Vol 24 issue 7

Inside—

souihwoRcls Vol. 24, No. 7

Maine Township High School South

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The latchkey dilemma

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December 4,1987

Two Four the Show now showing As many of you are wondering what you are getting for Christmas this year, the drama department is bustling about with the excitement of VShow in the air. After months of brainstorming, piracticing, lost voices, practicing , planning, and more practicing, the show has finally become a reality.

Everything from singing to dancing to comedy is what makes V-Show what it is. Dressing up in sometimes crazy costumes, doing mostly crazy and mostly talented things you will find Freshman to Seniors, Bandies to Hawkettes, and Drama freaks to Jocks paying in sweat but most af all laughter to make the show work.

The V-Show staff was already getting things organized for this, Maine South's 24th V-Show, in January. Of course, they were working on last year's V-Show until December so they do not get a moment's rest.

This year, the staff has even more to do. Because Mr. Martello, the director of V-Show went in the hospital at the beginning of "V-Show season," things got off to a rough start. Tryouts were tajjed for Mr. Martello to see later, when the staff went out to his house in Marengo for the weekly meetings. As a result, the show got rolling about two weeks late, but the extra effort on everyone's part pulled it through.

To give you an idea just how much fim V-Show is, I will take you through everything that would happen to you, from try-outs to the final show, if you were indeed a V-show-ite. Just think VShow...you are now entering the V-Show zone....

You and some friends are sitting around one Saturday afternoon wondering what to do for a VShow act this year. Brainstorming begins. Literally hundreds of ideas come and go, finally the "perfect" one coming to you. Planning it out, you all agree to meet every Saturday and practice for three hours, although about two hours and forty-five minutes of each of these turn into weekly gossip sessions.

Try-outs come, and V-Show staff seem to enjoy it. Tryouts are probably the most stressful part of V-Show.

After try-outs, that all-important day comes— the list of which acts made it. Many acts that worked hard to be ready for tryouts may leam that it didn't pay off. But that's part of what makes Maine South's V-Show what it is. The best of the best.

OK, great. Your act made it. Now what? More practice. What the all-knowing V-Show staff didn't like about your tryouts, they change.

That God-like figure you see, Mr. Martello, or as he is fondly known throught the department, 'M', has the final say on everything. It may be the day before opening night, but if your act stinks, you

won't be in the show.

Your act is perfected. The week before V-Show has arrived. You made it through all-day rehearsal and everything is ready to go, right? Wrong! The week of Monday, November 30, you will be at school from 8:00 AM to approximately 10:00 PM. This fun-filled time is known as V-Show week, or "Hell Week" as it is so blimtly put by sophomore director Chans Runnels. This is when you find out who your real friends are.

Finally, after going through the show what feels like 18 billion times, it is opening night. Thursday, December 3. If you walk through the halls during this momentous event, you will see pwople hugging, crying, laughing, and, of course, practicing.

All 400 or so cast, crew, and staff members gather in a circle, put their hands on top of one another's and yell, "One, two, three, BREAK!" Then the hugging and wishes of "Break a leg" (performers are very superstitious—saying "good luck" may cast a spell for which the only antidote is standing on yoiu: head and singing "Give My Regards to Broadway"), which is sometimes shortened to

continued on page 3

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Brad Richter "takes five" during a recent rehearsal with the V-Show Stage Band.

Commendation winners announced

1987 letter of Commendation winners include (front row, top to bottom) Edward Kinsella, Nicole Beredimas, Jenny Skomasa, Katie O'Connor, Jenine Smith, Kelly Schaefer, Samantha Malten, Patricia Tseng, Kavita Sabnani. Back row, top to bottom—Marc Sernel, Jay Pinto, Anna Choi,Mary Buckley, Jake Crampton, Joanne Hwang, Maura Scott. Dr. Thomas Cachur, Principal, meets to offer congratulations in the Maine South library.

News

page 2

December 4,1987

Student food drive successful

Band/orchestra members look on as Student Council member Colette Pusczan collects their donations to the annual all-school student food drive. The approximately 100 students in the band/ orchestra homeroom complex contributed 632 cans to the cause, the most cans donated by any one homeroom complex.

The Student 1987 Food Drive sponsored by Student Council was held November 16-20. All cans collected were distributed to Little Sisters of the Poor and Marillac House.

Although we did not reach the 4,000 mark obtained by last year's Student Council sponsored food drive, a total of 3,375 cans were collected.

The past few years food drives have actually been quite successfiil in the support they received from the student body. The homeroom complexes compete against each other to see who could collect the most cans. This year, the Band/Orchestra homeroom complex won a free breakfast with a total of 632 cans collected. Mr. McCarm,s homeroom came up with a total of 554 cans, giving them the title of second place. Mrs. Simons' homeroon brought in a total of 466 cans; Ms. Feurer's, 400 cans; Mrs. Smith's, 402; Mr. Cheffer's, 440 cans; Mr. Bonadorma's, 390 cans; and Southwords, 92 cans.

Mr. Feichter, one of the spwnsors of Student Council, remarked, "I was pleased to see so many Maine South students showing so much generosity by participating in the food drive. I know it will make many poor poeple's holidays more enjoyable."

Junior Colleen Durack, director of the food drive, put a lot of hard work and time to "make posters, charts, coimt cans every day, split cans in half." Nevertheless, the food drive was a success.

