T h e

Tiger Hi-LineVolume 48 Edition 10 http://hi-lineonline.shorturl.com 1015 Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

The “No Child Left Behind” act has stirred up many different reactions in students and staff. Soon, Congress will vote on whether it should be reautho-rized or not. CFHS Principal Dr. Rich Powers feels that it has strong redeem-ing qualities.

“Accountability for all students is a good thing. The focus is on making sure every student is adequately pre-pared,” Powers said.

Biology teacher Marcey Hand agrees that No Child Left Behind is good at making sure to stay student fo-cused.

“It pays attention to the success and the population of the students. It draws attention to kids who need the extra help,” Hand said.

While the idea of No Child Left Be-hind focuses its attention on success for

all students, CFHS staff still sees prob-lems with its effectiveness.

“It’s unrealistic because not every-one has the same capabilities. Also, we start paying attention to the lower achievements, and we stop noticing the higher achieving students. So the reau-thorized law should maintain the focus on all students, not just on the ones in need of help,” Hand said.

Some aspects to the act can be im-proved upon, such as the amount of support from the federal government.

“No Child Left Behind is big on penalties and short on support, but I’m not worried about our district because we are aggressive at targeting students in need of extra help. We just need to continue down that path. We don’t stop at the minimum preparation,” Powers said.

Hand said she feels that the stan-dards need to be more down-to-earth.

“It would be good if there was less

emphasis on standardized tests. The expectations aren’t very realistic because not everyone is the same. I don’t like it (the act) in its pres-ent form. It’s good to have a com-mon goal with the students in mind, but it’s hard to do from a realistic standpoint. But we can learn from this,” Hand said.

In theory, most staff feel No Child Left Behind is a good con-cept, but its policies could use some revision.

Powers said, “Whether it’s re-authorized or not, our district will continue to focus on preparation for the next step. It’s like what Dr. Reid (Principal of Hansen Elementary school) said,‘No Child Left Be-hind is like watching a NASCAR race, but everyone is focusing on who finishes last.’ Everyone can’t win the race, but everyone can im-prove.”

Nadia HonaryStaff Writer

NCLB up for reauthorization, current staff opinions mixed

Last week’s article regarding the Cedar Falls Community Schools Founda-tion incorrectly stated that the Foundation benefitted only Cedar Falls High School. The Cedar Falls Community Schools Foundation is for the benefit of all of the Cedar Falls community schools. To avoid any confusion, the news editors of the Tiger Hi-Line would like to clarify that the Foudation’s director, Floyd Winter, was also misquoted in stating that the Foundation is only for the benefit of Cedar Falls High School. We, the news editors of the Tiger Hi-line, apologize for our mistake and for any confusion that may have resulted from it. For more information on the Cedar Falls Community Schools Foundation Floyd Winter may be contacted at 319-266-5825 or fgwinter@cfu.net.

Correction

For 20 years, business teacher Kelli Diemer has been coming to Cedar Falls High School and teaching a new set of students every year.

Recently, however, Kelli Diemer has found a new job that sparks her in-terest, and will be leaving us on Dec. 14.

“I don’t want to leave the classroom hating it. This position will allow me to keep working in education, but I get to create a flow between high school business education and college,” Di-emer said.

Diemer has taken a job in Des Moines, as a consultant for Buisness and Marketing Education for the De-partment of Education.

“I heard about it on the web, and in-dividuals that know me told me about it,” Diemer said.

After Diemer heard about the new

job offer, she thought she’d take the chance and interview for the job.

“My interview involved a six person team. The interview took about an hour and a half. Then the Divisional Chief interviewed me for about a half an hour,” Diemer said.

Several months passed by and Di-emer still received no notice.

“It took the Department of Educa-tion a long time to make a decision. I applied in the summer and they con-tacted me in the middle of the year,” Diemer said.

Although Diemer was ready to leave for her new job mentally, complica-tions here arose. Diemer is a different case among teachers leaving. She isn’t retiring or taking a new teaching job in the middle of the summer. She’s leav-ing right in the middle of Cedar Falls’ school year.

