Vol 24 issue 13

Page 1

souihwoRds Vol. 24, no. 13

Maine Township High School South

March 31,1988

Visit inspires South students by Mr. Arthur Fitzgerald During the week of March 1-5 Ms. Liz Tannebaum, staff member and play (drama) director at The Center on Deafness located in Des Plaines, spoke to Mr. Fitzgerald's English I classes. She spokeontheexperiences(problems)of deaf people in a hearing as well as in a non-hearing one (Many live in both, alternately). Her presentation was given in conjunction with the English 1 classes' study of, The Miracle Worker, the story of blind and deaf Helen Keller. Accompanying Liz was Ms. Margo Buchanan, who interpreted smdent questions to Liz, using sign language on a few occasions. Margo's help was needed rarely, since Liz, though deaf since birth, read lips extremely well and spwke very fluently and interestingly. Liz pointed out that Margo was also a play director at the Center. Liz also explained that herown deafness was caused by her mother's German Measles during pregnancy. Liz and Margo coach a select group of performers known as the Traveling Hands Theatrical Trouf)e who perform all around the Midwest. Such experiences give these deaf performers a wonderful outlet for their creative abilities, leading to their social/emotional growth. Interestingly, Traveling Hands Theatrical Troupw is the original theatre home of Marlee Matlin, a personal and long-time friend of Liz's who won The 1986 Academy Award for her f)erfonnance in the film Children of the Lesser God. Adding more information about deaf and hard of hearing people was Melanie Kaplan, a hard of hearing Maine South sophomore who told about her own experiences as a partially-hearing person living in a hearing family. Melanie says she is now

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willing to discuss these experiences further with other jxople. Melanie was accompanied by Miss Connie Garmer, Melanie's interpreter who accompanies her to her classes daily to help her with notetaking and other listening tasks. Mr. Fitzgerald was first put in touch with Ms. Tannebaum through Jeanne Beach, a Maine South sophomore who has also worked with Liz in putting on plays at the Center. Jeanne also attended Liz's presentations to the classes. Liz wanted the classes to realize that deaf people were basically just like them, and that they

should not be afraid to try to understand and commimicate with them. She pointed out some unique ways deaf people cope, such as flashing lights for doorbells, vibrating beds for alarm clocks, the use of the deaf operator as a go between,etc... she especially wanted hearing people to be willing to show all people much love and compassion in their efforts to succeed while having confidence that they, also, can achieve their own goals if they will work hard, without fear, to achieve them. Liz's visit was an inspiration and an education to all present.

New officers elected

Contest Play, Group Interp begi

i; Maine Souilj Student Council held its office i^Jeciions on Monday, March 2!. An official: iyoting area was set up outside the cafeteria.; :!Thre<; ofiites ran unopposed: Colleen Durack jas Siicreiary, Jenny Burkhardt as Vicc-Prcsipent, and Carniella Mulvihill as Treasurer. jit^oUccn Alywafd came out slightly ahead of i;Katliry"MeiÂŤngertowin tlie titleof the President of tlic Student Council for the 1988-89 iischool yciur. Officially only 250 votes were cast: ffor ilie entire election, even tlwugh speeches ;i>vcre lield for over 2,000 sttidents of freshmen, i'ipophomcvres, and jimiors. Congratulations to iiCarniella, Colleen D., Jenny, and Colleen A. land good luck to tlie leaders of Maine South.

Although Contest Speakers is over, competitions for Contest Play and Group Interpretation have just begun. Contest Play is a play complete with sets, costumes, make-up, and lighting that is taken into competition against plays from other schools. The team is given one hour to set-up, perform, and strike a full show. Time is usually divided into ten minutes to set, forty minutes to perform, and ten minutes to strike. This year the students will perform The Insanity of Mary Gerard directed by Dave Downing . The cast includes Charis Runnels, Nelson Paradez, Jeff St. John, Meg Maloney, Tricia Callahan, Patty Newman, Kris Lewis, and Dave Larson. The play is stage managed by Kris White. Group Interpretation allows only two minutes to set, thirty minutes to perform, and two minutes to strike. Group Interpretation is imique in that this

competition is more a reading of literature as opposed to acting. No real sets(just platforms), costumes, or make-up are used. This year's Group InlerpTctSLlion-Tongues by Sam Shepard is being solely directed by Senior Jenine Smith. The cast includes Andrew Kohl, Jan Waldron, Tricia Callahan, Phil Maniaci, Nelson Paradez, Mary Mormon, Charis Runnels, Matt Krausc, and Russ Horvath on percussion. Both competitions performed at the Hal Chastain Festival and competed in Regional Competition. Tongues placed third, while The Insanity of Mary Gerard pUced fourth. Both groups will now advance to Sectional Competition. Furthermore, Congratulations to Charis Runnels and Patty Newman for receiving awards for their acting, and to Tricia Callahan for interpretation.


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