February 26, 2016
1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Vol. 52, No. 6
Mr.Hawk Maine South is hosting the ‘Mr. Hawk’ pageant in order to raise money for the annual school wide fundraiser.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA BIELAWIEC
See page 3
Quick to Judge Man With A Plan The Oscar Draft Game Day Rituals Ethnic generalizations harm society. Page 6
Clothing business booms Southwords predicts the 2016 Athletes share their unique for senior Jaziah Vargas. Academy Award winners. game day traditions. Page 11 Pages 8-9 Page 16
NEWS | February 26, 2016
First annual Mr. Hawk pageant supports Cure SMA David Kloc News Writer
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his year’s school-wide fundraiser will introduce a variety of activities for students to participate in. The newest of these is the Mr. Hawk competition for junior and senior boys. It consists of three parts: a fashion contest comparing evening wear and casual wear, a question-and-answer portion, and a talent competition. The nominees will be introduced and welcomed onto the stage, and the spirit wear segment will allow them to showcase their South spirit. In the question and answer segment, the nominees will be asked about their interests, hopes, and dreams, and will need to think on their feet to answer. When in formal wear, they will wear a suit and tie and be escorted by a junior or senior girl. Finally, in the performance segment, they will develop a short act to demonstrate a talent of their choice. The Student Council attempted to introduce this event in the past, but the students were not receptive. “We tried doing this years ago, and it didn’t work, so this past fall, a few of us went to a leadership conference between Student Council and Class Council, and as soon as we got on the bus, the only thing the students talked about was
having a Mr. Hawk competition,” said Mrs. Scorza. After Class Council and Student Council decided that they wanted to have the pageant, it was easily approved. “We spoke to Mr. Berendt and he was all for it,” said Ms. Liakakos. “He was extremely supportive. [Mrs. Scorza and I]had both come from high schools that had done something like this, so we had a lot of ideas already. Then, Mrs. Scorza talked to the Junior Class Council and the Senior Class Council. After Mr. Berendt gave us the go-ahead, we had some students who were ready to start working with us.” Mr. Hawk has received an enthusiastic response from both students and teachers. “Students and staff seem excited to have a new event at the end of winter,” said Senior Class Council sponsor Mrs. Ball. “Especially with our new academic calendar, everyone feels this is the right time for a spirited competition to bring the school together and generate some excitement.” A change in student attitude towards the competition may be a result of a previous assembly. “I think the student body has shifted in their mindset,” said Ms. Liakakos. “As odd as it sounds, I think the Male Hawkettes [performance at the Winter Assembly] did a very unique thing, which is allowing people to recognize that it’s okay to be silly and have fun in high school.”
Ms. Liakakos also credited her group of students for coming up with the nomination system; the nominees couldn’t nominate themselves, and will earn the votes from the entire school, not just junior and senior males. Mr. Hawk is also part of this year’s fundraiser, the proceeds going to Cure SMA, a charity that is focused on curing the genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy. “All the proceeds of Mr. Hawk are going to the school wide fundraiser,” said junior Isis Zaki, a member of the Mr. Hawk committee. “We’re trying to spend as little as possible in order for the most money to be raised, and we just wanted to raise school spirit and just have some fun.” Students are enthusiastic about the event and feel that it will not only be a great support for Cure SMA, but also a lot of fun. “I believe it is a good way to express school spirit,” said junior Owen Young. “The nominees are all promoting Maine South in an exuberant manner and this creates a good cause for people to rally around … it still gets people excited to have more school spirit.” The junior nominees are Mark Biedke, Wesley Dziedzic, Greg Jaros, Sean McNulty, Matt Schneider, Emerson Uhlig, and Emmett Zima. The senior nominees are Jack Cahill-Lemme, Patrick Doherty, Eamon Hurd, and Austin Mose.
AND THE NOMINEES ARE...
The Maine South population voted for junior and senior class representatives for the Mr. Hawk competition, and, at press time, the following students were nominated and are participating in the competition. The competition will occur in mid-March.
Mark Biedke Junior
Wesley Dziedzic Junior
Jonathan Arenas Senior
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Greg Jaros Junior
Jack Cahill-Lemme Senior
Sean McNulty Matt Schneider Emerson Uhlig Emmett Zima Junior Junior Junior Junior
Patrick Doherty Senior
Eamon Hurd Senior
Austin Mose Senior
PHOT
February 26, 2016
| NEWS
Anastasia Dalianis
News Editor nternationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine visited the Maine South orchestra program and gave a lecture and performance for over 100 students. A violin virtuoso, Pine made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of ten and was the youngest ever winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. She currently tours worldwide as a soloist with prestigious orchestras, and appears regularly at summer festivals such as Ravinia and Salzburg. In addition to classical music, she is part of the band Earthen Grave and has released heavy metal-inspired recordings. She has run the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation since 2001, which provides services and funding to promote classical music education and performance. Pine performed at a Park Ridge Civic Orchestra concert on Jan. 27. As the Chamber Orchestra will be collaborating with the PRCO in March, Pine came to Maine South and Maine East to give a class to all of the orchestra students. She performed a variety of works, including Paganini Caprice No.
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24 and Bach Violin Sonata in G minor, as well as contemporary and Irish folk music. In addition to her performance, she gave a lecture on the history of string instruments. She talked about the predecessor instruments to modern ones and played music from the 16th century, before the violin was developed. She also displayed bows and instruments from different periods, and discussed famous instrument makers such as Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesu. She alternated discussing a history of violin with playing music from each time period. “Just to see someone who plays at such a high level is a great opportunity that most people don’t get,” said orchestra director Mr. Nocedal. “You could go and see her in a concert hall sitting 50 or 200 feet away. That’s very different from sitting 5 or 10 feet away—you can really see exactly what she’s doing. Since everybody in the audience was a string player, they were able to get a different appreciation seeing someone up close play at that level. “Also, to talk in more of a broader respect about the history of the violin is the kind of thing that we don’t have time to do in class because we prepare music and we do technique. It was a
PHOTO COURTESY NATALIE BRIGGS
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine visits South
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
Orchestra students from different level classes and Mr. Nocedal meet professional violinist Rachel Barton Pine. She visited Maine South to perform and give a lecture on the history of string instruments.
great opportunity to see someone who is a real expert—she has been giving these presentations for more than 10 years, and has done lots of research and traveled all around the world,” said Mr. Nocedal. Students, even those who did not play the violin, found Pine’s lecture and performance to be very interesting and beneficial. “I really liked her discussion of the history of instruments,” said senior Katharina Ehni, a cellist in Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. “She played a Bach sonata with a regular bow, then again
with a baroque bow, and it actually sounded a lot different. That was really interesting because we don’t get to learn about that in class. I never knew how different older instruments were from new ones.” Pine’s visit to Maine South not only educated students, but also inspired them to continue working on playing their instruments at a very high level. Mr. Nocedal and the students hope that she and other musicians of her caliber will be able to visit Maine South in the future. The Chamber Orchestra will perform with the PRCO on March 16.
Mrs. Braverman. “Then we thought it would be nice to extend that invitation to Maine East and Maine West, to bring together the three schools and the writers of those schools and just kind of showcase the talent.” The funds earned from the event became one of the first donations to the school-wide fundraiser for Cure SMA. The money was earned by charging an entrance fee for the event. “The leaders of our club made the decision to donate to Cure SMA,” s aid Mrs. Braver man. “We knew that clubs were starting to collect, and as a club we wanted to contribute in some way and we thought ‘Oh, here’s the one event we’re going to hold this year.’ We didn’t ask for much, just a dollar so we could make a contribution. One hundred and four dollars were earned from Open Mic Night. Every bit counts.”