"Thanks to everyone for all the cans that were brought in, we really appreciate it,"

MS offers students variety of activities Christmas program held The traditional Christmas Program held on December 13 will feature performances by Concert Orchestra, Concert Choir, Girls' Glee, Girls' Chorus, and Brass Choir Ensemble. About 200 Maine South students are involved in this festive program. There will be two concerts on that day; one at 2 PM, the other at 4:30 PM. The program will include selections from the "Messiah" and the "Nutcracker Suite." At the end, the audience joins along with the traditional Christmas carols, led by the performers. Also, a bake sale wUl be sponsored by the Music Boosters in the lobby of the auditorium before and after the scheduled performances.

Much of the success of the pffogram is due to Mr. Bell, Mr. Flechsig, and Mr. McLean, the music directors.

Treasurer-Kristen Kimura, and Publicity-Kalhy Metzinger.

Presidents speak on radio Members of the President's Club were aired on Radio Station WBEZ on Saturday, November 14 and November 21. Students were led by talk-show host Eileen Mclntyre to discuss current "Youth Issues" dealing with dating and careers. Maine South was contacted by the radio station, which has aired many shows about current teenage issues with other high schools as well, and the program was pre-recorded on November 5. Mr. McCann, sponsor of Presidents' Club, remarked that the radio show was "a good exposure for our school to enable our students to talk about 'Youth Issues.'

The program gave a positive viewjwint and honest concerns of the teenagers in this society."

Ski Club begins season

Student art work displayed

The Maine South Ski Club is now under way and will be planning various trips during the season. On December 11 they will go to Alpine Valley; December 19, Devil's Head; January 16, Cascade Mountains; January 22-25, Powerhom; February 6, Devil's Head; February 19, Alpine Valley; February 27, Cascade Mountains; and Spring Break, Winter Park, Colorado. Beginners are encouraged esjjecially to come to the Alpine Valley nip; a free lesson to the begiimers will be given. The officers leading this club are: PresidentTodd Borck, Vice-President-Steve Muscarello,

Art Club went on an "Artstrek" Field Trip on Friday, November 20 to Northern Illinois University to visit the gallery of high school art work.

Many Maine South students had their own art work displayed in the gallery. The art students whose work was displayed included Laura Brahos, Anna Choi, Steve Lalik, Mark Lundell, Stephanie Murman, Dave Neswold, Mira Park, Fran Signorino, and Karen Strack. The students were also enabled to attend lectures and demonstrations involving art.

Olympian speaks on fitness Frank Shorter, Olympic Distance Ruimer

Champion, came to speak to Maine South jimiors on Wednesday, November 25 during homeroom and first jseriod about the general health and fimess in an adolescent's life. Mr. Shorter is well known for his world-wide success. He won a gold medal in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, and in 1976 he received the silver medal at Montreal. The purpose of the program is to inform students of how to stay healthy and fit, "which can alleviate pressures— both mentally and physically," states Dr. Ken Reczkiewicz. Dr. Reczkiewicz also emphasized the importance that being physically fit has on an adolescent's life; it goes beyond just looking good.

Southwards Southwards is the student-produced newspa> per 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. Southwords reserves the right to edit all letters containing obscene or libelous material.

"Editors-in-chief.....Meredith Brammeier Maura Scott News Editor Kavita Sabnani Commentary Editor Jay Pinto Features Editor Melissa Thomley SporU Editor......

Katie O'Connor Photo Editor Jody McCormlck Production Editor ..Janelie Slaughter

December 4,1987

Features

page 3

The next generation: just a repeat

by Tanja Pajevic "Drinking more coffee?" she asked as I sat staring vacantly out of the kitchen window.

Clink. Clink. The spoon hit against the sides of the mug making the same annoying sound that I had woken up to my entire life.

How I hated that sound. Somehow, it always crept into my dreams and lured me down into the smoke-filled kitchen where my eyes would take in the ritualistic scene that confronted me every day.

There sat my mother drinking her two cups of

coffee, smoking her Merit lOO's, and relaxing-as she called it-staring out of the window, as I called it.

I don't know why, but everything about that particular scene always managed to annoy me. The clinking of the spoon drove me crazy. TTie smoke made me cough. And I couldn't understand why anyone would want to sit and relax when they could be sleeping an extra fifteen minutes.

Maybe that's why I was so shocked to discover myself in the same situation one morning. There I

Two Four the Show cont'd

As you are standing in the wings, waiting for your time to go on, you may experience stage fiight. Common symptoms are wobbly knees, chattering teeth, shaky hands, dizziness, dry mouth, loss of voice, and forgotten lines. When you finally get out there, the symprtoms disappear (you hope.)

This is it The final show is over, you have simg the annual show-ending song, "Gonna Build a Moimtain," for the last time and you get to start going home and even sometimes sleeping now.

Several students commented on what V-Show means to them; Kathiyn Meizinger CSQ—Writing Staff Head) "It's a time when everyone gets their seemingly strange ideas together and they form a show, friendships, and a feeling of well-being."

Martha Muhlena ('89—Junior Director) "It's a good time to get up on stage with your friends and enjoy yourself."

Meredith Brammeier ("88—Trunk) "V-Show is performing in front of 800 people and loving eveiy single minute of it."

