Australian, Icelander join Senior class by Colette Hawley and Susan Rebedeau The American Field Service student spending this year at Maine South is ,, Geoff Woodham, 16, from Orange, Australia. Geoff has been in Park Ridge for about a month and a half. Geoff is staying with the Fortney family and said he gets along with them very well. Before school started, Geoff engaged in such activities as a thirteen hour bike trip to Milwaukee and a week long camping trip with the Fortney family. In order to meet people, Geoff joined the Maine South football team He said he likes his football "mates" very much, and feels comfortable around them. . Geoff comes from a school of 800 boys. When he came here he commented, "Just to see so many foxy chicks in the halls ... it was unbelievable." When I asked about Maine South, Geoff said "It's very nice, and the people seem outgoing." But Geoff did admit there is a lot of gossip at South. As for social life here, Geoff feels there is a lot more of it than at his boarding school where he claims to have, "stayed in and studied all the time." On weekends, Geoff has gone to movies, to parties, and to Gilson Beach. At his school in Australia, there are eight periods and his schedule varies from day to day. Being used to a fortyfive minute lunch period, Geoff ' remained in the cafeteria from fourth period to five B on his first day of school here. At home, Geoff is very active in sports, playing rugby, cricket, basketball, and waterpolo. He wants to come back to America for college after he completes school in Australia. Geoff will then return to Australia to be a physiotherapist. Geoff said girls here "have pretty high morals and are interesting to talk to." He is looking forward to dating all of them. Geoff also is excited about Homecoming, although he said he would like to go by himseS so he could dance with everyone. While Geoff is here he plans to try many American foods. He especiaUy wants to try Nancy's Stuffed Pizza ~ because being stuffed is new to him. Geoff wants to have a fantastic year at South, and being such a "spunky" guy, , he definitely will. "
Give a warm welcome to the ice-man! Our local "ice-man" is Gudjon Thorsteinsson, 18, from Isafjordur, Iceland. Gudjon arrived in Park Ridge a week before school started. His host brother is Richard Rosenberg '82. His hometown of Isafjordur has the largest fishing industry in Iceland. The terrain consists of mostly lava and mountains. Gudjon mentioned there was no pollution and one could drink from any river or lake. The airplanes in Park Ridge are hard for him to get used to. At home, Gudjon coaches as well as participates in sports. A few include handball, soccer, basektball, and cross country. Travelling is another of his interests. He has already visited eleven country's and plans on visiting many more. On Friday and Saturday nights he works in a local discoteque, sometimes as a DJ, and other times as a bouncer. The school system in Iceland is very different from that of the United States. Ages 13 to 16 attend high school. College ages range from 16 to 19. For high school students, the average school day is from 8 am to 5 pm. For the college students the day starts at 8 am and continues until 7 pm. The class periods are 40 minutes long. "In Iceland we have more homework and less quizzes whereas here, there are more quizzes and less homework." Currently, Gudjon is a member of Student Council and the Basketball team. His hobbies include listening to music, reading, phsycology, going to movies, and hUdng. Gudjon admitted it is hard to adjust to Park Ridge and Maine South. The entire population of his hometown in Icland is equal to the entire student body of MS alone. It poses a challenge — but Gudjon likes challenges. "I wanted to know American, live with an American family, and go to school here. But most of all, live with an American family." "Maine South has a great school system and good teachers. Kids are nice to me. Nobody has treated me like a foreigner—they took me in well." "It is more than I expected. I didn't think everything would turn out so friendly. I am grateful everyone has treated me as an American." "You don't know me yet, but ..."
Stone replaces Feurer Everyone who knew Mrs. Stone knew her as a French teacher, but she is now the counselor in C103. Mrs. Stone was originally going to be transferred to Maine West to teach French. However, an opening was available as a counselor, so she accepted. She explained the reason for her ' decision, "I like working one on one. In teaching, trying to help some<xie individually is more difficult." J The word "different" was used by Mrs. Stone to describe counseling. She also commented on the fact that she is rearely bored. "I have spent 11 years of my life at Maine South, four here as a student and seven as a teacher," Mrs. Stone revealed. "When the time comes, I will try to help students with colleges and their
careers. This is one of the satisfying jobs of being a counselor." When asked what she liked best about being a counselor, she replied, "My own desk, and especially my own phone."
Graffiti needs talent The Creative Writing Magazine, More Graffiti "79, is organizing its first issue. More literary materials such as poems, short stories, artwork, cartoons, and puzzles are still needed. Any students interested in having their work published should submit their literature to V-106. Sales begin the week of September 17. At that time, staff members will be selling subscriptions for the cost of one dollar for four issues in the English classes.
