Vol 38 issue 8

maine DECEMBER 21, 2001

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s o uVOL t h 38, NO. 8

Maine South goes Orange

In This ,

Issue!

NEWS: REINDEER

ON PARADE

COMMEhTTARY: L(X)KiNG B E Y O N D COMPETmON

FEATURES: CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

SPORTS: GIRLS' BASKETBALL

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SOUTHWORDS • DECEMBER 21, 2001

Reindeer on Parade

by Rachel Kalom and Caroline Kim This holiday season the students of Maine South's Visual Arts Department were offered a unique opportunity. The village of Harwood Heights provided the school with two wooden reindeer and asked that the students decorate them for display throughout the town.

Mr. Alderson, Ms. Meier, Ms. Moore, and Ms. Pichinos encouraged the students to each take a piece of the reindeer and paint their own interpretation of the holidays. The results have been amazing. Subjects range from the Grinch and snowboarding to a bald eagie and a Christmas-theme version of Grant Wood's American Gothic.

Harwood Heights took its inspiration from Chicago's Cows on Parade exhibit.

The Harwood Height's exhibit was an attempt to stimulate business in the commu-

nity and create a holiday spirit through visual arts. The idea was adopted by Harwood Heights for the first time this year. The Vil-

lage Trustee and member of the Economic Development Committee, Donald P. McCormick is the coordinator of Reindeer on Parade and has been making sure the reindeer are well underway.

All of the businesses, along with all of the schools in the Harwood Heights area have been given reindeer to decorate. Each individual business will then display the reindeer at their own locations.

The reindeer decorated by the schools will be displayed at the Harwood Heights City Hall located at 7343 W. Lawrence Avenue.

Then the reindeer will compete against each other for the title of the best. Furthermore, they will continue to be on display until January 31,2002.

The Maine South art students utilized their talent and expertise to assist in making this event a truly memorable and outstanding experience for the Harwoi Heights community. T students would like the members of Maine South to visit the decorated reindeer when they find their new home and show the r support for the fine young artists. All will truly be impressed by their talent.

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December 21, 1620- The pilgrims on the Mayflower land at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

December 21,1898- Pierre and Marie Curie discover radium.

December 21, 1937- The first full-length animated cartoon, Disney's Snow White premieres.

December 21, 196^ Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon is launched from Cape Canaveral with astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lx>vell, Jr., and William Anders on board.

December 21, 1988- A terrorist bomb explodes aboard a Pan Am Boeing 747 over Lockerbie, Scotland, kilMng 270 people.

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News 3

SOUTHWORDS • DECEMBER 21, 2001

Hawks fly south

by Jim Puis As they have done before and as they certainly will do again, the members of the Maine South Marching Band are traveling this winter break. Just like three years ago in 1998 and six years ago in 1995, the Band is going to Miami, Florida. They will be performing in the Orange Bowl Parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Music Days.

Everybody knows that the Orange Bowl is a nationally televised member of the Bowl Championship Series featuring two of the top college football teams in the nation, but fewer people know about its parade. The Orange Bowl Parade is held annually on New Year's Eve in Miami, Florida. This year's parade, "Underwater Wonderland," features over 5,000 participants performing for an expected crowd of more than a quarter of a million people along Miami's Biscayne Boulevard.

Maine South's band is one of sixteen in the parade; others come from as close as

Naples, Florida, and as far away as Mililani, This nine-day trip provides the band with Hawaii. Based on the band's two previous an opportunity to represent Maine South in performances in this pa- a good way multiple times. The opporturade as well as its perfor- nity includes three performances showcasmance reputation in else- ing the talents of a large number of Maine where, they were invited South's music students. again to perform this year.

The band's director, Mr. Pressler says, "In The school was also my 20 years of teaching, I don't think I've able to obtain, via taped ever taken a better bunch of kids on a better audition, a berth in the trip; this trip is just filled with really cool Magic Music Days pro- opportunities unlike ever before." gram at Walt Disney The 168 band members who are going World in Orlando, on the trip have been waiting with hushed Florida. One part of this excitement since May, when the trip was anexperience is a parade per- nounced. Junior Emily Haak, one of the formance in one of the three drum majors who will parks - this January, the the band in the parade, "In my 20 years of lead Maine South band will says, "The Orange Bowl march in a pre-show pa- teaching, I don't parade will be a great learnrade at Magic Kingdom. think I've ever taken ing experience for all memIn addition to performbers of the band." ing, students will partici- a better bunch of kids After all of the hard pate in workshops held in on a better trip." work and extra rehearsals, backstage Epcot. The though, what will be the -Mr. Pressler best workshops are designed to part of the trip? Acteach band members about cording to Mr. Pressler, the lives of professional musicians, espe "It'll be nice to get away for eight or nine days and have some fun." cially those employed by Disney.

n the spirit of giving

by Jessica Stuckey

The holiday season is Brotherhood's busiest time of the year. As many others are shopping and putting up seasonal decorations, Brotherhood members are actively collecting gifts, toys, and coats to the less fortunate.

