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Variety abounds at Southfest This March 14, the choices made in homeroom will become reality. After three long months, the hard work of the faculty and parental committee will bring about Southfest '90. The faculty Southfest committee, which includes Lauren Andrews, Carol Constantine, Bill Drennan, Ann Finneran, Cathy Glunz, Krista Clarke, Judy Lange, Gordon McLean, Rich Mastrolanardo, and Lucille Wright and members of the Administration, collaborated with parents of Maine South students to come up with ideas for the big event. The brainstorming and suggestions this year's committee came up with range from celebrities such as QlOl 's Robert Murphy to animal acts, athletics to art, and various special interest groups. These special interest presentations include underwater photography, space explorations, drag racing, and gourmet cooking. The process by which students are assigned to presentations is a long one. After the students are given the opportunity to choose their top eight preferences from fifty-five varied choices in homeroom, the faculty and parent committee begin their long task of placing students in "classes." The choices are hand sorted by the committee. The hand sorting is to insure that each student receives "all, most, or some of those requests," says faculty committee member Rich Mastrolanardo. There is a lot of choice involved in the decision process. The homeroom that wins the "lottery" receives the first opportunity to be assigned to presentations. The average percent of students who receive their first choices has been very high. "Some exceptions have been in those presentations that are Umited by number as per requested by presentor," explains Mr. Mastrolanardo. For example, if a presenter of an animal act requests that his audience has less than thirty people, the committee must comply. Thus, not every person would be able to see the animal act, even if it was their first choice. In past years at the morning assembly, entertainment has been provided by Pat Hurley and Second City. This year, the ACME Vocal Group, a high class,"vocal improvisational" group will be performing.
Ronnie Rice, the famous SO's and 60's music stylist billed as "Mr. Juke Box" will return to perform at the Southfest evening performance on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 PM. Also performing with Mr. Rice will be the Jessie White Tumblers. Tickets are $10.
The ACME Vocal Group has performed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and has recieved rave reviews. "Student Council helped financially to bring entertainment of this caliber to the kids," says faculty committee member Judy Lange. The lunchtime entertainment will consist
of a D.J. and dancing in the spectator gym. Mr. Mastrolanardo says the opportunity will provide "a fun time for the kids to energize and regroup. It is a good break, keeping in time with entertainment, participation, and information of the day." Southfest is a day of enjoyable experience for all.
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Separating fact from fiction by Natasha Siddiqui "Killer Germ Escapes From Lab!" People panic as a horrendous, slimy and infectious blob penetrates into the social community. But the worst part of it, is that the germ can not be seen by the naked eye! Inevitably, the crime rate goes up, suicides reach a sky rocketing level and sanity is a thing of the past. Schools, businesses and airports close to avoid the spread of contamination. The world has come to an end... If this is a scene playing through your head at the sound of those ominous words, "genetic engineering," then you are not alone. The threat of genetically engineered genes is one of the most common misconceptions attributed to genetic engineering as a result of society's fear and media hype. When genetic engineering was first introduced in the 1970's with a new gene-splicing technique, it was the cause for concern to many who were unfamiliar with the field. Even today, while wide spread research is going on in genetics, people have still been left in the dark with only stories to believe, circulated without any substance. If you are one of those many who beheve that tested germs are liable to escape from labs and harm you, then you' ve been greatly misled. The fact of the matter is, genetically engineered bacteria can only live under certain laboratory conditions. In other words, once out of a lab, the bacteria die - and that is if they even get out of a lab. Infact, even if a concentrated amount of genetically engineered bacteria were set loose, they'd all die before they could even reproduce because they aren' t adaptable to organisms in nature. WHAT IS GENETIC ENGINEERING? Genetic engineering is the study and manipulation of genes to correct genetic abnormalities and to develop specific traits in organisms through new combinations of DNA. One common technique used in genetic engineering is gene implants. Gene implantations are being used in the agricultural field to make it more efficient by genetically altering genes in cows, pigs and poultry. Currently, cows have been engineered to produce more milk, pigs are able to have a larger percentage of meat and less fat, and chickens have been able to maintain a more advanced immune system to live longer. Engineered bacteria are also used on plants and fruits; the bacteria protect plants from insects or viruses, and strawberries have been saved in the past from frost. To understand genetic engineering, you must understand the basics about genetics. The nucleus of every cell in the body contains
