Vol. 56, Issue 5

NEWS

| January 31, 2020

Constitution Team takes first place at State

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE GEIER

Emma Crosson News Editor

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WORDS OF ADVICE

Marisa Wilkens (‘17), John Luke Lassa (‘19), Carina Milano (‘19), and Annie Papciak (‘19) (left to right) answer questions to provide advice for current students. Each group of alumni attended panels for half the school day.

Alumni return to share college wisdom

Georgia Fosse

Editor-in-chief n Jan. 7, Maine South welcomed back 14 Maine South graduates to give advice and speak about their experiences with their post-graduate plans. The panel was organized by the College and Career Resource Center.

In the past, the panel was held the week before Winter Break. However, because of a scheduling conflict due to the shift of finals to the end of first semester in the 2015-2016 school year, the panel was discontinued.

Although the panel did return last year, it was solely for administration.

This marks the first year where the panel has been held for the students at the beginning of second semester.

“This year, I wanted to be able to get back to having the panel be in front of students, sharing their experiences, advice, and more,” Career & College Admissions Specialist Ms. Robyn Moreth said. “I think it’s a fantastic event and am so happy we were able to host our alumni.”

An open invitation to participate was extended to all alumni on social media. In addition, 2019 graduates were contacted through their emails indicated on the Senior Survey they

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took prior to graduation. “[With these emails,] I can build a database of even more alumni moving forward,” Ms. Moreth said.

The alumni praised how their extracurricular involvement prepared them for their lives outside of Maine South.

“I think [my involvement with tech crew] really helped me with my choice of major because it gave me an introduction to design,” Marisa Wilkens (‘17) said. “I was able to use my skills in a way I hadn’t been able to before. It also helped me develop leadership and teamwork.”

The panel also emphasized the importance of having an internship and how that prepared them for a future career in their respective fields of study.

“Aside from the professional e x p e r i e n c e an d t h e r ange of work I was doing at my different internships, it was also a really valuable life experience—that’s really irreplaceable,” Matt Weiss (‘15) said.

“I encourage you to seek out those opportunities.”

Fo r c u r r e nt s t u d e nt s , t h e main takeaway was feeling more comfortable with the transition from

high school to college.

“Hearing from a group of people who attend different schools and study different majors was very helpful for me to know what to expect and how to better prepare for my freshman year,” senior Ava Chiovatero said.

All of the advice students received through the panel can benefit them greatly.

“Alumni sharing their experiences and advice with the student body is invaluable,” Ms. Moreth said. “They just went through the whole posthigh school search and selection process and gave relevant feedback to our current students who are going through it now or will embark on the process shortly.”

Hearing from older alumni was also beneficial as it gave current students an opportunity to receive advice on college as a whole, rather than just one year.

“In the afternoon session, we had some older alums who were able to give a greater perspective of the college experience and what opportunities—both inside and outside the classroom—they’ve been able to take advantage of on their campus,” Ms. Moreth said.

aine South’s Constitution Team attended the state competition at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago on Friday, Dec. 13, and won first place.

The state competition consists of students being asked various questions regarding the Constitution.

“It is a simulated Congressional hearing in which the class has to prepare an argument answering controversial questions of Constitution history and law,” C-Team sponsor Mr. Andrew Trenkle said.

“After their opening presentation, they are then challenged by a panel of judges and have to defend their argument. They are then graded, and the team with the highest score wins.”

C-Team consists of several small units addressing a narrow aspect of the government and constitutional history.

“There are six units of four students each,” Mr. Trenkle said.

“Each unit specializes in a particular area of focus.”

The team felt happy with their performances at state.

“I was really proud of all my teammates, especially from the other units, when they were presenting because you could see how well educated they were,” senior Kaitlin O’Reilley said. “I am very excited for what we are going to be able to achieve at Nationals.”

C-Team is now preparing for the “We the People” national competition in Washington D.C. in spring. The team has a long history of winning the state competition and advancing to the national round. The questions will be released at the end of January.

One Earth Film Festival coming to Pickwick Theatre in March 2020

Jessie Beck

Editorial Assistant he ninth annual One Earth Film Festival is taking place across the Chicagoland area from March 6-15 and features films about sustainability, conservation, and environmental justice. The festival’s theme this year is “The Power of We,” and films will highlight different aspects of the climate crisis we are facing today and how we must work together to solve it.

Documentary “UseLess” will be shown at the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge on March 7 from 10

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a.m. to 12 p.m. for $8 per ticket. The film features interviews with experts and activists as it examines the negative impact of food and fashion waste on the planet and searches for a solution.

This will be the third time that Park Ridge participates in the festival. Environmental group Go Green Park Ridge (GGPR) has organized the event again in the hopes of inspiring Park Ridge citizens.

“Taking part in the festival is just one thing we can do to increase our engagement with others to talk about climate solutions for our future,” GGPR founder Amy Bartucci said.

GGPR finds this year’s film to be special because of how it aligns with much of what they focus on—sustainability efforts in our own community.

“I recently started full time employment as a Sustainability Associate, and these issues are basically on my mind daily,” Bartucci said.

Local environmental activists hope that the festival inspires action within the community.

“The festival offers so many reasons to step up with like minds and work on solutions that impact not only ourselves, but our community, and the entire planet,” Bartucci said.

January 31, 2020 | NEWS

New recycling station installed in cafeteria News Writer

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ue to poor student recycling habits during lunch periods, E nv i r o n m e n t a l C l u b s t a r t e d a campaign to educate students and promote proper recycling. A recycling station and recycling bins were installed in the main cafeteria on Jan. 13.

Junior Environmental Club copresident Sophia Kappel noted the importance of waste management in and out of school.

“Responsible waste management is a stepping stone to bettering our whole planet, and if we can make a small change in our students’ lives at school, maybe it will transfer into their out-of-school lives as well,” Kappel said. “Learning how to properly manage your waste is super important, and something everyone should know how to do.”

The recycling station is outfitted with a bin to hold liquid refuse, separate containers for recyclable materials, and posters to inform students about what to recycle.

An informational video sent to all students demonstrates how to use the recycling station properly.

Keeping the rec ycling bins uncontaminated by non-recyclable items is a priority, so the club promotes the slogan, “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Proper recycling habits are being taught throughout the school via announcements, posters, and Hawk Pride lessons for freshmen.

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John Biagi

GARBAGE BEGONE

The Southwords editorial board examines the impact of the recycling station.

See page 4 “We are teaching students through visual aids,” Kappel said. “We had a lesson taught to all the Freshman Focus groups recently. They were given a presentation on what can and cannot be recycled by their Hawk Pride leader, then given some trash and asked to sort it by what they think can and cannot be recycled.”

Some students have already utilized the new recycling station.

PHOTO BY ALY TRUNZO

GREEN TEAM

Senior Angie Ginnane disposes of a plastic bottle in the newly installed recycling station. A second station was added to the cafeteria soon after.

“I always recycle at lunch because it is great to reduce and reuse our materials for the greater good,” sophomore Molly Shanahan said. “It also is a great way to reduce plastic. I can recycle my lunch items in the cafe rather than waiting to recycle them in other classes.”

With the large size of the cafeteria, some students saw the accessibility of the station as an issue.

“There should be more than one station,” sophomore Sam Andreolas said. “I have to walk across the cafeteria to use it. Also, more people

might use the station if there is one near them because people often throw their trash in whatever is close to them.”

A second station was recently added to the other side of the cafeteria.

Kappel hopes that the new changes to the recycling program will shed light on proper waste disposal.

“If our students can make even the slightest change in their habits, it adds up over time,” Kappel said. “I’m really hoping that this is something that sticks with everyone [who] passes through Maine South.”

Changes made to summer school classes New hallway policy going into effect Emma Crosson

News Editor eginning next year, Government and U.S. History will only be offered over the summer for credit recovery.

An exception to this change is that current juniors with a full schedule for next year will be allowed to take the course over the summer.

“We didn’t feel like it was fair to current juniors who might have planned to take certain things to suddenly not allow them to take the [summer] cours e,” s o cial science department chair Ms. Jenne Dehmlow said. “And so, we will make those accommodations only for current juniors with a full schedule; however, if you have a free period or are trying to get a free period by taking a summer course, that will not be acceptable.”

This change means that current underclassmen will not have the option to take government in the summer to create a free period in a full schedule.

“I would not have even thought about it right now since I am only a freshman, but it would have been nice to have had the option to take

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the course of the summer when I am a junior,” freshman Reese Lawrence said. “Now hearing about this switch, I think that it is unfair, as it could have been valuable to take the class over the summer.”

There were a variety of factors that went into the change.

“We don’t have [enough] certified Maine South teachers to do it, and there has been a huge change to the legal requirements for civics by the state of Illinois,” Ms. Dehmlow said.

Many students took government over the summer because they thought it would be easier.

“I don’t think taking government over the summer was necessarily easier than it would have been during the school year,” senior Liam Warlick said. “It may seem easier to some because it’s the only class you’re taking and you can focus solely on that subject matter.”

