as long as you mean well and won’t tick anyone off. You have to know the fine line between acceptable and too far, though. If you can’t tell, chances are it crosses that line. If by chance you do take something too far, KEEP IT OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA OR YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A MINI DOSE OF HELL! Most people are strongly opinionated in high school, and they are not afraid to give their two cents on social media … especially when a few retweets are up for grabs, so just be smart about what you say and post.
farewell to seven period days and school lunches, and hello to block scheduling and Ramen Noodles. It also can be very stressful with college applications, keeping up with grades, grad parties and a whole mess of other responsibilities. By Staff Writer Aaron
HEIMBUCK
TIP #3 STAY ON TOP Tip #4 OF DETENTIONS: I hate to be that guy. I really do, but you have to keep up with your detentions during senior year. They pile up faster than you think, and administration is no longer lenient with clearing detentions. First, just try your best not to get them. Wake up early enough and find a routine that gets you to class on time. If you do get detentions, don’t let them pile up. Serve them as quickly as possible before they pile up. If you do happen to have a lot, there are several ways to clear several at a time. The after school program is a great way to knock a couple out while getting some homework done. Most of the time art and shop teachers will have cleaning they need done and will clear quite a few if you do a good job. Campus beautification is a good option but isn’t always available. Track meets and soccer games are also great ways to clear detentions too. If all else fails, talk to someone from administration about other options to clear detentions. Trust me, you don’t want to have to deal with a pile up before prom or graduation.
UTILIZE POWER HOUR: Power Hour: AKA Hour Long Lunch, am I right? Well, while an extra 30 minutes to kick back and munch on your SubWay and Mickie D’s sounds delightful, it is self destructive. This is one of those lessons I had to learn the hard way. If you don’t dedicate at least some portion of Power Hour to homework, you’re doing wrong my friends. It’s the only time of the day where almost every teacher is available to help you with what you need. Although a long lunch is tempting, I urge you to pick a shift and get some work done while you enjoy your lunch. You’ll be amazed at how much you accomplish in that 30-minute window. If you’re behind on work or have detentions, Power Hour is also a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. It gets tough to find time to study during a busy senior year, so make the most of the time you’ve got.
Tip #5
SAVE YOUR MONEY: By senior year, most of us have some sort of steady income. Whether that’s working every day after school and every weekend or occasionally mowing a lawn, save as much as you possibly can. As teenagers, we like to spend our money before we even have it. While it’s always fun to buy new clothes and a ton of food, you will regret your heavy spending once you get into college. Incorporate some type of savings plan into your life, and you’ll be a lot happier in the long run. Even if it’s just $20-$30 out of every paycheck, it will still help. Having a little cushion is always a good thing. The earlier you get in a habit of saving money, the better off you’ll be in the future. You can set up a direct deposit where a portion of each check goes into your savings or you can grab a jar and do it the old fashioned way. Senior year is a lot more fun when you have money to enjoy it. You never know when life will hit you like a bus, and when it does, it’s nice to have some backup cash.
Tip #6 ENJOY IT
WHILE IT LASTS At this point, you all are probably ready to get the *insert explicit word here* out of high school. However, I guarantee this place will tug at your heartstrings a bit once the end approaches. Even after all the drama, stress, homework and rules, you’ll realize that you’re going to miss all of the memories you’ve made here. Think about it: You met your friends here. You found your passion here. You set your goals here. Whether you like it or not, high school helped shape you into the person you are today. So, don’t rush through it all. Spend time with friends, cheer at sporting events, make connections with new people, try new things and make the most of your last year as a Cedar Falls Tiger. You’ll end up regretting the things you didn’t do way more than the things you did do. Everyone’s senior experience is different, but I encourage you to make the best of whatever experience you have.
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NEW RELEASES
MUSIC
•RADIOHEAD A Moon Shaped Pool • ARIANA GRANDE: Dangerous Woman •BOB DYLAN: Fallen Angels •FIFTH HARMONY: 7/27 •CAR SEAT HEADREST: Teens of Denial •LONE: Levitate •ARTHUR BEATRICE: Keeping the Peace
MOVIES
•THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 05/20/16 •THE NICE GUYS 05/20/16 •NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING 05/20/16 •ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS 05/27/16 •X-MEN: APOCALYPSE 05/27/16 •THE IDOL 05/27/16
GAMES
•DOOM (PC) (PS4) (XB1) •HOMEFRONT: THE REVOLUTION (PC) (PS4) (XB1) •FALLOUT 4: FAR HARBOR (PC) (PS4) (XB1) •MIMIC ARENA (PC) (XB1) •TMNT: MUTANTS IN MANHATTAN (PC) (PS3,4) (XB360,1)
ONLINE EXTRAS
Drops Mic with host Jaden Amjadi Tune in here for insights on the latest releases in music. This weeks feature is Radiohead’s latest album. This week’s feature:
CFHS Green House
Watch this video to learn about the school’s green house and the work that goes into it.
