Vol 59, Issue 5

SOUTHWORDS

MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH

Lasting Effects All Systems Go Missed Shot High Note

How video gaming can impact a person.

“Senior Assassin” game cancelled.

Video games from the 1970s to today.

Girls’ basketball earns sectional championship

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Vol. 56, No. 5

1111 S. Dee RoaD • PaRk RiDge, illiNoiS 60068 March 10, 2023

Dear reader,

March 10 marks the annual “holiday” created by Nintendo to celebrate one of the most famous video game characters of all time, Mario. Southwords is celebrating “Mar10” day by taking a deep dive into the world of gaming.

Games have always held, and continue to hold, a powerful influence on our society; they give us creative outlet, competition, and a way to connect with our friends and communities around the world.

In this issue, we’re going to investigate the history of video games, the most popular consoles, beloved games of students and teachers, and more.

For many, video games are deeply nostalgic and represent different phases of our lives. We’ve gone

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Southwords is a student-run 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 participation in the newspaper, whether through readership, submitting articles, or voicing comments or concerns, is encouraged.

Signed letters to the editor can be 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

Madison Basquin

Elizabeth Handley

News Editors

GAMING CONSOLES: STUDENTS VS TEACHERS

A voluntary e-mail survey of 249 students and 50 teachers asked which video game console they use the most. Approximately 72% of students favor playing on a video game console, while 72% teachers never play video games on a console.

STUDENTS

Olivia Das Gupta

Sayde Feeley

Anthony Sotto

Commentary Editors

Jacob Mascort

Campbell Micek

Andjela Trkulja

Features Editors

Ava Jurek

Lilien Schirazi

Sofia Sclafani

Entertainment Editors

Maggie Hershey

Caitlin Vengazo

Maggie Woods

Sports Editors

Declan Colleran

Kyra Demeros

Thomas Hurley

Production Editors

Natalia Kowalewska

Cathy Tserendavaa

Ceylan Yildiz

Adviser

Mr. Stathakis

Video games significantly impact the human mind

Eliza Goldwasser Commentary Writer

Picture this: a ten-year-old is glued to his TV. You ask him a question, and he replies with a simple, “good,” and gets back to his game. You continue to ask questions and continue to receive simple, distracted answers.

This distraction is endemic among teenagers. They are glued to their devices, unwilling to put them down for hours, addicted to these electronic games.

Data collected from the 2021 Common Sense Census states that teenagers between the ages of 13-18, on average, spend more than eight and a half hours a day using technology for entertainment purposes.

When technology is occupying one-third of one’s day—and half of the waking hours—there is a serious issue.

The World Health Organization defines gaming disorder as “a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming,” which can cause serious harm to the social/ emotional health of adolescents.

According to the Newport Academy, a healthcare system specializing in treating teenage disorders, gaming disorder can be diagnosed in a person if they cannot resist the impulse to play games.

Gaming becomes the most important activity in their life, and if they continue their gaming habits, it can result in negative consequences.

Dr. Neil Graham, MD, a Morton Grove-based pediatrician, has seen many instances of video game addiction in his practices.

“Not paying attention to ADLs, or Activities of Daily Living, which are

TIME SPENT ON VIDEO GAMES: STUDENTS VS. TEACHERS

A voluntary school-wide e-mail survey of 249 students and 50 teachers shows the average amount of time each day that students and teachers spend playing video games. Over 50% of students say that they play video games for over 1 hour every day, while 98% of teachers say they play for 1 hour or less.

things like bathing, eating, and sleeping attributes are telltale signs of this disorder,” Graham said. “Some of these kids get so addicted to video games that they stay up all night, won’t bathe, and won’t leave their room. They’ll lose weight because they’re missing meals, and that will affect pretty much every aspect of their life.”

Isolating oneself and prioritizing gaming over standard living is extremely detrimental to both the mental and physical well-being of a teenager or child. Unfortunately, these are not the only negative effects those with gaming disorder face.

“When the video games are discontinued…these kids, and it’s almost always boys, will explode,” Graham said. “They’ll have a tantrum and they’ll destroy property. They’ll threaten to kill themselves. Sometimes, they’ll act violently toward their parents or siblings. It’s almost like a negative withdrawal effect.”

Graham also compares the severity of having a video game addiction to drug and alcohol addiction.

“Drug and alcohol addictions are much less common than this video game addiction, specifically with adolescent boys,” Graham said.

Video games constantly reward the brain with an influx of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows the person playing to feel pleasure and a sense of satisfaction.

When the brain delivers dopamine every time someone plays a video

game, it becomes harder to replicate the feeling in other areas of life, therefore, creating an addiction.

However, like most digital activities, video games are multi-faceted and often do have positive attributes.

Michael Tegethoff, a member of the E-sports club at Maine South, notes that video games can benefit one’s life.

“Video games are a nice way to relax and have fun,” Tegethoff said. “After going through the school day and homework, it’s nice to have something to take your mind off it and relieve your stress. And because there is such a wealth of different games, there is always a game out there for someone.”

There is also a social aspect of video games that can provide an important outlet for teenagers.

“Taking [video games] away from them completely could be a potentially negative thing because that’s how they communicate with their friends,” Graham said. “I know in [my son’s] case, that’s really a big part of his friendships.” Being able to understand social cues is an important part of development for adolescents.

Although there are forms of communication embedded in video games, Graham also believes that they can be missing crucial features of interacting with others.

“There are certain social and developmental milestones that cannot be obtained without being in the

same room as someone,” Graham said. “Reading someone’s body language, reading someone’s tone, reading someone’s facial features… As humans, it’s in our DNA, it’s hard wired, to learn how to interact with other people by these in-person cues.”

Being able to reach a huge variety of people can be an amazing thing, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating to know someone on a gaming level, but not a personal one.

Although gaming disorder may seem outlandish and silly to some, it is a real addiction that can be prevented by establishing boundaries.

“I get my homework done and then after dinner and my chores I play video games,” Tegethoff said. “I also try to keep a hard deadline of 10:15 to finish by so I can get a good night’s rest for the next day.” He also tries to limit how much time he spends on video games during the school day.

It is important to regulate video game usage when kids are just starting out.

“Prevention is key,” Graham said. “Early on, when kids are getting into gaming, this can be as early as six or seven years old, the parents need to understand what the technology is and how to put limits and controls on the devices.”

Video games as a whole allow teenagers to unwind, but like anything, too much can turn into an addiction.

“Too much of a good thing is bad for someone,” Tegethoff said. “For example, while sweets taste good, you shouldn’t have too many of them. It’s the same with video games. Even though they feel good to play, you shouldn’t play too much.”

“Video games as a whole allow teenagers to unwind, but like anything, too much can turn into an addiction.”

Retro game renaissance sparked by simplicity, nostalgia

Izabela Bisiak Commentary Writer

If you have ever been in a class at Maine South, chances are you have played, or have seen some of your classmates playing games on their Chromebooks to try and pass the time.

There is an equally high chance that the game they were playing was some kind of retro game—“Pac-Man,” “Tetris,” “Minesweeper,” or something similar.

Interest in retro games has seemed to skyrocket in the last couple of years, even more so with the incorporation of personal school computers or iPads into most students’ daily lives.

With so many advances in video game technology, what is it about these retro games that have so much appeal to have kept them relevant for years?

The answer is simple: it is the straightforward, easy-to-understand objectives and interfaces of these games that people of all ages coming

back for more.

This easy-to-play nature of retro games is a feature of gameplay that many newer games often overlook.

There is a reason you don’t often see students playing newer games like “Call of Duty” or “Fortnite” in class.

Of course, there is the issue that some newer games with intense graphics need computers with the capacity to run them.

Most of these games can not run at their full performance on the average laptop, let alone on Chromebooks, designed to function for schoolwork and little else.

These complex games also require you to put in lots of time in order to learn to play, let alone get good at them. These are all reasons why newer games seem like unattractive options for students looking for a quick and

easy way to use their time.

Retro games are easy to learn, and, although simpler than newer games, can be played for infinite amounts of time.

People can play games like “Tetris” for hours at a time without stopping because there is no goal, no endpoint. “Pac-Man” and “Snake,” games centered around the idea of gaining points in the form of coins or apples, have no finish line.

The only thing you compete with is your own previous high score, which is what makes playing these games so addicting.

Finally, there is a certain aesthetic that retro games have that continues to draw people in, even as the years pass. The bright colors, recognizable music, and familiar characters, like “Pac-Man” evoke feelings of nostalgia hard to replicate elsewhere.

In the same way, people continue to watch older TV shows like “Friends”, or older movies like “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future”, people like to play older, classic games because they want to feel nostalgia, whether they were alive when these games were released, or even if they were born 20 to 30 years after.

There is undeniable evidence that nostalgia sells. Nostalgia is at the forefront of entertainment, media, and gaming right now.

Remakes of older animated Disney movies such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Mulan” continue to be released. One of the highest-grossing movies this past year was “Top Gun: Maverick”, a sequel to the original “Top Gun” released 36 years ago. People can’t seem to get enough of the past.

It comes as no surprise that students look to these captivating games, as they are fun to compete with friends for high scores, and have a nostalgic charm hard to find elsewhere.

Recent spike in chess creates obsession in students

Jacob Mascort Commentary Editor

Whetherit’s during class, in the hallways, at lunch, or while waiting to be picked up from school, it seems that students are eating, sleeping, and breathing chess.

What was once a niche strategy game has blown up seemingly overnight.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was stuck in their homes, students were looking for something to pass the time, and for some, chess was the activity that cured their boredom.

“When the pandemic started, many people either started learning chess or found their rekindled love for chess,” Mr. Jin, a math teacher and one of the coaches for the Maine South Chess Team, said.

