Vol 32 issue 12

Volume 32, Issue 12 February 23,1996

South wordS

Maine South H.S. Park Ridge, IL

AP Hawks aim to gain state win

by Kara Wipf On Saturday, Feb. 24, Maine South's defending state champions will compete to hold their title. No, it's not football season again.

South's Constitution Team members, more affectionately referred to as the AP Hawks, will travel to Illinois State University in Normal, IL, today, Friday, Feb. 23, to attempt to defend their title in the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution competition, sponsored by the U. S. Center for Civic Education.

Although last year's team was unopposed at the state competition, this year's team will be facing several other schools, one of which is located in the Bloomington-Normal area.

Therefore, the success of the Constitution Team will depend on members' skill, research, knowledge, strategy, and reasoning ability.

Team member Denise Knipp feels, "I'm a ' little nervous right now, but I think that in the end, we'll be winners."

Brian Shields echoed this thought by saying, "We've all been working really hard to prepare for this. If we all stay focused, nobody will stop us."

Coaches Pat Feichter and Nancy Canova have been offering tremendous support and help for their team, and they feel that if the team really works for it, the championship will be theirs.

Of his Hawks, Coach Feichter said, "Working with this team is an inspiration.

Their hard work zxiA enthusiasm make all my extra time spent with the team worthwhile."

The team consists of 30 members, and is divided into six units of five students each.

Each unit researches three main questions with several subquestions relating to various aspects of American government and politics.

In competition, each unit is asked one of the three questions by a set ofjudges, and must respond with a prepared four minute oral response.

Each judge then has the opportunity to ask the unit a total of six minutes of free response questions, to which the units have no prepared responses. The topics of these questions can vary greatly, and test the team's knowledge

and abilities to think under pressure.

If the AP Hawks win in Normal, they will travel to Washington, D.C. in April for the National Competition, as several Maine South teams have done in the past.

Team member Jon Dudlak joked, "We all are motivated with the thought of souvenir shopping in Washington! No, really, we are."

This year's competitors are all members of Mr. Feichter's eighth period AP Government class. The 1995-96 AP Hawks are, according to their respective units: Unit One: Laura Batt, Bryan Dayton, AP Hawks continued on page 6

Students partake in music festival

by Mat Lake The weekend of Feb. 2 brought more than an icy chill. Along with this arctic blast could be found the glorious encantations of some 2000 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State conference participants.

This year, Maine South was fortunate to have five students participate in the event. j These students were Adam Cartwright, Tim Clark, Robyn Kocher, Mat Lake, and Beth McCabe.

Once the students arrived in chilly Peoria, Clark and Kocher, representing the orchestra, auditioned and received exceptional marks.

Both musicians were placed in the Honors Orchestra, which is the more advanced of the two state orchestras. Kocher ranked 18th violin, and Clark placed third chair, fu'St part percussionist.

The talent found in the orchestra was best sunmied up by Kocher, when she stated, "It was an incredible experience to play with such talented musicians...the orchesu-a was amazing."

The orchestra gave a spectacular performance, playing the overture to the opera, "Candide," by Bernstein, and "The Pines of Rome," by Resphigi.

As for the choir, excellence was a standard as well. The All-State choir of some 250 members was very enthusiastic.

"It was wonderful to be in a choir with so much talent where everyone really wanted to do their best," remarked McCabe, a member of the choir.

The choir performed seven pieces, including "Gondoliers," Brothers Sing On," "Ave Maria," "Stella Savory," "Sage," and "Sing to Me in Heaven." Many audience members were enthusiastic about the accomplishments of such a large choir after only two days of rehearsal.

] Commentary

The mystery revealed

by Laura Batt On the second day of Spanish class in seventh grade, the word of the day was "yo."

Finding out that "yo" means "I" in Spanish did not keep our keep our class busy that day; we did use this new knowledge as an excuse to spend the entire period saying "yo," "yo what?," and "yo mamma."

Nowadays, I can actually understand most of what is happening on the Spanish channels' programs...except when the news anchors talk really, really fast (as opposed to really fast).

After roughly 650 days of Spanish classes at Maine South, I would be able to decipher 'EnnrianaguanicacaguahalminrnilagrDdemanieqirillaJ into "En Managua, Nicaragua habia un milagro de mantequilla..."

The English expression, "less than or equal to" was as foreign to me in Kindergarten as "mantequilla" was in seventh grade. I remem ber thinking that the "<" sign was just a shorthand way of drawing Pacman. Later in junior high came 2x < y+14. Then I wondered, "maybe 'x<' is Ms. Pacman?" Not until high school algebra rolled around did I finally completely dismiss the symbol as the yellow arcade chomper and truly accept it as an ine quality sign. This symbol and math as simple as 14-2=12 would probably not have made sense if I hadn't added and subtracted hundreds of lima beans in pre-school.

