2 T H E

tiger hi-lineVOLUME 51 ISSUE 23

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Junior Austin Schaub admires one of the many student art pieces on display at the Hearst Center for the Arts. The collection includes works from students throughout the Cedar Falls School District and the show runs until May 22. The Hearst Center is closed on Mondays.

Chandal GeerdesStaff Writer

The National French Exam is a test for any student that is enrolled in a French course. This year, juniors Hannah Dailey and Dylan Martin have both placed in the top 10 in Iowa. Dailey’s effort also earned her 6th place in the nation. They both will be taking the oral exam later this May.

“It feels good to be good at something you love to do,” junior Dylan Martin said.

In previous years, students have also done exception-ally well. Three years ago, graduate Ashley Sorensen was number one in the nation, and just last year, current seniors Magee Glenn-Burns and Shannon McClintock were both top 10 in the nation.

“I’m totally proud of [my students]. I know it takes a lot of self motivation,” French teacher Anna Danforth said.

Last year, every French

student was required to take the exam. This year it was optional, and six students participated. The exam is part written and part listening.

Danforth will even admit that the exam is at a high level

of difficulty.“[The exam] speaks

strongly of the language program [at Cedar Falls High School],” Danforth said.

Both Dailey and Martin are thrilled to be moving on to the next level of the oral exam. Although the girls did not do much to prepare for the written exam besides looking over a few grammar rules for the oral portion, they have to memorize a poem and respond to what the judges asked them

to cite. “It’s like I have a light

switch in my head, and when I start thinking about French, it switches over, and I simply let French take over my speaking and thinking tracks,” Martin said.

Although Dailey has not received much French culture in her past, she sees it in her future as a possible career since it’s something she really enjoys.

“I just really like French. I think it’s a beautiful lan-guage.”

Martin, on the other hand, spent part of her summer in Europe, including three days in Paris with her grandpa, aunt and sister.

“[I think] it’s really cool. There’s really a whole nation out there that’s French. I could understand street signs and menus. It was interesting.”

Like Dailey, Martin is hoping to major in French and teach either college or elementary children. She also hopes to live in France at some point in her life and teach her children to be bilingual.

“It’s like I have a light switch in my head and when I

start thinking about French.”

—Dylan MartinFrench Exam winner

Maya AmjadiStaff Writer

The CFHS robotics team, SWART-DOGS, made it to the quarter finals of the FIRST Robotics World Champion-ships before losing to the top seeded team in St. Louis. The event ran on April 28, 29 and 30.

Out of the 88 teams in the SWART-DOGS division, they were selected as the eighth alliance, just making the cut before elimination in the quarterfinals.

Still, only 96 teams out of the 352 that made it to the World Champion-ship got the chance to compete in the elimination round, and Cedar Falls was one of them.

The team did exceptionally well this year winning two regional competitions, which they have never accomplished before.

Senior Dan Harter’s favorite part about being on the robotics team this year was the competitions. “You get to see all the different ways other teams have tried to solve the same problem,” Harter said. “We get to appreciate all the hard work that thousands of people have done in just six weeks and, of course, see how our robot stacks up against the others.”

His main role on the team was helping build the robot, and during the competitions he has been on the drive team.

The task this year was a hard one. “This season, the game was very tough because it had multiple objectives,” sophomore Brandon Dix said. “This meant you needed to have a very mobile and multi-faceted robot, which isn’t easy to make.”

The team had to create a 120-pound robot that could hang inflatable tubes on a rack of pegs in a specific order.

Senior Ashley Brown said she enjoys all the problem solving that is involved in the robotics competition, including which design to use, what aspects to focus on and which materi-als to use. She said she liked seeing everything come together so well.

Another big accomplishment came

from the autonomous period of the competition. For this mode, the robot is pre-programmed to complete a spe-cific task to earn points for the team without the aid of the driver.

This year the team made a game, Logomotion, in which the robot had to score ubertubes on racks in front of the drivers’ stations.

“We knew we could score one, but after watching some of the other competitions earlier this season, we challenged our programmers to go for the double ubertube,” senior Emily Hurban said. “They got to work, and their efforts were rewarded at the

Two juniors place high on national French exam

Tracy Lukasiewicz PhotoArt Attack

Robotics team makes quarterfinals in St. Louis

ROBOTICS, Page 4

Contact the Tiger Hi-LineThe Tiger Hi-Line is a weekly publication of the journalism classes of

Cedar Falls High School, 1015 Division St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Our website is www.hiline.co.nr. The Hi-Line is distributed to CFHS students on Tuesdays to read in their DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) classes.