Mr. Gorgon McLean (Staff and Stage Band Director)"A lot of work and the end results are fun."

Kris Lewis ('89—Trunk) "It's stopjping from everyday life to discover previously unrevealed talents you have."

Pete DelRe ('89—^Trunk) "Fun and excitement for the wife and kids."

Jenine Smith ('88—Senior Director) "Headaches, backaches, stomachaches, throataches, late nights, and that's about it. Or should I say something positive? No, realy, it's fun!"

CaroUne Monroe ('89—Cast) "V-Show is a lot of work, but lots of fim and lasting high school memories."

There you have it. The life of a V-Show-ite.

Lots of work, but lots of fun. It's not loo late to join the fun this year. The audience is the most important part of any show. And as for next year, information about 'V-Show is given out at book sales. If being on stage isn't your thing, then try stage crew, make-up crew, or writing staff. You'll be glad you got involved!

Leader named Sophomore James "Chip" Dunn was nominated to be this year's Maine South representative to the annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program. The program was founded in 1958 by actor Hugh O'Brian for the intent of helping outstanding high school students to develop and recognize their leadership potential.

Chip was selected on the basis of his on-going involvement in organizations and the essays written by each of the contestants. The essays measured leadership abilities, cooperation with others, willingness to help, and the desire to learn and share that knowledge with his fellow students.

Chip is currently involved in various activities including football. Student Council, Class Council, and Spanish Club. He is also the president of his sophomore class. Chip is eagerly "looking forward" to the conference next spring.

At the three day, state-wide seminar Chip will be attending numerous speeches and question and answer sessions. Many of these sessions will be led by professionals of various vocations such as the mayors, doctors, professors, or businessmen.

Chip will then obtain a chance to move on from James "Chip" Dunn was chosen to attend the the Illinois seminar to the week long International annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership ProLeadership Program. gram.

was waiting for my mom to drive me to school, sipping my coffee, and looking out the window before I realized that the clinking sound I was making with my spwon was the one I so detested.

The scary part was that I remembered promising I would never reenact this particular scene. O.K., so I wasn't smoking, but the bottom line was that I was, like it or not, acting like my mother, exactly like I said I never would be.

I have to admiti wasn'tparticularly fond of this revelation, but I came to reaUze that I wasn't the first person to follow in my parent's footsteps, and I wouldn't be the last.

When I was younger, I remember my best friend's mom telling me of a similar story. She also had vowed not to be like her mother—in particular, she was going to be much more lenient with her children. As the years passed, however, she realized that she was raising her kids exactly as she had been raised.

Ha, I thought, I'd never be that way. Little did I know, it was starting already.

As I thought more about it, I admitted that maybe it wasn't so bad, maybe I was picking up the good traits along with the bad ones. I started looking around and began to see friends who had adopted certain mannerisms or attitudes from their parents. I saw Tina, who was saccharinly sweet to p>eople she didn't like, a habit she despised in her mother. Or Joe, who was always comparing grades, all the while hating the competitiveness of his father. On the other hand was Chris, outgoing and friendly to new acquaintances, a trait she had always admired in her mother.

The movies have realized the situation too. The continued on page 7

Graffiti names winners Graffiti, the creative writing magazine for Maine South High School, has pubhshed its fall '87 issue. Over 100 students submitted pieces of writing for consideration. 248 poems and short stories were received during the fall quarter.

Additionally, for the first time. Graffiti sponsored a writing contest open to all students at Maine South. "Changes", the contest topic, drew over 70 entries in the poetry category and over 40 entries in the short story category.

Jane Hehnick, a senior, was the winning poet for "The Boy." Sophomores Tim Connor and Laura Hanson were the contest runners-up for the poems "Lucky 27" and "Obey the Stop Signs, Little Sister."

Sophomore Frank Stokes' "Asbury Park" was the winning short story. Melissa Tliomley, a junior, and Mary Hannah, a sophomore wrote the ruimer-up stories "Hell on Wheels" and "Another Chance in the Sun." The next issue of Graffiti will be published in March. The contest for that issue will be announced at a later date. The magazine is now accepting poems, short stories, and artwork for the spring '88 issue.

They're making it on theji'pwn...

by Tanja Pajevic and Chris Pater It is 3:30 p.m. Eve drops her books on the kitchen table, looks at the note left by her parents, and decides whether she should start her homework or watch "Love Connection."

She is a latchkey child—one of the three million children whose parents work and are not home during the day or after school.

There is no single reason for the growing number of latchkey children. The high divorce rate, for one, has created a large number of single working parents. Tim, a seventeenyear-old in this situation, lives with his mother who works an average of ten to twelve hours a day. Although he knows that this is necessary, Tim sometimes becomes resentful, saying, "She's not always there when I need her."

Chrissy's mom works less, an average of nine hours a day. Even though their financial situation is much more serious, Chrissy's feelings about the subject are almost exactly the opposite of Tim' s. She enjoys her freedom and does not feel the least bit neglected. "I like coming home and being able to do whatever I want without having someone looking over my shoulder."

Another reason for the birth of the latchkey child is the growing number of married women returning to work. Whether it is the women's equal rights movement or the increasingfinancialdifficulties many families are experiencing, the latchkey solution is becoming more and more popular.