“It’s very difficult to leave in the middle of the year. I do teach a duel credit course,” Diemer said.

Diemer has taught many differ-ent students and seen many different faces. Many of whom she will miss dearly.

“I like seeing the growth of my students and the different energy lev-els they have,” Diemer said.

Diemer will also miss the walls of her classrooms because she has been in them for so long.

“I student taught in this same classroom, but when I started it was filled with typewriters. So I saw the evolution of the classroom for the past 20 years,” Diemer said.

Diemer’s fellow co-workers have been interviewing people for her po-sition on the staff.

“I’ve only sat in on one interview. They have done the rest. I think it’s important they do it because they’re the one who will have to work with her, not me,” Diemer said.

A long-term sub has been hired to temporarily replace Diemer.

Arelene FreudenbergStaff Writer

people to accomplish and in the end to be successful,” Kevin Hancock, committed team member, said. The students enjoy working with the VEX Robotics Design System. The system is a build-it-yourself robot creation kit, like an electric erector set.

Hancock is excited about the planned spring activity when the team will start building a big robot together. “I am looking forward to building big robots instead of just building small ones,” Hancock said. “And all working together on one ro-bot as a big team.”

The robotics team is training for a big competition coming up on March 27 to 29 in Minneapolis. The team has to design and construct a robot that will carry out commands.

“Of course I like to win, but the main goal is for students to learn about engineering,” Swartley said.

Robotics Team drafts year’s plans

Jakob ZiererStaff Writer

While robots are often classified as the enemy in science fiction, to these enterprising CFHS robotics students—who are known as Team 525—they are an exciting challenge of science, math, technology and fun.

The 40 members of Team 525 meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in room 227 to hone their science, math and technol-ogy skills.

“This fall we are trying something new,” Kenton Swartley, physics teacher at Cedar Falls High School, said. “We have these little VEX robotics kits, and we split the team into four little groups. We teach them how to work with the ro-bots and learn about robots,” he said.

Students enjoy many different as-pects of this club. “I think it’s fun to have a task in mind, working with

Jakob Zierer Photo

Working diligently, seniors Ar-thur Burle and Kevin Hancock put the finishing touches on their robot built from a VEX robotics kit.

Robotics team members used the group-built robots to better understand robot mechanics and hone their manipulation skills. Last year’s robotics team, affection-ately named the Swartdogs, placed third overall at regionals.

Business teacher takes job as consultant for Dept of Ed

our view

Tiger Hi-Line

T h e OPInIOnOPInIOn

Write 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. Each edition is published on Wenes-days during the school year in The Insider and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 501 Commer-cial St., Waterloo, Iowa 50701.

Columns and letters do not necessarily re-flect 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 following Wednesday. Letters may not exceed 300 words and may be edited to meet space limi-tations. Include address and phone number for verification.

Editorial StaffEditor-in-Chief: Briana McGeough

News Editors: Olivia Schares and Kellie PetersenOpinion Editors: Andrea Huber and Torie Jochims

Sports Editor: Jacqueline JordanFeature Editors: Honor Heindl and Briana McGeough

On-Line Editors: Ellen WredeEntertainment Editor: Kristen Hammer

Government’s recent waterboarding indecision unnerves

Patriotism extends beyond symbolsLast month during

his tour through Iowa, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was criticized by many when it was noticed that he was traveling around campaigning in a nice outfit, but without an American flag lapel.

He was deemed “unpatriotic” and “un-American.” After hear-ing and thinking about this issue, I realized what a ridiculous judgment on patriotism this is.

If he is unpatriotic for not wearing a flag lapel on his shirt, is President Bush patriotic because he wears one regularly?

Obama was able to explain himself well. “You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin,” Obama told a Cedar Rapids radio station. He con-tinued, “Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq War, that became a sub-stitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national

security. I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest. Instead, I’m going to try to tell the Ameri-can people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.”

The next day at an appearance in Indepen-dence, Iowa, he told the crowd, “My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wear-ing on your lapel than what is in your heart. Somebody noticed I wasn’t wearing a flag la-pel pin and I told folks, well you know what? I haven’t probably worn that pin in a very long time. I wore it right after 9/11. But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. Not voting to provide veterans with resources that they need, not voting to make sure that disability payments were com-ing out on time.”

