Nov 8, 2006 hi line

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1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, IA 50613

http://www.cedar-falls.k12.ia.us

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Volume 47 Edition 8

Megan Merner Drawing

Iraq War medal winner to address CFHS Vet’s Day Katie Lee Staff Writer

CF Competition takes home second consecutive state title

Cedar Falls Competitive Cheerleaders celebrate their victories with Johnston High School at Saturday’s State Cheerleading Competition in Des Moines. Cedar Falls competed in the Co-ed Division for the first time leaving Johnston to carry on their former 4A first place title. The two squads have been the only squads in 11 years to beat the elite squad of Davenport Assumption.

Cedar Falls also had two stunt teams compete in the stunt division in Saturday’s performance.

Second place went to their sophomore stunt group consisting of Hillary Gallagher, Natalie Severson, Eleanor Poe, Amanda Hosper and Lindsey Morris. First place in the stunt group division was awarded to seniors Ryan Swarbrick, Raquel Facciani, Kelli Beth Stubbe, Alena Davis and junior Kelsey Ihde. The competitive team plans to attend the NCA National Championships in Dallas this December.

¡Round dos!

Spanish club anticipates second year at high school

Katie Lee Staff Writer

Amid the aroma of mouth-watering food, 15 CFHS students converse enthusiastically on a variety of topics, having just ordered their meals.

This may be nothing remarkable, except on closer inspection, one may notice that they are speaking in Spanish.

The CFHS Spanish Club meets for their monthly meetings at Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant on Main Street.

The CFHS students joins Spanish Club President Allison Morris, Vice President Nicky Singh, Secretary Kimia Manshadi, Treasurer Amanda Kroemer and faculty adviser Grace Valdez at the restaurant for an hour of Spanish food and fun.

“Because this is only the second year of Spanish Club, we’re still trying to shape it, emphasizing the student-led organization and new activities to participate in,” Valdez said.

The goals of Spanish Club are to promote the use of Spanish in social situations, such as ordering meals and talking to others in Spanish, and

to form new projects for more students to get involved.

“I like how we meet a lot of different people in Spanish Club. We do things I might not normally get a chance to do, and it’s neat to practice in Spanish,” Morris said.

There are many prizes and incentives given away in a drawing for those who participate in Spanish Club, such as homework passes, sweets and other items. There is even a trip planned at the end of the year for active participants in Spanish Club.

“We’re extending an invitation to anyone who is taking Spanish, has ever taken Spanish or is interested in learning about Spanish culture,” Valdez said. “Everyone will feel welcome.”

This month, participants of Spanish Club will learn about the art of salsa dancing. Soon, they plan to help sponsor a child through World Vision.

Spanish Club meets once a month, in the portable or specific other locations. Check flyers posted in the hallways for upcoming meeting locations if interested.

Nov. 11 marks Veteran’s Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, a day we take the time to honor the men and women who fight for our country.

Kevin Stewart, former Marine and current social studies teacher at Cedar Falls High School, discussed the meaning of Veterans Day. “Veteran’s Day is a chance for us to honor our veterans and pay tribute to those who gave their blood, sweat and tears for our country,” Stewart said.

This year, Stewart invited U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Major Brad Kasal to speak at the Veteran’s Day Assembly on Wednesday.

Kasal, originally from Iowa, joined the Marine Corps in 1984 and recently earned the Navy Cross for his bravery in Iraq in 2004, after taking in seven rounds of fire and 40 pieces of grenade shrapnel while protecting a fellow Marine.

“I feel honored to have Kasal come to speak at Cedar Falls High School,” Stewart said.

The assembly will highlight another look at Veteran’s Day for the school, but Stewart said there is something important that people can do any day of the year.

“Tell a new or old veteran, thank you, whether or not it is Veteran’s Day,” Stewart said.

