Vol 36 issue 7

SOUTHWORDS Vol. 37. Issue 7

Maine Soulh liiiih Sch«K>l • I I I I S. Dee Road • Park Ridiie. IL MXViK

Deiemher.^. 1999

Not Orchestra, Orchesis!

NEWS •Elk Grove visit—p. 2 •Food drive—p. 2 •News Commentary: Decatur—p. 3 •Orchesis—p. 3 COMMENTARY •Trouble Brewing—p. 4 •Past heroes—p. 5

The Orchesis dancers rehearse after a successfiil dance marathon

•Everything has its limits—p. 5 •Advertising the dirt—p. 6 FEATURES •Happy birthday Illinois—p. 7 •Four pounds ofmeat-p.

8

•Focus on Mr. Hare-p. 9 •Sad: the winter blues-p. 9 SPORTS •Girls' gymnastics. Girls' basketball.

Boys' swimming, Boys' indoor track —p. 10 •Girls'swimming, TimSeiwert's "goodbye"—p. 11 •Boys' basketball. Boys' wrestling— p.I2

photo b)

by Adriana Bartucci As the Orchesis troop walks the halls sporting their company uniforms (which consist of black jazz pants and dance teeshirts) many ask them what they are wearing them for. A dancer responds, "Orchesis" and the student replies by saying, "What instnmient do you play?" and then the dancer explains, "Not Orchestra, Orchesis! Dancers don't play instruments, dancers dance!"

Orchesis is Maine South's own dance company that consists of 28 dancers, ranging from freshmen to seniors.The clinic and tryouts were held in September and since then the troop has been very busy putting together the annual orchesis show. Rehearsals are two to three days a week and are led by dance teacher and professional Joel Hall Dancer, Ms. Sinclair-Day along with English teacher, Ms. Sarlas (this is Ms. Sarlas' first year as an Orchesis co-sponsor).

This year the show is titled "Lights, Camera, Action" and is on Friday, January 7, at 7:30 and Saturday, January 8 at 3:00.

Every dance is smdent-choreographed and every song is from a movie soundtrack. Included in this year's show are pieces involving hip-hop, jazz and a variety of special dances such as interpretation of a drive-in movie scene, a dance done in sign language, and a performance by the advanced Dance Class.

Despite the upcoming show, the dancers also have a lot of other things to keep them busy. Recently, the troop held a Dance Marathon, the biggest fundraiser for the year. For this, Orchesis brought in professional dancers that taught the dance members ballet, break dancing, and Brazilian martial arts.This year's officers. President Adriana Bartucci, Vice President Anna Pullara, Secretary Tanya Haralampopolous, continued on page 3

2 News A learning experience

by Monica Haak Last month, eight members of Maine South's Student Council participated in an exchange to Elk Grove High School. Here, they had the opportunity to compare various elements of the school community and exchange ideas with staff and smdents from another area.

There is much that can be learned by looking to the success ofothers. Much credit for their success is due to their open and liberal administration. They are considerate of suggestions regarding school policies and activities and operate on the belief system that a self-sufficient school community will optimize morale and ultimately be most beneficial for all.

This philosophy is not only a verbal statement, but is in place throughout the school.

It is evidenced in their open campus, as well their designated lot for smoking, secured by school officials, but approved by the community, which has drastically minimized tobacco related adversity.

School spirit is also very evident at Elk Grove. Because students feel a greater sense of liberty and trust from authority figures, they take more pride in playing a larger role in their school. We, for example, have uniformed police officers patrolling the halls.

Elk Grove's security guards are clad in school colored polo shirts and commonly socialized with students during passing periods.

Elk Grove's technological position is also one to be admired. No classroom is without a computer or television and their equivalent to homeroom announcements are broadcast live to each room. Students all have access to their newly installed IMac Jab. Their Homecoming celebration is packed fiill of elaborate daily activities, such as bonfires, pep rallies, and organized games in the cafeteria, and encompasses the interests of the entire community. During their Homecoming spirit week, teachers lower homework expectations to encourage students to participate in the festivities.

After this experience, many Student Council members believe that there are things about our school that could be improved by looking at what is being done at Elk Grove. However, many still believe that our school is great the way it is and that many of the things employed at Elk Grove just wouldn't work out here.

The spirit of giving

by Monica Haak

The season for giving is now under way and in that spirit, Maine South will commence its annual food drive, titled "Feed the Need." It will begin next Monday, December 6. This year's event promises to be very successful, as it is packed with activities that strive to motivate students and faculty to contribute to the cause of feeding the hungry. The traditional competition between the classes and faculty will again be in place the entire week of the food drive. In this competition, any money or food given to a student council homeroom representative or put in the large collection bottles in the cafeteria will be tabulated separately for each class as well as the faculty. All monetary donations will be awarded one point for every cent (except pennies which count for one negative point each) and all nonperishable food items will be awarded 2(X) points.

To jump start the week with enthusiasm, Monday has been deemed "Early Bird Special Day." This means that at the end of the day whichever class is in the lead will be entitied to a 10% increase of their accumulated points. Wednesday is "Double Dollar Day," during which all dollar bills

count for twice as many points and pennies count for negative two points each. Thursday is "Double Can Day," on which donated food will be worth 400 points. Friday is another "Double Dollar Day," and the end of the competition and food drive. For extra incentive, the library has agreed to accept canned food in exchange for library fines.

This year, the goal for food collection is to fill the large display case near the P.A. wing and the monetary goal is $7, 500.

