Oct 4, 2006 hi line

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1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, IA 50613

RAMP:

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

Graphic Growth Not only are graphic novels winding up in more hands and Hollywood movie adaptations, their colorful stories are saturating the halls and classes of the high school.

Alice Peck Painting

Volume 47 Edition 3

See OPINION page

New academic program meets needs of students

Katie Lee Staff Writer

Sixteen students. Five teachers. One classroom.

There’s a new class at the high school this year known as the Reading and Math Program (RAMP). During fourth hour, these juniors head to class to learn about reading, math, relationship and leadership skills.

RAMP aims to provide the students with instruction in both reading and math so that their level of achievement within tests such as the ITEDs can increase; however, it also addresses more than just those subjects.

“More importantly, our long term goal is to provide the kids with the support they need for lifelong skills, both academic and relationship wise, that will help them down the road,” Dr. Tracy Johns, an instructor and leader of RAMP, said.

The five instructors of the program, Johns, Diane Flaherty, Susan Considine, Troy Slater and Rich Strike, have volunteered their prep time to lead the program.

“That says a lot about the willingness of our staff,” Principal Dr. Rich Powers, a supporter of

RAMP, said. “All five teachers are really committed to giving this our best effort because it’s all about the kids,” Johns added. “Not many teachers have had the opportunity to collaborate with four others.”

A similar class is planned for next semester consisting of sophomores. According to Johns, plans for the future are subject to change, however, depending on the results of the semesterlong program.

“I see us expanding our support to all of the students in the future,” Powers said.

The biggest challenge in the program was just in introducing the new class to the students and conveying that the class would be worth their time to enjoy and benefit from.

“While initially hesitant to get involved, it’s changed in the last four weeks; the students are in class consistently and engaged,” Johns said.

“These students have a great deal of potential, but we just needed a way to tap into it.”

Despite being a new program, RAMP has already had some positive feedback.

“It’s a model program showing how we need to be creative and flexible to meet all of our students’ needs,” Powers said.

Joining students from all around the country on the national See You at the Pole day, these 15 students met at the CFHS flag pole before school on Wednesday, Sept. 27 to offer their prayers. The group is currently debating whether to continue its intercessing efforts every third Wednesday of upcoming months.

Band marches to state contest Steve Ramsey Staff Writer

The CFHS marching band started practicing in August and has been working hard ever since. The band practices during fourth hour every day along with the color guard who also has evening practices.

This Saturday, Oct.7, the band will perform at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Contest. The performance will be held at Central Middle School in the Waterloo Memorial Stadium. People are encouraged to attend the show.

Gerald Ramsey, one of the band directors, said this is the only performance the band gives that is not in an “echo chamber” like their usual performances at the UNI Dome.

The kids have really been working hard this year with drum majors Megan Christie, Brandi Hatfield and

Nirmeen Fahmy. The three went to a drum major clinic at the beginning of the summer to train for their upcoming season.

Laura Engelhardt, color guard director, has also been preparing with

Other Music Dates to Remember Monday, Oct. 9: Orchestra Concert 7:30 p.m. in the CFHS auditorium

Monday, Oct. 16: Vocal Music Concert 7:30 p.m. in the CFHS auditorium her members for the performance. She said she realizes the time committment the girls set aside for the season shows their dedication while being busy with other fall activites.

Katy Schult Photo

Pole Position

Last year at contest, the marching band got a Division I rating, which is the highest rating given. “We did very well,” said Kyle Engelhardt, the other band director, who also designed this and last year’s marching drill.

Engelhardt also said the band is trying to focus on preparation for contest and to remain focused for the last two games after contest.

“A big part of the work is cleaning our marching drill,” Ramsey said. Ramsey said that by the end of the week, students should have all three pieces memorized.

This year’s show includes “Distorted” from Cirque du Soleil and “Beautiful” and “King Kong Finale” from the latest King Kong movie.

Logan Vander Wiel is featured on trumpet along with Nicole Hershey and Nana Simpson from the color guard on “Beautiful.”

Layin’ Down the Law

Junior chosen to represent CFHS in Des Moines Ellen Wrede Staff Writer

What junior Arusha Afzal says could become law.

At the recent Youth Civic Participation Project (YCPP) selection meeting, Afzal was elected to be the Cedar Falls representative. The YCPP is a 100member student congress from all over Iowa, with its representatives elected by the minority members in their schools. This is the project’s first year, so it is still in the experimental phase.