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News Briefs All students scheduled to take the Nurse Aide I course next semester need to attend the informational meeting Wednesday, Nov. 8 during sixth hour in the auditorium. The meeting will explain the Nurse Aide I course and clinical requirements. It’ll also give an overview of an accelerated nursing college program that is offered to area high school students. Students already scheduled for the class will receive a pass from guidance. Any student scheduled to take the Nurse Aide I course that is unable to attend the meeting needs to talk to Sue Gettman in the nurse’s office as soon as possible.

All sophomores will be meeting in the auditorium on Wednesday during homeroom.

Students will report to their homeroom first for attendance and then come to the auditorium as a class.

Men’s sophomore basketball meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 8 in room 259.

Congratulations to dance team members Brandi Hatfield, Shannon Chrusciel, Lauren Paxton and Renae Osman, who recieved Division I ratings at the solo dance competition. Senior Rachel Moser recieved a Division I rating as well as third place overall in the competition.

Mix 96 picks Strike, Dvorak as ‘Teacher of the Week’ Steve Ramsey Staff Writer

Rich Strike, a Cedar Falls math teacher, and Barry Dvorak, percussion instructor, have been selected as the Mix 96 “Teacher of the Week” as their third and fifth teacher selections. The “Teacher of the Week” award is presented every week to a teacher who has been nominated for the award.

Peter Marshall, a CF junior, nominated Strike for the award. “No matter how things go, he’s there to help in any way,” Marshall said.

The following year, Strike was deployed to Kosovo for the National Guard.

Marshall said he was surprised that a teacher would leave for a year to serve for his country.

Many students were eager about nominating all the band directors as well but chose Dvorak to represent their great band program.

“The Cedar Falls band directors are totally awesome and have a passion for what they do,” Dvorak’s nominator Chris Peck said.

Mix 96 Photo

Receiving his award from Mix 96’s Jamie Philips and Melody Judge is Barry Dvorak, one of the recipients of the ‘Teacher of the Week’ award. Dvorak was nominated for the award by Chris Peck.

Strike and Dvorak will receive a prize that is valued at over $100. They will also be invited to a banquet to be recognized where they could win some door prizes.

“It’s nice to receive it, but what makes it special is that it was nominated by a student,” Strike said of getting this award.

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OPINION

Our View Valley High students deserve praise for ‘Laramie Project’

In 1998, a 21 year-old homosexual student named Matthew Shephard was brutally murdered in Laramie, Wyo. Since then, a controversial play containing a collection of interviews from the aftermath of the murder has emerged. The play, entitled “The Laramie Project,” has received reactions that are as mixed as those following the hate crime itself.

Now, for the first time, the play has come to Iowa: Students at Valley High School in West Des Moines performed it last weekend to a sold out audience. Though censored for language, the play was not otherwise modified.

Not surprisingly, this performance in Des Moines has caused considerable uproar among concerned parents and anti-gay protesters. The protestors include notoriously outspoken activists from the Westbro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan.; the same activists, in fact, who tastelessly protested homosexuality at Shepherd’s funeral, as well as the funerals of many soldiers who have died in the War in Iraq, a war they believe results from God’s judgement on homosexuals in America.

Despite these far-reaching protestations, the student actors decided to go through with the play, and we commend them for their willingness to stand up for what they believe.

Though it can’t have been easy to ignore the uproar (both positive and negative) surrounding them, these students were able to make use of free speech in order to present their message. For a group of high-school students to face a much larger group of protesting adults, it clearly took bravery and a solid understanding of their rights.

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 Sports Editors-Josh Betts & Katy Schult Feature Editors-Briana McGeough & Willa Simmet On-Line Editors-David Jacobson & Olivia Schares

Sci-fi shows reveal surprisingly real emotions Torie Jochims Staff Writer

When you flip through the TV Guide looking for something good to watch, you might skip past the sci-fi section of the program guide thinking it has nothing to offer but things so far away in the stretches of the imagination that you couldn’t possibly get into the plot.

Oh, how wrong you could be.

If you think that sci-fi shows have nothing to offer, take a look at BattleStar Galactica.

The plot, while out there in some aspects (it has to be to be considered sci-fi) is a great show about humanity.

