Vol 51 Issue 2

October 17, 2014

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

Vol. 51, No. 2

Sophomore Emma Thomson is in the spotlight for playing on the U-17 Women’s National Team.

See page 15

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

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Wilkommen!

German students step foot on American soil.

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Hakuna Matata Hurricane Helpers

Universal truths in Disney movies provide inspiration.

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Open Sesame

Church group volunteers in Fall play presents new New Orleans. interpretation of old tales.

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NEWS | October 17, 2014

German students immersed in American culture Kait Valentine News Writer

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uilding on a tradition that has existed at Maine South for years, German foreign exchange students arrived in Park Ridge on Oct. 11 and have been shadowing Maine South students and experiencing American culture.

The German students come to Park Ridge every other year in the fall for a two-week stay. The students come from Wiesbaden, Germany, which is about a nine-hour flight from Chicago. The group is mainly girls, ages 15 and 16.

The program is organized by Maine South’s German teacher Mrs. Margaret Wolf. Any student who takes German is allowed to participate in the exchange.

Partners are chosen by answering a number of questions to determine compatibility with a student. Next, Mrs. Wolf and the German students’ teacher coordinate the partnerships.

Maine South students often find their partners on Facebook and get to know them a bit before they arrive.

While here, the students take advantage of Park Ridge’s proximity

to downtown Chicago.

Senior Mara Cameron participated during her sophomore year and will be participating again this year. “We like to take them downtown a lot because there isn’t that much going on in Park Ridge,” she said. “We take them to all the basics like Navy Pier and the Sears Tower.”

The exchange students also enjoy shopping in America because some brands are cheaper here.

Some of these trips into the city will be taken during the school day, while others are on the weekends so that their Maine South partner can attend.

“Making new friends and learning more about the culture in Germany is what I’m most looking forward to,” said senior Eugene Beale.

“Surprisingly, they don’t all wear lederhosen and yodel to polka music.”

The following summer, Maine South German students will then have the opportunity to travel to Wiesbaden to stay with their partner’s family, and experience their culture first-hand.

Wiesbaden is a large city near Frankfurt along the Rhine River. It is surrounded by a vibrant nightlife and

music scene, as well as many historic churches, museums, and traditional foods.

While there, Maine South students have traveled to many different cities within the Hessen area of Germany, and even had the opportunity to go canoeing.

“Going to Germany was an amazing experience,” said senior Colleen Katkus, who went on the Germany trip two summers ago.

“Although we were only there for two weeks, it made a huge impact on me. I was fortunate to embrace their culture and observe how people different from me live.”

The cultural differences in Germany can be vast. In general, Germany is an overall more tolerant country, especially when it comes to social issues. For example, drinking age and censorship are far more controversial in the US than in Germany.

The etiquette when it comes to relationships and interactions is also different in Germany. Germans make a clear distinction between a Freund (friend) and a Bekannter (acquaintance).

The term Freund in German

is used to describe a long, deep friendship, not a casual acquaintance.

In America, this distinction between a friend and an acquaintance is often blurred.

Even the simple act of eating a meal is different in Germany.

Americans tend to eat quickly and in front of a TV or in other informal settings.

Germans take their time when eating and tend to talk with family and friends more at meals. Food is also much healthier in Germany than it is in America, and obesity is not as much of an issue there.

As Maine South opens its doors to the Germans, it gives students a chance to open up to cultures that are different from their own.

This program allows Maine South students to understand how students halfway across the world live. It exposes them to a completely different lifestyle. Homestay exchanges allow for a better understanding of the world.

Even the students who are not participating in the exchange are encouraged to get to know the German students around school or through a student who is hosting.

Second-annual activities fair is a success at MSHS Ellen Longman

News Writer he second-annual activity fair gave freshmen and other students a chance to explore their interests by signing up for clubs, and it gave clubs the opportunity to show everyone what they’re about.

“Not all students at Maine South are aware of the Math resources that exist in our building,” said Ms. Katie Schroder, the head of the math resource center. “Therefore, our goal at the fair was to tell students what peer tutoring is, introduce math peer tutors to our student body, and make appointments with students who need help with Math.”

The program ultimately received a total of forty-two new applications.

“As a result of the fair, more students are working with peer tutors and understand that there are students in the building who want to volunteer their time to help them with Math,” she said.

The foreign language booths were also incredibly popular.

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PHOTO BY RHYANNE NOCHE

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INVOLVEMENT ALL AROUND

Students walk along the courtyard during the activities fair while stopping to sign up for clubs. Those who showed interest also received free cookies for coming out and supporting the various school clubs.

“What I love about German club is that anyone can join,” said sophomore Mark Biedke. “Even people who don’t take German as a class can be active at our events and learn about German culture. We go to a traditional, German-styled market, bake sweet German bread, and eat good food.”

National Honor Society, which

accepts members through invitation only, was at the fair predominantly to educate prospective members about admission requirements.

“Since everyone who meets the requirements is already invited to apply, our goal wasn’t to get any more applicants, but to gain visibility and to remind people not to do anything stupid that would keep them from

being admitted,” said NHS sponsor, Mr. Don McArthur.

By learning about the honor society’s requirements early in the year, juniors have enough time to achieve their 20 volunteer hours and write their essays for NHS before the winter deadline.

The fair was instrumental in helping clubs gain visibility. The Book Club, Harry Potter Club, and Speech Team all gained prospective members. “[Speech Team] actually got a lot of interest this year because we put so much effort into publicity,” said senior Neiv Hans. “We kept waving people over like crazy to our booth.”

There appeared to be an increase in attendance over last year’s activity fair, but some students attended the event more for the free desserts than for an enthusiasm towards getting involved.

“I went 95% for the free food and 5% for interest,” said freshman Anne Longman, “but I ended up going to a bunch of booths and signing up for art club.”

October 17, 2014

| NEWS

Halloween costumes may be allowed again Stephen Sakowicz Editor-in-Chief

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new proposal currently under consideration by Maine South administrators may approve students being able to wear costumes on Halloween this year. After an eightyear absence, the forthcoming decision is set to be approved or denied in the days before Halloween.

Instrumental in the potential return of Halloween was the Principal’s Advisory Committee. The Committee, comprised of students from every class at Maine South, discussed the possibility of the holiday making its return to the school after years of student disappointment over the costume ban.

Principal Shawn Messmer, head of the PAC, entertained this idea and sent a proposal along to the teachers to be voted on. The proposal asked if teachers would be okay with allowing students to wear appropriate costumes and if this would not be too much of a distraction for classes.

Students feel excited about potentially being allowed to wear costumes once again. Freshmen see the

GRAPHIC BY BASIA CHRUSCINSKI-RAMOS

opportunity to wear costumes as a perk of being in high school.

“It allows students to express themselves,” said freshman Ryan Hamel. “Since we weren’t able to wear them in middle school, I think it would be a cool difference to be able to wear them in high school.”

Fellow freshman Alec Sheffield agrees with Hamel.

“I think that being able to wear costumes would give school spirit at Maine South a big boost since we would all come together and dress up,” said Sheffield.

Along with the students, some teachers expressed their support for costumes potentially making their return to Maine South.

Ms. Schanou feels as if the students should be given an opportunity to bring back the costumes.

“I’d like for Maine South to try it,” said Ms. Darcie Schanou. “I think students have respectfully been asking to bring back costumes for a while, but the idea requires a lot of student responsibility and being able to show that they can do it while being appropriate.”

Being able to wear costumes on Halloween at Maine South was disallowed in 2005, according to former Principal David Claypool, mainly due to the type of costumes that the students wore and the costumes impact on the classroom environment.

Principal Messmer passed the idea onto the administrators and would support the costume idea if approved by the teachers.

“Costumes were banned because students took it too far,” said Mr. Messmer, “The deans and teachers ended up spending the day disciplining students instead of everyone enjoying the day as originally intended.

Enough time may have passed that allows for a new tradition.”

Seniors have never experienced being able to wear a costume at Maine South without breaking the rules.

“I really would like to see the idea be approved,” said senior David Passaneau. “As a senior I have never been allowed to wear a costume at school during my time here at Maine South. Having the opportunity to do so would be awesome in my last year here.”

Mr. Trenkle receives 2014 Yale Educator Award Mariam Zaki Staff Writer

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mong the students that have roamed the halls of Maine South, many have gone on to pursue illustrious careers and accomplish great things. Some of these noteworthy students have become professional sports players, successful businessmen and businesswomen, and the first lady of the United States.

Social Science teacher Mr. Andrew Trenkle can also be added to this prestigious list.

Nominated by Maine South graduate Hope Allchin (‘14), Mr. Trenkle received the world-renowned 2014 Yale Educator Award. This award is given to recognize outstanding educators from around the world who have inspired and motivated students to pursue excellence.

This year, the Yale admissions officers received 306 nominations for teachers and counselors from 39 states and 20 countries. Out of these, 54 teachers and 30 counselors were selected.

A Maine South alumnus himself, Trenkle is now in his twelfth year of teaching at his alma mater.

He currently teaches Economics and AP Comparative Government, along with sponsoring the Constitution Team and Key Club. Mr. Trenkle was honored to receive such an esteemed award.

