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News Briefs

•Cedar Falls Athletic Booster Club 9th Annual Tiger Golf Classic will be held at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course on Thursday, June 21, with a shot-gun start at 1 p.m. The registration deadline is June 10 and the cost is $70 per golfer. Sign-up early, as this event does fill up. Registration forms are available in the Cedar Falls High School Office, Cedar Falls Parks and Rec Center and Pheasant Ridge Pro Shop. For more information, call 277-0689. •The senior graduation party will be Sunday, May 27 from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Coconuts Beach Club in Cedar Falls. •Cedar Falls High School Student Senate coordinated a penny drive which resulted in raising $2,319.33, raising the total to over $12,000 for the Cambodia School project. •The Cedar Falls High School Blood drive, hosted Wednesday, May 16, accumulated 119 pints of blood.

Check out the

http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us Volume 47 Edition 26

After one year of implementation, Students, faculty debate direction for next year’s homeroom Shelia Moussavi Editor-in-Chief

When it comes to new school programs, few could be as unexpectedly and unintentionally controversial as the homerooms established earlier this year. This program, proposed by English teacher Dianne Flaherty and facilitated by a homeroom committee consisting of several CFHS faculty members and administrators, was created originally to enhance community within the school. “It was made to build two of the 4Rs (Relationships and Reflection—the other two are Relevance and Rigor) and to provide each student with an adult they can communicate with at the school,” Flaherty said. In order to achieve this goal, the alphabetically assigned homerooms meet for 20 minutes every Wednesday to participate in discussions and various activities. While most students accurately recognize the goal of homerooms, the effectiveness of the program has proved far more debatable. Equally controversial has been whether homerooms are actually necessary at Cedar Falls High School and what program changes may or may not be in order.

Most students seem to agree with senior Joey Squires that, in its present state, “it’s just an ineffective strategy to fix a nonexistent problem. Do students really know each other better? Do they really get along with their teacher better? Do they really have an adult advocate?” Senior Sarah Pattee agreed. “I don’t think the curriculum has been uniform for everyone because there hasn’t been a collaborative effort. It isn’t taken seriously enough to be effective.” For students like Squires and Pattee, the point of homeroom may be evident enough, but the proof of its effectiveness has yet to be seen or experienced. Despite these concerns, there is plenty of optimism about the program’s future. While the benefits of homeroom have been slow in their development, many students, like senior Alex Ulfers, attribute the current turbulence to the natural pattern of a program in transition. As he said, “The program involves change, and we, as seniors, do not like change.” Senior Stephen Miller agreed that time is a necessary element in establishing an effective program: “Right now, teachers and students don’t know exactly what to do, but once the younger kids reach this stage, they’ll be used

to the program.” Though many students consider the potential benefits worth waiting for, others consider this optimism unjustified. Sophomore Amelia Gotera has a more fundamental complaint against the homeroom program. “Forced bonding never really has a positive effect,” she said. “Relationships are based on common interests, and you can’t really force people to open up and become comfortable with each other.” The argument only leads, however, to yet another debate. Assuming the general optimism proves correct and homerooms eventually accomplish their goal, does it justify the time lost from class every Wednesday? This currently hypothetical but still relevant question has stirred endorsement from some, criticism from others. To some, homeroom at its (theoretical) best would certainly compensate for lost time in scheduled classes. Senior Nicky Newhoff is among the supporters. She said, “If it works out, homeroom would be worth the lost time in class because it would help students gain more friends than they would in a silent classroom with only the teacher talking.” These students would argue that the overriding benefits to the sense of community would outweigh the slight educational sacrifice.