Hopefully the combined efforts of our student body and faculty will enable us to meet these goals for the benefit of the charity organizations Merrillat House, Littie Sisters of the Poor and the Maine Township Food Pantry. The food drive is probably one of the most worthwhile activities we have here at Maine South, so let's all work together to make "Feed the Need" a success.

1621- Galileo perfects the telescope 1833- First Coeducational College in America Opens 1948- First US woman army officer not in medical corps is sworn in 1967- First human heart transplant 1979- Eleven are trampled to death during a Who concert in Cincinnati

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News 3 !NEWS COMMENTAR'tt

The road to justice is not black or white

by Megan Gibbons They march, they protest, they argue peacefully. The small industrial town of Decatur, Dlinois has now drawn national attention to a rowdy post-football fight.

Punches were thrown, cheap shots were taken, and bruises were left on all those involved. However for seven young students of Mac Arthur High School, the bruises were much greater than those that will clear up in about a week. These boys were slapped with two-year expulsions as result of their senseless fighting.

At that, the man associated with ultimate cases of injustice graced the scene. This great man can be linked to Martin Luther King Jr., to several presidents, and seems to be present at every opportunity to better society. To the Reverend Jesse Jackson, this was the time to improve society and to repair the futures of seven broken teenagers. Jackson took charge; he used his power and influence and slowly reduced the penalty of these

boys.

The penalty began on a slow down hill fall as the expulsion was lessened to one year. Furthermore it became a simple expulsion from MacArthur, and permission to attend other schools. Most would say Jackson has done more than his share of work.

Jackson's determination and will wouldn't let him lie down at simply thathe continued to fight for the removal of all further consequences, seeing that they had already been punished by missing seventy days of school. Jackson has rallied- bringing together two thousand citizens to show support for the boys who appear to have been overly punished. The community pulled together for the cause, they came to hear the great Reverend speak, and they came to show their love for their boys. Jackson created a conunon cause, one that all can fight for. He has held countless negotiation talks, he has met with superintendents, fellow stu-

Students of the montii SOCIAL SCIENCE: Nadia Blan, Magdalena Budziakowska, Garrett Cupp, Matthew Heerman, William Heennan, Phil Keith, Michael Kuczynski, Peter Kurinsky, Joe Madden, Rita Sayat, Randy Tosch, Melissa Waller FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Joseph Bergeron, Kathryn Berndtson, Daniel Kreisel, Patrick Managan, Bryan O'Donnell, Kelly Oenning, Nicholas Olenec, Melissa Waller, Kaitlin Wolfe ENGLISH: Shahe Abdelrahim, Magdalena Budziakowska, Shaheen Baig, Steve Chung, Steven Dabrowski, John Dwyer, Kevin Erickson, Adam Fabian, Katie Husar, Matt Lambert, Heidi Libner, Lina Liu, Lauren Paez, Nidhi Patel, Chrystal Peterson, Samantha Porada, Tony Smith, Melissa Sobota, Angelica Tomasiewicz, Caitlin Tyrrell, John Wlezien, Rita Yonkers MATH: Vaness Baccay, Katie Berndtson, Gregorz Brzozowski, Maria Colletti, David Filippini, Sarah Jordan, Claire Mulbrandon, Cristina Perez, Matthew Schuenke, Anna Sipkovsky, Katy Solan, Kim Toter SCIENCE: Safina Abid, Mariusz Babicz.

Lisa Belter, Jessica CoUetta, Ann DeLeoleos, Anthony Dinvemo, Mike

Fisher, Bob Hill, Boban Ivanovic, Mike Kloepfer, Paul LaPorte, Heidi Libner, Oscar Morales, Stephanie Nickele, Alex PoUey, Ken Triptow, Allison Wohl COMPUTERS/BUSINESS: Cassandra Sherman, Michael Kopec, William Cielinski, Joshua Barger, Brian Recsetar, Michael Cocagne PERFORMING ARTS: Dave Glusic, Katie Chor, Kirk Tsirigotakis, Bridget Murphy, Nicole Smith, Frances Futris, Christine Schwartz, Kathy Meyer ART: Maura Collins, Michelle Kolaczewski, Lydia Liu, Katelyn Michelini, Christian Cwik DRIVER EDUCATION: Marta Skwarczek, Tim Sapieka HEALTH: Tina Brionez, Scott Andrews PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Michael Falcinelli, Liani Pini, Michael Gonzalez, Anna Purymska, Meghan McCall, Joseph Stritzel, W^liam Tritu, Ian Fidler, Nadia Blan, Agnes Kurpisz, Michael Kloepfer, James Ballard HOME ECONOMICS/BEHAVIOR: Edith Pietrzykowsi, Monigue Buonincontro, Jeremy Arbuthnot, Michael Kloepfer, Erika KronborgMogil

dents, teachers, and authority figures in hopes to reach a peace in the talks and the clash of interests.

Jackson's main argument in the situation is that by these expulsions, the community and the authorities are stripping these boys of their education. Yet completely opposite to his behefs, his fighting and his pushing to do what is right has resulted in the shut down of MacArthur for over a week. Students have missed weeks of studies as a result of a fight for the right of education of all.

Not only has it created a clash in the views of the students and what they deserve, but also with white supremacists. Although Jackson continues to insist the issue is nonracial, because the boys involved are African-American, the question has been raised.

It is as if we are revisiting Jackson's earlier days, for at a rally he was holding, he stood face to face with the Klu Klux Klan once again. Jackson, when fighting for what was at hand, appears to be fighting for his race.

What appeared to be a wonderful cause to fight for, has saved seven young boys' education and created a new life for them.

Yet in the shadows of the success, there sits controversy and conflict. At what point has this cause gone too far?