“I was extremely happy and humbled to receive this honor because Hope was such a great student and she had so many outstanding teachers to choose from,” said Mr. Trenkle. “This really speaks to the unique opportunity that the Constitution Team offers and our incredible government program.”

Although this award means a great deal to him, Mr. Trenkle expressed that his joy is in teaching students and watching them grow in their thinking, speaking, and writing, as well as their ability to work with one another.

“It is the little things that matter most to me, like to have a student tell me that they enjoy my class,” he said.

“Those things really make me enjoy what I do.”

Mr. Trenkle’s students and colleagues are very happy for him and appreciate the work he does.

“All of us in the Social Science department try and prepare our students to engage with society,” said

AP Government and US History teacher Mr. Daniel States, “And the award shows that Mr. Trenkle obviously did that.”

“The fact that I go to a school that has such distinguished teachers as Mr. Trenkle is really incredible,” said senior Joe Dybisz.

PHOTO BY RHYANNE NOCHE

IVY LEAGUE HONOR

Mr. Trenkle received the Yale Educator Award 2014 after being nominated by 2014 Maine South graduate Hope Allchin. This prestigious award was also given to physics teacher Mr. Marino last year.

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COMMENTARY

| October 17, 2014

Lessons learned from a Mouse Maggie Bono Staff Writer

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GRAPHIC BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

ike many high schoolers, I occasionally avoid homework on a Sunday afternoon by watching TV. And though it might make me sound juvenile, Disney films are often my go-to, feel-good movies due to their secretly ingrained valuable life lessons. If that means I have to stay up until ten o’clock doing homework, so be it.

As is evidenced by our Disneythemed Homecoming, Disney is still a favorite among students, and anyone who argues otherwise has clearly not seen enough Disney movies.

Although many high school students can watch R-rated movies, these classic Disney films are still incredibly popular today because they tell stories about friendship, adventure, and love with catchy songs that never seem to leave your head.

Watching one of these movies can always put a smile on your face and help you remember why you loved it in the first place. The stories are simple enough to follow, yet complex enough that when you’re older, you can enjoy

the movie even more.

Disney kept in mind that adults would have to bring the target audience to the movie theaters to watch these films, so the movies had to appeal to young and old alike.

With the recent death of Robin Williams, I decided to watch “Aladdin.” Revisiting Agrabah and its arabic wonders brought back so many memories of my childhood. When the Genie states his lists of rules to Aladdin when they first meet, he does several famous celebrity impressions that I never understood before.

Listening to Williams switch from Genie to Arnold Schwarzenegger or Robert De Niro is an example of one scene that I appreciate even more now.

An ingenious trick Disne y employs is putting “Easter eggs” into other Disney movies. These hidden messages keep viewers alert and they remind us of all of the other classics out there.

If you watch carefully, for example, you can notice the Pizza Planet truck originally seen in “Toy Story” driving by in almost every Pixar movie made.

If clever animation isn’t enough to make you fall in love with a Disney movie, the values taught will leave you wanting to watch the movie over again.

In “Lilo and Stitch,” Lilo grew up without parents to look after her, so

the meaning of family meant much more to her than to people that take it for granted every day. She taught us the meaning of “Ohana” and how it applies to every situation.

In “The Lion King,” when Simba had tried to erase his scarring past (pun intended) of carrying the blame of the death of his father, Rafiki opened our eyes and showed us that the past can hurt us, but you can either run from it or learn from it.

This inspiring speech helped Simba realize that he needed to regain Pride Rock.

Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” taught us not to judge a someone by how they look. Despite his appearance, Belle fell in love with the Beast because of his kind, caring personality.

All Disney movies have a similar feel-good aspect that leaves the audience wanting to make a positive change in the world.

Disney diehards can agree that that stories they grew up with are just as rewarding to watch today. So when we watch those movies today, we can escape from our weekend homework and remember part of that world where nothing could go wrong.

Sometimes, we all need a little happy ever after to keep us going, regardless of our age, or how much homework we have left.

Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 http://www.southwords.org

Signed letters to the editor should be delivered to LRC1, given to a member of the editorial staff, or e-mailed to southwords@maine207.org.

Southwords reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Scan this QR code to e-mail Southwords Editors-in-Chief

Alex Ellyin Katie Krall Stephen Sakowicz

Production Editors Josh Larragoity Rhyanne Noche News Editors

Erin Clements Kristin Camiliere Jake Kay

Entertainment Editors Katie Kaminsky Kate Papciak Matt Weiss Features Editors Monica Bielawiec CJ Johnson Laney Kraus-Taddeo Commentary Editors

Annie Krall

Alex Ponder Sports Editors

Austin Derrick John Lavaccare Sam Tinaglia

Art/Production Team Basia Chruscinski Adviser

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Mr. Stathakis

COMMENTARY

| October 17, 2014

STAFF EDITORIAL

Our social media behavior is out of bounds T

he “Hawks Fly Together” motto is deteriorating at the hands of students using social media as a forum for discord. While Hawk Pride values such as respect, dignity, and empathy may be evident in the school, in a world of anonymity on apps like Yik Yak, these values are disappearing.

Anonymity gives students a false notion of power. Many disregard the ramifications of their posts because they believe that they will face no repercussions.

Posts can be crude and inconsiderate when students know that they will not be linked to their comments. However, posts in the virtual world have very real ramifications in the real world.

One of the newest popular social media apps is Yik Yak: an app created for college students giving them a message board on which to post anonymously.

Access to the app is denied for users when they are located near elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition, under the information bar of the app, it states that “no one under college age should be on Yik Yak.” In the next section, the top rule is “do not bully or specifically target other yakkers.”

These guidelines have been ignored by Maine South students as cyberbullying is spreading and becoming harder to control.

This problem isn’t limited to just Yik Yak, though, as Facebook is another prime source of the problem. Viral altercations reflect poorly on our generation and weaken us as a student body.

GRAPHIC BY BASIA CHRUSCINSKI

Targeting students involved with the PA wing or athletes resolves no argument and settles no score.

If all Hawks fly together, why do we let issues come between us and force us to choose sides?

Negative posts have not always been the norm.

In the past, Maine South students have used social

media as a platform for promoting positivity.

Just over a year ago, the Facebook page “Maine South Compliments” was posting double-digit uplifting, yet anonymous, comments every week.

This page was a source of inspiration for Maine South students. The number of contributions and posts on the page has been declining as of late. It should be students’ mission to revive the spirit of the Compliments page.

The decision to act responsibly on social media is ultimately up to the student. Teachers can advise students to delete Yik Yak or other social media outlets, but this cannot be forced upon students.

It ultimately falls to the student to rise above the negativity.

On a daily basis, there are Yaks which suggest making the message board a compliments page.

Although these requests may be small, they are the voice of reason. These reform efforts help find common ground between students no matter what their background: actor, athlete, or artist. At the end of the day, we are all Hawks and that doesn’t end when school concludes at 3:15.

There will always be opportunities for anonymous negativity. It may be a new app or a different social media site, but self-expression will always have an outlet. The answer isn’t to specifically target Yik Yak, but rather the negativity it enables.

In the world of anonymity, we should strive to be positive and supportive rather than demeaning and humiliating.

Working towards healthy habits Alex Ellyin Editor-in-Chief

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ver the last half-century in America, obesity has gone from a small issue to a massive issue, no pun intended.

Numerous pieces of progressive legislation have been passed within t he nat ion regard ing he a lt hy eating habits under the Obama administration. These include the Let’s Move! campaign and the Task Force on Childhood Obesity.

Maine South has attempted to follow in the footsteps of these sweeping policies by eliminating the sale of non-diet soda from the cafeteria and vending machines in the halls of the school.

However, what doesn’t add up is the fact that Maine South still

sells chocolate and other sweets in the cafeteria and in numerous club fundraisers.

One 12-ounce bottle of Coca Cola has 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. This is an item the cafeteria used to sell. A Snickers bar has 250 calories and 12 grams of fat. This is an item currently available in every cafeteria line.

It makes no sense that Maine South is prohibiting the sale of soda beverages throughout the school, but still sells Snickers bars, M&Ms, and Kit Kats.

In addition to the cafeteria, clubs and teams throughout the school year raise money for their club funds using chocolate, which seems to be the most popular fundraising item sold by students.

For example, the Italian Club sells Fannie May chocolate, the German Club sells Toblerone Bars and gummy bears, and the French Club sells Van Wyk chocolate bars.

O f t h e s e pre v i ou s ly - l i s t e d chocolate products, the lowest in calories is a Toblerone bar, which has 190 calories and 10 grams of fat. One Toblerone bar also has six grams of saturated fat, 30% of the recommended daily intake.

It is not a surprise that chocolate will produce more sales for a fundraiser and give our cafeteria food service a greater profit. That is not something up for dispute. However, there is no benefit to selling chocolate besides the increased profit.

Granola bars or fruit are a better option. If kids need a snack, they are going to eat it no matter what. They may prefer chocolate, but food is food for high schoolers when they are hungry. And the food we eat might as well be good for us if we have the option to choose.

Plus, if clubs were to sell healthier snacks for their fundraisers, students would have to work harder to sell these items. This might seem negative

at first, but there is a bright side.

With students working harder to sell healthy items, they will be presented with a real-life sales opportunity. The art of selling will be helpful in a variety of occupations students may end up pursuing in their future endeavors, but it is also an important skill to know regardless of vocation.

