The
TIGERS AT STATE
Tiger HI-LINE
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016
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Volume 57 Edition 1
Tiger Nation wrestling with reputation after reactions from early football games The student section is showing its school spirit this fall; however, criticism regarding sportsmanship has sparked controversy at recent games. Several members of the section have witnessed particular behavior that has upset other schools as well as administration. Senior Alexis Lewis said, “I went to a home game, and the student section kept cursing at the other team. We are also so disrespectful to the band, color guard and even our own players.” While some attendants of the football games have reported exposure to inappropriate expressions, other members say that the claims have been dramaticized. Student Body President Julie Jorgensen said, “I think it is taken out of context sometimes. I went to the Fort Dodge game, and I didn’t see half of the things that the Fort Dodge district claimed we did. However, there were times where I thought our word choices could have been better.”
The conflict continued outside the stadium as rival schools posted comments on social media claiming the CFHS student section lacked sportsmanship and was “disrespectful.” Jorgensen said, “It is embarrassing to see how students from other schools talk about our high school, and it brings me to shock to see what we respond back with. No matter what side you are on in the argument, it’s just not professional to post rude things to other schools.” Whether allegations contain authenticity or not, the predominantly negative reputation the student section has acquired from other schools has caused some to feel indifferent. Senior and student senate member Olivia Habinck said, “I don’t like being known as the worst high school student section in Iowa. If you ask people from other high schools who are at games, they will tell you that we are rude and disrespectful to others. It is embarrassing.”
Despite negative connotations associated with the student section, several students have declared that any controversial behavior has been done for entertainment and comedic purposes. Student section leader Briggs Collum said, “I don’t think someone would purposely swear and be serious at the games. It’s just a joke, if anything.” In agreement, senior Ben Fox added, “It is just the nature of the game, and it’s fun. If you don’t like how football games may go, you don’t have to come.” Though not intentional, members of the community and other schools have often associated the student section with the school in it’s entirety, as well as administration. Jorgensen said, “I believe that the student section has a definite responsibility in representing our school. Obviously, I don’t believe it is the only thing representing Cedar Falls High School, but we have a pretty big reputation that we must uphold.” Senior Andrew Smiley added, “No matter what, people are going to
think the student section represents the whole school, but we actually don’t.” In order to combat negative comments that have been made about the student section, one student believes the responsibility now lies within the upperclassmen leaders. Habinck said, “The people in the crowd that are in MVP, student senate or leadership should step up. Also, the leaders of Tiger Nation need to be more positive than negative at games.” Though changes in the attitudes of student section members may help, others suggest to choose one’s seat wisely at the games. Upperclassmen Hayden Clausen said, “If you do not like what has been claimed to happen in the student section, don’t sit there. If you just want to come and watch the players, there are thousands of seats in the Dome. You can sit wherever you want.” By Staff Writer Maddie
PALMERSHEIM
Peet group providing support for young women For the past four years, Peet has been providing an environment for girls in seventh-ninth grades to be themselves — a place that has been lovingly labeled L.E.A.D., standing for Loving Everything About Differences. This year, more than 100 girls signed up for the Tigertime enrichment. Rebecca Lins, one of Peet’s two counselors and the teacher of the enrichment, said she knows what it means to her. “[L.E.A.D. is] an opportunity to meet with and empower young women in terms of self-confidence, body image, self-expression, character and leadership development,” she said. Emma DeWitt and Sabrina Leistikow are ninth graders at Peet who have both been in the group ever since their seventh grade years. They say that they have become better people through the program, and that it was one of the best decisions that they have ever made. “I think a major thing girls still struggle with is self-confidence, and I don’t think it’s something you can get rid of, but you can definitely improve on it,” DeWitt said. And this year, they are focusing on just that. The group aims to have a month where they hone in on self confidence. They are aiming to talk about “loving your selfie” and the effects of social media on body image. “I think society has made us think we have to be a certain cookie cutter
Peet counselor in running for national honor
Deep in the center of the administrative offices at Peet Junior High is a small windowless office. But it is one of the happiest and most inspirational places of Peet. The quaint office is bursting with bright blues and pinks. “Dream big” and “Be brave” inspirational artwork cover the walls. This office belongs to Rebecca Lins, who has been honored as one of Iowa’s best school counselors and now is competing to be the best school counselor in America. Like her office, she “lights up the room” and is “encouraging and motivating” according to ninth grader Rachel Brokenshire. In 2015, Lins received the Iowa School Counselor of the Year award (middle school level). This year, she is representing Iowa for the American School Counselor of the Year.
For Lins, school counseling has always been her path. “I became a school counselor because I grew up knowing I wanted to work with kids, empowering them and helping them through the good and hard times,” Lins said. Now in her 11th year as a school counselor, she has made a career of inspiring people every day. “I felt like being a school counselor was my way of making a difference and hopefully making a positive impact,” Lins said. Peet ninth grader Emma DeWitt has felt the impact of Lins’ teaching from the beginning. “I can’t imagine my experience at Peet without her because not only has she helped me become a better leader, but any time I have a problem, I know I can turn to her for help and assistance,” DeWitt said. Lins has been in Cedar Falls her
whole life. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 2000 and went to University of Northern Iowa for a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling. As a part of being a counselor, she is the leader of two groups in Peet. The women’s leadership group LEAD (Loving Everything About Differences) and student council. Many students are involved in these groups to become better leaders at Peet. “I think one of the coolest things about Mrs. Lins is that she’s always thinking of others, and how she can make our school a better place,” DeWitt said. “She’s so dedicated to student council and making sure we improve our school in every possible way we can. She challenges us to think outside the box, and I’m very grateful for her because without her, our school wouldn’t
be the same.” As Lins flies to Washington, D.C., for the award finals in January 2017, all of her students will be here supporting her. “Award or not, Mrs. Lins is the best counselor I could ever ask for, and she’ll always be that in my heart,” Brokenshire said. “Out of all the jobs in the world, she chose to be a school counselor, and I feel so blessed that out of the schools she works at, she works at mine. Just the fact that she wanted to be a school counselor shows the kind, caring heart she has, and I will forever feel honored that I got to meet such an amazing, special person.”
way, and we need to break that mold and realize that different is good, unique is great and each person has her own version of healthy,” Lins said. And Lins has been trying to hit home with the younger girls who just joined L.E.A.D., mostly because there are so many. Most young women have many reasons for joining. “I first wanted to join L.E.A.D. because I was new to the school, and I really wasn’t sure who I
was,” Leistikow said. But, now that more girls than ever thought possible joined, they had to make some adjustments to try and keep the small group aspect that many girls have grown accustomed to while trying to not cut any girls out of the program. “Everyone that did it in years before told their friends what a positive experience that it’s been,” Dewitt said. And this year, it is definitely differ-
ent, adding another day to meet, and instead of the normal Thursdays, they have added Tuesday too, with a small group of ninth graders meeting on Mondays to plan out the topics that they aim to discuss. “L.E.A.D. also provides a platform for these [ninth grade] girls to take what they are learning and teach others and empower girls younger than themselves,” Lins said. Not only is L.E.A.D. a place for girls
to learn about themselves, it is also a place for young women to teach them. “It’s a great group of girls, and it’s amazing to see it expand every month and see the girls grow as people and leaders,” Dewitt said. So, just as the number of girls in L.E.A.D. grows, if the group achieves it goals, so will the girls in it, as people and as leaders. By Staff Writer Lillian
By Staff Writer Sabine
MARTIN
SCHMID