Dina Tsapralis, Costume Chair Veronica Korcz, and Pubhcity Chair Susie Slezak, also performed an act in this year's V-Show in which they maneuvered a huge stuffed doll in black lights. Maine South Orchesis will also be the 2000 hosts for the Illinois High School Dance Festival, which will be held on Saturday May 13. Numerous high schools from around Illinois will be in attendance, and it is truly an honor for the dancers to host the event.

As if that isn't enough to keep the dancers "on our toes," they also plan on possibly auditioning for student showcases and attending other dance festivals and programs.

Overall, the: troop is very proud of their accomplishments.

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The Editors!

by Michael DePilla Let me start out by saying that Jesse Jackson has good intentions. Nevertheless, his actions and involvement in the MacAurthur High School predicament are totally unjustified. He has managed to turn a small community situation into a national crisis, and in doing so inadvertently undermines his efforts to help the suspended students.

Before going any further, here is a clear presentation of the situation. On September 17 six black students from MacAurthur High School were involved in a senseless brawl during a football game that sent scared women and children running for safety. The students were subsequently expelled for two years for violating the school's zero tolerance rule. True, it was a harsh punishment, but one that should be applauded in that school officials are taking a stand against the kind of violence that is often taken for granted. It is the school's responsibility to see that its rules are being obeyed and if they are not the culprits must be dealt with accordingly.

This punishment would have been determined, handed out, and accepted except for the actions of one man: Jesse Jackson.

Mr. Jackson has decided it is his responsibility to see to it that these six students, three of whom are third-year freshmen, become somehow above this law. It is not wrong for Mr. Jackson to take an interest in helping others, but he must analyze the situation as a whole before diving in head first. If he did, he would see that making a big deal out of such a case defeats his whole purpose.

J n fact, there is no deal to be made in the first place. The manner in which a school decides to discipUne its students is not up for bargaining and is not dependant on an outsider's approval.

Mr. Jackson's main argument is that these students are being discriminated against because they are black. What he doesn't realize is that the exact same punishment would have been given to any other student, white, black, or purple, in the same situation. His antagonistic actions serve only to open wounds that with time would heal naturally, and the farther he goes the more salt he is pouring into those wounds. In reality, Mr. Jackson's fight is just as senseless as the kids' he is defending.

Trouble brewing

by Britt Frederiksen A Park Ridge teen was arrested for misconduct and public intoxication on November 5, 1999. Ever since this, the Park Ridge Police have increased their hold on the teenager's non-existent loitering privileges - arresting any groups of teens found to be loitering in the uptown area. The law has not been put to its full effect, but has been stressed more in the past weeks.

There has always been a law prohibiting loitering in uptown Park Ridge, yet teens have been "hanging out" uptown since my mother was a teenager and have remained uninhibited. For some reason, the police have started enforcing an old law that has never before been noticed.

It comes as no surprise to me that there are still teenagers loitering uptown, and as no surprise that some are drunk. There is nothing to do in Park Ridge for a teenager that cannot drive. There are exceptions to every norm, for instance, the freshman who is friends with seniors or the fifteen-year-old whose parents will drive her everywhere, yet the majority of teens will agree that without a car, we have no real place to go. Certainly, we could stay home and study, but sometimes the "pressures of academic life" do call for a break.

Or we could have friends that live within walking distance come over to our homes.

This should be a wholesome plan. Unfortunately, many parents cannot be home to supervise such an event, and many parents do not wish to. If parents are not there to supervise, the teenagers will be more Ukely to "cause trouble" because they will be more free to. Without an adult present, teens have an increased ability to intoxicate themselves with alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs because there is no one to tell them not to or to prevent this. Adults, in theory, should already have blocked this, yet teenagers do have access to these stimulants and do use them.

The only option left, then, is to see our

friends in the only other way we can think of: by going uptown. There is a theater. Subway, Starbucks and various other shops where our friends could very well be, and so the teenagers of Park Ridge gravitate to this pubhc area, where we should be safe and protected by the police if something harmful arises. PoUce have been known to break up large groups of teens, which makes sense, but lately have been known to even arrest teens in groups of four or five. Teens I know were not "creating a ruckus" or "misconducting" themselves in any way, yet they were arrested.

Arguments have arisen that state that a large group of teenagers outside of a business will hamper the flow of customers.

This is legitimate only if the group is large enough to create a physical barrier - only if the group consists of about ten or fifteen teens. Other reasons for the law include helping to stop drug trafficking and to prevent teenage alcohol use, yet these events will occur with or without loitering. The events will just occur in a different area.

When I first heard that this teen was arrested for intoxication, I thought it was a good affirmation of the police's authority and I agreed that this teenage drinking should be stopped. The police, however, believe that arresting other groups of teens loitering uptown will somehow stop the drinking problem. There are other reasons, of course, but the law has never been enforced for those reasons before. Teenage drinking will occur with or without the police, and does occur all over America. If the police are interested in fighting underage intoxication they should start by monitoring the sale of alcohol to teens more closely.

If they are interested in preventing loitering, they should give us somewhere to be, because we do not currently have many options, and uptown has been our "home" for a long, long time.

CRIME

Cominentary 5

Honoring

by Peter A. Kurmsky On November 11,1918 at 11:00AM, an armistice was reached between Britain, France, the U.S., Germany, and a dozen other conflicting nations, that ended the "war to end all wars," and the American soldiers who bad "fought for peace" could finally return home after nearly two years on thefirontlines.

