MS Foreign Exchange Students
Debbie Jackson '78, Nick Vanella '77, and Sandy Serio '78 were recently chosen to represent Maine South in the AFS program.
By Karen Mairoano Three Maine South students were recently chosen for the AFS program. Among the three were Sandy Serio 78. Debbie Jackson '78, and Nicholas Vanella 77. "AFS is a program that fosters international understanding in peace through the exchange of living and learning experience." says Mrs. Joan Ebner, president of the Maine South AFS adult chapter. All Maine South junior and senior students are able to apply for the AFS program. There are no strict qualifications for selecting an AFS student, but "most students tend to be flex-
ible, self-confident and able to adjust to new situations." The selection process began in September. The local selection took two months and the regional selection was completed, all the necessary papers were sent to New York, where it is decided where these three students will spend their ten week summer. Sandy, Debbie and Nick will be notified in April as to which country they will be visiting. AFS grew from the first world war when volunteer ambulance drivers in France decided that they understood the world better because they got to know people in France They started an exchange program that grew into
Fund raising activities very throughout the year. AFS fall pizza sale is a large contributor to the program. Maine South Concert Choir usually helps the program by holding a concert in April. Student Council has fund raising activities for the program during the year. The chapter also gets contributions from local sources.
southwords 13, No. 7
Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
Jan. 21,1977
New Fire Doors Installed As we all returned to Maine South after our Christmas vacation, we were welcomed back to an excessive amount of newly installed doors surrounding us at all ends of the halls For those of you who have been bumping into them, or inconvenienced by the crowds slowly squeezing through them-sorry-but they're here for a definite reason. These doors are safety fire doors, and we are supposed to benefit from them in case of fire If a fire starts, as the smoke starts 10 rise and spread through the air, these doors automatically close and prevent the smoke from sneaking any further Don't panic, this doesn't mean
your locked in, because if you push them they will once again open. The reason for wanting to stop the smoke is that in most fires more people usually die of smoke inhalation rather than actual burns. So, these doors will keep the poisonous gases caused from the fires from polluting any further air Also, these fire safety doors are put at ends where there are also regular exits so there are other ways of getting out. Even if the faculty were against these doors being install-
SC Demands Reforms By Tammy Barry The student moniter system has been approved by the administration Starling second semester, students, not teachers, will be watching over the cafeteria to make sure other students don't litter There will be fifteen monitors per lunch period and five monitors per lounge period. Kevin Conway '77, President of Student Council, is looking into the possibility of getting Honor Hall passes and extended lounge privileges as rewards for those who are student monitors.
Kathy Gibbons of Pop Club Council was crowned this year's Spirit Queen at Saturday nighfs basketball game.
Student Forum, in which students meet with the administration to discuss school policies, has now been set up and is in progress Meetings will be held in the principal's conference room with members of the administration on these dates: January 25 - third period -
Mikva Heads Program Among the issues proposed as seminar topics were funding for education and finacial aid available for college education. Lake Michigan erosion and related environmental problems, crime and the courts, mass transportation, energy conservation and alternative sources of energy As a research project, the students discussed compiling a consumer sourcetwok that would compile information on assistance for dissatisfied consumers Those students from Maine South participating in the intern profram are Dina Ciccia '"9. Gen Smith 77 and Jane Weaver •77. High school students may obtain information on the intern program bv contacting Joel Lieberman of Congressman Mikva s staff. Des Plaines Civic Center. 1420 Miner Street. Des Plaines. Illinois. 60016.0515.
ed, they really didn't have much choice, because it wasn't the schools decision or plan. It is a state requirement being enforced now and probably installed in other schools in our district right now. This project has been paid for by our school's special funds, which are funds only to be used when the state gives permission. Although the doors don't add to the atmospyere of our school, they are only there for our own safety, and maybe someday we will be glad they were installed.
.A series of informal discussions with public officials and projects to assist Tenth District residents is being planned by students who are participating in Congressman Abner J. Mikva's high school intern program. The program, which is open to all high school students, is aimed at acquainting students with government operations and stimulating discussion about current events and local issues. At the group's organizational meeting held on December 13. the students met with Congressman Mikva and outlined two aspects of the program — scheduling seminars featuring public officials knowledgeable about a certain topic whom the interns will question, and projects in which the interns will do research in connection with seminars and prepare reports summarizing their conclusions
Mr. Bonney, Director of Guidance. February 2 - seventh period Dr. Watson. Principal. February I; - eighth period • Mr. Bitta.dean. February 15 - ninth peiiod Mr. Smith, dean Students desiring to attend these meetings may sign up in the bookstore. Quad Council (a meeting of representatives from all four Maine schools) has set up committees to look into several areas. One is the possibility of open campus. Another is to have a student put on the school board. Also, a smoking lounge was discussed. Maine South's Student Council is also working on getting a smoking lounge. Peter Omarzu '78. Chairman of the Students Rights Committee, comments. "The Students Rights Committee is presently working with parents and community leaders on the smoking lounge issue. We are trying to devise a feasible approach to this issue of controversy,"
Can anyone identify this girl? If you know her name please tell the Dean's office.