two twisted stands called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which carry genetic codes or messages by four representative component bases: A, T, G, and C. The A and T bases act as a pair since they are complementary to each other and have opposite codes. The same is
The threat of genetically engineered genes is one of the most common misconceptions... as a result of society's fear and media hype. with the G and C bases. Then, one of the strands of DNA, which carries the original genetic message, gets copied onto a singlestrand messenger RNA. The messenger RNA leaves the nucleus for the purpose of u-anscribing the message onto other cells in the body. This is the stage where genetic engineering comes into play. Scientists can alter genes by attaching a second, complementary strand onto the messenger RNA to "deactivate" it and prevent the messenger RNA from distributing the genetic message. This use of a complementary code to disable a genetic message is called an 'antisense strategy.' Antisense sU"ategy is currently being used by both molecular biologists and biochemists. Molecular biologists make cells develop their own antisense molecules by altering their DNA, while the biochemists use a similar concept. Biochemists make antisense pieces in a lab and then place them onto parts of a messenger RNA, which in turn, deactivates only part of a message. The techniques of bo ththemolecular biologists andbiochemisis can be used to produce new drugs to conU"ol genetic defects. But, at the present, genetic engineering is primarily being used forresearch; researching for common links between human genes and other animals such as mice and monkeys, and
experimenting to find our true genetic makeup and causes of genetic defects. By the research and information collected through labs, scientists are able to apply their findings to bio-technology to develop advanced materials and to gene therapy to cure diseases. A NEW FIELD OF BIO-TECHNOLOGY: Genetic engineering encompasses the field of bio-technology, which is the use of natural substances, mainly bacteria, that are genetically changed to have specific effects. A new invention is a superglue that originates from the sticky substance excreted by mussels to stick to rocks in the ocean. This new glue is now being used as a cement in dentistry to fix chipped teeth due to the glue's adhesive nature. GENE THERAPY AND ITS ADVANTAGES: Gene therapy is applying genetic engineering reseach to find a cure for diseases. It
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genetic engineering's true nature pace. This new field in science has be deterred involves the antisense strategy discussed from progress by regulation agencies giving above, also referred to as 'gene splicing', to in to the public's fear. Any type of bio-techhelp in the following fields: nology is consistently regulated by the NaDiabetics: Prior to gene therapy, the only tional Institute of Health, U.S. Deparunent of source of insulin came from pigs and cattle, • There has never been a case of any Agriculture, Environmental Protection being a limited supply for diabetics. Now, harm done by any genetically engiAgency, Food and Drug Administration and insulin is genetically produced, so the supply neered bacteria. the Occupational Health and Safely Adminiis unlimited. stration. Furthermore, there are only ten comStunted growth: Instead of depending on a • Some recombinant bacteria arc panies which use genetic engineering in their donor's pituitary glands, which is expensive, used in high sch<K)l lab experin>ents. research for products. children will soon be able to buy a drug which will boost their height and be affordable at the Conu-oversy also surrounds certain types • NutraSweet® is composed of amino same time. of research. Today, while abortion is still acids which are products of genetithe Immune system: Interferon, a natural considered highly controversial, the use of cally engineered bacteria. substance in the body, aids in the body's fetuses for research hasn't been supported defense system. Currently, genetically proenough for scientists to continue. This type of duced interferon is being tested to find a way research, however, has been approved in the to boost the immune system in cancer patients been identified. Scientists believe that within United Kingdom and the procedure is curand victims of AIDS. a few years, a method to deactivate an onco- rently being tested there. Cancer: Scientists have made significant gen will be discovered. Also, tests to diagnose In North Carolina, the state government is progress in linking the cause of many cancers the presence of cancer in an early stage will be debating on whether they should regulate the to oncogens, in which twenty of them have soon be carried out without the use of x-rays genetic research conducted by their scientists. or surgery. If ihe state does begin to enforce regulations, Hereditary diseases: When scientists use among them will be the issuing of permits. gene splicing, extra fragments are sometimes Standards for issuing permits will have to be found, called genetic markers. Genetic mark- decided upon, and any individual carrying out ers are a sign of