However, Open Mic Night made an impact not only for Cure SMA, but also to the performers and the people watching. “Slam poetry is less structured and more narrative, more about sound, and very personal,” said Mrs. Braverman. “People were sharing who they were as people. It’s really meaningful to hear other people’s stories, where they come from and who they are.” It was not just teachers that shared this view. Students who participated enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their personalities and feelings through writing. “It was a great platform that we had been working for ever since Poetry Club started,” said sophomore Michaela Parangalan, one of the student leaders of Poetry Club. “Seeing it happen and having all those people there gives you such a successful feeling, especially since everyone had a good time.”
Poetry Club holds first open mic night
Arden Sasak
Production Editor
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aine South hosted its first ever Open Mic Night in the LRC on Feb. 2. Student poets and performers expressed themselves through poetry and song, and proceeds from the event went to this year’s school fundraiser, Cure SMA. Open Mic Night was sponsored by Maine South’s Poetry Club, a club that was created this year for student poets. The club is sponsored by English teacher Mrs. Braverman. The club rapidly became popular among students once it got underway. “We were surprised we had such good turnout to our bimonthly meetings, usually with 20 kids in the room,” said Mrs. Braverman. The club’s success led to the leaders of the club planning Open Mic Night. “We realized that there were a lot of students in the building who just liked to write; why not showcase their talents?” Mrs. Braverman said.
The students in the club have a specific focus on writing poetry meant to be shared and performed in front of others, called slam poetry. Slam poetry is unique because it does not involve props, costumes, or musics—just the writer’s words. Slam poetry made up the majority of the performances, though some students performed songs and musical instruments as well. The club, along with organizing Open Mic night, is also participating in Louder Than A Bomb, Chicago’s youth poetry festival dedicated to slam poetry, this month. Though the audience for the event was mainly Maine South students and faculty, students from Maine East and Maine West’s well-established poetry clubs also showed up to perform and support the event and the newlyformed club. “ We t h o u g ht i t w o u l d b e nice to have this evening to just to support poetry writers,” stated
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NEWS
| February 26, 2016
Chloramine levels in pool create problems for swimmers Catherine Coyle
News Writer ince the ABC7 “I-Team” ran an investigative report on Feb. 8, there have been renewed concerns about the air quality in the Maine South pool. Students have felt sick and had difficulty breathing after using the pool during practices after school. This is not a new issue. Swimmers initially reported difficulty breathing in 2007 and then again in 2011. However, there had been no major complaints between 2011 and 2016, so the problem was thought to have been resolved. The root of the issue is said to be in the pool’s levels of chloramine in the water and air. “This was a topic in 2011, and [chloramine levels] were found to be in acceptable state guidelines,” said Principal Shawn Messmer. “We’ve again started working with the district office to determine what could be the cause. A minor issue with the air handling system was fixed, but swimmers were still having trouble breathing.” Chloramine is produced when the pool’s chlorine reacts with sweat, hair, or skin products that most students use. It tends to build up in higher concentrations near the surface of the water. High concentrations can be harmful to breathe in at large volumes, leading to coughs, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and even asthma. Chloramine exists at most pools, so the fact that the chemical exists is not the issue. However, the problems may be due to Maine South’s ventilation system and the pool’s low ceiling. This would prevent the chemical from circulating away from the water. The most recent problems began when members of the boys’ swim team experienced respiratory issues at the beginning of their season this winter. “When a swimmer breathes in chloramine they then can develop a severe cough to the point of throwing up, chest pain, and an inability to breathe,” said senior Robert Reinhard. “The issues also build as the season progresses because there isn’t enough time for the chloramine levels we inhale to exit our systems.” “The issue, to my understanding, has been going on and off for close
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PHOTOS BY RHYANNE NOCHE
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CHLORAMINE CATASTROPHE
The Maine South pool sits empty, as neither the boys’ swim team nor P.E. classes have been allowed to use it for the past several weeks. The pool water has been tested repeatedly for elevated chloramine levels, which can contribute to respiratory problems for swimmers.
to twenty years,” said Reinhard. “I H o w e v e r , think it is important that people are chemical tests on the aware that our pool has this issue and pool have not shown work to renovate the 50+ year old any abnormalities. ventilation systems, or build a new Recent tests of the pool altogether. The overwhelming chloramine levels in majority of the boys’ team this year the water have shown had issues, and we are not the first safe results. The air group to have them. While we are quality of the pool talking about the Maine South swim was then tested, and team, it’s important to remember samples of 3 out of that almost every student swims in 25 tests showed levels that pool.” did not meet safety The breathing concerns have not standards. Further been exclusive to the boys’ team. test results are on their way. Members on the girls’ swim team have “We have committed to do reported similar issues and concerns. whatever we need to to reach an “There were some minor issues acceptable level of comfort in the pool in the 2014 season, but it wasn’t for all who use it,” said Mr. Messmer. serious enough to be acted upon,” said “That might mean adding additional sophomore swimmer Hanna Dolphin. filtration systems and additional air “It seems to have gotten worse in handling units.” the most recent Instead of season though. “Maine South has been practicing in the I, personally, South pool, handling the problem very Maine have had the boys’ swim i s s u e s w h i l e well... They have been very te am h a s b e e n swimming and responsive and continually using the pools have come home at Maine E ast given us updates.” w it h sha l l ow and Maine West. breathing or a -Robert Reinhard Also, freshman sore throat due and sophomore to the poor air quality, especially P.E. classes have been unable to use during the warm weather conditions the pool for the swimming unit. in August.” Members of the team do not see this
as an inconvenience—rather, they are glad that the school is taking steps to improve conditions for its students. “Maine South has been handling the problem this year very well,” said Reinhard. “They have hired an outside environmental firm to perform tests that monitor the chloramine levels. They have been very responsive and continually given us updates.” The swim team hopes that the school will continue to be supportive and work on fixing the problem so it does not appear again. “We are at the point where we shouldn’t discuss whether or not there is a problem,” says Reinhard. “It’s about what the community and the school does about it. We can either continue to let this problem occur in the future or fix it by investing in the facility.”
February 26, 2016
STAFF EDITORIAL
Politics: youth’s dying interest s the political debates heat up, time is ticking down until the moment America votes for its next president. Despite the magnitude of this occasion, many teenagers couldn’t be less interested in the matter. When asked about their political views and opinions, the response from teenagers always seems to be a short and sweet, “I don’t care.” While it may not be their biggest priority, teenagers fail to see the direct effect politics have on our daily life. Regardless of if you are 18 or not, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are educated about the politics of the country you live in. As the next generation of voters, teenagers owe it to their country to not only understand political affairs, but to develop opinions related to them. Studies show that those with parents interested in politics have a better chance of being naturally interested as well. While parental influences can serve as a catalyst in the development of teenagers’ independent investment in political affairs, a lack of parental political interest shouldn’t be an excuse to be unaware. Wi t h o r w i t h o u t a family influence, teenagers shouldn’t resist forming their own political opinions. Disregarding politics entirely will end
up breaking the country. To avoid this, it is vital that we put in effort to care for and understand the issues of the country, because, eventually, our investment will get us closer to reaching solutions. Age is another obstacle that holds teenagers from developing an investment in government affairs. Teenagers are given an opportunity to allow their personal views to grow into concrete beliefs by the time they turn eighteen. While there may be an age restriction on voting, there is not an age restriction on vocalizing your political interests. In order to promote political interest among teenagers, discussion and debates should be encouraged with friends and family. Politics might not be your favorite topic to discuss at your lunch table, but it enriches the minds of the classmates around you. Teenagers should understand both sides of the political spectrum in order to form concrete opinions and become well-rounded human beings. The act of contributing personal views and new perspectives will open people’s eyes to more solutions. In order to encourage civic awareness and engagement, our
district should mandate that all students take a current events class. Maine South already offers a class on current events; however, because it is not required, few students develop their opinions and voice their concerns of government affairs. This class can offer opportunities to inform and prepare students for the political world they are about to enter. It would grant students time to educate themselves about the political world in which they live. Living by the motto (or excuse) “ignorance is bliss” will ultimately hold you back from being an active citizen. While some live in fear their opinions being judged by their peers, the environment of the classroom should enable students to feel comfortable learning and voicing their thoughts without worry of discrimination or inaccuracy. Through class discussions and projects with the community, students can be exposed to a cornucopia of political views from their classmates and society. This course may even open the students eye to not just the importance of politics but the entertaining element of it as well. As the next generation, we should not wait until we have to be invested in politics to do so. It is necessary for our community, our country, and our own lives that we have a firm grasp on the function and structure of our country.
Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 http://www.southwords.org
Scan this QR code to e-mail Southwords S outhword s is a stu d e nt - r u n publication designed as a public forum for student opinion and balanced reporting on topics relevant to the Maine South community. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of the Southwords Editorial Board. Personal commentaries represent the opinion of the author alone and do not represent the opinions of the publication nor District 207. Stu d e nt p ar t i c ip at i on i n t he newspaper, whether through readership, submitting articles, or voicing comments or concerns is encouraged. Signed letters to the editor can be delivered to the Southwords office (next to the testing center), 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.
Editors-in-Chief Monica Bielawiec Kate Papciak News Editors Anastasia Dalianis Rhyanne Noche Entertainment Editors Laura Cash Lauren Papp Olivia Post Features Editors Margaret Cahill Christina Johnson Bridget Yagihashi Commentary Editors John Sullivan Mariam Zaki Sports Editors
ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTINA MIHALOPOULOS
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| COMMENTARY
Art Editor
Mike Greco Sam Tinaglia
Basia Chruscinski
Production Editors
Haley Mech Arden Sasak
Adviser
Mr. Stathakis
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COMMENTARY | February 26, 2016
The reality of Islamophobia today Tara Faraji
Commentary Writer o on Facebook, watch the news, read any political article and you will see that Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments infiltrate the media. This age-old concept of ethnic superiority has plagued society since the beginnings of civilizations, yet even after multiple experiences with racism, we never seem to learn. Every decade, there is a new scapegoat, a new minority, or a new stereotype. The American capability to make generalizations regarding ethnicity is impeccable. How can we be the most diverse country yet seemingly the most racist? One would think that with the seasoning of bountiful diversity in our melting pot, the American culture would be more understanding of immigrants, or those different from the majority. Unfortunately, with discriminatory policies such as the ones espoused by Donald Trump and other politicians, this is not the case. And after centuries of creating the same mistakes and embedding racism into our society, we still haven’t cracked the code to
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ILLUSTRATION BY BASIA CHRUSCINSKI
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acceptance. The ignorance which we encourage in our societies has contributed to a nation-wide epidemic of racial superiority. Although racism was not created in one day, nor will it be destroyed in one, we as a society have to remember the importance of immigrants and diversity to the United States. We must stop making ethnic generalizations and instead educate ourselves and others about different cultures. American patriotism is like reality TV. There’s a lot of it, it’s often loud, but no one can actually tell if the concept has any substance. If you go back in time, Native Americans originally inhabited this land, then immigrants from Britain, then other immigrants from Northern Europe. Most who define themselves as American are ancestors of immigrants from generations past. American society sells this juxtaposition of creating a nation out of immigrants yet wanting to restrict them. Without immigrants, we would lose a major portion of our labor force. First- generation immigrants make up much of our economic system. Furthermore, without the historic booms in immigration, many of America’s greatest e conomic success es would never have occurred. Immigrants build the labor force which many naturalized citizens fail to provide. Perhaps the biggest contribution the immigrant population serves is preventing feelings of nationalism, the ugliest
characteristic any country could have. Keep in mind that there is a distinct difference between patriotism and nationalism; while patriotism and having pride in your country is a positive characteristic to possess, nationalism creates regional superiority and has consistently been found as a source of war. Any culture or group has its stereotypes. Though truth can sometimes be found behind them, generalizations are the key mistakes in our society. The American passion for pigeonholing and labeling often is the cause of our pain. When my mom immigrated from Iran to America, it was during the years of the American Hostage Crisis in Iran. Unfortunately for her, a distant relative of a classmate in her college was one of the people being held hostage. This led to her being subject to remarks such as “Go back to your country.” Let’s analyze this for a moment. My mother, a 26-year-old student, was being blamed for the mistakes of the Iranian government, a group of extreme and corrupt men. She was being told that after all the trouble of applying for a student visa, learning a new language, applying for a green card and then finally becoming a citizen, her work was for nothing because in the average American’s eyes, she was still “one of them.” These types of generalizations are made every day. After the devastating effects of terrorist attacks, no one really thinks of the impact it creates on the corresponding ethnic groups. Nowadays, as soon as an attack happens, the first thing that the media
assumes is that the act was done by Muslim extremists without any real proof or evidence. Even our society has a mental image of what terrorists look like: any average Muslim man. While we might not admit to them, mentally they still exist. There’s always that iota of racial prejudice which taunts you anytime you see someone who doesn’t look like you. And even though you might not hear it as much in Park Ridge, the uneducated population of the United States is still spreading their racist opinions and supporting political policies which would seem ludicrous to anyone else. Fortunately, we are not confronted with major concerns regarding this issue because of where we live. Granted, it’s a homogeneous town, but the diversity in knowledge and opinion still thrives. Our ability to receive an excellent and unbiased education makes for a generally underst anding and accept ing community. We go to Devon and smell the aromas of Indian spices and curry. We go to the Ukranianian and Greek fests. We walk down Michigan Avenue and see Muslim men and women as just normal people. Those who don’t have these opportunities to be exposed to diversity are usually those who are uneducated as well. People don’t hate Muslims because they don’t agree with their ideology. They don’t hate immigrants because they have done extensive research on the matter. They hate because these groups don’t resemble what they see in the mirror. If it’s not Muslims or immigrants, it’s Lutherans; if not Lutherans, it’s activists. The point is, people always find a way to say “you are different” and find a new minority to blame. This is why cultural literacy is so important. Not only can we expand our own minds to new ideas and concepts, we can spread our knowledge unto others who don’t have the same educational opportunities. It’s our duty as privileged civilians to spread this knowledge. Right now, you might not care. You might think that this doesn’t apply to your bubble. But soon enough, your eyes will opened to the injustice which chains your peers and fellow citizens, and you will think, “why didn’t I take action?”
February 26, 2016 | COMMENTARY
Teachers and students aren’t so different after all Annie Dysart Commentary Writer
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wish days were 36 hours long instead of 24 so I could have enough time to be a good student and preserve my sanity simultaneously— but that is not the case, so teachers, please don’t be upset when I don’t do your homework. Most teachers are very conscious of the workload they put on students, but when every teacher assigns “reasonable” amounts to do each night, the time it would take to do everything is highly unreasonable. I can’t do it all—not because I am incapable, but because I do not want school to control my life. I need to do things that I personally enjoy and choose to do on my own which aren’t required as part of the curriculum. There is a fine line between a disengaged student and an exhausted student, and I can promise you that the majority of us are simply exhausted. The routine of coming to school, going through the same schedule,
seeing the same people, and expecting the same thing five days a week can be draining. Once the weekend arrives, Monday through Friday seems like one big blur of lesson plans, assignments, and exams. With the stress of school, it is easy to forget that teachers are stressed out, too. I’m guilty of forgetting that my teachers have as much of a responsibility to teach as I have to show up at 7:45 each morning (except Wednesdays). There are higher standards that teachers need to meet besides making students happy, whether we like it or not. Teachers are overworked too— they spend extra hours at school, grade papers, formulate lesson plans—all while balancing work with family at home. Teachers are not deliberately trying to stress us out; they are simply doing their jobs. B ecause both students and teachers are stressed out, it seems like there might be ways to cooperate to make school more enjoyable for everyone. For example, a teacher talking and getting no response from the class is like a performance receiving no
applause. Students need to remember how important teachers are and remind them they feel that way—by participating. It is the most basic form of teacher appreciation. How can teachers get students more engaged? One of the best things teachers can do is be enthusiastic about the subject they teach. I am more motivated to learn if a teacher shows excitement about the material because I am curious to see why my teacher is so excited. Students appreciate a little diversity in their day-to-day learning experiences. Mix it up. Students know there are standards that need to be to met, but the most memorable days in class are the ones that are not routine. Whether it involves acting, singing, or playing a game related to the material, fun activities wake students up and get them engaged. Even a five-minute tangent can transform a regular class into a great one. Students like getting up from their seats and interacting on more than a sit-down discussion setting. Despite all the differences between the two, maybe teachers and students aren’t that different after all.