Find the video online at h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=gKDlsMWHdZE
5 Overwatch blazes to promising debut Friday, May 20, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
Preparing to roll out, both teams lie in wait for the battle to commence. Guns are loaded, and armor is fastened. Each second on the timer is an anxious second for the fighting to start. Once the gates open, the offensive team is unleashed, charging for the first point and those beyond. Guns blazing and feet stomping, the offensive team faces assaults by sentries, barriers and giant ice walls, but through synergy and teamwork, they reach the last point, triumphantly standing on it as it pulses, with the announcer calling a victory for the offensive team. Overwatch is the first game in 17 years developed by Blizzard Entertainment that takes places in a new universe. Overwatch will be released on May 24. The game is on PC, XBox One and PS4, and can currently be preordered for $39.99. Overwatch is a first-person, team-based shooter, designed with 21 heroes to start with, each filling one of the four roles: Offense, Defense, Tank and Support. The story of Overwatch is based on a futuristic, fictitious version of our world where robots, known as Omnics, and humans can live together, al-
though tensions became high when the producers of the Omnics went rogue began to militarize them. When this happened, a group of elite soldiers came together to create Overwatch. After the Omnic Crisis was over, Overwatch began to become hated, which lead to it disbanding. Now the heroes have gone separate ways, but the world still needs heroes. The gameplay in Overwatch is similar to other class-based shooters like Team Fortress 2, but Overwatch still sets itself apart with the mechanic of an ultimate meter. This ultimate meter builds as the player deals damage or heals an ally. When the ultimate meter is fully charged, the character can unleash their ultimate ability,
a signature move that can potentially change the flow of a match from a team resurrection to firing an arrow that lets loose a massive dragon to devour the enemy team. What’s also a change are abilities that are used via button presses depending on which platform the player is using, although in the case of PC, it’s the Left Shift and the E key. Abilities have cooldowns, preventing the player from spamming certain abilities constantly. Abilities have cooldowns depending on how strong they are typically, although some are toggleable abilities, such as Bastion’s Configuration: Sentry. It adds depth besides mindlessly shooting like some other games, and some abilities have even deeper mechanics besides what’s at
The promo for Just Cause 3 is “Set the World on Fire,” and in the game, you certainly do that. It’s a game that is Grand Theft Auto, but in another country and mostly plays on open world destruction and less on story. Just Cause 3 is one of the most daring games out this year, but it doesn’t necessarily deliver in all aspects. In Just Cause 3, you play as Rico Rodriguez, a “Dictator removal specialist” bent on removing Sebastian Di Rovello from the tropical country of Medici. Rico receives new gadgets that have not been implemented in the previous two games of the series, the wingsuit and his tethering ability. The wingsuit is a major upgrade to the game mobility wise, and it makes transport easier and faster. With the addition of the DLC pack that was released in early March, you can fire a Bavarian machine gun and missile launcher, making it easy to take enemy forts and bases down with ease. The grappling allows for you to take down enemies and
structures seamlessly. Using the tethering ability, I could easily multi-task and keep oncoming hoards of enemies at bay while using the environment to my advantage. The most fun I had while playing Just Cause was flying around and destroying the enemy bases that lie all around t h e m a p . The explosions that I heard were all but satisfying, and the fiery explosions that I witnessed were an overexaggerated success. The story is the game’s weakest link. Overall, it’s a great idea, but the developers didn’t quite put their perfect ideas into the game. The Hitler-like dictatorship that Di Ravello plays is well thought out, however. The scenes where he imposes his vicious rule over his lesser generals and politi-
cians are the most entertaining of the cutscenes and actually make me want to overthrow the dictator. Di Ravello is about the only well-played character in the game, and the ending involving him is great compared to some of the theatrical let downs this year. The gameplay of Just Cause is a little bit of a let down, including the laggy gameplay after large explosions and take downs. It was frustrating when everything would start to slow down and the game would practically kill you off. Most of this happened during the town, village and military base liberations, which got really repetitive after a while. Another drawback is the fact that it would take forever to blow stuff up and find hid-
the surface. Each character has a variety of customization options, ranging from voicelines and types of graffiti to special skins that can transform how a character looks. Certain skins are being released with the Origins Edition of the game, most of the skins showing certain characters before or during Overwatch’s peak. Everything can be purchased with in-game currency, although some skins are limited only to pre-purchases and to the Origins Edition of the game. None of these skins improve character stats, but just make the character look different. Overwatch was in open beta at the beginning of the month, and I had an absolute blast. The game is fun, fast-paced and will definitely be the next game I get addicted to. The game shows an extreme amount of promise, and I’m very excited for the release on May 24. I’ve already pre-ordered Overwatch, and I strongly urge anyone who’s into team-based, first-person shooters to get the game on its release, as this game will go up and over your expectations. Staff Writer Cody
HOOD
Storyline, gameplay lag in Just Cause 3
den objects to complete the liberation, and since you had to liberate provinces before starting important missions, it got really boring. Some of the missions also were boring and unimaginative. It was always virtually the same mission in a different area of the map. The war missions were also a fail. They are much easier than they should be and aren’t challenging at all. I was really disappointed after finishing them, and if they were well constructed, they could’ve really helped the game’s construction. Overall, Just Cause 3 is a fun and exciting for the first couple of hours, but then it gets really repetitive and boring. The gameplay gets laggy and frustrating, and the story isn’t up to par, but the movement and overall destruction does have it’s moments. The wingsuit and grappling is a great innovation to the game, but overall, the game is a little bit of a disappointment. By Staff Writer Ben
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Which Office character are you?