So I guess knowledge builds up in people's heads for a long time. In the beginning of my life, I probably cried and slept so much because I had no idea that "yo" meant anything in any language. It seems that all of the bits of information people encounter during their lives stack up and form gigantic frustums; the flat tops allow for still more information to be added.

The phrase "Mo ma" is at the bottom of my frustum. I knew for sure that I wanted more milk, not more math, when I said this fifteen years ago. Three years later, I learned how to read this and other phrases correctly, but reading "between the lines" just meant looking at empty space until freshman year English class. Now, reading a selection of "literary merit" requires making sense out of empty space, and class discussions focus on what ideas and words both said and unsaid mean.

Perhaps everything students learn in high school will just add to the foundation for their enterprises of the future.

Who knows what kind of adventures this information could lead to? In a few years, yo" might read between the lines to figure out how to use an inequality to find an expression for the force of static friction between a cement frustom and a stick of "mantequilla."

by Dustin Puckett Many people talk about my blue shorts. A few of them actually confront me. Most of the time I just hear people say "Look at that kid. He always wears blue shorts." I am not saying I mind the fact that some people don't have the confidence to talk to me. You see, the people that do talk to me are almost always mean. It isn't fun to talk to mean people.

A lot of people ask ,"Aren't you cold?"

To this question I respond "No." Maybe I am weird, but my problems with being cold rarely have anything to do with my legs. If my legs are cold, I am probably too worried about the rest of my body to care about those two appendages. When situations arise where I am going to be outside in extreme cold for extended situations, I will take precautions. I might curl up into the fetal position and tuck my legs under my jacket. Most of the time, I am not in extreme cold. People tend to confuse extreme cold with cold. I have notmapped this extreme cold island out completely, but I know the temperature has to be at least under 273K. Some people are blunt and ask "Why don't you wear pants?" My inner child screams out, "I DON'T LIKE PANTS!" The people then tend to run away and get hit by a passing Mac truck. I am not sure what the Mac truck was doing in A303, but someone is dead and I feel sorry for him. I am not sure how many of you have noticed this, but when you wear pants, you have to take off your

shoes when changing for gym. I, being efficient person, want to be as efficient as possible.

When I was small (smaller) I was always made fun of for wearing shorts when it was too cold, or wearing pants when it was too hot. I never knew the difference between pants weather and shorts weather. Now I never have to worry what the weather is like when I get dressed. All I need to do is fmd a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. (I do wear other stuff, but who wants to hear about my rituals with my Superman underwear?)

How many pairs of blue shorts do I have?

Well, more than one. You want me to prove it?

Well, that's too bad. My sophomore year, the year I started this shorts stuff (yes, I have worn pants to Maine South), I numbered my now ragged shorts '1,' '2,' and '3.' The problem was, people still didn't believe me. The people thought I just washed the pair and wrote another number on them.

When I got new shorts, they were a different shade of blue, and I knew people would notice. My new job was to somehow get these shorts some playing time without people noticing. To do this I might wear a new pair on a half-day or during finals. When people d ^ ^ notice I could talk down to them and say t r a l ^ I had had the shorts for a while.

People get mad at me for wearing pants. 1 don't know why but they do and I don't want to do anything about it. The consequences of wearing shorts aren't THAT bad. Don't hate me because I wear shorts.

The hidden ones

by Elizabeth Gibbons Does anyone realize how many fan-deprived sports exist at Maine South? With the exception of football, soccer, and basketball, the only spectators at the many "hidden" sports are parents, timers, referees, and other participants.

Although parents are great fans, it might be nice to have fellow students show support.

Athletes could use a little bit more enthusiam from their peers. From an athlete's perspective, enthusiastic fans make the competition a lot easier.

Take long-distance running, for example.

One or two mile races are very grueling. It is very uplifting to see or hear someone you know cheering along the way. Cross-country and track are not boring sports, either. In Europe, cross-country is a widely recognized spectator sport. The races can get pretty exciting when it comes down to the last two hundred meters and two or three people are

pushing themselves to win, but they are all in so much pain that they want to give up.

At the state cross country meet this fall in Peoria, York High School in Ebnhurst must have had two hundred fans there. Band members, cheerleaders, and other students who simply cared made the three hour trip to support their peers. These people recognized how hard the runners worked to get to that point and they wanted to help them to do their best.

Now, I'm not asking you to drive three hours to watch a competition or even attend an away meet. But if you know there is a home meet and you aren't doing anything, stop by.