Inside the mind of a
TEACHER “If you allow yourself to be surprised by students, it’s one of the most precious gifts of the profession!” -Mr. Deger
“The best thing a student can do to make my day is ask a question. I love to know they are thinking about class and want to know more.” -Mrs. Sagmeister
“We have different personalities and are flawed human beings. From time to time we make mistakes and perhaps don’t see something the same way our students do.” -Mr. Trenkle
How much time is left until May 1st? Kate Papciak Editor-in-Chief
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fter narrowing down my college search to six schools, I thought that I had reached the easiest part of my decision. All that was left to do was to visit each school, because all my life, I was told that I would step on a campus and just “know.” Know what? As a second semester senior, it is up to me to find that one “perfect” college that fits my personality, interests, and career path based on nothing more than a feeling. When the time came for me to search for the perfect college, it seemed easy to assume that there was only one college out there for me and all I had to do was step on the campus. In reality, that is not the case.
While some may experience that are already searching for roommates. magic moment where they step on a Facing the reality that so many campus and know it’s their destiny, others were ahead of me made me many do not. feel extremely anxious. I felt rushed I followed all of the steps when it and frustrated which eventually led comes to finding the perfect college. me to over-think. I did my research, narrowed my I feared that the right college was choices, and made out there and I may a campus visit, so overlo oke d “I feared that the have according to t he it. I spent hours right college was advice of my friends questioning each and family, it was just out there and I may school I applied to— a matter of which one and even the ones I have overlooked it.” didn’t. felt right. The pressure A few headaches began to increase when my classmates later, I couldn’t handle the pressure I were easily making this monumental was putting on myself to find what decision and committing to the others described as the “one.” college of their choice. I have no doubt that there are It is not easy to carry the weight of students who found their one perfect deciding your future while watching college simply by stepping on the the number of students committing to campus, but that was just not in my college escalate by the minute. While cards. my desk is still covered in acceptance And the reason is simply because letters with a May 1st deadline and everyone is different. pros and cons lists, some students There are students who fall in love
with their college at first sight and there are some, like myself, who need to learn to love their school. We cannot all depend on this magic feeling to know which college is the one for us. In reality, it is our duty to put in the effort when it comes to finding the one. The only way to find “the one” is to believe it is—and to treat it as such. If a college fulfills most or even all of your needs, then the absence of this magic feeling shouldn’t be keeping us from committing. It is true: out of all the campuses I have toured, none have fit me like Cinderella’s glass slipper fit her. Nonetheless, there is no need to panic or stress about each college you applied to, because in the end, it will work out. I know that wherever I go in the fall of 2016, I will learn to adore and appreciate it. Besides, who would want to squeeze a foot into a glass slipper, anyway?
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ENTERTAINMENT | February 26, 2016
And the Oscar predictions go to... Mark Toledano & Jack McMillan Entertainment Writer & Contributor
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s it that time of the year again already? The time when people pretend they’ve seen movies they can’t pronounce and celebrities who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their outfits get judged by people at home in sweatpants. Thankfully, your ability to impress others at parties by picking the Academy Award winners correctly might get a boost this year as Southwords takes this problem head-on. Juniors Mark Toledano and Jack McMillan deliver you their predictions for the 2016 Academy Awards.
Best Documentary Mark: “What Happened, Miss Simone”
In recent years, Netflix has produced films have become increasingly worthwhile due to the large amounts of money the digital streaming giant has poured into production to establish itself as a competitor to the wellknown production companies. This biographical documentary, tracing the life and struggle of iconic singer Nina Simone, is no exception. Rich, diverse, and thought-provoking, this feature leaves the viewer wanting more.
Jack: “Amy”
Because very few people watch documentaries in theaters, this is a hard categor y to predict. Since Amy is about the famous singer Amy Winehouse, it’s most likely people will vote for it because they like her.
Best Animated Feature Mark: “Inside Out”
Jack: “Inside Out”
Mark: George Miller for “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Jack: Alejandro G. Iñárritu for “The Revenant”
Although my heart belongs to Charlie Kaufman’s “Anomalisa,” it certainly is hard to overlook the monopoly that Disney, and especially Pixar, holds in this category. From “Finding Nemo” in 2003 to “Big Hero 6” last year, Disney’s empire of animated films makes it a tough competitor to beat out.
Pe opl e are u su a l ly biased towards Pixar films. In this case, it’s worthy. The Academy loves animated films that cause the audience to cry, and “Inside Out” is the only one on the list that made me want to cry at times.
Best Director
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Many of you have likely never heard of George Miller; I had never really heard of him either. Regardless, it was the original “Mad Max “that earned him respect and a name in Hollywood. Thirty-seven years later, he still keeps his gritty style of storytelling alive by giving audiences a chewon-this type of movie. While the acting is questionable, the directing in George Miller’s part is very commendable. Enhanced by special effects, Miller uses an excellent choice of shot selection and composition to portray the dystopian setting and emotion.
In directing a film, one must tell the story in a coherent way with visuals that both compliment and enhance the story. Iñárritu comes in as a favorite this year, as he won last year’s Best Director Oscar. This year’s nomination, “The Revenant,” is interesting because is was shot almost entirely outdoors. The beautifully-composed shots, along with the stellar scenery is a formula for Oscar gold.
February 26, 2016 | ENTERTAINMENT
Best Music (Original Score) Mark: “Writings on the Wall” (“Spectre”) It’s well known that the Academy has a bias towards Bond movies (no complaints here), and that this song has definitely made its way into popular culture. But if you ask me, it’s really less about biases and history than the process of elimination.
Jack: “Writings on the Wall” (“Spectre”)
James Bond films usually win the best song Oscar, or the song that has played on the radio the most. This song has played on the radio the most and was in the James Bond film.
Best Motion Picture Mark: “The Revenant”
I think defending champion Alejandro G. Iñárritu and his crew will take home the Best Picture award. While every single other nominee is absolutely worth your time, it is “The Revenant” that seems to be resonating most in popular culture with all age groups. It is artsy enough to be liked by the Academy, but not too artsy to the point where it would discourage mass audiences. “The Revenant” is something different. It is something bold and exciting that gives it the ever so slightest edge over its competitors.
Jack: “The Revenant”
All eight nominees are bestpicture worthy, and it’s hard to judge what will win this year. Although I don’t think it deserves best picture (I did like the “Revenant,” but I LOVED the other films nominated this year), Oscar voters will most likely vote for it to win. It has symbolism, lots of artistic shots, a performance of a lifetime, and it’s pretentious as heck. All of these elements usually add up to a best picture winner. However, I wouldn’t mind being proven wrong this year.
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Best Actress in a Leading Role Mark: Saoirse Ronan for “Brooklyn”
Although no one can pronounce this Irish-American actress’s first name, her performance in “Brooklyn” was nothing less than a model to be followed. Saoirse’s role perfectly encapsulates the strong, independent female lead that has become incredibly popular in recent years.