The annual November coat drive was once again an amazing success thanks to the huge donations made by Brotherhood members and their peers. This year we collected over 150 coats. They will all be going towards the Chicago Bears Coat Drive.

Then the coats will be distributed to Chicago area residents in need. Thousands of jhomeless walk the streets of Chicago, and Brotherhood hopes to make someone's winter a bit warmer and happier.

The December Toy Drive is up and running, ready to fill boxes full of donated.

lightly used toys. These toys will be collected and distributed to families who are not able to purchase toys for their children.

By donating a toy this year, each Brother-

hood member is given an opportunity to play Santa Claus. And speaking of toys, ten

Brotherhood members were thoughtful enough to buy brand new gifts for the Salvation Army's "Angel Tree" collection.

Available through Dominick's food stores, specific children can be selected and gifts can be purchased for them with the promise that they will be delivered on Christmas Day. Besides collections. Brotherhood is working directly with many Park Ridge inhabitants. The Resurrection Nursing Home will once again be the location to highlight Maine South's vocal talents as Brotherhood members gather their singing voices and carol Christmas tunes on December 18. The members will also be participating in giftwrapping presents for the needy. As the holidays grows near. Brotherhood has truly been in the spirit of giving.

4 Commentary

SOUTHWORDS • DECEMBER 21, 2001

Student Review

me editor.sJ Ocean's Eleven returnat

by Megan Gibbons When I asked the young girl I was babysitting for just what it was that made winter so special, I suddenly began to realize the wonder that lay beyond the shovels and the car defrost. Her eyes twinkled as she recalled the magic of her four long years as a winter veteran. Slowly, as she painted visions in my head with her broken sentences, the enchantment of winter made its way back into my heart. As she told of the simple beauty of snow angels, and just how yummy the snowflakes could taste on her tongue, I began to reminisce in the thousands of snow angels that had filled my childhood.

Suddenly now, I begin to remember my constant refusals to come inside no matter how red my nose had turned, and something about the bliss of falling backwards into a pile of snow and creating a perfect angel, can't escape my mind. Despite the fact that I know very well that winter often means having to wake up fifteen minutes earlier to scrape off my car, and I'm probably going to have to drive ten miles an hour so I don't go flying off the road, I have found myself wishing for winter. If I could be given the opportunity to enjoy even a fraction of the euphoria of child hood, then all of winter's inconveniences would simply melt away.

I have become well aware of the fact that for most of us, frolicking in the snow doesn't place itself too high on our growing priority list, yet I feel that if we were to overlook winter, we would be denying ourselves so much happiness. As the first snow falls, rather than canceUng all plans and watching a movie inside, step outside and take in all that is around you.

Absorb the amazing silence that exists as all sound seems to settle within the snow, catch the glistening sparkles of snow as they dance beneath the street light, and enjoy the beauty of the stars as they twinkle above you. As your heart fills with the splendor of all that surrounds you, tranquillity can't help but slowly creep to your soul.

As the snowflakes fall upon your lips when you smile at the splendor of winter this year, let its wonder make your heart ^^

by Anthony Radek Las Vegas is being taken again with a new cast of debonair cools. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon are a few of the monstrous cast of characters remaking the 1960 Rat Pack classic Ocean's Eleven. This modem version of the swinging, chauvinistic Rat Pack is close, but not very similar— yet it holds up as an entertaining movie, leaving you shrimp-cocktail thirsty for a weekend in Vegas.

Director Steven Soderbergh had guts to try and reinvent the 60's version of an entertaining group that may never be surpassed.Yet Soderbergh has no interest in remaking the movie: "They [the Rat Pack] were the epitome of cool and none of us felt like we wanted to compare ourselves to them or what they were up to.

You can't beat that. We took a completely different track."

There are many differences between the two films, making them two separate pieces. The Rat Pack includes legendary entertainers: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. They played Las Vegas with their act that consisted of song and joke. Their persona was a group of guys whose sure-ofthemselves swagger set the standard for cool.

In the new version each of the eleven men are a variety of cons that are well known from all over They are brought together with the help of Daniel Ocean (Clooney), and his long time friend Russ (Pitt). The plan is to knock over the Bellagio casino, which holds the money for the MGM and the Mirage casinos as well. The heist holds personal reasons for Ocean, as the owner of all three casinos is Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), a wealthy and powerful businessman and the

new boyfriend of his ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts). The plan goes through many twists and turns that leaves you craving for the ending.

The movie includes many neat things such as a full replica of the casino vault made by cons in order to practice before the actual heist. This would be necessary seeing that money, security, and Las Vegas has changed drastically since 1960. Yet, remedial tricks are used, such as letting balloons go to block a camera in the ceiling of the casino to distract a guard.

The same as Sinatra throws a casino chip to distract one.

