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VOL 38, NO. 4 <; n ij t h r v ^ i ^

Maine South Dozen

In This Issue:

NEWS: MAINE SOUTH DOZEN

COMMENTARY: HALLOWEEN AND REVIEWS

FEATURES: THE ROYAL FAMILY

SPORTS: BOYS' CROSS COUNTRY

2^ews

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 19, 2001

Maine South dozen

by Caroline Kim This year, Maine South has a dozen Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The Semifinalists are: Kathryn E. Bemdtson, Margaret L. Dwyer, Tamara T. Forys, Andrew S. Huening, Sharon C. Jaffe, Martin J. Joyce, Anna S. Marzullo, James H. Puis, David C. Skiba, William W. Smythe, Laura E. Wever, and Emily R. Zoellner.

Almost one year ago Maine South juniors arrived at school early one Saturday morning to take the PSAT test. This test is a preliminary for the SAT I: Reasoning Test and determines qualifiers for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students must meet all requirements of the program in order to qualify for entry.

They must "be enrolled full time as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation; a citizen of the United States or a permanent U.S. resident and in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen; and take the PSAT/NMSQT in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12" (PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin).

After taking the test, 50,000 entries with the highest scores nationwide are notified and given the opportunity to be referred to two colleges of their choice. Out of those

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50,000, 34,000 are named as Commended Students but will not be able to move onto be Semifinalists. However, they can still qualify for Special Scholarships through corporate companies.

The other 16,000 qualify as Semifmalists and are chosen on a state representational basis. The percentage of Semifinalists from each state is equivalent to the percentage of seniors graduating from that state compared to the nationwide total.

Semifmalists are also chosen from the District of Columbia, the U.S. commonwealths and territories, other countries with U.S. citizens, and U.S. boarding schools with students from outside the state of the school's location. The highest scores from the group of 16,000 students will then advjince to be Finalists.

As a Semifmalist, students must meet several more requirements in order to qualify as a finalist. According to the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin, approximately 90 percent of the Semifmalists will become Finalists.

Then they will be considered for the 8,000 Merit Scholarships, which are worth over S32 million.

Hopefully Maine South's students will all be included in the 90 percent of the Semifinalists to advance to Finalist standing.

Red Ribbon Week Activities October 19 Windows and trees will be decorated.

October 22 Ribbons stating, "Working toward a Drug Free Community" will be distributed in homeroom.

October 23 Students members of Drug Free Schools and Hawk Pride will be distributing licorice to those caught in the act of caring.

October 24 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Red tulip bulbs will be planted in the courtyard.

October 26 6:00- 9:00 p.m.

The first Red Ribbon Celebration nigh^ sponsored by Drug Free Schools and Health Unlimited will take place. The night will be filled with food, sports, and other activities. = \

mB/AY m October 19, 1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the 1st woman in the U.S. to receive a medical degree.

October 19, 1870 - First four African-Americans are elected to the House of Representatives.

October 19, 1919 - Reds beat White Sox, 5 games to 3 in 16th World Series.

This series is known as the black sox scandal as 7 White Sox members throw the series.

October 19, 1960 - Martin Luther King Jr. arrested at an Atlanta sit-in.

October 19, 1987 - "Black Monday" - Dow Jones closes down 508.32, a loss 4 times the previous record.

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News 3

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 19, 2001

Fall comedy-Tfte Royal Family

by Monica Bysiecki This year's fall play. The Royal Family, is a comedy by George Kaufman and Edna Ferber. It was definitely a big hit. With the excellent acting by the cast and the effortful behind-the-scenes orchestration, the Watson auditorium was packed last night and will without a doubt will be packed tonight and tomorrow.

This play is a comic drama loosely based on the lives of the Barrymore family; it is set in a New York duplex where the audience see Fanny, Guren, Julie, and Tony Cavendish, an American acting family, live out their lives.

Sara Wolski retells the play, "Delia and Jo,the talented maids, alongwith Herber and Kitty Dean, the brother and sister-in-law of ^ anny Cavendish, start off V F ;this bust-your-gut laughing piece of theatre. Trouble arises soon after when Tony Canevdish a Hollywood star, punches his director and flees to his family in New York.

Then, just to mix up a few more things, Guren, daughter of Broadway star Julie Cavendish, and a budding actress herself, has an emotional crisis, when she needs to decide between her love Perry Sterwart and the stage. Julie's old beau shows up sud-

denly, and the family soon realizes that the seventy-year-old Fanny will never be able to perform able to perform again."

The play wraps up nicely with the powerful message that the "Cavendish family

will go on strong forever."

Mr. Muszynski also puts in his two cents about the plot, which "has a little surprise ending that (he doesn't) think the audience is going to expect."

Sara Wolski continues to further explain the play by saying, "It is a satire on a lot of different levels- on political issues and on

Band-O-Rama benefit

by Monica Bysiecki This year's Band-O-Rama will be held next Saturday on October 27th at 7:30 in the Spec Gym. For those who do not already know, Band-O-Rama is an ensemble of the music and dance programs run at Maine South. It includes the Hawkettes, the Color kGuard, the Concert and Symphonic Bands, the Intermediate Band, the Drum Majors, and the Percussion Ensemble.