Ja c k : Br i e L a r s on for “Room” D ysfunctional characters almost always win actors Oscars. From Mary Pickford in Coquette (1929) to Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine (2013), these female leads make audiences sympathize with them and bring out very emotional performances. Brie Larson played the part of a lifetime that has earned her awards and success. I can’t see why she won’t win this year.
Best Actor in Leading Role Mark: Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Revenant”
Well it’s about time. Leo is one of the finest actors in the business whose talents have been undermined time and time again by the Academy. His performance in “The Revenant” was absolutely stunning, and his past films make him a more than worthy candidate for a more than overdue award.
Jack: Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Revenant”
Often I criticize Dicaprio for playing the same two roles over and over again (the rich guy and the smooth talker), but this is a performance unlike anything I’ve ever seen and I can’t see how he wouldn’t win. I can honestly say if the Academy doesn’t pick him this year, I’ll go crazy.
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ENTERTAINMENT
| February 26, 2016
‘The Adventures of [Charlotte] Holmes’
Anastasia Dalianis News Editor
“A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro
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ans of the BBC series and the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories alike will enjoy “A Study in Charlotte,” Brittany Cavallaro’s thrilling debut novel, which sets Sherlockian murder and intrigue at a picturesque Connecticut boarding school. The story follows Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson, the great-great-great grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, who are drawn together when one of their classmates is killed under mysterious circumstances pulled from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories. Cavallaro is an accomplished poet, and this is clear through her writing style and unique word choice. She paints a vivid picture of the idyllic setting without relying on clichés. Also, she illustrates her characters through an array of senses beyond sight. Her description of their voices parallels their appearances as well as their personalities. She portrays Charlotte’s dark brilliance and volatility, as well as Jamie’s stalwart loyalty, through how they look as well as how they act. The mystery, the central element of the plot, was exceptionally written. Cavallaro used several red herrings throughout the book, which kept the reader in the dark until the very end. All the details that Charlotte shared through her deductions, even seemingly minor ones, turned out to be important. This tied up any would-be loose ends or plot holes, and made the story much more plausible. Despite the obvious suspension of disbelief
required to read this book, the consistency of the plot allows the reader to focus less on if the events in the story could really happen, and more on the complicated relationship between the two main characters. Both Charlotte and Jamie are very complex and multilayered characters. Despite Charlotte’s sharp exterior and seeming lack of sensitivity, she is very vulnerable. In a way, she is afraid of her own
Decisively Indecisive by Lulie Duerkop
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intelligence and what she has the potential to do, and this keeps her fighting a constant battle with herself throughout the book. This makes her friendship with Jamie much more difficult. He has known who she was and how they were connected to each other since they were young but never met her. As he gets to know her, he has trouble viewing her as a person rather than an idea. Even though Charlotte and Jamie are clearly very similar to their 19th-century counterparts, the author establishes their characters separately from the original Holmes and Watson. Cavallaro could have fallen into the trap of putting the adult characters into the bodies of 16-year-olds, but she made sure that Charlotte and Jamie’s behavior and the decisions they made were realistic throughout the book. Also, because they are teenagers, there were legitimate consequences for their actions. Another important aspect of this book that makes it stand out against other young adult mystery is its lack of an unnecessary romantic subplot. The author could have potentially thrown Jamie and Charlotte together as love interests, but she recognized that their friendship offered a much more powerful and intricate story. Jamie and Charlotte undoubtedly both have feelings of affection for each other, but the close relationship that they build throughout the novel is much deeper than an undeveloped romantic one ever could be. Overall, “A Study in Charlotte” is a fresh and unique twist on a classic, complete with a perfect balance of mystery, adventure, and teenage angst. This book is highly recommended to anyone, especially mystery and realistic fiction fans.
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February 26, 2016 | FEATURES
(SCHOOL)
Adriana Sclafani & Olivia Frink
Features Writers alancing the workload of school and extracurriculars is difficult for any student, but for Maine South senior Jaziah Vargas, that challenge is deeply intensified by the responsibilities of owning his own company. Roughly one year ago, Vargas began his first business venture—a mall kiosk he named, “Zuc Co.” After experiencing some family financial issues following the 2008 recession, he began working two to three jobs per week to aid his family’s income. “It was a tough situation for me, so it pushed me into starting a business,” said Vargas. “That’s the only way, really, to make a surplus amount of money. You can’t make that much money working for someone else.” Vargas’ inspiration for becoming a business owner instead of an employee was partly due to social media. “Looking at the clothing industry and seeing how popular it is through Instagram and Twitter, and seeing how much girls love different types of pants, I decided it was perfect,” said Vargas. He created a kiosk business that specializes in selling women’s apparel, including leggings, shorts, skirts, and other clothing. Zuc Co. is currently located in Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. After looking at various other locations, Vargas chose this particular mall as his starting point because he wanted to start small and see how he could handle running his own business. “I wanted to really get a feel for it before I just jumped into something like Woodfield,” Vargas said. “So I went to Bloomingdale, talked to their managing department, and we drafted up leasing agreements because they [had] everything I was looking for in the beginning stages.” Shortly after opening up his first
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location, Vargas decided to open up a second location in Fox Valley. However, since school was taking up much of his time, he wasn’t focused on the business and did minimal research on the second location. “I ended up closing that one because I didn’t have the right products and I wasn’t having the right charisma there,” Vargas said. “I didn’t know how the people interacted because it’s two totally separate worlds. Everything’s different, from your pricing to how you smile at people. That’s how unique the two areas are. So I closed that spot down.” However, Vargas’s first location seems to be very profitable and popular among many customers. “I really think it has been a big success,” said Vargas. “But [the key to success] really depends on the quality, and most importantly customer service, which is the biggest piece, because I have so many repeat customers that just come to talk to me to see how we’re doing. That is my main focus—to treat them like they are royalty and they will always come back to you.” The location has motivated Vargas to efficiently manage his schoolwork and the company responsibilities. The mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; therefore, Vargas must schedule employees strategically in order to attend school and other activities. However, when employees are not available, he is determined to balance assignments, while running the business. “Last year, I think I missed around two months of school,” said Vargas. “In the mornings as I was missing school, I was doing the homework from the night before or whatever I missed to bring in the next day.” In addition to time management, Vargas has also encountered different obstacles in opening kiosk locations. “[The largest obstacles are the] competition,” said Vargas. “Women’s
PHOTO COURTESY JAZIAH VARGAS
SENIOR OWNS AND OPERATES SUCCESSFUL APPAREL KIOSK
MAKING IT BIG
Senior Jaziah Vargas’ kiosk is located in Stratford Square mall in Bloomindale. Vargas created Zuc Co. a year ago and is currently planning to expand his business to more malls.
clothes are everywhere, but it really depends on the quality. Our prices are way less for the same thing and better material.” As the owner of the company, Vargas has various responsibilities, including greeting customers, checking margins, making sure his employees are paid, and looking over inventory. All of the clothes are bought directly from the wholesalers and Vargas is planning to a take a few trips in order to form better relationships with the companies. “[I am planning on going to] Las Vegas this summer to go to the direct wholesalers, then to California,” said Vargas. “After that, I’m planning on going into men’s clothing, so I will be visiting New York.” Vargas’s expansion plans will not hinder his educational endeavors. Vargas has taken most of the business classes Maine South has to offer and wishes to continue education after graduation. “I’m going to Harper College,” he said. “It’s cheaper and I live in that area. I also want to go to Harper
because I’m only doing a couple classes, so I still have time to manage the business. I’m going there for two years in order to get an associate’s degree, save money, and transfer my credits wherever. Then I’m going to Georgetown University for law school after that.” Vargas hopes to take his business to new places in the upcoming months, expanding and developing the growing enterprise. “I am currently in the process of expanding to Harlem Irving Plaza in Norridge,” said Vargas. “I am extremely excited for that. For about six months, the HIP and Woodfield malls have been inquiring about Zuc Co. coming to their locations.” Vargas has many plans for the future. In a couple of weeks, he will be launching a new website for his business, Zucco.com. In addition to this, he owns and runs an Instagram account in order to keep his loyal customers up to date on latest products and other merchandise. See Zuc Co’s newest looks and trends @_zucco_ on Instagram.