Simple tricks keep the film true to its roots, and_ keeping t'i old schooT feel.

Another element that gives the oldschool feel is the wardrobe.

Ocean and his cons are all dressed stylishly in suits, like the Rat Pack would in the old days. Vegas is portrayed as it was then, a high-class town where you couldn't get into a casino without a suit or a dress. The feeling of the movie makes you imagine what Las Vegas was like in 1960, but with the Millennium glamour of today.

This feel-good, action-packed movie has anything you could ever want. It has a lot of stars, a lot of money, and a lot of action and don't forget about Juha Roberts. It is a great choice to spend $8.50 on.

I do suggest renting the original, it'si timeless comedy and the ending will win yc^ over, even though it lacks the technology packed high action of the modem. Go see both; you will be sure to get a pair of sharkskin pants before the movie is over.

Commentary 5

SOUTHWORDS • DECEMEBER 21. 2001

Staff Opinion

Maine South: Stop and think!

by Tracy Schmidt It's easy to whine, isn't it? Especially when living in an affluent community like Park Ridge and attending an acclaimed high school like Maine South— the town is too boring, curfew is too early, homework is too much, paraprofessionals are too strict. Realizing the simpUcity of suburban life, we as teenagers create personal dramas to color daily Ufe and draw pity from unsuspecting eidults. Of course, we deny such actions only to be slapped with reality when we least expect it.

I certainly didn't expect reaUty to walk in the door of Peet's Coffee.

Stressed out with senior year commotions, a close friend and I had escaped for a Saturday evening to downtown Evanston.

Walking in and out of stores, we talked. We talked about homework overload, about endless Christmas shopping, about nagging parents, about inevitable college rejection letters.

Yet our conversation didn't seem to be the complaining type because we talked in matter-of-fact tones, interrupted only with the occasional dramatic sigh. Discussing struggles and failures of daily life had become an unobjectionable action to us in recent months.

We had just sat down to steaming mugs of cocoa at Peet's when he walked in, greeting the barista in a voice obscenely loud for the chic coffeehouse. "I was gonna go over to Whole Foods," he said, "and get my fresh cup of coffee Uke I always do. But whatdya know— they're closed. Now what am I supposed to do?"

I paused mid-sentence to look at this rude customer He was a middle-aged black man, standing about six feet tall, dressed warmly for the bitter Chicago weather in a heavy coat and knit cap, bent sUghtly at the waist, head cocking to the left as he waited for the barista to hand him an Americano— on the house of course.

Other disgruntled customers looked up from their laptops and copies of the New York Times, clearing their throats in annoy' ance. I did the same and continued talking with my friend.

His voice feided away quickly— the murderous glares of customers must have forced him back onto the street. I forgot about him

soon enough, concerned only with how 1 was going to pay for college.

Then, without warning, a hand graced my shoulder. I turned again, this time to find the man's staring blankly at me. "Excuse me baby," he whispered quietly now. "I got no home. Need twenty bucks for a night's shelter and two hot meals."

With eyes lowered as Dad had taught me, I mumbled that I didn't have any money— knowing full well that two twenty dollar bills were sitting in my wallet. "Please, it's Christmas time, baby," his hand on my shoulder again. "I'm trying to get some money but it ain't working. Help a poor man out."

I looked to my friend, now staring stoically at the window-shoppers passing outside the shop. She bit her lip and said nothing. The man persisted, certain he could take advantage of two suburban teenage girls.

"I'll take anything you got. You got a dollar? Gimme it— I'll take it."

In a quivering voice, I told him no— we didn't have any money and would he please leave us alone. The man's hand dropped from my shouldJr. "Thank you Baby." He sighed dramatically. "You take care of yourselves now. Have a Merry Christmas and God Bless you." And with that, he walked out of the store and back into the bitter wind of a mid-December evening.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, with the female instinct that comes from selfhumiliation, we broke into laughter and wondered how a homeless man coming into an Evanston coffeehouse could intimidate us so. Eventually, we let it go and continued our conversations of teenage concerns.

Yet when I was in my warm bed at home hours later, his face came back to me. I imagined that he was lying on an Evanston park bench that very moment, trying to keep warm himself. Had I handed him twenty dollars, would he have used it for a warm shelter? I didn't know— yet I felt guilty.

Guilty not only because I had refused to help a person in need, but more impMjrtantly, because I went on to spend the evening complaining about my own stressful hfe. It would be fooUsh to say a teenager as blessed as myself should not complain about stress. (continued on page 6)

03 (D CO

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"Only for the families that were personally affected by the tragedies."

- Siobhan Adams, '04

"No, because we will fight terrorism by living our lives the way we always do."

- Mike Ludwig, '05

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"Yes, I think that people will find more meaning in the hoUdays. For me, I have a totally new perspective on life and I appreciate my family and friends more than ever before."

- Steph Caccomo, '02

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"Yes, after September 11th everything has changed.