Staff members recognize the importance of the government course and do not want it to be rushed.

“I think it’s a good change,” said social science teacher Mr. Trenkle. “You can do a lot more in a regular semester. The social science department in general is excited.”

Charlotte Geier

Editor-in-chief eginning Feb. 3, administration will be instituting and reinforcing nume rous p ol i ci e s re g ardi ng attendance and lunch/study options.

The first set of policies are in regards to unexcused absences and tardies. “ To m a k e s t u d e n t s m o r e accountable for cutting class, we are making [students who cut] ineligible for a retake on the [summative] work that they missed,” principal Dr. Ben Collins said.

Students will be allowed to make up the summatives, but must go through retake procedures in order to do so.

“We still want there to be an opportunity to make the work up and learn the material,” Dr. Collins said. “However, we also want students to be accountable for deciding to blatantly not go to class.”

In addition, students will be marked absent from a class after 10 minutes of being tardy. Previously, the policy was 20 minutes.

The other policy implemented will eliminate the hallways as an option during lunch/study options.

Instead, students must be in a room

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supervised by staff during free periods. These spaces include the library and cafeteria.

“It’s going to take us some time, but we’re going to work towards having more passes, so it’s easier for us to figure out whether a student should be in class or not,” Dr. Collins said. “As long as they are obeying the rules, students will be able to get to where they need to go when they need to go there.”

Administration also added this regulation to ensure student safety during construction, as workers will be in the building.

“With the advent of construction coming, we’re trying to make the building more safe, and also make it less enticing for students to cut class,” Dr. Collins said.

Students believe these policies are a fair way to address the attendance problem administration has encountered.

“Personally, I believe these new policies are fair to the student body,” senior Liliana D’Alesio said. “Students may be bothered by not being able to roam the hallways when they don’t have class, but we all should be taking responsibility for our own actions.”

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COMMENTARY

| January 31, 2020

STAFF EDITORIAL

Our climate’s future is in our own hands

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

Scan this QR code to e-mail Southwords

ILLUSTRATION BY ISABEL GIBSON

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nvironmental Club recently implemented a new recycling station in the cafeteria. Since its establishment, the station has been monitored each day during lunch periods by Hawk Pride, Science Nat iona l Honor S o ciety, and Environmental Club students in order to ensure students are using the station properly.

However, despite enforcement and encouragement, many students still do not make the effort to use the new station. Instead, most students opt to throw out all of their garbage in the cans closer to their tables.

Many students argue that the material doesn’t get recycled anyway, or they don’t understand what can and can’t be recycled. This reasoning is merely an excuse for laziness or an unwillingness to take responsibility for actions that are having very real, negative effects on our planet.

One reason students neglect the station is that they are unaware of what can and cannot be recycled.

When the system was implemented, a video was sent out to the entire school explaining how to properly

recycle. Freshmen were the only ones formally educated on proper recycling during Hawk Pride, leaving the majority of the student body still unsure of the expectations for recycling. Since upperclassmen didn’t receive training, they are unaware on how to use the station.

While a guide for proper recycling is attached to the recycling station, unfortunately, many students choose the path of least resistance and throw things out rather than using the information provided to sort their recyclable items.

Our school’s first step needs to be to educate all students rather than only freshman. It is clear that all students need a refresher on proper recycling.

Instead of emailed videos and informational posters, students need to be retaught and reminded of what materials are eligible to be recycled.

This could be done through a brief video shown in all English classes.

While this education is important, make no mistake: the responsibility for recycling lies in the hands of students. Students must

educate themselves on the broader effects of trash on climate change in order to make a connection between their daily actions and their worldly impact.

As high schoolers, we are expected to hold ourselves accountable for our actions. When we ask for independence, we also must show we are capable of taking the initiative ourselves. In educating ourselves on this impact, we can curb the flawed excuses we make for our lazy habits.

It is also important to to hold each other accountable as well. In educating those around us and kindly reminding our friends to take an extra minute to properly recycle, all students will feel positive peer pressure to use the station.

The only way the recycling system will work is if everyone does their part, not just the freshman and Hawk Pride leaders. We must foster an environment that encourages recycling rather than accepting excuses we make for ourselves. Once this happens, South students can truly be a part of this revolution to halt climate change.

Want more?

Find it at southwords.org, or scan the QR code above.

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Check out the new Southwords editorial podcast, where the editorial staff discusses more of their viewpoints on the subject.

Southwords is a student-r un publication designed as a public forum for student opinion and balanced reporting on topics relevant to the Maine South community.

Unsigned staff 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.

Student par ticipation in the newspaper, whether through readership, submitting articles, or voicing comments or concerns, is encouraged.

Signed letters to the editor can be delivered to the new Southwords office (B115B), 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

News Editors

Georgia Fosse Charlotte Geier Erin Martin Emma Crosson Luigi Laudando

Commentary Editors Gabriel Blindauer Laura Pomilia Features Editors

Victoria Murphy Lily Niziolek Elizabeth Ryser

Entertainment Editors Veronica Espinoza Ella Melcher Kristen Meyer Sports Editors

Sam Corbett Tyler Houck Amalia Laskaris

Production Editors

Keeley Flynn Isabel Gibson Aly Trunzo

Editorial Assistant Adviser

Jessie Beck Mr. Stathakis

COMMENTARY

| January 31, 2020

Was the assassination of Soleimani justified?

Karolina Bisiak Commentary Writer

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resident Donald Trump’s authorization of a drone strike set to kill top Iranian military commander and leader Qasem Soleimani shocked the world. The move was classic Trump: he did what he thought was best abruptly and without warning, with few knowing about the decision and plan until it was enacted. However, the killing of Soleimani along with nine others at Baghdad International Airport on Jan. 3, was a justifiable decision predictably made by a president who doesn’t care much for the opinions of others.

There was no doubt that Soleimani was a dangerous man responsible for the deaths of many American troops. As leader of the Quds force, Soleimani was the primary decision-maker aiding antiAmerican Iraqi forces following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and attacking U.S.-used bases abroad in response to America’s withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018. Such actions by the Quds force under Soleimani caused the US and other countries to label the Quds force as a terrorist organization.

Soleimani was also sanctioned by the United Nations as well as the European Union and put on various US terror watch lists. On Dec. 27, 2019,

Soleimani authorized attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, a decision which led to the death of American contractor Nawres Hamid. Mere days later, on Dec. 31, he approved the storming of the American embassy in Baghdad.

Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who held the presidency at the height of Soleimani’s power, considered targeting Qasem Soleimani. Both rejected the idea for fear that it would escalate to a fullscale war. Such fears were reflected in public opinion directly after Trump’s airstrike. There is still good reason to fear escalation: while both Iran’s foreign minister and President Trump have expressed that they do not want escalation of war, it is worthy to note that a considerable cause of the first World War was the assassination of a major political figure. Hope for peace, however, still remains strong, as Iran responded to the airstrike by firing over a dozen ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing US soldiers on Jan. 7, which caused no deaths.

While Trump’s actions are perceived as largely erratic, it seems that his decision to kill Soleimani was the responsible thing to do given recent tensions with Iran, which were not helped by the late general. Soleimani’s despicable actions against America and the world painted him as a target that needed to be taken out. President Trump did as he does and blindsided the world in his decision to order the drone strike on Jan. 3, 2020.

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Salty Jenny

by Jennifer Nikolic

Christo Maheras Commentary Writer

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n the weeks after the spontaneous killing of a top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, we have seen a series of events that includes heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, condemnation of our actions from the United States House of Representatives, and missile attacks on a U.S. base in Iraq.

These factors along with the nonexistent proof of a threat to our nation prove that the killing of General Soleimani was not justified.

According to the New York Times, President Trump was given what was referred to as a “menu” of options as to how to deal with Iran. Among the options given, most were conservative options that were diplomatic in nature; however, an extreme approach is always given to make the other options seem more viable. The extreme approach is also the approach that would most likely lead to conflict with another nation. CNN reports that both Democrats and Republicans alike did not receive any forewarning of the president’s decision that could have put us at risk of an armed conflict with Iran.

We must ask ourselves, is it worth killing somebody if it means war?

The answer is a resounding “no.”

The questionable legality of this assassination is the most destructive

part of the controversy. Under U.S. law, the president is only permitted to take action against countries without permission from Congress if the country is at war with them or they are acting in self-defense.

According to Vox News, the strike against Soleimani “did not meet the threshold of legality.” This means that in this instance, the president overstepped his power. The United States is not currently at war with Iran, and thus, President Trump did not have the authority to order this strike without congressional approval.

Members of government close to the President have claimed that there was an imminent threat to the United States posed by General Soleimani. But, the news outlets reported that there was no proof of an imminent threat and no U.S. embassies were relayed any information about an imminent threat.

There are 11 different places in the Middle East where US troops are stationed. With the military strike against Iran, these troops could be forced out of the Middle East out of revenge. The Iranian government already sent a drone strike in retaliation, with no casualties.