Eve, the third child in a family of six (including a newborn) has more responsibilities than the rest of her friends but is used to it.

"My mom has always been involved with her work—^that is, since I was about nine years old. As far as I can tell, it hasn't made any significant changes."

Denise, however, feels that she has lost all of her freedom. She is the oldest of six and therefore finds herself resenting the fact that she must take care of the entire family. "I spend most of my time babysitting and cleaning the house while my brothers and sister sit around doing nothing. It's not fair."

As in any situation, there are many benefits that accompany being a latchkey child. One is the sense of independence that does not extend itself to the u-aditionally reared child.

One prime example is Doug, a life-long latchkey child who has always done things for himself and does not resent it. Instead, he favors it. "I do what I want when I want, and everything works out O.K., not like all of those articles that say I should be psychologically scarred or something."

Chrissy agrees and believes that she has become a better person because of the situation. "I was forced to do things for myself earlier, but it made me more independent in my thoughts and actions. I didn't have to turn to my mother every time a little problem came up. Instead, I leanied how to solve it myself."

Also, latchkey children often develop a sense of responsibiUty earlier. Eve, because of the lists of chores she has to do, has been forced to learn how to budget her time, a trait she does not see in her friends. Instead of procrastinating, like so many others, she believes in doing what she set out to do. Also, she realizes the consequences of the situation and will not do something without thinking it through first.

Tim has also become more responsible since his mother has returned to work following the divorce. He takes this responsibility to heart because he knows his mother trusts him even though she can not always be there for

him. His conscience forces him to do the right thing.

For example, he does his homework when he could be watching TV or cleans up around the house when he could be out with his friends without his mother knowing. "Whatever I am doing, there's always my mom's voice in the back of my head, making sure that I am doing the right thing."

Another beneficial aspect of the latchkey child's situation is the interesting role models that their parents become. Eve, for example, has a father who is a lawyer and a mother who is a senior vice president at a prestigious public relations firm. Eve is extremely proud of her parents' accomplishments and often talks about them favorably. Even though Eve herself wants to become an accountant, she uses her parents as role models in the hope that she will become as successful as they are one day.

Chrissy is another teenager who is proud of her parents—in her case, her mom. Although her mother only works as a travel agent, Chrissy admires the no-nonsense attitude toward life which she has. After coming through a messy divorce in which Chrissy's father refused to pay alimony, Chrissy's mother went back to work and managed to support the family herself, while sending the older brother to college. And although Chrissy's mother does not have an especially glamorous job or lifestyle, Chrissy admires her for being brave and courageous, for taking the initiative in her life, and for setting the stage for Chrissy to become a stronger, more independent person.

As in many situations, there are also drawbacks that accompany the raising of latchkey children. Many people, for example, favor the theory that the latchkey child often becomes psychologically scarred. One study shows that one in three children left alone reported high fear, including recurring nighunares, fear of noises, fear of the dark, increased concern for personal safety, and fear of fir^ and intruders. Tim relates to this as he rec^jp how he had the same nightmare for t h ^ weeks in a row when his mother went back to work when he was in thefifthgrade.

These fears, if not caught, can sometimes

carry into'adulthood. One forty-three year old woman spoke of her fanatical fears. "1 am afraid to be at home alone. 1 dread my husband's leaving. I barricade the doors with furniture." The side effects, of course, are often not this extreme.

One problem of latchkey children, though, is that often they are not allowed to interact socially with otfier children. Denise is one example of this. "I hated not being able to go out with my friends after school. It didn't make a difference if I hadfinishedmy homework. I think that the real reason was that since my mother couldn 't physically keep an eye on me, she thought I'd be hurt the second I stepped out the front door."

According to a 1985 study by Jay Belsky, professor of human development at Penn State University, latchkey children are much more likely to become aggressive. Kindergartners and first graders were tested, and it

A latchkey kid tells her story

by Maura Scott Having been a "latch-key kid" for eight years, the features stcjry by Chris Pater and Tanja Pajevic really hit home. However, being a "latch-key kid" has not left me feeling resentful of my childhood.

To this day I get comments from people such as "Oh, your mother works?" I want to scream at them, "Yes, and I'm very proud of her!!!"

Li this day and age I see little wrong with working women. Sure, I probably would have enjoyed having a warm hug and a bowl of soup waiting for me when I got home from school. But just because my mother wasn't there to give those hugs or make that soup didn't mean that she didn't love me or worry about me any less.

Psychologists rant and rave about the emotional scarring of "latch-key kids" and I can honestly say that any emotional scarring I have didn't result

rapidly increasing, there still remain a number of problems with day care and after-school arrangements. A prime example is day care for the younger children between the ages of two and six. Although it allows children to interact with others their own age and sharpen their communication skills, day care has the kids competing for attention.

The parents, besides feeling guilty that they have neglected their children, have no way of checking the child's well-being and fair treatment Often, this affects their productivity at work, causing yet more problems.

Many companies, in order to remedy the situation, are adding child care centers on the premises. This seems to be an adequate soluWas discovered that latchkey children were "lore likely to hit, kick, push, threaten, swear, tion for everyone, especially for the parents.