As students found themselves with more free time, they turned to other forms of entertainment such as videos and live streams, especially on YouTube and Twitch.

“To my knowledge, more people started playing chess because it has been spread further on social media such as YouTube,” junior Athanasios Loutrianakis said.

Furthermore, famous streamers

and gamers began jumping onto the chess bandwagon, playing chess and getting their viewers into the game.

“Chess streamers like grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura gained a huge following over the past few years, which has helped to popularize chess in a tremendous way,” said Mr. Jin.

However, after the pandemic when life began to become more normal, especially this year, students have started to become obsessed with chess, playing it everywhere they can.

“Recently, in all of my math classes, I have noticed many of my students playing chess on their phones or Chromebooks,” Mr. Jin said.

Meanwhile, outside of school, Loutrianakis has seen people playing the game in a number of random locations.

“I’ve see people play chess in a multitude of unorthodox places, such as at football games, restaurants, and more,” Loutrianakis said.

Although the chess team mostly plays for fun and to learn how to improve their skills, they also compete professionally in league matches and tournaments against other schools.

“The competition season runs from October to February, and I try to take our team to as many tournaments during the year as possible to help our

players gain invaluable experience playing chess over the board and improve their gameplay,” Mr. Jin said.

Also, chess has many health benefits, including strengthening the brain.

According to Healthline, playing chess is proven to help with symptoms related to neurological disorders such as dementia, ADHD, and panic attacks from severe anxiety.

Chess also allows people to improve their cognitive abilities, such as improvements in intelligence, empathy, memory, planning and problem-solving skills, and creativity.

“The game helps people develop patience, focus, creativity, and confidence, and it teaches you how to win and lose,” Mr. Jin said. “There are very few games that can bring people together the way chess can—it truly is a global game that transcends boundaries.”

Chess is entirely about your own actions and accepting your successes and failures, making it a game that people can’t stop playing.

“Everything is your responsibility, including your achievements, and learning to be truly proud of your mistakes,” Loutrianakis said.

MAKING MOVES Junior Tudor Cupcea and senior Eli Bizzotto play chess on a physical board during their lunch period. Seeing others playing chess on campus has encouraged students to want to try playing chess with their friends and families.

PHOTO COURTESY KATRINA HASSMAN

“It is the straightforward, easy-to-understand objectives and interfaces of these games that keep people of all ages coming back for more.”

PHOTO BY CEYLAN YILDIZ

Gaming creates close connections

Lilien Schirazi & Sofia Sclafani Features Editors

“Strangerdanger” is a phrase commonly taught to children in order to warn them about situations that could compromise their safety.

While many people find it difficult to strike up conversations, much less friendships, with complete strangers, video games provide a forum in which relationships are forged with relative ease.

It is now easier than ever for players to socialize and meet strangers, some of whom later will evolve into close friends.

With a variety of games, ranging from “Minecraft” to “Call of Duty,” and ways to communicate on them, such as voice chat or Discord, gamers are able to play with friends or get paired up with strangers.

Junior Tudor Cupcea has experienced first hand the opportunity for relationships to be formed in multiplayer games.

“Multiplayer online games are really easy to make friends on because in every game, you can find a new person and make connections from there,” Cupcea said. “Sometimes you will meet someone once and never see them again, while other times, you can maintain a connection.”

This idea of playing with someone you don’t know isn’t usually seen as a problem for gamers, but the idea of not knowing who you are talking to could initially be alarming.

“I have had both positive and negative experiences with friends on gaming because people can be unpredictable behind microphones,” Cupcea said.

However, in online environments, if one chooses to chat with random players, their location is almost always unidentifiable.

Knowing that someone has similar interests is very beneficial in creating new connections.

“It isn’t really hard to really make friends, but it can be hard to maintain a friendship online, as time zones are different depending on where you live,” Cupcea said.

Gaming can be used not just in maintaining old friendships, but also in creating new ones.

“I have made lots of friends on ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Fortnite’ as those are games with audiences around my age,” freshman Zach Griesenauer said.

Spending time online with close friends can make gaming more enjoyable, especially since players generally spend hours on end playing, talking to, and interacting with their friends.

“If you’re playing alone, it is more of a mundane experience, but with online games, you can have a much better time,” Cupcea said.

Gaming with friends, old or new, can be more engaging and memorable than with strangers or by yourself.

“From what I’ve experienced, gaming alone puts me in a bad mood, while gaming with friends creates a different tone to the game that not many things can beat,” junior Sean O’Dowd said.

Freshman Abby Garber also feels that gaming alone is not as enjoyable as it is with friends. While gaming alone, you are playing against a computer and not an actual human being, which can make the game more difficult and less fun.

“I think gaming by yourself can be really calming and just what you do when you’re home alone,” Garber said. “But gaming alone is you playing against AI which is not as fun. Playing with friends is really fun because you get to compete and socialize.”

O’Dowd feels that online gaming makes it easier to keep in touch with people that live further away.

“I think if you were to have a longdistance friendship that was once a close one, gaming is the best way to keep that friendship through the interactions it allows,” O’Dowd said.

Although Griesenaur has made friends through gaming, he believes that it can actually be more difficult to make them over an online platform than in person.

“Some say making friends online is easier than in person, but I think it’s harder,” Griesenauer said. “I like

talking to people in person.”

Griesenauer also shares that playing with strangers comes with the risk of negative encounters.

However, there are still respectful players that you can have positive experiences with.

Sometimes, players may come across other players who ruin the experience with their behavior, but there are also players that are fun to socialize with and bring a positive energy into the game.

“There are a lot of nice people online, but there are also a lot of mean people who don’t always use the best language,” Griesenauer said.

However, O’Dowd feels that when

playing “Call of Duty,” making friends can be almost instantaneous.

“Most guys on there joke around and don’t care too much about winning and losing, so it just creates good memories and new friends,” O’Dowd said.

New friends can eventually turn into life-long friendships. O’Dowd was able to meet his best friend through an online gaming platform.

“Gaming has had a tremendous positive impact on my life from the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, and the bonds I’ve formed,” O’Dowd said. “If it wasn’t for gaming, I wouldn’t have my best friend, so I am very much appreciative.”

“Multiplayer online games are really easy to make friends on because in every game, you can find a new person and make connections from there.”

- Tudor Cupcea (‘24)

ILLUSTRATION BY CATHERINE TSERENDAVAA

irl aming

Madison Basquin Editor-in-chief

Theworld of gaming has been predominantly viewed as a masculine field. However, as society evolves, so does the gaming scene. Recently, more feminine-presenting individuals have appeared in the industry. The result of this “new” feminine presence in gaming has unfortunately brought some uncomfortable backlash on these gamers from their male counterparts. However, this does not stop them from looking for and participating in positive communities and expressing themselves freely.

There are a variety of ways gamers are able to express themselves, including through avatar customization, gaming setups, or simply turning their microphones on and communicating with their competitors or teammates. This allows for players to assert themselves personally into the games and retain some individuality in a computerized virtual world.

“I usually like to customize my things,” senior Rae Robles said. “For example, I like to make everything very illuminating with RGB coloring on my gaming setups.”

Robles highlighted her use of color in her setups for gaming.

“Usually, in a male-dominated area, there are usually a lot of very monotone, black, or one color setups,” Robles said. “To me, I thought that was boring.”

Although the contrast in color expression may simply reflect personal preference, the trend has seemed to stick and become a more defining quality for individual gamers. Colorful or pastel palettes, in a way, expose the femininity of gamers.

Other defining qualities have also become prevalent. While turning on one’s microphone and communicating is not always required, it is often encouraged and can help make the experience more enjoyable.

However, one’s voice can be another indicator of gender presentation. Though this may not seem like something to take caution of, it has become an issue based on some reactions female gamers have received. Whether it be crude insults or simple examples of being overlooked and under-estimated,

many female gamers have received some form of negative reactions at one point or another.

“People can do really dangerous and explicit stuff to you,” Robles said. “They’ll sexualize, infantilize, and even dox you. They’ll try to find your IP address just because of something they didn’t like about you. I wish we didn’t have that struggle just because of our sex. Usually the giveaway point is just having a higher voice or certain feminine behaviors, and I wish we didn’t have to hide that.”

These outcomes have led to cautionary measures being taken by many women. Some may choose to avoid certain games with more hostile communities. It has become apparent which games lead to the most uncomfortable experiences for feminine gamers.

“Games such as ‘Rainbow 6 Siege,’ ‘Battlefield,’ ‘Overwatch,’ ‘Apex,’ ‘Ghost Recon,’ and ‘Warzone,’ are completely different,” senior Sofia Costa said.

“In these games, there are typically more rude and sexist individuals, and because of this, I won’t talk in game chat or communicate with my teammates unless necessary. The more intense the game is, the ruder and more sexist the players tend to be. But every game has its fair share

of bad people.”

Women who wish to avoid these harsh interactions have turned away from these games or limited their interactions with others, especially in the more violent combat-based games.

However, there are many games with inclusive communities making feminine and gender-nonconforming gamers more comfortable expressing themselves.

“Games like ‘Stardew Valley,’ ‘Slime Rancher,’ ‘Sea of Thieves,’ and ‘Subnautica’ have very calm and nice people in them,” Costa said. “Everyone is playing these games to calm down and relax after a long day, and, typically, these people are kind and just want to have a good time no matter who they are playing with.”

Not all communities react poorly to female gamers, and these communities are often where girls are able to make connections with others. Through chat forums offered on games or apps like Discord, gamers are able to communicate freely.

“Good communities are hard to find, and it’s not as easy as just signing up or joining one,” Costa said. “I have found good groups and online communities of friends the same way you would make friends

in person. You meet people through game chat, group posts, or through other friends. And as you do in real life, you talk, share experiences, play games together, and just learn about each other.”