The fieldhouse, spec gym, pool, and nortL field aren't very far away. ^^k Perhaps you'll realize how exciting t h ^ ^ sports can be, and you might even see how much a little support can help the participating athletes. All athletes put in a lot of work, and diey all deserve a little recognition.

SonthworaF^

^^Commentary

Accepting the difference in others

by Lisa Klueppel Shane is the all-American high school student He has been on a varsity sport since his freshman year. He takes classes with you.

He represents you to other schools. He is on the honor roll. Oh, one more thing, he's gay.

This may be news to some of you, but gays do exist in a homogeneous, xenophobic school like Maine South. Surprised? Don't be, because Shane is not alone. Carl, Peter, Rick, and Tony are all gay, too.

What brings these people to Maine South?

Life? Human nature? Choice? Feeling?

Shane has been aware of his sexuality since he was eleven. Rick, on the oher hand, refused to accept his sexuality until last week. That is quite a long time to live a lie, to pretend, to prove to himself he is who he is not. But why in the accepting, warmhearted society of today must one shun and cheat himself of his feelings? After all, as a society, we're open enough to homosexuals. Sure we are, as long as they don't touch us, ask for equalrights,or worse yet, "come out of the closet" and vocalize their sexual orientation. If they abide by our rules, we are more than happy to treat them like everyone else. We, as the accepting, empathetic people we are, have no problem with them... as long as they stay within "their community."

That's just how it is. People cannot deal with differences. We've been trying to deal with race for the past two-hundred years, and look at us: we still need affirmative action programs to ensure that racial predjudice is reduced. Yet day after day, people file suits claiming that the rights of a minority have been violated. What does this mean to the fastgrowing gay community? Must they wait two-hundred years before any effort is made to stop the predjudice against them? Looks like it.

It also looks as if the leaders of this nation have not yet come to grips with the gay community, as important and strong as it may be.

Gay marriages are still banned in all states.

This raises a few issues. The only strong defense against the legalization of gay marriages is a religious one: the bible says Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. True, but as Thomas Jefferson stated, the United States should have a "wall of separation" between church and state. I see no wall, a picket fence maybe, but no wall. Such reasoning as "it's I disgusting" or "morally wrong" are not valid here. Many protest to capital punishment on the same grounds, but the U.S. remains in favor of that. Except for San Francisco and a small portion of other U.S. cities, gay couples

are not recognized by insurance companies or businesses. Despite a steady live-in relationship of thirty years, a homosexual couple receives no common benifits from his/her spouse. Grievance periods upon a spouse's death and collection of insurance policy money are all denied to gay couples across the country. With laws and policies like these, one might say that gays are expected to lead lonely lives.

"...Shane has opened himself a road, and at the same time he has become a lighthouse to others."

The laws and policies of society are not the only things that inhibit homosexuals. Shane, Tony, and Rick, though fairly open and comfortable with their sexuahty cannot tell their own families. They have each heard of the rejection that some gays must go through.

None of them have ever experienced this...not yet anyway. Each of them makes a point to tell only their closestfriends,and so far, they have all been accepting. When Tony finally came out, I was happy for him. He spent so many years denying his sexuality that now we are all relieved. He no longer goes out of the way to prove that he is straight and finally accepts and goes along with his feelings. Several of Shane's teachers are aware of his sexuality.

Many of them were suprised to hear that he is gay. One of these teachers says, "Shane has opened himself a road, and at the same time he has become a lighthouse to others." Teachers like this one give Shane great hope. He sees his future growing.

Now that their friends know, they must confront their parents. Tony is having a particularly diffucult time. l i s brother, John, knows that Tony is gay and he constantly finds himself in a bind between a brother's love and a mother's respect. Unbenownst to Tony, his mom found outâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; she is distraught Her first bom gay? What next? She is not against gays, she simply fears for his future.

Their mother repeatedly begs John to tell his brother to come out to the family and ease the tention. Yet around the holidays this past year.

she has changed her mind. "John, tell your brother that he better not come out before Christmas. I don't want him ruining the holidays." So accepting, so caring, and yet her biggest concern is that Tony will wreck Christmas. Her petty worries come before her son's emotions. Of course, she is open to her son's sexuality. She just hides it well. If homosexuals cannot find acceptance within their own homes, how can they ever hope to find acceptance within society as a whole?

