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News Briefs
•The annual CFHS Post Prom Party will be held following prom at Orchard Hill Church on Sunday, May 13 from 12:30-3:30 a.m. Once again, a hypnotist will be the featured entertainment. All juniors and seniors with or without guests are welcome. Prom attendance is NOT required to attend this party.Tickets are $5 and will go on sale Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 11. Tickets will also be available at the door that evening. The Post Prom Party is an alcohol and drug-free event. •The deadline for ordering this year’s yearbook is Friday, May 4. The names of those who’ve ordered a book are posted on the Tiger Hi-Line website and in 10 locations throughout the school. Students who are not on these lists will not receive a book unless a payment ($40) is received by Friday, May 4. Checks can be made payable to Cedar Falls High School.
Volume 47 Edition 23
The beat goes on
CFHS bands, choirs, orchestras prepare for state large group music contest Torie Jochims Staff Writer
Cardinal Rule
Bree Eliasen Photo
After losing a bet to Cardinal fan and science teacher Jeff Hartman, sophomore and Cubs fan Matt Lehman had to dress in St. Louis attire for the day.
The end of the year may be fast approaching, but the CFHS bands are still working hard to prepare for contest on Saturday, May 5. One opportunity for refining musical skills came on Monday, April 23, when the bands in grades 5-12 performed at the annual All-City concert in the North Gym of the high school. “I think every band played very well. The high school performances are well on their way toward contest,” symphonic band director Kyle Englehardt said. The bands have been preparing for both contest and their spring performance since the return from spring break, though the schedules were a little crazy when approaching the solo/ensemble contest earlier in April. “We use the two weeks after All City to polish for contest,” Englehardt said. The music choices for contest were chosen for both bands on a variety of reasons. “I chose music that would fit the band well and give musical challenges to make it worth doing,” wind symphony director Gerald Ramsey said. “Part of my job is to pick music that the students can play, but also pushes their ability and yet is exciting,” Englehardt said. Whatever music is chosen will not matter if the
“I think the band wants to play well, and they have a strong desire to have an excellent performance.” —Kyle Englehardt Symphonic band director bands aren’t ready. “I think the band wants to play well, and they have a strong desire to have an excellent performance,” Englehardt said. Ramsey also noted that the work the students have put into the music is apparent in their performances. The time from now to contest isn’t going to be an easy ride for the bands, however. “We’ve just got to be using every minute of rehearsal between now and contest. Contest is a good thing, though, because it pushes us,” Ramsey said. Based on years past, both band directors find it safe to say that the result of contest is a higher level of playing for the band as a whole. The players’ hard work contributes not only to their personal success, but also to the band’s success. In essence, the band is a team working toward a common goal. “Everyone has to be responsible for their own
Annual science project has SEED MONEY some students seeing green Ellen Wrede Staff Writer
It’s rare to have a class where students have the opportunity to showcase nearly all of the skills they have acquired in high school to date, but students in Tammy Frahm’s science classes have welcomed that challenge. The greenhouse, located off of the science offices of teachers Debbie Paulsen and Jerry Slykhuis, started three years ago, and it has been a welcomed part of the curriculum in ever since. “It’s part of their science project
to plant the seeds and have the final product to sell,” Frahm said. “It’s just an all around group effort. They’re working on working together.” But the benefits of this “greenhouse project” don’t just extend to science class. “It crosses curriculums as far as for the sale. They have to work on the computer to make signs, plus counting money when people pay.” Frahm said, highlighting the skills students will be using to complete the endeavor. The students grow seedlings for herbs, tomatoes, peas and strawberries as well as several other vegetables and fruits. They are also growing flowers,
like geraniums and marigolds. On May 10 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and May 11 from 7:30 to 11 a.m., the students will have a sale in the rubber gym. The seedlings are nicely priced and the flowers will spruce up most any classroom. The proceeds of the sale go toward buying seeds for next year’s planting as well as an annual field trip. This year the trip itinerary has the students heading to Des Moines to visit the zoo and the science center. “The field trips are fun,” senior Russell Hamilton said. “Oh, most defiantly,” Frahm agreed. “They like getting dirty too.”