The flag is a very important, sacred symbol, but precisely because of that there is always the danger it can be misused to manipulate public opinion. Unpatriotic acts can be viewed as patri-otic if they are wrongly proclaimed in the name of the flag.

In the wake of 9/11, there was a surge in Amer-ican patriotism, and Bush siezed the moment as a

chance to go to war in Iraq, waving the flag as he did so.

The “patriotic” Bush hasn’t equipped the troops with adequate body armor, keeps extend-ing their tours of duty despite their exhaustion and low morale, hasn’t provided adequate medi-cal care for those who return home physically or psychologically crippled.

Even though polls indicate that a majority of Iraqi’s, US citizens and American soldiers, and the rest of the world want us out of Iraq, Bush is talking about increasing the number of troops.

Also, Bush, who swore to abide by the Con-stitution of the United States, has denied many Americans of their rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Some have been sent to jail and tortured with-out due process under Habeus Corpus, others have been illegally wire-tapped, and still others arrested for wearing tee-shirts deemed to be “un-patriotic.”

Barack Obama was right. Wearing a flag lapel pin does not qualify you as a patriot. You only deserve to wear this pin when you act like a pa-triot. Otherwise you are mocking the flag rather than honoring it.

Vincent StiglianiStaff Writer

The issue of sagging pants has turned from showing bad manners to possibly be-ing illegal.

Baggy jeans are said by law-makers and concerned citizens to represent gang related activities and to pro-mote violent crimes and obscenities. Town meetings through-out the United States have been held to discuss the issue of sagging pants. Many lawmakers say that it’s obscene, even pornographic to wear pants hang down so low.

One North Carolina speaker at a commission meeting showed a video clip of an African American youth hiding guns and other weapons in his oversized pants, but there are many clothing items that could hide weap-ons.

If the government tried to ban all of

the clothes, the Supreme Court would inevitably overrule it with the First Amendment.

Many town leaders believe that this style is racially related to African Americans, but in recent studies white Americans where also found wearing saggy jeans.

Americans are protected by the First Amendment which states, “Congress shall make no law respect-ing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of griev-ances.”

I understand that vulgar and obscene acts are not protected by the Constitution, but showing boxers is a lot different than skin. If the person is wearing any type of clothing under his or her pants, without flesh showing, it shouldn’t be a problem.

What we wear is just a small part of the will of Americans to become their own people, to pursue individual-ity, to strive for rights and live free of persecution.

Is Waterboarding Torture?

Yes

No

With everything happening with the War on Terrorism, it seems odd that our government can’t decide what constitutes as torture and what is acceptable interogation.

When Michael Mukasey, Bush’s recently approved appoin-tee for attorney general, was asked about whether waterboarding is torture, he was unable to give a straight answer. It’s a sad day when the top law enforcement of-ficial in the land is unable to send a clear message on this tortorous technique.

Senator and presidential candidate John McCain speaks from personal experience on this matter. A prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, McCain was captured and subjected to torture. During recent speeches, he spreak out against torturing, and at one speech in which he was referring

to waterboarding, he said, “If you decided to torture (a prisoner), you probably don’t get the right informa-tion, because torture doesn’t work.”

But it’s more than just the ef-fectiveness of the technique that’s problematic. In recent years it seems that the United States’ integrity has dropped quite a bit. Of course it’s im-portant to stand up and make the tough

calls for good purposes even if the decisions are unpopular, but using torture is not the right call, nor is it the image we want for America. If our country can’t even protect us without stooping as low as some of the other countries do, are we truly any better than them?

Suggesting that waterboarding isn’t torture seems quite outra-geous. When someone is water-boarded, what is basically happen-ing to him or her is a simulation of drowning. The “interrogators” shove a towel over the prisoner’s head, tie him down to a board, and pour water over top until the prisoner can no longer breathe. No human should be subject to some-thing so cruel, yet if America con-tinues it’s ambigious stance on this issue, we will surely hear about even more graphically inhumane procedures used on American pris-oners in conflicts to come.