Others counter that nothing, least of all a program that they characterize as so completely devoid of educational value, could justify the commitment of time. As Squires said, “We’re already falling behind the rest of the world in education, and we cannot afford to waste time on programs that have absolutely nothing to do with the original purpose of school.” Junior Mark Iehl has a similar complaint: “The primary function of school is to provide students with an education that will prepare them for college and, more importantly, the real world. I do not think homeroom does either of these.” To Iehl, the value of homeroom cannot outweigh the commitment of time. Unfortunately for any dissenting students, this is practically a moot point. As it turns out, there is absolutely no momentum among the deciding party to end homerooms altogether. CFHS Principal Rich Powers said, “Two things are certain at this point: homeroom is definitely not going to be removed and certain changes do need to be made.” According to Powers, the exact nature of the changes is still uncertain at this point and depends largely on suggestions by faculty and students. So what suggestions have students

offered? Many find argument with the way homerooms are divided. Right now, students are assigned by last name, which many find too random to be effective. “There is no relevant pattern to this organization,” Miller said. “Some other criteria besides last name should be considered.” Newhoff offered one idea. She said, “Homerooms could be split between boys and girls,” she suggested. “That would make it more comfortable for everyone. Other ideas involved the content of each session. “I would start the year with interactive activities, like icebreakers, to establish trust and unity if you want students to open up,” Pattee said. She added, “I think community service projects are also good activities because they bring a sense of pride and get students interacting together.” Senior Brittany Naylor had a more general suggestion: “Make the time useful—assign activities that aren’t going to just fill time.” As students and faculty explore every aspect of homerooms, steps are being taken to create a lasting, effective plan. According to plan, the program’s future will be decided by the fall of next year.

Senior “To-Do” List

Exiting upperclassmen must complete remaining objectives By Tim Hinkel Sraff Writer

With graduation nearing, seniors’ “to-do” list is piling up, especially for those who plan to attend college immediately after high school. Here are some of the items to resolve. Make up all detention, or seniors can’t attend the graduation ceremony. Pay all fines. Seniors

won’t receive their diploma if they don’t. Seniors planning to attend college should make sure they start getting their schedules ready. Some other pieces of information that seniors should know about graduation include the following: Students who do not participate in the ceremony may pick up their diplomas in

the principal’s office on or after Tuesday, May 29. Seniors should stop by the guidance office, if they haven’t already, to check out and let them know where seniors want their transcripts sent. Latin Photography will take photographs of each graduate as they accept their diploma. Photographs can be purchased for $8 to 10. Folders to hold the photos are

$2 and the shipping charge for mailed photos will be $2. Those who pick up the photos have to pay a $5 handling fee and there will be a $5 late fee for late orders. The CF Cable Division will be videotaping the ceremony, and DVDs can be purchased from the high school library for $12. The commencement speaker will be Jordan Galles.

The Commencement speaker committee completed its selection process following Spring Break. The annual senior party will be Sunday, May 27 from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tickets will cost $20 and donations are accepted. And finally, don’t forget to finish strong with good grades; it will look good for colleges on transcripts.

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Our View

OPINION

Students in Iowa have potential to influence caucus, election Sunday’s Des Moines Register Iowa Caucuses Poll showed presidential candidates John Edwards (D) and Mitt Romney (R) as the favorable candidates for their respective parties. These results clearly go against media favorites Barack Obama (D), Hillary Clinton (D), John McCain (R) and Rudy Giuliani (R). Of those Democrats polled, 29 percent said they would support Edwards in the January caucuses, and 30 percent of Republicans picked Romney, suggesting that Iowans are supporting the candidates that appeal to them rather the media favorites. Graduating seniors and juniors should recognize the rare opportunity they have to influence this election. There will undoubtedly be countless political rallies for the candidates leading up to the caucuses. It is up to individuals to support their favorite candidates regardless of their potential to beat the other party’s candidate by attending rallies, making phone calls or stuffing letters for a campaign, going door-to-door, registering voters and making campaign contributions. Others will notice this dedication and likely be influenced to do the same. By attending the caucuses in January, Iowans can greatly influence the course of the election. And as young voters, candidates tend to pay close attention to our views and concerns. Iowa also has same-day voter registration this time around, so there are fewer excuses for younger people not to vote, especially those moving to a different residency for college. So get out there and listen carefully because you can be instrumental in deciding the future of the country.