Contributing a helping hand to get the greenhouse project is sophomore Tyler Nelson. Tammy Frahm’s science classes work together to keep these plants nourished in order to reach their goal of earning enough money to go on a field trip. The sale starts at 3 p.m. on May10 and continues at 7:30 a.m. on May 11.
Brian Winkel photo
parts, but more than that it’s the overall quality of the individual together as one band,” Englehardt said. Expectations for contest aren’t mediocre, as Ramsey said. The band should be performing at a Division I level, but the fact that there is work to be done is viewed as a good thing. “We don’t want to be completely ready a week ahead of time. We don’t want to pique too soon and have it go down,” Ramsey said. The wind symphony will not only be performing at contest, but also as a part of Crème De La Crème at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on Friday night at 7 p.m. Cedar Falls High School is hosting contest this year along with 56 band, orchestra, and chorus groups from 18 schools. An estimated 3,140 students will be attending. Contest is this Saturday, May 5. The symphonic band will be performing at 1:20 p.m. in the North Gym and the wind symphony will be performing at 2:45 p.m., also in the North Gym. The choirs and orchestras from Cedar Falls High School are also performing, with the concert choir at 8:30 a.m., the chamber choir at 9:15 a.m., the string orchestra performing at 10:45 a.m. and the symphony orchestra at 11:45 a.m. The choirs will be performing in the CFHS auditorium, and the orchestras will be performing Brian Winkel photo in the NU auditorium.
Tiger
HI LINE The
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OPINION
Our View Changes in grade curving would help measure efforts
With the ever-increasing pressure on students to maintain a solid Grade Point Average, the pressure also increases on teachers to enforce a fair and accurate grading scale. Naturally, there is some debate over which is the most effective method of grading, primarily concerning curves. Many teachers have adopted a “highest score” curve, where the best perrformance in the class determines how much of a curve the entire class will face. The problem with basing class curves on the highest score is that the end result may not accurately reflect individual ability. Because students are at the mercy of their classmates, a test score may better indicate whether someone in the class performed exceptionally well than how prepared each student was for the test. There is often a sizable gap between the one or two highest scores and the relatively lower scores earned by the rest of the class. When curves are based solely on those few highest scores, the rest of the class may not receive the grade they deserve. Though high-scoring students are justly rewarded for performing well, there are better ways to fairly evaluate tests without isolating the majority of students. One way to grade fairly is through set curves, determined by the teacher before administering the test or beginning the course. Determining that the test is, for example, of moderate difficulty, a teacher could set a uniform point or percent allowance. That way, students would know in advance how well they should perform, and their scores would not be depenedent on any other student in the class. Another popular grading method involves no curve at all. Instead of determining a curve to match the difficulty of the assignment, many teachers adjust their rigidity in grading and expectations. As a result, students are still receiving a grade that reflects their own ability or effort, regardless of classmate performance. Furthermore, this method encourages students to help one another without the inevitable fear of someone “ruining the curve.” We believe that either of these tactics would be more effective and fair than the “highest score” curve that many teachers employ. Rather than setting students against one another, these methods provide a more accurate measurement of effort while still emphasizing class success as a whole.
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 Editors-Kelsey Ihde & Audrey Kittrell Opinion Editors-Andrea Huber, Robb Klassen & Willa Simmet Sports Editors-Josh Betts & Katy Schult Feature Editors-Briana McGeough On-Line Editors-David Jacobson & Olivia Schares
‘Crystal Clear’ Classification?