Columns and letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Hi-Line 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 follow-ing Tuesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limitations. Include address and phone number for verification.

Editorial StaffEditors-in-Chief: Sara Gabriele and Ellen Gustavson

News Editor: Ben Olson and Sara GabrieleOpinion Editor: Meg Lane and Kaylee MicuSports Editor: Ben Olson and Allyson Vuong

Feature Editors: Ellen GustavsonEntertainment Editors: Meg Lane and Kaylee Micu

Photo Editor: Tracy Lukasiewicz

T H E

tiger hi-lineMay 3, 2011

2 opinionour view

I took the bait. Upon walking into the waiting room prior to my physical therapy appointment, I was lured by the coffee table with innumer-able titles from Time, Good Housekeeping, Sports Illus-trated and USA Today among others. But that sparkling, God-awful Newsweek issue plastered with George Cloo-ney on the front somehow cemented itself into my hands. With my tail between my legs, I now realize I fell into the same quicksand millions of Americans fall into: the innate attraction to celebrity that our culture has birthed. Newsweek had capitalized on profiling, eh, worshipping, Clooney’s humanitarian work in Sudan, most likely with the goal to bring attention to the issue. But when does super-ficial, unjustifiable idolization begin to detract from focus on genocide and poverty?

What really irks me about society is the relentless obses-sion with people who recite lines in movies and sing on manufac-tured songs. I can’t go anywhere without seeing shelves with black and white and Angelina Jolie all over. Heck, I can’t even es-cape the bombardment while peacefully eating my Cheerios in the morning – even the Today Show gives priority to Lindsay Lohan’s legal status before commenting on the Pacific tsunami. While I have grown to have low expecta-tions for the intelligence of American people who are so easily swayed by Hollywood, when it comes to humanitari-an work and charity involving the lives of disenfranchised individuals, the media need to adjust their lenses.

Oh Newsweek, why did

you have to go to the dark side? I know – the celebrity culture plagued your formerly clear stream of information like the petroleum festering in the Gulf. But, come on. Is Clooney really a “21st-century statesman?” The last time I checked, he is no Hil-lary Clinton or Colin Powell or Madeleine Albright or Winston Churchill or Nelson Mandela. And for further

laughs, did your editors convert to Clooneyism, or did you purposefully refer to him as “Saint George?” Give me a break. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the work Clooney and all other humanitarian workers have put forth, but the media’s fervent spotlight on the faces, fame and fortune of these workers is counter-intuitive.

Unfortunately, that Newsweek issue clouded the truly important issue. Take the cover: Clooney appears in his “working” gear (camo shorts and a safari vest) sur-rounded by a group of African

children. Clooney’s face is spotless, radiant and in high resolution, and his brows are furrowed, eyes squinting, peering off into the distance, probably wondering how he can possibly bear the entire burden of solving Sudan’s problems. The African kids are blurred, barely recogniz-able. After seeing this cover, I knew the article inside would provide me no new informa-tion. The picture preached it all – admire Clooney, merely glance at the poverty. At the end of the day, the children in Sudan return to a life of fear and instability, but Clooney can return to any of his 30 palaces for comfort and relaxation.

When it comes to the superficiality of celebrities and news organizations, the symbiotic relationship needs an intervention. See, News-week and other outlets use celebrities like Clooney as a wooden horse to incite more awe for their own money and prestige rather than their collective efforts to advance a social mission.

I don’t want to hear about Clooney’s “difficult” schedule of flying to Africa after an appearance at the Academy

StarStruck Celebrity influence overshadows real issues in improvished areas

Awards just like I don’t want to hear about Clooney’s next production project. Instead, I want to hear about the issue. Surely, there are many global initiatives, whether through the United Nations or smaller aid services, that persistently work to better conditions in poor countries and natural disaster sites, and there are certainly many celebrities who help these organizations as well. Why not profile all of these movements as a whole instead of singling out the see no end to this trend in the future, I may have no choice but to cry in my Cheerios.

As Mr. Obama walked across the stage last Monday for a press conference, many probably believed he would address pressing issues facing congress, like possible bud-get cuts. Actually, if you have watched or read anything last week in the news, you would know Obama’s birth-place was the topic of the conference, mainly because Mr. Donald Trump brought the Republican conspiracy theory about Obama’s lack of a cerficate to a boil. Never mind that this fallacy has been disproved for years.

What about creating jobs for the unemployed, finding a compromise to balance the budgets or helping to solve the unrest in countries like Libya? Aren’t these more urgent matters than a mere piece of paper that rehashes a moot point. They are, but Trump’s untimely remarks make sure they aren’t.