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 Wednesdays 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 HiLine 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 Editors-in-Chief-Sheila Moussavi & Kirstin Riggs News Editor-Kelsey Ihde & Audrey Kittrell Opinion Editors-Andrea Huber & Robb Klassen Sports Editor-Josh Betts Feature Editors-Briana McGeough & Willa Simmet On-Line Editors-David Jacobson & Olivia Schares Photo Editors-Katy Schult

Cheerful office staff deserve recognition While you may believe that because Carter and Bernard work in the attendance office dealing with absences that they were absent frequently while they were in high school, but this couldn’t be further from the truth: Bernard and Carter rarely missed

Carter is familiar with these types of outlandish explanations as well. “I Opinion Editor had a student call in and say there was Jane Carter and Deb Bernard love a bee in her car, and she would not working in the attendance office drive to school with a bee in her car,” where they hand out passes, check Carter said. So remember, only call in students in and out of class and when you really need to because they always show can tell the genuine enthusiasm for reasons from the students and fictitious ones. staff. Although These women most students were very busy know at least during their high this much about school days at Ceour loveable ofdar Falls, but they fice staff, there still stay involved is still more to today with aclearn. tivities around the Both Carter school. You may and Bernard notice that Carter graduated and Bernard attend from Cedar Posing for a shot with our well liked and happy attendance ladies Deb Bernard and almost all school Falls High functions includJane Carter are the opinions editors Andrea Huber and Willa Simmet. School. Similar ing fundraisers, prom, to students school. “I really didn’t miss a lot of plays and sporting events. today both women participated in school. I was here pretty much every“I love all of the events and the activities in their schools. Bernard day,” Carter said. Bernard and Carter dance and the excitemen. With every was involved in the swim team and don’t just set good examples with their activity there’s something to look forwas an avid member of the pep club, attitudes but also with their amazing ward to every week,” Carter said. where she showed her school spirit. attendance. Every day students are called to the “I was pretty busy with pep club and There are students who have called attendance office for various reasons, swimming, but besides that I worked in “sick” but these women know a and every Cedar Falls student has at restaurants and hung-out with my faker from a genuinely honest excuse. dropped into the office a few times friends,” she said. Bernard also met Both Carter and Bernard have exthroughout the year to be greeted her husband while attending high perienced these outrageous excuses. with a smile by Jane Carter and Deb school. “There was one year that someone Bernard, but now we really know the Carter was busy with being a called in and said he hit himself in women behind the desk and can hopecheerleader and participating in the the head with a hammer and couldn’t fully appreciate all the work they do a Cedar Falls gymnastics team. make it to school,” Bernard said. And little bit more.

Andrea Huber

What teacher had the most influence on your high school career?

Lisa Jiang Senior

“Mr. Schulte because he pushed me to create my own art instead of copying what other people have accomplished.”

Kallie Thompson Senior

“Mrs. Flaherty because she has a really good attitude with everything and wants to make negatives into positives. Overall she is a great person to be around.”

Ben Hagarty Senior

“Mr. Stewart because he takes amazing order of the cafeteria, and I have always looked up to a great leader like him.”

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Dethroned

SPORTS

MaleAthlete

Women’s golf eight year run as metro champs ends; West wins metro title Josh Betts

Sports Editor The old cliché says that all good things must come to end, and what was a great run as metro champions this week ended for the Cedar Falls women’s golf team. Waterloo West’s 12-stroke victory over the Tigers in the final round of the Metro meet gave the eighth-ranked Wahawks their first metro title since 1999. The Wahawks won the metro title with a team score of 698, the Tigers finished second with 715, Waterloo Columbus was third with 815 and Waterloo East rounded out the field with 842. CFHS women’s golf coach Rich Strike talked about his team’s eight year run as metro champions. “We’ve been fourtunate,” Strike said. “Every year’s a battle. You take no year for granted.