Even though we should try to put it past us, we must always remember it."

- Ryan Hurley, '03

6 Commentary;

SOUTHWORDS • DECEMBER 21, 2001

Staff Opinion

Give a little more Maine South*

By Britt Frederiksen Student Council collected $2,713.53 this food drive. The freshmen donated half of what the seniors gave for food drive. Juniors put forth a tremendous effort to beat competition. A number of students gave their month's paycheck.Many people put a lot of spirit into food drive, and they deserve many thanks.

The following are sentiments that helped Maine South students want to give: Scenario 1) The homeless need my help. This is the most important reason when at least 165,000 homeless men and women walk Chicago streets each year and compete for 5,000 beds in shelters across the city. The average age of a homeless person in the United States today is nine.

Scenario 2) Just because someone else donates does not mean I do not have to. Not everyone is half as fortunate as many Maine South students are, and the fact that other people give did not make us feel our donation is worthless.

Millions of people starve every day across the planet. Just because someone else gives large sums to charity does not mean

that will be enough to sustain the hungry.

We know it depends on each and every one of us.

Scenario 3) It makes me feel good! There is the amazing personal satisfaction that comes with having raised significant funds for the starving members of our community.

This satisfaction helps us have the heart to give.

To make food drive enticing. Student

Council promotes not only the class competition each year, but also a new Chicagoland area school competition through the Chicago Bears Care Foundation. Upper classmen will remember that Maine South raised nearly S6,000 last year and won the school competition between other area schools, and Jim Miller, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, came to speak at the spring sports assembly.

There is a huge need for food and donations to homeless shelters in Chicago. As students of Maine South, most of us can certainly afford to donate one, three or five dollars a piece to help the needy in the city. We eat every day, we go to one of the top schools in the nation, and we have integrity to give to those w h ^ ^ ^ have literally nothing. ^ ^ If you did not give to the Maine South food drive or still want to make donations, please doi.ate to Chicagoland charities this holiday season. Look inside yourself- have a heart and do what you can to help those in need. We can all help spread holiday cheer all over Chicago.

(continued from page 5) tions to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Yet there is a bmit to be had. We all must work to find a balance in our lives.— to find that happy medium. Because, even in the close town of Evanston, there are individuals struggling more than we teenagers can ever fathom. Individuals like that man who walked into Peet's Coffee one Saturday evening.

Hey You! Commentary needs your writing! Please hand all articles into

V-131.

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SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 21, 2001

iFeatnres 7

The soul of rock and roll

by Allison Montgomery

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A mournful passing of the "Quiet Beatle" Award winning album and opened the door became reality Thursday, November 28. It for future concerts like Live Aid, "We Are was a passing not surrounded by the shock the World" and the Concerts for New York and hysteria of John Lennon's murder, but City. one of sadness and reflection on the life of Harrison also joined forces with Bob George Harrison.

Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Harrison developed throat cancer in 1997, Orbison to form the Traveling Wilburys in 1987. Harrison which led to lung * refused to tour, and then finally though, and stuck brain cancer. Alto the studio. Afthough the mass in ter Lennon's his throat was sucdeath, Harrison cessfully removed lost faith in the with surgery, the public. For his lung and brain response, he was cancers were too coined a recluse. much for Harrison laughed Harrison's body. off this title, sayHarrison traving, "I just don't eled all over the go to discos world, from the where the gossip Mayo CUnic to a columnists hang amed cancer out." clinic in Switzerland, and finally to 1987 also prothe Staten Island duced a number University Hospione hit single for tal in New York Harrison, with seeking treatment. At Staten Island, new "Got My Mind Set on You." He chose not hope was given to Harrison's supporters to tour. thanks to the new, experimental nature of the Not to be forgotten is the Eastem Indian available treatment. Sadly, the treatment was influence that was prevalent in all of not successful.

Harrison's life.

Although passing at .^^^^^H^ 1966 saw the first of the young age of 58, SjHpp many trips to India Harrison led a fulfill1 E

by Harrison and his ing and rich life. He fellow Beatles. was once quoted sayHarrison befriended ing, "It doesn't matter Ravi Shaker, from if you're the king of a whom he learned to country or a fabulous play sitar. Harrison Beatle; it's what's inintegrated the sitar side that counts." into many later Harrison's generous Beatles and solo life proved his words works. to be true.

He also found After the Beatles spiritual mentor broke up, Harrison beSrila Prabhupada, 'gan a successful career who founded the as a solo artist. One of his biggest accom- Hare Krishna group. Harrison fully supplishments was the 1971 Concert for ported and endorsed the Krishnas, and two Bangladesh, at Madison Square Garden, members chanted by his bedside before he New York. The concert produced a Graimny passed away.

As a final testament to Harrison's involvement with the Hare Krishnas, his wife Olivia and son Dhani traveled to India to spread his ashes along the bank of the Ganges River, as well as in the city of Allahabad, India, a spiritual city in the Hindu culture. His family wanted to be sure that his ashes lay where he was able to find the most peace throughout his lifetime.