They are more easily assured knowing that and argue than the others. they can drop by at will, that they are familiar Another negative characteristic of the with the quality of the actual care, and that it Jatchkey child is that resentment that often is usually the cheapest alternative. Babysit"uilds up in the child. One member of this ters and nannies, on the other hand, are more category is Denise. Now that her parents are ^ot home ail of the time to watch over her, she highly recommended because they are the *^els that they are punishing her for the things closest to a mother/child or one-on-one situation. they did when they were her age. "I've heard A study in 1983 supports this theory. stories about how crazy they were when they Taken in Detroit, the study concludes that *ere in high school—always out partying, there are no differences between babies raised "ever doing any homework. As a result, they ^ssuiTie I'm doing the same, so they're always by mothers, babysitters, and nannies, but that the child care infants are more apathetic, less keeping a close eye on me, even though attentive, and less responsive and verbal.

JP^yVe at the office all day long. Basically, When childrenreachthe ages of seven and "jey're punishing me for what they did as twelve, however, they are basically in the Kids." same position—ustially home after school, Eve, although not nearly as bitter, also alone or with other brothers and sisters. This ?els resentment toward her parents. "Some•mes, when I have too much to do and no time can often be a frustrating situation for the 0 do it in, I really get tense. It gets lonely once child, however, for he or she must usually . ^ ^hile, of course, but the major thing is the remain in the house in order to quench the jlousework. 1 don't mind pitching in, doing a parents' fears. Therefore, the child is unable to play with friends unless permission is given ^«tle every day, but when I have to clean the by a parent, which can be highly unlikely.

J iB|> clothe dishes, and study for a big test all This is basically true with teenagers also. .

- day—sure I'm going to explode. And However, their reason for staying in the house what? I do more around my house than my is usually because of their numerous responParents do." sibilities. Often, the older child must take care ^hile the number of latchkey children is

because I was home alone for an hour and a half everyday afterschool. Who knows where it came from, but it definitely wasn't from that! In fact, today I look back and see that being independent for that hour and a half really taught me a lot. More was expected of me; there was no one to remind me to practice the piano or start my homework or paint the siding. I was (and am) expected to be able to do some things without someone holding my hand. I think I have benefited from my exjjerience.

I am well aware that there are kids out there who do not fair as weU as I have. For them, I am truly sympathetic; I was lonely sometimes too.

I hojje that the next time you feel like pitying a "latch-key kid" you think twice and realize that not only did some "latch-key kids" live through it, they actually enjoyed it.

of siblings, do some housework, start dinner, or start homework in order to help the parents later. This situation also tends to be the source of resentment, as the older child is often asked to give up extracurricular activities, whether they deal with school or friends.

Although the negative aspects of the situation seem to be overwhelming, many researchers maintain that latchkey children are no different from others. To further this point, they have agreed that happy parents—including those who are happily employed—produce happy babies. Following this tactic of not necessarily blaming the latchkey situation for any problems that might arise is psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner. He believes that unsupervised time is not necessarily harmful.

Many families allow their children to spend time alone, he says, but they encourage their children to engage in specific activities. By contrast, real latchkey children are left to do what they want.

Sociologist Hyman Rodman agrees, "The real danger is not necessarily in the kids who are left alone, it is to neglected kids who have no access to their parents." He argues that each situation is unique and believes that "We have to resist the tendency to jump the gun and conclude that neglect comesfromthe self-care arrangements, since not all kids who care for themselves wind up with problems."

It is now 5:30. Eve closes her books, happy to be done with her homework in time to watch "The Brady Brunch." Laughing at Greg and Marsha's stupidity, she realizes it is almost dinnertime and starts thinking of possible dishes when her mom bursts in the door.

"Eve, I got the promotion, honey! And you know, I couldn't have done it without you and all of your help and understanding. Let's go out to dinner and celebrate!"

"It was well worth it," Eve thinks as she picks up her jacket.

page 6

Commentary

December 4,1987

The Other Side

Because little things mean a lot

by Jack Marino A friend called me last night He needed someone to talk to. He was down on his luck—has been down on his luck ever since I've known him. He always seems to be paddling upstream. After talking with him, I am reminded of Claudia Schmidts' lyrics, "Now I'm standing in this phone booth with a dollar and a dime/ Trying to think of words to say to ease your troubled mind/ Oh, the Lord's cross might redeem us but our own just wastes our time/ And to tell the two apart is mostly hard love." Not that temporary depression is so awful; sometimes a good psychological implosion can be enjoyable.

It's just that if it goes beyond temporary, then I agree with Claudia: it's usually just a waste of time.

I'm solemnly driving home after a long day of work. As I stop at a traffic light, I see a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked little girl chasing a smaller little girl around a tiny evergreen. The older girl finally catches her exhausted sister(?), and they give each other a great big hug! Because they are tired and giggling so much, they fall down, protected by their

big fluffy snow-suits; they are still embracmg one another. A warm feeling pervades my numb body and I, too, start to giggle.

I continue on my way home and notice that a car traveling well under the speed limit is holding up traffic. As I pass in the left lane, I notice two cottonball heads in an over-sized car. Both can just barely see over the dashboard; both apparently oblivious to the rush hour traffic. I imagine them to be "old friends, lost in their overcoats." I wonder how many detailed stories they have recalled for each othCT and what they must think of the new speed limit (if anything at all). There is something very earthy and wholesome about them.

