2 T H E

tiger hi-lineVOLUME 51 ISSUE 21

1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Students share varying thoughts on U.S. involvement in Libya

Dangerous outbreaks of revolts in Libya continue to challenge the government and kill protesters as well as innocent bystanders. Civilians fill the streets and blood trickles down the alleys. President Obama has now ordered American troops to patrol a no fly zone in conjunction with NATO to stop the forces of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi who are slaughtering their own people. The Libyan govern-ment has cut off supplies includ-ing water, food and electricity from many cities. The White House insists that the American inter-vention is strictly to protect civil-ians, but there is a strong urge from many countries to also get Qaddafi out of power and out of Libya.

Although the troublesome fighting is happening some thousands of miles away, the effects of the civil war ripple across the globe. The people of Libya and the freedom they are fighting for is on the minds of many CFHS students, including sophomore Justin Marshall. “I find it really inspiring that these people are willing to stand up for what they believe in and are willing to die for those beliefs.”

However, some students are con-sidering whether being in Libya is re-ally worth it. “I think that at this point, the U.S. has reason to intervene in Lib-ya. Human rights are being violated, and though we can’t intervene in every crisis and force our values on people, the widespread international support and the support of most Libyan people makes this acceptable to me,” sopho-more Isak Knivsland said.

Dix said it is important to first determine that the Libyans are willing to fight this battle for independence. “I think we should be similar to how the French handled [the U.S. revolution]. They had us prove that we were will-ing to fight for our independence, then

supported us.”However, not everyone is in agree-

ment that U.S. troops should be in Libya at all. Senior Tom Knief said, “America needs to retreat out of Libya. Our forces and country have nothing to gain from overthrowing Qaddafi and much to lose. As we continue to assault Muslim nations, the United States accrues a reputation for hatred of the Islamic religion and its people. Whether true or not, the U.S. doesn’t

need any more bad pub-licity in the world’s eyes.”

But regardless of U.S. assistance or interfer-ence, should the people of Libya keep retaliating against their government? “I think that the Libyan people should keep up their revolution. If this revolution succeeds, it can change the face of a country that has been ruled by a dictator for the last 40-some odd years,”

Knivsland said. Qaddafi promised “rivers of blood”

upon any rebels that intended to stand in his way. “I think they have to keep retaliating because if they give up, Qaddafi will do everything he can to make those ‘rivers of blood’ real. Also if they aren’t willing to fight for their freedom, why should we [fight for it],” Dix said.

There has also been speculation of Qaddafi attacking the United States out of anger from the U.S. troops supporting his oppositions. “I don’t think Qaddafi is a threat currently due to all the problems he has right now in his own country, but if he were to reunite Libya under his control, I think he would want revenge, and he has the power to get something done,” Dix said.

Even after the setbacks and second guessing, many remain convinced that Libya and its people have a right to freedom. “What the people want is what Libya wants. Whether the U.S. needs to engage themselves is another story, but the citizens can and should oust their oppressors. Every man has the right to freedom, and the libyans are expressing theirs,” Knief said.

Darby Sheehan photo

Junior Ben Bonwell cheers after making a shot in last Monday’s Donkey Ball game. The event raised $2,000 for a new gym floor.

“I find it really inspiring that

these people are willing to stand up for what they

believe in” -Justin Marshall, sophomore

We’ve all heard the name tags: East is filled with gangsters, West with irresponsible partiers and Cedar Falls with stuck up preps. Whether or not we choose to let them influence us, these inter-school stereotypes may seem inescapable. But two CFHS students, tired of hearing such silly gossip, have decided to create a proj-ect to dispel the harmful rumors.

“We were sick of hearing about discrimination and decided we actu-ally wanted to do something about it,” senior Muhammad Shehata said.

After attending one of many conferences on diversity and rac-ism, Shehata and sophomore Austin Mennen decided to join with students from the other district schools to form a group called Nisest.

The group is purely student run and consists of over 40 students from the four main district schools: Cedar Falls High School, West High, East High and Columbus. The group’s long term mission is to “unify our community by taking action to break down barriers and promote open mindedness,” and their first task is to work on dispelling the stereotypes that exist between the high schools.

“It is important to help eliminate this problem because some day we will be going to school, work-ing and living in a community with people who didn’t just go to our high school,” Mennen said.

To tackle the challenge, the group is working with professional film-makers to create a 30-minute video that will address the issue in a variety of ways; it will feature parodies of the stereotypes to showcase how ridiculous the beliefs can be, and it will include interviews with both cur-rent students and recent graduates. Shehata said he hopes that, through raising awareness, the video will help promote positive thinking among students.

“Although the movie doesn’t specify any specific measures to help stop stereotyping, we hope that it will help raise awareness about the amount of discrimination going on and encourage students to realize how their actions can affect other people,” Shehata said.

Nisest plans to show the movie during DEAR before the end of the school year.

For more information regarding Nisest, contact Shehata at muham-madshehata@yahoo.com.