Whether it was Eastem or Western religion, one of Harrison's main quests in life was to know his God. He shared this in the single "My Sweet Lord," which is considered by many critics to be the greatest work produced by one of the Fab Four in the postBeatles era.

When Harrison was asked in an interview what his personal goals were, he responded with, 'To do as well as I can at whatever I attempt, and someday to die with a peaceful mind." George did just that. Nobody can argue he wasn't one of the best musicians ever. Godspeed George, and as Keith Richards put it, "Let's hope he's jamming with John."

N

SiDTIWIAlS A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 Letters to the editor should be delivered to ; room V-131 or given to a member of the ediI torial staff. SOUTHWORDS reserves the I right to edit material for clarity and brevity 1 and to reject obscene/libeloas sabmissions.

I Editors-in-Chief News Editors Commentary Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Production Editors Core Photogr^hers Core Staff Artist Advisor ^

Britt Frederiksen Megan Gibbons Monica Bysiecki Caroline Kim Deanna Oleske Tracy Schmidt Eileen Collins | Emily Haak I Austin Gibbons I Kristi Katz j Jim Puis 1 Dan Saavedra j Rachel Kalom Salena Retsos T.R. Kerth

8 Features!

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 21, 2001

Christmas in the cityi

by Doug Link and Jackie Yeaman

Imagine you're outside in the bitter cold.

Your hands are numb from constantly trying to untangle hundreds of feet of Christmas lights. Hours have passed and you're nearly all done. You connect the lights and flip the switch only to discover nothing has happened. Why do we go through so much trouble to decorate for Christmas?

We go through it all for many reasons.

Some people do it to enter decorating contests and to win a prize. But others do it because it's the only chance they get to give their house a little flare.

Park Ridge is already showing its flare this year. Dave, a community worker for Park Ridge, says, "Out of all the different jobs I have to do all year, setting up the holiday decorations is one of my favorites."

Dave also says, "Park Ridge usually starts setting up holiday decorations about one week before Thanksgiving but doesn't turn any of the Ughts on until after Thanksgiving."

Neil, another community worker for Park Ridge, says, "Setting up the Christmas decorations is rewarding once you see the town at night."

Park Ridge has a variety of decorations set up throughout the entire town. Some of the most obvious are the lights tangled in the tree branches, banners and garland on the street light posts, window displays for stores, and the large Christmas tree in front of City Hall.

Many storeowners enjoy setting up their Christmas display windows. They consider it more as a way of lavishing up their store as compared to a task they must do to keep attracting business.

One store worker, Mary, commented, "I think our display is one of the best in this area of town. I'm sure it will attract many customers."

In addition to Park Ridge's fantastic display, nearby shopping centers are ringing in the holidays also. One in particular is the Old Orchard Shopping Center.

At Old Orchard you'll find the entire outdoor area covered in Christmas Ughts and banners in addition to several Christmas trees.

Marcus, a maintenance worker at Old Orchard, said, "It sure takes a long time and a lot of work to set up the Ughts and other

decorations, but it just makes the place look so neat."

However, if you think decorating Old Orchard takes awhile, just imagine how long it takes to decorate downtown Chicago.

During the holiday season, the city of Chicago transforms into an enchanting Christmas wonderland. On North Michigan Avenue, Chicago presents its Magnificent Mile Ughts festival. This hoUday celebration includes over a million white Ughts on 200 trees, along with a winter fireworks show over the Chicago River.

Navy Pier decorates its Festival Hall with hundreds of ornamented live and artificial trees, an over-indulgence of gleaming Ughts

and thousands of hoUday adornments. This array of Christmas decorations will be on display during Navy Pier's Winter Wonder Fest.

The Lincoln Park Zoo also has a distinctively unique Ughts display. The Zoo Lights festival includes decorations which vary from Latino Culture to Kwanzaa. There are also plenty of traditional decorations, and many animal shaped displays. The zoo also provides a Water Laser Show on a 15-foot water screen at the Kovler Sea Lion Pool.

Aside from the Christmas festivals, Christmas decorations can be found just about anywhere. They're in hotel lobbies.

restaurants, people's homes, and in store windows. Chicago's Marshall Field's is legendary for its yearly window Christmas displays.

Mary Edsey, author of the book The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicago land, gives sUde shows of the greatest displays in Chicago. She also tells the stories of her ecstatic designers. She claims a couple in Libertyville bought 500 milk jugs to create a mile of Christmas Ughts.

Edsey's stories also include those of two people who have gone to the extreme for their Christmas decorations. A Lisle auto mechanic traded his one-year-old motorcycle to buy four animated elves, while an interior designer has been known to steal colored Christmas Ughts from other homes in order to enforce his strict "white lights only" rule.

