Vol 24 issue 4

sourhwoRcis Vol. 24, No. 4

October 23,1987

Maine Township High School South

Maine South lights homecoming fires

Class Council, Student Council, the Administration, and all the student body have been getting ready for the Homecoming '87 weekend since the beginning of the school year. The highlights of the weekend include the carnival, f>ep rally, parade, football game, and the dance.

Tlie carnival will be held in the Field House tonight from 6 to 9 pm. There will be a variety of games and booths, including the dunk tank, the piein-lhe-face game, and the potato-sack race. Lots of food will also be sold by various organizations.

Cotton candy, pizza, hot dogs, Italian ice, and ice cream are all on the menu.

This year's opponent for the Homecoming football game is Maine East. The game will begin at 12 pm. To obtain the right mood for the big game.

Pep Council is sponsoring a pep rally Friday night immediately following the carnival. At the pep rally, the cheerleaders and the football players will try to boost the school spirit for the rest of the weekend. Following that, there will be the symbolic MS Bum. The parade will march down Belle Plaine and all through uptown on Saturday, leaving Maine South at 10 am from the back parking lot. Different clubs and organizations such as Hawkettes, Marching Band, Cheerleaders, the Administration, last year's Homecoming Queen, and this year's queen candidates will march in the parade. The Grand Marshall is Mr. Hopkins, the varsity football coach, who will hopefully lead his team and the parade to victory.

The dance, sponsored by the Senior Class Council, is named "Light My Fire," and the theme song is "Finer Things" by Steve Windwood. This year, a DJ will replace the usual rock band. The dance begins at 8 pm and ends at 11 pm. However, no one will be admitted after 9 pm, and tickets will not be sold at the door. The Senior Class Coimcil hopes that the much later date of Homecoming will generate more enthusiasm and better attendance at 5ie dance.

Homecoming is a single weekend filled with many exciting events. Much hard work and time have been put into this weekend. Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities. Homecoming '87 is a time to remember, a time to enjoy.

Queen Candidates Chosen Who will It be?

I This year's Homecoming Queen court includes (counter clockwise from upp)er left) Debbie Kiersch, Patricia Harris, Mary Gabriel, Melissa Muck, and Kelly O'Connor.

Debbie Kiersch

Debbie Kiersch, one of the seniors who was elected for the Homecoming Court, has been involved in many activities during her four years at Maine Soutli. Debbie was elected into the Brotherhood Society during her junior year on the basis of her leadership qualities, friendliness, and school spirit. In addition, she has been on the cheerleading squad for her first three years. She led the cheerleading squad as a captain during her junior year.

Currently, Debbie is a member of the Maine South Varsity Hawkette team. Also, Debbie has received The primary election, held on Friday, October an Art Award in her freshman year and was on 9, nominated ten seniors elegible for the Home- Honor Roll during her junior year. coming Court. They were: Mary Buckley, Shannon Fcnnely, Mary Gabriel, Tricia GUlick, Pat Harris, Debbie Kiersch, Tracy Meuret, Melissa Another Homecoming Queen court member is Muck, Kelly O'Coimor, and Christy Reda.

Patricia Harris who has been involved in all types of activities for all of her four years at Maine Soutli.

Five seniors from this group were elected for During her freshman year Patricia was active in llie Homecoming Court; one of them will go on to volleyball and intramural track. She was moved up become the Homecoming Queen of 1987. The to varsity volleyball her sophomore year and was Homecoming Queen will be announced during the named all conference. Varsity Club and Class half-time of the football game.

Council were two other areas Pat was involved in

Pat Harris

sophomore year. Junior year, Pat served as treasurer of the Junior Class, was active on Class Council, Operation Snowball, Spanish Club and Ski Club. Also during her junior year, she was named all conference and conference champion in volleyball. This year, Pat is Senior Class Vice-President and co-captain of the varsity volleyball team. Pat is currently a participant in the gym leader program.

Kelly O'Connor Kelly O' Connor has been an active participant in many school activities and organizations. She has been on the cheerleading squad for the past four years. This year, Kelly is the captain of Maine Souili's Cheerleading Squad. She has also been on the girls' track team during her freshman and junior year and in the Ski Club for two years. Notonly has Kelly been outstanding in athletic events, but she has also received recognition for her academic achievements. She has been on tlie Honor Roll for the past three years and was elected into National Honor Society in her junior year. In addition, Kelly has been in the Pep Club for two years, and she is also a member of the Spanish Club this year. continued on page 2

News

page 2

October 23,1987

Award winners named by depts The Student of the Month is being continued this year as an incentive for students to do well. The following students were chosen by their teachers for the month of September.

Art: Maribeth Sychangco, Edward Wiederer, Nicole Thomas Business: Kristi Sigg, Donna Maiz, David Harris, Paul Hannah, Allison Hammond, Jennifer Feiter, Barbara Emery Drivers Education: Lesley Tomko, Caroline Monroe English: Kingman Croon, Matthew Duda, Jane Helmick, Jason Hilkov itch, Stephen Conran, Paul Kubica, Dana Lockwood, Robert Martell, Andrew

P-ACT+ given Maine South students have the opportunity to take a new academic test, the P-ACT+. The test will be given on Saturday, October 31. The P-ACT+, which is sponsored by the American College Testing Program, can only be taken by sophomores.

The deadline to sign up for the test in the bookstore is today. A $7 fee will be charged for the two hour and forty-five minute long test.

The consensus of many administrators is that the multi-purpose test will help enrich the education of all students who take it. Mr. Kenneth Reese is full of praise for the P-ACT-(-. "I feel it is an ojjportunity to leam about yourself, discover brand new potential, and find out what your academic strengths and weaknesses are while there is still time to schedule for courses which can improve your score."

The four key areas that the P-ACT-I- is based upon are writing skills, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. Students taking the P-ACT+ are required to take an Interest Inventory which will allow them to examine career and educational possibilities. Another fringe benefit of the P-ACT+ is a Study Skills Assessment, which jjrovides an overallpicture of the student's knowledgeof effective study skills techniques and familiarizes the student with the various test procedures for the ACT test.