Iowa survey seeks public input on stream usage
Some of the fondest moments of my life involve Iowa’s waterways. The creek that runs through my backyard, Dry Run Creek, has been my recreational dreamland for years. As a young child, my neighbors and I were in absolute LaLa Land in this natural paradise. We would pull the greenery off of the rocks, climb to the tops of the trees and have “Seaweed Wars.” When the weather wasn’t so warm, we liked to hold races with our self- constructed wooden boats. A couple of times my mother and I tried to float down the creek in inner tubes, but ended up rolling off the tubes in a fit of giggles. Now as a 17- year–old high school student caught up in the reality of daily life, I use this creek as a natural sanctuary to get away from the world for a while, while reflecting on nature’s infinite beauty. Every day many fishermen, boaters, swimmers and regular ole’ splashing humans retreat to Iowa’s rivers, lakes and streams to enjoy the slow pace of nature inside of these flowing paradises. Unfortunately, these same water lovers are also capable of polluting Iowa’s waterways. Many of Iowa’s waterways are not in compliance with
“Every day many fisherman, boaters, swimmers and regular ole’ splashing humans retreat to Iowa’s rivers, lakes, and streams to enjoy the slow pace of nature inside of these flowering paradises.” Willa Simmet
Iowa’s Water Q u a l i t y Standards or the Federal Clean Water Act. In an attempt to assess Iowa’s streams, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking for anyone who has recreated on any of Iowa’s waterways to fill out a brief survey. By listing the streams you use, the activities you use them for and where you access them, the DNR will be able to keep our waterways clean and accessible because they will be able to determine the level of protection for each stream. Once they receive the results, the DNR will use them to decide where to apply recreation-based stream designations to Iowa’s waters. You can access the survey at www.iowadnr.gov/ Opinion Editor
water/standards/. “Water quality standards are essentially the goals for Iowa’s waters,” said Adam Schnieders, a DNR environmental specialist, according to a DNR press release. “Use designations are one part of the standards, and they help us categorize water bodies by what they’re used for—recreation, aquatic life, drinking water or a combination of those. These designated uses help dictate the level of protection afforded to a water body.” I encourage all of you to submit surveys by May 15 in order to assist with the development of the new database. By not filling out this survey, many of Iowa’s polluted waterways could remain neglected. This is great step toward preserving Iowa’s natural beauty.
Student offers suggestions for summer reading With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows commanding most of the hype this summer, other books sometimes get pushed to the wayside. Nonfiction for example, is a very underestimated section of the library. Following are some most amusing books fitting for the languid mood of summer. The Areas of My Expertise By John Hodgman John Hodgman, whom you may know as “PC” to Justin Long’s “Mac” in the popular “Get a Mac” commercials has written a book of Complete World Knowledge. Not only does it tell you how much to tip a lullaby service (five dollars per lullaby, unless the lullabist uses a harp, then add two dollars), it also provides useful knowledge about the Furry Old Lobster (not to be confused with the kiwa hisuta). This book also chronicles 700 hobo names, unless you have acquired the handy paperback edition of The Areas of my Expertise, in which case you would be in possession of 800 hobo names.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim By David Sedaris Satirical humorist D a v i d Sedaris had a rough Ellen Wrede time growing Staff Writer up in North Carolina, but pulled through it to become one of the nation’s great satirists. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim pristinely captures some of his stranger childhood (and adulthood) memories. The Blue Fairy Book Edited by Andrew Lang The Blue Fairy Book is nice for light, casual daytrip reading. The stories include Why the Sea is Salt, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and The Black Bull of Norway as well
as many, many more. A nice refreshing compendium of the lesser-known fairy stories by Andrew Lang. Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles By Margaret George Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles is quite a large book, but I urge you: Do not let the 870 pages deter you from this superb work of nonfiction. It follows Marry Stuart from the time she was born to when she was crowned Queen of the Scots at the staggering age of nine months, to when she is beheaded by the English after being viewed as an usurper. Assassination Vacation By Sarah Vowell Assassination Vacation is entirely fitting to the theme of summer reading. Author Sarah Vowell is one of the foremost authors of dry humor nonfiction. The book chronicles Sarah along many vacations, daytrips and car rides that turn most hilarious in the hands of her capable style.