Shane's boyfriend, Carl, on the other hand, does not fear his family's reaction as much as he fears for his future. He plans on going into a business career and does not wnt to see his dreams of CEO shot because of his sexual orientation. Right now, his only concern is being "outed." He hides his sexuality at school, home and at work. It has become second nature to him. Qualified and intelligent, any university will accept him, but after college he sees nothing but problems, office tensions, andridicule.Many gays in the business world experience this now but discrimination laws often protect them. Even so, having a "fag" in the office can be a big threat "What if he hits on me?" "I don't want no faggot touching me...he might give me AIDS." Fact is, most gay office workers find their colleagues as attractive as youfindChris Farley. Like you, they draw the line between work and pleasure. Unfortunately, no matter how many times the "homophobe" is told this, he remains convinced that every gay is trying to pick him up, or giving him the eye. Unless they hide their sexuality, gays'jobs are in danger. It is up to the individual to decide which is more dangerous: his colleagues' ridiculous reaction, or his own distress.

So, what is the point of gays "coming out?"

To find ridicule? To be shut out for coming out? As soon as they accept themselves, society is there to shoot them down. Every day is Halloween for Carl. He puts on his "straight" costume, and sucessfully portrays someone else. Nothing more awaits Tony; he's been rejected before coming out. And Shane just cannot wait to get out of high school.

They face their struggle for acceptance, love, and success alone. They must be strong, otherwise they will fall to society's barriers.

Shane says: "Being gay gives me my strength." In other words, his energy grows from his battle for acceptance. Shane, Tony, and Carl accept themselves. The next step is up to us... As a society, as a population, and as a country, we must break through the pre-set barriers which dominate our judgment Learning to accept is the first step.

f*w~

lFeatures[

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Observing African-American achievements

by Karin Vonesh February is Black History Month. Originally only a week, this time to commemorate the works and achievements of AfricanAmericans was launched in February of 1926

by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It was expanded in 1976 to encompass the entire month, which shares the birthdays of former emancipator President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and ex-slave turned powerful abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass (February 14). Although it has been called several different names (Negro History, Afro-American, Black Heritage and Expressions) throughout the years, its focus remains the same: AfricanAmericans have overcome many obstacles and proven many achievements over time, and they deserve to be recognized.

Looking around Maine South's hallways, the lack of a strong African-American prescence is duly noted. Yet, when we broaden our horizons, we find that our lives as Americans have been strongly influenced by this group.

For instance, imagine basketball without Michael Jordan. How about baseball without Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr. or Frank Thomas? Music without Janet or Michael Jackson, or Sammy Davis Jr.? Dr. J. (Juhus Erving) gave us the slam dunk and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the NBA, having been named most valuable player six times and holding the NBA records for games played, total points and completed field goals.

How many of us have not watched "The Cosby Show" one time or another? The gloves of Muhammed Ali, the words of Reverand Jesse Jackson, the voice of James Earl Jones.... all these people have had an impact on the American lifestyle.

The theme chosen for 1996 is "AfricanAmerican Women: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." Starting with yesterday, one can picmre Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955, refusing to yield her seat on the bus to a white man and single-handedly setting the stage for the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott that catapulted the works of Martin Luther King Jr. We also remember Katherine Dunham, dancer extraordinaire, who meshed native African steps with American dances of the century, making way for the Charleston and the Twist. Gwendolyn Brooks, the first black to win the Pulitzer Prize, was recognized for her book of poetry entitled Annie Allen in 1950. Once aide to Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, poet, actress, singer, author, activist, and educator, renewed her fame with a poem at Clinton's inauguration. She also wrote the famous novel, / Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

We remember Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the world's greatest woman athletes, who won back-to-back gold medals in the heptathlon at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics? And Anita Hill, who in her law suit against Clarence Thomas became the symbol of the Sex-

ual Harrasment Movement.

Today we watch Oprah Winfrey, claimed talk show host and also one of the richest and most powerful women in the world. Marian Wright Edelman, founder and chair of the Children's Defense Fund, devotes every hour to the well-being of children. Carol Moseley-Braun sits in the Senate as the first black female senator. Today, Naomi Campbell prances down nearly every professional runway as a supermodel. Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, continues to speak out as a key leader of the Women's Movement. And don't forget Dominique Dawes, who became the first gymnast to win each event at the National Gymanstics Championships.

These African-American women have had such outstanding roles in our American heritage that they sometimes outshine their male counterparts: George Washington Carver, creator of peanut butter; Colin Powell, the most decorated man ever in the U.S. Army; Guion S. Bluford, Jr., the first African-American in space; and even Martin Luther King, Jr., who through his work made the successes of most other African-Americans possible.

Black History Month is a time to remember the great accomplishments of Afiican-AmJ cans in the past, a time to treasure the work African-Americans in the present, and a time to look forward into the endless possibilities of the future.

Focus on student excellence...

Name: Suzie Kostolansky Grade Level: Sophomore Activities: Brotherhood, Musical, Soccer, Class Council, Campus Life Student Leader Teacher's Comment: "Suzie is one of the most dedicated students I've ever taught. She constantly seeks not only improvement in her work, but she also strives for perfection. Her warm, caring personality makes her a pleasant student to work with and a great classmate for her peers. Her mature, moral perspectives brin wonderful insight into classroom discussions."