defective genes present in genetic tests without a permit would be prosehereditary diseases, so it is just a matter of cuted. This is another source of red tape which time before gene splicing can be used as a will delay genetic research and possibly prescreening test for diseases such as cystic fi- vent cures for diseases from being found. brosis, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, But still, questions need to be answered: Alzheimer's disease, menial illness and albiWho should make the decisions to decide nism . on what is ethical or not? Vaccines: Scientists can now seperaic Where should the line be drawn on what is antigenes from viruses and bacteria to stimu- considered 'going too far?' late the immune system while not causing any Until these questions are answered, geharm to the rest of the body. Vaccines for netic engineering will continue to be hamherpes, chicken pox, malaria, all forms of pered and progress will be delayed. What hepatitis and gonorrhea are now being pro- should seriously be considered is whether the duced in labs. fear of possible "risks" of genetic engineering ETHICS AND REGULATIONS: should be allowed to taint our perspective and Genetic engineering is usually clouded by outweigh its obvious benefits. After all, all controversy on whether scientists have a right aspects of science involve a certain factor of to 'play God' or not. Opponents of this type of risk, which if taken, can be the beginning of research hold the belief that it is unethical and finding countless cures just waiting to be dishighly unnatural. The truth is, the process that covered. genetic engineering manipulates is common in nature. Organisms are constantly adapting to their environment, "survival of the fittest," and new hybrids are continuously forming on The inlbrmaiion conuiined in thisariiclc the biological level. was mkcii from: Another common fear held by the opposiModem Maiuriiv f.!unc/Jul V 1989) tion is the fear of mutated organisms in the S(Kietv (Nov.?Dcc. 1989) future as a result of the engineering of genetScience (Aupust 4. 1989) ics. However, this fear can be waived because Si;wn,ti;„N<?WiS(VoL 133) bacteria and genes that are being altered in This Week fMav 19H4) labs are not transgenic, meaning that they Chica^io Sim-Times (Uiw 12, 1985) can't be passed on from parent to offspring. Actually, contrary to popular belief, geIMPRIMIS (Ech.;:l:989i netic engineering is moving at a very slow
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(Commentary
An evening of rocking—and rolling On March 13, at 7:30p.m., in the Clyde K. Watson Auditorium, an evening of Southfest will take place. To provide for entertainment for the evening's festivities, the Jessie White Tumbling Team and Ronnie Rice will perform. Because this evening of Southfest is being used to help fund the actual day, the tickets for reserved seats are on sale in the bookstore for ten dollars. The Jessie White Tumbling Team is a group of boys, ages 8-23, from the Cabrini Green area. Jessie White has taken the boys from a drug and gand infested part of Chicago and made them into the city's best tumbling team.
Besides performing for major sports events, such as Bulls, DePaul, and Bears games, the tumblers appeared at the New Orleans World Fair and in a Coca-Cola commercial. The excellant gymnasts combine their graceful athletic skills with Break Dancing and Comedy to create a fantastic performance. Ronnie "Mr. Jukebox" Rice, a singer of 50's and 60's music, will also be performing on Tuesday night. Rice, who accompanies himself on guitar, knows virtually all songs made during the 50's and 60's. His performances have given
Operation Snowball
many other students, a student will be equiped all students caught using drugs or alchohol at with many interpersonal skills which will help school. However, District 207 now offers help to students who voluntarily come in because to say no to drugs. of drug related home/school problems. The Next Step is a prevention-interventionn program which is specifically deStill dealing with drug and alchohol abuse signed to explore attitudes and actions related is a semi-new program in Maine South to help to alchohol and drug use. deal with it. Because drug and alchohol abuse, Before enrolling their child in this prowhether at school or at home, can interfere gram , parents m ust make a seventy-five dollar with learning, affect a student's behavior, or deposit with District 207, which will be redisrupt proper emotional and physiological turned upon successful completion of the development, the Next Step program has been program. used to help combat drug abuse. For information on voluntarily enrolling in This program was originally developed to Next Step, speak to Ken Reese, Director of offer an alternative to a ten day suspension for Student Personnel Services.
audiences a "fevered pitch of participation" says Mr. Mastro; his act has people dancing in the aisles; "he rock and rollicks with exuberance." Rice was suggested by a community member who saw him perform a few years ago. He has been brought back by popular demand. Because of Rice's popularity, and his regular show places, night clubs, the Southfest evening is a wonderful opportunity for the family to see an excellant performer. Overall, Southfest on the evening of March 13th and during the March 14th school day will be a wonderful opportunity to see fine talent at its best.