There are conflicts in sci-fi shows such as BattleStar Galactica just as there are in any other shows; they are just presented in a different way.

The premise of BattleStar Galactica goes something like this: nuclear fires caused the loss of billions of human lives, the only people that survived were those fortunate enough to be upon starships during the world’s untimely demise.

These survivors are led by the crew of the sole surviving battlestar Galactica.

The crew consists of Cylons, machines that look, think and feel like humans at a higher level.

Time progressed and eventually one of the main characters, Laura Roslin, went in search of the “lost 13th colony”—Earth.

As far out as this show may seem, the focus is not solely on that of the sci-fi aspects, just as crime investigation shows

are not focused solely on the crime.

BattleStar Galactica is about the people in the show, their feelings, their actions, their relationships.

Just as with any show, this one has conflict, romance and, despite its otherworldly aspects, it is about the characters and their journeys.

Still not convinced?

BattleStar Galactica is starting its third season, and it is quickly becoming critically acclaimed for the large fan base and simply the show itself.

I have only just started watching this show (one episode in to be exact), but it is interesting enough to keep me watching.

The very reason that people skip over sci-fi shows is possibly the most apparent reason to watch them.

The sci-fi that is infused into the plots keeps you on your toes, keeps your mind thinking out of the box, and keeps you wondering.

Not to mention that it makes for some killer cliffhangers.

The wonderful thing about sci-fi shows is that the out there things about them keep you watching because once you give them a chance, they really aren’t that far out there.

BattleStar Galactica airs Friday nights at 8 p.m. on the SciFi channel.

If you aren’t jumping up and down at a chance to watch BattleStar Galactica, that’s understandable, so here’s a few other sci-fi shows that I recommend.

Smallville is a great show for those of you who like superheroes out there.

It’s about Clark Kent in his teenage years, discovering his powers and delv-

ing into his relationships.

Fun plot twists arise and meteor freaks are the main bad guys for Clark as he starts his heroic acts early in life and tries to keep his secret.

While I highly recommend Smallville, beware that it is starting in its sixth season and could be slightly hard to follow. Smallville airs Thursday nights at 7 p.m. on the CW network.

Another great sci-fi show is Supernatural. As the title would suggest, this show is about the supernatural. It follows two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel in Dean’s classic ’67 Impala and hunt urban legends, searching for the demon that killed their mother and Sam’s girlfriend.

The research put into this show and the detail meticulously laid out makes it an immediate obsession.

The show also puts a huge emphasis on the relationship between the brothers, making the humanity of it all the more alluring.

Supernatural is starting its sophomore season and the boys are dealing with a tragic loss.

I recommend this show because it’s like a mini-horror movie every episode.

Supernatural airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. on the CW network.

Even if that’s not your cup of tea, pick one of them and tune in one night, you might be surprised to find yourself in a brand new fandom. Sci-fi, though it seems like an area for the stereotypical geek or nerd only, is actually a very fun, very exciting genre of television. Take a chance, try something new, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That’s a lot of stars. Imagine having that many snack packs. Bye, bye, world hunger.

I’m not even going to bother writing out how many planets that means this universe may contain because I am afraid that it will use up too much ink to print all of the zeros.

So, now that I have completely blown your mind as the little people in your brain frantically run around trying to comprehend that immense number, imagine what is out in that giant universe that we live in.

Well, to start off this topic, two questions. Number one: Do aliens exist?

Most likely. Knowing what you know now, how could you say otherwise? To think that we’re these little tiny beings in such a massive universe boggles the mind. To think that we are the only ones

in this universe is almost scarier than the thought that aliens exist. If there is no other life out there, then we are alone in a universe full of twists and turns that we could never full calculate.

Whatever happens to this universe, we’ll have to roll with the punches by ourselves. What a weird and scary thought. It is hard for me to believe that there is no one else out there.

Anyways, second question. Are aliens green and short? Do they have two very large black voids for eyes, and do they fly around in giant Frisbees making crop circles in Midwestern fields? Most likely not.