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Vegg ng FEATURES | February 26, 2016
A rise in vegetarian and vegan students at Maine South reflects larger societal trend Margaret Cahill Features Editor
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rom juice cleanses to the glutenfree craze, health fads seem to be commonplace in our culture. However, one trend in particular has been gaining lots of leverage among young adults recently— not eating meat and/or animal products. With role models like Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, and Usher, 15 million more people have gone vegan or vegetarian in the last eight years. But is this dramatic spike caused simply by more compassion for the environment and animals? Or does this plant-based diet owe its success to the glamorous lens through which it is portrayed on social media and by celebrities? There are many Maine South students who choose not to eat meat and most will be the first to admit that many people don’t always make this choice for the the most ethical reasons. “For me personally, I do it because I love anima ls,” s aid junior Ewelina Laczak. “But I feel like
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many people do it because it’s the new trend and they see it all over Instagram or Tumblr or Pintrest.” But t h e s t rong ve g an an d vegetarian presence on social media isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could potentially encourage more people to try out a lifestyle that they may not have thought of before. “I love Pinterest,” said junior Kamila Kazimierczuk. “When I see [vegetarian or vegan] accounts it makes me want to try it out. I think that the vegan and vegetarian presence on social media makes people want to test out the lifestyle and see if it’s for them.” Many question whether this rise in vegetarianism and veganism is a mere fad or if it will last into the future. “A g o o d
number of teens do it for the aesthetic, but those people don’t tend to stick to it, unlike the people who do it for moral reasons,” said junior Katherine Heyde. But with vegetarianism and veganism becoming more and more accessible for everyday shoppers, it might not be a passing fad. “I think that vegetarian and veganism is here to stay just because there’s been the emergence of a new category in the consumer market,” said senior Edgar Cuevas. “So it will always have a presence, maybe not a large presence, but it will always be there.” Along with vegan and vegetarian social media accounts, vegan and vegetarian celebrities from Paul McCartney to B eyonce may influence teens to give up meat for good. “It’s like after Beyonce mentioned Red Lobster in her ‘Formation’ song in the Super Bowl and sales at Red Lobster went up 33% the next day,” said Kazimierczuk. “So I think that if celebrities d o s om e t h i n g , t h e n people will become more attracted to and willing to try out that kind of lifestyle, and even if it doesn’t work for them, then at least they tried it and know its health benefits and pros and cons.” While celebrity e n d ors e m e nt s c an h ave a significant influence on teens, everyday friendships may have an even bigger influence. “The main reason that I did it was because my friend Ewelina was a vegetarian,” said Kazimierczuk. “But I still needed some more protein, so I decided to become a pescatarian, or someone who still eats fish.” This inf luence
ut from friends often creates committed vegetarians and vegans who stick with the lifestyle long after the influence from friends has gone. “I personally went vegetarian because I thought that it was awkward going out with my girlfriend at the time because she was pescatarian and I was not,” said Cuevas. “But I actually enjoyed being vegetarian a lot, so I decided to stay as a vegetarian until my friend Bjorn influenced me to become a vegan.” How e v e r, w h e n m a ny inexperienced teens try to drastically change their eating habits like this, the health hazards often outweigh the benefits of a meatless diet. “The first few months of being vegan or vegetarian is like just being a [junk-food] eater, because you’ll find products that are vegan but still not really healthy for you,” said Cuevas. These “junky” products do not contain meat (or in some cases any animal products) but could still contain sugar, fat, and other harmful substances. “I eat mostly mac and cheese and bagels for dinner which may not be the most healthy thing, but I don’t want to eat the meat dishes that my family eats and I usually don’t have the time to cook my own healthy vegetarian meals,” said Laczak. Many vegetarians and vegans say that they simply substitute meat with unhealthy food, which negates any potential health benefits. “When I was a vegetarian, instead of eating meat, I was just eating junk food,” said senior Alexander Kostiv. However, when done right, this lifestyle can have enough health benefits that it can cause many people who try out this trend for superficial reasons to end up sticking to it. “I think it’s fine to try out the lifestyle even if it’s not for moral reasons just to see if you like it and if will work for you,” said Kazimierczuk. “And maybe if someone just does it for the aesthetic then they’ll grow to like it and end up sticking with it which would end up being good for them and for the cause.”
February 26, 2016 | FEATURES
The secret life of Harley
the Hawk Georgia Loutrianakis
Features Writer arley the Hawk has been a symbol of Maine South school pride for years. However, the most interesting part of this figure is the fact that his (or her!) identity is a secret. In fact, since this year we have three students fulfilling Harley’s duties, there are three identities concealed behind the familiar layer of red feathers. Southwords recently got the opportunity to sit down with one of the three Harleys to learn more about the exciting and mysterious life as Maine South’s most beloved bird. Southwords: What kind of responsibilities do you have as Harley when you are inside of the suit? Harley the Hawk: First, I have to make sure to look where I am going. I can’t even say how many times I almost knocked into a wall or a person! It’s very hard to hear and see through the helmet, so I always must be on the lookout for fellow Hawks. SW: What kind of responsibilities do you have as Harley when you are outside of the suit? HH: It is important that I keep quiet about my identity. I have to be sure that when I am leaving or returning to class, I act natural. SW: How do you react when students recognize you and talk to you while you are inside of the suit? HH: A lot of them come right up to me and ask for high fives or pictures, and I am always willing to do so. I try to come off as a friend to all of the students. A mascot always needs to be cheerful and bring out the good spirit of the students/team. SW: What have you learned in your role as Harley? HH: I have learned a lot more of what school spirit is all about. School spirit is a great feeling, and you only get to experience it as a high school student or college student. My advice to the student body is to go to any kind of school event. You may enjoy yourself more than you would think. SW: Have you changed because of what you have gone through as Harley? HH: Being Harley has given me a lot of self-confidence. I have always been more of a shy person at school who doesn’t get recognized a lot. Even though people don’t know that it’s me, being Harley has let me be myself by acting silly and dancing.
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SW: Would you rather reveal yourself to the student body, or remain a secret kind of famous? HH: I think it would be cool to reveal it, maybe at the end of the year assembly. The people who know me would probably never expect me to be Harley. I think they would get a real kick out of seeing that one of the “nerdy kids” at school actually has the passion to dance and act silly. SW: How did you attain this position? HH: I was judged by Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Hutter and Mr. Berendt. I just filled out an easy and quick application and then did a dance for them. It was really fun to perform for them, and Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Hutter laughed the whole time. At first I wasn’t sure if the laughing was a good thing… but obviously it was! SW: What do you think Harley symbolizes to the student body? HH: He represents the pride that Maine South High School puts out. He represents a hard-working student body, and a student body that does not give up and will fight to the end. SW: Do you feel that Harley has changed the students of Maine South school spirit-wise?