Two approaches to combat drugs
Today, about thirty-three students won't be in school, but rather will be at the First Congregational Church of Des Plaines until 10:30 p.m. at the annual Operation Snowball program. Operation Snowball, offered by Maine Township High School District 207, is a continuing effort to make students aware of how dangerous drug and alchohol can be. This program, while not a treatment program, is designed to help teenagers feel good about themselves without the use of drugs. By meeting and becoming close friends with
Next Step Program
The high school experience by Natalie Kuehn The experience of Freshman year is always an exciting and unpredictable adventure. It comes, we all live through it, and we basically set an academic structure on which we continue to build for the next three years. As for Sophomore year well, as for me I don't even remember Sophomore year. But Junior year, now that's the year! Not only does it seem like an eternity compared to thefirsttwo years of high school, but it is during this year that many people make decisions which will affect the rest of their lives! During Junior year the pressure for good grades is at about a three times greater intensity than Sophomore or Freshman year. Freshman year there's always the excuse, "I was just adjusting to high school, half the time I was lucky if I even found my classes!" Sophomore year there's always the "emotional and physical changes that I was experi-
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encing" excuse. (Yeah, right.) But Junior year, there is no excuse! Colleges stress that OUR WKirKLY PURSUrr TO grades one receives Junior year are very CHALLENGE THE IVIIiVDS OE MAINE important! SOUTH STUDENTS Next comes those wonderful ACT and SAT tests! For some strange reason colleges —WHY DO THEY CALL IT A feel they arc going to be able to predict how we "WAKE" IF IT'S FOR DEAD will do in college by giving us a one day test! PEOPLE? How do they know whether or not the test day j ust happens to be the day we feel sick, or have —WHY AREN'T THERE an argument with a friend, or our contacts are RHETORICAL ANSWERS? foggy. How can these tests tell them what we are going to accomplish in the next four years of our lives! And look at us, we spend good —ARE BABOONS' BUTTS AS PAINFUL AS THEY money to take these tests; then spend about LOOK? three hours of preparation for every hour of actual testing. —WHERE DO PLANKTON As for Senior year, I'll tell you in about six GO FOR PRIVACY? months. But it sounds like so much fun: decisions, applications, essays, finding recom- T H I N K ^BOUT IT! mendations, achievement tests,
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.Girls' track races to perfect start The girls' track team has started the 1990 season with a bang. The team is undefeated with wins over Resurrection, Niles West, Maine East, and Maine West. The Hawks hope to continue their winning streak through the indoor conference meet Marchl6th. In the Maine East and Niles West meet, sophomore Sara Wanat was named "Athlete of the Meet" for her help in leading the Hawks to victory. She placed first in the long jump, and second in the high jump. Maine South won the meet with 64 points to defeat Niles West with 37 points, and Maine East with 27 points. On the junior varsity level, the Hawks placed second to Niles West and defeated Maine East. Tina Thrush was named "Athlete of the Meet" on the J Vlevel. She ran to a first
place finish in the mile run witli a lime of 6:38. Joanna Siciliano and Helen Castellanos also had first place finishes. The Hawks were expecting tougher competition in their home meet against Maine West and Notre Dame. Although Maine West dominated in many of the sprint events, the Hawks were victorious because of many outstanding performances in the field events and long distance events. Tiffany Lopez was named "Athlete of the Meet" for her first place finish in the long jump. Rachel Kelleher and Mar>' Michal finished first and second in the
Soccer team all ready to kick
As the girls' soccer team enters its seventh season, it hopes to acheive the high standards set by its predecessors. The team, holding three "un-official" state titles and six conference championships, will have eleven returning varsity players; Tracy Badminton is a sport that often goes unrec- Krahl, Kerrin Taylor, Carolynn Hodur, Jean ognized. It is a valid sport, though many may Pavlik, Karen Weber, Juliene Britz, Beth Buckley, Karen Komosa, Chris Sorquist, Kris contest that fact. Badminton combines the skill of tennis Gabclson, and Emina Zvizdich. with the speed and agility of a court game; basketball, volleyball. If team enthusiasm has any effect on the Maine South's Girls' Softball team has a outcome of a game, or a season, this Girls' tradition of success. The 1987-88 Maine Badminton would be state champs. South Softball team was regional champion, With their funny looking birdies danghng sectional champion, and runner-up in the stale from their necks, this team supports each tournament, which led to them being named other and, if they work to their potential, could Sun Times Team-of-ihe-Year. go a long way, together.
Badminton team filled with enthusiasm
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mile run, respectively, and Nancy Swienton won the 880 yard run. On the junior varsity level, the Hawks again finished second to Maine West. Nina DcMartino finished second in the 440 yard dash and Nicole Roman won the high jump. Although the track team is small, they are working around this problem tc run their way to a winning record. The Hawks hope to continue this winning streak through the rest of the indoor season, and on to the outdoor season.
Returning senior varsity goalie Karen Weber, who holds the junior varsity record for most shut-outs by a goalie with 15, will be leading the Hawks' strong defense this season. If this year's girls' Varsity Soccer team is a reflection of any Maine South girls' soccer team of the previous six years, it will be another successful year for coach Jack Tilley.
Softball hopes to repeat last year's success
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CSL South Div. V/S—10:00 Buff. Gn'. Inv. V—9:00
Those acheivements gave incentive to last year's team, and with outstanding players, Cheryl Roma, Meg Lobitz, and Karen Walker the team fulfilled many of their high goals. This year's Maine South Softball team is virtually a rookie squad. With only four returning players, Jenny Smith, Diane Wolf, Jenny Wamo, and Emmy Pasier, this team is lacking the experience of previous years; lacking the experience, not the leadership.
