Tiger Hi-Line
Class of 2008
The
Volume 48 Edition 29
As the end of their high school years draw to a close, many of the seniors of the class of 2008 reflect on their time spent at CFHS. To read some of these reflections from seniors, turn to the Opinion page.
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Senior reflects on high school experience as commencement speaker for 2008 class Paul Strike Staff Writer
With the school year winding down, fellow senior Michael Streicher is preparing to give the 2008 commencement address. Streicher was told he would be the class Michael Streicher speaker af- commencement speaker ter a senior leadership meeting. “During that meeting senior leadership approved me to be the class speaker. I was banned during the approving process and was told after the meet-
ing,” Streicher said. The speech writing process is well under way for Streicher. Already with a theme, he will take a most optimistic tone for the speech. “The overriding theme is making the most of our opportunities we have each day, especially the opportunity to help others in a plethora of ways,” Streicher said. The most difficult aspect of the speech for Streicher will be the time. “It’s tough though because there is so much to say in such a short amount of time. I’m trying to summarize 13 years of education into 5 to 7 minutes,” Streicher said. Already, Streicher has mixed feelings about addressing the seniors at the graduation ceremony. “I am a little nervous about it, but it will be something that I remember for the rest of my life,” Streicher said. Some of the senior speaker’s best
moments in high school were in athletics. Participating in the Drake Relays this year and standing on the podium his junior year at the State Cross Country Meet were Streicher’s favorite moments of high school. Another memorable event during was serving on the homecoming court. “I was honored to be selected,” Streicher said, “and my selection humbled me and made me feel I would be done with high school soon.” The senior also has some good advice for incoming sophomores next year. “Get involved in activities and make the most of your high school career,” Streicher said. “It only happens once a lifetime.” Next year, Streicher will attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., to study engineering. Though high school may be over for the graduates of 2008, much more lies ahead for them.
Briana McGeough Photo
Floating above the ground in the Silly Silo, physics students from around the state, including seniors Arusha Afzal and Sarah Anderson, learned the science behind amusement park rides at Adventureland last Friday.
Students share experiences with powerful words Honor Heindl Feature Editor
In early September of 2006, a bubbly, friendly 13-year-old girl by the name of Megan Meier was introduced to a mysterious and charming young boy on MySpace named Josh. They began exchanging messages on a regular basis until one day he abruptly ended their friendship because he had heard she wasn’t kind to her friends. He then began posting electronic bulletins about her, saying things like “Megan Meier is a slut. Megan Meier is fat.” Josh also sent her a message telling the girl she was a bad person and the world would be better without her. The next day, on Oct. 16, 2006, the devastated girl who suffered from depression and attention deficit disorder committed suicide by hanging herself in her bedroom. Want to know the worst part? Josh didn’t even exist. It turns out the mother of a former friend of Megan’s created the account as a hoax to find out if Megan was talking trash about her daughter. However, it all went horrifyingly wrong. Whether it’s spoken through a racial slur, spreading a rumor, labeling a peer or calling someone retarded or gay—
our culture’s tongue seems to be loosening its hold on morality. Words that may be ranked as one teenager’s top 10 most frequently utilized vocabulary can be lethal to another and rip them apart inside. Though students act like those tactless comments and jokes don’t wound them, in most cases, they end up leaving ugly, sensitive scars. People are all profoundly impacted by what others say or think, and that’s why it’s so tricky for kids and teenagers to grow up in a positive manner when they’re engulfed by negativity on all sides. Where do these verbal attacks come from? Surely not all victims egg it on. When one digs deeper, one finds that the core of harassment is often built off stereotypes and pure ignorance. This ignorance manifests itself in all sorts of shapes and forms, such as racism or homophobia. Ever since 9/11, racism against those of Middle-Eastern descent in particular has heated up, as senior Arusha Afzal can attest to. “Though most people are good, there are some people who are simply close-minded, either lack of exposure to other cultures/religions, or misinformation. I don’t think anyone actually