Long-running favorite sitcom developed wide range of quirky traits to match characters
The Office, a fictional documentary style TV series about a small town paper company, has taken up countless hours of time from high school students who binge watch the show on a nightly basis. On March 24, 2005, The Office aired its first episode on NBC. With low ratings at first, the producers weren’t sure it would last. It was a corky show that drew a lot of its laughs from sheer awkwardness. Little did they know, they had created the start to an empire-like following of their soon-to-be hit television series. The show blossomed into a hilariously elaborate plot line packed full of relatable content and awkward moments. Perhaps the most impressive part of the show is the character development. Each character has a unique personality that grew throughout the show and allowed us to connect with them. Perhaps we saw a bit of ourselves in some of the characters? So, which character from The Office are you? Michael Scott - Michael is a very complicated character. You hate him but you love him at the same time. In short, he’s a loveable loser. Desperate for attention from his employees, Michael has a daily routine of awkward and inappropriate humor. He is most known for his almost instinct-like saying of, “That’s what she said!” Despite his rude and inappropriate demeanor, Michael truly cares about everyone in the office. He may not always show that he cares, but it’s revealed throughout the show that the thing he cares about most is the approval of the people he calls his closest friends. So, even though his impulsive, loud and just plain annoying personality gets on everyone’s nerves, they learn to love and respect the man that brings a little fun to an environment that lacks it. Jim Halpert - Jim is without a doubt the most clever character in the show. Bored to death with his dead-end desk job, he frequently harasses his bizarre desk mate, Dwight. Jim would come up with wild and elaborate pranks to pull on his easily agitated neighbor. From staplers in Jell-O to … H Yet, beyond the mischievous pranks was a much deeper side to Jim. There was a man who hated his job and loved a woman who was taken. You see, Jim was never much of a risk taker. He hated change. His entire life was a routine. From one ham and cheese sandwich to the next, he would spend his days flirting with Pam Beesly, the receptionist he had been crushing on since he started at Dunder Mifflin. Jim is funny, relatable and, in a weird way, the office heartthrob. Pam Beesly - Pam is the receptionist at Dunder Mifflin. She answers calls and puts up with the everyday chaos that the Dunder Mifflin crew causes. She is quiet but sassy. She doesn’t often stand up for herself, and she’s not much of a risk taker either. A once aspiring artist, Pam has given up her dreams and taken a much safer route. Whether she realizes it at first or not, she likes Jim deep down as more than a friend but would NEVER say anything.
She is kind and thoughtful and is often a peace keeper in the office. She later discovers how to be assertive, which allows her to discover herself and be more adventurous. Dwight Schrute - I could sit here for hours and write about Dwight. He is by far the most memorable character from The Office. He is strange, intelligent, moronic, loveable, hateable, annoying and intriguing all at the same time. I really don’t know how to explain Dwight. He is truly a persona of his own. He farms beets, is rooted in family tradition, loves Battlestar Galactica and knows thousands of random facts and statistics. He is constantly trying to prove his masculinity by oneupping Jim and Andy. You really can’t pin Dwight down because his personality is constantly shifting and adapting. If I had to describe dwight in one word, it would be weird. Ryan Howard - There is really nothing good you can say about Ryan besides the fact that he’s a convincing speaker who occasionally comes up with good ideas. Other than that, he’s a lying, cheating, manipulative, obnoxious, self-righteous scum bag. He lies and cheats on his girlfriend, Kelly constantly. He always thinks his opinions and ideas are better than everyone else’s. Basically, you don’t want to be like Ryan. He had a quick rise in power when he became Vice President of Dunder Mifflin after displaying some “great ideas.” However, he had an even quicker fall from power when his new lifestyle took over and turned him into a complete wreck. Most of the time Ryan puts more effort into trying to look cool and intelligent than he does actually doing his job. Bottom line, don’t be like Ryan. Kelly Kapoor - Oh my, just thinking about Kelly makes me want to jam screw drivers through my eardrums. For having a fairly minor role in the show, she sure did her fair amount of talking. Kelly is obsessed with pop culture, and if you talk to her for 45 seconds, you will quickly
come to this realization. Fashion, makeup, gossip, and everything girl are the only things that come out of Kelly’s mouth. Scratch that: about 60 percent of her blabbering is about how much she loves/ hates her boyfriend, Ryan. Obsessed with self-image, Kelly can’t stand constructive criticism. She is always worried about how she looks and is quite frankly the most annoying character in the Office. Phyllis Vance - On the surface, Phyllis appears to be a quiet, shy, older lady who loves to knit. However, beneath the surface is a wild and disturbing past that you really don’t want to picture. For a lady her age, (how do I put this?) she is very open about her sexuality. Although she is often quiet, Phyllis occasionally delivers some sass when she needs to. It’s safe to say that Phyllis has two sides to her. Stanley Hudson - Stanley is a sassy man with attitude. He simply takes no flack from anyone. He is straight to the point and tells it how it is. Stanley hates his job, hates most of the people he works with and loves naps. He’s a pretty simple guy.
Toby Flenderson - Toby is the HR rep for Dunder Mifflin. He is the epitome of boring. He has a very bland, depressing voice. He is divorced with a daughter and lives a pretty sad life. He’s constantly trying to make people think he is interesting and fun. Pretty much everyone hates Toby. Staff Writer Aaron
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FOOD FEATURE
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Hour of Power
Lunches Tex-Mex Spaghetti makes easy meal in under 60 minutes Lane Schwickerath Photos
Tex-Mex Spaghetti Cook time: 25 minutes Feeds: 4-6 people
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Needs: 1 large pan 1 lb. of ground beef 1 cup of chopped onions 1 can of mushrooms 1 small bag of shredded cheddar cheese 1 can of spaghetti sauce 1 can of black olives 1 small box of spaghetti noodles Cook: Boil water and start the noodles. Brown ground beef with the chopped onions in the pan. Once meat is brown, add the mushrooms, black olives and sauce. Stir. Add the noodles to the pan once done. Once everything is stirred up, add the cheese on top and spread evenly. By Staff Writer Lane Wait for the cheese SCHWICKERATH to melt and enjoy hot with your favorite sides.