Morgan HarveyStaff Writer

Hi-Line Poll represents 10 percent of the student body

Is waterboarding torture?

Restrictions on saggy pants overstep boundaries of individual expression

88%

12%

Wearing a flag lapel pin does not qualify you as a patriot

Hi-Line kicks off new style, in spite of frustrating learn-ing curves for CS3, but we will dominate. Oh, yeah.

Volume 48 Edition 4 http://hi-lineonline.shorturl.com 1015 Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

Learning Curve Tiger Hi-Line SPORTSSPORTST h e

Football (11-1) Lost to Bettendorf, 6-3 in state semifinalsVolleyballLost to Johnston 3-0 in the state championship in Cedar RapidsMen’s Basketball11/26 Metro Jamboree @ NUHS 6 p.m.Women’s Basketball11/19 Metro Jamboree @ East 7:30 p.m.Wrestling12/1 Keith Young Invite 10:30 a.m.Men’s/Women’s Bowling11/20 @ Dubuque Senior 3:45 p.m.Men’s Swimming12/1 @ Ames Invite noon

Athleteof

the Week

Senior Abby Conrad has shown leadership on the varsity women’s volleyball team. She has consistently demonstraed her outstanding vol-leyball talent in her years as a Tiger.

How do you get pumped for your games? Our team always does a lot of cheers to get each other pumped up and ready to play.What motivates you?Knowing my teammates are right there with me and that we all want to win.Do you have any funny memories?Our bus rides, team meals and sleepovers, but the funniest was prob-ably when setting up the nets before practice. The net wasn’t tightened yet, and I tried to jump over it. My friend Mallory (Adams), seeing this, decides to pull the net tight so it takes my feet out from under me. I fell on my face.Are you looking to play volleyball in college?I haven’t really thought about it too much. It probably depends on where I decide to go.Do you have a role model? Why?I really look up to a lot of the UNI volleyball players and coaches. They have incredible work ethics and at-titudes that they never will give up.

Abby ConradSenior

Volleyball

TigersAction

Volleyball team repeats second place effort

Celebrating another 5-game, playoff thriller, the Tigers knocked off An-keny en route to their title game against Johnston on Saturday. Johnston won that match 3-0.

David Bergstrom Photo

David BergstromStaff Writer

The Tigers volleyball team took state runner up for the second year in a row at the state tournament in the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids last Saturday.

They knocked off Bettendorf (28-6) and Ankeny (35-3) on their march to the championship match against John-ston.

In the final match, Cedar Falls had the record of 32-11, but Johnston (39-2) was too much for the Tigers, winning the state title in three straight games.

From early on in the playoffs, the biggest challenge for some players was facing others’ doubts of whether or not Cedar Falls could equal last year.

“What people say about us, not be-lieving we can do it and doubting us, but proving them wrong and beating the (other) team(s) makes us as a team feel great,” senior Mallory Adams said.

The Tigers never gave up the fight in pursuit of a state title, even when teetering on the verge elimination. They beat Waterloo East, Cedar Rap-ids Kennedy, Bettendorf and Ankeny in nail-biting, five-game matches.

The players had to reach deep for the confidence in each game.

“The game versus Waterloo East was a very tough game. We needed to beat them to get to State, and we worked together and won,” senior Jes-

sica Wingert said.Even when they were nearly los-

ing and hope seemed hard to find, they didn’t stop believing.

“For girls that play next year, I would have to say to never give up, even when it’s very hard and you don’t think you can win; if you work together you can do anything,” Wingert said.

But confidence isn’t the only strength of this team. They worked hard to get to the top.

“We have probably put in around 100 hours as a team; plus Jessica Wing-ert, Nina Savage and I practice out of normal practice on our own time,” Ad-ams said.

“These girls have put in a lot of hard work at practices to prepare themselves for State,” head coach Matt Flaherty said.

Everyone works together for the good of the team.

“There are no star players this year. We just all work hard together,” Wing-ert said.

The team had no worries about State besides just doing their best.

Flaherty said, “We have nothing to lose, just do all we can like the old American way.”

Next year will be a new mix as many of the players will graduate.