But hey, who am I to say? This universe is full of chances and coincidences, and I can’t wait to find out what this universe has in store for me and all of mankind alike.

Universe spins big questions for small planet Andrew Doyle Staff Writer

As I was sitting in astronomy one day, I got to thinking we are so small.

We live on Earth, duh, which is part of our solar system. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy, which contains more than 200 million other stars like our sun that also have planets surrounding them.

Our galaxy is part of at least 100 billion other galaxies in the universe, and 100 billion is such a large number.

Written out it looks something like this: 100,000,000,000.

As of this year, the observable universe is said to contain so many stars that they had to write it in scientific notation, that number being 7 x 10 to the 22nd power. But I’m not afraid to take chances, so I will write it out for you: 7

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Defense shines in Tiger 10-7 playoff victory against Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougars Josh Betts Sports Editor

When practice began in August for the Tiger football team, the goal was set to win a state championship. The Tigers have taken a couple huge steps en route to that goal: an 8-1 regular season record, a Mississippi Division championship and a berth to state playoffs. Their first round opponent would be a familiar conference foe. The Cougars of Cedar Rapids Kennedy. As they have done all season, the Tiger defense came up big in a 10-7 victory.

“It was a tough fought game,” Cedar Falls Co-Head Coach Brad Remmert said. “We knew they’d be able to move the ball. Points were hard to come by in this game.”

The Tiger defense stepped up from the opening series, as after Kennedy received to start the game, a Kennedy fumble by quarterback Guy Martino was recovered by Wes Grapp at the Kennedy 43.

“We’ve been in some close games,”

Remmert said. “Our defense knows how to respond (in pressure situations).”

Andrew Tindall capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Tigers. Tindall rushed for 208 yards in 46 carries in the victory.

“He (Tindall) has made steady improvement each week,” Remmert said.

“He did an outstanding job.”

In the second quarter, the Tiger defense would come up big again, as Scott Welter recovered a fumble after Martino was sacked. The Tiger offense would drive down the field, and with one second remaining in the half, Jason Goulden split the uprights on a 43-yard field goal to make 10-0 Tigers heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Kennedy would make things interesting, as with 2:53 to go in the third quarter, Kennedy running back Tim Johnson found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run to make it 10-7 Tigers. That would be the score after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Tiger defense showed why they are one of the best in the MVC, and possibly one of the best in the state, as the Tiger defense came up with turnovers on Jess Taylor Photo three Kennedy series In another example of the defensive skills of the Tigers from c o u r t e s y earlier in the season, these Tiger teammates lay the hurt on one of a Daniel of their Iowa City High opponents.

Twito fumble recovery, a John Landau fourth quarter. With the win, the Tigers interception and the final Kennedy moved on to play Cedar Rapids Xavier drive which netted negative two yards Monday night. Results were not availbefore the horn sounded to end the able at deadline.

Cedar Falls women’s swimming, diving team takes 5th at state swim meet in Marshalltown

Caitlin Glade Photo

Katy Schult Sports Editor

The Cedar Falls women’s swimming and diving team had a good night at the YWCA in Marshalltown on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

The diving team competed on Friday night, and did well having both divers place in the top 12. Sophomore diver Bethany Olson placed third with a score of 387.60. Also, senior diver Megan Schilling placed 12th with a score of 337.60.

In the 200-meter medley relay, the CFHS team placed eighth with a time of 1:54.48. The team consisted of (in order of swimming) senior Jackie Itzen, sophomore Erica Scullin, junior Joanie Panec and senior Josie Itzen.

The team came to State seeded with a time of 1:55.51.

The CFHS 400-meter freestyle relay placed eighth with a time of 3: 44.76.

The team consisted of (in order of swimming) senior Josie Itzen, sopho-

more Jessa Kukral, senior Jackie Itzen and sophomore Sarah Hedeen.

In the 200-meter freestyle race, senior Jackie Itzen placed 11th with a time of 1:59.93.