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Friday, May 20, 2016
Derby Ready Walking into the Cattle Congress’s brisk Mcelroy Auditorium, junior Albie Nicol beamed at the women in the speedy purple uniforms warming up as they made their way around the track. At the whistle, the two teams took off, sending a rush down his spine. “This is it. This is me,” Nicol thought. Roller Derby is a fast-paced contact team sport that requires speed, strategy and athleticism. Each game of derby, called a “bout,” is played between two teams, each with five players in a lineup at one time on the track. The lineups are made up of one pivot, three blockers and a jammer. Equipment includes roller skates, knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet. The goal is to have your team’s jammer pass the other team’s blockers. Each lap around the opposing team equals a point. The team with the most points at the end of the bout wins. The Cedar Valley roller derby team, known as the Push-up Brawlers, have been around six years. They’re members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), an association of women’s flat track roller derby leagues around the world. Nicol first became acquainted with Push-up Brawlers last summer at the Cedar Valley 2014 Pridefest. “I remember thinking, I want to do that. I want to be that. I want to see that. It was like my life had just been laid out for me,” Nicol said. Yet despite his huge interest, he didn’t think much of it until a friend encouraged him get more involved in the thrilling sport. It was then that Nicol decided he was going to do this. It was going to be his thing. He pleaded his dad to take
him, given he didn’t have a car at the time, insisting that he would have to attend. “Going to see a bout for the first time I was really nervous. I didn’t know what to expect, but I had goosebumps the whole time. It really confirmed that
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Junior Albie Nicole keeping statistics of the last home bout in the McElroy Auditorium.
this was something I was called to be a part of.” Ever since his first, he’s attended every home bout for past last two seasons and been an active volunteer with the Brawlers. Nicol recently stumbled across a Facebook post by the Brawlers that
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Junior builds passion for local roller derby team said they were looking for what they call Fresh Meat, or new team members, and said to himself, “That’s me. I am fresh meat. This is what I need to do.” After attending an informational meeting with the Brawlers this past April, the adventure to becoming the youngest team member began. Nicol fell in love. “It felt so right to be there,” he said. Although he was only 17, his parents could sign a form that allowed him to practice even though he wasn’t the required age of 18. So just like that, Nicol was now Fresh Meat. “The first practice was very intimidating. As I walked into the dark stadium, all the players who I had seriously looked up to for the past two years were there. I couldn’t believe it. It was so motivating. On top of that, I was not in shape to dive head into this physically demanding sport at the time.” Following that first practice, he headed straight over to Planet Fitness to become a member. “That’s how serious I was about it. I have never wanted something so bad to the point where I was so passionate about that physically worked for it,” Nicol said. Yet here he was doing exactly that. The motivation and determination that sparked within him the first time he saw the Brawlers was only growing. Physically, mentally and emotionally, derby was a perfect fit. “It’s been hard. It’s a really rough sport. You fall, you break things and there’s just a lot of blood sweat and tears. Practice is very intense. You just go go go. Don’t sit down, don’t take a break. You just skate,” Nicol said. It’s the future that keeps him going as it provides lots of self confidence and
an overall good mentality for life, which isn’t what one would probably expect. “It just empowers me, which is weird as a transgender male. Like it’s women’s flat track derby, but I feel fine being on the team as a male. I take the gender away from it. People are shoving you down but you keep getting up. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. You fall down and you get back up.” Granted Nicol hasn’t been able to go through most of the Fresh Meat training due to other extracurriculars, but he says he could do this for the rest of his life and be totally happy. “It’s draining,” he said, “but I just have to remind myself that one day, if I keep working hard, I’m going to have my own derby name when I get onto the track. I’m going to have a purple Brawlers jacket, and I’m going to be the one inspiring those in the crowd just like I did.” Next fall Nicol will start practice again with the Cedar Valley Push-up Brawlers, which is followed by a series of physical and written tests, until he’s an official team member. “I have to have a positive mentality going into it. I can’t think just think, oh, this is too hard, or I can’t do this. That never works in life.” Until then, his love for the sport does not waver an inch. As he enters the stadium once again, Nicol is overtaken by the electrifying feeling that overcomes him as the bout begins. Sitting in the crowd today is a treat, but one day when he gets out onto the track, it will be his life. By Staff Writer Allie
TAIBER
Staff writer shares perspective on what it takes to derby Roller Derby: [noun] a sport in which skaters push, hop, roll and rattle around a track to earn points or prevent the other team from getting around the track to score said points. While this is the definition most roller derby participants will give you, I thought I’d give you a small inside look into what makes you a roller derby player, and in this special case, a Push-Up Brawler. I have been watching our local derby team, the Push-Up Brawlers, for two seasons now. This year, I was finally eligible for training to become a roller derby participant, so, of course, I signed up. Here’s what I’ve learned thus far as “fresh-meat.” Safety first. When I walked into my first free-skate practice, Exsie, the fresh-meat coach, made sure we all had gear on tight. Safety gear for derby includes a helmet, mouth
guard, elbow pads, wrist guards and knee pads. Knees first, then skates. To standup after putting your gear on, you first go to your knees, then you stabilize one toe-stop of a skate on the ground before standing on your two skates. This goes along with the safety point, but it’s also a balance exercise to get used to how being on skates feels. Be ready to fall, fall and fall again. Learning how to stop, hop and turn around are all basic skills for derby, but you won’t learn them if you don’t take risks and push yourself. This means a lot of falling because sometimes you’ll fall forward when you skate on one foot for the first time, or trip when practicing crossovers. Falling hurts, but it’s a “hurt” not an injury. Put in time outside of practice. While practice is a good two hours of straight skating, skating takes new muscles you may have not devel-
oped at all. If your back hurts while in derby stance, you’re doing it wrong and should probably hit the gym to strengthen your core. You have to be willing to cross-train when you want to be a derby player, which means taking time out of your day to workout and stretch your muscles. Be on time. The “fresh-meat” training takes roughly 12 weeks, depending on the progress of each skater. When practice starts, you should have a full water bottle, laces tied tight and be ready to do stairs, planks or push-ups. You should NOT be strolling in at the exact time practice starts. That shows you have no respect for the time other players are putting in to prepare. Watch the pros. A great way to learn about any sport is to watch people who play it all the time, the professionals. Instead of watching an extra episode of that new thriller show