At the end of the day, there are more pertinent issues to Maine South students than what they eat for a snack. But, it doesn’t make sense for our school to sell candy bars, but not soda.

Either eliminate all unhealthy goods, or allow for students to make their own choices. A small change like this can be very significant in the long run for the health and well-being of current and future Hawks.

Banning regular soda is a step in the right direction, but by selling other sweet goods, we are taking a step right back to where we started.

SouthwordS 5

COMMENTARY | October 17, 2014

Happily hating Halloween

Turf war: Yogli vs. Menchies

Katie Kaminsky Entertainment Editor

Katelyn Kahn Staff Writer

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hen I was three years old, I went trick-or-treating in an adorable ladybug costume. My sister was a bratty princess as per usual. By the time we got to the very first house, I was passed out in the stroller and my sister had been bitten by a giant dog.

I then spent the rest of my Halloween in the hospital while my sister was getting tested for rabies. Granted, I was fast asleep, but I can imagine that this was very stressful. Halloween and I did not get off to such a great start, and our relationship has remained in the gutter ever since.

In my years as an elementary student, I really did try to like Halloween. I was still too young to understand my distaste for the holiday. I’m sure it would have worried the adults at Washington Elementary School and resulted in a phone call home. My friends and I even used to plan a group costume to save me from having to be creative and come up with one on my own.

In fifth grade, my crew and I got to trick-or-treat by ourselves. The group was so excited they practically ran to

every single house. I am not very fast now and I most definitely was not fast in fifth grade. I ran behind the rest of the crowd in my Pink Ladies’ jacket and teased hair while the rest of my clique in pink raced ahead to get the most candy they possibly could. I finished the day sweaty, out of breath, and with a pile of candy corn.

Unfortunately for me, the hype for Halloween has seemed to grow as I have gotten older. The costumes have gotten more elaborate and excitement for the holiday has increased similarly.

Now I’m faced with the choice of either trick-or-treating as a 17-year old or putting on a teeny-tiny costume and parading around at a Halloween party. I would much prefer to eat the candy faster than the trick-or-treaters come to my door.

It does not help that my neighbor builds a life-size pirate ship on his lawn every year, equipped with a “Hotel for the Dead.” His monstrosity steals all of our trick or treaters because apparently the two pumpkins on my family’s doorstep do not even come close to a life-size pirate ship.

When I was younger, I was genuinely upset as my family and I watched the trick-or-treaters pass by our house to attend the display next door. Now, my siblings and I eat the candy in the bowl and my mom can pretend that the reason it disappears is because of the vast number of trick or treaters we had that year.

Ever y ye ar as t his holiday approaches, my siblings and I groan.

My mom is not quite sure how she managed to raise three kids that hate Halloween. I suppose the hatred is similar to that of a bad cold. It is contagious; and no matter the amount of candy my mom bought or the cute costumes she supplied, we were destined from day one to hate the holiday.

I have found that it is usually better to not share my Halloween hatred. People are always amazed to discover my disappointing feelings towards Oct. 31.

My f r i e n d s a n d my p o o r Halloween-crazed mother have tried to sway me with free candy and fun costumes, but I cannot bring myself to comply.

Call me un-American, but I just do not see what the hype is all about.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not an avid protestor of Halloween. You won’t see me with a picket sign. I wear mouse ears and get the five dollar Chipotle burrito every year. But that is the only part of the day I will enjoy.

Nevertheless, I will probably dress up and join the festivities, and I will withhold my thoughts towards the event.

When I am older, I will take my children around trick or treating and hope that this contagious distaste will not spread to them—because it’s no fun to be the kid that hates Halloween.

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PHOYO BY MARK KAMINSKY

hen traveling through uptown Park Ridge, you might think you are seeing double. I was one of those people who would make fun of the fact that Park Ridge has so many duplicates, from coffee shops to salons. It seemed especially absurd to me to have two frozen yogurt stores within five blocks of each other.

I decided to investigate Yogli Mogli, the first frozen yogurt store to open in Uptown Park Ridge and Menchies, another popular frozen yogurt store nearby.

My first impression of Yogli Mogli was that it was a clean and happy environment.

According to the manager, the products at Yogli Mogli are made with all real yogurt and all real fruit, which makes me feel a little better about the fact that I fill my cup with unhealthy toppings. To help those with allergies, Yogli Mogli has allergens listed on the label.

Yogli Mogli had a larger selection of flavors, but it had a definite yogurt taste to it. However, when real fruit was added as a topping, it balanced out the subpar yogurt.

On the other hand, Menchies has many more toppings, which gives customers a larger variety of finishing touches to their yogurt creations.

Menchies also lists the calorie count and other nutrition facts that one might need to know. For example, all flavors are kosher, some are gluten free, fat free, and vegan. You could even buy a Menchies zip-up jacket, if that is your thing.

Menchies tasted much better than Yogli Mogli as well. Yogli Mogli had a tart taste. Menchies tasted less like yogurt and more like ice cream, so it has a more dessert-like quality to it.

To me, Menchies takes the Frozen Yogurt crown due to the fact that calories and nutrition facts are listed.

We all want to eat healthy, but we don’t want our taste buds to know.

All factors considered, Menchies is the best option for a frozen yogurt BEFORE THE STORM At age three, I was forced into a ladybug costume. Five seconds later, my older sister, disguised fix uptown. as a princess, had me in a headlock. But that’s a different picture.

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October 17, 2014 | FEATURES

The never-sleeping generation

Staff Writer

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or many students at Maine South, getting enough sleep is a luxury that, with academics, sports, and extracurriculars, many simply cannot afford. In the high-stakes, high-stress world that is high school, it can become difficult to fit a good night’s rest into our packed schedules.

It often seems like we are required to choose between good grades, a social life, extracurriculars, or enough sleep, and it’s no surprise that sleep usually gets chosen last.

However, many of us find ourselves reevaluating our decision to stay up late to cram for a test when we are falling asleep trying to remember the answers the next day. But drowsiness isn’t the only byproduct of a lack of sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that a lack of sleep can contribute to serious physical and mental problems.

“S ome of t he he a lt h r isk s associated with sleep deprivation are daytime sleepiness prohibiting learning and attention deficits, mood swings and in extreme cases depression, drowsy driving is an obvious danger,” said Maine South nurse, Mrs. Peggy Kendrick, who agrees that Hawks are in desperate need of more sleep. “Accidents and injuries are more prevalent with lack of sleep. There are medical publications that propose we are more at risk for cardiovascular disease with sleep deprivation.”

It’s an epidemic sweeping the school—and the nation. According t o the American Academy of Pediatrics, a staggering 87 % of h ig h s cho ol students were getting less than t h e

recommended 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep on school nights. That means that only about 324 of the 2,498 Maine South students are getting enough sleep.

“Most high school students need about nine hours of sleep a night,” said Mrs. Kendrick. “I do not think that our cast of Hawks gets enough sleep. We are an academicallychallenging school with a myriad of extracurricular activities, not to mention the social demands of a typical teenager. We have an early start time of 7:45 which adds to a student’s sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation for students can impact learning as it is much harder to pay attention or even stay awake in a class.”

Dealing with all the trials and tribulations of the 7 ½ hour day can be quite anxiety-provoking for many students, and with dozens of sports and 60+ clubs available at our school, many of us stay far past the 3:15 bell as we sing, dance, act, practice, learn or compete until the late evening.

Then it’s time to face the mounds of homework just waiting to be done before starting the next day.

Sophomore Nicole Skora is a member of the JV swim team and is also enrolled in some of Maine South’s most challenging classes.

“On a good night I get six hours,” she said. “Most nights its usually four to five. Its hard with a sport, you get to understand that first hand.

Sometimes you have so much on your mind that even when you want to go to sleep you can’t because you’re so stressed out.”

Many students who are this invested in school and athletics share Skora’s sentiments.

But then who is this 13% of high schoolers who do get

enough sleep, and what do they think?

“I try to go to bed early and get as much sleep as possible, but with activities and sports and homework, I can’t always get as much as I need, which affects my performance with these commitments,” said sophomore Ann Kapustiak, one of the select few who reports that although it is difficult, she usually manages to get the recommended nine hours per night.

“Many high school kids are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis,” said Mr. Kura, social science teacher and head swimming coach who considers this topic frequently as a teacher and coach. “ This undoubtedly impacts their academic and athletic performance in a negative way. I also feel that student’s inability to manage their time effectively as well.”

“Most high school students need about nine hours of sleep a night.”

Mrs. Kendrick -

“This generation of students has had a cell phone for most of their lives.

The constant use of cell phones are interrupting one’s circadian rhythms by preventing a natural ‘wind down’ before bedtime,” said Mrs. Kendrick.

“It becomes a cycle of too little sleep, too much caffeine, and constant social media demands taking a toll on our Hawks.”

Some argue that schools should start later, such as the American Society of Pediatrics, which says that schools should be starting at 8:30 or

later.

Maine South, as part of the 20% of schools that start at 7:45 or earlier, shows no signs of changing the start time. This is because, of course, if the day were to start later, it would also have to end later.

This would cause after school commitments to run even later, and students would be playing sports in the dark.