Parades were held in almost every town paying their respects to the veterans who returned home, and those who did not; defending one's nation was regarded as a noble profession. As literature about the war was published and distributed amongst the public, people were able to gain a better understanding of the genuine sacrifice put forth by our nation's army on the Westem Front. In the decades following Armistice Day 1918, Americans would honor their veterans by displaying their flags outside their residences and observe a moment of silence at 11:(X) AM on November 11, later regarded as Veteran's E)ay.

History has, of course, shown that the Great War" was not the "war to end all

the heroes of our past wars," but was, in fact, the begiiming of numerous wars to follow. Due to this fact, the importance of Veteran's Day is strengthened, as millions of Americans were needed to resist hostile nations in defense of democratic values. We have been blessed to have had the protection of our nation's finest citizens in times of national emergency, but we so often neglect to express our gratitude to those among us who have served our country with honor, regardless of the politics behind the conflict.

Veteran's Day is a federal hoUday, meaning no that there is no mail deUvery, garbage pickup, and no school. Despite these observances, most Americans today work through this important day without even considering the sacrifice of those who lived and died before them. I, hke the rest of us, woke up Me on Thursday, November 11, 1999 and enjoyed my day off, but not without knowing why I was not in school. The first thing I did was put the flag out in our front yard, like so few of the residents of Park Ridge had. Most people treated this holiday as a normal day of going to work.

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without knowing its significance; therefore, there were very few services, or even a word about it in any of the local newscasts.

The only significant piece I saw about this holiday was in the neighborhood paper, which had interviewed veterans about the lack of attention that they are receiving. By doing this, we are taking for granted the freedoms that have been bestowed upon us. and that we have preached to others in order to defend against personal injustice.

Freedoms that people have given their lives for, and enchued the horrors of war.

In my family, and in many others, there ^ e two or three members who have served in the armed services, and if it weren't for their efforts, we may not even be here enjoying die freedoms that we are able to practice in this nation. I have been taught to respect our veterans and their sacrifice for our future, and it made me, and apparently the veterans, a bit upset at die fact the VetCTans Day has been reduced from a ritual moment of silence at 11;00AM, to a few articles making light of the lack of observance for this hoMday.

Everything has its limits

by Rachel Holihan Sunday night, a man took 250 aspirin.

Covered with paint, he passed out in his apartment. He was placed in a psychiatric ward after being found by authorities. Monday morning his story was all over the press.

Unfortunately, this type of situation happens everyday, but only a select few of the stories are covered by the media. The reason, of course, is that he was not just any man, but a man drafted to play in the NBA out of high school. This was one of the only lucky points in Leon Smith's life, sadly, and it is one that will cause him the most pain as it is because of that that his story was told, and he now is known as a "psycho" and "disturbed" rather than a basketball player Since the age of five Smith has been estranged from his parents. He grew up with no real support system spending his childhood in five group homes. For fourteen years he was a ward of Illinois. The NBA had its continued on page 6

6 Coinijiioiitct

Advertising

by Ted Kocher

Our school has become a major highway.

Not because of concrete floors, many lanes and intersections ("running" lanes and the A Wing-C Junction), but be- cause of the advertisements seen on the side of the road.

Based on a study taken during passing period, about eighty percent of Maine South students are walking ad vertisements.

This isn't new information, of course. The simation could just as well have been the same ten years agi and it probably was.

But what bothers me is that companies are making profit of poor quality merchandise that has style, but lacks functionality.

The largest offender is Abercrombie and Fitch. Where else can you go and buy- 1 swear this is the actual product name~Di>ry Utility jeans for sixty dollars?

Abercrombie also leads the market in style. I won't blame A+F for their business tactics, but their act is a little too much for me to handle.

That's why I don't use their products.

As popular trends show, many "copy cat" brands started to copy Abercrombie and Fitch. But when Adercrondie and Filch started to sell Dirty Boxer Shorts for thirty bucks, I was somehow turned off.

But, the "worn" look is "in" nevertheless. It just doesn't make sense to me why

someone would buy a brand new pair of jeans pre-soiled. It's a waste of time that could be usd to soil them yourself, of course.

That brings up a good point to entrepeneurs out there: buy new, unsoiled jeans at Old Navy for thirty bucks, roll them in dirt and cow dung, and you have a designer pair ofjeans that could go for hundreds of dollars.

And why does it have to stop with jeans? It doesn't.

Some Abercrombie shirts are embroidered with logos and then sandblasted off, forawomlook. J-Crew sells hats with the edging torn off.

And you don't even want to know what J.C. Penney did to try and be "in."

The "worn" look isn't entirely new, however. Initially, Doc Marten brand shoes were praised by "blue collar" workers for their resistance to certain liquids and their durabiUty. A pair of standard black Dr. Martin ow-tops cost only forty dollars in 1987.

Now, if you are lucky enough to find plain black low-cut Docs, they will run anywhere from seventy to one hundred and ten dollars.

This brings me back to my original topic: advertising. Less than twenty percent of the students here at Maine South don't wear ads on a daily basis.

It seems ironic that while so many people fight for the right to be individual, these same people feel the need to adorn Abercrombie and Fitch logos if they want to have friends or be cool.

Dirty Utility

Limits

from page 5

downfalls as well; he was a problem with the Dallas Mavericks right from the start because he had a problem with authority.

He was often angry at practices and would refuse to participate. His notorious behavior became routine. The NBA did not seem to help this troubled young man at all, but perhaps caused him more stress.

The stress, instead of being helped through his time in the psychiatric ward, is only growing as the public passes a "No Trespassing" sign that usually hangs over the door of private individuals into Smith's world. The whole world knows that he has been committed. Usually there is a rule of confidentiality in these hospitals, but Smith did not get that priviledge.