on Netflix, type WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) into Google and watch a derby bout. “Monkey see, monkey do” is definitely a great philosophy when learning to play any sport. I still have a lot to learn, but these are just a few key concepts I have learned at only three practices. It’s very hard to be on skates for so long, but afterward you feel such a euphoric sense, which makes all the hard work pay off. I would definitely recommend everyone at least watch a roller derby bout. Go support our resident Brawler, social studies teacher Traci Lake (also known as After School Special) in the next home bout at Cattle Congress on May 14. Who knows, you may just find your new passion. By Staff Writer Albie
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Tigers at State The men’s and women’s track season is slowly coming to a halt, but the moment all the runners have been waiting for has arrived. Both teams completed districts and did really well qualifying many events for State. The men’s team qualified 16 of 18 events, while the girls qualified 14 of 19 events. Unfortunately, both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays dropped batons, and therefore did not qualify for state in that event. “4x1 is by far my favorite relay. Dropping the baton is extremely frustrating,” senior Kate Moody said. “We have one chance to qualify for State, and things just didn’t go our way that night. Considering we made it to finals and ended up getting seventh last year at State in that relay, it is disappointing knowing we can’t go back and compete in that event.” Senior Michael Abbas was also disappointed about not qualifying in this event. “Getting dq’d in the 4x1 was very sad for me, especially being a senior and having high expectations after last year,” Abbas said. But there are still many events competing at State. All the events for men have a good chance at scoring points for the team by placing anywhere from first to eighth. The field events for the guys really stepped up at Districts, and all but one of the field events qualified. For shot put, senior Spencer Williams said, “I’m really excited. We have been working really hard and have been peaking so I think we will all perform well.” Following an injury of a varsity long jumper weeks before State, senior Kam Watts stepped up and qualified. “Jumping at Conference and Districts was very competitive. Going in I knew what I was capable of, and I needed to step up for my team to get valuable points with Chris [Eagan] going down with a dislocated ankle,” Watts said. “Districts, I jumped pretty good, giving myself an opportunity to jump down at State. I’m pretty excited to jump down at State and hopefully earn some points to help our team win the meet.” The men’s sprinting events have a good chance to do well in State too. Some runners feel like they are being underestimated going into State and may not have the best seed times. This can be good, so the other teams don’t know what hit them. “I believe this group of guys we have will do great things and even surprise a
Friday, May 20, 2016
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Men’s, Women’s track qualify many events; seniors reflect on last laps as Tigers
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Senior Spencer Williams and other field events came in big at Districts for Cedar Falls. bunch of people in the events we may be an underdog in,” senior Hunter Lavallee said. “I’m really excited for State this year because even without qualifying in a couple events, we still have a shot to win it all. I think the 4x2 is underrated going into Friday, and now that we added Deni [Harrington], I think we can do some damage,” Abbas said. Qualifying for many events, Harrington likes how track can be unpredictable. “Track teaches you responsibility and ownership. If you’re not fast enough, it’s on you and no one else. If you have a bad start, it’s still on you, so I like that aspect of no one to blame but you,” he said. The mid-distance and distance runners have really been working hard to dominate at state this year. “I think we have a solid opportunity to score big at State and be a contender for the team state title. I think my events should go well. I hope to make a big impact on the team score,” Lavallee said. The team qualified in the 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x400, 4x800m, 800m, 1600m and the 3200m. “We’ve been talking about and looking forward to this week all year, and suddenly it’s here,” junior Nathan Hoy said. “This State seems a little more special than past years, however, because we’ve all been a team for so long, and this is the last run at it. These guys are my best friends in the world, and it makes it bittersweet, but we’re definitely looking to go out on a high note and compete at the highest level we know.”
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The distance program at Cedar Falls has excelled all year, leaving distance runners anxious and prepared. “Our distance program is looking very good going into state,” senior Isaac Smith said. “Sam [Schillinger] and I have been running well together all season, and now that we have started the taper, I feel that we are both set up to run well at State and get some big points for the team in both the 3200 and the 1600. Our 4x800 is feeling confident coming off of our Drake win, and I think we have a good shot at contending for a first place finish at State as well.” The long distance events finished quite superior at Districts leaving promising hope for their success at State this year. The girls competed very well at Districts too, qualifying in many events except a few distance events and a couple sprinting events. For throwers, junior Katie Halterman qualified for both shot put and discus. “I’m excited to be going to State for the first time and to be around some really good competition. It was my goal to make it to State this year, so hopefully it goes well,” she said. Senior Alicia Harrington has been to State on multiple occasions and is confident in the sprint crew this year for the girls. “I am super excited for State. This year I am in open events and relays that are ranked higher than I ever had before, and I think our sprint crew is going to do really well this year,” she said. As the girls’ season is almost
over the sprints won’t hold anything back as State approaches. “It hasn’t hit me yet that my six years of participating in track is slowly coming to an end,” Moody said. “It’s weird putting in so much time and work, and now this weekend I’ll never compete again. It is our last chance to show out and prove ourselves.” All the girls are anxious for State. “I can’t wait to see where we end up at State,” senior Madison Hall said. “4x400, we are third right now, and that is kind of scary, but I know we will do great. Sprint med, we are 11th, so that is pretty high up, and distance med is eighth, so we are in the fast heat. I know that will push us to where we need to be and what we need to run. Then for open 400, I’m 13th, but I’m just planning on having fun with that one.” As the team gets further in the season, they are more comfortable with their skills and are peaking just in time for State. “At the beginning of the year, I didn’t know how far we would go, but then we all got comfortable and started running really well,” junior Sammie Alexander said. “After Districts, I felt super pumped for State. It’s fun preparing for a meet like State because you focus on all the specifics that will make the team run the fastest we can. I’m not just excited for the running but also to have this experience with some of my best friends.” As the season comes to an end, both teams have truly become a family getting closer than ever. “It’s really surreal how many lasts there are this year,” senior Isaiah Barney said. “Last time running the shuttle hurdle with the fam, last time running at State and the Drake Relays as a Tiger. Last time running and competing as a Tiger. All these lasts really make you appreciate the work you’ve put in, the opportunity you’ve been given and the people who’ve invested in you.” It is really hitting some people hard that the track season will be over forever. Most of the runners have been with Cedar Falls’ track and field program for the whole four years. “I have had so many great memories made from track that I will never forget,” Haan said. “It’s kind of depressing that in one week I will be done with track forever. I’m going to miss it a lot and all the girls. Tears will be shed, but I will never forget the experiences and things I’ve learned because of track,” Lavalee will miss everyone too and is sad it will be done forever. “Track ending is crazy,” he said.