Though the inhabitants of the Chicagoland area maybe crazy for their Christmas displays, the displays in Walt Disney W o r U ^ are far more extravagant. One-hundred a i ^ ^ P thirty truckloads of decorations are brought to the Disney World Resort every year. The Magic Kingdom is adorned with 5.2 miles of garland, with 1,200 Christmas trees in the 30,500-acre resort.

In the Epcot World showcase, 11 countries are decorated for HoUdays Around the World. There are also 30,000 synchronized Ughts, which form a canopy over the bridge between Future World and Epcot. Epcot is also decorated with a 65-foot Christmas tree that has 120 yuletide banners with 30 different languages printed on them. A 48inch tall angel sits on top of the tree.

Downtown Disney sparkles during the hoUday season as well. There you can find festive window displays, carolers, Disney HoUday Characters, and Santa Claus. Downtown Disney has also been known to have "Nightly Snowfalls" on Market Street.

Disney's Magic Kingdom has a nighttime hoUday parade along with other entertainment. The Kingdom also features Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Whether you're at Disney, or in Chicag^^^ or Park Ridge, you're guaranteed to see T^^ variety of dazzUng Christmas displays. The efforts of all involved in Christmas decorating show through the beautiful scenery this time of year brings.

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 21, 2001

^Features 9

Holiday depression pression. These numbers are unsettling, because a build up of childhood trauma, stress or a loss of a loved one may bring a As Lindsey walks through the parking lot depressed person to the edge. In the past 25 she brushes her hand against her forearm, years, the general incidence of suicide has feeling the brutal self-inflicted scars. decreased, however the rate among those 15 Lindsey is going to meetings that help her to 19 years old has quadrupled. deal with the pain of depression. For Furthermore, depression doesn't only Lindsey and other teenagers, depression impact the individual. It also affects their starts with small side effects, such as stress, family and friends. As a friend or relative, and results in larger problems. one may feel uncomfortable around the sufferer. Friends and Stress is a huge relatives want to help, problem that teenagers have to deal with today.

If you or s o m e o n e you know is but they don't know how. Often, no matThere are a lot of dif- depressed, y o u should get help. ferent ways that people There are p r o g r a m s to assist you. ter what they do it seems to make the deal with the stress of situation worse, bedepression.

Some people see counselors, National Institute of Mental cause the person suftake medication, or Help/ Suicide Prevention @ fering from depression 1-800-333-444 does not respond to abuse drugs or alcohol. good advice or comUnfortunately, some mon sense. teens take the hard Runaway Switch Board @ |route, which is self-muThere is hope, 1-800-621-4000 tilation. however. Therapy and medication are the soTwo million AmeriHelp Line @ lution for getting cans purposely cut 1-800-Dontcut through depression. themselves. Self-mutiMedication such as lation usually starts around the age of fourteen. This self-harm Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor can expedite the is happening all around the world, and many recovery period. Medication helps to preare unaware, because in many instances vent extreme mood swings that are caused those who suffer from depression do not re- by an imbalance of Serotonin, the chemical aUze that they have a problem. When they in the brain that is responsible for moods. do recognize their problem, many feel that Therapy helps to resolve problems that they are the only ones suffering from this lead to the depression, and help teach the disease, but they aren't. 17.5 million Ameri- victim how to avoid future episodes. Recans will suffer from clinical depression this search shows that medication and therapy year. together are more effective than either by People suffering from depression usually itself, but the support of those who are close tend to oversleep, get angered or saddened to the victim is crucial as well.

What the depressed person needs most easily, have low self-esteem, feel a sense of worthlessness, have an increase or decrease is understanding, patience, and acceptance in appetite and struggle in school. In addi- from those close to him or her. Loved ones tion, they may isolate themselves from help so much. Being considerate, thoughtfriends or relatives, and some may talk or ful, and empathetic is crucial. Small acts of think about suicide. Depression is a serious kindness are appreciated, and do help the disease and once noticed, should be taken victim. k care of immediately. If help isn't issued, deDepression is a serious disease that of'pression can at times result in death. ten occurs during the holiday season. SomeDepression is growing at an alarming times people get depressed without even rerate. Recent studies done by the National alizing it during this time of year. Be sure Health Association show that as many as 1 to consider others during this year's holiis every 33 children may have clinical de- day celebrations.

by Teresa Rufo, Danielle Barbemini and Karen Corsello

Suicide facts: There is an 80% chance that someone who has attempted suicide will try to kill themselves again.

8 out of 10 people who commit suicide give clues that they wanted to kill themselves.

500,000 teenagers aged 15 to 25 try to kill themselves every year.

500 teenagers succeed.

People who kill themselves usually don't want to die, they just want to get away from the pain.

Almost 90% of all people suffering from depression do respond positively to medications.

In some countries and states suicide is actually a felony.

In the United States more people kill themselves than are killed by other people.

Most people who kill themselves do not leave notes.

Suicide is almost always caused by depression.