He can turn on the television and see bis story, or open a newspaper and read about his problem. He should not have to endure this humiliation.

Yes, in America the Constitution grants the public freedom of speech and grants the media freedom, but is there a line drawn anywhere? This information is not life threatening; it is not vital for our daily life. It is not really any of our business. It has an effect on Leon Smith, a human being, not just a professional sports player. This man is obviously under a great deal of stress which one can see through his actions. He is a "troubled soul"right now who needs help and is trying to obtain it. Publicising the enitre affair is not really helping Smith.

I may be publicizing his story too, guilty of what I fight against, but in reality, I am trying to help him. Maybe when the American pubUc realizes it has gone too far we won't hear about problems we do not need to and we will take our noses out of his story.

He is now not only under the stress that made him take the pills, but also under the stress of the entire world knowing he did. We have our freedoms of speech and the press, but there is a responsibility that goes along with this.

Somebody's life, somebody's soul, is on the line, and we do not need to cross it.

7

JHappy Birthday, Illinois!

^

by Melissa Sobota Everyone celebrates a special day each year that recognizes the day of their birth.

Everything has a birthday; some are not as well known as others. Most people probably don't know that on this day, December 3 in 1818 Illinois became a state, There have been many changes in the state over the last hundred and ninety years. The most important change that occurred was when the DUnois border was moved forty-one miles north right before it became a state.

Many people came to Illinois after the war of 1812. The book.

The Heartland Pages From Illinois said, "Many of the new settlers were eager for Illinois to become a state." At that time in history the requirement for a territory to become a state was that the territory must have opulation of no less than forty « usand people. At the time lUinois only had a population of 34,620.

As young man, Daniel Pope moved to nUnois in 1815 hoping to practice law, but when he arrived his focus in life dramatically changed. He bought partial interest in the DUnois newspaper named the Illinois Intelligence. In the newspaper he published an editorial asking that Dhnois be admitted to the Union.

Pope set up a meeting of any males over twenty one years of age that had lived in IIhnois for at least six months to ratify the state's constitution. They were doing this while Congress was debating if Illinois had

enough people to become a state.

In April of 1818 something dramatic happened that would affect everyone. Pope wanted to add a coast Une for Illinois, because it would add a port.

He expanded the Ilhnois border fortyone miles north. This area now includes the city of Chicago and sixteen northern counties. If this event hadn't happened Maine South would be a part of Wisconsin now.

Maine South students today are happy with the fact that the school is part of Illinois.

Tracy Schmidt said, "If we were part of Wisconsin we would all be cheese heads. I don't want to be a cheese head."

Mr. Kerth, a teacher at Maine South, said, "Cheese would be cheaper."

If this area were in Wisconsin everything would be different. There would be a different type of rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. It would be like the rivalry with the Cubs and the Sox. The north would root for the Packers and the south would root for the Bears.

The Chicago metropolitan area contains about half the entire population of Dlinois.

If this area were in Wisconsin, then the biggest city in Illinois would be Peoria.

Chicago has over two million people, while Peoria has one hundred thirteen thousand people. Cook County has a total of five million people. Today the Illinois popula-

Senior

tion is over twelve million.

First celebrate the one hundred eightyfirst birthday of Illinois today. Then celebrate the fact that we are not a bunch of cheese heads.

S OUTITWORJPS A s|udent-produced n ^ s p a p e r of:

Maine South Higih Scl0pl ^ / k l l SouthDbe Ro^l r( P^fe^dge, m 6006f Lettei^^l]ie editbrf|io^d be defivered to room V-lJTor-give^iWaineniber of the editorial startt'SburHM'ORDS'^reserves the right to edit jnateriai for clarity and brevity and to r^^ect-^gcene, or libeloas submis-

Editors-in-Chief

Maura Collins Michael DePQIa News Editors Megan Gibbons Meghan McCall Commentary Editors Britt Fredrikson Lauren Hurley Features Editors Lindsey Krukowski Nicole Penn Sports Editors Sam Fuller Ellen Gartner Production Editors Ted Kocher Som Dalai Brian Anderson Dan Clyne Core Cartoonists Susan Wilson Core Photographers Eileen CoDins Megan Price Core Staff Artists Monica Haak Nicole Kline Advisor T. R. Kerth

Laurie LaCerra

Focus on Student Excellence

Teacher's Comments: "Laurie is one of the most determined students that I have had at Maine South. She always puts forth extra effort in all of her National H o n o r Society courses as well as the activates in which she is involved. In addition Laurie exhibits such a positive attitude and a love for life in •Hawk Pride general that she serves as a roie model for those arotmd her.

•Class Council Laurie is a highly iiKjtivated, energetic, committed young woman •P.E. Leader •Brotherhood Society who has contributed so much to Maine South over the past three years."

•Spanish Club —Mrs. Kathleen Durkin

Activities: •SoftbaU

8 Features

Ethel 4, Maine South 0» Veterans' Day has come and gone, and many have already forgotten what they did with the day off. But for four Maine South Engbsh teachers, the memory of what they did on November 11 will never leave them, no matter how hard they try to forget.

That was the day they took on Ethel— and lost.

For the uninitiated, Ethel is more than a handful. She is a four-pound cheeseburger served up by the R-Place Truck Stop in Morris, Illinois, about 60 miles south of Maine South. With two pounds of meat, a one-pound bun and a pound of "fixin's", only the brave of heart and the hollow of stomach would even consider doing battle with Ethel. Hundreds have tried, and the failure rate runs about 3-1. Finish her off in less than one hour and the restaurant eats the $19 dollar tab; fail and you pay.