With this, gamers are able to form real friendships, regardless of gender difference.

“I have made both female and male friends online, some of which I have known for a few weeks, others I have known for six years,” Costa said. “I see some of my good online friends the same as I do my friends in real life. We will call, Facetime, play games together, and I have even met up with a few of them.”

The inconveniences gamers have to deal with daily when existing outside of typical masculinity may seem discouraging to some. However, many of these gamers have learned to adapt to the unjust treatments they have faced, because gaming is something they love to do. They often choose to look past the rude comments and simply focus on the thrilling game in front of them.

“I have surrounded myself with good people who are kind and don’t care about the gender difference,” Costa said. “We all just see each other as buddies and nothing less.”

“SETUP” FOR SUCCESS Senior Natalia Kowalewska’s PC setup features a Roccat Vulcan II Keyboard, Glorious Model O Mouse, and a soft purple theme. She enjoys playing games such as “Valorant,” “Overwatch 2,” and “Sons of the Forest.”

Feminine gamers share their stories of playing in a male-dominated field

PHOTO BY NATALIA KOWALEWSKA

Tess Elliot Features Writer

Newspapers and puzzles have always gone hand in hand, but as newspapers transitioned from paper to screens, so did its games.

When Wordle became a viral hit at the end of 2021, the New York Times purchased the game from its creator, Josh Wardle for seven figures.

Roughly three million people play the game daily, and it brought even more attention to already-popular New York Times games than ever before.

Wordle is played online, and the goal is to find the mystery word in six tries or fewer.

Ms. Melinda Nees, Chemistry and Crime Science teacher at Maine South, has been hooked on Wordle since last summer.

“My sister-in-law introduced me,” Ms. Nees said. “We were playing Words with Friends, and then she asked if I had heard of Wordle, and I hadn’t, so I tried it. I’ve been playing ever since.”

Instead of playing in between classes or after school, Ms. Nees plays when her son is getting ready for bed.

“As he’s falling asleep, I play Wordle,” Ms. Nees said. “I don’t like when I miss a game, and it’s a nice way to end the night.”

Similarly, sophomore Eliza Gold-

wasser has played Wordle for 32 consecutive days.

“Having a streak is fun because it makes you want to come back and play every day,” Goldwasser said. “I like to compete with my dad to see who can maintain the longest streak.”

As of right now, there are seven games offered on the New York Times website: Spelling Bee, Wordle, LetterBoxed, Tiles, Vertex, Sudoku, and the Crossword.

Junior Ajdi Kryemadhi feels the New York Times consistently draws in players of all ages. Their fame not only stems from Wordle itself but because of how organized and visually appealing all of the games are.

“I have family and friends who not only play Wordle but the other games offered by the New York Times,” Kryemadhi said. “So many different types of people play the games because they’re colorful and fun.”

No matter what platform or type of game, people will always try to connect with each other through low stake contests or fun puzzles.

Sophomore Ella Cedeno is someone who plays Wordle to bond with friends, instead of for competition.

“Whenever I’ve played Wordle and checked my results with a friend, it’s never been in a competitive way. It’s just for fun, and that’s what it should be played for,” Cedeno said.

Simple, yet addictive

Ava Jurek Features Editor

Astechnology has evolved, so has gaming. What was once only possible in an arcade, can now be played virtually anywhere. Mobile games are far simpler than more technologicallyadvanced console games with nearreal graphics—yet they may be even more addictive.

Mobile gaming is popular among students for its mobility and variety. Senior Giada Dolce enjoys playing mobile games, especially adventure games and word games such as Wordscapes.

“The longest time I would spend on mobile gaming is two hours, but on average, I play at least one hour a day,” she said.

Dolce is not the only student spending time mobile gaming. In a voluntary email survey sent to the Maine South student body, 48% of people surveyed play for at least 30 minutes every day.

Although this may look like mindless time wasted, mobile gaming has many social and mental benefits.

“If you play a puzzle game on your phone, I have found it can help lower your stress levels,” Dolce said.

Besides mobile gaming’s mental benefits, they can also provide positive

social effects. The JV girls’ basketball team used mobile gaming as a form of team bonding this past successful season. By playing the mobile game Hay Day together as a team, they were able to all be a part of something more than just the game of basketball itself.

“It was a fun inside joke for our whole team to play Hay Day on a bus before a game,” sophomore Makayla Waters said.

The many benefits of mobile gaming have led to its rise, which has opened the doors to a new market for advertising. Many companies are taking advantage of this huge boom. Almost any mobile game nowadays will be interrupted occasionally with a wide variety of ads.

Despite constant advertisements, players have grown to accept them.

“The ads in mobile games are certainly annoying, but as time goes on, I tend to get used to seeing the ads on my screen,” Dolce said. “Now I just ignore them.”

One reason why many don’t mind the ads is because of the addictiveness that comes along with this form of gaming.

“I definitely feel like mobile games are addicting for me and many others, because once you start playing a game on your phone it is hard to stop,” Dolce said. “Especially when you get deep into the game. ”

Southwords recommends: Best mobile games to play with friends

Roblox allows you to play thousands of different games with your friends. The game is perfect for anyone because of the variety it offers. Design an avatar, add your friends, and explore the many worlds and game options Roblox has to offer including roleplays, tycoons, lobbys, adventures, simulators, fighting, and many more.

Game Pigeon is a multiplayer game that is sent back and forth through iMessage. They have a wide variety of games, ranging from 8-Ball, Mini Golf, Crazy 8’s (Uno), Battleship, Archery, Darts, Basketball, Connect 4 and more. Game Pigeon can be played with just one friend or with a group of up to five others.

Minecraft offers room for lots of creativity. Players have the option of playing in Creative or Survival mode. Creative mode is for players to use their imagination in creating whatever they desire at an easier level, while Survival mode is a higher difficulty and focuses on enduring challenges as the day goes on.

You have just inherited your grandfather’s old farm in Stardew Valley. You are given hand-me-down tools and a few coins to begin your new life as a farmer. Players can create the farm of your dreams and turn overgrown fields into a lively and beautiful farms, while also becoming a part of the local community.

Unified through gaming: E-Sports and Unified E-Sports Clubs

Lyn Brush & Caitlin Vengazo Entertainment Writer & Editor

As online gaming has become increasingly popular in our world, electronic sports, or E-Sports, have enabled students to foster a community based on their shared interest. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the E-Sports and Unified E-Sports Clubs.

“E-Sports Club meets every other Wednesday and normally we just play video games,” E-Sports Club sponsor Mr. Victor Fuentes said. “We play ‘Smash Bros,’ ‘Overwatch,’ ‘Valorant,’ ‘Rocket League,’ and more.”

Beyond improving their gaming ability, playing E-Sports can teach many important life skills.

“The main areas I have seen members grow are communication, hand-eye coordination, teamwork/ leadership skills, and problemsolving,” Mr. Fuentes said. “I have seen many members come out of their shells and be comfortable with their peers since I took over the club.”

As a Unified Champion School, Maine South also has a Unified E-Sports Club that is inclusive to students with differing abilities.

“[Unified E-Sports Club] works exactly the same as our Maine South E-Sports Club,” Unified E-Sports Club sponsor Ms. Michelle Dwyer said. “We compete against other unified pairs of individuals with and without disabilities; there’s four per team— two individuals with disabilities and two without.”

The only major difference between E-Sports Club and Unified E-Sports

Club is where their competitors are from. The E-Sports Club competes against schools in Illinois as part of the Illinois High School E-Sports Association (IHSEA).

“ There are over 100 schools in the IHSEA League,” Mr. Fuentes said. “We have played Lane Tech, Romeoville, Springfield, and more.”

Since Unified E-Sports Club is sponsored by Special Olympics, they face competitors from many different states.

“We compete every Wednesday against other schools throughout the Midwest and East,” Ms. Dwyer said. “We played ‘Rocket League’ last year and ‘Mario Kart’ this year.”

For members of both clubs, E-Sports is all about having fun.

“I’m gonna be honest—I’m loving it,” junior unified peer Nick Milkowski said. “It’s a great time. I’ve never really played ‘Mario Kart’ except for on Wii, but I started practicing, and now I’m getting better.”

E-Sports isn’t exclusive to the most skilled gamers; it’s about more than just winning a video game.

“I’m not necessarily the best…I’ve only won a few games, but I’m pretty decent,” sophomore member of both clubs Tyler Galazka said. “[E-Sports club] has allowed me to make new friends and just have fun playing a video game every day.”

As the E-Sports Club sponsor, Mr. Fuentes has seen firsthand the impact of E-Sports on students’ friendships.

“I have seen multiple friend groups come in to play games casually for a good time after school and others

who want to improve together for the competitive games,” Mr. Fuentes said. “The club meetings truly are a safe space for all members to come to and watch video games, talk about video games, show off their builds, and just hang out.”

In addition to the welcoming environment, the free-form nature of E-Sports is a major appeal to some members.

“You can play whatever you want… there’s no design to it,” sophomore E-Sports Club member Alex Nowlin said. “I play horror games. My favorite is ‘Resident Evil 4.’”

E-Sports allows for a variety of games to be played, which contributes to the club’s inclusive nature.

“My favorite game to play is ‘WWE,’” sophomore Unified E-Sports Club member Enzo Federico said.

Recently, the Unified E-Sports Club migrated to CTE room C1 in order to utilize the new TVs there.

“We got a lot of TVs,” Federico said. “[We used to practice in] Ms. Dwyer’s room, [and it had] two TVs. This is so much better.”

TVs weren’t the only new equipment the Unified E-Sports Club received this year.

“Special Olympics granted us a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox,” Ms. Dwyer said. “They will be loaning us something soon to continue to grow our program.”