QPfTTli Geoff
Gudjon
southwords Vol. 16, Number 1
Maine South H.S., Park Ridge, III. _ Sept. 14, 1979
Miss Feurer appointed as new dean by Laura Olson Miss Feurer, former counselor of homeroom 103, was chosen to replace Miss Iliff as a dean of students. Miss Iliff retired at the end of the 1978-79 school year. She applied because she wanted the challenge the position offers. Her work is to counsel students in every level with last names between A and G. She says student behavior is good so far and hopes this is an indication of the rest of the year. Miss Feurer will be working with the other student deans, Mr. Adamo and Mr. Bitta, toward mutual goals. These are to
reduce student disbehavior through working with cronic offenders, and heloing students to recognize their responsibilities. The deans share the feeling that Hamlin Gate should be kept open. They are working together with the Park Ridge City CouncU and police to keep down infractions. Miss Feurer will remain as assistant swim team coach. She enjoys working with students in a coaching capacity. She would like students to feel free to come and see her and discuss any issues and problems.
student Council plans Homecoming activities by Maria Glanes Maine South students can look forward to an evenful weekend of festivities during Homecoming, October 5-6. The theme is "Sweet 16", commemorating the sixteenth Birthday of Maine South. Carla Rendina, '80, Homecoming Committee Chairperson, has been planning these events along with Student Council since the beginning of school. A bigger and better Homecoming Carnival will be held Friday from 4:30 to 9:30. The Carnival booths will be sponsored by various organizations. A traditional Firelight Pep Rally, sponsored by the Pep Qub, will take place that night. Adding excitement to the evening will be the music of the M.S. Pep Band. "The Homecoming Parade, starting at 10:00, will march through Park Ridge on Saturday morning. Represented in the parade will be Class floats. Marching Band, Hawkettes, Pep Club, Cheerlead-
ers, Homecoming Queen Candidates, Administration, Orchesis, Tri-M, M.S. Trainer's Club, Music Boosters AFS, and last year's Queen. This year's float judges will be Dr. Clyde Watson and Mrs. Paul Bma. An exciting time of Homecoming is the seletion of the Queen and her court. The Queen will be announced between the Sophmore and Varsity game. "The Homecoming Dance, "Celebrate me Home" culminates the weekend activities. The dance is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and will feature the band Bush Wack. Senior Class Vice-President Margaret Hikido said," Homecoming is a great lime for everyone to have fun and also a time to get involved in the activities. Although Senior Class sponsors the dance, if anyone has extra time, we'd appreciate any assistance in decorating the gym. We're looking forward to seeing everyone."
3 students talk about their experiences abroad by Janet Shamlian Ann Marie Clark flew to Zofingen, Switzerland, for her summer visit as an AFS student. Ann described Zofingen as an old, beautiful town of about 9,000. Ann's host family consisted of her father, mother, a brother, 14, and a 16year-old sister. Ann became very close to her sister who spoke good English, and she described her brother as an avid tennis player. Ann's dad was a layout editor for a publishing conyjany and her mother was a housewife who enjoyed knitting and entertaining. Ann discovered that the people of Switzerland were very conservative. Swiss-German was the native language, and Ann said that the language barrier did cause problems at times. Ann described families as being very closeknit.
She added that she had learned to be much more independent from the experience as well as more open-minded. AFS student Mark Curtis spent his sunmier in Bursa, Turkey. Mark's host family included a 23-year-old married brother and two brothers aged 8 and 18. Mark's host father worked at a bank and his mother was a housewife an an excellent cook. Mark said that he loved the food, which was mainly a lot of starches and vegetables.
were broadcast in turkish and therefore were hard for him to understand. There was a lot of plays, live music and folk dancing on TV. Mark added that he played backgammon a lot during his stay. Mark said that he learned to be more patient this summer as his host parents did not speak English. Mark also said that he learned to lead more of a relaxed life, without having to do something all of the time. AFS student Carolyn Quinn spent her The native language was Turkish. Only summer in Lenart, Yugoslavia in the Mark's 18-year-old brother spoke En- profidence of Slovenia. Carolyn's home glish. was in an area in the country with mounA typical day in Turkey for Mark was tains, farms and vinyards. spent going to work with his brother and The family she stayed with had a sitting around in the evenings. Mark watched television shows including mother who worked for the local Baretta, Mrs- Columbo, and The Love government, and a father who was a Boat Mark added that the programs grade school math teacher. Two daugh-
ters, age 16 and 17 were good company for Carolyn. The native language spoken was Slovinian, but Carolyn's host family did speak fairly good english. Carolyn described her family as being very warm and generous. Carolyn said that she learned to be more open minded as a result of her trip.
The Physicists begin The tryouts for the play "Physicists" were held last week. "The cast includes: R. J. Coleman as the inspector, Mike Harris as Newton, Scott Stewart as Mobious, and Diane Rogowski as the doctor in charge of the institution. The stage manager is Cliff Taylor and the student director is Laurie Streff.