“We will have a totally new team with different people and different skills; there will only be one significant player returning, so we will be starting

all over next season,” Flaherty said.Believing in what these girls can do

has greatly influenced Flaherty and the positive attitude they have even when rising to a greater challenge.

“Just the belief the girls have that they can accomplish anything that they put their minds to and come out victori-ous,” Flaherty said.

This Saturday, Nov. 17, in Carroll, Iowa, the All-Tournament Team will be held for each class division.

Caitlin Hagarty and Nina Savage have been selected to be in the Class 4A team.

Nina Savage has been selected to be the team captain of the All-Tournament Team.

Tiger football rolled through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and people started asking the question—could the Tigers convert a perfect season?

Head Coach Pat Mitchell, despite the season-ending loss to Bettendorf, was very pleased with how the season had gone and how the hometown fans had supported them.

“The experience of playing in front of the Tiger fans, the best fans in Iowa, is simply awesome. It gives you an enormous sense of pride and belong-ing. The noise levels are incredible!” Mitchell said.

The team pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback against Cedar Rapids Xavi-er in the first round. The Tigers won 21-17 on a desperate pass completion

from Kyle Bernard to Darion Howard for 41 yards. Howard scored the game-winning touchdown on that play.

The quarterfinal round pitted Cedar Falls against Cedar Rapids Washing-ton. Cedar Falls’ defense flourished as they punished the Warriors, 35-13.

The next test for the Tigers was the Bettendorf Bulldogs in the semifi-nals. The Bulldogs are the number one ranked team in Iowa.

The Tiger’s kicker, Riley Morris, made one of three field goals in regula-tion for all of the Tiger’s points. The Tigers did intercept a tipped pass for a

touchdown, but in a questionable move the play was called back. The referees cited an “inadvertent whistle.”

“I was not very happy. The rule was not well explained,” team captain Lan-dan Zaputil said. Mitchell agreed.

“Honestly, I was angry. The first

things officials are told is to see what is happening, be sure, then blow the whistle. Do not guess or anticipate.”

At 3-3, the game went to overtime and the Tigers were unable to score from their own 10 yard line.

Bettendorf’s smothering defense then blocked a field goal attempt on

fourth down, and the Cedar Falls side of the Dome went quiet.

On Bettendorf’s first possession, their kicker booted the ball through the uprights. The Bulldogs swarmed the field to celebrate their 6-3 victory, and the Tigers season was over.

“I couldn’t believe it happened. When I saw it, my first thought was, ‘I’m done,’” Zaputil said of the game-winning field goal.

The fans have been supportive.“This year’s team was very, very

special in every way,” Mitchell said. “I’m proud of everyone, including the fans, for sticking with us,” Zaputil said.

Mitchell made a point to thank ev-eryone involved.

“Please thank the students and fans from the football team,” Mitchell con-cluded.

Tiger football falls short to top-ranked team in state, 6-3Alex EntzStaff Writer

“The experience of playing in front of the Tiger fans, the best fans in Iowa, is simply awesome. It gives you an enormous sense of pride and belonging. The noise levels are incredible!” —Coach Pat Mitchell

OPInIOn Tiger Hi-Line FEATUREFEATURET h e

American PatriotismJillian Dally

Staff Writer

For those who want to be in the Army, the JROTC (Junior Reserve Of-ficer Training Corps) and ROTC (Re-serve Officer Training Corps) are both ways to get involved and join the Army later in life.

For sophomore Alex Clopton the JROTC was a must because of the prep-aration it offers for his future plans.

"My goal is to get accepted into West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York. I'm also looking at college level ROTC. Many colleges have this program, and it will help pay tuition," Clopton said.

According to Tyler Junker, a for-mer ROTC student at the University of Northern Iowa who now works as a financial planner, students can enroll into the ROTC, have their school paid

for and then be an officer in the Army after they graduate college.

"Students are going to take away everything from ROTC, and being involved in our pro-gram will set them up for success in many ways after college in and outside of the military. We offer students the opportunity to get out of college debt free and with a well paying job waiting for them on the other end. I truly believe there is not a single downside to our fan-tastic experience," Junker said.