Both the E-Sports Club and Unified E-Sports Club have provided the opportunity for students to bond through the competitive medium of online gaming.

“E-Sports is the best!” Federico said.

Educational games are a ‘win’ in the classroom

Grace Halpert

Entertainment Writer

Educational games such as Kahoot, Blooket, Gimkit, Quizziz, and Quizlet Live are popular methods of review, memorization, and practice in many classes at Maine South. These games engage and encourage students in different ways.

“The competitiveness of the games motivates us to study more,” freshman Ola Nawrocki said.

On the other hand, sophomore Nicole Scimeca is driven by the prospect of winning coins and collecting characters in games such as Blooket, where students can earn prizes for accumulating points.

“It motivates me to learn in class so I do well enough to win some super cool ‘blooks,’” Scimeca said. “They are adorable, and I’m always motivated to win so I can get a ton of coins.”

Spanish teacher Ms. Erin Albee uses games weekly to practice language learning.

“I think some games help students learn through repetition and the reinforcement of skills, such as vocabulary acquisition,” Ms. Albee said. “I find that students respond positively to them, and they can help students see what they still need to focus on in their learning and practice.”

Both students and teachers agree that educational games foster a collaborative environment.

“It helps you create a better bond with your classmates and overall improves the learning environment,” Nawrocki said.

A bell-ringer game can be an effective method of getting students in the right mindset to learn.

“I like to begin class with a word puzzle or some kind of challenge in order to bring camaraderie into the classroom and help jump start students’ thinking for the class period,” English teacher Ms. Laura Kirshner said.

At the start of each quarter, Ms. Kirshner’s students are divided into pairs. The partners

compete against other pairs in daily games to win points, which determine the winners at the end of the quarter.

“I also like to use online tools, such as Quizizz, Vocabulary.com, or Kahoot, as a way to review,” Ms. Kirshner said. “I think that gaming helps students learn and review in ways that might be more memorable, collaborative, or enjoyable.”

Similarly, Ms. Albee uses games to work on vocabulary and grammar review.

“I look for games that require accuracy,” said Ms. Albee. “I also incorporate some paper games, such as Heads Up and Whip Around, as a way to get students speaking and using their vocabulary with their classmates.”

Educational games are a fun and effective way for students to practice their classroom material.

“When we play games in class, it’s the best of both worlds,” Scimeca said. “We are motivated to learn, and it’s fun.”

FOCUS MODE E-Sports Club members practice their skills on desktop computers in preparation for their weekly matches. E-Sports Club fosters a welcoming environment that has led to many friendships within the club.

PHOTO BY CAITLIN VENGAZO

Board games unite families and friends

Charlotte Hartung Features Writer

Game night looks different for every family and friend group. Whether you are at the lake, playing cards before school in the Commons, or even just in someone’s basement, everyone can agree that the most important part of it all is creating memories and spending time with your loved ones.

Senior Emilia Goldwasser started having game nights with her friends at the beginning of badminton season last year, and since then, they have had them almost every week. Goldwasser’s favorite games to play with her friends are Scattergories and B.S. while they devour a bowl of pasta together in her living room.

“I invited my friends over for games and pasta, and since then, we have kept up with the tradition,” Goldwasser said. “I really love game nights because I feel like we’ve all gotten so much closer and I now know a lot more about everyone. We also spend lots of time talking and catching up which is super fun.”

Sophomore MaryKay Doyle has also been doing game nights with her friends for a long time. Her group’s favorite game to play together is Trivial Pursuit.

“It happened to be something we all knew how to play and we had lots of fun, so now whenever we go to someone’s house, we play it,” Doyle said. “Trivial Pursuit is a simple game, which is nice, because we can still talk and listen to music when playing. It’s our time to talk to each other while also doing a little something fun.”

The time before school can allow people to meet with teachers to do their forgotten homework, but for others, it’s a time to relax and connect before a long school day.

Seniors Brian Denver and Tim Nelson have been playing cards before school since April of last year. They enjoy playing the Ukrainian game Durak (дурак).

“I think it is a great bonding experience because we can all have fun playing a game together and it

Best IRL gaming spots

Off The Wall

104 Main St., Park Ridge

This cozy cafe is located in the heart of Park Ridge. Sip on your favorite latte while playing one of their many board games or video games. If that’s not for you, they also offer trivia nights.

Dave and Buster’s

9870 Berwyn Ave, Rosemont

gives us something to look forward to every morning,” Nelson said.

Both Denver and Nelson agree that it’s better to hang out together playing cards while creating memories than being on their phones in a circle. Teenagers spend around seven hours on their phones every day, and in between homework and extracurriculars, they have little time to spend with their families.

“We don’t get really competitive with it, it’s more just for fun than anything. We love doing it every day because it’s a nice way to pass the time without having to be on our phones,” Denver said.

Despite her busy life, Sophomore Charlotte Chapman is committed to spending quality time with her family by playing their favorite games, Monopoly and Clue,while sharing pretzels.

“During COVID, we had game nights every week, but now we only play every once in a while,” Chapman said. “My family gets really into the games since we are all super competitive, but it’s all just for fun, we don’t play for money, it’s just nice to hang out all together.”

Sophomore Kara Chaplin and her family also have lots of traditions and memories surrounding game night at her lake house after her younger cousins go to bed.

“The first game I remember playing was Five Crowns, and I played it with both sides of my family,” Chaplin said.

“This game is not as competitive as B.S. gets at my lake house. B.S. is definitely my favorite game, and I play it with my uncles late at night as we snack on chips together.”

Some families get so competitive while playing to the point where dinner and big money are on the line.

Sophomore Kate Dunleavy recalls that during quarantine, her family had such a competitive game of Rummy going on that the loser was not allowed to eat dinner and, had to buy it for the rest of the family.

“It was very competitive and the stakes were high,” Dunleavy said. “Now my family can’t even look at a deck of cards, and we have not played Rummy since.”

Game nights with family and friends allow for core memories to be made and for people to grow closer together.

Sophomore Aidan Micek enjoys having game night with his family religiously.

“One of my favorite memories was when my family and I were playing Monopoly, our favorite game,” Micek said. “I owned every property and was able to convince both of my sisters to sell me all of their properties. The game did not last for long, and afterwards I was super proud!”

While games can sometimes bring out the worst in people, they more often bring families and generations together for the better.

“I used to play cards with my grandmother every day after school,” Dunleavy said. “We played everything from checkers to Monopoly, and it really helped deepen my relationship with my grandma.”

The perfect spot for both gaming and eating can be found at Dave and Buster’s. They have both a wide variety of arcade games, prizes, and a vast menu.

Ignite Gaming Lounge

8125 Skokie Blvd., Skokie

Ignite Gaming Lounge is perfect for a hard core gamer. Choose from a PC, X-Box, PlayStation 5, or Switch with their “hard wired mechanical keyboards, awardwinning optical mice, and noisecanceling headsets,” according to their website. Games range from “Fortnite” and “The Sims 4” to “Rock Band” and “MarioKart.”

Nickel City

555 Waukegan Rd, Northbrook

Nickel City is your average arcade that you know and love, except you play with nickels. While they might not have the newest games, you can play classic games such as “Skee-Ball,” “Bozo Buckets,” and “Basketball.” They also have a selection of free arcade games as well as a prize counter to redeem all your tickets.

Snakes and Lattes

1965 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

Any board game you could ever imagine is housed within the four walls of Snakes and Lattes. Here you can book private rooms with unique themes, including “enchanted forest,” “starship,” “haunted study,” and many others. They also offer monthly themed trivia nights.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOE DI COLA

“My family gets really into the games since we are all super competitive, but it’s all just for fun, we don’t play for money, it’s just nice to hang out all together.”

- Charlotte Chapman (‘25)

HISTORY THROUGH

GAMING CONSOLES THROUGH HISTORY

As technology has evolved over the past five decades, so have gaming consoles. Southwords

Magnavox released the first home video gaming system in 1972. Players would insert a circuit card into their system and stick overlay sheets over the television screen to simulate their games without graphics. A total of 28 games were available, including table tennis, football, and roulette. Some games required accessories that came with the system, like playing cards and poker chips. Despite the system’s restricted controls and lack of popularity, it marked the beginning of the video game console industry.

The 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was initially released in Japan in 1983 as the Famicom, a family computer system. In 1985, however, the company distributed an updated version of the console to North America that became the NES and went on to sell over 60 million units worldwide. The NES was able to run complex games with save functions and featured exclusive games like “Super Mario” and “The Legend of Zelda” that became household names.

After an unsuccessful Nintendo, Sony released known as the PS One, console in the 1990s. remarkable sales and, console to ship 100 million titles on the PS One included Symphony of the Night,” “Tomb Raider,” and “Silent

Atari

After the success of the home gaming version of “Pong,” Atari worked to refine the Atari Video Computer System (VCS). It’s original purpose was to allow users to play both “Jet Fighter” and “Tank.” The system was later adapted to run many other arcade games such as chess, baseball, “Space Invaders,” “Pac-Man,” and over 200 addi tional games

“My strongest association with the Odyssey was that of safety, because if we were allowed to be inside playing video games, there was imminent weather danger that threatened our lives outside.”

“My brother and I would have friends over and play ‘Frogger’ and ‘Van Guard’ on our Atari 2600. This had to have been like

The Sega Genesis, known outside of North America as the Sega Mega Drive, revolutionized the home gaming industry being the first truly 16-bit console. This changed the graphic capabilities of games allowing for millions of more color options. Genesis is named after the first book of the bible, indicating a new age of gaming.

“I vividly remember playing ‘Tetris’ and ‘Super Mario Brothers’ on the Nintendo Entertainment System when those games came out. I was the one to beat in my family.”