-Mr. Dave Claypool

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Features!

Twenty-nine days of purification

by Kate Rowland "I hate February!" a Maine South student was overheard to say in the library this past week. "I hate the weather and I hate trying to figure out leap years and I hate that stupid silent r!"

February, even with the burdens of a confusing spelling and lousy weather, has had a muddled history that begins in 700 B.C. Numa Pompilius ruled Rome then, and he issued a decree that added January and February to the ten-month calendar. The word February comes from the Latin februare, which means "to purify." The Romans washed up in February, which was then the last month of the year, in preparation for the ceremonies and festivals of the new year.

Six hundred and 89 years later, in 1 I B . C , the Roman empire ruled the majority of the European continent, and Augustus Caesar held the position of emperor.

Augustus was a slimy, selfish kind of an emperor, just like Julius Caesar, his immediate predecessor. Julius, while emperor, had lent his name to a month—July. Augustus naturally could not allow Julius to have anything he did not have; thus, he called the following month August.

Augustus still had a problem, though.

July, of course, has 31 days. August, at the time, only had 30, which was unacceptable.

So Augustus took one day from the end of February, which had 29 days, and added it on to the end of August.

Why did February lose out? Julius Caesar had decided that, because it was the last month, February should have one less day than the rest of the months, or 29. Every four years, to keep the calendar the same as the solar/lunar cycles, Jubus gave February a leap day, bringing the total to 30. Later, rather than

I

have two months of 29 days, Augustus went for one month of 28 days.

February still has only 28 days, except, of couree, for leap years. Leap years occur every year that is evenly divisible by 4 that does not end in 00, unless the year is evenly divisible by 400. In other words, century years are not leap years unless divisible by 400. Get it?

Maybe this will clear up the problems. The point of leap years nowadays is the same as when Julius Caesar fu-st instituted one in February—to keep the calendar in tune to lunar/solar cycles. The solar year has 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. So every four years, the calendar ends up almost a day off, with just over 23 too few hours.

February 29 makes up for these hours... ...and then some. Every leap year, the calendar winds up about 48 minutes too long.

Over the course of 100 years, therefore, the calendar winds up behind the solar/lunar cycle. So the century years are not leap years to make up for that deviation.

That deviation, however, is not precise.

Every four hundred years, the elimination of century leap years leaves almost aday' s worth ofmissing hours. Those hours are made up for by giving those century years like 1600,2000 and 2400, those divisible by 400, a leap year.

Other things that happen in during leap years include the summer Olympics and Presidential elections. Though leap year is February's main claim to fame, the history of the month is as interesting as any.

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One more thing~"StufT I bet you didn't know" last week turned out to be stuff I didn't even know, like the current population of the United States. Instead of being the400million mentioned, it's actually 250 million.

Happy birthday to...

A list of people (and their ages) bom in February.

-Author James Joyce (114) -Composer Felix Mendelssohn (187) American writer Horace Greeley (185) -Aviator Charles Lindbergh (98) -Queen Anne of English (331) Statesman Aaron Burr (240) -Southwords Features Editor Sean Andrews (17) -Baseball player Babe Ruth (101) -Former President Ronald Reagan (85) Author Chaiies Dickens (184) -Astrologer Galileo Galilei (432) -Inventor Cyrus Mc Cormick (187) -Author Sinclair Lewis (111) -Author Jules Verne (168) Former President William Henry Harrison (223) -Inventor Thomas Editor (149) -Former President Abraham Lincoln (187) -Biologist Charles Darwin (187) -Rights activist Susan B. Anthony (176) -Astrologer Nicolaus Copernicus (523) -Former President George Washington (264) -Author Samuel Pepys (363) -Composer George Handel (311) Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois (178) Author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (189) The February birthstone is the amethyst, a stone that is usually pale purple.

The month's flower is the primrose, a white, yellow, or red bloom.

The dictionary gives two pronunciations for February—feb-yoo-a-ry or febroo-a-ry.

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J News [

January Students of the Month The Students of the Month for January are as follows: English: Chris Cannata, Heather Dunn, Paul Enderle, Mike Frett, Mark Ishu, Nick Kacprowski, Andrea Kulas, Carolyn Manrose, Tim Paschke, Lina Sessa, Rachel Stein, Whitney Swanson, Ines Tiu, Ervin Watersweet, Amanda Wolf.

Mathematics: Mary Megan Anderson, Marco Capasso, Kevin Conroy, Adam Haney, Jennifer Jemc, Kirsten Krone, Liz Mocarski, Michael Sim, Anna Stec, Alexia Tsilipetros.

