Tiger Hi-Line The
Volume 48 Edition 4
Homecoming Highlights High school dance team member senior Ashley O’Neall shows her school spirit during last week’s homecoming festivities. For more pictures of homcoming turn to the Feature page.
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Hell Week vandalism creates costly damages, threatens existence of future homecomings Kellie Petersen News Editor
Along with the success of last week’s homecoming, the high school once again experienced acts of vandalism, which this year included a bomb threat and returned the shadow what’s commonly referred to as “Hell Week.” “I think this puts a damper on many student’s homecoming experiences, and I think that’s unfortunate, “ CFHS principal Dr. Rich Powers said. The first instance of vandalism occurred during the night on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Powers was reluctant to provide details such as who was involved and what exactly happened because the police are still investigating, but doors were broken, paint was splashed on the front entries and the Five Pillars of Character, and all of the exterior locks were glued as a part of these acts of vandalism. A bomb threat was also painted on the door to the lobby that had been damaged, and there may also have been paint on other areas of the building. Although police investigations into these acts of vandalism are still occurring, Powers said that it appeared that the acts were committed by two separate groups of people. “We’re still investigating, so you need to know the full extent of each person’s involvement before charges are filed,” Powers said. Because the vandalism was still being investigated, Powers said he was unsure of what the punishment would be for the vandals and whether or not charges would be filed, but he did say that if arrests or long term suspensions were appropriate, then the school district would press charges and impose long term suspensions. The vandalism and bomb threat that occurred on Tuesday night were not the sole incidents associated with Hell Week. On Friday morning a spray painted message bearing a derogatory reference to the Cedar Falls police was found on an area of the school, but again exact details could not be given. Coronation was also interrupted on Thursday night
Briana McGeough Photo
A door to the front lobby had to be covered with cardboard prior to being repaired after the incidents of Hell Week vandalism that occurred. by a student streaker and there were several other incidents throughout the week, all of which Powers also declined to provide details. The damages caused by the vandalism on Tuesday night are estimated at $1,500. “It costs a significant amount of staff time and energy,” Powers said regarding the vandalism. He said that the students that committed the vandalism would be expected to pay for all costs, including the labor for the clean-up process, but he also said that if the students could not pay the bill, then it would go to the school. “Ultimately, the taxpayers pay for everything that can’t be recovered,” Powers said. “This goes back to being responsible with the tax payers’ money.” Powers also commented on the effects the cost of vandalism damages has on the school systems’ budget when he said, “Over the years, the cost of damages have taken thou-
sands of dollars away from students.” Although there was vandalism and other incidents that occurred as a part of Hell Week, the school system did have an increased level of security that may have contributed to deterring other incidents. Powers mentioned that there were increased custodial security checks, increased police coverage and letters sent to surrounding homes warning of suspicious behavior. He added that teachers made it a major point to discuss Hell Week with their students. Student Senate and Senior Leadership addressed the issue, and Powers made a schoolwide announcement about Hell Week and positive behavior to deter incidents from happening. “Prior to homecoming week, Student Senate constantly encouraged our members to share our views on hell week vandalism in order to prevent any from occurring with our fellow classmates,” Student Senate president and senior Nirmeen Fahmy said. Powers said that this year many students have stepped up positively in reporting Hell Week incidents, and that it is even more disappointing for that reason because the actions of a few students are ruining it for everyone else. “Some students are making it so that we have no choice but to cancel it in the future,” Powers said. He also added that “Frankly, I think the community would be supportive. They’ve had enough.” Fahmy disagreed with the idea that canceling homecoming because of Hell Week incidents would be best option. “I do not think that threatening to take away homecoming would be adequate at all, it would be punishing the whole student body for something only a couple careless students committed. As long as who is responsible is held accountable, there should be no need in punishing the whole school.” Regarding how this year’s incidents would affect future homecomings, Powers said, “We’re still discussing it; it would be irresponsible to continue if things don’t improve dramatically.”
Two seniors kick off new eco club this week Megan Pattee Staff Writer
While many students idly watch as global warming increases in severity, some can chose to take a stand and make a difference. A group formed at the high school late last year, Green Project CFHS, focuses on environmental issues that are happening in our school, community and ultimately our world. “Environmental issues continue to become politically and emotionally charged, so it is important that youth are informed so their voice be heard and that they are not mislead by emotional tactics in the media,” CFHS science teacher and Green Project adviser Debbie Paulsen said. Founded by senior co-presidents Ashley Vonderhaar and Olivia Schares as part of their independent study in Paulsen’s ecology class, Green Project CFHS is based on the group at UNI that shares its name. Green Project’s first event will be tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in room 137. This kickoff event will be a potluck and mocktail mixer and carbon-friendly potluck. “We want to focus on events that people will learn from and can have fun with,” Vonderhaar said. Green Project CFHS will have a couple meetings per month, one after school and one at night, and at least one exciting event. All of their events are open to all CFHS students and community members. “You can find us and our schedule on Facebook, and we will be collecting e-mails at our first event,” Schares said. “This is something all of us can take action toward ... I can’t convince Kim Jong II to stop making nuclear weapons, but I can sort my plastics and take them to the recy-
cler,” Paulsen said. “The health of our environment directly affects the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, etc. So essentially, when the environment is sick, our health—and that of future generations—is at risk. Not only that, but the consequences of global climate change are far more frightening and devastating that most people even realize. Think extreme weather, countless climate refugees, rising insect levels, rampant disease; these are all realities future generations will face if we do not make drastic changes now,” Schares said. Schares and Vonderhaar have a lot of goals for Green Project CFHS this year. A few of the bigger goals include adopting a highway, producing a recycled fashion show and hosting a viewing of An Inconvenient Truth, The Day After Tomorrow or Who Killed the Electric Car? Other events will include informational sessions with speakers, carbonfriendly potlucks (this just means that few greenhouse gases were emitted in the production and shipment of the food—that means vegetarian or vegan foods that are organic and/or local), hiking, biking, snowshoeing, canoeing or just hanging out in nature. “We will also be tailgating before football games, collecting recyclables like soda cans and water bottles, and we will carpool to different environmental events and conferences in the community and around the state,” Schares said. Schares and Vonderhaar also plan to speak with the administration regarding the consideration of a wind turbine to power Cedar Falls High School. “Wind turbines produce no carbon emissions whatsoever and usually pay for themselves in just months,” Schares said. “We hope the school and community can become as passionate about these projects as we are.”