The killing of General Qasem Soleimani was a rash killing where the potential fallout of an armed conflict was never taken into account. This is not justifiable. A diplomatic approach would have been the ideal solution to this issue and would have avoided the legal and military fallout produced by our act.

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Facial Oddities

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COMMENTARY

| January 31, 2020

Australia forest fires are a harsh glimpse into a future of negligence

Jessie Beck Editorial Assistant

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ustralia has been suffering from violent wildfires since September, but the danger they pose has increased within the last few months.

Over 3,000 homes have been completely crushed or damaged, at least 28 people have died, and about onebillion animals have been killed or severely impacted. This threat poses imminent danger for not only Australia, but the rest of the world as well. Natural disasters such as these are becoming more and more common as a result of climate change.

Wildfires are not uncommon in Australia at this time of the year, as they usually begin with lightning strikes and continue burning due to the hot weather. However, the violent wildfires of these last few months are unlike any occurrences seen before.

Despite varying natural and unnatural causes (arsonists), there is no doubt that the fire's resilience and rapid spread has been facilitated by

the record dryness and extreme heat caused by climate change.

While climate change is a growing threat to us all, perhaps a greater threat is the lack of action in response to climate disasters. These fires should be a huge wake-up call to the few who still refuse to recognize the dangers posed by climate change. At this point, it is outrageous that it is considered acceptable for one to view horrific photos of people and animals suffering under blazing red skies and clouds of suffocating smoke and still deny the importance of environmental action and justice.

The outraged public wonders how companies and governments express no guilt as they allow this issue to sit at the bottom of their list of priorities while natural disasters devastate communities all over the world. Australia’s government has not taken environmental threats seriously in the past, and it continues to be ignorant at this time.

Our own President Donald Trump has a horrible track record

when it comes to environmental efforts. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron are among the companies contributing the most to climate change via carbon emissions, yet they don’t respond appropriately to the consequences. In the meantime, tons of other sustainable companies

ILLUSTRATION BY LILY WENING

and brands are left to clean up these selfish companies' messes. This isn't and won’t be enough to make effective change and progress.

Large companies can have a huge positive or negative impact on our environment, but we can’t forget the impact of individuals. Some in-

fluential figures, such as Selena Gomez, P!nk, Nicole Kidman, Chris Hemsworth, Elton John, and others have donated generous amounts of money to the Australian wildfires cause. By supporting celebrities with a commitment to environmental efforts, we can promote this good behavior and inspire others to contribute as well.

So how do we solve this issue?

It is imperative to cut carbon emissions by discontinuing the use of fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources. We must hold our government leaders accountable for their actions and push for climate justice.

In addition, we must work to reduce our own individual impacts and strive to be part of the solution rather than the problem.

Most importantly, in order for the world to come together in these situations, we must have higher expectations for those with the most wealth and influence. By financially or politically supporting those who ignore these problems, we are enabling the continuous destruction of our planet. To avoid this, we must support and vote for forward-thinking companies and politicians.

Conflict resolution: how to navigate a tense climate Charlotte Geier Editor-in-Chief hy is everyone attacking one another?” I feel like I ask myself this question every day.

Whether I’m seeing an Instagram post shaming people for not doing enough to halt climate change, reading a tweet targeting pro-choice supporters, or witnessing a brief partisan dispute in the halls, it seems like everyone just wants to put their own beliefs out there and leave; it’s like we’re constantly in “fight mode.”

Not surprisingly, these sorts of spats always end with frustrations and more accusations.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel that now more than ever, civil discussions aren’t an option. People are either walking on eggshells or throwing them at the walls; there’s really no in-between.

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I don’t think social media is offhand comments degrading the completely to blame for this constant opposition without really explaining state of tension, but it undoubtedly the “why” behind their statement.

As simple as it is, I believe we plays a major role. When we’re restricted to a mere few sentences all need to take a step back and to share our beliefs, seldom does our learn how to agree to disagree again; message come out as intended. it’s something everyone should be capable of doing.

H e r e’s h o w situations transpire: S ome of my "People are either favorite discussions someone posts something ab out walking on eggshells h av e b e e n w it h why climate change or throwing them at people I disagree with. More often is a hoax. Two types the walls; there’s of people see the t han not, I end up f i nd i ng t hat post: agreers and really no ind i s a g r e e r s . T h e between." we actually have agreers feel validated, more similar views adding to the echo chamber effect. than I expected. I may not leave The disagreers feel targeted, fostering the conversation with any changed views, but I do end up with a better an automatic urge to argue back.

What results in both situations? understanding of why the other side 150 character comments. Not nearly thinks the way they do and how they enough space to add facts—only came to those beliefs.

R ather than engaging in a enough space for a strongly worded opinion that effectively polarizes the conversation with an overly defensive mindset, remind yourself that the only two sides.

This has seeped into everyday way someone will even consider your interactions as well; people make view is through understanding, not

accusation. This pretty much holds true in every situation, but especially when discussing controversies.

The same rule applies when it comes to asking people to change their mind. Accuse them of being wrong, and you’ll immediately be met with disdain. Ask them why they believe what they do with genuine intentions, and you’ll probably be able to gain some insight into where their argument is flawed or why it is valid.

Don’t get me wrong—we’ ll all encounter people who are argumentative no matter what. We’ll also meet people whose points are so flawed that all we want to do is argue, because that’s what we’ve learned to do.

Oftentimes, people try to navigate this overly polarized climate with overly complicated s olutions; however, the answer is simpler than it seems. It’s easier said than done, but next time you want to get your point across, try not to use scare tactics or attacks. Instead, approach the topic with an open mind.

January 31, 2020

| FEATURES

PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE GEIER

PHOTO CREDIT WILLI REHFELD

SISTERS, NOT TWINS Some of the architecture in Kinver (left) and Park Ridge (right) share similar features. Although the styles may be similar, the age of the buildings is not. Kinver has maintained much of its medieval charm while Park Ridge has developed into a more modern city.

From Park Ridge to Kinver: sister cities Tyler Houck and Amalia Laskaris Sports Editors

BY MORG ATION AN L

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and rest aurants, of ten displaying local crafts of the region.

K i n v e r ’s r i c h h i s t o r y and proximity to the major Birmingham metropolitan area attracts many tourists. Having existed for over 1,200 years, unlike Park Ridge, which was founded in 1833 by the Pottawatomie Indians and French explorers, Kinver is famous for its coal mining and iron working industries.

In this span of its existence, much has changed for Kinver.

“The spelling of the village name has changed over the years,” Ray said. “We are listed in King William’s survey known as the Doomsday Book in 1068 as Chenevare.”

Kinver’s economy has also changed through the years.

“We have a high sandstone ridge called Kinver Edge, which has an Iron Age hill fort on the top,” Ray said. “We then had iron works and chain making works during the Industrial Revolution before [the] industry [was] dying out and [then] we went back to being a rural area.”

Although Kinver’s Parish Councillors are elected every four years and serve as volunteers like Park

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lthough more than 3,800 miles apart, Park Ridge and Kinver are interconnected. This small English town with about 8,000 residents has been a sister city of Maine South’s home, Park Ridge since 1992.

Through the Sister Cities Commission, Park Ridge has a “Declaration of Friendship” with Kinver.

The Declaration of Friendship represents “an exchange of ideas and development of friendship,” according to Sister Cities International (SCI), a worldwide membership program that facilitates the connection between cities across the globe.

A sister city is “a broad-based, long-term partnership between the two communities in two countries,” according to SCI. Park Ridge’s Sister Cities Commission was founded by former Mayor Ron Wietecha and is now chaired by Park Ridge City Clerk Betty Henneman.

Domenic Toni, Maine South class of 1968, was actually the one to suggest Kinver for partnership because of his experience living in both communities.

Toni currently lives in Kinver and travels back to Park Ridge occasionally for business and to see family, according to the Sister Cities Commission.

Kinver and Park Ridge were both once a site of brickyards, but both cities have developed into residential communities for many families to call home. Kinver is located northwest from London and southwest of Birmingham, along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

While Park Ridge’s most historic architecture is the art deco Pickwick from the 1920s, Kinver’s historic architecture dates back to the early 14th century. Kinver is home to a variety of historic buildings, many made up of brick and tile, which vary in age from medieval times to the present day.

Ena Ray, a Councillor of Kinver that has visited Park Ridge, believes both regions are quite different.

Ridge’s city council, their responsibilities differ.

In Kinver, Parish Councillors have limited work because of their higher tiers of governance under Parliament, which include the South Staffordshire District Council and Staffordshire County Council.

Despite these differences, the communities share many similarities.

“We have a Public Library, Primary and Senior Schools and a host of clubs and organizations covering everything from football (soccer) to the Historical Society, encompassing all ages from young people in the Cubs and Brownies to the Senior Citizens Club,” Ray said.