tries to be intolerant. Most intolerance is a result of ignorance. A specific personal incident was when a peer called me ‘Osama Bin Laden’s niece.’ He also asked me whether/when I would bring a bomb school among other remarks.” Before moving to Cedar Falls in 2003, Afzal lived in Jersey City, NJ where she does remember the tension and awkwardness following the attacks. A recollection that stands out was when a Muslim boy in her neighborhood was beaten with a steel rod by a gang of other boys; he required stitches for his injuries. Fortunately, Cedar Falls has for the most part risen above these stereotypes, and Afzal hasn’t had to endure much discrimination in relation to other areas of the United States. That being said, it is overwhelming how very little people know about Islam and Pakistan; in fact, many even believe Afzal to be Indian.“I wish people were more educated about such topics, especially in a post 9/11 world where it is important for each and every person to be able to pick through all of the media’s sensationalism about terrorism and its relation to Islam.” Along with racist remarks, differing sexual orientations have also created quite a commotion simply because
many people don’t take the time to comprehend the meaning behind something as basic as a national holiday. “The Day of Silence is a day to remember gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transsexuals who have been hurt both physically and emotionally by people who choose to be ignorant. I find it extremely rude when the Day of Silence is called a gay pride day by those who typically oppose it,” junior Katie Moore said. “It’s a day for mourning the loss of our friends or family members, not a plea to obtain marriage rights; it’s more of a way to show that gays and transsexuals are human beings that don’t deserve a gun to the head because they’re alive. It’s OK to oppose homosexuality, but leave it for the voting booth. The classroom is nowhere to tell someone that you’re going to kill them because you think they’re scum.” Sometimes the attacks aren’t even intentional. For instance, many people use the terms “gay” and “retarded” without actually meaning the true definition. However, they are often used in a venomous light, as synonyms of “stupid” or “lame,” which are almost more offensive. “I don’t see or hear a lot of harass-
ment in my classroom, but I’d like to think that it’s because I won’t put up with it. However, unintended hurtful phrases like ‘that’s gay’ or ‘you’re retarded’ aren’t uncommon in our school, especially amongst friends in conversations. I do not allow students to get by with those statements in my classroom when I hear them,” Developing Nations teacher Jeremiah Longnecker said. Even amongst the closest of friends, conversations drip with degrading remarks and name-calling. According to Moore, this may or may not have to do because of the media these days, but nevertheless it’s not something anyone should get in the habit of. “There’s not going to be a TV commercial that’s going to change anyone’s mind as long as people misinterpret sarcasm, continue to isolate themselves from others in person by way of Internet and continue to believe freedom of speech is something that allows you to go beyond respecting yourself and your neighbors. ‘I’m as big a n----- fag as you are a skanky b---- slut, but we’re still best friends.’ That’s what it’s like now, and it’s completely repulsive. Thanks, Paris Hilton,” Moore said.
Power of Words, Feature Page
Tiger Hi-Line The
OPIn n IO OPI IOnn
our view our view
Seniors reflect on past, look ahead 1. What was the most memorable moment in your High School career?
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9th grade letters provide opportunities for reflection as seniors enter next stage Last week, many enthusiastic seniors received letters that they had written to their future selves in ninth grade. Many of these seniors discovered that their younger selves had set grand goals for their high school experience that they had not lived up to. Though only three years younger, the writers of these letters seemed light-years behind their slightly older readers. This dramatic evolution occurred as a part of the high school experience, an experience that for many CFHS students will end tomorrow. As CFHS seniors prepare to enter the next stage of their lives, some reflection of the past and the future may be in order. The last three years have been filled with accomplishments, frustrations, philanthropy and enjoyment. More than anything, however, the last three years have been filled with growth. Just as seniors entered high school three years ago, anticipating all of the fun and accomplishments that lie ahead, the cycle will repeat. A new group of sophomores will flood the halls next year, filled with the same combination of excitement and fear as the generations of students before them. This year’s juniors and sophomores will emerge to fill the voids left by this year’s graduating class. And this year’s seniors will enter the next stage of their lives, whether that is college or the workforce, armed with the knowledge and experience that they gained during high school. The exchange of ideas that have characterized Cedar Falls High School and the CFHS community for generations will proudly continue. Seniors, remember that even if you let your ninth grade selves down, there is plenty of time to reverse that trend. The coming years will be filled with countless opportunities for learning, opportunities for change and opportunities for fun. All of your work during the past 13 years of public education has culminated for you to enter the world and use your life to make a difference. After 13 years, you are ready. You are prepared to confront the obstacles that lie ahead not as threats but as opportunities. You are prepared to explore what your future has to offer. But most importantly, you are prepared to leave an indelible mark on the world. Let the rest of your life begin.