However, new studies show that adolescent bodies may be wired to stay up later (our biological “clocks” may be set to not be able to fall asleep until 11 pm), meaning that setting our schedules an hour later may be of benefit to us.

“I think that with the time commitment and the amount of homework that we all get, it’s really hard to keep up with all of that and still get enough sleep, so I do think school should start later,” said sophomore Marie Downey, a cross country and track runner who plays clarinet in the band, and is taking several accelerated classes.

Although students this involved can be somewhat rare, the seven hours or less of sleep Marie gets is not.

“I get less than six hours of sleep and I’m sure that’s the most others get if they are lucky,” said sophomore Trish Maloney, who, like many students at Maine South, does not feel this amount of sleep is enough to function during the day.

It is clear that sleep-deprivation is hurting teens, but the solution to this problem is not quite as clear. Schools will need to take progressive measures to combat this issue, so that students everywhere can benefit from a full night’s sleep.

ILLISTRATION BY BASIA CHRUSCINSKI

Margaret Cahill

SouthwordS 7

| October 17, 2014

PHOTO COURTESY AMANDA PECK

FEATURES

▲BAND OF SISTERS

Members of the Hawkettes pose together during a trip to the Cure SMA conference in Washington DC. The team has been working with the organization in pursuit of a cure to spinal muscular atrophy.

Hawkettes take on SMA and have fun doing it

Sarah Asson Staff Writer

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hile other kids were sleeping in, enjoying the hot beach weather, or engaging in sports, Maine South’s very own Hawkettes were aiding the fight for an amazing cause.

The Hawkettes didn’t just spend the summer practicing routines; they also devoted countless hours to an organization called Cure SMA. Cure SMA, formerly known as Families of SMA, is an organization working to cure spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

SMA is a motor neuron disease that causes various degrees of muscle damage and mobility impairment and affects approximately one in every 10,000 people. The most common type of SMA is also the most serious, making SMA the leading genetic cause of death for children under two.

Over the past few years, the girls have become more and more involved with Cure SMA. The organization performs research, reaches out to affected families, and works to spread awareness of the disease.

As part of their outreach, Cure SMA holds an annual four-day conference in a different city each summer. The purpose of the event is to bring together researchers, doctors, and families.

Varsity coach Jackie Graney has been attending the conference for many years, but the Hawkettes first began accompanying her four years ago. In June 2011, three Hawkettes traveled to Orlando, Florida to attend the conference for the first time, and

8 SouthwordS

since then, the team’s participation has only increased. This past June, the conference took place in Washington D.C., and 18 girls, including current and former Hawkettes, attended.

“The Hawkette family volunteers to watch these children so their parents can meet with doctors, researchers, and families to learn more about the disease,” said Coach Graney. “What most people don’t realize is that this is the only time parents leave their kids with a ‘babysitter.’ But the Hawkette family doesn’t just babysit—we make it something special that these kids will never forget.”

The days were filled with tea parties, crafts, Wii games, face painting, and countless other activities. For example, senior Liza Hasan helped run a ring toss carnival game for the children.

“Many of the kids needed help gripping and throwing the rings, but when they made a toss, the looks of joy on their faces were priceless,” Hasan said.

In addition to the daily activities, the Hawkettes also threw a dance party for the kids, which varsity captain senior Meghan Villano said was her favorite part of the weekend.

“The kids can’t really dance the way we do, but they find new, creative ways to express themselves, which is really fun to see,” said Villano.

The team also choreographed and performed a routine for the children.

“The kids were so excited and

couldn’t wait to see us dance,” said junior Megan Besler. “They looked up to us so much and were in awe after we did our routine.”

Senior Amanda Peck, a varsity captain, said the best part about the conference was the connection they formed with the children.

“I loved getting close to the kids,” said Peck. “By the end of the week, we each had a few kids that were really comfortable with us and wanted to follow us everywhere.”

“I can’t put into words how it feels to see the Hawkettes volunteer endless hours that weekend to make these children’s days,” said Coach Graney.

“It was an emotional weekend for all and a life-changing experience.”

The Hawkettes’ work with SMA doesn’t stop after the conference. The entire team also participates in the Cure SMA Illinois Chapter’s annual 2.5 mile Walk-n-Roll event held in Libertyville each June.

In the fall, the Hawkettes also go to Cure SMA’s Illinois headquarters in Elk Grove Village to help to clean and package toys for the annual conference.

“Once one conference is over, Cure SMA immediately starts preparing for the next one, so we are already helping the effort in November,” said senior Meghan Martin, a varsity team member.

The football team has also gotten involved with the organization; in the past, the team has come out in the late spring to help load trucks with toys and supplies for the conference.

It’s this ongoing service and dedication to those with the disease that inspired Mr. Takashi Yagihashi, father of two Hawkettes and renowned chef, to donate his recent Top Chef winnings to Cure SMA. Yagihashi first appeared on the fourth season of Top Chef Masters in 2012, and just last month, he was invited back to compete on the new Top Chef spinoff: Top Chef Duels.

In each episode of this new show, two previous contestants are brought back for a one-on-one face off. After the episode airs, viewers vote for the chef they believe deserved to win, and the contestant who receives the most votes gets $5,000 to donate to a charity of his or her choice.

Yagihashi appeared on the Sept. 3 episode, where he won both the onair duel and the viewer vote, which resulted in his $5,000 donation to Cure SMA. “We decided to donate to Cure SMA because of how much the people affected by it deserve a cure,” his daughter Bridget Yagihashi, a sophomore on varsity Hawkettes, said. “The organization holds a place in all of the Hawkettes’ hearts, and my dad kept that in mind when choosing his charity for the show. It’s really a cause that more people need to be aware of.”

Along with their commitment to excellence, the Hawkettes have also made volunteering a priority.

“I’m so proud of the Hawkettes for touching the lives of these children year after year,” said Coach Graney.

October 17, 2014 | FEATURES

Katie Kaminsky

Entertainment Editor

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his past summer, 16 Maine South students ventured to New Orleans to participate in service work organized by St. Paul of the Cross Church. The group included seniors Liz Skoronski, Victoria Gawedzki, Alec Munce, Dan Hopkinson, Alyssa Darlak, Marygrace Inserra, Claire Prendergast, Jessica Petersen, Kate Garvey, Erin Faltin, Mara Cameron, Sean Nimitz, Cassidy Gooding, junior Paige Prendergast, and sophomore Sarah Baker. The students went to New Orleans to make a difference in the community that had been struck

by Hurricane Katrina nine years prior.

Despite the amount of time that has passed since the hurricane, there are still reminders of the disaster.

“After the destruction, emergency responders went through each house,” said senior Victoria Gawedzki. “They spray painted Katrina Crosses on the doors and in each quadrant they listed the date, time, number of bodies found, and other information gathered from the investigation.

As we drove through New Orleans nine years after the hurricane, there were still crosses spray painted on houses and buildings. It reflected the hopelessness some people felt, but motivated me to work even harder for those that lost everything they had ever known.”

The Katrina Crosses were truly a shock to the system. The lower ninth ward is an area in New Orleans that was hit the hardest by the storm, and it remains the section in need of the most attention. The levies burst in this area, causing floods to drown the streets. Water reached the top of stop signs and people cried desperately for help.

As part of the trip, group members participated in activities to help them learn more about the disaster.

“I helped to lead the SWAT group, which stands for Service Work and Theology,” said senior Dan Hopkinson. “We researched the disaster and gave a presentation during the trip so that people could better understand the cause that they were working for.”

There is still plenty of controversy that surrounds the response to Katrina, including the scandal

involving former mayor Ray Nagin.

Nagin was sentenced to ten years in federal prison due to being convicted on 20 of 21 charges of wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering related to bribes from city contractors, both before and after Hurricane Katrina.

The entire service group watched a video during SWAT in which a woman’s phone conversation with 911 was recorded. The water is rising in her home and the woman is hiding in her attic. She asks the operator if there is anything they can do to help her. The operator responds by saying that there are no rescue vehicles going out during the storm. The frantic old woman quietly asks “Are you saying I’m supposed to die here in my house?” The line goes silent.

“Service is simply more than giving your time—it is also about understanding the effects on the lives of the people who were so greatly in need,” said Caroline Hopkinson, the leader of the youth group and coordinator of this trip. “If we simply went to New Orleans and worked and never talked about what happened, then we weren’t really doing our jobs.”

The trip included a lesson on the history of the devastating hurricane to get a sense of the horrors that occurred in the city on that day. It has been said that the conditions of the Superdome, where thousands took refuge after the storm, were the equivalent to that of a third world country.

Besides working on service projects, the team had a chance to explore and experience the city.

“One of the coolest parts of the entire trip was when we were walking through the French Quarter and we asked a tuba player if we could take a picture with him,” recalled Inserra.

“The man insisted that we sing with him instead. We all linked arms and sang Amazing Grace in the middle of a cobblestone street while people looked on.”

New Orleans is unique in that it has remained strong despite its struggles. There are many people who could not bring themselves to leave the city after the storm. Beignets are served around the clock, music floods the streets, and the spirit of Bourbon Street lives on throughout the night.

The community of New Orleans is stronger than any this group of

PHOTO COURTESY KATIE KAMINSKY

New Orleans: 9 years later

▲ LOUISIANA SPIRIT Workers connect with native New Orleans homeowner, Frances. They helped dust, paint, and lay new flooring in her house. students has experienced.