I drive by a park where a pack of grade-school kids are playing tackle football on a leaf-covered field. At that age you can still play tackle and not get hurt. Three trail bikes and a bright red hat marie the end zones. I am reminded what a freeing feeling an unexpected football game used to have after a long day of school. "Pins, laces, and wide open spaces." Plays designed on the palm of a muddy

hand usually giving way to spontaneity and romp, a much more affectionate game that a passerby might at Hrst suspect.

As I walk through the door, I meet another friend who is also going through some hard times.

But she's a goon and spends too much time looking at all the beautiful things around her. She talks to cats' dreams of fairies, and wastes all sorts of precious time painting pictures that make her haprpy. I am glad to be home.

By now you may be wondering what, besides sentimentality, this article is trying to achieve. To be perfectly honest, it has no great task but to wish all of you and your families a joy ous holiday season and to remind you that there is, indeed, so many little things to be thankful for.

Henry Alford Porter summed it up best when he wrote, "If you want to live more you must master theartofappreciating the little, everyday blessings of life. The is not altogether a golden world, but there are coimtless gleams of gold to be discovered in it if we give our minds to them."

Can you take the Hawkette challenge?

by Patricia Tseng Can you live the life of a Hawkette?

Can you live with the constant spectre of a scale undemeath you?

Can you change clothes inconspicuously in a field house full of men when you're late to practice?

Can you survive the bruises and cracked joints gained through years of dance?

Can you change costumes in five minutes between routines?

Can you stretch out in two minutes before a performance that was just moved up two hours?

Can you practice in a cafeteria that has food left on the floor?

Can you wake up at Sam to go to competition that lasts until 6pm?

Can you make it through one more kick when Miss Bobrich yells, "One more time!"?

Can you jjerform with a bright smile on your face in 55 degree weather?

Can you dance on a muddy field that is itching to grab you?

Can you keep up with the band as they try to gain entry into the Guiimess Book of World Records by playing "Hip to Be Square" faster than a speeding bullet?

Can you wear polyester every Friday for 24 hours?

Can you sell 36 pizzas to all your friends who have just bought pizzas from the band in 2 days?

Can you stretch constantly for a whole day of dancing?

Can you dance in a 90 degree gym on a hot summer day while everyone eke is getting a tan?

This is Hawkettes. And these are only a few of the prerequisites. Then it's work, work, and more work. If you need practice, that is exactly what you will get. You can also prepare the entire simimer for

the performing season. Then you practice the whole year. There is dance camp to prepare the rookie Hawkettes for the season. Who could ask for more? Dancing 24 hoinsaday I First you leam, thai you practice, then you perform, then you're home.

Nothing is more exilarating than that. Oh, you can sleep and eat between dancing if you are reaUy talented and you have the energy. When you finally

make it to state, don't be nervous; if you mess upmaybe miss one head snap- the rest of the team will probably put itching powder in your shorts. And if you win, everyone at school will have expwcted that Never mind that the scores at Rich Central were two tenths apart for the top two teams, we all knew we would win. Right, never doubted it for a minute.

Sorry to shatter your dreams, but...

by Keith Piscitello With Christmas quickly approaching, I felt it necessary to relate to you, my avid fans arel colimm readers, my firsthorrible realizations of the idemity of Santa Claus (or lack thereof). Yes, I hate to break it to you freshmen, but there is no such person by the name of Santa Claus. It's true.

I'll admit. Mom and Dad had me going for a while, but being the natural logical being I am, my gullibility did not last long. My first suspicions were aroused when I questioned my peers. It seemed that all of my preschool friends received full stockings on one night December 24.

I thought to myself, there must be at least 20 million children of stocking-receiving age in the U.S. alone. Now, if Santa got right to work on the East coast at say, 9:00 pm and finishes up on the West coast at 6:00 am, then he has 12 hours (taking into account the time changes as you move across the country) in which to do his work. Of course, he has the help of his elves, but that still leaves Santa with an average of 0.(X)216 seconds per kid receiving stocking.

But wait there's more, One must estimate that half the children will leave milk and cookies, with an average of four cookies per plate and eight oz.

per glass of milk. That means that Santa must digest 40,000,000 cookies and drink 208,000 gallons of milk, enough to fill the Maine South swimming pool many times over (let me remind you that Santa does not even get a potty stop). Also, he must take time to decide who's naughty or nice, who gets coal and who gets toys and which toys go to girls and which toys go to boys. Quite a task, I must admit Ponder this: where would Santa get the funds to support this nice habit? I mean, you never see Santa Claus fundraisers, and I'm sure that he would be too busy making and wrapping toys all year long to hold down a steady job. Who would hire a portly old gentleman who likes to wear red anyway? Travel time from the North pole is about three months by sleigh, give or take a week.

One last thing to keep you thinking: just say that he can do all of this gift-giving stuff. His sleigh would have to be the size of Soldier's Field to hold all his presents. That would mean that Rudolph and the gang would have to be size of mack trucks in order to even budge the sleigh, much less move it Quite a heavy load to land on any normal roof, don't you think?

Believe what you will, bull know the real truth.

I have only one question though: how can I explain the hoofprints in my backyard?

December 4,1987

Features/Commentary

page?

Always hurting the ones we love

by Tammy Dayton The scene was a familiar one. It began with a disagreement, then became a shouting match, and finally escalated into a door-slamming contest.