But either way, your picture ends up on the wall of valiant diners who dared. A winners' display stands just to the left of a display of "diners who died," and the photos of Maine South English teachers James Male, Jason Marsicano, Jim McGowan and Jon Scorza are proudly posted on the dead side.

"I thought we could do it," said Mr. McGowan. "I mean, a twelve-year-old girl supposedly ate one.".

The attempt began optimistically enough, with each challenger adopting a different approach. Mr. Scorza took the "slow and steady" approach, working at a consistent rate to try to down the mound-sized burger.

Mr. Marsicano disassembled the beast, preferring to attack one element of the burger at a time. Mr. McGowan ate quickly, stuffing fist-sized chunks of meat into his mouth at a time, hoping to make a sizeable dent before his hunger wore off. And Mr. Male chose the "dash and crash" method, alternating a thirty second feeding frenzy with several minutes of rest before his next frantic attack.

In the end, however, none of the methods paid off.

"It was the bun," moaned Mr. Male, who came the closest to finishing. With 25 minutes remaining, he had eaten all of the meal except the top half of the bun—a half pound of bread. "I couldn't force down another bite.

Not even a nibble. My esophagus was full. I hit the wall."

'Wi\hfiveminutes left, I thought if I could just cram it all into my mouth, I could get it down," said Mr. McGowan, who tried to ball up his remaining bun and meat into a mouthsized wad. Unfortunately, he couldn't get the doughy mass any smaller than a sixteen-inch Softball. "I poured my Coke onto the ball and squeezed harder, but it wouldn't get any smaller."

Mr. Scorza just stared blankly at the pile of uneaten food left on his plate.

"A twelve-year-old girl ate one of these? One guy finished in 17 minutes?" he said. "No way."

But perhaps it was Mr Marsicano who traveled the furthest along the emotional rollercoaster ride that is Ethel. When he had taken his first bite, he grinned and pumped his fist in joy. "Hey,

this tastes pretty good!" he crowed.

One hour later, his tune had changed.

PuUing his shirt up over his nose to block the odor of a tableful of uneaten Ethel scraps, he croaked, "This is just wrong on so many levels."

Photos by TR Kerth

Focus on faculty

Chris Hare

by Lindsey Krukowski "Yes, I am a Cheesehead and a proud Packers fan," jokes former Wisconsin resident Mr. Chris Hare.

Since his days in Appleton, Wisconsin, Mr. Hare has always been very involved in sports. He played football, basketball, and baseball in high school.

After high school, Mr. Hare attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he played football and baseball. While at Ripon, he student-taught at a school in Oshkosh.

Mr. Hare had not originally planned on becoming a teacher He says, "I started out in college as a business management major primarily because of my father I quickly learned that teaching and working with kids was what I really wanted to do. I wanted to be active, teach kids, and try to make a difference."

After graduating from college, Mr. Hare came to Chicago. He took the position of an aimual substitute at Deerfield High School for a semester.

Mr. Hare chose to teach because he says, 've always had the passion to work with ^ ^ iids and try to make a difference in their [liN lives. I really enjoy watching students grow;

it's exciting."

After substituting at Deerfield, Mr. Hare got a position as a teacher here at Maine South. When asked why he chose to come to Maine South, Mr. Hare replied, "Maine

South has a reputation for being a great school and I found out quickly th.at it was.

The students are great, hard-working, and goal-oriented and the staff is incredibly hard-working."

While teaching here, Mr. Hare began his masters' studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He now has his Masters' in Ki-

nesiology and Sports Management; he has not begun to study for his PhD yet, but continues to study at the University of Illinois at Chicago to continue his education.

He says, "With Health and Physical Education, there's new information coming out every day. It's important that I continue my education."

During his four years teaching here, Mr. Hare has shown how much he loves sports.

He has coached football, boys' basketball, girls' gymnastics, and baseball all four years here. He also teaches Health and Total Body Conditioning.

Mr. Hare and his wife are expecting their first child in April. They do not know yet whether the baby will be a boy or a girl and they are not planning on finding out. Mr Hare says, "We're planning on waiting; we want it to be a surprise since it's our first child. My wife and I are extremely excited."

Mr. Hare really enjoys teaching both Health and physical education. He says, "I like to have a balance of both because they're two different classroom atmospheres. I like the educational aspect of Health as well as the physical activity in RE."

SAD: The Winter Blues

by Melissa Sobota

As the cool air begins to blow across the Alaska as many as 10% of the people may land and the days get shorter and nights get suffer from winter depression."

Dr. Jay Kyp-Johnson, psychologist here longer, a darkness falls across many people's at Maine South, says, "Between 60-90% of lives. This major depressive episode is the people suffering from SAD are women."

-known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Although depression is most typically Many people are affected by the disor- caused by the loss of a loved one, there are many causes of SAD. der; some have it worse than others.

"The depressive symptoms for SAD are Ryan Slattery, a student here at Maine South said, "I think everyone suffers from in a pattern with winter coming on. This can this disorder a little. I know I've suffer from also be linked to genetics because SAD is a it a little. In the winter I get more frustrated. mood disorder." said Dr. Kyp-Johnson.

I hate having to stay in all day; I feel enSAD affects people in many different closed. 1 enjoy when the sun is shining; the ways. According to Outside In, "SAD causes summer is always a lot more fun." sleep problems, overeating, depression, SAD is a clinical depression, it can be family problems, lethargy, and behavioral ^^agnosed and treated by a doctor. Accord- problems. Physical symptoms such as joint flk to the UBCA'HHSC Mood Disorder pain, stomach problems, and a lowered re^Clinic, "SAD is more common in northern sistance to infection are also symptoms." regions. In Florida, less than 1% of the genDr. Kyp-Johnson also says that with eral population suffer from SAD, while in SAD, "People will have less interest in

things."