“After nine years, you wouldn’t expect the presence of this disaster to be so strong, but despite it, you can still feel the vitality New Orleans is famous for,” said Cameron, also a member of the SWAT group.

Walking through the streets of the lower ninth ward, one can see abandoned buildings, spray painted Katrina crosses, and patched up levies.

The core of the city has been rebuilt, but there are still hundreds of people without homes. Many people live in Federal Emergency Management Agenc y (FEMA) trailers that were given to them by the government. This organization allows families to apply for assistance in times of disaster.

The relocation of families has significantly impacted the community of New Orleans. Prior to the storm, it was not uncommon for generations of families to have lived in the same neighborhood.

Maine South students worked with the St. Bernard Project, an organization similar to that of Habitat for Humanity. One of the groups on the service trip got to work specifically with one homeowner while the other two groups worked on an “Opportunity House.”

The Gold Team worked with Frances, a homeowner that had been a victim of contractor fraud. In this type of fraud, contractors receive money from families for the rebuilding, then leave without a trace. Some people

gave away their entire savings to these frauds, leaving themselves with nothing.

Frances was living in a home that had mold under the floorboards and only a few pieces of furniture, and despite her dire situation, she still set aside snacks and drinks for her team.

This woman still focused on others’ needs even after such a disastrous event.

The Purple and Green teams worked with the Opportunity House.

This house was located in a suburb of New Orleans and still had a waterline from the flooding that reached roughly nine feet high. The teams did various jobs around the homes.

Everything from installing doors to replacing floorboards was completed by the teams. At one point, the entire garage door was lifted and removed from the house by a group of teens.

After all of the work that was put in by the group, it still did not seem like enough.

“I think it is so emotionally polarizing to see just how much has been accomplished after nine years, but also how much more has to be done,” said Hopkinson.

With the help of volunteers and benefactors, New Orleans has been helped back on its feet. Much has been done already, however there are still many ways to help rebuild and grow New Orleans. The positive and hopeful attitude thrives among the mesmerizing culture, music, and atmosphere of the city.

SouthwordS 9

ENTERTAINMENT

| October 17, 2014

Laney Kraus-Taddeo Features Editor

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aine S out h re ceive d t he opportunity to be in the presence of an up-and-coming star.

On Oct. 2, Tiffany Houghton sang the National Anthem at the Maine South vs. New Trier football game. She is a Texas native who moved to Nashville at seventeen to pursue a career in music as a singer-songwriter.

She may be young, but she has a long list of impressive credits; she toured with MKTO (known for their hit song, “Classic”) this summer on their “American Dream” 36-city tour, and was a featured performer before the sold-out One Direction concert in Pasadena, California. Houghton is putting in the hard work necessary to make it big.

Currently, she is on the road for a nine-month promotional tour. She stopped at hit radio stations like 103.5 Kiss FM in Chicago and 102.7 KIIS FM in Los Angeles, and has done interviews with magazines such as TeenVogue and Billboard as well as visiting Sirius XM to discuss future projects. This tour also gives her an opportunity to visit high schools and share her music.

Through the combined efforts of Mr. B erendt and Tif fany’s representatives at CrowdSurf.net, Maine South was lucky enough to be included on the roster of schools that she would be visiting. It was decided that she would perform at the highly-anticipated Maine South vs. New Trier football game.

Singing the National Anthem at the Pink Out game was Houghton’s way of sharing her music with the students at Maine South.

Southwords had the chance to sit down and talk with Houghton prior to her performance.

Southwords: You’ve been doing this tour for a while now. What has it been like?

Tiffany Houghton: I’ve been going all over. I just got off tour with MKTO this summer and I’m now on a radio tour and I went to KISS FM this morning. I like going to the high schools throughout this tour as well. This is a new thing that I get to do the anthem and I’m really excited about it.

SW: How did you get started in music?

TH: I started writing in a journal

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when I was six and started playing piano when I was nine. I went to Nashville for the very first time when I was 15 with a voice teacher I had at the time. I would go out and sit in on different writing sessions and I just fell in love with the process of making music.

I decided that I wanted to graduate high school early and I moved out when I was seventeen years old and I just kind of figured it out.

I lived in Nashville for about two years, really just learning a lot about songwriting—learning who I wanted to be as an artist, what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it—and then I moved to LA about a year ago.

SW: As a singer-songwriter you were trying to find yourself. Have you done it?

TH: I definitely would say that it’s not really about finding yourself—it’s about creating yourself. And I, for a little while there, I had that mixed up and… I honestly, I kind of just let other people tell me who I was—like, “okay then I’ll do more of this or less of this.”

I really came to the conclusion about a year and a half ago that it’s not really about finding yourself somewhere in some random place— it’s about creating yourself.

SW: Who is your number one inspiration?

TH: I really love Shania Twain. I grew up listening to her and I always looked up to her as an artist and as a person. I read her autobiography a couple of times it’s just inspiring to see someone who had so little and made so much of it.

SW: What kind of genre would you put yourself in, pop, country or crossover?

TH: I say I’m pop music. I get a lot of country influence because I enjoy telling stories and my songs always come from lyrics first, but I would definitely say it’s pop.

SW: What were you like in high school? Who were you at 17?

TH: Well, I had glasses on, my hair was in a ponytail, I usually wore my big brother’s T-shirts...I’m kidding.

I mean, I’m not actually kidding. I was just really focused on music. I was bringing my guitar to school every day. I was a nerd. I remember I didn’t have a table to sit at for lunch for a little bit. So I would take my guitar upstairs to the choir room

PHOTO BY LANEY KRAUS-TADDEO

Rising star sings for Maine South

HOUGHTON TAKES WILSON FIELD

Singer-songwriter Tiffany Houghton performs the National Anthem at the MS-New Trier football game.

Her hit single, “High,” has over one million views on YouTube.

and I remember writing lots of songs during that lunch period.

SW: What advice would you give to students who want to pursue singing?

TH: When you pursue something that you love, it’s easy for you to let it define your attitude. It’s easy to let good news just make you so happy and let bad news just devastate you.

Some of the best advice I was ever given was to take good news as news and bad news as news; to never get too high and never get too low, but to really just continually have your eyes set on your end goal. When you do that, it’s much easier to let things roll off your back and to keep moving every time you fall.

SW: What are your plans after the high school tour?

TH: Right now, it’s doing lots of radio through the end of this year and then other tour announcements will come in the spring.

SW: If you had any advice for high schoolers, what you say?

TH : It’s easy to hear everyone around you that wants to diminish your feelings.

I think that feelings are feelings no matter if they’re rational or not, and I would just say it’s good to find something you can take those feelings out on, like some kind of an outlet.

For me that was playing guitar and writing in a journal and I think that it’s really good to find some kind of healthier productive outlet that you can channel those feelings that you

have because you have so many at this time and it’s such a roller coaster.

For me, I was happiest when I was serving another person. You can walk into school and there is always somebody that is lonelier than you are, there is always somebody that is having a harder time at home than you are.

There is always somebody that needs a friend. I think when you lose yourself in the service of another person, you really grow to be the best person you can be—and honestly the happiest you can be.

SW: Are you nervous [about performing] at all?

TH: I just, I love singing. It’s not necessarily a nerve thing anymore— it’s more of an excitement. It’s so nostalgic because growing up in Dallas I used to sing the national anthem at the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers games and so it’s so funny I haven’t done this in so long.

SW: What are you looking forward to most? The singing? Meeting everyone?

TH: Oh my gosh, I’m excited to sing, I’m excited to meet [people], I have some fans coming out to meet me. That’s going to be really exciting to reunite with them and I’m excited for Maine South to win!

Tiffany Houghton’s music is available on iTunes, and her music videos can be found on YouTube.

She can also be followed on Twitter @TiffanyHoughton.

October 17, 2014 | ENTERTAINMENT

Beyoncé ‘Irreplaceable’ at Maine South

Kate Papciak

Entertainment Editor he performs, she inspires, and she is the “epitome of flawless,” according to senior Katrina Iorio; it may seem like a hyperbole, but Beyoncé has touched the lives of countless Maine South students through her music and inspiring actions.

Beyoncé’s music teaches us to be bold and unafraid to take risks. Her lyrics both empower women and encourage confidence. One such song is “Pretty Hurts.” “[This song] has shown the world that inner beauty is all someone needs, and not all of us are perfect, but we are all pretty in our own ways,” said junior Pinar Ulucan.

“Flawless” has also made a substantial impact because of its message for women to embrace their flaws and view them more positively.

A speech from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie featured in this hit highlights feminist ideals. Adichie says that “we teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, ‘you can have ambition, but not too much.

You should aim to be successful, but not too successful otherwise you will

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threaten the man.’”

Adichie’s viewpoints parallel Beyoncé’s focus.

Another song that deals with the topic of powerful women is “Run the World (Girls).” Many students listen to this tune because of its dynamic lyrics.

“She has a variety of songs in different topics but she always comes back to the theme of feminism and standing up for ourselves as women,” said senior Katrina Iorio.

Beyoncé began her career as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, a well-known female group that sang mostly R&B music. She sang empowering songs such as “Survivor” and “Independent Woman.” Beyoncé continues to create popular songs made up of powerful lyrics.