If there are any additional questions, please contact Mr. Reese, Mr. Misevich, or your counselor.

Southwards Soulhwords is the student-produced newspaper of Maine South High School, Park Ridge, IL. Letters to the editor should be delivered to room V-130 or given to a member of the editorial staff listed below. Southwards reserves the right to edit ail tetters containing obscene or libelous material.

Edltors-in-chief......Vleredith Brammeier Maura Scott News Editor Kavita Sabnani Commentary Editor Jay Pinto Features Editor Melissa Thomley Sports Editor Katie O'Connor Photo Editor Jody McCormIck Production Editor Janelle Slaughter

Marunek, James Saisakom, Jenine Smith, Kristin Stientjes, Jacqueline Urquhait, Diane Venice Foreign Language: Jacki Brieske, Janet Johnson, Betrand Love, Eden Morris, Kelly Schaefer, Jeffrey Stack, Christopher Walton Health: Dominic Loise Home Economics: Diane Poulos, Thomas Hamma, Jennifer Flanders, Linda Infante, Anastasia Kokalias Industrial Education: Scott Gusloff, Erik Pe> terson, David De Salvo Mathematics: Ronald Wietecha, Karen Weber, Hope Smithe, Kanae Mii, Kristin Jacobs, Anna Johnson, Caroline Guzaldo, Belen Castellanos,

NEWSBRIEFS UPCOMING COLLEGE EVENTS Oct. 24 Albion College Visitation Days Oct. 29 Indiana Slate University "On Campus Days" Oct. 30 Butler University "Campus Visitation Days" Oct. 31 Illinois State University Fall Open House University of Colorado "CU Sample" Western Illinois University "Campus Visitation Days" Nov. 1 Mundelin College "Open House" from 1-4 P.M

TEST DATES Oct. 31 Nov. 7

P-ACT-i-at 8 AM SAT and Ach

BRIEFS Oct. 30 Nov. 1 Nov. 4

First Quarter Ends Choir-Chamber Orchestra Concert!

Open House A-L from 7-9 PM

Corrections In our last issue, a quote attributed to Mr. Mark Bielak unfavorably compared Maine East's TV equipment to Maine South's. The information was inaccurate, reflecting the bias of the writer, and should not have been attributed to Mr. Bielak.

Southwards apologizes for the error.

Anthony Kamezis, Salvatore Marino Music: Dean Westman, Margit Johanson Physical Education: (Boys) William Kauke, Steve Bcrecz, Joseph Funk, Darryl Hamel, Brian Thunberg, Joe Sclafani (Girls) Alice Raidl, Deborah Paulov, Amanda Raddatz, Emilia Pasier, Christine Fontaine, Janet Myers, Mary Willits Science: Erik Zaimins, Christopher Stepp, Jeniece Wisniewski, Susan Wiatr, Karen Weber, Annette Siwiec, Cindy Rigali, Erik Peterson, Beth O'Connell, Katie Carlson Social Science: Jason Hilkovitch, Melanie Kaplan, Jayant Pinto, Patricia Tseng Speech/Drama: Matthew Sebo, Erik Peterson

Court cont'd, Mary Gabriel Mary Gabriel has participated in various activities. She has been a member of Student council, Brotherhood Society, and Ski Club for all four years. She was also on Pep Club, V-Show, and the First-Aid Team for a year. During her last two years, she has also been an active member in Operation Snowball. Mary has also been very active in the Athletic Program. She has been on the jv swimming and varsity diving teams for a year; she was on jv soccer for 3 years and in her junior year she was the captain for the team. Not only has Mary participated in sports, but she has also supported the Maine South teams as a cheerleader for three years, where she was the captain one year.

Currently, Mary is Class Council President and involved in the President's Club.

Melissa Muck Melissa Muck has been active during her four years at Maine South. She has participated in numerous sport-related activites. Melissa was on the tennis and volleyball teams for a year. Ski Club for two years, and varsity soccer for three years.

Also, she has been on Varsity Club for three years and was also a Varsity Club officer for one year.

Melissa has supported school spirit by participating in Pep Club during her first two years, and on Pep Council during her last two years. In addition, she was elected into the Brotherhood Society during her sophomore year and has been a member of this organization for three years. Melissa was also on Honor Roll during her junior year.

Honor Society officers announced With the election of the new officers, Maine South's Chapter of the National Honor Society has begun its tutoring program. The 109 members selected as juniors last year on the basis of character, leadership, service, and scholarship are available for tutoring this year. As a service organization, NHS offers free tutoring during the school day and after-school tutoring for S5 an hour. As tutor chairman Ed Kinsella states, "Anyone can request an NHS tutor. We tutor anything. Just tell your counselor and I'll be in touch." This year NHS has

many more members than in previous years. Thus, they can handle many more tutor jobs than in previous years. In addition, NHS is involved in the Homecoming Carnival and Parade this year.

The officers for the 1987-1988 school year are: President—Jay Pinto, Vice-President—Joanne Hwang, Secretary/Treasurer—George Karris, and Tutor Chairman—Ed Kinsella. There is also a new faculty sponsor, social science teacher Mrs. Nancy Canova, who is replacing Mr. Zibell.

Commentary

October 23,1987

page 3

Frank's list of unusual costumes

by Frank Bondarowicz Well I'll be dipped in buttermilk!

Halloween is right arotind the comer, and I'll bet you are racking your brain trying to find a costume idea that is original and guaranteed to turn some heads. There are endless possibilities of what you can be. The following is alist of unusual things to be this year.