Write the Tiger Hi-Line
The Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Each edition is published on Wenesdays during the school year in The Insider and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 501 Commercial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701. Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line or Cedar Falls Schools. The Hi-Line editorial staff view is presented weekly in the editorial labeled as Our View. Reader opinions on any topic are welcome and should be sent to the Tiger Hi-Line staff or delivered to room 208. All letters must be signed. Letters must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Thursday for publication the following Wednesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief: Briana McGeough News Editors: Olivia Schares and Kellie Petersen Opinion Editor: Torie Jochims and Jacqueline Jordan Sports Editor: Jakob Zierer Feature Editors: Honor Heindl and Briana McGeough On-Line Editor: Ellen Wrede Entertainment Editor: Kristen Hammer
For me personally, I don’t feel like there was one moment that was the most memorable during high school. Instead I’ve enjoyed getting to know more and more people throughout the years and think it’s neat to see who they are becoming and where life is taking them. Katrina Bauer
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2. What are your plans?
on going to UNI. I want “ Itoplan get into Real Estate, and I
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plan on playing on their club soccer team. David Weidenbacher
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3. What is your advice for younger schoolmates?
Be exactly who you want to be, but don’t look down on the people who may not agree with that or your choices. Help and love others as if tomorrow won’t come.
Nina Savage
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5. What will you miss about High School?
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I’m going to miss the people, it’s sad to think that I won’t see some of them again.
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Sarah Larsen
4. What is your first thing what you are going to do after graduation? day-long “ Take anap. ”
Jonny Diercks
6. What won’t you miss?
won’t miss “I waking up early!! ”
Stuart Steffy
Tiger Hi-Line The
SPORTS SPORTS
You are
invited Booster Club plans
annual golf fundraiser
bright and Brad Cook. Staff Writer “(They are) former athletes from CF – none living here anymore, but A round of golf, raffle prizes and always remember their alma mater,” having CFHS students clean your clubs Weld said. Two volunteers - Cedar Falls football – these are only a couple of reasons to check out the Cedar Falls Booster Club coach Pat Mitchell and Dave Evenson golf outing. The 10th annual Tiger Golf have been involved in the outing all 10 Classic is taking place at Pheasant years of its existence. Many volunteers Ridge Golf Course on Thursday, June are needed to put on the event, which takes months to plan. Twelve people 26th. Around 37 foursomes participate in are involved with the planning, about the outing every year, but golf is just 30 CF team representatives get raffle the beginning of the event. Following prizes from businesses, 20 students the 18 holes is a steak dinner and a raf- help out during the event and 10 more fle drawing, and an auction also adds to adults work on registration tables. At least 70 the fespeople are tivities. CFHS Booster Golf outing involved “Last Date: Thursday, June 26th, 2008 with the year a Place: Pheasant Ridge Golf Course Classic. business Costs: $70.00 per person “It really donated Format: 4 Person Best Shot—Shotgun Start at is a group a very 1:00pm effort,” Weld nice new Prizes: Men’s & Women’s Flight Awards, Flag said. d r i v e r, Events, and Raffles The monand it ey raised was auctioned off for $300,” said Mary Weld, from entry fees, auctioned items and chairperson of the golf outing. “We businesses serving as hole sponsors have also auctioned off Minnesota goes to the Booster Club, which in turn Twins tickets and Vikings tickets as support the CFHS sports teams. “The Cedar Valley businesses and well,” she added. Many students volunteer to help out community members show amazing at the event. Around 20 high school stu- support year after year for this event,” dents help out by selling raffle tickets Weld said. The president of the Cedar Falls and by unloading and washing clubs. Three Tiger golfers also participate in Booster Club, Allan Bangtson, credits a “beat the alumni” game – just one of the strong CF community for making the entertaining games played on the the Booster Club really effective at course. The “beat the alumni” game is supporting Tiger athletics. “The Booster Club is proud to be a played on a par-3 hole. “(The players) try to get their ball part of that support and really apprecicloser to the hole on the tee shot than ates all the help they receive from the community and volunteers, who make the CFHS alumni,” Weld said. The three CF alums playing this the Booster Club one of the best in the year are David Weld, Barry Firman and state,” Bangtson said. Anyone can support the Tigers by Abby Bermel. Past CFHS graduates also come filling out a membership for the Boostback to support the Classic, like one er Club for $25, participating in the group of guys from the class of 1976: golf outing for $70, or just going to a Steve Gibson, Ric Olson, Mark Full- Tiger game—priceless.