Beyoncé is not only perceived as a pop artist in Maine South students’ eyes. Instead, she is also viewed as a role model, teacher, and, sometimes, an obsession. “She is definitely my number-one role model,” said Iorio.

“She has influenced me as a person to be strong.”

The lyrics in Beyoncé’s songs have taught people to be proud, enjoy life, and to love, but many see beyond just her music. Beyoncé has assisted with and donated money to

PHOTO BY KATE PAPCIAK

CRAZY IN LOVE Senior Katrina Iorio shows her dedication to Beyoncé

through her bedroom decor. Over the past year, Katrina has added quite a bit to her collection of Beyoncé paraphernalia.

multiple charities such as American Foundation for AIDS Research, Feeding America, and Women’s Fund for Scotland.

“She is a great businesswoman,” said senior Michael Harris. “She has achieved her dreams and earned the respect of almost all Americans.”

Beyoncé has become a source of strength for students in that her music inspires them to live life to its fullest.

“If girls are ever feeling insecure

about something, they can look to her songs and feel more powerful and strong,” said Iorio. The number of passionate fans is only growing because more are realizing that Beyoncé is one of a kind. She can change a person’s mood with one melody and give people confidence within three minutes.

“I think everybody should be obsessed with Beyoncé because she is just fantastic and it’s worth your time,” said junior Kristyn Tarpey.

with most people encouraging me and enjoying what I do,” he said.

“Still, I come under fire from some people calling what I do ‘dumb’ and at times have even scared a few people away. I’m still in a good mood 95% of the time and dancing puts me in an even greater one.”

Jim’s penchant for dancing was sparked in fifth grade by none other than a yoga ball.

“In fifth grade, my friend Justin Fahey and I felt the sudden urge to put on a show to entertain an uninspired crowd and gain some street cred. Not knowing what to do, I grabbed a yoga ball that was in the room and started pulling off some moves on it.”

“After the year had ended, Justin and I had parted ways and I had gone solo breakdancing on a yoga ball,” Blasius explained.

However, the artistic duo’s split did not disturb the creative juices of this dancing machine.

Jim describes the time between middle school and his sophomore year as his “retirement from dance.”

Yet as one would guess, it wasn’t long before the old dancing shoes were once again back on Jim’s feet.

“Af ter much demand f rom classmates who had wanted to see me dance, I decided to get out of retirement and start dancing again and I have done so ever since.” And no one could possibly be happier about it than his fellow Hawks.

Jim Blasius: the man with the moves Jack Cahill-Lemme

Staff Writer im Blasius is said to be one of the most confident seniors at Maine South.

It is not uncommon to find Jim showing off his dance moves outside of the cafeteria during 8A or even in front of hundreds of people at the Maine South football games. Jim is known for evoking a spontaneous smile out of the most disgruntled students whenever he suddenly shows up and decides to “get jiggy with it.”

However, don’t be fooled by the lack of music when Jim unexpectedly cuts the rug during passing periods.

Legend has it that due to his supersonic hearing he is one of the few students at Maine South who can actually pick up the faint jams being played over the school’s intercom that are otherwise inaudible to the rest of the student body.

“I would say I’m a pretty confident person,” said Blasius. “It takes a lot of

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guts to do what I do. If I can dance during Maine South football games in front of hundreds of people and walk away satisfied, I don’t see how I can’t be.”

As one would imagine, a person like Jim Blasius doesn’t have the time to worry about the “haters.” He does whatever he feels is best for him and focuses on the positive responses.

“It is generally a good reaction

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

SouthwordS 11

ENTERTAINMENT | October 17, 2014

Out of many stories, cast members form one community Greta Ramsey

member at Lookingglass,” said Garst.

Staff Writer any people know the tale of T h e p l a y ’s a u t h o r, M a r y “Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp” Zimmerman, was a member of the from the Disney adaptation or a little Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago, the bit about “Ali Baba and the Forty company that later hosted the first Thieves” from the famous phrase production of the show. “open sesame.” What people may not Garst has worked with some know is that these well-known tales of the original cast members of the come from West and South Asian show, as well, and finds a direct stories and folktales, and that those connection with her outside training stories were compiled into the book and school productions. that inspired “The Arabian Nights.”

“I am extremely familiar with the The Maine South Fine Arts Lookingglass Theatre style, and this Department’s fall play portrays the has helped me a lot when interacting well-known story of Scheherazade’s with my ensemble, using an avant1,000 tales in a unique way of garde, uniquely Lookingglass way. stor ytelling by keeping all the I have been hugely affected by same actors on stage for the entire Lookingglass in acting skill level, as well, and I am so pleased that my performance.

The play focuses on the leading training at Lookingglass comes a characters, Scheherazade and the bit full circle by being a part of this PHOTOS BY RHYANNE NOCHE king; however, additional performers production.” act out Scheherazade’s stories while Not only is the assignment of DEEP IN THE MAINE SOUTH DESERT Actors form a she narrates them. The ensemble roles in “The Arabian Nights” a human camel during rehearsal for “The Arabian Nights.” Students enjoyed the of 20 students have had to use new little unconventional, the staging of opportunity to have multiple roles in one production. acting methods in order to effectively the show includes creative settings, to doors. It is exciting and fun, yet the king’s chambers, she begins to illustrate these 10 classic tales. props, and even human-structured somewhat challenging, to make sure tell a story; making sure that if the we portray each role differently from king sparked any interest in the tale “Each ensemble member plays animals. then it would continue until before about three to five roles, because this “In the show, actors become a others, mentally and physically.”

The play begins with the King sunrise. She then convinces him to play moves so fast and is always taking camel, a river, doorways, etc.,” said on the form of a new story or tale,” Hurd. “It’s incredibly unique and Shahryar’s marriage to the vizier’s spare her life another day in order to daughter, Scheherazade. After his finish the story the following night. said sophomore ensemble member interpretive.”

Megan Wilcox. “There are stories Props are another obstacle, first wife had been unfaithful to Scheherazade continues this practice inside of stories, and overall there are particularly in this production. The him, Shahryar would marry a new day by day, story by story. The concern about 50 roles to be played at some props essential for a successful show virgin every day and kill her on their that Scheherazade’s stories aren’t point. Once one story ends, a new one are quite unique because each story wedding night out of his own anger enough to maintain her survival and resentment. By the time the king increases as the play proceeds. begins, each with new characters and has such specific requirements.

“The Arabian Nights” runs Oct. plots and conflicts.”

“I think the biggest challenge for is introduced to Scheherazade, he had “While we all have multiple roles me is keeping track of everywhere and already murdered 1,000 young girls. 23 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 Scheherazade, who had studied at 4 p.m. (prior to the football game) throughout the production, there is everything I need to be throughout a large sense of community as we try the show,” said Wilcox. “We have countless legends and the works in the Watson Auditorium. Tickets to work together to set a tone for the an extremely wide range of roles, of poets, volunteers to spend one are $7 and can be purchased at the piece,” said senior Kamille Garst. “It is anywhere from young star-crossed night with the king, but creates a bookstore or at the door on the night a non-competitive environment that lovers to old women and camels strategy to keep her life. Once in of the performance. really allows the art to take center stage rather than the actor.”

Each ensemble member plays a different character in each scene but remains on stage for the entire play, similar to the 2012 production of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later.”

“I play a goofy Jester whose wife cheats on him with four other lovers in Act One of the show, but in Act Two I become Harun-Al Rashid, an emperor-like character,” said junior Eamon Hurd. “I find it interesting that I can jump in between comedy and drama in the same show.”

Cast member Kamille Garst has a special connection to “The Arabian Nights.”

“It’s been really fascinating for MAKING A SCENE Sophomore Kara Swanson and freshmen Darcy Mergens and Anne Longman paint stencils to be me because I am a young ensemble used for the background. Crew works hard to complete the large number of props essential for each scene.

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12 SouthwordS

October 17, 2014 | ENTERTAINMENT

Zombies, ghouls, and goblins, only a mile away

Matt Weiss

Entertainment Editor ith the Halloween season in full swing, Maine South students are looking to get their spooks without having to drive too far away.

Disturbia “Screams in the Park” is a relatively new haunted house located in MB Financial Park at Rosemont, minutes from Maine South.

“They start scaring you while you’re waiting to go in,” said senior Julia Koza, “so people were screaming even while they were in line.”

This is not one of those haunted houses where guests walk through a few twisted hallways and then quickly exit. The attraction starts off by putting guests in a spinning chair that leaves them disoriented in the dark and separated from their group. Eventually, the group reconvenes as guests walk farther into the maze and hear less and less of the screams from the front of the line. The actors in the haunted house have all the classic tricks up GRAPHIC BY RYAN KOVACIN their sleeves, as they pop out from behind curtains and appear out of a cloud of smoke. But they also expertly using strobe lights. All these features have introduce an astounding number of special effects, the potential to be overdone, but, in general, they such as walking through sand and dirt, as well as are sufficient at scaring everyone who dares to enter.

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“I did get scared a good number of times, but I was also able to see them preparing to scare me and my friends a few times, so some of the effects were ruined for me,” said Koza.