Tiger
HI-LINE The
SPORTS
Men’s, women’s track enjoy success at Drake; prepare for championship season, state meet
1:31.33 seconds. “We were very pleased. They ran well,” Schmidt said of his 4X200 team. The 4X100 meter relay team of Landon Zaputil, Nelson, Clark, and Albrecht did not finish the event. “We just missed a handoff,” Schmidt said. “We would have probably been in the finals. We were leading our heat at
the time.” The 4X400 relay team of Clark, junior Drew Poland, Velasquez and Albrecht finished sixth in the prelims with a time of 3:24.40 seconds, allowing them to advance to the finals, where they finished sixth in a time of 3:23.98 seconds. “We ran a strong 4X400,” Schmidt said. “To make the finals at Drake is
an accomplishment. We were four seconds off the school record.” Schmidt talked about what lies ahead. “We have regionals Friday at home,” Schmidt said. “We’ve got to keep everyone healthy. We have to make sure we have kids in the right events.” On the women’s side, junior Nina Savage qualified eighth in the prelims of the 100 hurdles to advance to the finals in a time of 15.15 seconds, and followed that up in the finals with a school record run of 14.81 seconds to place fifth. “She (Savage) ran the best race of her career and set a school record,” CFHS women’s track coach Troy Becker said. “It was a tremendous effort. She ran her best race at the most important time.” In the 100 meters, junior Faith Burt had the chance to win her third straight 100 meter Drake title. In the prelims, Burt finished 3rd in a time of 12.60 seconds to advance to the finals, where she finished third in a time of 12.43 seconds. “I thought she ran a decent race,” Becker said of Burt. “It was a photo finish. It’s always exciting to work with athletes with the talent and work ethic of her.” The 4X100 meter relay team of Savage, and juniors Charla DeVries, Brianne Hutchins and Burt raced to a victory in the prelims in a time of 48.97 seconds and finished third in the finals in a time of 49.22 seconds. “We executed pretty well, but a couple teams executed better,” Becker said. “We ran our best time (of the season) in the prelims, and our second best time (of the season) in the finals.” The 4X400 meter relay team of Hutchins, juniors Danielle Sturm and
Men’s Track Next Up: MVC Divisional May 4 (Home at 5 p.m.)
Men’s Tennis Next Up: CR Prairie May 3 (Away at 4:30 p.m.)
Men’s Soccer Next Up: Waterloo West May8 (Away at 6 p.m.)
Women’s Track Next Up: MVC Divisional @ IC West May 4 (Away at 5 p.m.)
Women’s Tennis Next Up: CR Prairie May 3 (Home at 4:30 p.m.)
Women’s Soccer Next Up: Waterloo West May 8 (Home at 6 p.m.)
Josh Betts Sports Editor
In the state of Iowa, it is every high school track and field athlete’s dream to qualify for the Drake Relays and have the chance to make finals and earn some Drake hardware. The CFHS men’s and women’s track teams had that chance and were well represented in their efforts. On the men’s side in the 3,200 meter run, junior Alex Mark finished 20th. “I think Alex was disappointed,” CFHS men’s track coach Bob Schmidt said. In the shot put, senior Justin Romero finished 12th, with a top throw of 50 feet nine inches. “He (Romero) wanted to place,” Schmidt said. “His throws were pretty good. It’s going to make him hungry for State. Top 10 in both (shot put and discus) was very good.” The sprint medley relay team of seniors Phil Clark and Brandon Nelson, Junior Corey Albrecht and sophomore Jordan Velasquez finished 5th in a time of 3:32.81 seconds. “We were very pleased,” Schimdt said of the sprint medley team. “We went in seeded 18th, and finished 5th. It was one of the highlights of the weekend.” In the prelims of the 110 meter hurdles, senior Jason Goulden finished 21st in a time of 15.92 seconds. “Jason’s time was not a season best, but it was respectable,” Schmidt said. “Even his season’s best time probably wouldn’t have put him in the finals.” In the discus, senior Justin Romero finished 10th with a throw of 152 feet five inches. “(He) missed the finals by a foot or two,” Schmidt said of Romero. “He had a pretty solid finish.” The 4X200 meter relay team of junior Brian Harrington, Nelson, Clark and Albrecht finished ninth in a time of
Tigers
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Raquel Facciani Photo Hanging tough at the Drake Relays in Des Moines last weekend is the 4 X400 meter relay team of Shawn Shaddox, Danielle Sturm, Brianne Hutchins and Allison Duchman. The team placed 10th in the prelims at the event and ran its season best time.