All students who participate in the program pay a fee; however, there is a scholarship program set up that enables students to apply even if they can not afford the participating fee. At times, the chapter pays the total fee for the student selected to go abroad. The entire chapter hopes that more students will earn about the program and get involved.
Spanish Distributive Bd. Provides Opportunities In April. 1976. a new program was created in an effort to combine Spanish and Distributive Education. The object of this program was to place Spanish students in a work environment where knowledge of the Spanish language was not only helpful, but necessary in performance of the job. Three students. John Hall, Ginger Lewis and Cheryl Smith were selected to pilot this innovative program. John Hall, a busboy in the Garden Terrace Cafe at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. believes that the program has provided him with a valuable learning experience. In his opinion, the program has much to offer the Spanish student, provided the student has ample time to maintain his daily schedule. After graduation, John plans to move back to California. The skills, attitudes and expanded understanding and usuage of the Spanish language should prove to be valuable assets as his career objectives unfold. Ginger Lewis works at El Sombrero in Des Plaines. as a waitress. At El Sombrero, the cooks and most of the customers speak Spanish; consequently. Ginger
"The Matchmaker" to be Staged By Greg Stanton For the next five weeks a company of over 100 students will be preparing for this year's All School Play, "The Matchmaker." by f horton Wilder Performance dates are set for Feb. 24, 25, 26 at 8:00 pm. in the Auditorium. The company of students is compiled of painters, builders, actresses, actors, directors, and designers, not to mention lighting, sound and costumes. They're all striving for energetic and entertaining performances. The Matchmaker" is the story of Mrs Dolly Levi, a meddling widow, who creates havoc when she tries to match Mr. Vandegelder. a wealthy stubborn store owner, with her-
the American Field Service that is known today as .AFS. The AFS program operates in sixty countries and most of the continents. The students that come to the United States are here for eleven months. They attend school and live with .American families. Americans who go abroad also live with a family in that foreign country Every year there are about three thousand people that go abroad into other countries, and there are about the same number that come to the United States. This year Guillermo OrtizAcuna was sent to America from Costa Rica. He attends school at Maine South and lives with an .American family He began his visit in August and will depart in July.
self. How can she go wrong? The cast of "Matchmaker" is headed by Faculty Director Don Martello and Faculty Technical Director VInce Pinell. Student positions are held by Paul Vinopal - Technical director, Greg Stanton - Student director. Nan LeMonier - Stage Manager. Mrs Dolly Levi will be portrayed by Pat Hennessy with Mike Flannery as Horace Vandergelder .Also appearing in the show are Kevin Keilas. David Millhiser. Cathy Rogow-ski, and Nancy McLendon. "The Matchmaker " is on its way to be<oming one of the most meorable plays Maine South has ever presented.
receives many opportunities to use Spanish. One of the benefits of this experience has made Ginger aware of the importance of listening. She is beginning to think in Spanish and she doesn't have to translate word for word, which are two steps to becoming a true bi-linguist. In addition, the program has provided her with the opportunity to improve her pronounciation and allowed her to learn more about the SpanishMexican culture and their way of life. Cheryl Smith enjoys her job as a hostess at the Chicago Cervantes Because there are few Spanish speaking employees at Cervantes, Cheryl will be an aid in hiring Spanish speaking employees. Cheryl believes that the program offers interested students the opportunity to improve their Spanish and gain work experience at the same lime. Next year, Cheryl will attend college and continue to study Spanish, with a major in business All three students agree that the Spanish Distributive Education program has provided them with an incentive to continue studying Spanish and has helped them become more proficient in the language. Through their own experiences, they have discover that knowing a foreign language is not only practical, but it "pays off" in other ways. Students involved in the Spanish Distributive Education program have the opportunity to develop desirable work attitudes, a salable skill, an opportunity to use their Spanish in a work environment, an awareness of the different Spanish and Mexican's cultures and develop empathy for employees working in entry level positions. In addition to the above mentioned benefits, the student earns a credit for the experience and a salary.loo. Interested students should contact Mr Hommerding at Maine South High School