“There’s been great talent to work with,” Strike added. In Wednesday’s action in the team standings, the Wahawks won the meet with a team score of 170, the Tigers took second with 182, Waterloo Columbus took third with 200 and Waterloo East was fourth. Strike talked about his team’s play in the metro meets this season. “We played well,” Strike said of his team’s 2nd place finish in the team standings. “Take nothing away from Waterloo West. They played well.” “We shot well,” Strike said of his team in Wednesday’s meet. “(It was) our best round at Pheasant this year to date. (We got) solid scores from (junior) Abby (Bermel) and (senior) Jordan (Galles).” In Wednesday’s metro action, Sam Sturch of Waterloo West took medalist honors, carding a 39. Galles garnered

runner-up honors, carding a 40. “It was a great round in the windy conditions,” Strike said of Galle’s round. Other final round scores for the Tigers included a 42 from Bermel, a 49 from senior Ashley Hermansen and a 51 from senior Allison Morris. The Tigers also featured some of the top individual scorers for the metro meet. Sarah Boss of Waterloo West was the individual champion carding a 163. Bermel finished just two strokes behind Boss carding a 165. Morris finished third individually carding a 176, and Galles finished tied for fourth with Sturch carding a 177. Strike talked about his top three individual finishers. “Those are our returning letterwinners,” Strike said. “All first team allmetro. They’ve played consistently throughout the year, a fantastic job.”

Bermel, Galles and Morris were named to the all-metro team. “There leadership has been fantastic along with (Ashley) Hermansen,” Strike said. “(I’m) very proud of them as leaders.” The CFHS women’s golf team began its second season with Districts Monday. The Tigers need to finish in the top two as a team for the team to make State, and the top five individuals from the teams that don’t make State also qualify. Strike talked about the district meet Monday. “Our goal is to make it to State, and finish in the top two (as a team),” Strike said. “Five or six teams have a good shot. (You) hope the team can have a good day and play well. The Tigers are a part of District 3 in Class 4A, with the meet to be held at Gardner Golf Course in Cedar Rapids.”

Tiger track teams enjoy successes at state meet Josh Betts Sports Editor

Highlighted by victories in the 4X200 and 4X100 meter relay, and top two finishes from junior Faith Burt in the 100 and 200 meters, the women’s track team finished fifth in the team standings at the state coed track meet this past weekend. The women’s track team finished fifth in team standings with 54 points. Iowa City West won the 4A team title with 97 points, Iowa City High was second with 80 points, Dowling Catholic finished third with 73 points and Waukee finished fourth with 63.5 points. In the 100 meters, Burt qualified for the finals with a time of 12.71 seconds in the prelims to finish second in her heat. In the finals, Burt posted a winning time of 12.91 seconds. In the 200 meters, Burt took first in her preliminary heat in a time of 25.29 seconds to advance to the finals where she finished second by a 13 hundreths of a second. Brianne Hutchins finshed fifth in the prelims of the 200 in a time of 26.18 seconds and sixth in the finals in a time of 27.32 seconds. Gretchen Lamar of Des Moines Hoover won the event in a time of 25.95 seconds, while Burt finished second in the finals of the 200 in a time of 26.08 seconds. In the 800 meter run, junior Shawn

Shaddox finished 10th in a time of 2: 21.56 seconds, while sophomore Paige Hersom finished 21st in a time of 2: 27.22 seconds. In the 3,000-meter run, junior Kelsey Davis placed 21st in a time of 11:18.32 seconds. In the 100 meter hurdles, junior Nina Savage finished fourth in the prelims in a time of 15.24 seconds, and she followed that up with a 14.99 second run in the finals to finish fourth. In the shuttle hurdle relay, the Tiger team of Savage, sophomore Amanda Hosper, junior Charla DeVries and senior Raquel Facciani won its preliminary heat in a time of 1:04.34 seconds, a time that placed them third overall in the prelims. The team would go on to finish fourth in the finals of the event in a time of 1:03.99 seconds. The first championship run for the women’s track team came in the 4X100 meter relay. The team was forced to make a quick decision, though, following an injury to Hutchins in the 200 meters. Facciani was called on to run Hutchins’ leg of the event, and she helped guide the team to a state title. The team finished first in the prelims in a time of 49.56 and followed that up with a 49.59 second run in the finals. In the 4X200 meter relay, the Tiger team of Savage, Facciani, Shaddox and Burt took the state title with a run of 1: 43.58 seconds. Iowa City High finished