Shawn Shaddox and freshman Allison Duchman finished 10th in the prelims in a time of 4:04.09 seconds and did not advance to the finals. “They ran their best time of the year,” Becker said of his 4X400 team. “Our goal was to be in the 4:03 range, and we were close.” The 4X800 meter relay team of junior Leah Blanchard, sophomore Paige Hersom, junior Summer Anderson and Shaddox finished 12th in a time of 9: 46.08 seconds. “We ran our fastest time of year,” Becker said. “It was an exceptionally talented field.” The shuttle hurdle relay team of sophomore Amanda Hosper, DeVries, senior Raquel Facciani and Savage finished seventh in the prelims in a time of 66.03 seconds. “We just haven’t been able to put it all together,” Becker said of his shuttle hurdle relay team. “We think our best times are ahead of us.” Finally, the sprint medley relay team of Savage, Hutchins, Burt and Shaddox finished 4th in a time of 1: 49.29 seconds. “That was one of the best races of the weekend,” Becker said. “Fourth in that field is outstanding.” “We were in the hunt for medals in six or seven events,” Becker said. “Our weekend was outstanding. Our times were pretty much all season bests.” The Tiger track teams now turn their attention to the championship season. The men’s track team will compete in the conference meet at home on Friday and will host districts on Friday, May 11. The women’s track team will take part in the conference meet on Friday hosted by Iowa City West and will also host districts on Friday, May 11. Both teams will take part in the state meet May 17-19 in Des Moines. Women’s Golf Next Up: MVC Divisional @ LinnMar May 7 (Away at 9:30 a.m.)
Tiger
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FEATURE
Readers remember Vonnegut for his unique style Briana McGeough and Ellen Wrede
Feature Editor and Staff Writer
“There was your life before Vonnegut, and then there was Vonnegut. Once you read him, it changed everything … Kurt Vonnegut was the writer who opened up the world,” David L. Ulin of the Los Angelos Times wrote. When Kurt Vonnegut died this month at the age of 84, millions of his readers grieved because he would never again write another word. Fans of Vonnegut found his works to be revolutionary, completely different from the writings of all other authors. Many Vonnegut fans literature won’t be the same without him. “I think it could [have an effect], just because he was so unique and had such a different style of writing,” junior Nicole Elsbecker said. In addition to his fanciful storylines, Vonnegut always seemed to be able to get his readers to think. “I think he had a good way of getting his point across by using extreme examples,” CFHS senior Kathryn Graen said. CFHS English teacher Jennifer Paulsen agrees that extremism was a significant aspect of Vonnegut’s work. “He was a real absurdist. He ex-
aggerated so that we get the point,” Paulsen said. In her modern literature class, Paulsen teaches what many consider to be Vonnegut’s most famous book, Slaugherhouse Five. Another attribute that Vonnegut fans appreciate is his interesting perspective. “I liked his wild and crazy style of writing, how it was really funny but really deep at the same time. He was a great American writer. The example, his legacy, will live on, I’m sure. It was a tragic loss to the American literary community. His darkly satirical way of thinking was an interesting look on a tragedy such as (the bombing of) Dresden (by U.S. forces during WWII),” sophomore Michael Miller said. Though Vonnegut’s writing has gained him many fans, his writing does not please everyone. “They either love him or they hate him. Either they lose their patience with how absurd he is and how things don’t always make sense right away, or they just catch right on to the humor and the point of the humor and really love him,” Paulsen said. Vonnegut wrote 14 books, numerous short stories, and many articles and essays. However, there was much more to Vonnegut’s life than writing. While serving in World War II,
Vonnegut was captured by German soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge. As a prisoner of war, Vonnegut was sent to cart the bodies of the civilians killed by the bombing of Dresden, Germany. Vonnegut used his war experiences as ammunition for his writing. Twentyfive years after the war, Vonnegut wrote about his wartime experiences in the darkly satirical Slaughterhouse-Five, a best-selling novel. Even 30 years ago Vonnegut discussed the world after his death. “I want a military funeral when I die—the bugler, the flag on the casket, the ceremonial firing squad, the hallowed ground. It will be a way of achieving what I’ve always wanted more than anything—something I could have had, if only I’d managed to get myself killed in the war. The unqualified approval of my community. My relatives say that they are glad I’m rich, but that they simply cannot read me,” Vonnegut said in an interview with The Paris Review in 1977. While Vonnegut never received the military funeral that he described, he certainly gained acceptance in the hearts and minds of many of his readers. “It’s a real loss to American culture because he represented a voice of dissention,” Paulsen said.