"It's not your typical concert," states Mr. Pressler, the chair of the Fine Arts Depart-

ment; "it's forty percent concert and sixty percent circus," he continues to say. But this concert in not only about fun and games.

This concert also serves as a fundraiser.

Before the show, people bid on becoming different positions like bandleader through the duration of the show.

This year, again directing the event are Mr. Pressler and Mr. Wallace. The directors, the faculty involved, and the students participating are all excited about next weeks performance.

the theatre itself."

This year Mr. Muszynski is again directing the fall play. He's receiving help in the production from Mr. Sanchez, the technical director, Mrs. McCleneghan, the costume designer, and Mrs. Grzeskiewis, the assistant director. All of the teachers and staff involved are motivating and guiding the fall performers of the Maine South Fine Arts Department with much success.

The cast has really pieced things together nicely. "The actors worked together to accomplish something great," says Joe Levand, a performer.

Helping the fabrication was the family-like atmosphere of the hard-working cast and crew, many of whom have been assembled together on previous productions.

Yesterday's opening of the fall play was a sensation because of the team-work of the cast, crew, and faculty.

Musical concerts

by Monica Bysiecki The Fall Orchestra Concert will be performed this Tuesday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. The Fall Choral Concert will be performed next Sunday, October 28, at 3 p.m.

It features all the choral groups, including Concert and Chamber Choirs, Glee, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

These performances have been rehearsed imtil their current state of perfection, with great dedication and effort of the students and staff involved. Reward the musicians by coming to the auditorium and seeing the two performances next week; they have been rehearsing very hard. The concerts will be a harmonious experience!

4 Commentary:

SOUTHWORDS • OCTOBER 19, 2001

Student Opinion

me editofgj How scared are you?

by Britt Fredcrikscn While folding laundry yesterday, I realized something. Life can be pretty tedious.

Last nght I spent two and a half hours separating, washing, drying and folding clothes.

Next. 1 spent another hour washing and drying dishes. Then 1 swept the floor, cleaned the bathroom, put all of the clothes and dishes away adn had exactly four hours for homework before bed time.

Four hours, that is. minus time to brush my teeth, wash my face, take my contacts out and get ready for bed.

How is it that people grow older than seventeen if life's tedium is so apparent? If such a large chunk of life is taken up by mindless tasks, why cope with them?

There is an obvious answer. A clean, healthy lifestyle is not possible without these tedious tasks. We all have .several daily tasks which simply must be done to keep life moving.

Personally, though. I need more reason to keep my bedroom in order than the promise of a "clean, healthy lifestyle".

I found time between menial tasks yesterday to talk to a friend. After relaying my hectic day of housekeeping.

1 asked him something: "Doesn't the tedium of life give your mind time to wander?"

He did not have an answer.

A long time ago I learned that life is not fair. Perhaps, however, my question disproves that age-old theory.

In reality, we exchange the tedious aspects of life for free-brain time. I suppose that all the mindless laundry I finished washing, drying and folding yesterday is just an example of one of life's few equal trade-offs-after all. in the process of folding my clothes. I came to the realization that life could be tedious.

In the end, the best thing to do with mindless activities is make them just that-mindlcss-and let the brain run free.

After all, that is what I am doing right now —my mind is truly free as 1 finish this article.

by Dan Saavedra

Halloween, the one holiday that revolves around the idea of fear.

Two-thousand years ago the Celts originated the traditions, believing it was a night that the line between the living and the dead became blurred. Spirits of those who had died the preceeding year came back to cause havoc and possess the bodies of the living.

Today, the basis for the holiday has somewhat strayed, however, innocent neighborhood kids do run through the streets in ghoulish costumes tending to scare, demand ing treats, or beh^g the victim of neighbors' tricks.

This year, Halloween falls a mere six weeks after the most horrifying acts of terrorism the nation has ever seen. Images of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center and people falling nearly one hundred stories to their death, still linger in some minds, and still torment others.

In six weeks the country has had some

time to heal, however, after such a catastrophe, will the traditional f\ witches and devils still I be knocking on your jdoor in a week and half?

Our nation now lives in a constant fear; we have fear of foreign terrorists, fear of flying, fear of going to work and about our daily lives. The threat of another attack is eminent. At the time of this going to press, the Taliban government has stated that "If America is continuing attacks on Afghanistan it will also not be safe."

Will we lose Halloween to the terrorist too? Has Halloween become an even more scary holL day, not becausi of our own actions, but because of the actions that we cannot control?

° WAPPY HAtt6wFE?vr!

The only thing we can do to prevent ourselves and the those of younger generations from growing up in fear is to have determination. We need to separate the affairs of the world from our traditions that make us Americans. This Halloween forget about the troubles around the world and just enjoy the time with your friends and family.

—Hey You!

Calling all Southwards readers

by Tracy Schmidt In case you can't tell, Southwords staff has yet again resorted to writing all of the commentaries. While some may think we get kicks out of this, the truth is we don't.