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HH: He brings a smile to everyone’s faces, and that is definitely a positive impact. When I walk by dressed in the suit, sometimes people cheer and yell my name. Harley just adds that extra bit of spirit to people’s day. SW: What is your favorite thing to do as Harley? HH: Getting in front of big crowds is what brings me the most joy. Being at the football games and seeing the whole student body is an amazing feeling. Homecoming this year was amazing. The stands were filled and everyone had their faces painted. When we got a touchdown, the student body went crazy. The amount of pride was enormous. SW: What happens if you make a mistake? HH: It’s very easy to recover from a mistake, although there are not many instances where mistakes can be made. The best thing to do when a mistake is made is to not let your audience know. If you act like it’s no big deal, they will hardly even notice. SW: Who gets to know that you are Harley the Hawk? HH: The only people that are supposed to know are Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Berendt, Mr. Hutter, and Mr. Dagres. Most of the people in the main office know me as well, but the students are not supposed to know. Although, I am pretty sure some of them have figured out it is me. SW: How do assemblies work? (ie. leaving early from class, ditching friends, etc.) HH: For assemblies, I don’t usually have to leave class early. I actually get to see some of the assembly before I am needed. I get to sort of sneak in and sneak out. When I have to leave class for a gig, I am just honest with my teachers. They are always very understanding and it usually makes them smile. The teachers are very good at keeping the secret as well. SW: Why are there three Harleys? HH: We have three so that in the case that one of us can not attend a gig due to illness, another Harley can step in. SW: Any other experiences that they would like to tell? HH: I am already planning on trying out as the mascot at my college next year. I never expected at first that I would enjoy being a mascot so much that I would continue it into college. It really is a one-of-a-kind fun activity and job!
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SPORTS
| February 26, 2016
Girls’ basketball finding a way to win Mike Greco
maintain a hardworking mentality throughout senior guard Arlena Rinaldi. “Even though Sam has the season. been hurt a lot this year, she has been one of our “They have done pretty well as captains,” said best leaders. On and off the court Sam and Julia lthough their season has been riddled with injuries, the Maine South girls’ basketball control how we act, play, and practice.” team has found a way to have a winning season. Seniors make up a majority of the roster for This is due in part to the team acting together as a the Hawks, as 11 of the 18 roster spots belong to cohesive unit on and off the court. seniors, but a few younger players have managed “Teamwork played a huge role because we had to be major contributors for the team this season. so many girls out this season, and we even had our “We have had two freshman called up, Hannah coach out for two weeks,” said senior guard Jackie Schilling and Nicole Scales, and they have done Ostojic. “For us to have a lot of team chemistry on a lot for the team because they’re two of the best and off the court helped us to focus in so that we shooters that we have,” Rinaldi said. “Juniors and could win even when we didn’t have our starters sophomores have had a big impact on our team and or our coach.” that has been because we have done a good job of After having yet another successful season, the teaching them as seniors.” Hawks have had nothing but good things to say As the season comes to a close and the about their head coach Mr. Mark Smith, who is postseason begins, the Hawks will face many coaching in his eleventh season at Maine South. different conference foes including one of Maine ¨He is a great coach, whose goal is to successfully South’s biggest rivals in New Trier. prepare us for our upcoming challenges,” said “Our hardest match-up during the season sophomore Fiona Spuria. “From going over film, was New Trier,” said Ostojic. “We play in one of to running drills geared toward the things we need the hardest conferences around, and each week to work on, he always knows what to do to make we have a hard match-up where we have to plan, us better.¨ watch film, and practice so that we can be successful While coaching has been important for the AND ONE Junior Olivia Latreille prepares to take when we play. But we are very confident heading team, the senior leadership of Julia Spuria, Riley a free throw against New Trier on Feb. 12. She is one of into the playoffs because of how healthy our team Ekhart, and Sam Fagenholz has helped them to seven non-seniors on the team. is compared to past seasons.”
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Sports Editor
Wrestling team wrapping up successful season Christo Fosse
Staff Writer s the end of another wrestling season draws near, the boys’ wrestling team has enjoyed an overall successful season with returning varsity members and different underclassmen stepping up to the challenge. Coach Kevin Hansen is proud of the team’s success as well as the work and effort the wrestlers have shown this season. “As a dual team, we went undefeated in 2016,” Coach Hansen said. “It was also great watching the different freshmen develop on the varsity team this year.” These freshmen have included Jimmy Nuzzo, Jon Halverson, Jimmy Bartell, and Josh Bess. All of these freshmen have demonstrated a consistency and development that was crucial to the varsity team’s success this season. “I spoke with them [the freshmen] about how transitioning from youth wrestling to varsity high school wrestling is incredibly difficult,” said Coach Hanson. “It takes about 4-5 weeks to catch up to the high school intensity, and they were able to catch up to it and be successful.”
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In the case of the underclassmen, an important aspect of transitioning to the varsity level is being able to respect your seniority. Senior captains Jake Bess and Ibrahim Nasir have provided a great example of leadership to to the younger Hawks. “All of the freshmen are very mature for the age,” said Bess. “They are working hard with our coaches, and they are very focused. It has made it very easy to work with them.” Nasir, a returning state qualifier who is expected to make a big run into the postseason, has worked extremely hard both during the season and offseason to accomplish his ultimate goal— to win a state title. “I have put a lot of work during the offseason especially by attending different camps during the summer,” said Nasir. “So, with this work, I have put myself in a good position to accomplish my goals.” Likewise, Bess also has specific goals in mind as the end of the season approaches. “I plan on going to Sectionals this year and qualifying for State as well,” said Bess. With the regional, sectional, and state championships quickly ap-
proaching, Coach Hansen intends on using the same strategies the team has employed all season to be as successful as possible. “We have stuck to the plan of intense and strenuous practice,” Coach Hansen said. “We just stick to that routine of good and hard practices, and we really bought into that as a team in the second half of the season and it has really made a big difference in our play.” With a combination of experi-
enced upperclassmen, rising and developing underclassmen, and an intense practice plan, the Hawks have a strong chance of being successful as the postseason draws near. Coach Kevin Hansen breaks up the team’s philosophy into three key phases. “Mental toughness, dedication, and grit is all that it takes,” said Coach Hansen. The wrestling team plans to use these tenets to help ensure a successful end to their season.
PHOTO BY PATRICIA SMYRSKI
TERRIFIC TAKEDOWN
Senior Kyle Cacciatore practices take-down drills with his teammate. The team plans to find success by following the leadership of their seniors captains.
February 26, 2016 | SPORTS
Boys’ basketball fighting through injuries Cole Nelson & Mike Greco Contributor & Sports Editor
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he Maine South boys’ basketball team has endured a season filled with many trials. These trials have come in the form of many injuries for the Hawks as they lost sophomore guard Michael George to a fractured ankle and junior guard Nick Foldvary to a separated shoulder early in the season. While these guards have come back to help the Hawks, different obstacles have still found a way to hit the Hawks during their latest stretch of games. During a 48-37 loss to New Trier on Feb. 13, the Hawks were faced with another obstacle as they were without senior starting guard Tommy Digan who was out sick with the stomach flu. Despite this tough loss at the hands of one of Maine South’s biggest rivals, the team is still confident in their playing style as they get ready for the start of the playoffs. “Even though we just lost to New Trier, we have still won four out of our last five games and we are still
18-9 overall,” said Coach Lavorato. “We have guys that are learning to play together and we are excited because we have two more games until we start the playoffs.” Maine South has been impressive this season in both their consistency and quality wins. While taking third-place in the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic, the Hawks knocked off defending 4a state champion Stevenson 48-46 on a last second lay-up by senior Brad Perry. While the wins are a team effort, senior captains Austin Derrick and Jon Arenas have helped to lead the very youthful Hawks to a solid record. “They have done a great job of leading by example and being good role models for the future,” Coach Lavorato said. “When they graduate, we are going to miss them, because of the way they have showed players how to go about their business. Our chemistry has been great, even when we have had the younger players with one freshman and three sophomores playing of varsity. And this chemis-
try can be attributed to our senior leadership from Austin and Jon.” This respect comes not just from the coach, but also from many teammates of both Arenas and Derrick. “They’ve been great leaders because they not only help us to win, but they bring us together as a team during tough time during the season,” Perry said. Not only has leadership been important for the Hawks over the course of the season, but the team has been anchored on both ends of the court by senior center Brad Perry. Perry has had an incredible season for Maine South as he is currently averaging 13.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while placing fourth in the entire state of Illinois in rebounds per game. Big games have been common for the senior as he scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 5747 win over Dunlap and recorded a school record 8 blocks 46-29 loss to Galesburg as the Hawks played in the MLK Tournament in Galesburg in mid-January.