“We discuss problems that minorities face, maybe in the school, maybe in the community,” Afzal said Afzal was elected after a landslide of votes: she got 28, and the next highest person got 12.

“I’m glad I was elected as the representative because I find this to be an excellent opportunity. I get to meet people from all over Iowa, and we get to help each other with our ideas,” Afzal said.

During the regular sessions, the members sometimes get to meet with

members of the Iowa House of Representatives.

“I like the opportunity to meet the representatives and give them all the help I can,” Afzal said.

YCPP Manager Melissa Esquivel started this program from scratch.

“There’s not much minority representation in the state,” Esquivel said.

“There are high drop out and high incarceration rates and low home ownership.”

Right now, there are no other states that have this type of program, though people from Kansas have called to find out more.

Since the project is brand new, the goals are still a little foggy, yet they have a definite destination in mind: the legislators.

“The students will introduce three measures to the legislators while they are in session,” Esquivel said.

Afzal will join the other YCPP members in the House Chambers and at Drake University in Des Moines for two days in December to begin her duties as the Cedar Falls representative.

Tiger

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Our View

OPINION

E.coli scare creates additional reason to support ‘Buy Fresh, Buy Local’ Less than two weeks ago, the Inside Scoop, a locally owned ice-cream shop and café, was closed after a failed attempt to contend in Cedar Falls’ increasingly corporate competition. Even with growing awareness for the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” initiative in the Cedar Valley, the inevitable loss of this local business proves that small restaurants cannot stand unsupported by consumers. We believe the loss of yet another local restaurant to lack of business should be a wake-up call for anyone who hates to see these shops fall by the corporate wayside. And though supporting local business has always been (economically and socially) important, it has never been more beneficial than it is right now. With the alarm surrounding the spread of E.coli in spinach and other earth-grown vegetables, having access to those who grow your food (as is the case in all “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” restaurants), is essential to reducing access to this harmful bacteria.

In the past few weeks, over 100 Americans have been infected with a harmful strain in the E. coli bacteria, which is caused by contaminated or carelessly handled food — in this case, spinach.

Naturally, vegetables can be poorly handled regardless of where they are grown. By buying from “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” businesses, however, you have almost as much access to those who make your food as you would at the weekly Farmer’s Market.

Not only do you know that the product is being grown in Iowa (no one in the state was infected in the current outbreak), but you can also contact the farmers with any questions about the preparation of their products.

By eating local, you are now not only protecting small businesses like the Inside Scoop, but potentially protecting your own health as well. In case you needed another incentive to eat at locally owned business, protection of your own well-being can serve that purpose.

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

Could You Live Off a Dollar a Day?

Junior recalls childhood memories in Nepal When I mention I was born in Nepal, very few know what or where I’m talking about. Nepal is a small country, home to the Himalayas, sandwiched between India and China. The breathtaking mountainous terrain and enormous waterfalls are all part of this SouthAsian Third World country. Mike and Diane Heindl, my parents, worked as missionaries there for 11 years of their lives, about nine of my own. Mom worked as a doctor opening clinics and leprosy hospitals, while my dad worked as an engineer in hydropower plants. Growing up half way around the world, I came to realize how extremely fortunate we are in the United States; something that I honestly think most of us take for granted.

If you’re like me, you’re not constantly up to date with the news about other countries, because, hey, it’s not us, why should we care? Of course that opinion is absurd, but many of us do tend to skim over material unless it’s about the war in Iraq or some huge trauma in our own nation.

Imagine living off $1 a day. That’s it. I know I couldn’t do it; my daily Starbucks trips cost over triple that, but that is what most Nepalese spend in 24

hours. Home of the poorest Asian country, Nepalese people most commonly work in agriculture because of the rain Honor Heindl during the Staff Writer monsoons.

They work hard to produce two or three crops per year on ribbons of land terraced upon the side of a mountain.

Literally none of the people have clear, safe water to consume. Water must be boiled or filtered to remove bacteria and giardia. Water isn’t even available in most mud homes. It must be carried in pots from rivers or community taps, up to a mile away. The children in most rural areas are poorly educated and malnourished. Over 50 percent of the children are underweight.