“One of my cousins abroad has a Sega Genesis. When we used to visit during Christmas time, we’d have a blast playing old ‘Sonic’ games and ‘Mortal Kombat’. I kind of want to get my own nowadays to share that joy with my friends in America.”

Nintendo introduced 1996. This was the first to hit the market that into their games. It video game system storage. Popular games “Super Mario 64,” “The of Time,” and “Super

“I’ll never forget when I got it, how excited I was. To this day, I still play video games. I have played on all but four of the consoles on this time line, and I have to say PlayStation was the best gaming system

VCS 2600 (1978)

Nintendo 64 (1996)

Nintendo Entertainment System

PlayStation (1995)

Magnavox Odyssey (1972)

Sega Genesis (1989)

Intellevision (1979)

Coleco Vision (1982)

TurboGrafx 16 (1987) Gameboy (1989)

Super Nintendo (1990)

Noah Adams ‘23

Mr. Marsicano Mr. Dutmers Mr. Kura Ms. O’Halloran

HISTORY

CONSOLES HISTORY

Southwords travels back in time to discuss the most popular gaming consoles of all time.

unsuccessful partnership with released the PlayStation, also One, as their first gaming The PlayStation saw by 2005, was the first million units. Popular included “Castlevania: Night,” “Final Fantasy VII,” “Silent Hill.”

Xbox (2001)

The Xbox was Microsoft’s foray into the gaming industry and was a strong competitor against Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo’s GameCube. In 2002, Xbox released their gaming network, Xbox Live, which enabled subscribers to play against each other online. Exclusive to Xbox users, “Halo” was one of the most innovative first-person shooter games of its time and contributed significantly to Xbox’s success.

Nintendo Wii (2006)

The Nintendo Wii, had an extremely popular launch in 2006, due to its innovative motioncontrolled games via the Wii Remote, which inspired both Microsoft and Sony to develop similar products. The Wii repositioned Nintendo as a key player in the video game console marketplace. It appealed to new demographics; however, it was shunned by Nintendo’s core gamer audience. “Wii Sports” was its most popular game; other honorable mentions included “Super Mario,” “Legend of Zelda,” “Pokémon,” “Mario Kart,” and “Just Dance.”

introduced the Nintendo 64 (N64) in first 64-bit processor console that integrated 3-D graphics was the last popular home to use plastic cartridges for games on the N64 included “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina “Super Smash Bros.”

“Mario Kart was a big thing in college. I wasn’t the best at the game so I would just try to mess with other people. My go-to character is always Bowser. My friends still have a Nintendo 64 sometimes when we are hanging out, it will get pulled out.”

Nintendo DS (2004)

Released in 2004, the Nintendo DS was popular for its dual touchscreen fea tures. With wireless connectivity, built-in microphones and speakers, and interactive features, the Nintendo DS reached approximately one million sales by December 2004. Some of its most popular games included “Super Mario 64,” “Ridge Racer,” “The Urbz: Sims in the City,” and “Sprung.”

“When I was 6 or 7, I would play Xbox with my brother and cousin at my uncle’s house. We played ‘Godzilla,’ the original ‘Battle Front,’ and lots of ‘Star Wars’

“My Nintendo DS was one of my favorite gaming devices when I was 8-10 years old. I had a lot of games, such as ‘Cooking Mama’ and ‘Animal Crossing,’ but my favorite was ‘Mario Kart.’”

Nintendo Switch (2017)

The Nintendo Switch was the first system that could be used both at home and on the go, which allowed Nintendo to tap into both markets and achieve impressive sales, becoming the third-best selling console of all time. Some of its most popular games include

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “Hollow Knight,” and

“I would play ‘Just Dance,’ ‘WipeOut,’ and ‘Mario Kart’ with my brother and sister on the Wii. I remember this one time when we were playing ‘Just Dance’ and I let go of the remote and threw it into the wall, but no one was hurt.”

“My sister and I play ‘Nintendo Sports’ on the Switch ; we like playing badminton and get really competitive with it. We also like playing ‘Chambara,’ which is super similar to Swordplay in ‘Wii Sports Resort,’ and volleyball, which I haven’t seen in any other sports collection games.”

Anna Chukurov, Emily Fudali, Maggie Hershey, Caitlin Vengazo, & Maggie Woods

Entertainment Writers & Editors

Sydney Cruz ‘25

Odyssey Liakopoulos ‘24

Danny Spandiary ‘23

Mr. Fritz Maria Korovilas ‘26

‘The Last of Us’ finds new life after ten years

Olivia Das Gupta News Editor

What happens to a story when it crosses from one form of media to another? One of the most dramatic examples of this can be found in HBO’s latest hit, “The Last of Us.” Originally released as an actionadventure game for the PlayStation in 2013, “The Last of Us” was reborn on the television screen this past January.

“The Last of Us” tells the story of a world that has been plagued by a fictionalized version of cordyceps, a real-life fungus known for hijacking the minds of ants. This human version is spread when a fungus-controlled host bites a victim. The character Joel is tasked with delivering 14-year-old Ellie across the country in hopes of finding a cure, as she is the only known person to have been bitten but not controlled.

This Sunday, March 12, the first season will conclude with its season finale. While the show has been widely

considered a success, it has faced some unique challenges in changing mediums. The most impactful change when transferring to television is the loss of the interactive component of gameplay.

“In my opinion nothing compares to the feeling of walking Joel or Ellie through the zombie-ridden wasteland that the game provides,” junior Eden Mendez said. “Physically making Joel duck behind cover or take out clickers can get my hands shaking by the end of a confrontation. The interactivity is great for getting you to really think about the story, too. You are absolutely paying attention when the life of each character is in your hands.”

For some players, the game provides a way to tap into a very living and active story. It helps connect players to the characters.

“I think that when the game came out, it was very life-changing for a lot of people in the gaming space because there hadn’t really been that many

stories that delved into that narrative type of play,” senior Raseel Khwaiss said. “I think it struck up a lot of empathy in a space where that hadn’t really been discussed, especially with the demographics as they were when ‘The Last of Us’ came out.”

However, the expansion of the story seen in the show is impossible to ignore. Several plot points have been fleshed out now that they have the proper space to grow, and it is these creative choices that set the show apart as a work of its own. The most well-known of these developed side plots includes the story of Bill and Frank in the third episode, which follows the couple as they build a life together and find peace in the apocalypse.

“Bill and Frank were such a sad side story that was never really talked about in the game, and it was so underdeveloped,” Khwaiss said. “I think it was the weakest point in the game if I’m being honest. But in the

Best games to play with friends

show? That episode made me cry so hard. It was such a powerful story.”

Although originally a game, the complicated story built on in-depth world building has done a lot to facilitate its transition. The large number of cutscenes in the game made it easy to translate and enhance them.

“As someone who loved the game, seeing just how faithful the opening minutes of the show is was amazing,” Mendez said. “Watching it play out on screen was just as impactful as the first time I experienced it.”

For viewers who already experienced the game, seeing the story revitalized in the show has been that much more entertaining.

“It was so good, and knowing what’s going to happen is so different from just seeing it,” Khwaiss said. “It’s like breaking your heart all over again and I don’t think I would have felt this strongly about the show had I not seen the original game.”

Anthony Sotto News Editor

If you want a game that awakens the deepest anger and frustration in your friends, this one’s for you. As a competitive party game, this game relies on skill, strategy, and luck. Players roll the dice, play minigames, and earn coins. The player that is able to collect the most stars wins. It also grants players the ability to steal stars from other players, form sneaky truces, and sabotage your friends on the very last turn. There are over 100 mini-games that will be randomly selected for the party to play in game. (Though it is also an option to choose mini-games to play in the start menu.) It’s easy to sink many hours into playing a game with such vicious competitiveness to it. “Mario Party Superstars” is a sure-fire way to obliterate friendships while having an absolute blast.

that has consistently stayed on the top of the charts in terms of popularity, “Minecraft” is the paragon of a classic sandbox game, no matter what mode you play in. In survival mode, the world is your oyster: gather resources, explore the world, and fight monsters. Meanwhile, creative mode is more relaxed as it prevents players from dying and grants them the ability to fly around, break blocks quickly, and access infinite resources. Additionally, players are able to join multi-player servers and play a variety of mini-games, with some notable servers being Hypixel and Mineplex. The game boasts over 170 million active players with hundreds more joining each day. In a world where the possibilities for creativity are virtually endless, Minecraft is a game that many people thoroughly enjoy.

Agame

Released just last year, “Elden Ring” has already won over 300 Game of the Year awards. The game’s main objective is to collect the Great Runes, defeat the demigods protecting them, and finally become Elden Lord. What sets this game apart is the large number of extra side quests, hidden dungeons, and secret bosses. “Elden Ring” is definitely made for more experienced gamers, though; enemies with one-shot attacks and surprise ambushes are something players need to prepare for. The graphics are incredible, and many of the background elements, enemies, and names were inspired by Celtic and Scandinavian mythology. In addition, multiplayer co-op is supported for players who want to share this immersive and unforgettable experience with friends.

This action-packed platformer is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, having won Game of the Year in 2021. Filled with peril and melodrama, the story revolves around a couple’s strained relationship as the pair are on the verge of divorce. After the couple, Cody and May, tells their nine-year-old daughter, Rose, they are suddenly transformed into her handmade dolls. As tiny characters in a big world, players will have to work together in order to traverse their way through a land of peculiar imagination, slash through carnivorous garden weeds, and skirmish with anthropomorphic construction tools. This game is a wacky, wholesome saga that requires parkour skills, puzzle-solving abilities, and, most important of all, teamwork.