Gymnasts aim high Although Maine South isn't famous for its boys' gymnastics team, this year's squad is looking to achieve some recognition. This year's varsity team members include juniors Mike Morandi (all-around), Joe Witcrafi (floor, rings, vault, parallel bars), Al Tseng (horse, parallel bars), Brian ColUnan (horse), Pat Capellini (floor), as well as senior Jim Rogers (rings). These more experienced gymnasts will hope to lead the team to a respectable record. Other varsity members include Joe Pintz (floor, vault), Andre Abreu (horse), Chris Dynneson (rings, vault, high bar), and Karl Steinke (rings, vault). Varsity coach Riccitelli remarked, "The team only can get better." The Hawks will have the chance to demonstrate their improving skills at tonight's meet versus Maine East.
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Runners topple defending champs, The varsity track and field team demonstrated its superior and overpowering abilities when it rounded out its perfect indoor dual meet season with a dominating win over conference rival, Glenbrook North, and an impressive 65-58 victory over the reigning Mid-Suburban League champions, Conant. Conant, South' s best challenge yet, proved that they, too, were no match for the Hawks. The Hawks went on to win lOofthe 15 events; as a result, the victory brought about the recognition of three "athletes of the meet" on the varsity level. Earning the honors were Mike Nommensen, Pete Gayford, and Dan Herzog. Mike Nommensen ran well on the winning two-mile relay team and captured first place in the high jump with a leap of 5'10". Pete Gayford won the one-mile run as well as running on the two-mile relay team. Finally, Dan Herzog earned "athlete of the meet" honors by placing second behind Nommensen in the high jump with an equal leap of 5'10". Other impressive first placefinishersin the meet were junior Brad Scott in the pole vault, junior Jeff Beaumont in the quarter-mile, and senior Todd Lilleberg in the half-mile and two-mile relay. In addition, the shot-putters performed impressively with personal record throws by Brian Kufner, Chris Wojtowicz, and Jon Buckman. However, on the sophomore level, Conant had the upper-hand as they defeated the sophomore team by eight points. Keith Cichy and Nick Pappas were named "athletes of the meet" for their contributions to the sophomore meet. In the meet versus Glenbrook North, the varsity and sophomore team completely dominated the Spartans. The varsity Hawks destroyed Glenbrook North, winning by 85 points and capturing first in 13 of the 14 events. The "athletes of the meet" were sen-
ÂŤe*Hawk runners Dan Bers (senior) and Jeff Beaumont (junior) show the form that has propelled the Hawks Into a track power during the Indoor season. iors Todd Lilleberg and Chris Parks. The sophomore team won by a margin of 32 points. The highlight of the meet was the victorious 2-mile relay team, which set the fastest sophomore indoor track time in Maine South history. The members on the relay team, also named "athletes of the meet," included Mike Raida, Mike Weitzel, Mike Brudzinski, and Mike Palac. Varsity coach Drennan summed up the
current indoor track season best. "Our indoor season was a great success on both the sophomore and varsity levels. We're looking forward to the big invitational meets in the next few weeks and then to the outdoor season." The freshman and sophomore Hawks will compete at the Evanston Invitational this Saturday at 12:(X) p.m., while the varsity Hawks look forward to the CSL Conference meet also this Saturday, beginning 10:00 a.m.
Top regional seed falls to Hawks ready to fight against Fenton in their first major contributions included juniors Bill regional game, as they crushed Fenton by a Schmitz (13 pts.) and Jim Rushford (12 pts.). score of 63-47. The Hawks played the #2 seed Maine West for The Hawks (14-12) fought hard to defeat the regional championship last Friday. Fenton (15-9), the # 1 seed in the regional. The The loss against Maine East, however, was game was actually more closely contested as not nearly the same type of game as the Although the varsity boys' basketball team the final score indicated. With three minutes regional. Maine East, purposely using a stall closed out the regular season with a disap- remaining and the Hawks' lead at 3 points, the or slow tempo game, held the Hawks to onlyf pointing 43-39 loss to cross-town rival Maine Hawks went on a run, outscoring Fenton by 13 39 points. The Hawks were led by Bill East, the Hawks didn't contemplate the loss points. Schmitz (12 pts.). The loss dropped the very long as they looked toward regional Leading the way for the Hawks was Bill Hawks' conference record to 5-5 and a third action. The Hawks proved that they were Vrbancic, who scored 17 points. Others with place finish in the CSL South.
Cagers bounce back from loss to Maine East