LIFEMarch edition Boys swim team makes a huge splash By Madison Renz “If there’s an issue on the team, Peng, a junior on the team, the boys Belin. “They’ve [Washington] made The Linn-Mar boys swim team made captains can solve it and try to keep it may not have been able to accomplish us better, they’ve made a lot of people quite the splash at the 2016 District among the swimmers themselves. This winning the meet. With a hurting better and we are thankful to have them swim meet at Coe College on February sometimes works better because a peer shoulder but the motivation to win in our conference and be able to swim 5, winning the district championship telling you to do something may be and be a part of Linn-Mar swimming against them.” title and ending Cedar Rapids Wash- taken better than if it were a coach.” history, Peng was able to push through “Usually not many kids know what his races, despite being in pain. He ington High School’s 53-year district In problem solving, the captains the swim team is so it was good that placed second in both the 50 freestyle winning streak. provide a positive, supportive, and we got some recognition for once,” and the 100 butterfly, easily qualifying healthy environment for all the says Myers of breaking Wash’s win- After winning their first Mississippi for state his third year in a row. Valley Conference title just over a swimmers on the team, which has lead ning streak. week before, the Lions were in high them to great success in the water. “I felt that my swims were With a well-deserved year of win- representative of the phase of training gear going into Saturday’s competition, “The whole team worked hard all ning the Mississippi Valley Conference I was in,” says Peng. “Simply stated, I despite a slight change in location just season and it was about time someone and District titles for the first time, the was complacent with my swims, how- two hours before the meet. The meet brought down Wash,” says Myers. “I’d Linn-Mar boys 2016-17 swimming ever in a broader context, I was over- was moved to Coe College from Linn- say beating Wash was the highlight of season will remain a part of the team’s joyed with the swims of the team as a Mar’s aquatic center due to cold pool the season for most of us.” history and will feed the excitement for temperatures. The pool had to be whole.” the seasons to come. Don Fejfar is a senior swim team drained and refilled after a broken glass Head coach and member and another captain of the incident the week of the competition. District Coach- team. He says he felt the excitement of ing Staff of the “Once we got to MVC and won, the the two previous years of swimming Year recipient motivation just increased more and at districts and a season full of hard Tom Belin de- more,” says Linn-Mar Senior Hogan work finally pay off when the boys scribes the title as Myers. “And I think we were a little won the meet and broke Washington’s well-earned and discouraged [when the meet location streak. Fejfer says that the real excite- well-deserved changed to Coe College] but once we ment leading up to the win came from by the team as saw how nervous everyone else was, the All-Metro swim meet where the a whole, citing we used it to our advantage.” boys first started to get a peek at their the team’s hard Hogan Myers is a member of the successful season’s potential to break work in practices Linn-Mar boys swim team and a three- records. in order to break year state qualifier in the individual “It was exciting the whole way Washington’s 53- 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle through,” said Fejfar. “At no point did year district title events, having gone to state all four we doubt ourselves or ever really feel streak. years as a member of the team. Myers, defeated [even when Wash was ahead]. “To be the also a captain for the team, is respon- It was just good to know how we fol- best, you have to sible for leading stretches, cheers, and lowed through.” compete against also being a link between the team and Without outstanding swims by Matt the best,” says the coaches. Key Club’s Dance Marathon to be held April 21 By Zoey McDonald opinions. In 2016, the dance marathon friends in creative, yet appropriate This year, Linn-Mar Key Club theme was ‘Neon’ and encouraged costumes. This theme was a majority received a grant of $900 from the Linn-Mar Key Club has held various dancers to dress up in neon while vote and has students excited because Key Club International, which will types of interactive fundraisers, the dancing the night away under strobe of how much they enjoy the back-to- help cover expenses for the dance as most current one being the dance and black lights. Food was also a big school costume dance. well as provide some extra money to marathon. The club’s third dance part of the dance marathon. Students In previous years, t-shirts have been send in a donation to the Children’s marathon will be held on April 21st were welcome to re-energize their sold to participants as another way to Hospital. Many members of Key Club from 8-11 pm in the main gym. All bodies by taking a break from dancing raise more money to donate. This year, are excited as they would like to make Linn-Mar students grades 9-12 are in the gym and stopping for some Key Club will be mixing things up this a great experience and something welcome to join. Admittance is only food in the cafeteria. Other activities by selling neon pink t-shirts and bro to remember for themselves and $10 at the door or is free with the included glow balloons, hula hoops, tanks for $15, which then allows free everyone who plans on participating purchase of a $15 t-shirt prior to the and a photo booth that took pictures of admittance into the dance. They are also in the dance marathon. dance. friends with goofy props. selling glow-in-the-dark wristbands. “This is a great opportunity for The dance marathon may not be “We are hoping for an even bigger Items will be sold in the four-corners Linn-Mar students to come together the most popular dance at Linn-Mar outcome than years before and to of the high school on decided dates. for a fun night and give back to the but it is the most helpful. Each dance raise even more money for the kids,” This year’s activities will also community,” says Alee Bruns, one of marathon raises money that is given says Amani Dewan, Key Club officer. include a photo booth, music, snacks the Linn-Mar Key Club presidents. to the University of Iowa Children’s Dewan further explains that Key Club and refreshments just like previous Everyone is encouraged to come Oncology Center. The money helps is always looking for more sponsors to years. There will also be a poster that and participate in this event on April patients and families with medical help out on donations. attendees get to sign for the Children’s 21st with the aim of having a good bills and other needs. The theme for this year’s dance will Hospital. All of these activities make time while donating to those in need Every year, the theme for the dance be a costume party, similar to the back the overall dance marathon experience at the University of Iowa Children’s is voted on by members of the Linn- -to-school dance, Toga. Students will more enjoyable for participants and Hospital. Get your boogie on! Mar Key Club and based off students’ be encouraged to dress up with their hosts. The Linn-Mar Life Anderson to retire from Linn-Mar By Izzy Nanke excellence is the process,” is a she has gained many things from Mr. Bob Anderson has been favorite quote from Anderson. working with Anderson, even if it with Linn-Mar for the last 22 years, Through this quote, he’s was only for a year. She learned a and is still as enthusiastic about explaining to all that what is done different style of being present in a teaching today as he was when he at Linn-Mar is no easy job. It takes room as well as a different level of first stepped through the doors of hard work, time, and effort, and he expectations. She learned new ways Linn-Mar High School. For the last gives just that. Anderson walks into of expressing musicality, and says 22 years, Anderson has been seen as a class ready to work, every single the drive that Anderson had while a mentor to many, and an inspiration day, and that takes real talent. teaching inspired her. to all. He consistently strives to be Anderson takes his job very Hussey isn’t the only one better, and anyone who’s ever had seriously, and the students of Linn- inspired by Anderson. When asked him in class can say that he won’t Mar now have high standards for his favorite memory of working stop until he gets there. the new director that will be coming with Anderson, piano player Lee Junior Elizabeth Ullrick captures in next year.