Inside This Issue Sneak Peek

An attitude of gratitude
by junior Maddy Jones

It's seems were' just wired to be ungrateful. We never have enough or good enough of anything... (But) people as far as new Orleans and as close as AP have had the floor ripped from under them... It shouldn't take a tragedy to make us realize what we have.

Walking in their shoes
by junior Lindsie Smith

Forty five minutes can change everything.

On May 25, 2008, a tornado about a mile wide tore through Aplington and Parkersburg. It destroyed nearly everything in its path, everything but Falcon spirit.

>On August 24, A-P started a school year unlike any other. Read Lindsie's article to find out how this district has overcome and shown "nothing can keep us down."

To read the entireity of Maddy and Lindsie's articles, be sure to get your copy of the March 5 PIRATE PRESS.

A learning experience

by senior Joy Wessels

I learned a really valuable lesson this month and it wasn't in the classroom. Well, not really.

I, along with some other journalism students, were to spend the day at another school to satisfy our common curiosity as to what life was like in another high school.

Although I was supposed to report on what I found, I admit I went into the task with a preconceived notion of what I would find. I expected to be stared down by a mass of the stereotypical cheerleaders and jocks, too cool for school, anything or anyone. Much to my surprise I found the complete opposite at CF...

That day I learned something really valuable- whether you go to Hudson, or Cedar Falls, or any other school, we're more alike than we are different. Your school may be your comfort place or second home, but it doesn't define who we are as people or how we view others. Perhaps most importantly is that we need to not pigeon-hole people with our preconceived ideas based on what school colors we wear. In fact, schools are filled with people just like you and me.

To read the entireity of Joy's article, be sure to get your copy of the April 2 PIRATE PRESS.