As editors of a high school newspaper, we firmly believe the students should be the ones voicing their opinions in the commentary section-not us.

We need a variety of articles from the students to improve the quality of this section. Commentaries focusing on school, local, and national issues are always needed provided they are well-researched and of

suitable content. Letters-to-the editor critiquing teh newspaper are welcome as well as student reviews. These reviews are 200300 words and focus on recent movies or concerts, new books or CD's, and eateries.

All articles can be dropped off in the Southwords office, 'V-131. It is best, however to talk with Deanna or Tracy before writing an article. ^ ^ We cannot say it enough: this is yo^^^k newspaper. As editors we are put here to put it together. You are here to tell us what you want. If you have something to say, then say it. We're waiting.

Commentary 5

SOUTHWORDS • OCTOBER 19, 2001

— Restaurant Review

#Sushi: get it while it's hot

by Deanna Oleske Park Ridge has finally opened its doors to a new more exotic kind of restaurant: sushi. Alongside two Starbucks and the forever aging Pickwick Restaurant, Maki Sushi is tucked right in. When I first saw the signs of a new sushi restaurant opening its doors soon, I started to stalk it, hoping for an early

There, now that all the condiments are set, bring on the raw fish!

Raw fish? Gross!

Not everything on the Maki Sushi menu consists of raw fish. There are plenty of alternatives and one can still say they tried sushi. For the more daring and aware of the

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"it sounds so chic, but tastes so gross!"

- Diana Kolettis, '03

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finishing date. Many weeks past the original opening date, it spread its doors to a chicsushi- demanding public.

What's the green stuff in my soup?

Miso soup is always the first thing served before one indulges in a delicate maki roll.

It is probably the easiest to make of the Japanese soups, but hard to perfect. This salty soup has a broth that is made from kelp and added to it is bean curd (miso paste), tofu, and wakame (sea weed). To make a miso soup that isn't too salty and holds the delicacy of the Japanese culture is very difficult. Maki Sushi took on the challenge and has nearly perfected its miso soup. That is a technique they should keep safe and tucked away.

Well, what's the green stuff on the serving tray?

One word means fiery death in Japanese: wasabi. This is a green horseradish that with only a small dip can set fire to the rest of your senses. Be forewarned, this is not a toy. long side the wasabi is a fragrant pickled ' ginger, much less deadly. Pickled ginger smells lemon-like and gives the sushi a tang.

Soy sauce comes along in a separate vessel to be used in a small rectangular entity.

health risks, take on the less-cooked of the maki rolls. I came into the restaurant having just caught "off the coast" sushi, and to surpass the freshness of that would be near impossible. Maki Sushi features some of the freshest and most exotic fish in the Chicagoland area. This is no fish you can pick up from Dominick's. To the routine sushi go-er, this fish was melt-on-your-tongue good. Also to the routine sushi go-er, one could notice that the traditional maki rolls have taken on more trendy and exotic alterations. The traditional rainbow roll was suddenly accompanied by a horseradish mayonnaise. Other classic traditions have taken on more exotic twists with new sauces. Sushi has been around for hundreds of years and these classics have become a standard in all sushi bars - to twist them with sauces, that some stomachs cannot take, is a disgrace.

Maki Sushi has taken its trendy mark upon Park Ridge, but should leave tradition as it is. Maki Sushi has become a great setting to money spending baby boomers and yuppies, but as a new restaurant I recommend this to all sushi lovers who want a change of pace and have a deep wallet to sacrifice.

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"Well... the concept of sushi to me is really wierd.

I mean, slimy raw fish just doesn't sound appetizing."

- Monica Bvsiecki, '04

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"I love sushi."

- Norm Olscn, '02

6 Commentary

SOUTHWORDS • OCTOBER 19, 2001

Staff Opinion

Freedom in the Hallways

by Trnrv Tracy Strhmidt Schmidt hv "You can come with me," she says, walking to the door. "I need to go to the bathroom, too."

I stop her and ask about a hallway pass.

"The parapros are okay if you don't have them," is the reply. "They'll understand."

We walk out into the hallway. A dozen other students pass us by, debating between the media center and the cafe. They choose the latter, and, without answering to any adult, make a 180 in the middle of the period. My friend keeps walking, not noticing the students.

We pass by a seated paraprofessional; he does not look up from the ^ morning paper.

"What?" my friend asks. "You act like you've never seen a parapro before."

I have—just never one that minds his own business as I politely pass by.

We make it to the girls' bathroom. It is clean, remarkably clean for a high school bathroom. As I use the sink, I watch the bathroom door, waiting for a smoking raid from a school security guard.

My friend observes my actions in confusion. "It's just a bathroom, Tracy. Don't they have those at Maine South?"

No—not clean bathrooms free of security guards sticking their heads in to monitor stall smokers.

We leave the bathroom, finding ourselves in the hallway once more. Two students wave at a parapro and exit a main door to

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the student parking lot.