V
erses of onnegut
“ I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center.” “Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. “ “Life happens too fast for you ever to think about it. If you could just persuade people of this, but they insist on amassing information.”
Kurt Vonnegut
1922-2007
“New knowledge is the most valu“Say what you will about the sweet able commodity on earth. The more miracle of unquestioning faith, I con- truth we have to work with, the richer sider a capacity for it terrifying and we become. “ absolutely vile!” “A purpose of human life, no mat“Those who believe in telekinetics, ter who is controlling it, is to love raise my hand.” whoever is around to be loved.”
Photo courtesy of www.uweb.ucsb.edu
Student Senate raises money for memorial fund Honor Heindl Staff Writer
Imagine never being able to dance or sing. What would it be like to have limitations to your speech and no control over your own body? Two dearly loved sisters never had the opportunity to participate in activities that most take for granted. Each year the Student Senate splits into teams that put together a fundraiser to donate the proceeds to various charities. One group consisting of Heidi Iehl, Jen Jacobson, Katrina Bauer, Summer Anderson, Nirmeen Fahmy, Stuart Steffy, Peter Marshall, Alana Schnieder and Kelsey Davis put together the Clover Project. Green paper clovers are available in the guidance office or library for students to buy and give to their friends for 25 cents each.
Students can fill out a clover and members of the project will attach a piece of gum to each one and deliver them to homerooms on Wednesdays. “The money is actually being donated to the Ami and Traci Iehl Memorial Fund. Traci and Ami are actually my sisters, who both passed away just early this semester. It is kind of weird, I feel like I’m fundraising for myself, but I was actually gone for one of their funerals when my group decided to donate the money they raise to my sisters’ memorial fund,” senior Heidi Iehl said. Ami and Traci had an extremely rare metabolic disorder called Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1 alpha defect. Due to seizure medicine and
muscle degeneration, they lived most of their lives in a wheelchair. “They reminded me of toddlers in the sense that they were no longer able to walk, talk or take care of themselves; they became dependent,” Iehl said. “They laughed and smiled nonstop; that’s what I probably miss the most.” Watching movies, being read to, going for walks and having their nails painted were some of the girls’ favorite activities. Traci, a month —Heidi Iehl away from 17 at the time, Senior passed away from complications of a neurological disorder in January this year and Ami followed the next month at only 19 years of age. They were the only known cases of girls to have this disorder; three boys had the same case, but
“They have impacted my life greatly. I have learned most of my life lessons through them, and they never even said a word.”
they didn’t live past age 10. “Ami and Traci weren’t expected to live past five, so the fact they lived this long was truly a blessing from God. Our lives changed quite a bit. Our time schedules don’t run on their feeding and medication schedules anymore. I still find myself checking the clock and wondering what time their last feeding was so I know when the next one will be.” The memorial fund for the girls is going toward scholarships to send other children to Dayton Oaks Camp so they have the opportunity to experience camp and Jesus’ love. “I have learned most of my life lessons through them, and they never even said a word. I’m not going to lie. Growing up with them at times was challenging, but it built great character for me,” Iehl said. “It was really hard to lose them, but now they are free and dancing.”