second. In the 4X400 meter relay, the team of freshman Allison Duchman, sophomores Emily Highland and Hersom and junior Danielle Sturm finished sixth in their preliminary heat in a time of 4:13.66 seconds. In the 4X800 meter relay, the team of junior Leah Blanchard, Hersom, junior Liz Bauer and Summer Anderson finished sixth in a time of 9:41.45 seconds. In the sprint medley relay, the team of DeVries, Facciani, Duchman and Sturm finished 17th in a time of 1:53.72 seconds. Finally, in the distance medley relay, the team of Duchman, Shaddox, Sturm and Blanchard finished ninth in a time of 4:17.70 seconds. The Tigers men’s track team also enjoyed success, finishing 11th in the team standings with 24 points. In the 200 meters, junior Corey Albrecht finished sixth in a time of 22.87 seconds. In the 400 meters, Albrecht and sophomore Jordan Velasquez both competed. Albrecht came home second in a time of 49.14 seconds, while Velasquez finished 10th in a time of 50.57 seconds. In the 3,200 meter run, junior Alex Mark finished ninth in a time of 9: 49.82 seconds, and junior Michael Streicher finished 19th in a time of 9:

59.54 seconds. In the 110 meter hurdles, senior Jason Goulden finished 19th in the prelims in a time of 16.18 seconds, failing to qualify for the finals of the event. In the high jump, freshman Sean Boss placed 16th, jumping an even six feet. In the field events, senior Justin Romero finished 10th in the shot put, posting a top throw of 48 feet-10.75 inches. In the discus, Romero finished sixth with a personal best top throw of 167 feet-11 inches. The 4X100 meter relay team was disqualified due to a missed handoff. The 4X400 meter relay team of senior Phil Clark, junior Drew Poland, Velasquez and Albrecht finished sixth in the prelims in a time of 3:23.94 seconds, and followed that up with a third place run in the finals with a time of 3: 21.97 seconds. The 4X800 meter relay team of senior Jason Knox, Poland, sophomore Josh Metcalf and Velasquez finished 11th in the finals with a time of 8:11.53 seconds. The shuttle hurdle relay team of senior Seth Webb, Boss, sophmore Kyle Bernard and senior Jason Goulden false started in the event. Finally, the distance medley relay team of Clark, senior Brandon Nelson, Albrecht and Velasquez finished fifth in a time of 3:34.22 seconds.

of the

Year

Dan Twito

Football, wrestling and soccer Where do you plan on going to college? The Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, New York. What were some of your most memorable highlights from this year? State wrestling. State soccer will be a good memory. The overnight stays in Des Moines for wrestling. The football games against Kennedy and WW. What advice do you have for future athletes? To play sports for the experience, the fun and the good times with your friends because you only play high school sports for a short time. Who would you say has been most influential in your high school athletic career? My parents have always been there for me after and during all my sporting events.

Female

Athlete Year

of the

Abby Mohlis

Volleyball and basketball Where do you plan on going to college? I plan to play volleyball at Iowa Western in Council Bluffs. What were some of your most memorable highlights from this year? When our volleyball team got 2nd at State, and getting (coach Dan) List with the best prank ever at a pizza place. What advice do you have for future athletes? Only play a sport if you really want to, and once you’re out – work your butt off for your teammates. If you could re-experience any game this year, which would it be and why? Beating Wahlert and ending their 5 million game winning streak.