Students develop group to tacklediscrimination, stereotyping

Sara GabrieleEditor-in-chief

Maya AmjadiStaff Writer

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

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tiger hi-lineApril 19, 2011

2 opinionour view

Project provides worthy focus on metro stereotypes

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, com-mitted citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” Margaret Mead once said. Many of us have heard this quote repeatedly throughout our time at the high school, but has anyone really ever acted on it?

Nisest, a group that was formed by senior Muhammad Shehata and sophomore Austin Mennen, is, in fact, acting on it.

After deciding they were tired of the meaningless gossip and discrimination between Cedar Falls, West, East and Columbus students, they joined up with other students to create a film to help break down the barriers.

The film which will be played during D.E.A.R at the end of the year, incorporates parodies of just how ridicu-lous some discrimination is and interviews students talking about why it’s so important to end this discrimination now.

While stereotyping and discrimination is often talked about, few actions are taken to help allevi-ate it. Nisest’s efforts will go a long way towards promoting positive thinking and ending harmful rumors. In the end, no matter where one goes to school, as individuals it’s important to be able to adapt and accept. If students can reach this, they will be able to improve communities and help in the fight against discrimination not only among schools but among races, religions and more.

Even with small numbers, this group is trying, and that is the key. Discrimination can only lead to more ignorance if students do not hit it head on. So why not make a start by making a difference in our community?

For those who would like to find out anymore informa-tion about Nisest or get involved, please contact Shehata at muhammadshehata@yahoo.com.

Alter Bridge brings new offerings from old bandLucas Hamilton

Staff Writer

For most people, striv-ing for something better and achieving their full poten-tial is a high priority, but in order to do this, inspiration is required. In the words of Hans Christian Andersen, “Where words fail, music speaks.” Few bands in this day provide music with such gravity that it moves you to do something better, something extraor-dinary, something that will change the world. One grow-ing band with such a nature is Alter Bridge. An international act, Alter Bridge has released three CDs, one live DVD and 11 singles.

The creation of the name developed because of a bridge that used to exist on Alter Road in Detroit that all of the local kids were forbidden to cross because it lead to the “bad side of town.” The name symbolizes choice and look-ing toward the future, which relates heavily to their music and lyrics.

As far as members go, all but one formerly played with Creed. Guitarist Mark Trem-onti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall performed with Creed, but they broke away and recruited Myles Kennedy to be their lead singer and second guitar-ist. Kennedy played with The Mayfield Four, a group with his hometown friends that toured with Creed back in the

late ‘90s, which is how the other members knew him.

The quartet got together in 2004 when Creed officially broke up, and it began work on its first studio album. One Day Remains was released in August of 2004 and was met with negative perceptions de-spite the amazing new sound it portrayed. Critics said that it was “Creed with a different singer and nothing special.” Striving to separate from this shadow, Alter Bridge set off to work on its second album and tried to display its new sound. Blackbird was released in October of 2000. Met with much better reception from the press, the band’s sopho-more album peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200. It was still not mainstream success, but the band didn’t care. The band released the Live In Amster-dam DVD in September of 2009 in order to keep fans occupied during its time away from the studio.

The band took a break after rigorous touring and worked with other projects. Creed released one final album, Kennedy worked with former Led Zeppelin members and Kennedy also headed the lead vocals on the tour for the solo album of former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash. All side projects became great suc-cesses in their own way.

Once the band reconvened, it began work on its third album. Released in November 2010, AB III was met with

critical acclaim. In its first week of sales, it reached #2 in the iTunes Store for top selling albums and reigned at the top of the rock album charts here in the United States. The album is a loose concept album, an album with prevailing themes throughout and presents a story to the listener when listened straight through.

Even when taken as topical as possible, the lyrical aspect of the Alter Bridge songs surpasses a majority of bands today. With songs like “In Loving Memory,” “Watch Over You” and “Ghost of Days Gone By” that touch on the intimate subject of death, the band allows listeners to experience a sense of carthar-sis. One cannot forget the songs built around the finding of strength in one’s spirit like “One Day Remains,” “Find the Real” and “White Knuck-les,” which give messages like “I see in you more than you’ll ever know” and “only the strong survive.” They strive to inspire their listeners.

Alter Bridge is built around giving a driving hard rock song that allows listeners to interpret it however they please all while preserving the importance of human emotion. That alone is enough to set them off from mod-ern bands. With so much to incorporate into a five-minute song, Alter Bridge keeps things interesting but not overwhelming.

listenin.org photo

Alter Bridge members include Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti and Brian Marshall.

“Discrimination can only lead to more ignorance if students do not hit it head

on.”