Itzen came to the state meet seeded with a time of 1:59.91.

Itzen also competed in the 500-meter freestyle race, placing fifth with a time of 5:16.09.

Senior Josie Itzen placed fourth in the 200-meter IM with a time of 2: 13.01, which is 1.51 faster than the time that she was seeded at. In the 100-meter freestyle race, Itzen came in 13th with a time of 54.96.

In the 50-meter freestyle race, junior Joanie Panec placed 21st with a time of 26.04. Also, in the 100-meter fly race Panec placed eighth with a time of 1: 01.42.

Sophomores Sarah Hedeen and Erica Scullin placed ninth and 10th respectively in the 100-meter breaststroke race. Hedeen had a time of 1: 10.81 while Scullin had a time of 1: 10.83.

Athlete Week of the

Megan Schilling Senior Diving

Senior member of the Cedar Falls women’s diving team, Megan Schilling competed at the state meet and placed 12th in the one-meter diving competition. She has been part of the diving team for three years. Schilling is also involved in Senior Leadership, conflict managers, student forum, Big House and LUG. 1. What is your favorite part of being on the team?

Definetly the team dinners and the van rides with the divers.

2. What are you future plans?

I’m planning on going to UNI for Athletic Training and maybe go on to Physical Therapy.

3.What goes through your mind as you prepare to dive?

I like to pretend I’m Kent Ferguson or Bethany Olson because they are both amazing. I mostly just tell myself to relax and point my toes.

4. What events do you compete in?

We do six dives in the Dual Meets and 11 dives on weeekend meets, Districts and State. There are five categories you have to cover: front, back, inward, reverse and twisters.

Tigers

Action

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Football (9-1) beat CR Kennedy 10-7 played CR Xavier Monday night Women’s Swimming placed 5th at state meet Women’s Basketball Practice Begins 11/6

Elle Frodsham Photo In a competition from earlier in the season, a Tiger swimmer competes in the backstroke race. The Tigers competed at the state meet in Marshalltown on Friday and Saturday, placing 5th overall.

Men’s Basketball, Wrestling, Men’s Swimming and Bowling Practices Begin on 11/13 Winter Sports Kickoff 11/14

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FEATURE stern Au tho r

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Teachers promote their favorite novels by authors from the Midwest

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Kim Traw

Brian Winkel

Ursula Hoegsberg

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain As a Missouri native, I simply can’t not list Huckleberry Finn as my favorite book set in the Midwest.

As Huck and Jim float down the Mississippi River, they encounter and discuss life, death, religion, violence, race, corruption, friendship and love. How midwestern can you get?!

Hard Times by Studs Terkel The work of Studs is mind blowing. If you want to really dig deep into the consciousness of the Great Depression, World War II, race, work, death, hope and more, pick up any Terkel book on these topics and enjoy the results of America’s greatest interviewer.

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley The author writes a very interesting account of farm life in the Midwest. Her descriptions of the landcsape are quite poetic and match the gentle beauty of the rolling hills in Iowa, but at the same time she also has a very realistic and rather stark look of some of the darker sides of rural farm life.

Series of mysteries by Ed Gorman I also enjoy the series of mystery books by Ed Gorman, an author living in Cedar Rapids. These books all star Sam McCain, a private investigator living in the fictional town of Black River Falls, Iowa (which is a lot like Cedar Falls) in the 1950’s. The books are all titled with 1950’s-60’s song titles like “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” and “Wake up, Little Susie.” They’re fun, light reads.

American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace by John Hyde and John C. Culver This is a fascinating biography of an Iowa hero who I believe is slowly slipping into obscurity. That’s sad.

Studs Terkel has said that the three greatest Americans of the 20th Century include Martin Luther King, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Henry A. Wallace. Not only was Wallace a fascinating man, but his ideas shaped many agricultural, economic, scientific, social and political policies that affect us to this day.

