Extracurriculars deserve recognition

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The robotics team competes.

This spring, Cedar Falls High School students have been putting in a lot of effort, from musical groups to robotics.

A recent band pops concert (seen on page 4) showcased student talent on many instruments. Wind Symphony played a percussion feature called “Concertino” that showed off our talented percussionists at the school.

Tallcorn Jazz Festival on Feb. 21 brought wins for the band program­: Jazz 1 earned a first place win out of 10 bands in the first band category. Junior Michael Stow was awarded an outstanding soloist award in the 4A category for his exceptional solo. Jazz, Too! won second place in the second band category. Both jazz bands will be playing at the NEIBA Jazz Festival at West High School this Saturday. Congrats to the jazz program on their exceptional performances.

Swartdogs 525, the robotics team, took home first place at the Central Illinois regional in Pekin, Ill. They also won the Innovation in Control award given to the team with the most creative control system.   But they also received yet another impressive win: mentor Jan Newendorp won the Woodie Flowers award, given to mentors that inspire innovation. Great job to the robotics team on their amazing hard work.

They will be competing at another regional in Cincinnati this month and a prestigious  worldwide tournament in St. Louis called the FIRST Robotics Championship in late April.

Swartdogs 525’s robot competes.