"They're going to lunch," my friend explains. "We have open campus here. Don't you?'^ Of course not- we must report to a crowded cafeteria for lunch ev_M^~ eryday. ^----^ --•" ^^

work, could go off campus for lunch.

This lack of school security intrigued me.

Without an ID and the ease of leaving the building, I felt a freedom never felt in the halls of Maine South. I was no longer an at-risk student likely to cause damage to myself and others. Rather, I was a responsible young adult capable of controlling her actions.

Mf J' J Why then, I asked myself, is there such a difference in a suburban high school ^ i not thirty minutes away? Maine South's crime rates can't possibly vary that much and our students cannot be any more immature than theirs.

Then why?

Why is it that I am more trusted as an outsider at a different high school than as a student at my own? !

I understand that the administration believes the current security rules protect the students. At the same time, however, they are sending a poor message to the stufriend / dents. A message of mistrust and disrespect laughs. "Good —mostly because of the poor way in which god, Tracy. What is they are enforced. wrong with Maine South?"

I don't know and hang my head.

I am not suggesting the rules should be * * * broken. I am suggesting, however, that the On a field trip last week, I visted a local the current situation be looked into. Stuhigh school and was shocked at the differ- dents do feel safe, but at the same time feel ence in school security. Students did not get insulted by the strict security codes. yelled at to put on ID's. Hall passes were We are young men and women. We not rudely enforced. School security guards should be able to feel the sense of trust that did not make bathroom raids for cigarette students at high schools not thirty minutes smoking. Students, with the proper paper- away feel every day. It is our right too.

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LESSON: History always repeats itself. Don 'r make the same mistake twice. cartoon by Monika Wozniczka

:Features 7

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 19, 2001

â&#x20AC;˘Well, hello up there

by Karen Corsello "When I arrive at the office, I shut my office door as I usually do," says Linda Rotter. "While checking my e-mail, someone began pounding on my door. It was my boss who was saying, 'Get out! Get out! The World Trade Center and Pentagon have been hit and an airplane is missing from O'Hare which might be heading towards the Sears Tower."

What started off as a normal Tuesday morning for Mrs. Rotter, floor supervisor at Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal located in the Sears Towers, ended as anything but normal. Working on the 76th floor for the past 17 years, Mrs. Rotter had not been prepared for such a scare.

"Before September 11th, security was really rather lax. We had fire drills twice a year and would only walk down one flight of stairs. There was no real security in the lobby of the building. Even though security guards were there, they would just greet you or an^ ^ ^ vwer questions from tourists and guests about hich elevator to take, etc."

A lot has changed since the events that took plac- on September 11th. Security has

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changed dramatically in the Sears Tower.

Now every tenant must show a Sears Tower picture ID that is then scanned. If the picture doesn't look like you, they will not let you into the building until your office is contacted to confirm your employment. If you are a visitor to the building, you must go to a different checkpoint and show a photo ID and state where you are going to get in. Once you get past this checkpoint, you proceed to a second checkpoint where all purses, briefcases, etc. are checked by hand."

Uniformed police officers are now in the lobby also. Outside the building are additional security people and there are also cement blockades to prevent the possibility of a truck bomb being driven into the building. The air-intake system on the Sears Tower is also guarded. The sky deck hasn't opened since September 11th. Plans to install package-scanning machines are currently being discussed.

"In the days that followed September 11th, we have had several secretaries quit because they were scared to work here.

We've got Hawk spirit

by Katie Kapolnek Have you ever wondered who creates the spirited banners and locker tags that decorate Maine South's halls?

What about the "Home of A Hawk" signs that mysteriously appeared on each senior varsity athlete's front lawn on Homecoming Eve? These are not the work of little elves that scurry around with red and black paints and markers. Tucked behind the pointed ears and hats, are the Pep Council Hawkeyes. We are enthusiastic students who promote school spirit and display it around Maine louth. Students can recognize us with our black shirts that have the pep song on the back. We participated in the Homecoming festivities by painting faces and selling

pom-poms during the Varsity game.

Mrs. Deines and Mrs. Koshgarian are the sjransors of the bunch.

Their bright smiles add to the excitement of our Wednesday morning meetings.

We are always looking for new Hawkeyes.

Meetings are every Wednesday morning at7;15inA215.

See new faces, join the fun, and show your spirit at YJX^h\Ni^ Pep Council. Be the proud Hawk!

Many people continue to be concerned that the Sears Tower may still be a target, especially after our bombing raids on Afghanistan."

There is a lot of controversy over safety in the structure of skyscrapers. "I do think we should continue to build skyscrapers.

However, I think communication between the offices of the building and the tenants should be timely and accurate.... in a situation like what happened at the World Trade Center, there was nothing that could be done."

The Sears Tower is the tallest skyscraper in the United States. Its stature makes it a vulnerable structure. "I have heard that the Sears Tower could not collapse because we have four cores running through the building rather than just one, but who really knows for sure?"

"I don't dwell on the possibility of an attack, which makes it easier. I think more of the attack that took place and how it affected those people and their families and pray for them. Life goes on and we have to keep going too."