Every few years, citizens of either of the two towns will travel overseas to experience the life and culture of the other city.

Ray has been to Park Ridge on three separate occasions and plans on continuing her relationship with Henneman. She was hosted by Henneman on her first two visits and the group travelled on excursions throughout the Chicagoland area.

“All of our experiences have been unforgettable, and some of them were even new for our hosts,” Ray said. “The people we met were lovely.”

Groups of nearly a dozen that visit are taken to landmarks like the Botanical Gardens or Millennium Park, as well as events like seeing the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, a Cubs game, or an outdoor showing of the “Wizard of Oz.” Within Park Ridge, the groups have been taken on tours of sites like the Pickwick Theatre, visited Hillary Clinton’s and Harrison Ford’s family home, and various schools and public buildings.

Because Kinver does not have a formal committee, most communication between Park Ridge and Kinver is maintained through emails with Park Ridge’s Sister City Council and hosts that Ray has stayed with on her trips to Park Ridge.

The cities currently do not have any plans for their next visits but it has been nearly four years since the last international trip, which means that a new trip is due for these two communities.

U ILL

A

“Kinver is an ancient settlement with the village centre along the valley shared by the River Stour and a canal built by the engineer Brindley,” Ray said.

These historic buildings can be found on Kinver’s main street, High Street.

High Street, just like Park Ridge’s notorious Uptown area, is filled with local shops

SouthwordS 7

FEATURES

| January 31, 2020

New Year brings incentive to reach goals Caroline Tully Features Writer

T

ILLUSTRATION BY EDEN WENING

he start of the year is the perfect time to reflect on all of the major events and the lessons we learned in the last 365 days and craft a New Year’s resolution. Although the start of a new year is an arbitrary date, it can provide an incentive for many to achieve their goals.

“Resolutions are a tiny step that pushes you into a new year that you are excited for,” senior Samantha Mayer said.

Mayer has set a few goals for herself for 2020.

“I always make a few resolutions all under different categories: an academic resolution, a personal resolution, and an overall resolution,” Mayer said. “My academic one is to not fall into the trap known as senioritis.

My personal resolution is to improve my vocabulary. My overall resolution is to be more open to change and live more in the moment.”

While many people like to set goals for multiple aspects of their life, similar to Mayer, others may choose to set goals that are focused on only one facet.

“My New Year’s resolution this year is to be more kind to myself, be more confident with my own body, and more comfortable in my own skin,” freshman Alyson Kaplan said.

Although coming up with New Year’s resolutions is a step in the right direction to achieving one’s goals, it is just as important to find a way to keep up and follow through with them.

Technology can be useful to remind students to maintain progress.

“For my vocabular y goal, I downloaded a ‘word of the day’ app,” Mayer said. “My goal each day is to use that word while having a conversation

with someone.”

Mayer tries to live in the moment, disconnecting from technology.

“I started a journal. Each day—or at least twice a week—I write down memories from my chaotic days,” Mayer said.

Sometimes, goals don’t require much of a lifestyle change but rather a simple change to one’s mindset. “ To m a k e m y g o a l accomplishable, I will remind myself to stay positive every day and try to surround myself with the most supportive and kind people to make my resolution more easy to do,” Kaplan said.

Psychology teacher Mr. Trevor Fritz believes that publicizing goals is another way to promote success.

“I do not think there are really any benefits to creating a New Year’s resolution as opposed to a goal at any other time of the year, except for the fact that you may be more likely to share this goal with others,” Mr. Fritz said. “When we put higher stakes on our goals and make it more public, we feel more compelled to continued the desired behavior.”

Once publicized, junior Drew Burgis believes consistency is

required to maintain a New Year’s resolution.

“I stay on top of my resolutions by being consistent in working to achieve my goals and trying to do something to push me towards fulfilling them every day,” Burgis said.

New Year’s resolutions can be great motivators to improve upon one’s life as long as they are kept a priority.

By writing down the goal, setting up a plan, and working towards it on a regular basis, the resolution will start to become a habit.

“I would like to think that if it is a goal that the student genuinely cares about, then they will enjoy this process,” Mr. Fritz said.

While resolutions have the potential to be beneficial, some are still doubtful of their effectiveness.

Senior Evan Arnold believes that New Year’s resolutions unnecessarily delay goals.

“I think if you want to do something, you can do it whenever,” Arnold said. “You don’t need to use a New Year’s resolution as an excuse.

If there is something in my life I want to change, I just do it as soon

40% to 44% of people will keep their resolutions within six months of the new year

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According to CNN Health (January 1, 2020)

as possible.”

However, sophomore Anna Widlowski sees the beginning of a new year as a fitting opportunity for self-improvement.

“Normally, people make their New Year’s resolutions something they know is beneficial but don’t necessarily want to do,” Widlowski said. “I think people like to wait for the new year to come before they start their new habits because they’re procrastinating. A fresh start to a new year is motivational.”

The beginning of a new year can encourage some to take action in their ambitions.

“I waited for the new year because I felt like it was a fresh start. I just wanted to leave all the negativity and bad thoughts in 2019 and start a new mind-set for this decade,” said Kaplan.

This year in particular is especially monumental, as it is also the start of a new decade.

“This new decade is the starting point of a lot of new things for me: second-semester senior year, graduation, and starting a new school,” Mayer said. “I think about myself in 10 years and try to picture what my 27-year-old self will be doing and I have an idea, but alas, only time will truly tell. The new decade is quite exciting and terrifying all at the same time.”

Many find the expectations that come with the new decade to be a burden.

“I feel a pressure to be a brand new person and change so many aspects of my life,” Arnold said. “In reality, I’m pretty much the same person.”

Whether it be the beginning of a new decade, a new year, or a new day, it is always important to work toward achieving one’s goals and becoming the person one wants to be.

January 31, 2020 |ENTERTAINMENT

‘Rose and the Rime’ features both humor and drama Emily Hein

PHOTO BY ALY TRUNZO

Entertainment Writer

A

lthough it may seem that the adjustment back to school is treading slowly for most, in the theatre department, it has been quite the opposite. Since late November, actors and crew members have been hard at work perfecting their next production, “Rose and the Rime.”

“Rose and the Rime” details the life of a girl named Rose, who inhabits the town called Radio Falls, Michigan, which is trapped in an eternal winter.

Throughout the story, Rose’s curiosity leads her, and the audience, on an adventure to end the curse all while meeting amusing characters such as a bunny, wolves, and even a witch along the way.

The emotional “Rose and the Rime,” originally created by the House Theatre of Chicago, is penned as an “original Midwestern Myth.”

“The play has its moments of humor, but deep down it is a drama,” senior student director Brennan Keeley said. “That’s why I love this play so much. It’s serious but isn’t afraid to have a laugh or two with the audience.” Many students are involved in this production, with 20 actors and over 80 students working on crew.

Rose, the main character is played by senior Marie Normandin, and the witch is played by senior Markos Carmona.

“Rose and the Rime” marks ground-breaking changes in the drama department, as Maine South alumnus Mr. Brennan Roach will serve as lead director for the first time after being assistant director on previous productions.

“This play and this experience both hold a special significance for me as a director,” Mr. Roach said. “Being a Maine South alum, it’s a privilege to be able to come back and share a lot of my experience as a professional artist with today’s students, and having walked the same halls and grown up in the community, there’s a unique opportunity to collaborate and create art that speaks to some of the underlying issues students still face today.”

Students working with Mr. Roach have tremendous respect for his work.

“It has been so exciting to work with him, and he has brought so many innovating new ideas to rehearsal that

EAR-RESISTABLE

Senior Marie Normandin (left) plays Rose who is giving hot chocolate to a bunny, puppeteered by sophomore Leah Alava. In the play, the bunny meets and guides Rose through her adventure.

I have never seen before,” Keeley said.

Along with there being a new director, the play itself has many elements that are different from anything Maine South has done before. The play contains an original collection of songs that move the story along and help the audience understand each character’s emotions.

“This original soundtrack also makes the show unique due to the fact that there will be songs that people know throughout the show, spanning across many different genres,” senior student director Sam Mayer said. Some artists on the soundtrack include The Beatles, Bon Iver, The Jackson 5, and more.

Another new aspect of the play is that the production is expected to be shorter than previous years.

“The play is an hour and 15 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, so an hour and a half total,” Keeley said.

“It is on the shorter side for a Maine South production, but so much happens because there is never a dull moment. I would recommend seeing it twice to pick up on all the little details. Once you know the ending, everything changes.”

Despite the shorter production, cast and crew members have worked

just as hard as previous years to ensure the play will run smoothly.

As for the set, it is expected to change completely for the second act, and there will be minor scene changes throughout act one that take Rose from Radio Falls to the Witch’s Lair and more. “ There are two changes of setting, and it begins in the winter,” sophomore construction head Adeline Bateman said. “This makes the set very different and unique from the ones we have done in the past.”

Sound crew has also played a critical role in the play.