1. a log 2. a woman 3. a Bissel rug shampooer 4. a frictionless puck 5. a chocolate-covered frog 6. an abbreviation 7. an accordion 8. a transvestite 9. a billboard 10. a pwtato picker 11. a sheepshearer 12. a plow 13. butterfat 14. a balloon 15. a pap)er napkin 16. a shower curtain 17. a piston engine 18. a 747 jumbo jet

19. a helicopter 20. the letter "Q" 21. an aircraft carrier 22. a martini 23. Alpha Centuri 24. bacteria 25. a consonant 26. a snow ski 27. a Guru 28. a rocket 29. a billiard ball 30. a matchbox 31. a lump of green putty 32. eyebrows 33. a frog (no chocolate) 34. a paper weight 35. a Scotsman 36. a slug 37. an amphitheater 38. a flesh-eating maggot 39. a hemorrhoid 40. an emu's brain 41. an atom smasher 42. a suffix 43. a fungus 44. a bird 45. a jellyfish 46. a spider

47. bugs in general 48. an apple 49. a bridge 50. Mount Kilamonjaro 51. an aquaduct 52. an art museum 53. a suppository 54. an atlas 55. a painting 56. a radio 57. a toothbrush 58. a barometer 59. a doorknob 6 0. a nightlight 61. a bar of soap 62. a banana split 63. a thermonuclear detonating device 64. a lightbulb (75 watts) 65. baked beans 66. a bathtub 67. a hair follicle 68. a river 69. a bingo chip 70. a cow chip 71.a beard 72. a 9 volt battery 73. a roach

74. a bamboo staff 75. a tricycle 76. a bikini 77. a bobsled 78. a Persian rug 79. a bird watcher 80. a carrot 81. a butterfly 82. a cabbage 83. a bulldozer 84. a cherry pie 85. a Christmas tree 86. shrubbery 87. a muskrat 88. a gumdrop 89. Lucky Charms 90. a tunle 91. an egg 92. the Liberty Bell 93. a cigar 94. Genghis Khan 95. a conveyor belt 96. a dart 97. a cucumber 98. a mole 99. a maniac 100. a fatal disease 101. your favorite color

A girl and her father: the relationship

by Samantha Ann Mcdten I know that it is nine months imtil Father's Day, but this one couldn't wait. I don't know why it didn't hit me sooner, but guys like my dad have to be extinct. For a long time, he semed really ordinary, a guy you could talk to every once in a while.

I'd see him occasionally at dinner and, if I happened to have trouble on homework (usually math), he might serve as a tutor. However, as I progressed, he had to review my books in order to refresh his memory of what he had learned years ago. Now, I know other people's dads, and at a casual glance they are all basically alike. I sometimes believe that it is particularly rare for a teenager to think of their dad as the friend that I do.

It used to bug me that my dad didn't compliment us that much and that he rarely said that he was proud of us. Moms always seem to be the encouragement factor in a family structure, or at least in mine. Now, for those of you who don't know him, my dad is a soft spoken, shy, quiet type.

He's not socially inactive, but imtil he gets to know people pretty well, he doesn't seem quite comfortable. I can't even begin to list everything that he's taught me through his silence. Dad never compliments us on a regular basis but through this, I think tliat my brother and sister and I have gained more self-confidence than regular compliments would have given us. Sure, a compliment would have been nice to hear more often, but at the same time, it has taught us to value not what others say or think about us, but what we think and feel about ourselves.

Dad is not big on discussions. We've never had a family meeting except at one time when he was in the process of planning a family vacation. He told us that he'd go wherever we wanted to go, within reason, of course. Unreal. This man who was using his hard-earned money was giving his snotty little kids the freedom to choose where they'd like to go regardless of the fact that they had this entire summer off compared to his mere two weeks.

Dad's not into frills. He's never really been into showy things. People sometimes mistake his shyness as cockiness or conceit. The only appropriate synonym for my dad is dignity. Not in the typical sense of dignity, though. How many p>eople do you know who can call their father "nerd" and get away with it? Good wrestling matches are not below him, and he sometimes loses a game of basketball to us (and NOT because he feels sorry for us).

Dad is sup|X)rtive. I know for a fact that he's seen me through fifty career choices and about one hundred different sports. Although my career goal has been stuck on free-lance writing for about the past two years, and although he can't read a poem without laughing, he blindly trusts my instincts.

Dad doesn't try to pretend that he understands everything to give this image of the God-like father. Every Sunday he goes to play football with a bunch of guys who are younger, bigger, and better at the game than he is. He was telling me that in the group he used to play in, he was one of the best guys. He found it boring and hated it. Dad appreciates a challenge and is often found laughing at his own mistakes. My favorite story is a recent one in

which, while playing one of his famous football games, he tripped on a "blade of grass" and walked like an out-of-shape cowboy for a week.

My dad is by no means perfect. He is often prone to telling stories that always seem to begin with, "now, in M Y day," and, like all parents,he can be a bit odd. We've had many a good laugh together, and have even set up our own tradition.

Every year, for the U of I at Champaign Dad's Day football game, Dad and I go together. We missed it this year, and for the first time in about five years, we didn't get to sit together and laugh at all of the su-uggling fathers on the field at halftime, trying to follow their sons and daughters in their routines.

Dad is a completely loyal fan, and I know that he would be really excited if I ended up at U of I next fall. He has allowed me to make my own decision and ever since freshman year he has eased up on the stories about the "good old days" at his Alma Mater.

Dad has humility. Sometimes I think that he has too much. He admits that there are things he doesn' t understand, like poetry, but he knows that although an idea can't be proven by a postulate or a mathematical theorem, it is there. Many times, he has not been able to understand a poem I have written, but he respects me for what I dojust as I respect him for doing what he does. We are opposites. His mind is mathematical. Mine is so abstract that sometimes I don't understand what my brain is telling my fingers to write. I am outgoing and Dad is more reserved. We are alike in one way, however. Although we don't understand one another completely, we can still love and respect one another.

Maine South's homecoming queens-a review of years gone by

by Melissa Thornley

The view from under the crown

Jeanne Paige, '68...

"When you're picked out of a large group of kids, you feel responsible, like you owe something back. It was important to be yourself and remain humble."

This was Jeanne Paige's philosophy on being a homecoming queen: to appreciate the honor and try to give something in return. Her ideals were high and her intentions good, almost altruistic. During her years at Maine South, Jeanne not only was the prom queen of her junior class, but also served as a helper in the attendence office and as a hall monitor. Actively involved in Student Council, Jeanne was elected to represent Maine South on a trip to Colorado and acted as Vice-IVesident during her senior year.