SOUTHWORDS A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School n i l South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 Letters to the editor should be delivered to room V-13t or given to a member of the editorial staff. SOUTHWORDS reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene or libelous iiubmis Editors-in-Chief News Editors Commentary Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Prcxluction Editors Core Photographers Core Staff Artist \Ad visor

Britt Frederiksen Megan Gibbons \ Monica Bvsiecki i Caroline Kim j Deanna Oleske i Tracy Schmidt.

Eileen Collins I Emily Haak i Austin Gibbons Kristi Katz Jim Puis Dan Saavedra Rachel Kalom Salcna Rctsos TR. Kerth,'

8 Features;

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 19, 2001

Behind the curtains^

by Shawna Ohm

Several things characterize fall at Maine South: the football games, homecoming, Vshow and the fall play all add a little bit of flavor to the agony of returning to school. This year, the fall play is The Royal Family and when you go and see it, you will notice the beautifully crafted sets, the accurate props and the wonderfully designed costumes.

All of these things are the responsibility of crew, who work behind the scenes to make all that you see fall into place.

There are many different crews that work as a team to make the play happen. There is a publicity crew to make sure students go see the play.

There is a props crew to make sure the objects in the play fit the setting.

There is a construction crew, which builds the sets, and a painting crew, which paints them. A costume crew designs and sews period-appropriate costumes and, a running crew, works backstage during the show, moving props and sets back and forth during scene breaks. Lasriy, there is a make-up crew to make people look pretty, ugly, young, old, or whatever the play calls for.

Each crew has a crew head, who mediates the goings on of that crew and helps instruct their crew when Mr. Sanchez is not around.

The head of all backstage crews is Mr. Sanchez, known affectionately around the PA wing as "Sanch." Sanch designs the sets, oversees everything backstage and assists all of the crews and crew heads with their duties. After a crew is done with its work, it assists the other crews with their projects: creating a big sense of teamwork backstage.

Sarah Yunker, make-up head for the second

year and a vetran member of the props and publicity crews, says, "I like being backstage because I feel at home. It's a mixture of fun and work and we feel like a team and get something accomplished."

The faculty crew heads also contribute immensely to the smooth functioning of crew; from Sanch designing the sets and overseeing construction to Mrs. McCleneghan and Mrs. Sanchez designing costumes, the faculty works hard to produce a great show.

The atmosphere backstage is almost always friendly. During and before the plays there is a joint gathering and celebration of all the hard work both cast and crew have done. The result is always spectacular, transporting students into the drama. The play flows smoothly, blending great acting with carefully thought out stage decor. ^ ^ So, this year when you do go see the p l a ^ ^ ^ think of all the hard work that went into the costumes ' nd the set you see and how hard people work backstage to make what you watch entertaining.

The royal hawks

by Matt Heerman What better way is there to start off the festivities of the International Thespian Troop 2554 than with the three-act comedy The Royal Family by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber? By the end of the first act, it is late November in 1927. The Swashbuckling Tony Cavendish (played by Will Schmidt) punched out his movie director and is longing to set sail for Europe.

By the second act, his crazed sister Julie Cavendish (played by Sarah Schmidt) is doing everything in her powers to get her brother Tony out of the country, while marrying a Millionaire from South America, Mr. Gilbert Marshall (played by Matt Holihan).

With the two most stressed maids in all of New York, Jo (played by Bridget Murphy) and Delia (played by Jenna Feltz), the play

gets most of it's staged humor from them early on.

As if that weren't enough fencing and boxing, the personal trainer McDermott (played by John Giacomino) just adds another level. To top it off, frequent phone calls to the New York apartment where the famed Cavendish family resides, telegrams, and hall boys who have traveled the world, makes this play 143 pages of non-stop laughter, antics, and humor.

Throughout all of this, the omniscient eyes of the late Aubrey Cavendish are watching over the apartment. By the end of the second act, Tony sets sail to Europe, Julie disavows all acting, and the great Matriarch of the Cavendish family, Fanny (played by Sara Wolski) feels ill and has to cut her road

trip short. One would think that the Cavendish family was done, however, there is one more component. The "child star" Gwen Cavendish (played by Amanda Johnson) has too gotten married to an oblivious boyfriend Perry Stewart (played by Marko Tomic).

Under the brilliant direction of Mr. John Muzinski, and student teacher Ms. G., student direction of Kim Chalupa, and technical director Andi Cecchini, each and every rehearsal is a blast. Between "fun facts" being shared and a cast consisting of mostly new faces, this has been one of the best p r o ^ ^ ductions thus far at Maine South. Make s u r ^ ^ to come out and see these three acts of humor tonight and tomorrow night. As once said, "Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!"

SOUTHWORDS • OCTOBER 19, 2001

;Features 9

Jhe most famous person

by T.R. Kerth such as eating worms without even a blink As you read this issue of Southwards, of disgust. But we knew better than to tease take a moment to look at the faces around him or cause him to think that our laughter you. Then answer this question: was directed at him personally, for he was Who will be the most famous person of the strongest kid I ever knew. all your classmates?