Fortunately there are many treatments for SAD. "It can be treated by getting exercise, sleeping, eating healthy foods and reducing stress, because depression is the body's way of dealing with stress."

According to the UBCA^HHSC Mood Disorder Clinic, "Many patients with SAD improve with hght therapy, or phototherapy.

As Uttle as thirty minutes per day of sitting under a lightbox results in significant improvement of 60 to 80 percent of SAD patients."

A teacher at Maine South who suffers from SAD said, "I know that I feel better when I let light in through the window hit me on the face."

Fortunately not all is lost for these people with this disorder because SAD can be treated with the help of a doctor, or just a little bit of sunlight.

Girls' gymnastics tumbles into action

by Lauren Gazzolo It's that time of year again, and I'm not talking about the hoUdays. No, I'm talking about the Maine South Girls Gymnastics Team. We would be the ones who always do those flippy things in the middle of the field house. Well, we are back and even stronger than ever. We are still adjusting to loosing six seniors last year, and a great coach. However, our coaches this year, Mrs. Sanchez and Ms. Neumann, have been working us hard, and it will surely pay off.

This year's Varsity/Junior Varsity line up is: Kate Miller, Lauren Gazzolo, Cheryl Chmura, Stephanie Zmija, Roisin O'Neil, Sarah Jindoyan, Joanna Ortega, Liz Izzo, Sylvia Ranalli, and Christina Mulvany. Unfortunately, due to an injury early in the season. Marge Niemczyk will not be competing the team, but she is our student coach for the year. Not enough can be said about the freshman. Every day they improve, and they are very eager to try new skills. The entire team has really bonded this year.

We are also very fortunate to have two outstanding managers, Jamie Gillett, and Amy Davies, who have put in long hours to organize the team. Although gymnastics is and individual sport, there is a lot of team unity this season. The coaches predict that we will have a great season on all levels.

Come out and support the team at our first home meet on Tuesday, November 30th.

Girls' basketball starts off strong

Lauren Colletti shoots for the Hawks. photo by Megan Price

Practice makes perfect

by Chris Marquez With the coming of the 1999-2000 winter sport season, this year's boys' swim team is in anticipation of a challenging yet successfiil and fun year. With the change in conference from the CSL North to the CSL South, this year's team of dedicated guys will be encountering more difficult competition firom such state champion teams as New Trier, Evanston, and Glenbrook South.

However, many of this years swimmers have already begun to prepare by taking it upon themselves to start training in the morning before school, and also by swimming tough workouts after shcool.

With the loss of many important graduated seniors such as Frank and Joe Ramirez,

Brian Pick, and Joe Kipta, this years varsity squad will be looking for strength from many ofthe team's members. These include Eric Pick in the individual medley and breast stroke, Ryan Evans in the distance evens, Alex PoUey in the backstroke and butterfly, Nick Nielsen in distance, Jeff Percak in the breaststroke, and Kris Salvador in diving.

The team will also be looking to junior Matt Huffman for support in sprints and butterfly. New hopefuls for this season include juniors Tim Sapieka and Chris Marquez, both freestylers. Coach Deger has a festive outlook on the upcoming season. He is especially excited about the state-hopeful 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay.

by Krissy Vonesh The Maine South Hawks Girls' Baskef ball Team has started the 1999-2000 season with a spirited victory over the visiting Spartans from Glenbrook North, 59 to 38. Coach Deines and Coach Walker put together another winning line up. Lauren Colletti led all scorers with twenty well fought pxjints.

Krissy Vonesh's nine points helped put the Spartans away. Colleen Van Hoesen saw fierce action under the boards and played formidably. Katie Ristau had eight steals, five in the fu-st quarter, forcing Glenbrook North's point guard to stay alert. Barb Porras, starting at the wing, was a steady force through out the game.

The entire team saw action on November sixteenth. Britt Luxton poured in two amazing three pointers when it mattered, to put the Hawks ahead. Meg Nakamura, Erin Farmer, and Maggie Witek jumped into the point at crucial times. Katie Kaminski, Sarah Anderson, Kathleen Madl and Liz Bondi rounded out the well-balanced attack. The Hawks face tough competition in the CSL North but are determined to show well. T h | ^ ^ team has high expectations and is lookii^^^ forward to revenge against Stevenson and especially Evanston, who knocked them out of the tournament in '98-'99. Victories against New Trier and Maine West later this season should be sweet again with the hard work and dedication ofthe team. They need the support of all Hawk fans everywhere, so come out and root for your team.

Big shoes to fill

by Dan Tomassi The 2000 Maine South Varsity track team will be returning this season, following one ofthe best in the school's history. After winning the CSL Conference Meet in the '99 season, this relatively young returning team undoubtedly has large shoes to fill. This year battling both New Trier and Evanston hig: schools, two strong state contenders, tl Hawks will enter the coming season with an even higher level of determination and poise.

u

Fports 1 1

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I Fait Season Wrap-

Girls' swimming finishes season in fashion

by Anna Tomczyk The girls' swim season has come to an end but not without many happy memories.

At the conference meet on November fifth, the Hawks came in fourth; quite an accomplishment considering the competition of top-ranked New Trier, and Evanston. Still, some medals were earned, namely Amanda Fallico in the 100 breaststroke (6th), the 200 medley of Margie Stankiewicz, FaUico, Beth Spitelli, and Laura Bender placed 6th also.