“A n y s o u n d cues in the show work to help the story and immerse the audience in the world of the show,” junior sound head Ellie Compton said. “This can range from helping to set the scene to making details seem realistic. Using additional sounds helps convey details that can be hard to convey through visuals, like a knock on a door before an entrance or a windy night.”

Another exciting part of the play is a surprise during intermission.

“It will give the audience a dose of something we’ll all desperately need come February in Chicago,” Mr. Roach said.

“I’m humbled by their work and what they’ve done to redefine what’s possible in high school theatre.”

-Mr. Roach

There is a lot of underlying depth in the “Rose and the Rime” that makes it relevant to the audience. Its message emphasizes duality in life and the importance of seeing the multiple perspectives.

“In this particular moment in time, we’ve become incredibly fond of, if not outright expectant of, immediate and definitive answers,” Mr. Roach said. “‘Rose and the Rime’ reminds us of the repercussions of hanging your hat on those immediate answers, of casting everything in black or white when the perspective and the reality of grey is what truly permeates our society.”

Those involved in the production are very much looking forward to seeing the finished product. “ This play is infused with their heart, their truth, and their determination to create a work of art that stops the audience in their tracks and leaves them forever changed,” Mr. Roach said. “I’m humbled by their work and what they’ve done to redefine what’s possible in high school theatre.”

“People should come to see this show because of how beautiful it is— the story line, the acting, the technical elements, the costumes, the hair, the makeup,” Mayer said. “Everything is going to be simply beautiful.”

“Rose and the Rime” runs in the Watson Auditorium on Feb. 6, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $7.

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ENTERTAINMENT

| January 31, 2020

Streaming services dominate awards ceremonies Elizabeth Compton Entertainment Writer

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etflix and other streaming services have evolved from their humble beginnings as a source of DVDs sent through mail or free streaming platforms to online streaming monoliths competing for original content and shows.

Now, shows and movies released on streaming platforms are being nominated for and winning awards.

For streaming platforms, having popular shows only available on their platform, such as Netflix’s “Stranger Things” or HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” is a good move because they can draw in audience through the buzz about the show and hopefully get the audience to stick around once they finish the show to watch another series. Because they get income from monthly subscription fees instead of commercial slots like network shows, there are no commercial breaks to distract from the story or strict run times to dictate the length of episodes, further enticing viewers.

For viewers, online streaming shows are tempting because a lot of people find it easier to watch a

couple of 45-minute episodes than a two-hour movie. While it is easy to get sucked into watching several episodes in a row, especially with the way Netflix is designed to autoplay the next episode after a few seconds, viewers can easily spend more time watching shows than they originally planned.

From a content standpoint, streaming shows can offer a spectacle hard to find on network TV. The cost of producing a single episode of almost any TV series has been increasing in recent years, with shows like ABC’s “Modern Family” costing an average of $3.5 million per episode.

Networks can struggle with funding expensive episodes, but streaming services have upped the ante with budgets reaching $15 million per episode of the Disney Plus show “The Mandalorian.” While network shows like “Modern Family” need to pay high-profile actors, shows like “The Mandalorian” have been able to pour a large sum of money into visual effects in addition to a stellar cast.

While the average viewer may not know how much it costs to make an

2020 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS

17 Netflix

5 Hulu

5

3

0

Amazon Apple TV Network

episode, they can pick up on it costing more because of stunning visuals and adorable $5 million puppets like Baby Yoda that can set a show apart. While sticker price doesn’t always mean a higher quality story, it can make a story more visually appealing.

Consumers aren’t the only ones to take notice of new shows on streaming platforms. At the 2020 Golden Globes, Netflix had 17 total nominations—the most nominations of any one studio, including films like “The Irishman” and “Marriage Story.” While they only won two of the awards they were nominated for, Netflix serves as an example of how streaming services are coming to dominate at least the nominations for award shows. The streaming platform is also nominated for 24 awards at the

INFOGRAPHIC BY ELLA MELCHER

2020 Oscar Awards.

As these platforms are able to churn out a higher quality and quantity of shows, it is logical that more of their content is nominated.

Streaming services allow viewers to enjoy content from home instead of going to a theater, changing the way cinema is being viewed.

As streaming shows compete for more awards and audience attention, there will be traditionalists who see the change as bad. Streaming services also compete with traditional movie making by creating more content accessible to larger groups of people.

However, the film industry is constantly evolving and adapting.

Streaming content is merely the next step in the evolution and efficiency of entertainment.

Thespians travel to the annual Illinois Theatre Festival Taylor Truckenbrod Entertainment Writer

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ith the start of the new year, Ma i n e S o u t h t h e s p i a n s attended their first trip of the new decade at the 45th year of the Illinois Teatre Festival (ITF) from Jan. 9-11.

“The reason to go to ITF is to learn how to better yourself for theatre at Maine South while making new friends and creating the best memories,” senior Bella Marzano said.

The thespians can choose their roommates and stay in a hotel together for two nights. During the day, they go to the college campus to see shows and participate in workshops.

“If you’re an actor, there are a million things you can pick from to attend,” director and drama teacher Ms. Carrie Saurer said. “Whether you are a crew person or an actor or both, just the plethora of shows you can go attend teaches you so much about theatre. You can’t find what ITF provides anywhere else, and that’s why I take students.”

During their two days at ITF,

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thespians are offered an extensive number of activities to participate in such as workshops, master classes, and shows.

This year, thespians could see a wide variety of shows such as “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Failure: A Love Story,” “Beauty and The Beast,” the All-State production of “Aida,” and “Matilda,” Maine South’s 2020 spring musical. The shows are put on by students from other schools in Illinois.

“I took two classes: “Sketch Me If You Can,” a sketch comedy class, and “Dragaration 2019,” which is a workshop of the art of drag led by two drag queens,” senior Brennan Keeley said.

“Our school has to register each year to go,” senior and Thespian Society President Sam Mayer said.

“After that, you must be a thespian in order to be considered for attendance.

A school is only allowed to bring a max of 36 students. Since we have 100+ thespians, an application is required to go.”

The festival allows students to have

PHOTO BY TAYLOR TRUCKENBROD

IT’S SHOW TIME! A group of 36 Maine South students and four teachers went to ITF, which was held at ISU. The students applied to go on the trip by writing a paper. a unique experience, exploring their love of theater.

“ITF has been one of the absolute best experiences of my life and it is something I will remember forever,” Mayer said. “You get to choose what activities you want to do, when you want to do them, and who you do them with. Some people went to three master classes and saw two shows.”

The educational experience allows to participants learn a lot of valuable things, yet it is also an enriching

bonding experience.

“There are so many people here that love theatre as much as I do, and to have all those people together is a tangible energy that you just never forget,” Ms. Saurer said.

Maine South theatre students came to school with new knowledge and memories that will last a lifetime.

The annual trip to the Illinois Theatre Festival hosted at ISU is an highly anticipated experience for theater students.

January 31, 2020

| ENTERTAINMENT

‘Fine Line’ a worthy successor to Styles' debut

speaking in French at the end of the song, which stirred up a buzz about his love life.

This album was very unique compared to other albums by pop singers. It's evident that Styles’ has incorporated many types of music through these songs seamlessly and effortlessly. Though he has admitted that he created some of these songs while under the influence of psychedelic drugs, the songs work cohesively together. The variety and complexity of all of the songs Styles’ wrote is very personal and expressive of his emotions.

Some memorable songs from the album are “She,” “Golden,” and “Falling.” These songs show how much diversity Styles has with his music. This album differs from his previous album, “Harry

Styles,” because the songs have a widely clearer rock influence.

Even if you're not a big fan of rock music, in the song “She,” for example, the rock elements are blended subtly and seamlessly in the song, yet are distinct enough for a rock music lover to appreciate.

The message of the song is also very captivating and the blend with his vocals is soothing. This sixminute rock song includes an almost two-minute guitar interlude.

“Golden,” the first track on the album, is one of those songs that could be seen as the opening of a coming-of-age movie as a teenage girl drives down a long road in a convertible. “Golden,” is the perfect song for getting ready in the mornings because it’s one of those feel-good songs.

“Falling” is perhaps the saddest song on the whole album. Despite it being extremely emotional, the song is sung beautifully and the lyrics were written in such a way you can almost feel Styles’ pain and heartbreak. It’s one of those songs that even if you haven’t been in the exact same situation he is conveying, it is so vivid that you empathize with him.

Overall, this anticipated album shows Styles’ growth as an artist. It is almost hard to believe that the same Harry Styles that was the lead singer of One Direction when he was just 16 years old is creating such a wide variety of music over just two albums, especially so quickly after he become a solo artist from the band in 2017. “Fine Line” delivers exceptional songs that all music lovers can enjoy.

by Judi Dench, to ascend to cat-heaven. The term “Jellicle” is repeated throughout the film but is never explained. It is, in reality, a made up word, a made up kind of cat.

The film largely follows the anthology-style of the musical, introducing cats who all wind up at the Jellicle ball and perform for Old Deutoronomy with semi-catchy songs and intricately choreographed dances.