Teenage males kill themselves twice as much as anyone else.

Clusters of teenage suicides have been occurring more often. One suicide triggers many others in the same area.

Most teens who are suicidal can work it out by talking or occasionally going on medication and go on to live long healthy lives.

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SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘DECEMBER 21, 2001

CDom i n a t i o n Swim TimeL

by Austin Gibbons Takedown! Two points. WrestUng is off to a strong start, as they were recently ranked as high as ninth in the state by the Chicago Sun Times. To start off the season, the Hawks have rolled over Maine East and Maine West.

At a recent meet with Deerfield for the CSL League crossover match, the Hawks pummeled District 207 rivals Maine East and Maine West, defeating the Demons 6018 and the Warriors 72-0. Despite Maine East's strong wrestling abilities, the Hawks dominated, showing their true talents on the mat. Matt Recsetar and Pat Maloney did well in their first bouts returning from football.

As they traveled back home to the good old fieldhouse, the Hawks were tangled up in a bout with St. Patrick's, Lake Zurich, and

state powerhouse St. Rita. The Hawks squad battled the Shamrocks to the end, and earned a well-deserved 31-29 victory. The Hawks then crushed Lake Zurich 51 -20 in their second round battle. They took a tough loss to St. Rita's 41-18 in the final round of matches.Triple winners for the day were James Doyle (103 pounds), Jim Denk (160 pounds), and Jim Hauser (171 pounds).

Double winners were Dan Tedeschi (112 pounds), Nick Fallico (130 pounds), Recsetar (152 pounds), and Brendan Cameron (275 pounds).

They traveled to the Prospect Tournament in hopes of a victory and did just that. It looks to be an interesting winter break, as the Hawks set in on the heart of their season, which decides their postseason hopes.

Tumbling into season

by Kristi Katz The Maine South girls' gymnastics team is in full swing. The girls have been practicing hard; running their routines over and over, trying to stick every landing. But all of this hard work seems to be paying off.

Last Thursday, the team had their first home meet against cross- town rival, Maine East.

The Hawks prevailed, defeating the Demons 124.5- 114.9.

Leading the way for the Hawks was sophomore, Kira Fedyniak, earning a 9.25 on the vault, 8.5 on the floor exercise, 8.8

on the uneven parallel bars, and an 8.4 on the balance beam. Other instrumental members of the team are seniors, Sylvia Ranali and Joanna Ortega, each starting their forth year on the varsity squad.

Other members expected to do well for the Hawks this season are Alina and Liz Pyzowski, Monica Rangel, Marissa Frankos, and Christina Mulvaney. Under the guidance of new head coach Cyndee Kawalek, the Hawks are looking for a challenging but rewarding season.

by Alan Zarychta ^ ^ The boys' swim team is now preparing for the heart of their season with three meets approaching against Maine East, Glenbrook North, and St. Viator. The team will then move into a dry spell and then stronger competition over Christmas.

The team gave state ranked St. Patricks quite a scare in their traditional season opener, suffering a narrow defeat. The meet was, nonetheless, a success with strong swims by all and an abundance of personal best times. The boys then went on to face Leyden, which they defeated, 114 to 71. The Hawks took first place in all but three events that evening.

The swimmer's also tallied a victory against Maine West, 113 to 72. The Hawks once agained managed first in all but three events with strong performances of the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay of Kruesi, Pick, Kruk, and Michaels.

The team has been working hard in practice and is preparing for a successful season ahead. They hope all of their hari work will pay off with some potential stati qualifying swimmers. Hard work is an important factor as the season really kicks in over this winter break with state ranked opponents such as Evanston and New Trier. The swimmers have a tough road ahead, but they are up to the challenge.

^1

Why do they run...jump, and throw?

by Austin Gibbons In the dark and cold of winter, track is still miles away, but closing in fast. The Hawks boys' track team is out training hard for the upcoming season, for which hopes are high after a successful season last year.

As soon as the snow begins to fall they can really kick it into gear with some tough snow runs. Everything aside, the team is looking forward to this season, with possibly the best squad that Maine South has ever seen.

The Hawks arefiillyloaded this year with returning state qualifiers Pawel Lewkowski and David Skiba. Also looking to push the Hawks sprinting gang, led by Coach Tumilty, are record breaker Tony Marcinek, Mike Psaltis, John Giacamino, Mark Annes, and Kenny Johnson. Marcinek and Johnson are coming off near misses at sectionals last

year when their 4x400 meter relay team fell just short. Skiba had a great run downstate last year in the 300 M hurdles and Lewkowski in the 100 M. In the field events with Coach Lonergan, the Hawks will be looking to high jumpers Kyle Galayda and Chris Mitchell, and in the pole vault, Marcinek, Sean Moran, and Andrew Jarosz. In the sand pit, the Hawks will really be depending on the efforts of Mitchell and Galayda once again. In the shot put, they look to junior monster Vince Natali to put the Hawks on the map.