Maoists, for the past 10 years, have been raging their own civil war against the country’s Hindu government. Many teenagers and kids have been kidnapped for sessions in

“Maoist education” and dragged off into the civil war effort, forced into killing or being killed. Rural villages have been turned into homes of old women and very young children, as others are kidnapped or flee to avoid terror. However, just this year, there is finally some hope for a sustained ceasefire and new, more representative government. The King has lost most of his power, so kids are going back to doing field work and house-hold chores all day, and the lucky ones are back in reopened schools. The challenges that still face the country are monumental, something similar to trying to summit Mt. Everest.

I think, sometimes, we forget to worry about the other half of the world; the half that doesn’t live in nice homes and own over two vehicles per family. We get so caught up in our own problems (grades, winning the football game, money for new jeans) that we completely forget there are millions that have it so much worse than us.

Let’s take up the challenge to think outside our comfort zone. And just maybe, realizing the pain that so many suffer, will impact our hearts to work for change.

Newest torture provision pardons past violations of Geneva Conventions The torture debate has not ceased its upward spiral in American politics since it was incited a couple years ago

by Sen. John McCain. The Republican senator began his campaign soon after the initial surfacing of the infamous Abu Ghraib photographs, which portrayed American soldiers torturing prisoners at the Iraqi prison. Two years later, he’s still angry — and for good reason.

Though he managed to bring muchneeded attention to the issue, the tolerance toward torture in American warfare has moved in the opposite direction from what he intended.

Since its introduction, the torture legislation has been altered repeatedly.

Certain terms like “terrorist” and “torture” have been broadened to encompass a wider range of people and allow a wider range of interrogation, and vice president Dick Cheney has proposed a controversial bill to exclude the CIA from certain torture laws. And now, the newest “compromise bill” (created in part by Sen. McCain) has been passed

by the Senate. It features several other alterations, including a generally overlooked provision

by President Bush Sheila Moussavi to protect Editor-in-Chief any government official from being charged for human rights violations over the past 10 years. In other words, now that the bill has passed, the current administration is not only permitted to engage in torture from this point on without facing charges, but it cannot be held responsible for any breaches of the Geneva Conventions that may have taken place since the Iraq War began.

Though the point remains that torture is virtually inexcusable in a democracy like ours, this new provision adds an entirely different element to

the debate. After all, as a recent editorial in the Des Moines Register pointed out, this has little to do with the future of American affairs, and everything to do with clearing up the past.

While we were busy untangling the intricate points of the issue, the current administration found a way to casually excuse all previous violations of the Geneva Conventions before the upcoming election. By doing so, they have created irrefutable protection in case a new party takes control of the House and Senate and intends to ask questions.

Unfortunately, in addition to broadening the definition of torture for the future, this legislation bought the current administration forgiveness for previous violations of standing codes.

In the meantime, we’ve learned (the hard way) the true meaning of “compromise:” what we thought was a relatively simple debate on the morality of torture was actually an opportunity for the administration’s self-protective agenda to be passed unnoticed.

Tiger

HI-LINE The

SPORTS

After placing second at Marcussen Invite last Saturday,

Women’s swim team readies for last meets, postseason

Athlete Week

Katy Schult

of the

Sports Editor

After taking second place in the Marcussen Invite at home last Saturday, the CFHS women’s swim team is building strengths for the last meets of the season.

The team is currently ranked seventh out of nearly 56 teams in the state, with most of the team consisting of first-year swimmers. Compared to last year’s state champions whose team consisted of a lot of veterans, this is a big change for the team.

Although there are five or six swimmers and divers, the team is doing little by little to improve, with the state meet in mind.

The 18 swimmers and seven divers show dedication in their swimming as they have two practices a day. The team practices in the morning before school and in the evening, six days a week for the season.

Some of Cedar Fall top performers are seniors Jackie Itzen and Josie Itzen, junior Joanie Panec and sophomores Jessa Kukral and Beth Olson.

Jackie Itzen is an all around good swimmer; she has a time of 1:59.55 in the 200-yard freestyle. Josie Itzen is a good IM swimmer and holds a 2:14.90 in the 200 IM, which leaves her in the top three. Panec is in the top 10 women

Barry Firman Junior Golfer

To whom do you attribute most of your golf skills?

“I just practiced a lot during the summer. Most of my mental game has come from my coach.”

How do you cope with the increased pressure of each hole when you are having a great round?

“I just think about every shot individually and try not to get ahead of myself.”

What’s the strongest part of your game?

“Driving.”