One of Jeanne's clearest memories of high school, however, was her rebellion against the school dress code. At that time girls were not allowed to wear "culottes" to school.

So, leading a revolt against school pohcy, Jeanne wore "culottes" to school and was subsequently sent to the dean's office, where she waited for the arrival of her mother, who brought a more suitable skirt for her to wear.

Now before you start jumping to any conclusions, let's first put ourselves in the correct frame of reference.

It's 1968, and the American troops are fighting in Vietnam. The United States is in a state of chaos trying to deal with the anti-war movement, flower children, and a heavy drug influence. Park Ridge, an extremely conservative suburb, is just beginning to feel the affects of the rebellious tide coming in.

Most importantly, Jearme's father had just passed away the year before.

This had a great affect upon Jeanne's reaction to her homecoming queen nomination.

"I kept thinking I didn' t deserve it, almost guilty. I was really hurting deeply inside. I didn'trealize it at the time, but I guess I really needed the attention."

Her friends were very sujjportive of her throughout homecoming, and there existed virtually no negativ<-

feelings of jealousy from her court.

They were genuinely happy for her and even sent her a telegram with the message: "Congratulations to a queen inside and out."

The encouragement from her friends helped pull Jeanne through some tough times and made her high school years a rewarding exp)erience, and up until a few years ago, Jeanne kept in touch with them. However, she says that now it's very difficult because all of her friends are at a very hectic point in their lives; their children are 9t that age when they spend most of their time driving them around to soccer practice and baseball games.

Currently living in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Jeanne loves how her life has turned out, and believes that the excellent education and basis for morals she received at Maine South helped her build a wonderful life for herself and her family. Firmly believing in a strong family unit, Jeanne enjoys every minute she spends caring for her husband and her three children: Michael, Amy, and P.J. As for the teenagers of today, Jeanne thinks that we, as people, are very similar to the teenagers of her class in 1968. We still yearn for acceptance and dread the thought of rejection from our peers. Now, however, exist more potential hazards for teens. With drugs, peer ja'essure, and the hard drive to succeed more jjrominent and commonplace, teenagers hve in a more stressful time and the need for communication is greater than ever before.

"I love teenagers. It's a time when the kids need to be communicated with. They've got a lot to say."

As Jeanne reminisced about the highs and lows of her high school years, a warm feeling of relief overcame me, for I had just lived through her adolescence seeing it through her eyes, the eyes of an adult looking back. Though I've known it all along, it took the specifics of Jeanne's memories for me to fully imderstand that twenty years ago, our parents' generation lived through the exact same problems we are facing today.

They survived. So can we.

...April Fischer

^

by Samantha Ann Molten "As far as grades were concerned, ^ ; " or a job, it didn't help me in that respect. I still got sent to the Dean and got bad grades."

So much for the theory that being 1964-Patsy Henderson^; homecoming queen is the highlight l96S--Marilyn Richardson of your life. The casual, laid-back ' 1967-Linda BattagUa 1966—Lynn Hagen attitude is typical of April Fischer1968-Jeanne Paige 1969-Patti Magnuson Paulik, homecoming queen of 1979, 1970—April Everding though.

April was quite different from the As I poured through old issues of other candidates for Homecoming individual interests, which are as diffew nominees involved in their orSouthwords on a quest for the 23 ^ Queen. That year, a good number of homecoming queens of Maine ferent as the girls themselves. Rang- ganizations. the candidates were cheerleaders and ing from Spanish Club to Ski Club, When you lay it on the line, the orSouth'spast, I noticed not only drasone of the candidates was gorgeous.

Orchesis to athletics,all of the various ganization that produces the most tic changes in hairstyles and fashion, April was the youngest daughter of a but some interesting trends in the clubs and organizations of Maine homecoming queens is the cheerfamily of seven children and by that South have been represented at one leaders.

(I know that I said I'd shatter history of our queens. time, she had two nieces and two time or another. Up until 1976, how- this myth, but I can't change the First of all, I'd like to shatter the nephews. April was dinstinctive. ever, an athletic homecoming queen facts.) myth that the typical blond, blueEverything that she did, said, and was virtually nonexistent, due to the eyed cheerleader always steals the wore was a statement of her originallackof girls' scholastic sports. To no A not-so-shocking aspect of the crown. (Though I must admit that ity and her seeming mission to make one's surprise, as giiij' sp)orts were 1971-Barb Stiffen homecoming queens is that of "fam- 1972-Debbie Woxberg over one third of all of our homecomlife as fun as it can pwssibly could be. integrated into the school system, ily dominance." As I fliped through ing queens have been varsity cheerHer lifestyle wasn't by any means athletic homecoming queens became the list of past nominees, several last leaders.) Maine South's queens have wild, but she went out with friends popular and commonplace. names appear frequently, even three possessed many different characterquite often and, whatever she did, had years in a row. This leads me to conistics and have been involved in dia great time at it. clude that when an older sister is verse types of school activities.

Being her niece, I can remember nominated, a seed planted in the As you examine the group of the parade, the excitement, the family heart of the younger one grows, forcqueens as a whole, however, trends photo session before the dance, the ing the younger sister to follow in the and similarities in them and their pictures that we saw the week later in courts become quite apparent. For Though there are many excep- footsteps of her sister. the newspqjers. example, all nominees have actively tions, a very small percentage of the After all is said and done, the "I really didn't expect it at all," participated in various school organi- nominees received honor roll recogschool population is what decides AprU told me and I remember our zations, the vast majority members of nition. (These are the facts, straight who will or will not be elected homesurprise when her name was called as Brotherhood Society, Pep Club, and off the records).

1973.-Sue Schroeder coming queen. The homecoming 1974-Polly Hubbell the new Queen. April played varsity Class Council.

Hawkettes, Orchestr a. Band, queens reflect the trends and philososports and she wasn't as popular as In addition to these almost stan- Choir, Thespians, and all of the other phies of the times: as the times some of the other candidates. It was a dard activities, existeachcandidate's performing arts g™Upshavealso had change, so do our queens "nice, nice honor" to her and, if she deserved the award before her crowning, she deserved it even more after.