Occasionally, the actors seem to try too hard, therefore losing the realism. But that’s not the point of a haunted house. It’s to escape reality for a little while, to be overwhelmed with evil spirits, and to get wrapped up in the mystique of Halloween.

A negative aspect of the haunted house is the parking situation. Parking at the garage is only free with the purchase of food at one of the nearby restaurants. This adds about $10 to the cost of the $25 tickets.

Regardless of these issues, the haunted house is still a win for students due to its proximity to Maine South. It’s not the cheapest haunted house, but the cost of the ticket is in line with other suburban haunted houses such as Statesville Haunted Prison in Lockport or Dungeon of Doom in Zion.

Koza said, “If you’re sitting at home with your friends with nothing to do, this is a great way to go out and have a good time without emptying your wallet or driving a long distance.”

‘Blythewood’ by Carol Goodman: A good read despite flaws Anastasia Dalianis Staff Writer

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valine H a l l is not your average 1920s’ N e w Yo r k City girl. At age 16, she’s already buried h e r m o t h e r, survived a horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum―not to mention that she hears bells in her head right before something bad is about to happen to her. Now, she’s on her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite and mysterious boarding school in the Hudson River Valley that her mother attended and was expelled from. Within its walls lie dark secrets and the answers that Avaline has been searching for her entire life.

At 496 pages, this book is long, but it is a thrilling, fast-paced page turner and a relatively quick read. The writing is simple yet detailed, with plenty of description, enough to give the reader a taste of the characters and setting without being overwhelming.

The author does a very good job of creating suspense through the use of dialogue between characters and cliffhanger endings at the end of almost every chapter.

The novel has an exciting premise, but there are some issues with the

text. First of all, the setting is not well established. After reading the description and the first few pages, the reader would assume that the book was set in present day―until the main character mentioned the Triangle Waist Factory, where she worked. Without this detail, it would be difficult to figure out what era the book was set in. However, the author seamlessly integrated historical events into the plot, namely the Triangle Waist Factory Fire, which the main character escaped from, and the sinking of the Titanic.

In addition to the weak setting, another issue was the lack of detail of the characters’ appearances, personalities, and morals. The main character, Avaline, was not especially well-developed. There is not much detail about her childhood, education, or personality. Despite working in a building with hundreds of girls every day, she seems to only know and talk to one person. The author wanted her to seem brave, headstrong, and sometimes reckless, but she came off as more of a pushover.

The other characters’ reactions to pivotal plot developments were also missing. The main supernatural element of the book is the fact that Blythewood is a magic school that trains girls to fight evil fairies and demons. On the first day of school, all the new students were taken into the forest and saw goblins and

other creatures lurking in the trees.

However, none of them seemed to have much of a reaction. This was highly unrealistic, because anyone who was in the dark with a bunch of fantastical creatures would have freaked out. The girls acted like they already knew about the true purpose of Blythewood, even though the author clearly states that they did not.

The fantastical elements themselves―the fairies, goblins, trolls, and other monsters―were loosely established and unoriginal.

The author clearly didn’t put much t houg ht into cre ating var iety between her version of fairies and the fairies that can often be seen in poorly-written fantasy. The fairies at Blythewood flew around the forest and sprinkled glittery powder onto people. The goblins, similarly, crept around the forest and tried to eat people. There was a stark contrast in this book between badly-written, cliched fantasy elements and exciting, original creatures.

The best part of this book was the villain and the chilling history behind the magic at Blythewood.

The author put a lot of thought into developing Blythewood’s mythology.

It was interesting that all the magic at the school was based on the ringing of bells that were thought to ward off shadow creatures villains in the book. It was a standard good vs. evil situation, with the music of the bells

symbolizing energy and light while the shadows represented death and darkness. The central conflict of the story was very well-planned.

One final aspect of this book must be addressed: the inevitable romance.

This book could have easily been done without it. The object of Avaline’s affections is a mysterious winged boy named Raven, who appears to rescue her from all the bad situations that she gets herself into. He is brooding one moment and lighthearted the next.

Avaline and Raven’s relationship is bizarre. She doesn’t speak to him or learn his name until far into the book. He lives in a treehouse and everyone at the school thinks he is evil. Their relationship is supposed to be romantic, but it does not come off that way at all. Avaline does not really love him—she is obsessed with him.

Raven seems to care for her deeply, but it is questionable whether or not he actually loves her. The pairing was not very believable.

The action in the book starts to pick up about halfway through. New secrets are introduced, creating new mysteries for the characters to solve.

The characters’ true natures start to show―except for Avaline, whose personality has little development throughout the novel.

Despite its flaws, “Blythewood” is an enjoyable and exciting read, and its supernatural elements are a perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.

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SPORTS

| October 17, 2014

Pack-running helping Hawks suceed

Emily Stevens

PHOTO BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

Sports Writer

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14 SouthwordS

PHOTO BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

KEEPING PACE The girls’ team focuses on pack running in practice, a new technique emphasized this year. The Hawks have been successful with this so far, taking first place in the D207 meet and Waukegan meet. They look to continue their success come the postseason.

Lally, Anna Seenarain, Katie Syer, and Sydney Richter, and freshmen Olivia Niziolek, Kathleen Glockner, and Marlowe Bangeman, have been stepping up and been using the pack running to their advantage to contribute to the team.

With many runners injured this year, girls on the team have had many opportunities to prove themselves, as has been the case with junior Kalina Gardiner.

Finishing her last race with a time of 18:18, Gardiner has been producing impressive results throughout the season and is approaching the 17:00 mark quickly. Her summer training has helped her become one of the team’s premier performers so far this season.

For years, assistant coach Harvey Braus has emphasized that “summer miles brings fall smiles.”

This summer, the team took that motto to heart, upping the ante in summer training sessions.

“Over the summer, we did many more miles than we have done in past years, and I think this has really helped the team step up the runs during the season since we already have such a great base,” Ryan said.

The team is constantly trying to find new ways to improve; this includes workouts, and more encouragement during practices and meets.

The regional meet on Oct. 25 will be hosted by Loyola Academy at the Harms Woods in Skokie.

That meet is one of the main goals the team has been preparing for this season.

If the team places in the top six at Regionals, they will advance to the sectional meet at Niles West. A top-six finish there would send the Hawks to the state meet in Peoria.

The team is prepared to compete at the state level this season, and they’re also looking forward to a bright future for the program.

“Keep an eye on the cross country runners, not just this year, but in the many years to come,” Prendergast said.

PHOTO BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

any may assume that running is an individual sport. Though running itself is an experience that must be undertaken alone, a team can be there for its members to help them cope with the mental and emotional aspects of the sport. This type of teamwork is exactly what this year’s girls’ cross country team has been focusing on building.

Through the years, hard workouts, long runs, and gruesome competitions were all completed based on each individual’s ability. Now, however, Coach Jeff Downing is bringing a new technique to the table: ­­pack running.

Pack running differs from the cross country norm because it emphasizes staying together as a team and pushing people to their maximums during practices and in meets.

“Ru n n i n g t o g e t h e r i n r a c e s i s o n l y accomplishable if we work together during base runs and workouts,” junior captain Olivia Ryan said.

This strategy has challenged this year’s top runners and has produced some impressive results.

“Our first-place finisher has never finished more than 1.5 minutes ahead of our fifth runner, which shows that we have the ability to run cohesively in high-pressure situations,” said Julia Sirvinskas, a junior captain.

This year’s team has shown a unity that Maine South hasn’t seen for a while, evident in the “Big Sister/Little Sister” program.

Each upperclassman is paired up with a younger runner, giving the less-experienced athletes an older teammate to look up to, ask questions to, and form a bond with.

“Each one of these girls is incredibly motivated and has been working harder than ever from the beginning of the summer in anticipation of a hopeful trip to Peoria in November,” senior captain Claire Prendergast said.

Each year, the team’s top seven runners are given the chance to compete in the IHSA State Series. Most of the time, that top seven roster is determined in the preseason. One factor that has offered extra motivation for each individual runner is that for the first time in years, none of the runners have been guaranteed a spot in the team’s top seven.

“Because no one has a secure, set position, we are all motivated to place as high as possible and guarantee ourselves a spot, collectively making us run faster as a team,” Sirvinskas said.

Each Hawk now has an opportunity to break into the team’s rotation with each performance.

The motivation of possibly gaining a spot in the team’s upper echelon has allowed the girls to push one another to the limit.

The Hawks were victorious in the D207 meet and the Waukegan Quad meet. They also placed 17th out of 57 teams in the Richard Spring Invitational, 8th at the Lake Park Invitational and recently 2nd at the GBS Quad meet.

Underclassmen such as sophomores Maura

FOREST RUN Hawk runners work on their endurance during practice. The team is preparing for their regional meet on Oct. 25.

October 17, 2014 | SPORTS

Austin Derrick & John Lavaccare Sports Editors

M

aine South sophomore Emma Thomson is living a life that many teenagers can only dream of.

Thomson is a forward on the United States Soccer U-17 Women’s National Team. She has spent the past two summers competing with some of the best teen athletes in the nation with the Olympic Development Program.

Just like any great athlete, Thomson wasn’t born the player she is today.

She estimates that she was about six or seven years old when a coach recognized her soccer potential.