T H E

tiger hi-lineApril 19, 2011

3sports

Men’s Soccer4/19, vs. IC High, 4 p.m.4/21, Waverly-Shell Rock Tournament, 7 p.m.4/23, vs. CR Jefferson, 8 a.m.4/23, vs CR Washington, noonMen’s Track4/19, Wahawk Relays, 5 p.m.4/21, Cole Collinge Relays @ home, 5 p.m.Men’s Tennis4/19, vs. CR Jefferson, 4 p.m.4/23, vs. IC West, 9 a.m.4/23, vs. IC High, 1 p.m. Trapshooting4/19, Cedar-Falls Invite, 3:45 p.m.Women’s Soccer4/21, vs. Dub Hempstead @ home, 5 p.m. Women’s Track4/19, Tiger Invite @ home, 5 p.m.4/21, Wahawk Invite, 5 p.m. Women’s Golf4/19, MVC Quad @ Pheasant Ridge, 3:15 p.m.4/22, Grundy Center, 4:15 p.m.Women’s Tennis4/19, CR Jefferson @ home, 4 p.m. 4/23, vs. IC West, 8 a.m.4/23, vs. IC High, noon.4/25, vs. Waverly-Shell Rock @ home, 4 p.m.

Tigersin Action

Athleteof

the Week

Roy JuMen’s TennisSophomore

Tracy Lukasiewicz PhotosMetro MedalistsThe women’s golf team continued it’s winning ways at the metro meet on Wednesday, April 13. The Tigers beat second place Columbus by 30 strokes. Waterloo West took third. Sophomore Megan Brewer was the leader for Cedar Falls with her round of 38, and she was closely followed by junior Taylor Roberts (39), se-nior Sonja Przybyliski (40) and sophomore Allison Rolinger (40). At top left, Roberts sends the drive down the lane at Pheasant Ridge and at right, Rolinger lines up for a putt.

1. How did you start playing tennis?“When I was about 5, my dad signed me up for classes and ever since then I played.”2. Did you always want to play tennis?“I actually really wanted to play golf because its really relaxing, but I’m better at tennis.”3. Do you plan on playing in college? “Thats my goal. I hope to play division one tennis.”

Anna Love Photos

At the Donkey Ball game, the Tiger Booster Club achieved their goal to raise money for new gym floors, and at the end of the night, they raised $2,000. Above at top left, junior Jaime Zarate zooms ahead on the donkey and shows his pride. Top Right, math teacher Ethan Weichhmann and spanish teacher Rebecca Black cheer on the tigers for a win. Bottom, English teacher Michelle Rathe holds onto the reigns of a donkey for dear life while galloping around the gym.

Ride That Donkey

T H E

tiger hi-lineApril 19 2011

4feature

Seniors design their own dresses

Senior Lisa Boelman’s inspiration for her prom dress came from the movie Black Swan.

Chandal Geerdes Photo

Story by Chandal Geerdes

There’s no question about it: girls pursue perfection when looking for prom dresses. But for a few girls, finding the perfect dress is not the is-sue — making the dress is. Seniors Lisa Boelman, Sarah Postel and Melina Gotera are putting their creativity to work and designing their own prom dresses.

Inspired by the movie Black Swan, Boelman is designing her own dress not only for prom, but to add to her portfolio for colleges. Boelman didn’t want to spend $500 on a dress that she would only wear once; instead, she would rather spend $60 on a dress that fits her style.

Boelman couldn’t find anything she liked in the stores around the Cedar Valley, so, like previ-ous years, she is designing her own full length gown. Boelman will be using faille rose fabric and beads to create her one-of-a-kind evening gown with a criss-cross back and four-beaded straps.

Boelman has spent a great deal of time incorporating the beading into her dress. She has already put seven hours into beading each strap, with a grand total of over 50 hours of work. Boelman started working on her dress three weeks before spring break, and plans to continue her work for about another two weeks.

Boelman will be spending her night at prom with date, junior Connor Klein, and friends.

“I like to see people look their best and dress-ing up,” Boelman said.

Postel’s inspiration for her dress came from the clothes she already had. “I wear a lot of it [tie dye], so why not make my prom dress it as well.” Postel bought a 100 percent cotton dress from

American Eagle with matching white and silver stoned shoes, and she plans on tie-dyeing the dress.

Luckily, Postel will not have to spend a lengthy amount of time working on her dress. Since the tie-dye process only involves sitting overnight, it will only take Postel about a half hour. However, she will need to practice on shirts first to make sure she can get the desired design perfect before she puts it on her dress.

Postel did not want to just a buy a dress as she has the past two years. “I wanted to do something differ-ent,” she said.

To match her dress, Postel, along with other girls that attended the choir trip to New Orleans, bought a matching mask from Mardi Gras.

At prom, Postel wants to enjoy a night with friends, good music, fun and a very carefree night with her best friend and prom date, Gotera.

Gotera is making her own dress this year as an independent study project. Her dress was inspired by avant-garde and Marie Antoinette, with the design including dusty color tones, out of the norm of the popular bright hues. Gotera will be using beads from art teacher Lisa Klenske, a thrifted corset of her own and second-hand lace. Gotera found the perfect pair of matching gold sparkle high heels at Target for $30 to match her dress, along with a gold-jeweled clutch.

“These shoes are perfect. I just couldn’t not get them for prom,” Gotera said.

Though she started a little over a month ago, Gotera said she will be working on her dress up to the week of prom. She also added that she has never done beading before, but she really loves art and collects antique lingerie, so she wanted to make something out of it.