"It really made me more conscious of what I was doing. I had to be really careful not to become conceited." April beheves that this is something that all Homecoming Queens must be concerned with be1975-Sue SoJarz 1976-Sue Leonard cause, like it or not, there are some petty jealousies that will evolve when 1979-April Fischer one girl is honored schoolwide in a contest such as this.

Although April is proud of this honor she received, it was not, by far, the most important thing that happened to her while at South. She was happy to have been crowned Queen, but, to her, it was just an extra. April didn't gloat about her honor, but neither did she belittle its importance.

More important than the actual 1977-JuUe Keller 1978—Kim Kuechenberg crown to her were the people who 1983-Tina Papandreou 1984-Chris Them voted for her, her friends, the ones 1986-Lisa Hamel 1985—Sharon Pankus

j^^

In search of 'The Right Stuff'

ft

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that mean more to her than a nametag at a class reunion. Although their graduation was seven years ago, they all still get together every other week or so and most of them live in or near Park Ridge.

Getting to know April doesn't consist of just a simple interview and the asking of a few simple questions.

Although her high school grades did not outline a brilliant scholar, her knowledge of relating to othcrpeople and getting along with other people is one of the most solid and reliable sources of information that I know.

If there is anything that April knows how to do, it is how to gel along with people. When she goes to a shopping mall, she sees at least five people whom she knows and will stand and talk with each one of them for at least five minutes. April has her moods, but rarely will she sit and complain to alot of jieople about little insignificant problems. This, she finds, is a very important lesson to leam about getting along with other people. "It's very important to be a good listener. Otlier people appreciate someone who will listen to their problems more than someone who sits and talks about their problems too much."

April can remember various parties and other social fimctions where she was confronted with rumors and jealousy. "Just be nice," she always says. "If you're just nice to people, then whateverthey say aboutyou will eventually be proven wrong and they will look bad. Not you."

After graduation, April got her professional Hcense from Ippolito's Beauty Academy and is now a beautician and hairdresser at On Stage in Niles. Last month, she married Mark Paulik, also a graduate of Maine South. It almost seems like a fairy tale. Varsity football player marries Homecoming Queen. But April prefers an outlook that is more down to earth. When asked to name the most important things in her life, she listed family first and friends second. She thinks that the reason she was honored with the crown was because she "stayed sweet" through high school and didn't change to suit the requirements of popularity. By being herself, she not only developed a nice reputation, but she kept pride in herself. Such a philosophy might not be expected of all past Homecoming: Queens.

page 6

Features

October 23, 1987

Hmm...a Homecoming king...nah!

by Jeff Bauer Now that's an idea. Maybe you were paying attention in homeroom a few weeks ago, and heard Student Council ask our opinion on the idea of nominating a homecoming king. At first I wasn't too sure about the idea. Then I thought, what the heck, it's different Before I was about to vote yes and support this idea, a girl behind me said jokingly that she would nominate me. My imagination set in. This thought suddenly became a little firightening. What if I actually did get nominated? I suddenly had this picture of myself lined up with five other guys on the football field at half-time of the game.

I was wearing my favorite blue shirt, and red tie, with about 600 people staring at me firom the stands. I was clutching my hands nervously, while smiling brightly, of course, trying not to worry. I aimed to my right and to my left and noticed my competition. They were all as broken up as I was.

The time dragged on while I felt like a huge spectacle. I started to doubt myself before the winner was armoimced if I really was a good

candidate. Some questions popped into my mind.

Do I reaUy have the qualities to receive such an honor? Do I have the looks to be proud of when my picture shows up in the newspapers and the yearbook? Will my friends mock me for the rest of high school and call me feminine names? What on earth possessed me to run in the first place?

There was no more time for worry. The principal started to call out the names of those nominated.

The wiimer was finally going to be announced. I lost. The guy to my left won. I didn't even like his suit. He looked shocked, happy and embarrassed all at the same time, as he was himself doubting the sweetness of his victory. I shook his hand, and at the same time felt a shiver of relief, for no longer was I subject to possible scrutiny.

The chosen one had, placed upon his head, a cheap symbol of honor. The only way to describe his head dress was that it is was cousin to one of those cardboard fold-out Burger King crowns.

Along with the dubious handshake from Maine South's highest figure, the principal, did the recipient accept free limosine service for the dance.

"All those in favor, raise your hand," our Student Council representative asked. I kept mine down. TTie vote was about 110 to 3 against the idea of a king. Possibly the majority of students might have daydreamed the same way I did that moming.

I'm not saying the proposed was a bad idea.

There really is no such thing as a bad idea, until people decide on it. I have alot of respect for people who bring fresh ideas to our school and try to make things happen. Although, in this case, I think we're tampering with ethics and school tradition.

The honor of special recognition, in my opinion, is best left for a single, special girl which could possibly make it the best day of her young life.

Although the naming of a homecoming king would have been very interesting and somewhat amusing, let's not break this tradition or make the honor less than before.

Talking about tradition—I might have spoken too soon. We've all heard about the Miss America Contest, well, guess what sex is trying to start one of their own contests now!

Homecoming...more than just a dance

by Keith PLscitello What is Homecoming? Where did it originate?

Why do we celebrate it? Who cares? The answers I have are : a) I don't know, b) Somewhere, c) Because, because, because, because... because... because of the wonderful things it does, d) Good question. The real question is what does Homecoming mean to you? one senior guy- Nothing, absolutely worthless.

I'd rather bum the money rather than spend it on carnivals and dances. a varsity football player- Game Day. It's our chance to prove ourselves to the school and the community.

a varsity girls swim team member- Deathwe're going to practice extra hard. a marching band member- Fun, food, and good times with my fellow friends. a rowdie- Confetti, garbage, screaming, and lots of toilet paper., lots of fun. Also going to the dance with a gorgeous chick. a freshman guy- Go away! a MS alumnus- A chance for me to come back to my alma mater and visit with my friends and past teachers. Also to enjoy an exciting football game. a Math Teacher- Freedom. For 14 years I built floats and did activities. Now I get to choose what I want to do. a flag corps member- The excitement of the

unknown, the thrill of victory and the savoring of a night with special people. a sophomore- Not that much- we don't really care. That's my opinion. another freshman- Anything to be with my girlfriend. a Southwords editor- Urn. Ha-ha. I think it's great. I think everyone should go. All 2000 people.

