e g h iin l Ti er THE
Nov. 24, 2009
Volume 50 Issue 10
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Choir raises funds with carols Sara Gabriele Staff Writer
With the holidays fast approaching, the CFHS choir students have already begun spreading the Christmas spirit. Singers from all choirs participate in the caroling group which will be performing gigs around the community from now until Christmas time. The group has been rehearsing since mid October before, during and after school to prepare the carols, all of which are sung in a cappella. The group sings the classic Christmas carols but also incorporates some more contemporary pieces. “Performing live music in streets and in lobbies, it
lifts everybody’s spirits and gets them in the mood for the season. Adults always like to see young people still carrying on traditions, and the kids have a blast,” choir and caroling instructor Kendra Wohlert said. The group performs about 15 gigs around the community — everywhere from the Cedar Falls downtown, the Gallagher Bluedorn, in lobbies and outside. “The opportunity to go to different places is really cool. You get to go to different venues, see a lot of different people and sing for them. It’s different than just at a school concert,” junior Mason Meyer said. The group performs at community events such as Main Street’s Jingle and
Mingle on and is also hired by private businesses for their Christmas parties. Businesses pay the group a $100 donation, which will go toward funding student scholarships for the choir tour next year to California. The group performs in a small group or quartet depending on the event. “It’s cool just to get out there in the community. It’s not just like a school performance where you’re performing for your parents,” sophomore Maria Dropps said. “It brings joy not only to you but to everyone around you. You see people smiling and the joy on their faces.” The group’s next gig will be Main Street’s Holiday Hoopla on Nov. 27.
Mackenzie Ferguson Photo
Moon Watchers
Waiting in line for the midnight premiere of New Moon, the latest in the Twillight movies, are juniors Monica Clark, Kelsey Morris, Kaiti Faye and Emily Hurban. They waited nine hours for the event at the Cedar Falls theater.
Food drive a success for Cedar Valley Kaylee Micu Staff Writer
Cans here. Cans there. Cans everywhere! Before loading into the trailer on Wednesday, Nov. 18, there were canned food goods almost to the ceiling. The best part is that all of that food went to families who need it. This year, Cedar Falls High School managed to raise about 22,000 cans of food. “Interestingly enough, some of the smaller schools in the other division collected a tremendous amount for their size. Our school averaged 20.92 lbs per student, while Valley Lutheran High School collected over 90 pounds per student. Pretty amazing,” counselor Ryan Flaherty said. This year, Cedar Falls managed to raise a little less than 2008, yet the school still came in first place for the most food raised in the large school division.
Ben Sadkowski Photo
Juniors Alex Gibson and Will Zey box up the final cans for the CFHS food drive. “I’m pleased that overall it went up by almost 10,000 pounds (for the Cedar Valley school totals) from last year. That’s a real plus,” Senior Leadership adviser and Eng-
lish teacher Diane Flaherty said. “Our numbers, however, were down from the last two years. I’m not disappointed, but with the economy how it is, the more we can do for
those who have little, the better.” Not only were Cedar Valley schools competing, but the CFHS classes were as well. Science teacher Kenton Swartley came in fourth with an average of 10 cans per student. Third place went to choir teacher Kendra Wohlert with an average of 30 cans per student. Resource teacher Tammy Frahm earned second place with an average of 103 cans per student, and business teacher Matthew Flaherty won first place with 106 cans per student. “I think it is something all students and adults should do. The students are learning something in class by doing this that they may very well be a part of when they get to the working world as well,” Matthew Flaherty said. During the food drive, teachers and students set up different projects for fund rais-
ing. In total, the high school managed to collect and spend over $7,000 toward the drive. “It also makes me proud of the kids I have in class, especially the ones that gave of time and money to help in this competition and very worthwhile cause,” Matthew Flaherty said. “We wanted to take the time to help others during the holidays that didn’t have money to buy food,” senior Anna Wheeler said. All of food and money that was raised will go to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, which will then distribute the food and money to people who need it. “It feels awesome. It is fun to help others,” senior Morgan Henriksen said. “We should be happy knowing that we changed the lives of thousands of people in the area,” Senior Leadership member Brian Harris said.