Senior assassin has been cancelled

Campbell Micek

Commentary Editor

Senior Assassin is a game that is played nationwide at numerous high schools.

While there is no clear origin of the game or designated rule set, the general idea remains the same: seniors in high school pair up and are assigned a new pair to “kill” every week.

“Killing” a pair entails shooting a member of your designated pair with a Nerf gun.

While Senior Assassin was fun during the week that it occurred, the game is now indefinitely suspended for the remainder of the year.

“The game ended because of police and school interference after multiple mishaps happened regarding the game in the community,” one of the organizers, senior Brielle Bates, said.

Senior Assassin was designed to last 13 weeks, until there was a final winning pair. There was a $5 buy-in per group, and this year, 149 teams and 298 players participated.

“I am sad that the game had to get to this point, as we were excited to run it, but relieved that there isn’t police involvement anymore,” Bates said. “From what we know, the school does not want it to continue this year, but we have no insight for next. Seniors now need to decide if they would like their $5 back or to donate it to the SchoolWide Fundraiser.”

Senior Assassin started at Maine South in 2019 and has continued annually since.

Since Senior Assassin is not school affiliated, a particular senior in the senior class volunteers each year to coordinate the game. This year, Bates and Jillian Beck collaborated in coordinating the game, and all communication happened through Instagram and sign-ups via Google Docs. They even created an elaborate handbook detailing all rules of the game.

“A LOT of time went into preparing this game”, Beck said. “It seems fairly easy to put together from the outside,

but there were so many intricate details and factors that went into every rule, every decision, etc. Especially given that there was such a large number of people playing this year, we spent an immense amount of time preparing for this year’s game. Typically, runners of the game incorporate and/or reference the rule book from previous years in order to create their own rule book. So, we incorporated all of the rules from past years into our rule book, as well as adding some additional ones.”

While there are rules regarding where you are and aren’t allowed to shoot, often the game may end up violating people’s personal space. Many students at Maine South have been caught off guard in unexpected places.

“I was enjoying my workout when I found out there were two people outside of the gym there to kill me when I left,” senior Tommy Porrello said. “However, when they weren’t able to get me, they showed up at my house before school.”

Senior Assassin is one of the many activities that seniors look forward to during the duration of the second semester, and some may even say it is the epitome of the “high school experience”.

“I think it is a fun tradition that brings some joy in the middle of the winter months and makes senior year fun,” Assistant Principal of Student Experiences, Mr. Michael Edwards said. “With that said, there is a line that can get crossed that impacts students’ home life and work life, and could lead to conflict. It’s a delicate balance.”

While the class of 2023 did not get to experience Senior Assassin in its true form, there is a hopeful future for the current juniors, and years to come. As a student-run game, it is truly up to the behavior of those participating to determine the fate of the game.

“Senior Assassin is something that I have looked forward to during my time at Maine South,” junior Tudor Cupcea said. “I hope that things will look up for us.”

Best original game soundtracks

Samara Lefler News Writer

The“Minecraft” soundtrack is remembered fondly by many who have played the game; it is very nostalgic. It was written by Daniel Rosenfeld, also known as C418. Because “Minecraft” is a sandbox game, there is a lot of freedom to be had, musically. The game has ambient music that can change depending on environmental factors. For example, overworld music differs from that in the nether or in caves. Many fans enjoy the calming music enough to listen to it outside of gameplay.

The“Final Fantasy XIV” soundtrack had, at one point, the Guinness World Record for most pieces of original music in a game with 384 songs. It was mainly written by Masayoshi Soken, but there were other composers who contributed to it as well. These songs reflect suspenseful moments in the game, giving players a more involved experience as the tone matches the action. There are different types of sounds included in this soundtrack, all of which fans never get tired of.

The“Halo” soundtrack is an interesting blend of sounds. It utilizes lots of strings, more than any other soundtrack had before. It was composed and produced by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori. The music uses electronic compositions as well and blends well with the orchestra. Other elements, like drums, are introduced to add to the story. This also adds variety into the music. Listeners enjoy the differentiation of musical styles throughout the soundtrack.

The“Hollow Knight” soundtrack is more dark and melancholic but still has a wide variety of sounds. This unique tone causes it to stand out to its listeners, and pairs nicely with the dark and poetic themes of the game. It was written by Christopher Larkin, who gets his inspiration from classical music. He uses repeating melodies to connect the music and allow it to repeat naturally in-game. However, it cleanly accommodates variations that reflect what’s happening in the game when the action requires it to.

Video game streaming provides an outlet

Aleksandra Kajderowicz

Commentary Writer

Video game streaming has taken the world by storm. For content creators, streaming can provide a form of creative escape while also providing income for those who have had more success garnering a larger, loyal audience.

With the streaming community having such influence on the internet, streamers get to share their love for games while also showing off their creativity and personality through their commentary and style.

Senior Anna Wilkowski balances her school life with that of a part-time streamer on a popular streaming platform called Twitch, playing games such as “Minecraft,” “Valorant,” and “Genshin Impact.”

“I like streaming because it’s a cool way to connect with other people online and it feels really nice when people go out of their way to type something into the chat or follow [the channel],” Wilkowski said.

While streaming can be enjoyable, it can also be demanding at times.

“Streaming is really hard to keep

up with when you’re involved with sports and school because there’s a lot more that goes into promoting yourself outside of Twitch as well,” Wilkowski said.

Streamers have to utilize their wit and creativity to accumulate an audience that will then form a community.

Streaming video games is the

baseline when it comes to broadcasting content, as it allows for audiences to grow rapidly. This can then open doors to more opportunities, such as branching out into new streaming categories such as commentary or vlogging. Unfortunately, it can be a struggle to achieve enough of this growth to expand without losing a

number of fans.

“Twitch has a terrible algorithm for new streamers,” Wilkowski said.

Streaming can pose certain challenges for content creators, particularly for new creators who need to generate their fanbases from scratch.

Although user-friendly, Twitch is known for various streamer interface flaws that don’t always putting streamers’ interests first.

The main way streamers can make money on Twitch is through subscriptions, where viewers pay to subscribe to their channel. This may earn the viewer special access to certain videos or chat options depending on the streamer’s offer. The most common subscription is a $4.99 monthly subscription, which Twitch then takes 50% of.

However, the goals of every streamer can make the experience enjoyable no matter how many fans they have or how much money they make.

“I really like gaming,” Wilkowski said. “Streaming made me feel like I have an excuse to play more video games.”

GAMING WITH GUSTO Senior Anna Wilkowski wins a game of “Valorant” on a Twitch stream from January. Her Twitch handle is guppygusto, where she has achieved her goal of gaining 50 followers.

ULTIMATE GAMING CROSSWORD

ACROSS DOWN

6. Famous Italian plumber searching for his princess

7. Get too close to this mob and you may encounter an explosion

9. Video game brand that has released five home consoles since its development by Sony in 1994

12. Teachers really pushed your “buttons” about learning to use these efficiently in middle school

13. A main platform for streaming

20. Immortal princess with elf-like ears

21. A suspicious character who hides their identity and hunts Crewmates

24. Artificial intelligence meant to imitate human players

29. Notable sidekick who always wears green

30. A board game that focuses on property investments and avoiding bankruptcy

33. Popular board game that goes through the aftermath of post-secondary school

34. Gaming console famous for its innovative motion control

35. Board game involving strategy and maneuvering green, red, blue, and yellow pieces

37. From A and B to X, Y, and Z, this is what you need to play any game

38. 3-D game typically played through a headset

Using the clues below, complete the crossword by filling in the boxes with all things gaming. E-mail a clear photo of your completed copy to southwords@maine207. org. The first person to submit will receive a Southwords t-shirt! Good luck!

1. First independent YouTuber to hit 100 million subscribers most known for gaming content

2. Oh, “crop”—it appears the boat left without you filling the crates with the food you made on this app

3. Minecraft YouTuber who gained major popularity in 2020

4. An extension to a gamer’s PC setup that allows for more efficient scrolling

5. A place filled with an assortments of games like Pac-Man

8. This popular hedgehog shares a name with a fast food chain

16. Group of friends who queue together for match making

17. Digital word game produced by The New York Times

18. Playing video games is a significant part of this person’s identity

19. Waiting room for players before their game begins

22. A combat game first released in 2017 that was featured in the 2018 “YouTube Rewind”

23. This game simulates real life and allows players to build make money and customize the characters

The Ultimate Gaming Crossword

26. Modern gaming company initially founded in 1889 to make playing cards

28. An unskilled player typically made fun of by others

39. When the King switches places with the Rook

10. Gaming console released in 2001 owned by Microsoft that took the gaming world by storm

11. Board Game that allows players to explore a sweet, treat-covered world

14. Retro, colorful, block-sorting game

15. Dr. Dre has his own line of this technological accessory

25. First released in 2011, this sandbox game allowed players to play in a world made totally of blocks

26. Famous Fortnite player and streamer

27. Experience points that players earn through achievements and advancements in their game

31. Footage that takes place and is uploaded in real-time allowing for people to actively watch and react to what is broadcast

32. Boss villain famous for their involvement in a princess abduction

36. Desktop gaming console with an intricate setup often customized by gamers

Match the teacher to their

favorite video game

How much do you know about your teachers’ gaming preferences? Take this quiz to find out!

Super Mario Bros. Castlevania

Civilization

Tetris

A.

Frogger

Pac-Man Arcade

Skyrim

Candy Crush

Rayman Raving Rabbids

Tecmo Bowl

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H. J.

K.

L.