Science: Kate Bacon, Coleen Foy, Shawn Davis, Kevin Geist, Annette Kaczmarek, Anna Kerber, Suzanne Lanzafame, Natalie

AP Hawks =^^^^^ Antoine Mickiewicz, Walter Walczak, and Cyrus Wilson.

Unit Two: Stephanie Chen, Vic DeMartino, Tracy Stankiewicz, Laurie Strotman, and Brian Wolfe.

Unit Three: Wes Crampton, Bill Doukas, Mark Iwaszko, Hellin Jang, and Tom Tsilipetros.

Unit Four: Chris Kiepura, Tim Paschke, Greg Reuhs, Kate Rowland, and Chris Ryan.

Unit Five: Jeni Aris, Sarah Crawford, Jessica Jakubanis, Brian Shields, and Erica Vassilos.

Unit Six: Jon Dudlak, Tom Falk, Graham Fisher, Denise Knipp, and Kara Wipf.

Levendoski, Carmen Monaco, David Markowksi, Kerry Matesi, Joanna Mueller, Peter Pintz, Maren Roman, Tracy Stankiewicz, Tim Strauts, Johanna Zumer.

Social Science: Jason Goss, Mary Heidkamp, Joshua Klaczek, Janet Lucchesi, Brian Pick, John Sagot, Zoran Stoneov, Apasara Warapanyaseni, Kara Wipf Foreign Language: Gina Anichini, Timothy Barounis, Amul Ganger, Mary Hoekstra, Ali Khan, Bret Olson, Daniel Reidy, Susan Skaczylo.

Physical Education: Kathleen Anderson, Ann Carroll, Monica Caporale, Joanna Frigo, George Giannakopolous, Bradley Shemluck, Joseph Slezak, Holly Warchol, Fredric Wiatr,

Upcoming Events Saturday, February 24

Girls' Choice dance

Wednesday, February 28

College Planning Program

Thursday, February 29 Monday, March 4

Progress Reports Casimir Pulaski Day-NO SCHOOL

Blatant plug for Girls' Choice

by Tom Repetto Where can you find ultimate dance music, all out party acommodations, and an atmosphere guaranteed to "take your breath away"? The party express has arrived at Maine South with this year's Girls' Choice dance, "Take My Breath Away."

With more action than a monster truck rally and more studs and babes than a Baywatch marathon, this year's Girls' Choice dance promises to be a rip-roaring, knockyour-socks-off jamboree. With a generous assortment of fast and slow songs, there will be something for everyone in the Maine South spec gym. The Junior Class Council has assembled some of the greatest decorations and refreshments known to man for your viewing and munching pleasure.

When does the fun start? For one day only, Saturday, February 24, from 7:30 to 10:30 this extravaganza will rip through Maine South like a fire-breathing tornado.

But wait, there's more! Impossible you

Eva Wytaniec.

Music: Christine Bora, Amy TreboticK^ Apasara Warapanyaseni.

Driver Education: Mike Delance, Angela Lopez, Tim Woods, Eva Wytaniec.

Health: Christine Jacobson-Romain Home Economics: Anne Hildebrandt, Jodie Jakubowksi, Judy Kim, Panagiota Rapatas.

Art/Photo: Alexandra Bialecki, Rachel Reid, Erin Roche, Colin Yarck.

Applied Technology: Pamela Morgan, Jason Weibel.

Broadcasting/Drama: Scott Grider, Thomas Kobus, J.R. Rose.

Business: Matthew Eatherton.

say? There's only so much excitement you can pack in one night? During the night there will be a king-crowning ceremony, where four lucky guys, one from each class, get to share the same title as Tut and Elvis and wear a lavishly decorated crown.

Now, you may be wondering how much a night of laughter, dancing, and more fun than Wrestlemania might cost. $100? $1000? Don't be ridiculous. The bargain basement is going through the roof with this amazing offer of only $15 per couple!

Can you buy tickets at the door? The answer: negative. You may be wondering, "When and where can I, as an attractive bachelor/bachelorette, buy my ticket and get this great deal?"

Do not worry, tickets are available in the bookstore and can be purchased via cash or check.

Ladies, don't sit back and watch your dream date pass you by. This gala will be only happen once this year.

SouthwordS Southwards is the student-produced newspaper of Maine South High School, 1111 S. Dee Rd., Park Ridge, IL (60068). LeUers to the editor should be delivered to room V-131 or giveii to a member of the editorial statf. Southwards reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene or libelous submissions.