To be sure, there were other kids who Will it be the star athlete? Perhaps the were famed as better athletes, for Richard brainy computer whiz? How about the was not athletic at all. But he was stronger beauty queen? than even the strongest athletes of our class, At this point in your life, the question is and he was called upon often on the school impossible to answer with any certainty, for ground to prove it. none of you have lived long enough to climb On one day, I recall, in what must have very far on the ladder of fame. But soon, very soon, your lives will begin to take a clearer focus, and certain individuals will step to the forefront in the public eye.

If you were to ask me the question about famous classmates, I ould not hesitate to nswer. My most famous classmate—indeed, the most famous person I have ever known personally— stands next to me in the homeroom photo taken 35 years ago at Elmwood Park High School, been about sixth or seventh grade, John only a few miles south of Maine South.

Palozzolo, who was the best athlete of the I am the smiling dark-haired boy in the class, and Roger Remus, who was the toughthird row, second from the left. The short, est fighter, were challenging each other to stocky, bespectacled boy standing next to feats of strength, trying to lift this kid or that me at the end of the row is Richard Macek, kid with one hand. We were all awed by their the Most Famous Person of My Life. strength.

You probably do not know his name, but "Let Richard try," someone called, and you certainly know John and Roger who he is. The laughed, for Richard / knew in a chilling flash whole world knows was short and who he is, for he has chubby, though solid. that Richard Macek was been the subject of With a smile, Richard the most famous person several blockbuster waddled forward, I had ever known. books and films, ingrabbed John's belt cluding one that in one hand and you can see in the movie theatres right now. Roger's in the other, and lifted them both Richard and I grew up only a few blocks off the ground at once. The school ground tpart, and we sometimes clowned around gasped. He held them aloft while they during our grammar school days. I would dangled and kicked. His arms never sagged. not say that he was a close friend, but he He was, as I said, strong. We had a word was always good for a laugh, for he was a for it. We called it "crazy-strong." strange kid, capable of outlandish pranks.

But not when Richard was around.

Later, near the end of eighth grade, disturbing rumors began to spread about Richard. It was said that he had sexually assaulted several women, and when asked about the rumors he would only smile. Later, in high school, he was in and out of class for months at a time, and each time he returned the rumors would be worse than the time before.

Nobody considered him fiin to be around any longer, and he was left alone.

Some years later, when we were in our early 20's, I heard that Richard had been arrested for rape and murder and was serving a life sentence in a Wisconsin prison. Some years after that, in 1986, I heard that he had committed suicide.

The years rolled by, and recently his name came back to my mind. I realized that so much that I knew about him was mere rumor, and I was curious to discover the truth about the Richard Macek I didn't know. My first Internet search yielded only two scraps of information, but I knew in a chilling flash that Richard Macek was the most famous person I had ever known.

The first bit of information I found was a single line, a clue to Richard's dark fame.

He was known as "The Mad Biter," for all of his victims had been savagely bitten. In fact, the bite marks were one proof of his guilt, as forensic doctors were able to match the victims' wounds to his teeth.

The second bit of information I found was also a single line. It stated that Richard Macek, my childhood chum, was the reallife model for the fictional character Hannibal Lecter.

I could tell more about my research into his crimes, but the details are too graphic for reproduction here. You can imagine them.

But if you want to see what Hannibal the Cannibal really looked like, don't go to see Hannibal or Silence of the Lambs. Just take a look at my high school yearbook.

He's the guy standing right next to me.

10 Spftrh

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 19, 2001

Coffoe talk

by Steffan Mirsky As the boys' soccer team bears down on its last three weeks of play, they are preparing for the highly anticipated sectional playoffs. After a big tie to perennial rival New Trier, the Maine South H a w k s crushed Niles North 5-2 with a hat trick by Jimmy Denk and two other goals by Nick Dobric and Joe\ Salvador.

After the difficult loss at Highland Park , the soccer players faced deceiving ties against Waukeg an, Niles West and at Glenbrook North. Coach Spiegel summed up these next conference matches better than anybody else could have. ' One day I went to Starbucks and bought myself a cappuccino. Every morning after that I went and bought the same coffee.

Naturally, after a while, I got to know some

of the servers there quite well. Soon, out of pure generosity, they started adding extra ingredients into my cappuccino for free. But it wasn't as good as the plain cappuccino. I didn't tell them because I didn't want to seem ungrateful, so sure enough they kept adding the extra stuff every morning.

"Yeah, you guys are just like my coffee: excellent at the core, but not so great with the extra, fancy stuff."

We stared blankly at the coaches, but they were not giggling.

The moral: as the season nears its end, we have tough battles ahead through competition of Evanston, Prospect, and our sectional so we don't have to get confused by more of Mr. Spiegel's and Dr. Sorenson's stories.

by Austin Gibbons "We need an ambulance over here." That sums up the past few weeks for the boy's cross country team, as they have suffered many losses to serious injury. Punching giant holes in the Hawks' roster, and too close to the end of the season. Phil Keith, gone, lost to a hernia on September 26th, Marcelino Rivera, gone, from an ankle injury after landing awkwardly on a rock, and James Ballard, gone, due to a stress fracture in the hip. With all of these injuries the end of the year looks grim, but the boy's crosscountry team, just "keeps on truckin'." In the past weeks, they have gone up against conference rivals of Evanston and Niles West.