Pong Wordscapes

Ms. Alexis Liakakos

Mr. Gregory Regalado

3. Mr. Michael Edwards

4. Melinda Nees

Mr. Donald McArthur-Self

Dr. Carolyn

7. Mr. Kevin Hansen

8. Ms. Lisa Buckley

10. Mr. Anthony Lavorato

11. Mr. Jonathan Scorza

9. Ms. Daun Biewenga

Girls’ track finds success as they prepare for out- door season

Kyra Demeros & Maeve Strotman Sports Editor and Sports Writer

Thegirls’ indoor track team and field team is on a winning streak. At press time, the team was undefeated.

Unlike other winter sports, track has an indoor and an outdoor season.

The indoor season begins January and ends after the conference meet on March 16. Athletes on the team are encouraged to try a variety of different track and field events.

The events include, sprints, hurdles, long jump, high jump, relays, triple jump, pole vaulting, and throwing. This wide variety of events draws many athletes to the program.

The indoor track team has over 45 girls on the team among all levels and grades. Even with this large number of athletes, the girls are still able to form a tight bond and foster an encouraging environment.

“Our team this year is very close and we are very good at having each other’s backs,” sophomore Kate Dunleavy said.

While having a large team can have many social benefits, practicing

with this number of athletes can be difficult.

Rostering a large number of athletes makes finding adequate practice spaces a challenge. The track team usually practices in the field house; however, many other sport teams also occupy this space at the same time.

During the winter months basketball, Hawkettes, wrestling, and other teams that lift in the cage, must share the field house with the track team.

“There are so many teams in the field house and it has been a bit of a challenge to find a space for all the girls on our team,” Dunleavy said.

The constant flow of athletes in and out of this space can be distracting and chaotic for the girls’ track team.

In an effort to resolve the issue, the track team has occasional early morning practices. While adjusting to the practice schedule can be difficult, the team has found a way to make practices enjoyable.

“It has been at these practices where the team, has created closer bonds with each other,” senior Hanna Lind said.

Regardless of all the struggles this team has faced regarding practice spaces, they have still managed

to find success this season.

At the Hawk Invite on Feb. 17, sophomore Sofia Arcuri cut into a large Loyola lead in the 4x400 relay, coming up just short of winning the evening’s final event. The Hawks went on to win the meet.

“I remember running around the track cheering her and all the other

girls on the team,” Dunelavy said. The team is looking for many more accomplishments at conference and in the outdoor season.

“Outdoor track has typically more of an exciting environment surrounding it, as the events are longer and the meets are generally more exciting being outside,” Lind said.

Injuries take a toll on the boys’ track and field team

Kyra Demeros Sports Editor

Thisyear, the boys’ track and field team has faced many challenges, none bigger than the injuries athletes have faced.

“One of the big challenges that the team has faced, especially on the distance side, is the recovery from injuries,” senior Alex Wille said. “Many athletes have all had to battle injuries both during the off season and during the beginning of the season.”

Athletes who partake in track events are not the only ones struggling to prevent and recover from injures. Field event athletes are also facing this same issue.

“Because of the nature of jumping, our field event athletes in the jumps battle shin splints more than any other of our athletes,” Head

Coach Jason Kacprowski said. “It’s a constant balancing act each season of getting enough jumping in to improve performance and not jumping so much that shins are hurting too badly.”

In an effort to overcome these many injuries, strength training has become more frequent at practices.

“Coach is putting more emphasis on strength work, particularly hip exercises, which will go a long way to help us heal and to prevent future injuries,” Wille said.

Preventing injures will help the

athletes perform their best and meet their goals this season.

“The kids are pushing toward that goal of winning conference by following the training schedule laid out for them by their event coaches,” Coach Kacprowski said. “Any deviation of this schedule could prove catastrophic to the team goal.”

With the

conference meet fast approaching, the team is starting to assess the strengths of the athletes, to find the best event for everyone.

“For relays especially, we have been shuffling runners through in

different combinations to get a feel for how individuals can handle the distance, and how the team as a whole works together in that way,” Wille said.

Finding each runner’s strength will help the team find success, by making sure each individual is able to reach their full potential.

“Our jumpers goals this season are to refine technique in their jump to improve their height or distance and develop greater explosiveness to improve height or distance,” Coach Kacprowski said.

Despite the many injuries early in the season, the track team is recovering, and they are ready to achieve their goals.

“We’re certainly looking for as many individual victories as possible, but the team goal is to take home first place,” Wille said.

OFF TO THE RACES Senior Caitlin Seurynck runs in a 4x800 relay race at the track and field meet on Feb. 21. At this meet, Maine South defeated Deerfield and Saint Viator.

PHOTO BY NATALIA KOWALEWSKA

“Many athletes have had to battle injuries both during the off season and during the beginning of the season.”

-Alex Wille ‘23

Badminton prepares for new season

Maggie Woods

Entertainment Editor

Badminton season is officially underway, and the team has ambitious goals. Many of the girls have spent months fine-tuning their skills and are excited to see their hard work finally pay off.

“During the off-season, I go to the Shannon Pohl Badminton Academy with [junior] Jillian [Rothernberger] and [senior] Emilia [Goldwasser] which has helped my endurance, footwork, and shot placement a lot,” senior Anastasia Brow said.

Because the coaches know it can be difficult to play badminton in Park Ridge, they provided many opportunities for the girls to practice at Maine South this winter.

“Over the past couple of months, the coaches have been hosting open gyms in order to prepare us for the regular season,” Rothenberger said.

Senior Mia Dovhaychuk attributed their motivation this offseason to the positive environment that the program fosters.

“I think the camaraderie of the team is what makes us so good,” Dovhaychuk said. “All the girls on

the team are super funny, friendly, and supportive, and it creates a great environment for everyone.”

This camaraderie stems from friendships developed off the court.

“We spend a lot of time with each other outside of practices and games, so it makes our chemistry as a team so much better,” Brow said. “I’ve made some great friends from badminton and we are basically like a huge family.”

This season, the family has two new members—Varsity Coach Donna Schwan and Junior Varsity Coach Michael Scofield—and the players have developed a strong connection with them already.

“Coach Schwan is an amazing coach who pushes us to succeed, while also caring about our wellbeing physically and emotionally,” Brow said.

“She makes us work hard and pushes us to a new level each practice,” Dovhaychuk said.

The team hopes to perform well at Conference and Sectionals, but that is not what the team values most.

“I love the community,” Dovhaychuk said. “The girls are definitely the best part of the sport.”

Boys’ swim and dive ends record-filled season at State

Thomas Hurley Sports Editor

The boys’ swim team finished up a historic season with State qualifiers in 11 of 12 events, breaking school records along the way.

After placing third in Conference, the Hawks went on to get second in Sectionals, bringing the necessary competitiveness to qualify 10 individual swimmers.

To give themselves the upper hand, the team endured intense training, even coming in early in the morning to practice more.

“The biggest challenge throughout the whole season was getting up almost every morning at 6 a.m.,” senior state qualifier Ljubomir Popovic said. “We knew that by doing something like that, we would have an advantage against our opponents.”

At Sectionals, school records were broken in three events: the 200

Wrestlers meet State goals

other competition to have success.”

Boys’ and girls’ wrestling sent multiple athletes to the state championship on Feb. 16. Seniors Noah Beltran, Angela Lee, and Danny Spandiary; junior Teddy Flores; and sophomores Luke Morrison and Tyler Fortis all qualified as individuals.

Both teams had markedly successful seasons leading up to State. The boys’ team won the Palatine Tournament, a first for the program. Also, Lee had placed first in every single one of her tournaments.

For sophomore Luke Morrison, the atmosphere at State was a new experience.

“The State Farm Center is a lot to take in,” Morrison said. “So many people were watching me, but once I stepped on that mat, it’s just another match.”

Other wrestlers took a different approach to the state tournament.

Medley Relay, 100 Freestyle, and 100 Breaststroke.

Seniors Zach Chapovalov and Popovic, junior Dominic Mazurek, and sophomore Dragos Cozma broke another school record during the State meet.

“The most memorable moment of the State meet was getting the 4x100 Freestyle school record,” Popovic said. “That was by far the hardest record to break and the most rewarding.”

They were joined at State by senior Bart Kubis and juniors Graham Arteta, Max Fedorenko, Caleb Lakin, and Sam Sacor.

Swimmers saw the meet as an emotional and exhilerating experience, wrapping up their successful season in a positive way.

“The state meet was an exciting blur,” Chapovalov said. “It came and went so fast, and I had the perfect end to my swimming career.”

At the state tourney, Flores earned an All-State title and took fourth place overall. He shared that the tournament was both a mental and physical challenge, focusing on the concentration required at the event.

“Since I’ve wrestled at big tournaments before, State wasn’t super overwhelming,” Flores added. “Of course there were nerves going into it, but I knew that I had to treat it like any

“The competition at State was nothing compared to what I’ve wrestled before,” senior Danny Spandiary said. “Every match I had was a battle ‘til the end. The difference between State and other meets was the vibe of the entire building — it was electric.”

After having competed at State, these wrestlers now know what it takes to succeed.

“[It’s important to] train consistently, but also keep a positive mindset,” senior Angela Lee said. “It’s about the trust and belief that you worked hard.”

Gymnastics sends two to State

Thomas Hurley Sports Editor

Following an eventful season, the girls’ gymnastics team sent two athletes to the state meet.

The team had placed fifth at Sectionals overall, with a score of 134.95, a feat that junior Anastasia Gritsonis said “boosted our confidence extremely.”

“We never thought we would even make it that far as a team,” Gritsonis said. “It made us extremely excited for State and even closer with each other.”

Besides helping morale and strengthening team bonds, the Sectional meet also saw Gritsonis, joined by freshman Katie Saviski, head to State on Feb. 17.

“I would simply describe State as just unbelievable,” Gritsonis said. “It is such an unreal experience seeing everyone be just amazing and you standing right there with them… because you are just as good as them.”