Why is it that we always fight the most with those who are closest to us? Why is it that they are the ones that we take for granted and treat the worst? Famihes are especially this way. The fights that occur between family members are sometimes where the most vicious words are heard. However, families almost always forgive each other and work out their differences. People usually do not realize the hurt they can cause during these fights, and how hard it is to forgive, yet it happ)ens all the time.

I realized this for the first time at parents' night on the day of my last home swim meet. It was the first time I ever considered my actions toward my family, and how they acted toward me.

I was standing in the back room just off the pool

deck waiting for parents' night to begin. The room was small, and I stood there silently with the four other seniors, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

At first I was only feeling nervous and excited. I could hear the crowd in the stands, and the sound was louder than usual, which meant more people were there. Large crowds always make me nervous. I was also excited. It was my last home meet, and one quarter of my senior year was over. I tightened my clutch on the roses that I held in my hands and waited to give them to my parents when my name was called.

My parents: for the first time my thoughts wandered to them. I had fought earlier in the day with them, yet I knew they would be sitting in the stands waiting to walk out on deck to greet me.

I thought of all the fights and arguments we had had in the past, and how petty they seemed now. I also remembered all the times they had been there forme—swim meets, soccer games, awards nights, birthdays—even when we were not on spwaking

terms. Nobody else would ever do that for me, so why did I fight with them all the time? I did not have the answer. Most of the disagreements we had could have been be worked out without afight,but it never worked out that way.

For the first time in my life IreaUzed they would always be there for me whether or not I deserved them to be. Why was this? I had no answer.

The crowd began to quiet down, the lights dirruned, and my name was called. As I watched my parents approach I knew there would be many more arguments and all-out fights in the future, but I did not care. They were my parents and always would be.

I guess we all realize that even if we say words we do not mean in the heat of the moment, they are only words and can be forgiven by those who care aboutus.Itisnotright,butithappens anyway, and there is no logical reason why it happens tltis way.

That is what being a family is all about.

is just presents ...or is it?

by J. M. Pinto Christmas is a great holiday. And it is not just that because we get days off for it, because we get presents, because a feast that could feed the entire population of Rhodesia is prepared for us to gorge on, or because 1988 is lurking round the comer.

Christmas brings out the best in all of us.

Besides being the major retail season, Christmas is many other things. We see it in the eyes of a child listening to stories. It's the jump in mom and dad's step because they are on vacation with the family. It's explaining to four year old cousin Joey why there is a Santa Claus on every comer. It's standing with your sister ip a long line of irritable parents and their sweet, quiet, and loving children to see the big red guy himself. It's winter hats and scarves blowing in the wind. Snowballs,

snowpeople (I heard the best joke about the difference between snowmen and snowwomen, but the editors-in-chief refused to let me print it. Sorry.), and snow forts crop up everywhere.

Christmas is smiles and warmth, a fire in the fireplace and cookies in the oven. No papers, vocabulary, tests, essays, mock trials, Othello, theorems, lab write ups, and objectives. Not a care in the world. Christmas is a time of relatives kissing you and exclaiming on the speed of your growth.

Friends laugh and people sing. It's giving a bum on the comer a quarter and feeling good even though he can't even get a cup of coffee with it and will probably save it for a bottle of cheap wine. It's the thought that counts, right? It is cards on the mantel, a wreath on the door, and an evergreen in the Uving room.

Picking the tree is another fun process: this one, no this one, that one is too bare, what do you want continued on page 8

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Generations cont'd continued from page 3 Breakfast Club, a movie popular with many teens because of its identifiable characters and situations, shows a group of teens, each complaining about their parents and vowing never to be like them until one particularly insightful character (played by Ally Sheedy) points out that "it's inev'\\.s!o\t." In About Last Night, Demi Moore is in the middle of cutting up her boyfriend's dinner for him when she announces something to the effect of "It's official. I have now become my mother."

It seems then that everyone, in some way or another, is destined to become like their parents.

And although many don't like to admit it, this can be beneficial providing, of course, that things are'l taken to an extreme. Just as it's good to pick up certain qualities, it is also important to retain a sense of individuality, or to remain your own person.

"You never did used to like coffee," my mother said, waking me from my reverie. "Funny how •Wngs change." Funny how they don't.

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NU^Despite all the negative connotations associated with a behavior report, student behavior is not always negative. This report commended actions taken by Scott Duerkop, Student Council president, at a Friday night soccer game.

pages

Sports

December 4,1987

3-point shot comes to h.s. b-ball The trees have shed their summer coat, and the aroma of turkey permeates the air, as the winter holidays are quickly apf>roaching. Yes, these are the signs; it is time to dust off the basketball shoes and prepare for another exciting basketball season.

This year, high school basketball has a new dimension—the three point line. The pros and college teams have utilized the three point line for years, and now Illinois high schools, along with many other state high schools, will also have this advantage. The three pjoint line is a semicircle 19ft.

9in. from the top of the free throw line, beyond which any shot is worth three points, as op)posed to two points within the three point line. It may only have been a matter of time, but the winds of change have raised many questions.