Against Evanston the boys suffered a 1938 defeat. Leading the team was Tony LoBianco, who won the race in a time of

15:50, putting himself tenth on the all time list. He was followed by Chris McGuire, who grabbed fifth, in a time of 16:32. Austin Gibbons was next in ninth place, with a time of 16:44. Next were Chris Mitchell (11th, 17:10), and Jim Aimers (12th, 18:46).

Niles West came a week later. The Hawks' ran to a 24-31 win over their conference rivals. Once again leading the pack was LoBianco, grabbing second in 16:00, McGuire took fourth, in 16:18. Coming up big for the team when it needed it most was sophomore, Mark Fulara, who grabbed a fifth place finish in 16:53. He was followed

by Gibbons (6th, 17:07) and Mitchell (7th, 17:12).

The Hawks' now moved to the big Addison Trails Invite, where they faced off with three of the top nine teams in the state.

South Stats 14 Number of points allowed by the Varsity football team through 7 games.

1 Places achieved

by No. 1 Singles, Monica Milewski and No. 1 Doubles team Liz Bond! and Caroline Brozowski at the CSL Conference Meet.

Keep on truckin' Fenton, Wheaton Warrenville South, and Oak Park-River Forest. The Hawks took home a third place finish, once again led by Tony LoBianco, who faced of with the possible 2001 state cross country champion Carlos Mendoza. He grabbed sixth place, with a time of 16:18 over the hilly course.

McGuire grabbed tenth, in a time 16:39, both McGuire and Lobianco earned medals for their efforts. Gibbons was next to come in the chute (21st, 17:36), Mitchell (22nd, 17:56), and Jim Aimers (28th, 19:03).

The Hawks go into the regional tomorrow, looking to advance to the State Sectionals', and even state though it lool^^k to be damaged with the losses of key m e m ^ ^ bers to the team. But they keep on truckin' and keep their hopes alive, on the Drive for Detweiler.

Sports 11

SOUTHWORDS • OCTOBER 19, 2001

Bump, s^t, spikes

by Jess Stuckey As the season rolls along, the Maine South girls' volleyball team is only getting stronger. An impressive sixth place finish in the GBN/New Trier Tournament provided for a satisfying Homecoming Weekend. But no tournament finish could be more deserved than the stunning victory the Hawks took over New Trier during Homecoming week.

The Hawks came out fired up and ready to take on the defending state qualifiers. The girls took the first game due to aggressive serving from Anne Forde, Mary Therese Ristau and Elle Marquis. The Hawks stayed on track with quick moving defense by Andrianna Stasiuk, Susie Logsdon and Jess Stuckey.

In the second game, the Hawks fell to the Trevians despite great efforts by Nicole Nellesen and Gina Heiderman, who stepped up and subbed in after an injury to Hawk middle hitter Elle Marquis. The third game showed the depth and competitiveness of the Hawks as they edged out the Trevians ISIS. Coach Markworth's first season as varsity coach could not be more fulfilling after that important win.

As the season winds down, the Hawk seniors would like to thank some special people who have made their four years as Maine South volleyball players memorable. Our coaches, Mrs. McGowan, Mrs. Durkin, Mr. Lonegran, Mrs. Kehoe, and Mrs. Markworth have continued to support us throughout all

of our seasons. They have been our biggest fans, always available for a positive word of encouragement. Megan McGuire has been our manager and has done a fabulous job keeping our games and tournament running smoothly.

The freshman levels have stayed long after their games to offer support to the varsity squad, while the sophomore girls have lead the stands in cheers and spirit sprinkles.

Lastly, the fair seniors would like to thank our teammates for all the laughs, dedication and intensity that have made this year so special and memorable.

Come out and see the varsity girls start their playoff run vs. Maine East on October 24,2001.

Crossing the finish line

by Mary Payne As the Maine South girls' Cross Country team sped quickly around the huge north fields the large crowd of fans cheered like it kas the Chicago marathon. The guys football team and soccer team all lined up on the sidelines and started chanting each one of their names. The girls' legs moved as if they were motorized wheels and their arms

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H^\A^k 10/19

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pulled forth as if they were holding on to ropes. Then I woke up. I suppose that the rush of school spirit could have headed this way, but for now that wish will have to stay in my dreams.

Last Saturday the girls' team ran conference. They finished the season undefeated in regular conference dual meets. Each and

Football

10/20

every runner ran this season working to do the best they could, and the best is what the Hawks got. The top seven girls will continue to train in hopes for successful Regional, Sectional, and State meets. The best is yet to come from the girls' cross country team. And just maybe my dream will become a reality.