Gritsonis earned a 9.425 on vault and 7.6 on Floor; Saviski finished on beam with an 8.95.

THE WREST IS HISTORY Junior Teddy Flores (left) faces off against Damian Resendez of Mt. Carmel on Feb. 18. Flores won the match by decision, and later went on to place fourth in state.

Thomas Hurley Sports Editor

Girls’ basketball wins sectional championship

Ava Kontuly Sports Writer

The girls’ basketball team has just come off another successful season, finishing with a record of 26-7.

Led by Coach Jeffrey Hamann, the team went 9-1 in conference play, winning the CSL Conference title.

After winning both the regional and sectional championships, the team qualified for the super-sectional match against Hersey on Feb. 27.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Hawks led by one point, but Hersey pulled away to win 66-61.

Despite the playoff loss to Hersey, the team accomplished a lot throughout the season.

Notably, the girls defeated Loyola in the Sectional championship.

For the Hawks, this victory was especially important after Loyola beat Maine South in last year’s sectional championship.

Additionally, the team was able to win the Dundee Crown Tournament, narrowly defeating Barrington in the championship game by a score of 59-58.

“It was a huge accomplishment for our team, and it was so fun to experience,” sophomore Ally Pape said.

Though the team had a lot of success, they weren’t without their challenges.

Namely, the team had a much younger roster than many of their competitors.

“We came into the season as the underdogs with low expectations by many, but we proved so many people wrong,” sophomore Katie Barker said.

Ally Pape, who was named as a CSL All-Conference Player, also experienced some personal challenges throughout the season.

“A challenge I faced this season was an exciting one,” Pape said. “I completely switched positions coming into this season from guard to post.”

“I had to work extra hard to learn new skills and learn where to go in plays.”

The team credits their togetherness for their ability to overcome

challenges throughout the season.

“The biggest thing that allowed our team to have success was our team chemistry,” Barker said. “We were all super close, and we had a bond like no other team I have been on.”

With only five of the team’s players graduating in the spring, the Hawks will look to build on this year’s successes next season.

Even now, the team is aiming to make it to the state semifinals next winter.

“We had such a successful season this year and I think the loss in the Super Sectionals just empowered us even more to get farther next year,” Barker said.

Teachers bond over morning hoops

Declan Colleran

Sports Editor

Severalmornings each week, a group of Maine South faculty members gather to play basketball before school. The league, which is led by Coach Gregory Young, meets three to four mornings a week for high-level basketball competition.

Play typically starts at about 5:45 AM with the first game of the day’s seven-game series. Each game is played up to 21 points, and is self-officiated by the players. The teams aim to play for an hour and fifteen minutes before they begin preparing for the workday.

“We play with pace,” Coach Young said. “We play the game the right way

Mr. Lavorato receives coaching honor

Julia Van Roeyen Sports Writer

Mr. Anthony Lavorato, Jr. is being inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. The association seeks to honor the best and most influential coaches in Illinois’ basketball history.

Mr. Lavorato’s career as a head basketball coach spanned 24 years, 19 of which were at Maine South.

Even before he began coaching, Mr. Lavorato had a profound love for basketball. He played high school basketball at Hinsdale South where he was coached by his father.

“Being a coach’s kid, I was around basketball my whole life,” Mr. Lavorato said.

After high school, he went on to play Divison 3 basketball at Augustana College, where he was a 4-year letterman. As a sophomore, Mr. Lavorato led his team to a secondplace finish nationally.

His coaching career began in 1995 at Rochelle High School, where he coached sophomores and assisted the varsity team.

Soon after, Mr. Lavorato took his first head coaching position at Homestead High School, but he eventually moved to Maine South.

because these guys know how to play.”

Throughout the history of “Morning Hoops,” there have been some changes to the format of play.

“I want to say we have been doing it for 20-25 years,” Coach Young said. “When I first started working here, it was typically a 3-on-3 game.”

As a result of renovations in the P.E. wing, the league has seen some changes to its playing location.

“With the floor needing to be done in the spec gym, it’s been a better game on the floor in the fieldhouse,” Coach Young said.

Nevertheless, the league has had consistent buy-in from teachers such as Mr. Trevor Fritz, Mr. Cheng Jin,

Coach Colin Wehman, and certain alumni invitees.

“[Coach Young] loves it—it’s his thing,” Mr. Fritz said. “He’s so into it. If you played him right now, he would cross you over four times and score with his left hand.”

For the teachers involved, playing morning basketball makes a positive impact on the rest of their days.

“Getting to compete with guys you know and respect is a good day,” Coach Young said.

Additionally, the league gives teachers an outlet to build friendships that they otherwise may not have developed.

“When I came in, there was a 20+ year age gap between Mr. Young and I, but he was one of the first teachers that I built a strong bond with,” Mr. Fritz said. “It’s the little things that add up to build a school culture.”

“Coaching was something I had a passion for, something I studied, very similar to how I do my teaching,” Mr. Lavorato said. “It isn’t a hobby where you just organize things, but what I really pride myself on doing is having a passion and trying to get better.”

Mr. Lavorato, who retired from coaching last winter, is pleased with the impact he made.

“At the end of a long career, I am very proud of how we went about our business on and off the floor,” Mr. Lavorato said.

Throughout his time at Maine South, Mr. Lavorato coached the Hawks to four Conference championships, five Regional championships, and one Sectional championship. With 354 wins, he is the winningest boys’ basketball coach in Maine South history.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to be inducted, to be perfectly honest,” Mr. Lavorato said. “I may be receiving this honor, but I share it with my past assistant coaches and players in my program.”

SHOOTING FOR A WIN Sophomore Katie Barker attempts a free throw in the 1st quarter of the regional championship against Maine West on Feb. 16. The Hawks went on to win the game by a score of 59-29.

“It's the little things that add up to build a school culture.”

-Mr. Trevor Fritz

PHOTO BY NATALIE COLLETTI

March 10, 2023

1111 S. Dee RoaD • PaRk RiDge, illinoiS 60068 Vol. 59, no. 5

Summit of Uptown residents share their stories

Sayde Feeley

News Editor

Residents from the Summit of Uptown Senior Care Facility visited Maine South on Feb. 8 to be interviewed by the Journalism class for a “Legacy Project.”

Student groups of two or three were paired with a resident whom they interviewed to learn about their life. The students then organized their quotes to create a features article.

Photographers from the advanced photography class documented the event and also took professional portraits of each of the residents.

“A lot of the students didn’t know what to expect during the interviews because many had actually never done an interview before,” Journalism teacher Mr. Alexander Stathakis said.

The project aimed to expand journalistic skills, such as interviewing, organization, and layout. Because the writers could not use any of their own words, the final product was entirely dependent on quality questions and follow-ups.

“It really becomes an exercise of not only asking good questions, but thinking about all the material and paring it down to its most essential

elements,” Mr. Stathakis said. “Trying to figure out what’s most important, putting quotes together, and organizing things in a way that the message comes across most clearly is really what this is about.”

Not only did the project help students gain writing experience, but also a view into the unique lives of residents. Many of their stories left a deep impression.

“The story that stuck with me the

most was about how [the resident] and his wife fell in love and their life together,” senior Louisa Venice Baluga said. “I’ve always been a sucker for romance, so I really enjoyed hearing about how wonderful their relationship was and how much he still cherishes her and her memory today.”

Military experiences, careers, raising kids, and relationships were all topics brought up in the interviews. Some even shared about the darker aspects

of life, giving students a more complete understanding of their stories.

While the interviews created a rich learning experience for the student journalists, they also provided an important outlet for the Summit residents as well.

“It seemed that the residents needed this, somehow,” junior Lizzy Denneen said. “I can imagine being in a home with the same people every day...it can be hard to get your story out. We listened. They talked. I think it was a meaningful experience for them.”

Residents also seemed to enjoy the experience because student questions often led them to revisit positive memories.

“The residents were very open about their personal experiences, and the questions we prepared would sometimes spark excitement, leading to more stories,” senior Margaret Synder said.

Overall, the project was deemed a success—one that Summit administrators and the school hope to repeat.

“It was a real world experience in the classroom, which can be a challenge to provide, so when it works out well like this, it’s really wonderful,” Mr. Stathakis said.

Social media blocked on District 207 Wi-Fi

Sofia Nigro News Writer

Aftera recent social media ban on school Wi-Fi was implemented Feb. 1, many students are frustrated with their inability to contact their friends via Snapchat, Instagram, and more. While students can still access these apps using cellular data, cellular signal in the building can be weak in many places.

“It’s not even like I’m using Snapchat during class, too,” junior Sophia Gianaris said. “I have third period off, and I’m not able to utilize these apps which is frustrating.”

Gianaris isn’t the only student that’s upset about this newly added policy.

Students are finding it can hinder their ability to contact one another and pass time even when outside of class.

Despite student opposition to the ban, staff have noted that it exists to limit distractions while in school and relieve many of the social-media related stressors students face every day.

“This might be an unpopular opinion with my students, but I think it’s great,” English teacher Ms. Johanna Abend said. “I think that you guys have so much pressure coming at you from different directions that having reduced access to your social media during the school day could be positive in terms of mental health and focus during the school day.”

SHOW AND TELL Summit of Uptown resident Lois Halinton (left) shares newspaper clippings with seniors Claire McKitrick, Nel Kupiec, and Lee Darfler (left to right). The student interviews focused on capturing the life lessons of the residents.

PHOTO BY LILY GIAMBARBEREE

CONNECTION LOST One social media app, WhatsApp, displays a pop-up stating that it “Couldn’t Place Call” when an attempt to call is made over school Wi-Fi. It then suggests the user disable their Wi-Fi in order to conduct the attempted call.

PHOTO BY CEYLAN YILDIZ