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_„.Laura Batt Cyrus WifeoD ..-.Jiatalie Mazznca Kara Wipf .„Alison Milnamow Brian O'NeUI „».....Sean Andrews Kate Rowland «-»—~Chris Ryan Katie R,vbak Jon Dudlak J>aul Berko^ Tobey Schmidt —Maggie Sadowicz T. R. Kerth

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Sportsj

Gymnastics ends positively

by Jessica Boudos It all started at the Fremd Regionals when the girls' gymnastics team finally pulled together as a team. It was a miracle that the team members can attribute to their difficult and strenuous three hour long practices. Their progression of dedication and hard work finally paid off at the end of the season. This is what the team and coaches had been waiting for all season: a night when the team could score al28.6.

The team performed as well as it did due to the strong performances of many individuals.

It started on vault with Sam Schumacher and Jessica Boudos posting scores of 8.1. Danielle McCuUom's 8.35 and sectional qualifiers Jacke Korus (8.6) and Chrisfina Dorow (8.55)

were also outstanding.

Then the Hawks moved on to bars and Kate Bacon scored a 6.6 followed by Beth Markowski's 7.8 and Elena Beladakis' 8.0.

There were also two sectional qualifers on bars- Boudos (8.35) and Dorow (8.6).

Beam was by far the most exciting event, with only four falls as a team and three steady routines from Markowski (6.95), Boudos (7.6), and Laurie Strotman (7.75). Other great scores on beam came from McCoIlum with a 7.35 and Dorow with a 7.6.

Finally, the Hawks ended the meet on floor. McCollum led the way with an 8.45 followed by Dorow (8.05), Boudos (7.9), and Beladakis (7.55).

Then it was off to the Barrington Sectional

for the Hawks with Korus on vault, Boudos on bars, and Dorow on bars, vault, and allaround.

The meet was a fun, eventful day for the gymnasts. Dorow hyper-extended her elbows in warm-ups but despite this was a sffong competitor. Although she competed in much pain she posted scores of 8.15 on vault, 8.0 on bars, 6.9 on beam, and 7.85 onfloor.Boudos also did well with an 8.15 on bars and Korus finished her last meet with a strong score of and 8.35 on vault.

The girls' gymnastics team definitely needs and deserves a break from all the hard work and injuries throughout the season, but the team is already looking forward to next year's season.

Super season ends for Hawks

by Michelle Dulsld and Laura Batt Since the spectacular victory against Maine West February 2, the girls' basketball team won four more games before losing to the relendess Warriors February 20. The mawks lost 53-43 in the Sectional semi-finals to end their season at an impressive 26-4.

The team dominated Niles West and Evanston in winning their first two playoff games.

Maine South participated in the Loyola sectional, called the toughest in the state be-

cause it includesfiveteams from the Chicago Tribune's Top 10 list.

Two of the Hawks' four losses on the season were to Loyola and Resurrection, both state-ranked teams; the others were to fifthranked West.

A few days after their Maine West win, the Hawks met Highland Park for the senior game. They were able to add another victory to the season winning 79-20. In this game, Joy Pavichevich with 14 points and Alyson

Lofthouse with 10 points led the offense. The Hawk defense held the Giants scoreless in the second quarter, and held them to less than 10 points for each of the other quarters.

Pavichevich summed up the Hawks' super season when she said, "We played hard, had fun ... and became very close."

The team loses Pavichevich and seven other veteran seniors but will look to current Varsity members and the Conference champion JV team members to step up next year.

Track speeds swiftly by rivals

by Sara Payne expecting some more greatfinishesfiromthe varsity line-up.

The Hawk track and field team made its season debut February 1 with a quad-meet against Glenbrook South, New Trier, and Resurrection. The early season practices paid ^^ '"' [ 1 home contest off for the Hawks as they breezed past Resurrection and New Trier, but fell a little short to Mon 2/26 Fri 2/23 Sat 2/24 Sun 2/25 Tue 2/27 GBS. Freshmen Jenny Mozdren and Cara Boys' Glenbrook IHSA Reg Cordero both had excellent finishes in their Basketball Semifinals North 6^:30 events. The two freshmen have made their IHSA Super Girls' mark on the varsity team.

Sectional Basketballl Junior Johanna Zumer has also started Girls' well, but stand-out Elizabeth Gibbons has yet 1 Season ended 2/10 Gymnastics to compete much due to a hip injury suffered Boys' during the cross-country season. Gibbons did IHSA State Finals Swimming run in a tri-meet against Resurrection and Steinmetz February 6, winning the mile in Maine East Boys' Track Invite Fr. ^6:05. Jenny Mozdren won the quarter mile â&#x20AC;˘n\h a time of 71.8 seconds. Sheree Baccay Haâ&#x20AC;˘w^!c Relays Girls'Track Ivon the 200 meter in 30.6 seconds and Leslie :9:00 AM Greenfield took the 50 yard dash in 7 seconds.