Elle Frodsham Photo Senior member of the Cedar Falls Women Swim team, Jackie Itzen talks to coach Dick Marcussen at the annual Marcussen Invite at home last Saturday. The Cedar Falls team finished second overall in the meet. in the 100-yard butterfly, with a time of meet. We always aim at the state meet. looks to improve more as the season 1:01.66. A CFHS diver that is leading The other meets are building blocks progresses. With only three meets left the way for the team is Olson. Olson is to progress,” Coach Dick Marcussen before the regional and state meets, the in the top three for the 1-meter diving, said. team still has some time to improve with a score of 372.65.

The team has improved since times and scores, and move up in the “We are progressing each and every the beginning of the season and still team rankings.

Blanchard, women’s cross country win Metro

Caitlin Glade Photo

Josh Betts Sports Editor

The Tiger women’s cross country team looked for a good finish in the Metro Meet to propel them into the MVC Super Meet this week, and the home stretch of the season.

The good finish they needed, they got.

The Tigers placed three runners in the top five, and six in the top 10 en route to the metro championship last Thursday at Irv Warren Park in Waterloo.

“We all performed very well,” junior Katrina Bauer said. “We all enjoyed that meet.”

The field was paced by Tiger junior Leah Blanchard, who set a new metro meet record with a time of 14:36, finishing 12 seconds ahead of Shannon

McKenna of NU. Other Tiger runners placing in the top 25 were Kelsey Davis, placing third with a time of 15:04, Paige Hersom placing fourth with a time of 15: 10, Summer Anderson placing sixth with a time of 15:49, Kristin Hammer placing seventh in a time of 16:13, Liz Bauer placing eighth with a time of 16: 18 and Alissa Llewellyn placing fifteenth in a time of 17:23. Cedar Falls won the meet with 21 points, Waterloo West was second with 60 points, NU High was third with 67 points and Columbus-Don Bosco was fourth with 88 points.

The Tigers now prepare for the upcoming MVC Super Meet to be held at Birdsall Park tommorow at 3:30 p.m.

“It would mean a lot to us (to win Super Meet),” Bauer said. “I think we will all try very hard to do our best.”

Will Tiger Woods catch Jack Nicklaus’s record?

“Yeah, because he can play for many years to come.”

Tigers

Action

in

Football (4-1) beat Linn-Mar 38-0 Next Up: Waterloo West 10/6 (Away at 7:30 p.m.)

Men’s Cross Country placed 1st out of five at Metro Meet Next Up: MVC Super Meet 10/5 (Home at 3:30 p.m.)

Women’s Cross Country placed 4th at Metro Meet Next Up: MVC Super Meet 10/5 (Home at 3:30 p.m.)

Women’s Swimming Placed 2nd at Marcussen Invite Next Up: Iowa City High 10/10 (Home at 6:00 p.m.)

Volleyball competed at CR Prairie tournament played vs. Dubuque Hempstead last night Next Up: Linn-Mar 10/10 (Away at 5:30 p.m.)

Alissa Llewellyn Photo

Pictured from earlier in the season is junior Leah Blanchard leading sophomore Paige Hersom. Blanchard set a new record in the Metro Meet at Irv Warren Park in Waterloo.

Men’s Golf placed 1st in Metro Meet Next Up: State Meet 10/6-10/7 (Away at TBA)

Tiger

HI LINE The

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FEATURE

Graphic Novels:

Recommended Graphic Novels: 1. Blankets

by Craig Johnson 2. Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi 3. Ghost World

by Daniel Clowes 4. Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth

by Chris Ware

5. Palestine

by Joe Sacco

Adam Zinda Staff Writer

A

n eight-year-old boy flopped on his bed, feet in the air, on page seven of his Spiderman comic book is the picture painted in our minds of the comic book readers of our fathers’ generation.

Comic books have made a triumphant return. But this time, instead of eightyear-old boys going to the corner gas station to spend a quarter on a weekly comic, teenagers and adults are going to bookstores and paying around $25 for hardcover or paperback glorified comic books, which are known as graphic novels.

Graphic novels are lengthy books with complex story lines, done in a comic book style. They combine the visual aspect of comic books with the thoroughness in plot of novels.

Several graphic novels, such as V for Vendetta and Sin City, have been turned into highly successful motion pictures.

There are currently 122 graphic novels in the CFHS library. The selection process for graphic novels is

Old-fashioned comics

get a brand-new facelift

usually based on student recommendations and published reviews.