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FEATURE

Cedar Falls feels loss as students leave area Audrey Kittrell News Editor

As one more year at Cedar Falls High School comes to an end, goodbyes are a familiar sight—especially for the senior class. In just a short three months, all will part their separate ways, most to never see one another again. But where are they going? In a recent student-body survey, 50 percent of students are already planning on leaving the area after graduation. Most of these include students attending universities around Iowa, but other large numbers will be moving to each coast. Not only will students not see one another again, but the community comes up short as well, leaving some to question why our college town can’t keep it’s own teenage population around. 2006 CFHS graduate Luke Russo became part of the statistic after leaving Cedar Falls for Waldorf College. “I decided to leave the area for college because Waldorf was offering me more scholarship money than anybody

else,” Russo said. Scholarship money proved to be a top reason for students to receive their education elsewhere with a broader selection of majors and entertainment options following close behind. “Cedar Falls needs something for people to do—more than a mall,” one student was quoted saying on the survey. Marty Port, 14-year CFHS guidance counselor, has seen generations of seniors come through the school, all bringing similar trends. She thinks Cedar Falls has everything anyone could possibly need. “There’s always something to do. Sure, there isn’t the variety, but if you asked kids to design their own community, I don’t think they’d come up with anything better,” Port said. Another 2006 CFHS graduate, Andrew Schoof, shares this opinion. “I didn’t see any reason to move away when there weren’t many benefits,” Schoof said. “I’m very glad I stayed! I’ve seen a lot of people go off to school somewhere else and decide after one semester that it wasn’t right

for them and Cedar Falls wasn’t so bad after all.” The top reasons for students to stay in the area after graduating high school was dominantly because of the atmosphere of the community. “It just feels like home,” junior Candace Ferguson said. But, with the mass quantities of students leaving, will the community have a reliable future? “We’re losing leaders for the community as well as good workers. Our strive for education creates the ‘brain drain.’ The state spends money on good education, but other areas benefit from it,” Port said. Cedar Falls has proven to be a strong community nevertheless. “I think Cedar Falls is just a safe community with a reasonable cost. We have a sense of community here,” Port said. Schoof, who chose to say in the area after graduating to attend the University of Northern Iowa also values the perks of the community. “The main thing I’d miss if I went somewhere else for college is the fa-

1. CFHS kicks off homerooms. 2. Dr. Powers steps in as new CFHS principal. 3. CFHS raises $12,000 to build school in Cambodia. 4. CFHS cheerleaders win State competition. 5. Character Counts! pillars shape CFHS landscape. 6. CFHS drama department puts on three plays: Jabberwock, Once Upon a Mattress, and A Night of Student Directed One Acts. 7. Hell Week pranks shock student body. 8. 11 DECA participants qualify for nationals in Orlando, Florida. 9. Ice storm causes conflicts with school calendar. 10. Faculty defeats students in Faculty vs. Students basketball game.

Several CFHS Faculty approach retirement

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She has made German class the best class at Cedar Falls High School. She will be missed.

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arty Por

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Nadia Honary Junior

Matt Moore Junior German Teacher at Cedar Falls Schools for seven years

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Mrs. Port is very kind and very understanding.

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Mandy Heath Senior

U.S. History, World Geography and Eastern Civilizations Teacher at CFHS for 29 years

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Mrs. Engel actually made me interested in social studies.

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Faculty Farewells:

miliarity. I would miss knowing my way around town, seeing people I know when I go out or just having family around.” Even those students who chose to leave realize what they have left behind. “The thing I miss most is probably how many restaurants were in Cedar Falls. I mean there are only about four or five here. It’s disappointing,” Russo said. However, for those who feel they just need to get away, restaurants can’t be the only way to correct the problem. With new job attractions beginning to root in the area, many hope this can bring the attraction back to the community. “I think industry in particular needs to spend more money not on salaries, by making sure their company is more attractive to young people. In turn they will see benefits as well,” Port said. But until then, Cedar Falls will continue to see a major decline in its original student population. “I love Cedar Falls, but that’s just not where my dream is,” Russo said.

This year’s top High School Highlights

Guidance Counselor at CFHS for 14 years