States such as Alabama, Missis-sippi and Georgia are suffering from the worst tornado season in nearly 40 years. Education is taking major hits in some states due to tight budgets, forcing many teachers out of work. Gas prices are soaring, hurting many Americans at the pump.

It’s sad when issues such as these take a backseat, while “silly” controversies like this arise. Even Obama expressed grave concern that the questioning of his birth certificate was the top news story. He even joked that more people had tuned into this press conference than any other.

What does this say about our society? Have we lost the sense to understand what really is important? If we want to see change in the world around us, we will need to buckle down and tackle issues instead of worrying about trivial things like these, or we will never get anything ac-complished. We have the power to make changes, and we also have the voice. We gave Trump the fuel he needed to get this story out. So trump that, Trump.

Trump needs to tackle real issuues, not Obama

Ben OlsonNews Editor

“But when does superficial, unjustifi-able idolization be-gin to detract from focus on genocide

and poverty?”

“If we want to see change in the world around us, we will need to buckle down and tackle issues instead of worrying about trivial

things.”

T H E

tiger hi-lineMay 3, 2011

3sports

Men’s Soccer5/5, vs. Waterloo West @ home, 5 p.m.5/7, JV Waverly-Shell Rock Tournament, 9 a.m.Men’s Track5/6, MVC Divisional- C.R Xavier, 5 p.m.Men’s Tennis5/3, vs. Waterloo West @ home, 4:10 p.m.5/5, vs. CR Kennedy, 4:30 p.m.Trapshooting5/3, Dual vs. Nashua/ Charles City @ home, 4 p.m.5/9, Mason City Shoot Out @ Ventura Gun Club, 4:15 p.m.Women’s Soccer5/5, vs. Waterloo West, 5 p.m.Women’s Track5/6, MVC Divisional @ home, 5 p.m.Women’s Golf5/4, Metro Meet @ Gates Park, 3:15 p.m.5/9, Divisional Meet @ CR Xavier, 9:30 a.m.Women’s Tennis5/3, vs. Waterloo West , 4 p.m.5/5, vs. CR Kennedy @ home, 4:30 p.m.

Tigersin Action

Athleteof

the Week

Neal deBuhrTrapshooting

Senior1. How did you get started with trapshooting?“I first started shooting in 8th grade with friends. I liked it so much I went out for it and really had fun.”2. What motivated you to continue? “I was motivated by how fun the sport is and by the encouragement from my teammates.”3. What’s the best thing about trapshooting?“The best part about trapshooting is how involved each shooter is. Each person matters to their squad, and that makes winning so much more fun.” 4. What’s your goal for this season?“My goals are for our team to win state. We have a good team, and I hope we can be as successful as we were last year.”

Jessica DallyStaff Writer

The men’s and women’s track teams both came away from the Drake Relays this weekend with a number of success stories, including four first place finishes on the men’s team that included junior James Harrington in every one.

In addition to capturing his second consecutive 100-meter dash Drake title, Harrington was also a part of the 4x100, the 4x200 and the sprint med-ley first place finishes. The 4x100 also included juniors Barkley Hill, Luke Toyosi and

Drake DominationTigers take record-setting four titles

senior Marshall Hill. They ended with the time of 42.23, and West Des Moines Valley was tracing behind closely with a second place time of 42.33.

The sprint medley team title holders were Harrington, Toyosi, Hill and senior Tanner Reyhons with 3:31.54, while the 4x200 turned in a Drake Relays record setting 1:27.41 race with the team of Toyosi, junior Mitch Dowell, Hill and Harrington.

On the final day, the women’s track demonstrated their talent. Sophomore Bri-anna King, senior Cara Strike, junior Hannah Savage and

Olivia BorsayStaff Writer

With only a few short weeks left of school for the men’s soccer season, the 10-1-1 Tigers are aiming to finish their seven final games strong before head-ing to what they hope is a trip to State, which is in Des Moines on June 2-4.

This year, the varsity soccer team is composed of one freshman, four sophomores, seven juniors and nine seniors.

Junior Brady Cervetti, who plays the position of striker, said, “We have a great team this year, so hopefully we’ll keep it up and make it far in State.”

Cedar Falls is ranked second in the Mississippi Valley Conference and seventh overall in the state after dropping down from fifth after losing to

Washington. On Saturday, April 30,

Cedar Falls swept both Dubuque schools, winning 2-1 in overtime against Dubuque Wahlart and 5-0 against Dubuque Senior.