The 200 free relay of Kate Paine, Jess Spitelli, Fallico, and Megan Gibbons came in fifth, while the 400 free relay of Gibbons, Julie Szramek, Laura Bender, and Natalie Kruk earned sixth.

A week later at the sectional meet, the Hawks placed fifth among a highly competitive group of teams. Medals went to Kruk in the 50 free (6th) and 100 free (5th), and the medly relay of Kate Miller, Fallico, B. iteUi, and Bender placed fourth. The 400 e relay of Gibbons, Szramek, Bender and Kruk also placed fourth. This was a positive way to end a great season filled with many great achievements and good times.

Thank you

by

by Tim Seiwert This cross-country season has been extraordinary because I have been able to accomphsh so much. I was able to succeed because of all the support that I received from the community of Park Ridge.

Whether it was a wave or a honked horn as I ran by to acknowledge my hard work, I knew that people were behind me. Now that I look back over the last few months, I am so grateful for those people. They were the source of my motivation to run everyday... especially on the 100 degree days.

I want to give a heart-felt thank you to all the people who have encouraged me to dream, and then follow through on accomphshing my dreams. Thank you to all who came to the meets, sent letters, asked about meet results, made signs, TP'd my house, and called to give me "Good Luck." I want you to all know that even though what you did may not seem Uke much to you, it meant everything to me.

I need to give a special thanks to everyone that was able to come down to the state meet in Peoria including the boys and girls cross-country teams, my aunts and uncles, the LaCerra family, and my family. My experience was extra special because they were

t^ able to be there cheering me on with their signs and flags.

Two of the most influential people this season were my coach, Mr. Drennan, and my teammate Liam Hickey. There is no way that I could have had this much success without their contributions.

Over the last two year, Mr. Drennan has taught me everything he knows about running, and have been instrumental in my development as a runner and as an individual.

This year, we shared many tough practices, byt we always managed to have lots of fun.

Liam Hickey has been there for me every step ofthe way. He ran with me all summer and we put in lots of miles together.

Even though he did not qualify for the state meet, he came to Peoria to cheer me on. I can't thank him enough for being there for me. I am so proud ofthe work he put in this year and the improvements that he made throughout the season. He has been a great guy to run with and most of all, a great friend.

The experience of running at the state meet will be remembered forever and I will always look back on it knowing how much the conmiunity supported me. Thank You.

Hitwk Highlight.

1113

12/6

111A

\in

Girls' Basketball

S/V@ Galesburg

vs. Niles West 7:30 PM

Girls' Gymnastics

@ Rolling Meadows^

vs. Evanston ^:30PM

Boys' Wrestling

@ Niles West 6 PM

Girls' Indoor Track

Sea son Begins in Janv ary

Boys' Basketball Girls' Swimming I Boys' Indoor Track

@ Lake Zurich 9AM

S/V @ Maine West 7:30 PM vs. St. Patrick 5 PM

vs. Maine West 4:30 PM S e a ;on Begins in Janu ary

12/8

KiHiih.ill • Ciiiir • Criiss CiHinirv • S<KVor • Giil's Tennis •Ciirr>Viillcvb.ill

Attention Hawk fans

by Brad Gierke The new millennium Hawks are ready for their first appearance at Schaumburg High School at 6:00 on Tuesday, November 25.

The Hawks are powered by seven returning players: Joe Bello, Scott Blair, Garret Fechner, Brad Gierke, Randall Tosch, John Vigna, and Mark Wojteczko. The newcomers on the team are Jeremy Arbuthnot, Paul DiFranco, Sam Fuller, Shawn Kain, Tim Moran, and Tony Traynor. The two sophomores on the team are Craig Murray and Brian Smaha. The selfless managers this season are Jerry Dahmer and Scott Kennedy.

Last year the team left the conference with a championship title. The millennium Hawks are looking to enter the new CSL South division with a championship. While the team plays Friday nights at 7:30, don't forget Coach Inserra's team, which plays right before varsity. For all you who need even more basketball. Coach Young's and Coach Hare's freshman teams are there bright and early Saturday mornings. There is more than enough room in the stands for everyone, so the Hawks will see you at Game Time.

Hey You! We still need writers for the Sports section. Anyone interested in Boys' wrestling, basketball, indoor track, swimming; or Girls' gymnastics, basketball, and indoor track?

Get involved, write for Southwords!

Talk to Sam or Ellen if you are interested!

Captains Jim Goodrich, Dave Evanshank, Mike Tedeschi, and Sean Story are hoping to use their experience to help the Hawks this season. photo by Megan Price

Wrestling begins at South

by Sean Story Perhaps you have stumbled upon that one comer of the fieldhouse and spotted a wrestler pop in and out of that small, hot, smelly room. You notice the immense amount of sweat dripping from his body, and think, "who would do that to themselves?" They'll tell you who, a champion. That room that he just walked out of is a room where champions prepare.

This year Maine South has a number record of wrestlers in its program. Coaches Craig Falhco, Dennis McCann, and newcomer Earl Dannon have begun their intense

training and workouts with a record number of 119 wrestlers. Yet all 119 are truely prepared to do whatever it takes to be a champion. The Hawks are lead by varsity captains Sean Story, Jim Goodrich, Mike Tedeschi, and Dave Evanshank. Along with the four captains, key varsity starters such as Dan Griner, Mike Jozwiak, Jim Denk, Rafal Kopacinski, and Pat Stritzel will return.

Come support the Hawks in their championship season, as they get things started against Niles West tonight at six o'clock, i the most physically demanding and inteni ^ sport of the winter season.