“I was goofing around with my brother, I had never played soccer before, and all of a sudden this coach comes up to my dad and [said]… she’s going to play soccer from now on.”

That was the start of something great for Thomson. She ended up joining Sockers FC Chicago, the same club her brother Kyle (’14), a Maine South graduate and member of the Loyola University Chicago soccer team, played on growing up. Playing for Sockers FC offered Thomson the chance to show her prowess against a high level of competition, and in her eighth grade year, her talent was again recognized.

“In the beginning of eighth grade, I went to this camp called the Olympic Development Program, and

PHOTO CREDIT LORI MCGUIRE

SUPER STRIKER

Emma Thomson winds up to strike the ball during a Sockers FC match. Thomson will be traveling to California to play with the US Soccer U-17 Women’s National Team this November.

FOLLOW

from there I moved on to a team in Phoenix,” Thomson said. “It was this big camp where they bring all the best players, there are around 100 people in the nation that come, and then they select 18 from there, and I got selected.”

In this Phoenix camp, Thomson experienced playing against the best soccer players around the US while learning from top coaches.

The experience helped propel her to become one of the elite soccer players in the nation for her age.

“It definitely made me a better player. There are brilliant coaches there as well, so that really helped out,” said Thomson.

The connections Thomson made at the camp led her to a variety of new soccer opportunities. For example, she was able to compete with an Olympic Development Program regional team in a tournament in Costa Rica against other US regional teams and Costa Rican professional squads.

This provided Thomson with the opportunity to see the high level of competition she would be competing against for the rest of her career, and she never looked back. Thomson scored her first international goal in that tournament, and her success there led to even greater opportunities.

Soon, in what she called one of the greatest experiences of her career, Thomson got her first opportunity to play with the U.S. Soccer program in San Diego, California. She is flourishing in that opportunity, as she is now one of the select few members of the U-17 Women’s National Team.

LARRAGOITY Many p ePHOTO opl eBY JOSH w ish for t he opportunities that Thomson has received; however, most don’t realize the effort she has to put in to balance everyday school life with the effort of being an elite soccer player. Her athletic commitments force her to travel frequently, and she has to give extra effort to ensure she gets her academics done first.

“When I leave, I talk to my counselor and she notifies my teachers and my teachers just email me everything,” Thomson said.

On top of worrying about her academics, Thomson has to focus

@S out hwords Sp or t

PHOTO CREDIT LORI MCGUIRE

Emma Thomson: rising American star

PREPARE FOR LIFTOFF

Emma Thomson prepares to send off a free kick during a match with her club team, Sockers FC. Thomson’s performance with the Chicago club has earned her national recognition by U.S. Soccer.

on staying mentally and physically in shape for soccer every day. This makes her everyday schedule more complicated than most.

“I wake up, once in a while I go for a run, then I come home, get ready, go to school, come home, change, go to soccer for three hours maybe, come home, do my homework, go for another run, and come back home.

[Sleeping is] not a big thing in my house,” Thomson said, laughing.

At times, her busy schedule makes Thomson wish she was just a normal kid, but of course, the opportunities offered by her soccer skills are too good to pass up.

Her mind is set on competing in college and she is currently considering taking her talents to either Stanford, Cal-Berkeley, Florida State, or Penn State.

After that, a professional career may be in the cards for Thomson.

She certainly has the skills for it— TopDrawerSoccer.com lists her as the best player in the Midwest and the eighth-best in America. She’s even already trained with multiple World Cup finalists and Olympic gold medalists, including Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan.

With all these great experiences and promising future plans ahead of her, Thomson is still keeping her focus on the present. She’s currently preparing for a week-long trip to Carson, California with the U-17 Women’s National Team that starts Nov. 1. That trip is just one way she is preparing for her bright future.

But for now, Emma Thomson is just trying to enjoy high school while playing the game she loves.

ON TWITTER fo r HAWK SPORTS U PDAT ES

SouthwordS 15

GIRLS’ SWIMMING | CROSS COUNTRY | FOOTBALL | GIRLS’TENNIS | GOLF | BOYS’SOCCER | GIRLS’VOLLEYBALL

Goal-setting propels girls’ swim team

Staff Writer & Editor-in-Chief he girls’ swim team has qualified for the state meet each of the last four seasons, and while the team did lose two school record-holders to graduation, making it to State for the fifth straight year is achievable.

To accomplish this objective, Coach Kura has brought back a goal-setting program, where each girl creates three objectives for herself regarding the upcoming season.

“I brought it back because I felt like a lot of the athletes were going through the motions and didn’t understand the amount of effort it took to go as fast as they wanted to,” Coach Kura said. “Ever since we started the program, the intensity of practice has been much higher.”

The reinstituted program has had a positive impact on the entire team, from seniors to freshman.

“To accomplish these goals, we strive to work hard at every practice,” senior Kalin Bender said.

“Swimming is a very mental and physical sport,

T

but you have to get past that mental phase; without conquering the mental phase, you will want to quit at practices and not work to complete your goals.”

“The new goal-setting program makes me want to go faster because I want to achieve the goals,” freshman Alexis Chervinko said.

This program has already helped the Hawks start strong this season. The team so far this season has won a conference meet against Niles West, while also defeating Conant and Palatine.

The girls finished third at the Highland Park Early Bird Invite on Sept. 13. They then took fifth place at the Downers Grove North Invite on Sept.

27. The following week, they competed in the Hersey Jamboree as well.

The team will fight for a title at the annual Hawk Relays, a six-team home meet for the team, which will take place tomorrow, Oct. 18. The team took third place a year ago and won the meet two years ago.

Along with goal-setting, one of the most important things that any high school swimming coach will

stress is off-season swimming. It’s easy to get out of shape in the off-season, thus most of the Hawks swimmers started to swim year-round.

Swimmers from the team competed with different club teams, such as the Leaning Tower YMCA Sharks, Des Plaines River Racers, and SWIFT Aquatics.

Two of the captains, seniors Erin Patrick and Taylor Pinkerton, compete with the Leaning Tower YMCA Sharks in the offseason and went to Nationals in Indiana over the summer. There they raced against the best of the best from all over the country.

“I believe this experience really helped shape me for my senior season and made me that much of a better swimmer,” Patrick said.

With the newly-instituted goal-setting program and many girls doing off-season swimming, the team is prepared for the rest of the season.

The team is continuing to prepare for the Conference meet, which is on Nov. 8 at Glenbrook South. The following Saturday is Sectionals, when the Hawks will compete at Niles North for a spot at the State meet.

PHOTO BY LAUREN PAPP

Alyssa Darlak & Alex Ellyin

Underclassmen golfers take torch from seniors

Julia Sirvinskas

Staff Writer ith experienced upperclassmen leading the way, the boys’ varsity golf team started the season strong. They won the CSL crossover, placed within the top-five at the Highland Park Invite at Green Acres on Oct. 1, came in third place in Conference at Glencoe Golf Club, and achieved their goal of improving upon last year’s record.

The team is led by their consistent senior captain Anthony Celiano, and is also composed of seniors Martin Ronan, Thomas Janowski, and Chris Brendza along with juniors Austin Derrick, Tim Zelek, Tyler Guest, Michael Gorman, Will Parilla, Austin Mose and Jake Bess.

Varsity coach Steve Scholl believes the more experienced players have been major contributors to the success of the team.

“Celiano and Zelek had the most experience on the varsity team coming into the season, and they have been our number one and two the entire season,” Coach Scholl said. “They both play with a quiet confidence that the other players look to for consistency.”

Zelek said of Celiano, “Anthony is a very powerful player that always competes no matter what the circumstances. He has had to battle injuries all year and he has still managed to stay solid each and every week.”

Despite the many new members of the varsity squad, the team has been very competitive through-

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out the season. They beat Evanston on their home course, Wilmette Golf Club, with Zelek shooting one under par and Ronan recording a career-low of 39.

The team shot impressive totals of 331 at White Pines, 326 at Conference, and 323 at the Wheeling Invite.

The Hawks, as a team, finished the season on a difficult note as they missed Sectionals by 3 strokes after shooting 327 as a team at Chevy Chase in the Regionals. However, Celiano, Zelek, Janowski, and freshman Michael George made Sectionals as individuals by shooting 77, 82, 83 and 85, respectively.

Though the 2014 season has come to an end, Coach Scholl looks forward to next year and years to come. The leadership of Celiano and the team’s other more experienced members has inspired many younger members of the team to take a step up. Many members of the JV team even challenged varsity players for playing time.

Two freshmen, George and Joe Tonioni, earned spots on the postseason team by playing well when they needed to. Coach Scholl believes they, along with the top juniors and sophomores, should be able to lead the Hawks for years to come.

“The future of the Hawks team looks bright, as guys from the freshman and sophomore team have played well at the varsity level when given the opportunity,” said Coach Scholl.

CLUB CHOICE

The mix of clubs a golfer has in their bag is key to their success on the course.

What’s in a Maine South golfer’s bag? Junior Tim Zelek revealed his clubs of choice.

1. DRIVER: Titleist 913D2 2. 3 WOOD: Adams Speedline F11 3. HYBRID: Adams A12 Pro 4. IRONS: Titleist AP2 712s 5. WEDGES: Titleist Vokeys (54°, 60°) 6. PUTTER: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 BALLS: Titleist ProV1