Undoubtedly, the three point shot will change the tempo of basketball games. Many people feel the addition of the three point shot will greatly add intensity to this sport. Players may take the outside shot more often, causing tighter outside coverage.

thereby opening up the middle. This action may make play quicker, but some jjeople feel it takes away from basic basketball—working the ball around and inside until someone gets a good shot In general the three point line will affect high school basketball obviously by opening up the inside game. Secondly, if a team has two or three outside shooters, especially a team where height is not overly abundant, they would give the team more leverage to coimteract taller opponents.

Moreover, in a close game situation a lead of ten or less no longer has the effects it once did; teams can easily get back into or even win a game with some luck and good shooting outside the three point line.

According to Mr. Mike Deines, head coach of the girls' varsity basketball team, the three point line will not be a major strategy of their game. If the team is packed in closely together, this special play can be put into action once in a while, in order to loosen up the defense.

For instance, though the girls' varsity basketball team is not a particularly tall team, the three point shot may be discovered as an extra variable to equalize the Hawks against opposing teams. At the present time senior Tracy Minor is the Hawk's best threat from the outside, with Maureen Crosson and Karen Walker also demonstrating potential outside shooting capabilities.

In addition, Mr. George Verber, head coach of boys' varsity basketball, believes that although the team is "yoimg and lacks in experience," potential outside shooters are Keith O'Shea and Bill Vrbancic.

Most of all, with the three point line the fans fmd the three point shot particularly exciting, being a tradition carried down from pro and college basketball. The fast paced game of basketball that will result is an intention of this new rule, along with providing additional entertainment to the onlooking spectators.

Girls' b'ball perfect in early season play The girls' basketball team hit the court running this season, extending their record to 4-0 by the Thanksgiving break.

In the Hrst game of the season, the Hawks crushed Waukegan West, 91-31, by playing an aggressive defense with excellent passing on offense. By the end of the first quarter the score stood at 18-2, and the Hawk lead was never in jeopardy.

Team speed was an important factor that was put to good use, as most baskets were scored off fast breaks, with everyone on the team scoring.

Hoffman Estates was the next victim, falling 53-36 to the powerful Hawk offense, followed by Libertyville (63-39) and Buffalo Grove (60-39) in the Buffalo Grove Thanksgiving Tournament last Monday and Tuesday.

Against Hoffman Estates, Tracy Minor scored 14 points, including the first three-point basket of the seasoa Karen Walker added 12 points, MauV yiAkV'^r' 1

Sport Boys' Basketball Girls' Basketball Gymnastics Wrestling Swimming

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Fri 12/11 Evanston V/S 6:00 Evanston VOV-'F 6:00 Evanston V/JV 6:00 Niles W. 3 levels 6:00 Schaumbnrg V/S-F 5:00

eight points and four steals to the Hawks' attack.

"An indication of our team progress can be seen in the final three minutes of the game when Soeder and Dohr teamed up with Mary Beth Haase, a sophomore, and two freshmen, JuUe Sebastian and Marg Zimmerman, to score 11 points while holding Libertyville scoreless," Deines said.

On Tuesday the Hawks recorded a 60-39 victory over tournament host Buffalo Grove, a tem ranked in the Chicago Tribune's top 20 area teams.

Minor scored 17 points to pace the Hawks. Biedron had an outstanding game, scoring 12 points, pulling down four rebounds and gathering in six steals.

"The Buffalo Grove game was our most challenging contest to date and our entire team rose to the challenge," said Deines. "I'm very pleased with the way our starting unit has gelled, but just as importantly, we are getting strong efforts from our reserves. Erin Roder is an excellent example of a first-year varsity player who is becoming a key person off the bench for us. She can play the point guard position very effectively, is a tough defenri*SK;i1 home game sive player, and has become a good, unselfish passw."

Wed 12/16 Fri 12/18 "We have a strong, challenging schedule ahead New Trier of us," said Deines. "At this point in the season we \V.S are refining our strategies and skills and looking 6:00 forward to each game as a chance to improve."

New Trier

reen Crosson 11 points, and Karen Biedron nine points and a team-leading eight rebounds. Although Hoffman Estates had a taller front line than Maine South, the Hawks' pressing defense and quickness prevented the Hoffrnan guards from getting the ball in to their post players.

Against Libertyville the Hawks' quickness and the rapidly developing depth of their bench proved to be the deciding factors in the 63-39 win. Walker was the leading scorer with 15 points and Minor added 12. For the game the Hawks shot aphenomenal 67 percent from the field, in large part set up by the 22 steals which set up breakaway baskets for lay-ups.

"Our press kicked into gear halfway through the first quarter, and from then on we controlled the game tempo," said coach Mike Deines. "Sandra Soeder and Denise Dohr came off the bench and our intensity did not falter a beat." Soeder added

Sat 12/12 ;BarrtBgt(i*t V/S 6:00

Tues 12/15

Maine W. V/JV/F 6:00 New Trier V/JV 6:00 Wildcat Invitational V—10:00 .Mies W. V/S-F 1:00

V/JV/F 6:00 Elk Grove V/JV 6:00 New Trier 3 levels 6:00 Waukegan W. V/F 5:00

Christmas cont'd continued from page 7 a short fat one for?, a tall one won't fit through the door you idiot, so?, okay this one, $39 please. All that in ten below weather. What other holiday do people pull vegetation into the house for? It is Saturday every day.

All these facets make Christmas such a great holiday.

OK, let's admit it. It's the presents.