The distance gang, led by Coach Drennan, is looking strong. Coming off an injury laden cross-country season they look to excel. In the 1600M and 3200M runs, the Hawks look to near state qualifier Tony LoBianco to really put points on the board.

In the 3200M relay and 800M run, Chris McGuire, who is coming off three successful track seasons, looks for another this year, and Austin Gibbons looks to contribute in the 3200M run, coming off a successful sophomore season. Phil Keith, fully recovered from his hernia this fall, looks to contribute in whatever he can to put the Hawks high in the CSL rankings. A strong sophomore squad will look to add to the squad as well.

State is a definite possibility for many athletes this year, and a high ranking for the team in state is not out of the question, perspective, the Hawks look to be as goc as they have ever been in the past. The season is still one month away, but on the near horizon for the boys' track team. Winning isn't everything, but losing is not an option.

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 21, 2001

phbbling around the competition

by Erin Farmer This year's girls' basketball team has been working very hard and it is truly starting to show. Everyone on the team has been making amazing progress. Not only are their shots beginning to be more consistent and their fitness beginning to improve, all twelve girls are starting to play as a team. They are learning about how each teammate plays and each other's strengths, as well as weaknesses.

On November 30, the sophomore and varsity girls' basketball teams loaded the bus for a four-hour drive to Galesburg, IL. They spent the night at Jumers and both teams had time to hang out with one another. On Saturday, both teams played excellent games, and they left Galesburg with two wins. It was the third year in a row that Maine South had defeated Galesburg, a team that qualified for the state

over, they are well on their way to a great season.

They have eight wins so far, defeating teams like Buffalo Grove, Waukegan,

Evanston, and Galesburg. They ended both Waukegan's and Galesburg's undefeated records. Along with the eight wins, they have three losses, two of which are at the hands of archrivals New Trier, and the other to Barrington. They hope to learn from these losses and use them as stepping-stones for improvement in future games.

The seven seniors and the five juniors join together to make one talented team. Everybody has their specialty, hether it be draining three pointers, uriving coast to coast and shooting over four towering defenders, shooting jump shots from anywhere on the court, being the most aggressi vc defensive player on their fiill court press, or assisting the others to perform their specialty. All twelve players play their important roles on the team.

1

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month until the track and field season officially begins.

hours driven by the girls basketball team for ONE game in Galesburg.

tournament each of those three years.

With one third of their season already

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Dec. 21

Dec. 22.

Dec. 23

Dec. 24

Dec. 25

Boys' Basketball â&#x20AC;˘

Girls' Basketball

@ Lake Zurich 6:00 p.m.

.

@ Lake Zurich 6:00 p.m.

Wrestling Girls'Gymnastics Boys' Swimming Boys' Track Girls'Track ^

Have 5 a gre>at hoi iday b reak!

2Um SPORTS Boys' Basketball • Girls' Basketball • Indoor Track • Boys' Swimming • Girls' Gymnastics • Wrestling

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by Mike Zuhr With seven games under their belt, the boys' basketball team has been walking around in bewilderment, trying to explain the 2-5 record they currently possess. The effort and hustle has been evident in every game, except in the final score. This has left many players scratching their heads, especially Joey Allegretti and Danny O'Shea who have both taken up yoga in order to break this string of poor results.

Against Deerfield, the Hawks opened up the game with a quick ten-point lead, which was cut down to six by halftime. Throughout the second half the lead changed hands every other possession until a last second shot by the Hawks hit the back iron giving the Hawks a devastating 49-48 loss.

The Hawks were lead by the smarts and quickness of senior point guard Anthony

Robound

Anichini, who scored 15 points. The Hawks had to quickly rebound from their loss, as archrival New Trier stood in their way three

the end, the effort and hustle didn't show in the final score as the Hawks faced defeat.

Bryan Smaha scored 11 points, while Jamie Friel, Anichini, and Gregg Kane each had 10 points. ^ t h three home games before winter break, the Hawks looked to even their record at 55. After that, it is on to the Wheeling Christmas Tournament, which holds tough opponents in Notre Dame and I^yola.

Speaking of Notre Dame, the Hawks wj take on the Dons Janu 5, 2002, at Notre Dame, at 7:30.

The Hawks are looking for a great tournament with help from their always dependable 6th man group. However, the Hawks know they must win to gain some respect. Perhaps that is why they have a sign in their locker room that says, "If you win, they will come".

Precisely what is in the Hawks upcoming Christmas plans.

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days later The Hawks went into North Shore with nothing to lose, battling with the hated Trevians throughout the game. Fear was seen in the Trevians eyes, as the Hawks hung in the game instead of folding their cards. In

Bryan Srtxalxa Player Stats Height: 6'4" Sport: Basketball Position: Forward Years on Varsity: 3

All Tournament Teams: Schaumburg Tournament Team Graduating Year: 2002

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