“I’m actually terrified for it to end. I love everything about Cedar Falls high school track program. I’ll miss everyone on the team and all the workouts.” Not being on a team and not being someone’s team mate is something that is sad to everyone. “The season didn’t go as well as I wanted it to, but it was a ton of fun getting to see my teammates do well,” senior Monica Wessels said. “It was great getting to spend time with all the distance girls one last time. I’ll definitely miss being apart of a team.” Senior Lizzie Swanson is also going to miss being a teammate and is excited to see the talent brought by the underclassman in years to come. “I’m pretty happy with how the season went,” she said. “It was really fun knowing that we would go out with a bang. Also, I can definitely say that this year’s freshman class has a lot of talent, and this year’s juniors are gonna have a lot of success and fun next year. I loved being a part of track, and even though I’m always going to be a runner, I’m going to miss being a teammate.” Being a team and family for multiple years makes the end of the track season bittersweet. “I’m sad that track will be over now because the track team is like a big family because we’ve all been competing together for four years now, and winning a state championship would be great to close out a great career all the seniors have had. The seniors on this team deserve a title,” Abbas said. The coaches have done so much to help everyone get to where they need to be. “It’s unreal that track is going to be over after this weekend,” Smith said. “Track and competitive running have been such a big part of my life in the last four years that it will be strange once it’s over. This senior class is the first one for which Coach Homewood has been the head coach for all four seasons, and I feel like we have all really bought into the program and worked hard for our common goal of a state title.” Williams will also miss the team and coaches’ impacts. “I’m really going to miss the bond I had with all the other throwers and the team,” he said. “Coach Smith (throws coach) has really been a positive influence on me and never given up. I’ve learned so much from him and will take away so many things from him as a coach and person.” By Staff Writer Noah
HERMANSEN
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Driving for Success
The intense quiet and piercing eyes are nothing new for junior twins Hailey and Hannah Bermel. Lining up a chip shot or piercing a golf ball through the air is old game for the twins who have been around golf literally their entire lives. Growing up in a family of all golfers, it wasn’t rocket science to figure that the twins would follow suit, and that’s exactly what they did. “They probably started golfing at three,” Tracy Bermel, the twins’ mother, said. “I can remember them riding around on the golf cart in their car seats.” Alongside the twins, there are also three other Bermels who are no strangers to golf. The two older siblings, Jake and Abby, both played at Cedar Falls and The University of Northern Iowa where they were coached by their father, who is the head coach up at UNI. Abby is in the CFHS hall of fame and made first team All State. She is now married to Adam Luehmann who used to be the assistant pro at Pheasant Ridge Golf course under their father, John Bermel. “Adam’s really been a part of the family since he was 14,” Tracy Bermel said as she laughed. “He started as bag boy at 14, became the assistant pro and then married our daughter.” Jake, their older brother, also played at Cedar Falls, made first team All State and went on to play at the University of Northern Iowa under his father. After just graduating, Jake is planning to be an assistant pro under his father once he passes all the
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Friday, May 20, 2016
Twins follow family legacy by qualifying for state championships, top honors
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The Bermel family poses with the state qualifying flag from last year’s district golf meet. requirements to do so. These requirements include passing a playing ability test. There are 36 holes, and one has to shoot a certain score along with passing a written test. The Bermel’s youngest, Ben, is a freshman this year and played his first season with the varsity golf team, making an impressive statement. The twins however continue to shine and rise to the occasion when they are needed most.