This style of storytelling, doesn’t carry over well to the world of cinema. Having a large cast of characters with names like Mungojerry, Skimbleshanks and MacCavity that are loosely tied together at the end of the film makes the entire story takes a long time to not really go anywhere.

Any semblance of a story was detracted from by the distracting visual effects.

The CGI from the beginning is unnerving. The

actors are fully cloaked in CGI fur and made to look like they are cats, minus their very human faces and hands. The dancing cockroaches and mice are perhaps more unsettling than the human cats. The cockroaches are nearly the same size as the mice and look like their human faces were poorly Photoshopped. Some of the cats wear human clothes, while others, like Rebel Wilson’s cat, were able to unzip or take off a layer of fur to reveal more fur underneath.

The final execution of the visual effects as a whole lived in a grey area between realistic and not quite right. Small details like the way the dancing cats’s feet aren’t always touching the ground pull you away from the viewing experience.

Another large issue is the lack of consistent scale. The film makers seem to have no idea how big a cat is. In one scene, the cats are dwarfed by silverware. In another, they are half-sized while dancing along a railroad track. Yet in others, the mice that look like they are the size they appear to a human, are the size of the foot of the movie cats.

In the end, "Cats" is a movie that is laughably bad. It's not worth spending money to see but would be a good watch if only to fully understand why it has a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But be warned, many of the songs are repetitive and catchy. Hopefully the memory of watching "Cats" fades to that of a distant dream.

Mia Parangalan Entertainment Writer

“Fine Line”

Harry Styles

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arry Styles excited fans in time for the holidays with the release of his second album, “Fine Line,” on Dec. 13. Three of the songs on the album were released prior to Dec. 13, satisfying fans who had awaited new work from Styles for twoand-a-half years. His single “Lights Up,” his first release since his debut album, peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The full album consists of 12 songs evoking a wide range of emotions, from carefree beach songs to tear-jerking piano ballads.

It is interesting how many songs have to do with the season of summer considering the album was released in December. For example, in the song “Watermelon Sugar,” the second single Styles released prior to the album, he sings, “Strawberries on a summer evenin’ / Baby, you’re the end of June.”

Despite the number of upbeat songs, there are a number of tracks Styles wrote about past relationships that can leave you feeling sad and lonely. In the song, “Cherry,” Styles even includes a voice mail from his ex-girlfriend, Camille Rowe,

‘Cats’ movie did not survive its nine lives

Ellie Compton

Entertainment Writer

“Cats”

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he 2019 "Cats" movie had the makings of a crowd- and family-pleasing movie, at least on paper. It has a star-studded cast, including Jennifer Hudson and Ian McKellan, an award winning director, Tom Hooper, who had previous success with a musical film adaptation in 2012 of "Les Miserables," and source material of a musical that is one of the longest-running shows ever.

However, in spite of all it could have had going for it, or maybe because of all that went into it, "Cats" was an awful experience that I hope I never have to go through again.

The musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Weber, who also wrote musicals like "The Phantom of the Opera." Weber wrote the music but based the story and characters off of a book of poems written by T.S. Eliot. The musical and film follow the introduction of a large cast of “Jellicle” cats, each introducing themselves and competing for the chance to be reborn by being chosen by the Old Deuteronomy, an old chieftain-like cat played

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| January 31, 2020

Gymnastics places second at CSL, preparing for Sectionals

INFOGRAPHIC BY KEELEY FLYNN

SPORTS

Number of players on varsity in each class

Payton Tauber

Sports Writer aine South girls’ gymnastics has been forced to work harder than ever to continue its recordbreaking successes of the past few years. In 2018, the team qualified for State for the first time. That year, the team placed fifth at State, and in 2019, the team placed third at State.

Despite this challenge, the girls take these new expectations in stride and reflect on how their goals compared to the previous seasons have changed. With the loss of key teammates Caleigh Pistorius (‘19), Cristina DeFillipis (‘19), and seniors Collette Roth and Brittany Argaez, their goals have changed.

Now, the team has to continually improve and compete against themselves rather than other teams.

Junior captain Susie Currey’s goal for the team is to make it to Sectionals.

“Qualifying for Sectionals as a team is definitely a challenge, but attainable with more practice and confidence in all the skills we have,” Currey said.

Senior captain Carmen Jacobs agrees that for future meets, the team needs to consistently practice their routines to see improvement.

“For our upcoming meets, we plan on working full routines more to reduce any slip-ups and hopefully get us ready for Conference and other important meets,” Jacobs said.

During practice, the girls try to remain positive. Whether it’s working hard to learn new skills, running during warmups, or strength training at the end of practice, the girls always find a way to encourage each other.

When meet days approach, the girls help each other perfect their routines.

With these big changes, the captains have adapted as well as they can to fill the shoes of former captains.

Although it is hard to keep everyone happy, the captains enjoy not only managing the team, but encouraging the girls to work hard despite struggles. The captains have big roles to fill from last year’s graduates, but are reassured knowing their teammates trust them enough to have the responsibility of leading the team.

The team placed second at the CSL conference meet on Jan. 19, and they will compete at the sectional tournament on Feb. 1.

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CLASS OF ‘21 CLASS OF ‘23

3

CLASS OF ‘22

2

5

CLASS OF ‘20

4

Boys’ basketball sees mixed success with underclassmen Sargon Adam

Sports Writer he boys’ basketball team under head coach Tony Lavorato always credits consistency and defense as its longtime winning formula. Coach Lavorato’s teams are perennial 20-win teams with championship hopes.

This season, however, the team faced a challenge in its consistency.

The team lost their entire starting lineup from the previous season— something that hasn’t happened to Coach Lavorato since he took over as head coach here at Maine South.

“We lost our top eight, so we lost 97% of our scoring and rebounding last year,” Coach Lavorato said. “It’s the most I’ve lost in my 17 years here at Maine South.”

With the loss of the main cast from a 23-10 record from last season, this year’s players realize what needs to be done to achieve last year’s success.

Stepping into a new role this season was senior point guard and captain Danny Locascio.

With experience as a captain in football and varsity basketball experience last season, he noted the adjustment the team has had to make to be successful.

“As a team, I think we all have an understanding that we need to do our job in the system we are a part of,” Locascio said.

Practice is another key factor for the remainder of the season.

Junior shooting guard Sean Gallery noted how important practice is for preparing for the next opponent— both mentally and physically.

The team spends a good chunk of practice in the film room reviewing opponents’ plays and defensive schemes as well as reviewing their own play.

“We do a lot of prep for the next team we are playing so that we are as prepared as possible,” Gallery said.

T

“We know who the shooters are, is their team camaraderie, and how slashers, and posts.” close they are as a unit both on and After a season-opening win over off the court.

Fenger High School, the Hawks The Hawks have an unusual dropped their next three games. They number of underclassmen with no then bounced back to improve their returning starters this year, which record to 6-6 following the Hinsdale is not typical in Coach Lavorato’s Central Holiday Classic tournament. system.

This team is reaping the benefits The team has three freshman, two of participating in tournaments sophomores, five juniors, and four throughout Illinois, facing tough seniors on the roster. competition that they usually do Looking ahead to the end of the not see. season, the Hawks’ hopes to advance “ Traveling around the state further this year, after losing to the is a great way to bond with your Regional finals last year. teammates and learn more about each S e n i or g u ard C a s e y C l ar k other, which often leads to better team reiterated that same message. chemistry,” freshman guard Owen “The number-one goal we have Guest said. is to go far in the playoffs,” Clark Entering said. “The way Martin Luther we are going King weekend, to accomplish “This team has imthe Hawks this goal is by proved more than any stood at 7-9, staying positive group I’ve ever had in and despite the and having each team’s record, others’ backs.” my 22 years as a head coach Lavorato Clark broke coach.” still believes the the school -Coach Tony Lavorato record for threeteam has their best basketball pointers with ahead of them. nine in one game against Senn.

“Well, we spent the first 16 games With over a month of action kind of establishing our chemistry left, the Hawks still have plenty of and playing some of the best teams in opportunities within their conference the state,” Coach Lavorato said. “This to get key wins and prepare themselves team has improved more than any as they finish out the remainder of group I’ve ever had in my 22 years as their schedule. a head coach, and I look forward to “We have 15 games left, and need reaping some of the benefits here in to win 13 of them to get to 20, which the next 15 games.” is going to be difficult,” Gallery said.

In order for the team to achieve its “I believe we can do it if we focus on goals, they will have to rely on some the task at hand.” of their strengths and improve upon After a conference win against their weaknesses.

Glenbrook North High School, a “A strength we definitely have is Monday night win against Sullivan our defense,” Locascio said. “It has High School, and an undefeated kept us in almost every game this Mar t in Lut her King we ekend season and is something that Maine tournament, the Hawks sit at 14-9.

South basketball has prided itself on The team will be facing New Trier for years.”