Paul Strike
CF senior earns spot Tigers State on highly competitive Hawkeye dance team at
Omeed Kashef Staff Writer
Making the Iowa Hawkeye Dance Team is extremely hard, especially as an incoming freshman, but one talented CFHS contestant was equal to the task. After already being crowned as the Class 4 State Solo Champion, Shannon Chrusciel, a senior at CF High, had a dream of making the team and did not let go. Competing against about 50 other dancers, Chrusciel become one of the 20 contestants that was accepted. “I was very nervous for this try out, and it was a difficult and stressful weekend,” Chrusciel said. First, Chrusciel had to send a video in to attend the on-campus try-outs, and once selected, traveled on campus to attend the three day try-out, a process where participants are constantly eliminated. The first two days were practice days where they learned routines and practiced their technique, and then the final Caitlin Lattiner Photo day she performed her two routines Celebrating her first place win at and technique combinations in groups the State Dance Individual Solo Comof three for the judges. The coach then petition is Shannon Chrusciel(‘08). called in the top 25 scores and tried different groups of girls together to find This huge honor had not been given to the right team. It was then announced a Cedar Falls student since 1983. that Chrusciel She is very dedicated and a beautiful and 19 other dancer that puts her heart and soul in it. girls h a d —Jodi Mehmen made t h e CFHS dance team coach team. I t definitely wasn’t easy to prepare for this time too, since Chrusciel was in first event though; Chrusciel trained five- grade when they took ballet together, six days a week at Attitudes Dance by and Mehman thinks very highly of her. “She is very dedicated and a beautiAimee in Waterloo. “I take classes in a variety of ful dancer that puts her heart and soul styles. One of my studio instructors in it.” Chrusciel said she has also been and dance team coach, Afton Wilson, helped me a lot in preparing for the try- dancing since she was three years-old. “Dance has been a part of who I am out,” Chrusciel said. CFHS dance team coach Jodi Me- since I can remember and I can’t imaghmen has known Chrusciel for a long ine life without it.”
In the team races, the men’s track team finished fourth with 36-1/4 points, with Pleasant Valley the 4A team champion at 77. The women’s team also placed fourth at 48 points, as Iowa City West earned the 4A title for the third consecutive year.
Women’s Top Placers
•1st place 4x200m relay (Kaelia Frazier, Shawn Shaddox, Brianne Hutchins and Faith Burt) •1st place 100m Faith Burt •1st place 200m Faith Burt •3rd place 4x800m relay (Shawn Shaddox, Leah Blanchard, Paige Hersom and Summer Anderson) •4th place 4x100m relay (Kaelia Frazier, Brianne Hutchins, Charla DeVries and Faith Burt) •5th place Shuttle Hurdle Relay (Molly Youde, Amanda Hosper, Charla DeVries and Nina Savage) •6th place High Jump Molly Youde Faith Burt had 13 career wins at State.
Men’s Top Placers
•1st place 4x400m Relay (Austin Long, Drew Poland, Jordan Velasquez and Corey Albrecht) •2nd place 400m Corey Albrecht •3rd place 800m Drew Poland •4th place 100m Corey Albrecht •5th place Distance Medley (Austin Long, Drew Poland, Jordan Velasquez, Blake Davis) •6th place 4x800m (Jay Brummel, Jacob Tayloe, Drew Poland, Jordan Velasquez) •8th place High Jump Kyle Bernard
Tigers in Action
Women’s Track 4th at State Men’s Track 4t at State Women’s Soccer Next up: Regionals 5/28 (TBA @ TBA) Men’s Soccer Next up: Sub State 5/22 (Home @ TBA) Men’s Tennis Nicky Singh 3rd at Districts Women’s Golf Next up: State Meet 5/27 & 28 (Marschalltown @ TBA)
Tiger Hi-Line The
power of words from News
FEATURE FEATURE
make fun of the whole idea, so I felt like I’d get a lot of crap for something they didn’t even understand.” For those thinking, “OK, that’s their problem if they want to hurt themselves.” Pause. Remember all the shootings in recent years? Those all began
Verbal attacks don’t just take a hit to the emotions of a victim; there are too many instances where they take physical form. Over the past three years, self infliction has nearly doubled in teenagers. The initial trigger for this behavior usually revolves around coping with or expressing the extreme pain of strong People are afraid of what they emotions. Junior Conner Messerschmidt don’t truly understand, and, if they has suffered from depression sporadically would only take the time to underever since sixth grade, stand they could see the reality of but was never able to it all. talk about it in fear of his friends not under-Arusha Afzal standing. senior The pain and inner struggles surfaced when he was a sophomore as he resorted to a blade to cope with the mental and with a lonely, outcast being harassed emotional pain he suffered from all too until he was pushed to his limits. often. “This lack of respect makes death “I kept my secret hidden with lies threats materialize at places like Colabout