Playing varsity since their freshman year, they have learned a lot of what it means to lead a team and improve their own game along with their leadership. Their freshman year, they came onto a team that had just lost six seniors, and it was time to start rebuilding. It was a tough task and season, but Hailey made first team All Conference and Hannah made second team. Their sophomore year was much better as they had already gained
a year of experience at the varsity level. They added two girls who really helped out the team, and both Hannah and Hailey received first team All Metro. They made it to State and both made second team All State. “This year has been a ton of a fun,” Hailey said. “Hannah and I are both playing very well, and we’re super excited for this part of the season where we get to compete with some of the best and shoot for the top.” This year along with last year, the top six girls on the team made All Metro, which only hold six spots, so Cedar Falls claimed every single one of those spots for the second time in a row. “We’re super competitive but obviously support each other. We even tell each other good job even when we don’t want to,” Hailey said, while she laughed, obviously joking around with her sister. “Our dad’s the best,” Hannah said. “He’s one of those people that after you have a bad round, you can go up to him, and all he does is point out all the good stuff you did. He’ll take you out to the range, and in two seconds fix everything that needed to be fixed.” Their father, John, has a little more experience in the sport than just your average golfer. He’s registered as a golf pro under the PGA, and he can play in professional golf events around the state where if he wins, he can get paid. He’s actually qualified for the U.S. Senior Open. What’s even more impressive is that John has played with both
After injury at dance competition months ago,
Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson, two of the most well known names in the sport. “Having a family that loves golf is nice,” Hailey said. “It’s always something we can talk about, and most of the time in the summer, the Golf Channel is on the TV, even if we don’t know who’s playing.” Golf isn’t exactly a seasonal sport for the Bermels. The sport most definitely doesn’t slow down in the summer because Hailey, Hannah and Ben are still in full swing when it comes to summer tournaments. They are involved in something called the Iowa Junior Tour, and at most there can be two tournaments a week all over Iowa. In the summer, they can focus on themselves as individual golfers. “In the summer, it’s all you,” Hannah said. “There’s no team to compete with, just yourself. It’s all about improving your own skills and competition.” Both girls look to possibly continue their talents to UNI but are open to anything at this point. “Golf is a lifelong sport,” Hannah said. “I think that’s why I love it so much. There will never be an age where I can’t go out and play a few holes.” “It’s something I can do with my family all the time who I love more than anybody,” Hailey said. “It truly brings our family closer than one might think possible. It allows me to spend more time with the people I care most about.” By Staff Writer Nathan
HOY
Senior still coping with concussion Senior dance team member Hannah Gaffney has been working hard in her recovery from the severe concussion that she sustained back in December, when she was kicked in the head a dance competition. Concussions can have lingering symptoms for weeks, months and even years if not properly treated as soon as the injury occurs. After five months of long recovery, Gaffney said that she still experiences symptoms from the concussion. “It took a little over four months for the constant headaches to go away, and still even five months later I’m still struggling with memory issues. I’m not exactly sure what normal
was for me before, but it’s a lot better than it was then,” Gaffney said. She said the fact that she fell asleep after the concussion only worsened her symptoms as that is one of the worst things one can do. The after effects of Gaffney’s head injury extend beyond just the headaches and memory loss. The injury still affects how she performs her daily activities. “Classes haven’t been the easiest, and my counselor recommended I drop some classes. I started with a full schedule and am now down to four classes including choir. Most tests depend on memorization, which is
not exactly a strong suit for me anymore, but I’ve learned how to make it work and keep my grades up,” Gaffney said. “With dance I have to work harder to remember choreography and quickly learn changes when it’s not usually that difficult for others.” While most treatment regimens for concussions include plenty of rest and drinking an increased amount of fluids, Gaffney and her doctors weren’t 100 percent sure on what to do. Gaffney returned to her dancing and classes after a period of time but realized that may not have been her best choice. “We now realize these things probably slowed
down recovery, but at the time no one, including doctors, really knew what was best and would be the most helpful in recovery,” Gaffney said. The recovery from a concussion can be a very long and frustrating process. “I think the most difficult part was dealing with the memory loss. I didn’t realize how much I take for granted remembering the names of people I pass in the hall, directions and street names, class material, etc. I felt like I had to start over, and it was not a fun or easy process,” Gaffney said. The severity of Gaffney’s concussion is not on a level seen most commonly among high
school athletes. Most are able to recover within a couple weeks of the blow. She said if a blow to the head is ever sustained in any way, make sure to monitor the symptoms and get medical help if warranted. Gaffney said the best course of action after a possible concussion is to get checked out right away. “If you can, stop whatever you’re doing and get yourself to a doctor as soon as possible. You know yourself best and can tell if something is wrong. If you give yourself time, it normally shouldn’t take too long to fully recover,” Gaffney said. By Sports Editor Jason
RATHJEN
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SPORTS HI-LINE Summer camps promise athletic growth Athlete Week Friday, May 20, 2016
of the
Over the summer, many students will participate in summer sports camps to get better at their sport, some by colleges in the state and out of the state, and also just camps for grades 7-12 in basketball, baseball, football, volleyball and the list could go on. Some camps are invite only, and others are just sign-up. “I think summer sports camps improve skills because the off season is a time to improve personally. Going to camps gives you more practice and teaches you new things from coaches at higher levels,” sophomore Claire Gerdes said. This summer the Briar Cliff basketball camp is in the beginning of June and sophomore Ben Gerdes is going. “I expect a lot of competitiveness and hopefully get serious about recruiting,” Ben said. For football, colleges like Iowa, Iowa State, UNI and