High School tonight and Notre Dame Another strength of the Hawks High School on Feb. 4.

January 31, 2020 | SPORTS

Hawkettes focused on Nationals, skip IHSA competition Georgia Fosse

With this positivity, Wozniakowski can ensure that their teammates know their goals for the season can be attained.

“Whether it’s giving my best effort every day or lifting us up out of a negative mind-set through encouragement, it’s my job to keep everyone’s focus on the same thing,” Wozniakowski said. “I want everyone to feel confident and for practices to run smoothly and energetically.”

The team has been very successful this season; they are undefeated in the kick category. Despite this, they are constantly perfecting and cleaning up

their routines.

“A highlight of our season so far is the overall progress we have made in both routines,” Wozniakowski said.

“Particularly in kick, we have had weeks and days where we have felt defeated about where we were in the dance and where we should be, but we always manage to boost each other up and in the end to reach our goals.”

With this mind-set, the team has now become more confident going into competitions. By receiving positive feedback from Gibbons, they are able to feel consistent as a team and go into the day knowing what is necessary to win.

“It was a challenge in the early stages of the season, but the girls have worked so hard to perfect this routine,” Gibbons said.

With their hard work in practice and consistent wins at competitions, the Hawkettes have a strong mentality going into Nationals.

“We also say that it is ‘mind over matter’ and that giving up is not an option,” Wozniakowski said. “Success and being our absolute best, in the end, is our goal.”

Gibbons has her eyes on the same caliber of success that past teams have achieved. “ T he Haw ke tte s h ave won Nationals three times in the past, but have never won back to back titles,” Gibbons said. “So achieving another national title this year would be a huge accomplishment for the program.”

Key swimmers such as junior and With this new boost of confidence, three-year varsity member Brendan Sullivan is working to improve even Forrest and senior captain Daniel more than his last year’s goals.

Young were major contributors Sullivan has no doubt that teammates a re w i l l i n g t o to the win at Homewoodm o t i v at e e a c h “As long as we stay other more than Flossmoor. ever. “ The reason focused, I have no “As the year we won this meet doubt that you’ll see was because we goes on, we just h av e s o mu c h six or more individuneed to keep more depth than als at State.” pushing each ot he r more i n other teams, and -Jack Sullivan, ‘21 practice,” Sullivan everyone is good said. at every stroke,” Forrest said.

Practices play a vital role in success, On Jan. 11, the team won the Hawk but Forrest is aware of potentially Relays at Maine South, continuing over-working himself, which could their success. Sullivan closed off the pose a threat to his success in the 400-medley relay by securing second future, especially for state finals.

“My body [usually] feels terrible place. This was Sullivan’s first race for the season, after missing out on the because I am swimming slow, and Homewood-Flossmoor Invite. it’s hard to shake the feeling that I

won’t be ready for my last meet,” Forrest said.

Coack Kura understands the grueling schedule, which includes up to two meets per week, three practices, and a Saturday invite most weekends.

“They often have to compete at a very high level against high quality competition while they are at less than their best physically,” Kura said.

Forrest’s main goal for the season is to place higher at State than he did last year. This calls for Forrest to take the top six in both the 200 and 500 free, something that is difficult, but manageable, under newly-named Coach Kura’s watch.

Sullivan also knows what is necessary for the team’s success.

“As long as we stay focused, I have no doubt that you’ll see six or more individuals at State,” Sullivan said.

Editor-in-Chief

fter winning the UDA national competition in the high-kick category last year, the Hawkettes are hoping to defend their title.

In the past, the Hawkettes were able to attend State and Nationals.

However, due to both competitions falling on the same weekend, the team is solely focusing on Nationals this year, held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

“It gives us only one big thing to focus on,” senior captain Grace Wambach said. “In the past, our best performances of the season were at State. Now, I’m more confident that Nationals will for sure be the best of our season.”

The team used its trip to Florida Regionals as preparation for Nationals since the competitions are held on the same floor.

“We were able to get feedback from top judges, which allows us to make the changes necessary to improve for Nationals,” head coach Casey Gibbons said.

Since the Hawkettes’ main goal is to win Nationals, they have been tirelessly working in practice to make sure their routines will be presented in the best possible light.

“We make sure we get a lot done during practice so that going into competitions we feel confident,” sophomore Olivia Watters said.

Gibbons likes to use practice as

PHOTO COURTESY ERIN MARTIN

A

KICKIN’ IT The senior Hawkettes pose with their trophy after winning the CSL competition on Jan. 9 at Glenbrook South High School. The team will compete at Nationals in Orlando, Florida at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. a time to clean up choreographic mistakes.

“We either alternate between a cardio type practice where the routines are done three or four times full out each,” Gibbons said. “Or we have a cleaning day where we go through different sections of the routine count by count.”

Although the team is not attending State this year, they are still preparing for tough competitions, like the CSL Conference Meet and Nationals. As a captain, junior Anna Wozniakowski believes it is important to keep the team’s spirits high while providing constructive feedback.

Boys’ swimming ready for state competition after early season success

Brent Bomrad

Sports Writer oys’ swimming started their season off strong, winning the Homewood-Flossmoor Invite for the first time ever recorded in Maine South history.

In order to continue this success, the team has to rely on their tough training at practices under head coach Don Kura’s supervision.

The workouts include splitting into smaller groups and doing different workouts in the pool.

While some teammates on the team argue how difficult practices have been, junior and three-year varsity member Jack Sullivan has been optimistic about it. “[These practices] help us push each other because we really try to race each other and create meet-like situations,” Sullivan said.

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SPORTS

| January 31, 2020

Maine schools join forces for love of fencing Courtney Lee

PHOTO BY KEELEY FLYNN

Sports Writer

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n Nov. 2, students from all three Maine Township schools congregated at Maine West High School in “The Pit” for the first day of fencing practice. Because of the low number of participants at each school, fencing is designated as a club sport, rather than an IHSAsanctioned one.

However, that does not stop these athletes’ hard work and passion for their sport.

With a majority of the team enrolled at Maine West, the Maine Fencing team competes against New Trier, Evanston, Glenbrook South, and Libertyville, along with some out-of-state teams as well.

Senior Sara Starecheski had an explanation for the shaky start to the beginning of the season for the foils team.

“We were missing a couple of key players at our first dual meet, so we had to forfeit some bouts, which put us at a disadvantage,” Starecheski said.

However, at the next dual meet, the girls’ foil team went undefeated and unscathed. With fencing, there are three different types of weapons: foil, sabre, and epee. Members of the team are placed into subgroups for weapon type and for gender. The top three athletes in the six divided subgroups are considered varsity.

Practices consist of drills that focus on different attacks and defenses, target practice to work on the athlete's control, and a lot of time in one-on-one fencing practice.

EN GARDE

Billy Buerk executes an epee attack in practice on Jan. 17. Varsity will be competing as a team at the conference championships on Jan. 25. Individual fencers will compete at the School Championships on Feb. 1.

“Many people underestimate how physically demanding fencing is,” junior Billy Buerk said.

However, with cardio and strength exercises incorporated into every practice, it is truly as physically challenging as any other sport. Meeting every day from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Maine West, the team spends their time preparing for equally demanding competitions. Competitions occur in two different formats: duals and tournaments.

Duals are school-versus-school bouts, where every weapon and every gender compete. Tournaments are open to all fencers and they are structured in a bracket system, and it is all individual events. These are the areas where fencers improve their

overall ranking. Tournaments attract schools from all over the Chicagoland area, so hundreds of fencers compete.

There are also team tournaments where each member of a three-person team fence all the members of another school's team.

During a bout, athletes are hooked up to wires which are attached to sensors to keep track of when the athletes are hit.

“We're really hoping to get at least one category's team into the top three for the team event ranking at the end of the season,” senior Micah Orr said.

He explained that many of the Maine South fencers that are a part of the team have had a lot of expe-

rience fencing through the Fencing Center of Chicago, which is located in Park Ridge. These fencers sought out the opportunity to be on a high school team.

“The team does not require any fencing experience,” Coach Paul Zafiropoulos said. “[All you need is] a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and determination to get better.”

There are a lot of inexperienced people on the team who decided to take a chance and get involved with this sport. Starecheski herself started in sixth grade, eager to have the “opportunities to sword fight.”

However, there are also some members of the team who have always had their heart in fencing.

Maine South’s very own A-rated fencer, sophomore Vasil Ivakimov, is currently on Bulgaria's National Team and ranked 80th in the world for Men's Epee.

“Every fencer has a goal of improving overall standing on our team, conference, or ranking in the area,” Coach Zafiropoulos said.

The conference meet is when the team needs to come together, support each other, and individually rise to the challenge.

The JV Championships will be on Jan. 18 which will mark the end of the season for all non-varsity fencers.

Following that, Varsity will be competing as a team at the conference championships on Jan. 25.

Then, individual fencers will compete at the School Championships on Feb. 1.