There’s still a lot of work to go before the men’s soccer team makes it to State.

Senior Nick Huller-mann said, “I’d say the biggest obstacles we’ve faced so far are getting used to a new formation that we don’t have much experience with and also just showing up every day and staying focused.”

Cervetti also has high hopes for a strong finish. He said, “This season I hope to do better at com-municating and finishing, and also I hope we can keep working hard, polish our flaws and score some goals.”

Men’s soccer team shooting for strong finish to season

Tracy Lukasiewicz Photo

Taking the ball downfield against Waverly-Shellrock on Thursday, April 21, is senior Philip Tran. The Ti-gers tied the Go Hawks in this contest.

senior Carrie Traetow pushed themselves to a hard earned third place triumph in the 4x800 with a time of 9:23.88. Seniors Cassie Crotty, Ashley Stow, sophomore Katelyn Haan and King took fourth place in the 4x400 in 4:00.21. Savage also captured a sev-enth place finish in the 1,500 with a time of 4:46.88.

“Everyone that came out and all the fans in the stands cheering for us really moti-vated me,” said Harrington.

At Drake, the intense atmosphere helped Harrington and King cruise push them-selves to their sucess.

“The competition really

pushed me all through the end,” King siad.

Moreover, the Drake expe-rience provided a good marker for end-of-the-season goals.

“I just want to continue to improve and push my team-mates because they can help push me,” King said.

“I was really thinking about all the hard work paying off from the tough practices [when I won], and my goals are to win all the relays at State,” Harrington said.

Men’s track runs next at the MVC Divisional at CR Xavier on Friday, and Wom-en’s track will be home at the MVC Divisional Friday.

T H E

tiger hi-lineMay 3, 2011

4feature

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championship when we had 100 percent accuracy with our autonomous.” The SWART-DOGS were one of the few teams at the entire champion-ship with this record.

Dix has been on the team for two years, and his favorite part is the atmosphere. “It is very encouraging, and you

Sara GabrieleEditor-in-Chief

Not every teen gets the chance to give away $10,000, but each year a group of students from the Cedar Valley are given this op-portunity through the Community Foundation’s Teen Trust program.

Consisting of students from the Cedar Valley, the Teen Trust board gives youth a chance to posi-tively impact their community by allocating $10,000 to area nonprofits.

“Youth are rarely ever given the opportunity to be the decision makers in their community. That’s what makes Teen Trust so unique,” student director

La Rae Hayes said. The board meets ap-

proximately twice a month for two hours at a time. Area non-profits apply to receive money from the board, and the students decide how to

allocate it using a grant ap-plication system, interviews and site visits.

The money comes from the interest on the Community Foundation’s endowment

fund. Part of the students’ responsibility as members on the board is to help rebuild the endowment by getting donations from community members.

“Working on the board, you really get to see first hand how all the different processes that make an organization come together work,” junior Ryan Giar-usso said. “Getting experi-ence with endowment building, grant making and fundraising make being on the Teen Trust board a really unique and valuable opportunity.”

High school students from all the area schools are open to apply, but traditionally only three or four get chosen from each school to try to ensure diversity on the board.

Applications for the 2011/2012 board are avail-able in the guidance office and are due by Friday, May 6.

have tons of fun while getting a feeling of accomplish-ment, plus [you are] learning new skills.” He agreed with Harter that the competitions are “absolutely amazing.” Dix said, “They are similar to sports competitions, but you showcase brain rather than brawn.”

The team has jobs for members interested in website and graphic design as well. Senior Sam Mayer helped

redo the website this year. He sketched the initial design as well as the graphic work. He also did modeling for the animation team.

The SWARTDOGS were awarded the animation award, the website award and two quality awards besides being the champions of two regional competitions. Also, Kenton Swartley, the team’s lead coach, won the Woodie Flow-ers award.

ROBOTICSfrom page 1

Teen Trust applications due in guidance by May 6

“Working on the board, you really

get to see first hand how all the differ-

ent processes that make an organiza-tion come together

work.”—Ryan Giarusso

Teen Trust member

Kickin’ it for Cambodia:Students brave the rain to run a 5k through George Wyth for charity on Saturday, April 30

Top, sophomore Jaime Zarate and juniors An-drew Halloran, Alex Staudt and John Paul Sevcik show their spirit on the trail. Middle, senior Daniel Yehieli finishes strong. Bottom, sophomores Hanno Fenech, Gwen Davies, Spencer Gray, Rachel Nurse, Kayla Dempster and Aaron Parsons run together to support the cause.

Ali Miller photos