“We usually receive a magazine that has reviews in it, and we usually lean closer to what receives the higher reviews,” CFHS librarian Kelly Stern said.

One of the graphic novels in the CFHS library achieved a status of exceptional literary merit. Maus, a graphic novel about a Polish Jew’s struggle to survive the holocaust, received a prestigious Pulitzer Prize Special Award.

Graphic novels have also found their way into CFHS English classrooms. One class, Modern Literature includes a graphic novel unit in its curriculum.

“Students who are already visual learners enjoy the visual aspect of graphic novels, and students who are not visual learners get the challenge of navigating through the pictures,” CFHS English teacher Jennifer Paulsen said.

Feature Editor Briana McGeough contributed to this article

In one of her many successful attempts at replicating Roy Lichtenstein artwork, CFHS junior Alice Peck creates a comic book-styled painting.

Art festivals provide opportunities for young artists Kellie Petersen Staff Writer

For some people, art isn’t just a personal hobby; it is something they want to share with the community.

One of these people would be Robb Klassen, a CFHS senior. Although he has displayed his photography in many places throughout the community, such as Cup of Joe, the Lamppost and Metahome in Iowa City, the first annual ARTapalooza festival was his first time displaying his photography at an art festival.

“I like the format of art festivals and would even like to see more in Cedar Falls,” Klassen said.” It is very important to recognize local artists and I think that ARTapalooza had done a good job of achieving this.”

Besides its art festivals, Cedar Falls has a variety of other opportunities for young and emerging artists to get their art out in the community.

Mary Huber, Director of the Hearst

Center for the Arts and the Cultural Division Manager for Cedar Falls, suggested that one of the first steps aspiring artists take is to create a portfolio.

A portfolio can be on a DVD or CD and should contain the artist’s name, year of birth, titles of the works included as well as the year they were completed, the dimensions of each piece and the media that each piece is in. There should be about eight-12 images, and the portfolio should also include a brief artist biography and an artist statement.

An artist statement describes why an artist creates his or her work. Contact information like an e-mail address and phone number is essential.

When looking for places to display their work, Huber suggested that artists be creative. Places that have not displayed art before would probably be willing to do so. The artist should call the possible place and set up an interview. Huber said to be persistent—but not pushy, if a gallery is unwilling to display an artist’s work, they can prob-

ably not be persuaded to change their minds.

Huber recommends that a young or emerging artist try to find a mentor in an established artist if possible.

“More input is always better. It’s kind of hard sometimes for artist’s to step back from their work,” Huber said.

Once a young artist is prepared to display his or her art, there are quite a few opportunities to do so in Cedar Falls. The Magic on Main exhibit, which takes place early each summer, is one of these opportunities. This exhibit features work by junior high- and high school-aged artists. The pieces for the show are chosen by art teachers and are displayed in the windows of downtown businesses. They are judged by area professionals, and cash prizes are provided by the sponsor, First National Bank. Community Mainstreet executive director, Carry Darrah said that this is a good opportunity for students to share their talent and for people to get

to see their work.

Darrah also said that Cedar Falls is an accepting environment for art.

This was something that senior Rachel Moser agreed with when she had her fashion show last year.

The “Developing Expressions” exhibit at the Hearst Center is yet another opportunity for students and young artists to have their art displayed. In this exhibit, teachers are also the ones who select which pieces will be displayed.

Art from the elementary to senior high level is displayed.

There are usually about 300 pieces from public and parochial schools as well as home school entries.

Huber said that she would even want to have two “Developing Expressions” exhibits if it was not for their limited resources.

She said that it is very important to provide opportunities for young artists It is an adult’s responsibility to provide these opportunities.

There are not only opportunities

for student artists, however. The Iowa Arts Council provides grants to aspiring artists who want to display their works but need financial assistance for supplies or help in preparing the works for display.

There may also be some non-profit organizations or institutions who may be willing to fund artists.

Another opportunity would be the Hearst Centers “First 50” exhibit. This exhibit has been held for two years and is for artists 18 years or older. In the “First 50” exhibit, the first 50 artists that show up with their art to be displayed will automatically have the opportunity to do so.

Whether or not you are still a student artist, Huber summed up the impact that art can have on a person. “I think that in Cedar Falls our students, especially at the senior high level, can take what they learned and move ahead with it into the future.”