Highlights 10/21

10/22

10/23

vs. Glenbrook South 2:00PM

Girls'Golf

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Boys' Golf IHSA State Regional

Cross Country

IHSA State Sectionals

Boys' Soccer Girls'Tennis i Girls'Swimming Girls'Volleyball

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IHSA State Finals

mSA State Finals

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vs. Evanston 5:00PM IHSA State Regional

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SPORTS

Cross Country

Tennis surges to strong finish

by Caroline Kim The tennis season has finally wound down to a finish-a finish with dominance on the court. The varsity and the JV have done an excellent job maintaining high scores and putting up a fight with some of the toughest schools in conference.

The varsity squad ended with a 9-3 record with close losses to GBN, New Trier, and Deerfield. Liz Bondi and Caroline Brzozowski at 1st doubles were undefeated throughout the whole season.

Not far behind, Monica Milewski at 1st doubles had only one loss, finishing with a 19-1 record. Also to be'noted are Jeanne MoUner at 2nd singles with 10-4 and Vanessa Kaegi at 3rd singles with 7-1. At 2nd doubles, Megen Briars and Kara Dollaske had a 12-3 record.

At the conference tournament on Homecoming weekend, both the varsity and junior varsity teams placed second. 1st doubles, Bondi and Brzozwski and 1st singles, Monica Milewski placed first. At 2nd doubles. Briars and Dollaske, 3rd singles, Aida Katanic, and 4th singles, Vanessa Kaegi placed 2nd place. At 2nd singles, Jeanne Mollner placed third and at 3rd doubles, Jennifer Anderson and Katie Bemdston placed 5th.

The line-up was very strong this year, and the off-season training has already begun for the 2002-2003 season.

Coach Bondi prospects her players to return and looks forward to the new talent being added next year.

Note: Maine South golfers Norm Olsen and Kristi Katz advanced to the IHSA state golf finals this past Tuesday. Congratulations!

• Soccer • Girls Tennis • Girl's Volleyball • Girls Swimming

Short but sweet

by Kristi Katz Sad to say, the girls' golf season is over.

The season was short but intense, filled with many long nights and many victories.

Throughout the season, the team showed tremendous improvement, which led to a great showing at conference. The varsity placed 7th at conference, just behind powerhouses like Glenbrook South and New Trier. Sophomore Kristi Katz medaled, placing 6th individually.

The team also had a great showing at regionals, placing 11th. Katz placed 5th overall, capturing another medal, which also qualified her for the sectional meet, held last

Tuesday. At the sectional meet, Katz made a huge comeback.

With a struggling 51 on the front nine, she came together at shot a 41 on the back, making it just enough to qualify her for the state finals.

Unfortunately, the team is losing six seniors after this season. "The team will be rebuilt, and within a couple of years the Maine South girls' golf team will be a force to be reckon with," states Coach Hamann.

After all of the memories and the excellent rounds, the team looks forward to the same kind of success they have reached this year.

Up to the challenge

by Emma Sarran With the season nearing ar«nd, the swimming and diving teams are busy working hard and striving for personal and team bests. In the meantime, however, they are doing quite well.

On September 28th, Maine South took a trip to the home of fellow CSL and defending state champions. New Trier. Although it was a very tough meet, they came out with a few great swims. Natalie Kruk gave New Trier a surprising first place finish in the 50 yd. Freestyle and a second in the 100 yd.

Freestyle.

Another standout athlete at the meet was Monica Rangel, placing second in diving.

There were also many other impressive individual performances.

The following Tuesday, the team had a more triumphant outcome, beating Hoffman Estates 102 to 83. The 200 yd. Medley Relay (Amanda Fallico, Nancy Wilkins, Kruk, and Kate Paine) and the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay (Jess Spitelli, Wilkins, Paine, and Kruk) captured first place points. Individually, Kruk in the 200 yd. Individual Medley and 100 yd. Breaststroke , Wilkins in the 50 yd. Freestyle, Fallico in the 100 yd. Butterfly, Karolyn Schultz, and Monica Rangel in

diving, all received first place honors.

That Friday, the swimming and diving team swam their last away meet, at Niles West—another outstanding meet, winning 124-56. First place honors were attained in every swimming event, and many best times were also reached at this meet. The first places included Abby Polley in the 200 yd.

Freestyle, Fallico in the 200 yd. I.M., Paine in the 50 yd. Freestyle, Kruk in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke, Megan Gibbons in the 100 yd. Freestyle, Wilkins in the 5{X) yd. Freestyle, and Emma Sarran in the 100 yd. Breaststroke.

All three relays also won first place, Kruk, Fallico, Paine, and Gibbons in the 200 yd. Medley relay ; Fallico, Susan Deischbourg, Spitelli, and Gibbons for the 200 yd. Freestyle relay, and Gibbons, Deischbourg, Fallico, and Kruk in the 400 yd. Freestyle relay.

The conference meet will take place very soon right here at Maine South. They ari ar^^ looking for a strong finish to their confi ence season, but with the difficult schoo ol^ involved it is going to be a challenge. As strong as these teams may be, Maine South is ready to take up the challenge.