To sum all this garbage up. Homecoming means a lot of different things to different people, and if you want to know what it means for you so you can answer some stupid reporter's question this time next year, I 'd suggest you go out and just enjoy it, whatever it is.

Drinking: are you able to iiandle it?

by J. M. Pinto To drink or not ot drink, that is the question. Sophistication is one of the marks of maturity. And what is more sophisticated than sipjping some type of alcoholic beverage while looking a good-looking member of the opposite sex's eyes. You've seen the commercials, the movies (shaken, not stirred sounds devastatingly debonair), the television shows. Adults who drink are cool. They are mature. Tliey are urbane. They have fun. This is what we want to be. All of us want to be adults. So we drink.

The reasons why we drink are lousy. We drink to forget. We drink to be in. We drink because we think it makes us look mature. We drink to get drunk. We drinkjust because. We drinkjust to defy someone—our parents, authority (by the way, the consumption and possesion of alcohol by minors is ILLEGAL), whomever. We drink because everybody else does. None of these reasons are valid.

To be an adult we must drink hke adults, not like crazed junkies out for a alcoholic fix every weekend. If you must drink (and you don't have to) drink

modestly. Drink slowly. Drink at social occasions; don't make drinking the social occasion. You can be cool when you drink, but is how you drink that makes you cool, not simply the fact that you do. It should be done calmly, maturely, and above all casually—sort of "Oh, and by the way I tasted a great '84 French Chardonnay which was rich in varietal character, well rounded, and had a full lingering fmish," not "Hey, everyone, look at me, I just drank four kegs of Cheapo-Brewski. Burp!"

Drink to be merry, but don't let the alcohol be the source of your merriment. Drink because you really want to, not because Bjom says it feels good or Coco says it's cool. Don't drink to drink, drink to socialize, to enjoy the party, to imitate adulthood.

If you can't think of a good reason to drink, you don't have to, so don't!

The mark of a mature person is not how many pints of Vodka he can drink before passing out (which is just a stone's throw away form death) or what kind of grade he can score while hungover. It is the ability to act responsibly and maturely.

Whether it is drinking alcohol, dri v ing (enough has

been said about mixing alcohol and driving) an automobile, voting in an election, choosing his own classes, or just balancing his bankbook, responsibilty is the tfue mark of the mature person— the person we all aspire to be.

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I must admit, I am a freshman and proud of it.

High school is a welcome relief after eight years in grammar school and junior high. I enjoy the freedom of this school and the extra responsibility is no problem. Adjusting to high school. Ha! It took hardly any adjusting at all except to find out where your classes are and figuring out a way to fit your books in those minuscule lockers. A special thimks to upper classmen on not being too hard on us so far. It is appreciated. Basically I am just very happy to be going to a high school as great as Maine South.

Mike Robinson

October 23,1987

Sports/Commentary

page 7

Hurray for golf-give it a chance!

by Katie O'Connor Excitement. That's a good way to describe the sport of golf. There I was at the Park Ridge Country Club, watching the golf team. According to the players, I was the first person ever to come out and see the Hawks play golf. However, I don'tknow for certain if that statement is accurate, but I did notice that I was the only spectator present, and for that matter, the only girl. (There seems to be this stigma attached to girls who go out to see guys' sports teams.) Naturally, I felt slightly uncomfortable, standing there alone, being glared at. Why are you here? Whose girlfriend are you? Who do you like? seemed to be the questions most of the golfers asked with puzzled faces.

Of course, the reason why I came in the first place was because I couldn't get anyone to cover the golf story; therefore, I had to do it myself. In case you haven't noticed, golf has not been mentioned yet in the first three issues of this newspaper.

The season is over and I think it might be nice if we gave the golfers some recognition now after the clubs have been put away.

Monday, September 28 was a clear, sunny, breezy, autumn day. (Decent weather for golf, I'm told.) By the way, it's golf "match", not golf game, meet, event, happening, outing, etc. I was corrected the first time I made this horrendous error—you can't mix up this terminology when speaking to golfers. Anyway, I followed the number one varsity group in order to observe the elite golfers compete. Each of the teams were splitup according to their ability and each group had to begin their game at a different hole. After the first tee off.

Coach Ron Ross of the Maine South Hawks po-

litely reminded me that IHSA rules stated that all Sf)ectators were required to remain at least 75ft. behind and to not speak a word to the golfers. How was I supposed to know that? I guess the sports association has some kind of paranoia that innocent, ignorant p)eople of golf (like me) would ciue the players in on what strategy to take when preparing their shots. I only intended to be a silent follower in the first place and, of course, I realized any disruptions or interruptions of any kind might ruin the deep concentration involved in the match. I'm serious. Now I can imderstand why most coaches consider golf a non-spectator sport. No wonder my friends don't get overly enthused about watching golf.

But, imagine this. . .what would a football game be like without the announcers, the cheerleaders and rowdies, the band, the photographer, the fans, the support—those elements that make the football game? I honestly do not agree that the game would be the same without a spirited crowd encouraging the players every moment of the game.

Tliere is a certain amount of suspense obtained at a golf match. TTiink about it. Pretend there are masses of fans rojjed off on the side of the ninth green. The pep band is stationed nearby playing "Hail to the Hawks" and the cheerleaders are leading the home crowd in cheer. Well, I admit, that's just not going to happen; however, this could possibly bring more popularity and exuberance for golf.

Youwouldbe surprised that the golfers hav e the same kind of emotional reaction other sports players have at the crucial points of a match . They

Swimmers prepare for season With the boys' swim season just around the comer, pre-season practice started on Monday, October 5, with a large turnout at the first optional workout. After the departure of last year's head coach, Paul Kluge, the team was in need of a replacement. Not only did the team lose Mr. Kluge, it also lost three of its leading senior swimmers, Eric Johanson, Steve Shewfelt, and Dave Alberts.