In the ROTC, students can sign up for programs like nursing, military po-lice officer and many others.

"I thought the JROTC would be a good opportunity to learn about the military and to develop leadership

Sophomore prepares for future with JROTC

Political Awareness Club replaces role of former student organization

“With the upcoming elections, this club is highly relevant in its focus of raising awareness of political

issues.”

—Emily PolmateerPAC Founder

Katie MooreStaff Writer

This year, the Political Awareness Club (PAC) has taken the place of the Conservative Club. The PAC, started by senior Emily Polmateer and ju-nior Liz Fuller, has taken the political group started by CFHS graduate Andrew Clopton several years ago. Polmateer and Fuller are giving the group a more socially moderate facelift.

“This year, I wanted to have a political club us-ing the foundations of the Conservative Club, but I wanted to change the slant of the club to be more inclusive. Instead of a con-servative emphasis, I am working to move the club in a more moderate di-rection,” Polmateer said.

As a way to reflect the changes, Polmateer decided to change the Con-

servative Club’s name to the Political Awareness Club.

Polmateer said that having the group be more involved with people of vary-ing sides of the political spectrum is

especially important this year.“With the upcoming elections, this

club is highly relevant in its focus of raising awareness of political issues and encouraging active involvement in government,” Polmateer said.

The group meets in room 162 at 3:10 p.m. on Mondays. During these bi-monthly meetings hosted by adult adviser Tim Kangas, political issues are discussed alongside several speak-

ers varying on the political spectrum.

Additionally, the PAC is in the process of organiz-ing for a CFHS caucus held in the high school.

Polmateer said they are planning for the event to be held in late November to early December with rep-resentatives for each presi-dential candidate who hope to persuade undecided vot-ers for their candidate.

Also in the works, if the PAC has the necessary funds, is a field trip to Des Moines to see the state legislature in action after the Iowa cau-cuses are over.

The PAC would also like to volun-teer at the local food bank regularly.

skills," Clopton said. ROTC focuses on the development

of its members’ leadership skills.

"Our main goal in the ROTC is to develop our cadet's leadership skills. We help them with many areas of lead-ership from planning, communication, motivating and many more. In the end our cadets will commission as officers

in the US Army, and we help them prepare for that challenge. Some go to active duty in the full time Army, and

others stay in the Nation-al Guard/Reserves and train there one weekend a month, two weeks a year if they choose to. The option is completely up to the ca-dets which route they want to go," Junker said.

The ROTC is an elec-tive class, where students can take it and earn cred-its toward their degrees. There are no obligations to join the Army, but if

students want to, this opportunity is a good way to start early and get the nec-essary training to do so.

"A typical week for me is physical training on Mondays and Fridays, in the classroom on Tuesdays and Thurs-

“My goal is to get accepted into West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York. I’m also looking at college level ROTC.”

—Alex CloptonJROTC Founder

days, and I have to wear my uniform and do marching on Wednesdays. The physical training can be pretty light, but it does get you into good shape," Clopton said.

The ROTC is not just all hard work; they teach leadership skills along with having fun doing activities like paint-ball, rappelling, rock climbing, color guard and more.

"You do not have any obligation to do the ROTC program if you did the JROTC program in high school, but if you do it in college, you do get paid for it," Junker said.

Those who are interested in the ROTC, should contact Tyler Junker at: 319-269-1716 or go to www.uni.edu/rotc.

Students interested in the JROTC can contact the high school counselors and talk with them about JROTC op-portunities.

Reflections on Patriotism“I think patriotism means love of country, love of tra-

dition and respect for what this country has stood for.”

—Bob Schmidt Social Studies Teacher

“The story of the Five Sullivan Brothers from Water-loo... the story of former POW and current US Senator John McCain ... the list goes on. Ultimately, the story of any veteran or person on active duty who has served or is serving our nation honorably is a story that really

captures the meaning of patriotism.”

—Alex CloptonSophomore

“I thought the focus on service to community, who-ever you are with whatever gifts you have, is a great

way to give back to your country”

—Andrea AykensSocial Studies Teacher