CFHS Media Specialist

Jennifer Paulsen English Teacher

Code 61 by Donald Harstad Vampires in northeast Iowa? Sure looks like it. After Edie Younger’s body is found drained of all blood, Sheriff Carl Houseman tries to root out the murderer of his friend’s niece from a sad nest of outcasts living in a remote country mansion. A creepy, haunting read of suspense and humor.

Tomcat in Love by Tim O’Brien Minnesota linguistics professor Thomas Chippering is obsessed with words, and more importantly, his own prowess with them. Hilariously deluded about his own attractiveness, he tracks in a little notebook every look, word and gesture indicating carnal interest from every woman he encounters. Haunted by the loss of his childhood love/wife, he vows revenge on Lorna Sue and the Tampa tycoon she’s living with. The funniest, most unreliable narrator I’ve ever read.

Broken Prey by John Sandford Sexy forty-something detective Lucas Davenport tracks a psychotic serial murderer throughout southern Minnesota while trying to solve the more elusive mysteries of understanding his plastic surgeon wife’s lacking of precision while driving and deciding the top 100 rock songs of all-time to buy for his iPod. Serious plot twists, dark characters, humorous banter over the top 100 with everyone he meets, this may be the best in the series.

Journalism Teacher

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.

Leopold has Iowa and Wisconsin roots, and his support for the importance of supporting healthy natural habitats is arguably the foundation of the entire conservation movement. When I think about how much I care about our natural world, he is where it all starts.

Catfish: A Handbook of Strategies by Doug Stange.

Stange taught science in Sibley, Iowa, where I graduated from high school, and in his outdoor writing, he used experiences from his angling adventures right near Sibley. These humble roots eventually led him to become the editor-in-chief of In-Fisherman, the biggest and most informative fishing information resource in the world. This humble book is co-authored with Toad Smith, the owner of a Sibley bait shop who’s since died but lives on in the lore of crafty catfish anglers around the country. By the way, if bass are your bag, try New Hampton-native Tim Holschlag’s Smallmouth Fly Fishing, and if trout are the target, Wisconsin’s Rich Osthoff has the superb No Hatch to Match.

In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien For fiction, I’m a big fan of North Dakota native Louise Erdrich, especially the series that began with the National Book Award-winning, Love Medicine, but for this, I’m going to pick Tim O’Brien from Worthington, Minn, a town just across the border and 20 minutes from where I graduated from high school.

His award-winning books feature both Minnesota and Vietnam veteran roots, and it’s hard to pick just one of his titles, but I think In the Lake of the Woods is a pretty haunting book.

German Teacher

Barn Blind by Jane Smiley This book is particularly suited for young persons, since the story deals with the upbringing of several kids at different ages, personalities and needs in their life. The mother of the family is very committed to raising and training race horses and seems to devote her entire life to the horse farm and expects the rest of the family to accept her values and priorities. The story shows—sometimes in humorous ways, sometimes with a tragic outcome—how the children deal with their mother’s demands on them and at times with her lack of affection for them.

Postville by Stephen Bloom Stephen Bloom is originally from California but teaches now at the University of Iowa and has written a fascinating and true account of the small Iowa town of Postville. In his book he describes the cultural clash of two very diverse groups, which you would expect in a big city like New York but not in a rural setting like Postville. A group of the most orthodox Jews has bought up a meat packing plant and turkey plant to raise cattle and turkeys in order to distribute kosher meat throughout America. As a result of his book, Iowa Public TV aired a program showing that the cultural diversity and problems that come with it has now a third dimension through the Mexican families that have moved to Postville to work in the meat plant.

Welcome to the Great Mysterious by Lorna Landvik This book has very funny scenes but with a very serious background. It is a very sensitive treatment of a young boy who is suffering from Down’s Syndrome.

When his aunt from New York, who is a famous singer and actress, comes to babysit for him, we are part of the trials and tribulations of their growing and developing relationship.

Your Oasis on Flame Lake by Lorna Landvik This book is a fast read about a girl in an all-boy basketball team. Your Oasis on Flame Lake addresses the problems of high schoolers.