Mr. Chris Deger, the former assistant coach at Loyola High School, is the new head coach, and he will be assisted by Ms. Cheryl Bunt, a new teacher in the Science Department. As the new coach, Mr. Deger is "looking forward with great enthusiasm toward the upcoming season,"

The swim team's goal this year is to "give the conference a run for its money," and this will be accomplished by returning swimmers Brian Gillespie, Bill Maloney, Mike Nelson, Craig Mink, Jay Pinto, Matt Sherman, Frank Bondarowicz, Andy Hill, Pete DelRe, Mark Hermes, Larry Herring, John Overby, Robert Han, Nick Milano, and Jason Royal. Coach Deger also has high hopes for the freshman team.

Although the season has not started yet, any interested swimmer should report to the pool in the morning while pre-season practice is in progress from 6:00 to 7:30 A.M., or contact Mr. Deger for additional information.

Girls' cross country looks to successful finish As the end of October nears, the girls' cross country team has high goals set both individually and as a team.

After ruiming successfully in a highly competitive race against many of the top-ranked teams in the state, the team started confidently into the CenU-al Suburban South conference meet at Maine South. The Hawks ar^ looking to win both ti ^ meet and the conference.

Pack running has always been an important team goal set by Coach Gabauer. The team hopes to use this su-ategy to win the regional meet this Saturday and to eventually qualify for the state

meet on November Senior Michelle 7Donato leads the Varsity runners followed closely by Krista Heitzman. In a tight pack right behind them are Laurie Anderson, Rachel Kelieher, and Karen Walker. Margo Metzinger and Kelly Good are also two key members to the team's success.

Come cheer on the cross country team as they compete in the stale regional meet Saturday, October 24 at Maine East and hopefully advance to the state sectionals and state finals the following two weeks. The team can certainly use your support in continuing their winning traditions.

sometimes curse and throw their clubs just as a football player might throw his helmet to the ground. (Don't laugh—I was surprised at seme of these reactions too). There are critical moments where the positioning of the feet, the stance, and the courteous quiet accompanying each shot are significant to the outcome of the entire match.

So let's just give the Hawks golf team some credit and a little more recognition—they deserve it.

By the way, the varsity team consists of seniors, Steve Berecz, Joe DiFranco, Doug McCann, Mark Gasche, Jake Crampton, Dave Wojdyla, and Joe Sclafani; juniors, Brian Meyer and Ken Carlson. Tlie freshman-sophomore team includes sophomores, Tom Currey, Joe Curcio, Neil McCarthy, Mark Hermes, and Sam Marino; freshmen, Sean Sivore, John Brown, and Jeff Thompson.

The golf team finished the season with a respectable record of 10-8, an improvement from last year's record. The entire team advanced to sectionals, but did not qualify for state. Junior BrianMeyer was the only member to, indidividually, qualify for sectionals with a score of 74, but, unfortunately, he did not advance to state.

Tennis soars^ falls

by Juliene Bntz In like a lion and out like a lamb describes this year's girl's termis season. It was full of changes for the better and for the worse. Meets were won and lost as the team became acquainted with their new coach Mr. Leslie Kent. At the beginning there were high expectations for a wiiming season, but now after finishing the season, they realize thatnot all of their goals have been met.

The girls' teimis team's record in dual meets was 3-7; however, the Hawks finished with a record of 0-5 in conference. The varsity and junior varsity teams both lost to Glenbrook South with a score of 6-1. At New Trier the Varsity squad lost to one of their toughest competitors 6-1, the junior varsity squad 7-0. In one of the closest matches the Varsity squad lost 3-4 to Maine East while jimior varsity won with a score of 6-1. The season ended with a victory over Elmwood Park with the Varsity score, 6-1, and the junior varsity score, 7-0.

At the Sacred Heart Invitational the junior varsity team finished first of four teams by five points. The victorious team consisted of Karen Komosa, Jearme Tully, Chris Johnson, Lara Assaf, Nicole Chappie, Sarah Keams, Julie Yadgar, Alicia Stasica, Juliene Britz, Juliaime Sykes, Virginia Hesse, and Kathryn Metzinger.

At the Barrington Invitational the varsity team finished seventh out of eight teams despite a drastic change in the line-up. One of the best performances was turned in by the doubles team of Kelly Gill and Linda Swalla which placed fifth.

The Hawks' team had disappointing conference meets on both levels. The entire junior varsity team except for Karen Komosa, Lara Assaf, and Jill Lcmke, were eliminated in the first round. The varsity team also lost early in close matches.

Maine South's hojjes for sectionals center around Katie Clark for singles and Sherri Specht and Jane Tully for doubles.

pages

Sports

October 23,1987

Soccer falters, but looks ahead to state

by Ro Wietecha Finishing first in the conference after a celebrated victory over New Trier, 1 -0, the Hawks went into the second half of the season son.ewhat cocky.

Maine South retained its undefeated title in the game of the second half of the season, with a win over Oak Park, 2-1. This game was akey part of the seedings for the state tournament, so the pressure was on the Hawks to win. South tallied first on a goal by Mike Nugent off a pass from Cory Lentz in the second quarter of play. Nugent again found the back of the net when Jun Choi passed to Nugent, who blasted the ball past the Oak Park goalkeeper.

The win gave the Hawks the number one seed for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the sophomore level squad could not uphold the Hawk domination, losing 3-0.

The Hawks really started to look bad against Glenbrook South when they tied 1-1. Both goals were scored on penalty shots, Maine South's put in

by Marc Semel. The Hawks still maintained the conference lead after the tie, but their grip was slipping and morale wasn't what it should have been.

Other levels were more successful, with the sophomores winning 8-0, J V winning 4-0, and the freshmen tying 1-1.

Still sliding downhill, Maine South choked against Glenbrook North, losing 2-1. TTie lone Hawk goal was put in by Mike Tworek, where he burned both the defenseman and the goalkeeper.