Northern Illinois are all camps that senior Sam Cirksena plans on attending this summer. “I hope to learn some things about the game, but I am mostly looking for exposure to college coaches and having them give me some looks for their football program,” Cirksena said. “I think they are a great idea to get your name out there and to better your skills at the same time.” There are many baseball camps out there this summer as well. The Perfect Game fall showcase is a great camp for baseball that many players go to. At the showcase athletes do a workout at their positions, run 60-yard dashes, take batting practice and play games for evaluations. Junior Ethan Hayes is participating in this to try and get his name out. “I’m doing the camp to help me get recruited so I can play in college and show my improve-
ments from previous years,” Hayes said. “It isn’t a developmental camp, but it helps because you play against the top players in the Midwest. It also helps with showing composure and representing yourself positively to coaches.” Tennis tournaments and camps are also approaching and senior Vineel Mallavarapu sees this very beneficial. He’s headed to competitive camps in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma “These are very beneficial because they have a high competition level and they help keep my level of playing high,” Mallavarapu said. For volleyball players, one camp happening this summer is the Iowa Spring Volleyball camp. Claire Gerdes is attending this camp because she is interested in playing volleyball in college. “Summer camps are fun because you get to meet new players and you get to
spend a lot of time playing the sport you love,” she said. Cheerleading offers a variety of camps as well. This summer there is the NCA speed camp. At this camp cheerleaders either travel to a place where a bunch of teams meet and the instructors teach new stunts to put into cheerleading routines. At these camps, participants do a lot of stunting for multiple days, and it really improves their skills. “It helps because it’s a lot of conditioning, and it helps you see what you want to put into the routine,” junior Rachel Eastman said. No matter what the sport, there will be Tiger athletes out there at camps somewhere this summer improve their skills, getting their names out there and getting advice from really good coaches who know what they’re talking about. By Staff Writer Noah
HERMANSEN
Junior’s track record sets high bars “My freshman year, I was tall, so they were like ‘Hey, you’re doing 400 hurdles,’ and I was like ‘That sucks,’“ said junior Nathan Hoy, submerged from the waist down in a metallic tub filled with freezing cold water. Like many before him, this junior has competed in one of the most grueling races offered by the sport of track and field — the 400 meter low hurdles. However, after countless hours spent running with his best friends, this junior has managed to run the race faster than anyone in the history of Cedar Falls track and field. Hoy broke the school record with a time of 54.23 seconds at the conference championship in Cedar Falls, then proceeded to best his own time again by 0.03 seconds at the district championship in Marshalltown the following week. This surpasses the previous 54.8 mark, set in 2004 by Nick Nelson. Hoy, however, is only focused on running the race again at the state championship this weekend with his team. Hoy accredits his personal success thus far to his close friendships, which, in the eyes of this junior, have brought out the best in the track team as a whole. “Track has given me the closest friends in the world,
Vanessa Kime Photo
Junior Nathan Hoy running his event at a home meet. which is crazy. Most of them — all of them — are seniors this year, so I’ve been going at it with the mentality that this is our last year together. This is the last time we’ll train and race together. We started right away in the offseason, and hit it hard,” Hoy said. “More than anything, we had fun together because the harder we trained and the harder we pushed each other, the more fun it became.” The 400 meter hurdle race consists of one lap around the track with 10 hurdles evenly spaced throughout, making
rhythm a critical component of the race. More important than cleanly clearing the hurdles though, according to Hoy, is one’s determination to do so. “Once the gun starts, the nerves disappear, and it’s just a battle; 400 hurdles is such a rhythm race. For the first 200, it has to be totally fluid and effortless — 15 steps in between each hurdle, and there has to be perfect rhythm, otherwise it’s brutal. The last 200, it’s just who has the most heart,” he said. “That’s what I think is the coolest part about the race. It’s just who wants it more. It’s a cli-
che phrase, but with that race, it’s truly just about who wants it more.” Due to the grueling series of workouts and previous races necessary to attain his current race times, Hoy has been adamantly adhering to recovery and a healthy lifestyle. “Our coaching staff is so intelligent. Coach Homewood has talked about the four components of wellbeing — physical, mental, social and spiritual. It’s a challenge, and I’m very competitive by nature, so it’s become really enjoyable to pursue that lifestyle.” For Hoy, setting the record is only a part of the process. “It’s cool to know that you’re the best at that race so far at the school, but for me it’s so much more than breaking records or winning. It’s because of the friends I’ve made who have pushed me, and that’s what makes it special. And most of all, all glory goes to God.” Hoy is focused solely on the collective goal of his teammates, and he aims to contribute to the team score at State this weekend. “That record is irrelevant going to State. At State, it’s not about times, It’s about place, so I’m just trying to cross the line first.” By Staff Writer Ben
LOUVIERE
Luke Loughren Men’s Soccer
Sophomore Luke Loughren has been a key part of the varsity soccer team all season. This past Tuesday, Loughren scored his first goal for the Tigers, a game winning goal in overtime during a 4-3 win against Cedar Rapids Kennedy. As a sophomore, what kind of role have you had on a senior heavy team? I think everybody has a role on the team, and I believe mine is always giving my all and challenging my teammates to be their best. With the help from our great coaches, we all get a chance, and the competition is just great. What was your first thought after you scored the goal? I didn’t really think. I was just really excited and reacted to it going in. I turned to the crowd and did the Michael Jordan shrug, and I was in awe. Really, I was just glad it went in. I’ll never forget that moment. What are your goals for the remainder of the season? Our goal as a team is always to win, and we hope to do so against Jefferson for our last game. Then we hope to make it out of our sub-state bracket and cruise to the state tournament. What do the next two years look like for you? I hope these next two years go great. Even though we are losing all the seniors, I think some guys will step up and find a way to win. As for me, I’ll always be glad to compete and be a part of this team.
Tigers in
Action
Men’s Track Thursday May 19-21 2016 State Meet (Away) @ Drake Stadium TBA Women’s Track Thursday May 19-21 2016 State Meet (Away) @ Drake Stadium TBA Men’s Tennis Saturday, May 21 Substate (Away) TBA Women’s Tennis Saturday, May 21 Regionals (Away) TBA Men’s Soccer Monday, May 23 vs. Mason City (Home) @ 7 p.m. Women’s Soccer Tuesday, May 24 vs. IC City High (Away) @ 6 p.m. Women’s Golf Monday, May 23 Regional (Away) TBA Trapshooting Saturday, May 21 W-SR (Home)
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Friday, May 20, 2016
One Last Hoorah
HI-LINE