random freak accidents; I always umbine, so I don’t understand how wore long sleeve shirts, and cut places people are so lax about using respect people wouldn’t ever see. I couldn’t rather than slurs to participate in class,” believe how oblivious people were to Moore said. “It’s like a ticking time what was really going on. Like get- bomb with the school; they really need ting a huge bloody gash from dishing? to stop being so naïve, thinking that just Come on,” Messerschmidt said. because we’re in Iowa, no one will ever Many students have transformed bring a knife or a gun to school.” the act of cutting into a joke whenever As disheartening as this all sounds, someone teasingly puts them down or there is hope. The world can be enlightother comparable situations. Little do ened if it has the attitude and willingthey know that over 18 million Ameri- ness to do so. It is so crucial that humans cans suffer from depression, and at reveal to others the respect they would least four percent of the population d e sire struggles with self injury. “A lot of teenagers don’t realize how big of a problem it is or the damage their words can cause; cutting has become affiliated with ‘emos’ and stereotyped. Emo is a musical genre. Not all emo kids are cutters and not all cutters are emo kids,” he said. “Most kids automatically think you’re a freak or a wimp if you can’t handle your problems without resorting to self-infliction. from their neighbors. I never talked to anyone “By way of starting comabout it because lots munities that stand strong against of kids at school the people using stereotypes for throw out jokes power, you defeat them. about cutters and It’s really hard to explain,
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but to fight back against a high school bully takes more than the shouting of a vocabulary word or two in some different language or making a big spectacle,” Moore said. “Instead, try ignoring them and create the sort of community you want to live in and be the sort of person who would live in that community.” Although the temptation resurfaces every so often, Messerschmidt has found strength in himself, God and his closest friends. He is able to resist and deal with verbal teardowns, feeling empty, intense pressures and coping with divorced parents and other struggles in his life. “Having Honor, my best friend, always being by my side, even if it was at 2 a.m. lying in the driveway or calling me randomly just to make sure I was feeling OK was what kept me going. Even though she hated that I hurt myself, the fact that she understood what was going on when everyone else was blind to it and didn’t think any differently of me was so comforting. I could talk to her instead of expressing myself with a knife. Faith was another thing that played a major role in helping me overcome it, which was also greatly influ-
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Honor Heindl illustrations
Through recovering from depression, junior Conner Messerschmidt has learned the severity of terms that many of his peers take lightly.
enced by her. Honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, she saved my life.” Most can hate to admit to letting something hurtful slip. Judging someone before even knowing their name. Laughing at the expense of another peer or co-worker. No one’s proud of it, but it happens. “Though I’m not very proud of it, back when I was in school, there were cases where I, too, was part of the verbal harassment. The effects can be horrible; isolation for the person be-
ing ostracized, loss in self-esteem and a fear of going to school are just a few that come to mind,” Longnecker said. “Today’s teachers have to be more aware of political correctness if we are going to propagate a safe culture in the classroom. I do believe that there is less of this today than ever; although there are many exceptions, students are more accepting and kind to each other than in the past.” Through education, teachers have the power to mold future generations in mind-boggling ways. If the world wants to erase ignorance, schools aspire to humility and opening up to different viewpoints, cultures and lifestyles. Respect is what today’s global economy demands. “I cannot stress enough the importance of education for today’s youth
about such issues. Educating the population is the only way to rid society of close-mined, intolerant views. Are there terrorists in the world? Of course. And are some of these terrorists Muslim? Yes. However, one has to understand that these ‘evil’ people represent very little if any at all of what true, good Muslims are like,” Afzal said. “The lack of respect for other cultures has created an atmosphere of fear in our culture today. People are afraid of what they don’t truly understand, and, if they would only take the time to understand they could see the reality of it all. If we continue to educate with the truth, then we can erase some of that fear and hopefully create a kinder, more tolerant world.”