Wrestling Season Ended 2/17 The Hawks are training hard for the up' 1 r ' coming Hawk relays on February 24 and are

Hawk HiQhliQhts

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Sports

Febuary23,l99r

Swimmers finish third in Conference

by Paul Pawola The boys' varsity swim team finished the conference season with a disappointing tie for third place with Maine West in the Central Suburban League North. The Hawks finished the season 3-2 in conference dual meets, and they finished fourth at the conference meet.

The Hawks were just five and a half points behind West.

In the first half of the meet, everything went wrong for the Hawks, and at the break Maine South was in last place. The only bright spot was senior Tim Paschke, who won the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 22.12, just missing a CSL North record.

In the second half of the meet, the Hawks rebounded. Paschke won his second event of the evening, the 100 yd. freestyle, with a time of 48.68. He was shy of the conference record by just one one hundreth of a second.

Junior Nat Tone earned All-Conference honors for the second year in a row by placing third in the 100 yd. backstroke. Other medalists were sophomore Matt Wanat (6th in the 100 yd. backstroke) and senior Bryan Dayton (5th in the 100 yd. breastroke). The 200 yd. freestyle relay team of Paul Berko, Dayton, Tone, and Paschke finished third.

The JV team members faired better at their conference meet, having many splendid performances and ending the season as the undisputed conference champs. Individuals having career days were freshman Brian Pick (first in the 200 yd. individual medley and second in the 1(X) yd. breaststroke) and Joe Kipta (first in the 50 yd. freestyle and fourth in the 100 yd. butterfly). Rob Gliwa also had a good meet, capturing a crucial fourth in the breaststroke.

Sophomore Rob Bello, JV champ in the 100 yd. freestyle, and junior George Hartman,

second in the 200 yd. and 100 yd. freestyle were also key members of the team. Junior Larry Logsdon, who finished fourth in the 500 yd. freestyle, also made a large contribution to the team. A special congratulations goes to Kevin Duffy, Joe Ramirez, and Dave Smith, who did the impossible and swept first, second, and third in the 100 yd. backstroke. The varsity team extends a congratulations to Coach Brandstet and all of the junior varsity members on their spectacular season and wish them future success.

The entire swim team would like to thank everyone who came to the meets, for their support. Also, a hearty thank you goes to all of the swim timers and table crew for helping meets run smoothly. Finally a special thankyou to members of Coach Cain's gymnastics team for their support throughout the entire season.

Track starts season with two big victories

by Paul Pawola The boys' track team opened the 1996 season with two impressive victories over Niles North and New Trier.

Against New Trier, the Hawks won nine of 14 events and beat New Trier by a score of 5 842. Event winners were Swidnicki in the high

and low hurdles, Kuever in the 50 yd. dash and long jump, Brian Marvucic in the shotput, and Phil Butera in the triple jump. The shotput, mile, and 880 yard relays also finished first.

Against Niles North, the Hawks won 8041. Individual winners were seniors Ben Wilson in 50 yard dash, Tom Swidnicki in the

low hurdles, and Dave Darling in the shotput.

Juniors claiming firsts were Ted Gayford in the half mile, Eric Kuever in the quarter mi^ lil^^ and long jump, Pat Maigler in the pole vai and J.P. Veron in the high jump. The Haw! vl^^ also won the mile relay, the two mile relay, and the shotput relay.

Wrestling season ends at Niles Sectional

by Matt Glavin The 1995-1996 wrestling season came to an end last Saturday at the Niles North Sectional. Five Hawks had qualified for the sectional at the previous week's regional held at Maine South. Seniors Ken Shubert and Jim Frey, as well as juniors Mark Cameron and Brian Albin qualified for the Sectional. Freshman wonder Brett Harmen also qualified. Unfortunately, none could advance past the tough Sectional.

Overall, the Hawks had an outstanding year. They finished the year with a 12-11 record. Coming into this year, only four wrestlers had varsity experience; all of them had losing records. At the season's end the Hawks had formed a team with enough toughness and will power to land them a third place finish in conference.

"If you wanted to beat us, you better have done it this year because next season we will be a force to reckon with," Coach Fallico says as he looks to the future. Every spot in the lineup next year will be filled with a wrestler who

has some varsity experience. The Hawks had over 20 different people in the line-up and that experience will help greatly next year. The Hawks will miss the seniors on this team and are proud of their achievements. The leader

ship and camaraderie they possessed cannot be measured. Best of luck to seniors Jason Bauer, Jim Frey, Steve Madura, Ken Shubert, and Alex Whammond in the future. And to next year's Hawks: get ready to win!