Skoronski competes at All-American game in Texas

Sam Corbett

Sports Editor n Jan. 4, the top football recruits in the country gathered in San Antonio, Texas at the Alamodome to compete in the 20th annual AllAmerican Bowl, presented by 247 Sports and NBC. The West team won 33-20, but representing the East team was a Maine South offensive lineman, senior and Northwestern commit Peter Skoronski.

“It was really cool to be around some of the best players in the country,” Skoronski said. “Playing against great competition has given me more confidence as a player.”

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14 SouthwordS

Skoronski also noted that while Alviti (‘12) is the only other player in the practices were different than the the school’s history to be named to an drills of Coach David Inserra, Coach All-American Bowl, competing in the Adrian Kibiersza, and Coach Robert Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

Zima, he still found Making the t hem extremely f l i g ht d ow n to beneficial for his “Playing against great San Antonio with future.

Skoronski and his competition has given family were fellow “Practice itself was a lot more low- me more confidence as s enior linemen Luigi Laudando key [than Maine a player.”

South’s], but the -Peter Skoronski, ‘20 and Liam Warlick, competition was so and junior lineman Arthur Hoelscher. much better, [and] I had to be locked in on every rep,” Coach Inserra and Coach Zima also made the trek down.

Skoronski said.

Former Maine South quarterback “When we found out Peter was and Northwestern graduate Matt selected for the game, we knew we

wouldn’t want to miss it,” Laudando said. “We’ve all been good friends since middle school at Emerson, so it really was a cool sight to see.”

Warlick appreciated the immense amount of talent that his friend got to face off against.

“It was cool to see Peter playing against such high-quality players from around the country,” Warlick said. “A lot of those guys will end up at successful college programs or even in the NFL.” While this football season typically saw Skoronski at left tackle for Maine South, he played right guard for the game. Skoronski is unsure of what position he will play at Northwestern.

What does it take to be on the Southwords staff?

T

he back page of this newspaper is the application for the 20202021 Southwords staff. Please look below for a job description for each position on staff.

The Southwords staff consists of editors-in-chief, news editors, features editors, entertainment editors, commentary editors, sports editors, production editors, graphic designers, artists and photographers, as well as several staff writers for each section.

It is necessary for editors to have strong proofreading skills and be able to work with students collaboratively.

Editors must always be approachable and never condescending. Editors should be familiar with Adobe products. As part of the Southwords editorial board, editors will come to a consensus on a topic in one well-written opinion piece that represents the newspaper’s view as a whole. Editors must be enrolled in Newspaper Practicum for the entire year, because this is where the paper is created.

All positions require enthusiasm and consistent contributions; students applying must be willing to spend time and put forth a great deal of effort on their work. Also, staff must also be able to work in a timely manner, as meeting deadlines is vital to being on a newspaper staff.

For more information on any staff position, feel free to e-mail an editor-in-chief or the faculty adviser, Mr. Stathakis.

Editor-in-chief Editor-in-chief is a position only open to returning editors. The editor-in-chief ultimately guides the vision of the entire paper and must be familiar with the editing process, as well as Adobe products, such as InDesign and Photoshop.

This position is also responsible for writing “Property of the Editors,” a column in Commentary section.

The editor-in-chief is also responsible for the cover page, so he/she must have knowledge of what will be published in the other sections of the paper.

The editor-in-chief must be in attendance at all extra paste-up

hours and offer assistance in any open to writing and reading about different topics. The Entertainment way possible. staff also creates or assembles any games featured in the newspaper.

News The News section covers developing stories about timely Commentary The Commentary section is the issues that directly affect students, both inside and outside the school. voice of the students at Maine News writers need to be informed South.

Commentary writers need to about school and national issues and must be able to develop be creative and opinionated. They interview questions along with being must be able to present an issue comfortable interviewing people. about which they are passionate, They must also be able to write avoiding ranting and remaining professional. objectively and with finesse.

Commentary editors must be News editors must be up-to-date on news inside and outside of school. extremely careful, because editing Editors must also be ready to fact- opinions can be problematic. Editors must also be open-minded, because a check articles. wide variety of opinions will always exist in their section.

Features The Features section contains the widest variety of articles. Features Sports The Sports section covers all focuses on issues that directly affect students, both in and out of school. sports at Maine South.

Sports writers need to be up-toFeatures articles are usually longer in nature, and delve more deeply date on all sports at Maine South. into topics than news articles would. Sports writers should be creative in Also, these articles are less reliant their reporting on events. Accurate on timeliness and instead focus on reporting is crucial.

Sports editors are responsible relevance and interest.

F e a t u r e s w r i t e r s m u s t b e for making sure that each Maine inventive; finding an interesting topic South sport is covered during a given to report about can sometimes be season.

Sports editors must be aware of challenging, as the most interesting topics are often ones that have not varsity sports happenings, as well as other sports included at school. A been previously written about.

Features editors must be well- deep knowledge of sports—within the rounded and ready to condense and school and outside of the school—is edit articles fairly. Fact-checking is a necessary component of being an necessary, but the most emphasis is editor for the Sports section. placed on relevance.

Production To help with the technical aspects Entertainment The Entertainment section of putting together a newspaper, contains reviews and articles a production editor must be related to art, music, video games, knowledgeable in the operation of literature, restaurants, and anything PC computers, a Windows operating else that might be considered system, as well as have skill in InDesign and Photoshop. Most entertainment.

Entertainment writers must be importantly, the production editor well-informed of the school’s fine art must be willing to learn to use these events. Unique to the entertainment programs more proficiently and offer section, writers specializing in a help whenever necessary.

The production editor should specific genre (music, TV, etc.) are attend every meeting and pastewelcome.

Entertainment editors need to up—when the final components of be knowledgeable about popular the paper are added together—to events and recreational activities and provide the editors with technical

assistance.

Graphic Designers Graphic designers are responsible for improving the layout of the paper and assisting the editors-in-chief and section editors with the aesthetics of the paper. They should be familiar with Photoshop and/or InDesign software.

Artists/Cartoonists Artists and cartoonists should be able to produce realistic and creative illustrations to accompany articles on a variety of topics. It is helpful for an artist to be familiar with Photoshop software, scanner software, and InDesign (or be willing to learn the software and hardware). Often, illustrations must be produced quickly and on demand.

Photographers Photographers should be comfortable with taking photos and skilled in doing so. Photographers must be ready to take pictures at any time and to take specific pictures by a set deadline.

Photographers must also have flexible schedules, since they may have to attend away-from-school events. Owning a digital camera is preferred but not required.

Staff Writers All writers must have a good grasp of grammar and be able to write concisely. Because writers aren’t in the Newspaper Practicum class, it is important that writers communicate frequently with editors. Staff writers should have the time necessary to complete their articles; they need to be consistent and dedicated to their work.

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining Southwords, visit http://apply.southwords.org, and sign up for an interview outside of C130 (the English workroom) by Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Interviews begin Thursday, Feb. 6.

Due Wed., Feb. 5

ALL STAFF MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION Staff

Application

PLEASE NOTE: online application is preferred, so please use the paper application below only as a worksheet to prepare for the online application. See the reverse side of this sheet for job descriptions, and feel free to contact Mr. Stathakis or any current editors with any questions.

ONLINE: APPLICATION PAPER:

WORKSHEET

Please visit http://apply.southwords.org or scan the QR code to the right. Your application will not be processed until you have also signed up for an interview outside the English office, C130. Current staff members do not need to sign up for an interview unless applying to move up to an editorial position.

Use the form below as a worksheet to prepare for the online application.

Name:___________________________________________________________ Class of 20______ E-mail address:____________________________________________________________________ Freshman year English teacher:

My cumulative GPA is _______. My most recent semester GPA is_______. Sophomore year English teacher: Extracurricular activities I will be involved with next year:

Junior year English teacher: Art/Computer design teacher (if applicable):

Staff application:

Open to current and prospective staff members

Returning staff members must complete this form.

Please indicate your order of preference by numbering your choices (1st & 2nd). Select no more than two, but you may select only one if that’s your only section of interest.

Editor application:

Open to current and prospective staff members

ALL editors must take Newspaper Practicum (likely 6th or 7th period next year), which will earn you an elective English credit.

Please indicate your order of preference by numbering your choices (1st & 2nd). Select no more than two, but you may select only one if that’s your only section of interest.

­­_____News writer ­­_____Features writer _____Entertainment writer _____Commentary writer ­­_____Sports writer ­­_____Photographer* ­­_____Artist/Cartoonist* _____Graphic Design team*

*Please bring portfolio/samples to interview, if possible.

­­_____News editor ­­_____Features editor _____Entertainment editor ­­_____Commentary editor _____Sports editor ­­_____Production/Design editor _____Editor-in-Chief

(For returning staff members only. All Editor-in-Chief candidates must contact Mr. Stathakis.)

If you have any questions, please see Mr. Stathakis in C130 (the English Workroom).

TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR AN INTERVIEW ON THE SCHEDULE OUTSIDE C130 by WED., FEB 5