However, both Glenbrook goals were results of key Hawk mistakes. One goal was scored because a Hawk defender failed to clear the ball right away, and an opponent dribbled the ball into the back of

Swimmers, divers performing at best

Shawn Counney; freshmen Jennifer Bunzol, Amy Garcia, Melissa Kinder, Jamie Scafa, Jackie Urquhart and Kim Wiederer.

The divers also jjerformed to the best of their abilities. Seniors Suzanne Frazier and Mary Buckley placed second and fourth respectively in the diving competition. At the junior varsity level freshman Stephanie Stasica took third place.

On Friday, October 9, the Maine South varsity and junior varsity swim teams lost their meet against a powerful New Trier team. Despite the loss, the varsity team tumed out many fine performances. In the 100yd. backstroke, senior Margit Johanson touched at a time of 1:06.54, her best time this season. Sophomore Leslie Shewfelt swam the 200yd. individual medley in a time of 2:41.34. In addition, Mary Hannah swam weU in the 100yd. breaststroke, achieving a personal best of 1:20.88.

The junior varsity took their first loss of the season against New Trier, but almost all of the swimmers improved their times. Coach Phyllis GoU was happy with their performances. The junior varsity squad includes juniors Diane Bishop, Jennifer Oschger, Julie Fragale; sophomores Jody Matousek, Sabrino Sitko, Michelle Davies, and

Sports Sport

higiiiigfits Fri. Oct. 23

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Sat. Oct. 24 REGIONALS Maine East 10:00 Maine B^st V/S 12:00

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REGIONALS

Evanston V/JV 5:00 STATE

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New Trier V"Diving Inv, TBA

TOURNAMENT

Maine West V/JV/FR 4:30 r p

Dctrfield Frosh Tourn.

9:00 Evanston JV Tourn.

9:00

On Friday, October 23 the Hawks will go up against the Wildkits of Evanston. They plan to finish the season with a winning record. *• • • » _• \/-t)Qll f l O i l t i n Q l i a r d ^ ^ The Hawk varsity volleyball team lost 11-15 and 8-11 on Tuesday, October 6 to a tough Evanston team currently ranked twelfth in the state.

After a close first game the Hawks got off to a slow start. They trailed 2-10 but then rallied behind 5 straight serves by Janet Johnson. The Hawks fought hard but in the end it was not quite enough to defeat the Wildkits.

On Thursday, October 8 the Hawks battled the Maine East Demons before the home crowd. Despite the consistant performances of Diane Wolf, Denise Dohr, Kim Komacki and Julie Pfaff, and excellent serving by Pat Harris, the Hawks could not pull it off. They lost 9-15, 15-5, and 13-15.

The Hawks participated in the Glenbrook North Discovery Tournament on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10. The Hawks lost 9-15 and515 to a strong Lyons Township team ranked sixteenth in the state. They also lost 3-15, 8-15 to Evanston, but came back to clinch the victory against Barrington 15-3,15-12. Saturday morning Maine South fought hard but lost 9-15 and 6-15 to Leyden and 3-15, 7-15 to Wisconsin Lutheran.

Coach George Sherman was disappointed by the tournament play: "We didn't play as well as I think we are capable of."

Maine South fought hard against Glenbrook North on Tuesday, October 13. TTie Hawks lost the first game 13-15 and in the second came back from a 0-9 deficit to win 15-11 with help from four straight points by Diane Wolf. In the third game the varsity team lost 12-15. However, Coach Sherman felt, "It was a fairly evenly matched game. We played well coming back from 0-9 and 2-10."

the net. The second goal was off a comer kick where Maine South failed to pick up ;m open man, who headed the ball into the goal. The sad part was that South had around 20 shots in the game, Glenbrook 4, and the Hawks lost 2-1.

No w out of first place in the conference but still with a flicker of hope left if they won the rest of their games, the Hawks took themselves out of the running for first by losing to Evanston, 3-0. The game demonsu-ated how South had lost its offense punch and got its signal crossed on defense. Again, the Hawks dominatied much of the game, with many scoring opportunities, but they couldn't convert.

The Maine South soccer team opens its postseason on Oct. 24 at 9:30 am, here at home, the beginning of the race for the state title.

Boy do they run As the season begins to wind down, Maine South's varsity cross coimtry team would much rather look to the future than remember the past.

With many runners still under peak performance due to lingering injuries, and the unfortunate loss of their top runner for the remainder of the season, the varsity team looks to just work on improving their limes for the rest of the season.

The Maine South Invitational, held last October 3 at Schiller Park, is a very respected and important meet for many teams. Being the host team, Maine South hoped to make a strong showing, but were hampered predictably by the bad shape of the runners. Though the team as a whole placed a dismal tenth, many good individual performances were achieved by Todd Lilleberg, Ken Alt, Scott Dummler, and Tom Gonzalez. On the oUier hand, a very promising freshman team finished second, beat only by Maine West.

At the dual meet at Maine East, the varsity team was counting on giving the Maine East team a run for their money. Outstanding performances were tumed out by Tom Gonzalez, Lance Caldwell and Todd Lilleberg, who blew away an intense rival, Jim Nelson, another top rurmer at Maine East. The varsity team did lose expectedly to East. The freshmen team delivered a pulverizing defeat to the opposing teams with an expectedly awesome finish by Dave Pluska, Pete Gayford and Bill Barker, finishing first, second, and third respectively.

Surprisingly, at the last regular season race at Addison Trails, the varsity team was able to pull off an eighth place finish due to a couple of no-shows.

Though the unimpressive finish gave them only a little more confidence, it did serve as a platform for further individual accomplishmenLs. Not only did Ken Alt perform so well that he even challenged Todd, but astounding times were also tumed out by Scott Dumler, Tom Gonzalez, and Steve DeCherrie. The freshman team did not run at Addison.

Looking toward the conference meet at Maine South, Coach Bill Drerman commented: 'Though our outlook has basically been determined by the bad luck during the season, they'll just try lo achieve their personal bests as they prepare for regionals the week after."