“Brad has gotten better and better during each week and during each game,” said Coach Lavorato. “He has a huge upside, and I don’t know if he will reach his full potential until he is about 21 or 22 years old, but the game has slowed down for him where he is a big factor and contributing to the point where other teams have to get two or three guys to defend him.” Confidence has been a major factor for the 6-11 big man, as he looks to continue improving his skills. “I think I have gotten better in multiple aspects in my game, including my rebounding and the different ways that I am scoring,” said Perry. Playoffs will start for the Hawks in early March, where they will face several familiar opponents including powerhouse Evanston. Last Friday the Hawks defeated a ranked Evanston team, with Brad Perry scoring 17 points and fellow senior Jon Arenas scoring 14 in the win. “Evanston is probably going to be our toughest match-up in the playoffs because of the number of good players they have,” said Perry.
become their family. Maine Hockey gives athletes a chance to meet others who share a passion for the same sport as them. In addition to group workouts, the team tends to stay active in the off-season, many players participated in various summer camps and clinics. Although the team has had a difficult season so far with a record of 2-16-1, things are starting to turn around. “The start of the season was a little rocky,” said junior goaltender Nicole Dubicki. “But recently, we made some changes that are positively affecting the way we play now.” The team is able to maintain a positive outlook because they not only have team goals for their season, but the players have personal goals as well. “Our goals are to turn our season around and get some wins,” sophomore Sarah Hudak said. “I want to grow and improve my hockey skills, in hopes to play in college.” As the team hopes to successfully reach their goals, they have expecta-
tions for themselves as their schedule gets closer to the playoffs. “Like all teams, we hope to succeed, hopefully making it to state,” said Olivia Santelli. “Knowing that our hard work and effort will help to achieve our goals, we are staying positive.”
In the state playoffs, the team may face one of Maine South’s biggest rivals: New Trier. However, the team’s biggest rivalry comes in the form of the Fenwick Friars. Teamwork and goal setting are important components to improvement the rest of the season.
Sophie Miller
Staff Writer n an effort to succeed in the playoffs, the Maine Hockey team is focusing on sticking to their goals to improve their play. Players drawn from Maine East, Maine South, and Maine West unite together for games and practices at the Niles, Oakton, and Franklin Park Ice Arena. Coached by Stan Dubicki, Tony Szapielak, Stephanie Orchard, and Chris DiVenere, the Maine Hockey staff is dedicated to helping the team achieve their potential. Dubicki is in his seventh season as the goaltending coach for the local semi-professional hockey team, the Chicago Wolves, who play in the AHL. In preparation for the season, the players made effort to practice together as a team through group workout. This time did not only prepare them for the season but developed team chemistry—an essential element for the mixture of girls from three different schools. A couple of the players mentioned how their teammates have
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PHOTO BY HALEY MECH
Girls’ hockey hoping for a comeback
FACE OFF
Maine Girls’ Hockey captain Karol Felinczak gets ready for a face off during the Feb. 17 game against New Trier. The team is looking to fight its way back from a rough start to the season.
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HOCKEY | GIRLS’GYMNASTICS | BOYS’ SWIMMING | BASKETBALL | CHEERLEADING | HAWKETTES | WRESTLING
The unique superstitions of Maine South athletes Sam Tinaglia Sports Editor
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Arenas’ fellow senior Austin Derrick has a different way of starting games. “Before our basketball games, we have to put on our warm-up gear, which includes the button pants that are rip-off,” said Derrick. “They are actually kind of hard to put on, and some people didn’t know how to do it at the beginning of the season. Since I was experienced, I helped a couple of guys button them and such, and it has become a pre-game routine now because of the success we have had this season.” Derrick also started doing some things before games with some close friends, and it started a trend. “Every Friday game, we usually get to go home first and then have to be back at the school around 4:30, so my two buddies Max Anderson and Alex Yerkan and I go to -Kevin Jarvis Potbelly’s and get the same sandwich every time. This happened once because we we’re just hungry, but we ended up winning the game, so it has become a superstition and tradition.” Even last year’s Maine Township Hockey team had a superstition that may have helped the team make it all the way to the state game at the United Center. Before every game, they rubbed a plastic yellow hard hat that had the Maine logo on it.
For wrestling, senior captain Jake Bess has a more orthodox way of getting ready for matches. “I always drink Gatorade or pedialyte after weigh ins to get back electrolytes,” said Bess. “And right before my matches, I always shake my arms out so I am loose and ready to go.” Rising varsity tennis players, juniors Amanda Marino and Marti Wind both have similar practices before matches. “I pretty much just stretch or jump rope,” said Wind. “I’m not very good under pressure or during competitions, so I’ll usually try and get my mind off an upcoming match by listening to music or reading a book. If I focus on the match too much, I tend to over think things, so for me it’s just good to relax.” “I also try not to think about it, and if other people are nervous, I’ll try to pump them up or talk to them about something else to take their mind off of it,” said Marino. Many players have different techniques to get in the zone for games. No matter who the player is or what sport they’re playing, there is always a desire to feel like things are going to go well. “The superstitions just give me a feeling that everything is in its right place for me to be successful. It shouldn’t be any other way, or else a limit of success comes into play, whereas there are no limits to my success if all goes to plan,” said Derrick.
“Before every game, I eat two burritos from Chipotle.”
PHOTO BY ARDAM SASAK
rofessional sports players are notorious for having bizarre superstitions that they think help them when they playing their individual sports. Tennis star Serena Williams has always bounced the ball five times before her first serve and two times before her second. Baseball player, Wade Boggs would eat a bucket of fried chicken before every game. Whenever NBA player Mike Bibby would be on the bench during games, he would obsessively pick at his nails. Superstitions aren’t only for professionals, however. Many Maine South athletes have already developed their own idiosyncrasies. Some of the starters on the Maine South football team have unique routines to get themselves ready to play. “Before every game, I eat two burritos from Chipotle,” said junior lineman Kevin Jarvis. “I’ve been doing that since sophomore year. I just love Chipotle and it has turned into a pre-game routine.” For some, though, eating before a game is prohibited. “I never eat before games,” said junior kicker Sean McNulty. “I don’t wear kneepads and I wore the same T-Shirt for all the games last year. And I always go out to eat at Snappy Dog after games with some teammates.” Sometimes rituals aren’t about what goes into the body, but what goes on it. “I always wear something on my left hand, whether it’s tape or a rubber band,” senior quarterback Brian Collis said. “I usually like to wear something like that because it’s kind of like a comfort object.” Athletes in other sports also have many interesting ways of getting themselves prepared for action. “I always paint one nail with neon green nail polish and hold my lucky troll,” said senior Julia Sirvinskas about how she prepares for her cross country runs. “For basketball, I always wear the same socks, the same sports clothes and listen to music before the game. During the national anthem played before games, I always count all 50 stars and 13 stripes. Doing this helps me focus in and relax for a minute before games or races.” Not all athletes believe in superstitions, but rather have developed a routine that helps them focus on what matters. Jon Arenas has prepared for games the same way since fourth grade. “I pray before every single game,” said Arenas. “I thank God for everything he has blessed me with and PHOTO BY ARDEN SASAK I ask him to help those who are in need. I thank him COLORFUL CONFIDENCE Basketball player and cross country star Julia Sirvinskas always paints one for giving me the opportunity and talent to play the nail with neon green nail polish. She also holds this troll doll before her meets. She believes that these two routines both bring her luck and relax her before the big event. game of basketball.”