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FEBRUARY 14, 2003

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VOL. 39, NO. 10

A big, friendly production

photograph taken by Ellen Dwyer

The giants and Sophie pose for a picture between scenes during their rehearsal.

In This Issue:

NEWS:

COMMENTARY:

FEATURES:

SPORTS:

THE BIG

HEROES

SATIRE ON

WRESTUNG

FRIENDLY GIANT

BROADWAY

2^ews

SOUTH WORDS • FEBRUARY 14, 2003

What is Mock Trial?»

By Cassie Swaboda What is the Mock Trial team? It is an activity offered by Maine South and over sixty other schools in the state of Illinois from the months of November to April.

IHSA gives Mock Trial teams cases on which the teams develop both prosecutorial and defense theories. The teams then try the cases against other schools, and use witnesses to support their case. To make it even more interesting, most of the cases are presented in front of a real judge in a real courtroom.

Mock Trial is a multifaceted activity; every year the team puts in countless hours of effort in order to remain one of the top competitors in the state. Each season the team is expected to put in about four hundred hours of work. This includes time spent with the coaches, Mr. McAurther and Ms. Kaye, the attorney advisor, Mr. Polk, and time spent as a team trying to put together and figure out the case.

The main skills needed for this team include the capability to respond quickly and the ability to put together a persuasive case. The lawyers need to be able to recognize an objectionable question, state

the right objection, and defend objections or respond to others. The element of acting cannot be forgotten as wimesses must portray their character with no props. Through body language, accents, and responses to questions, the witness establishes his or her

character. A good witoess may even turn on the waterworks when appropriate. The lawyers walk a fine-line between being too passive and too aggressive.

This year's team is unique in that all 16 members are girls. At the St. Charles

tournament the team was questioned if Maine South was an all girls school.

Adrienne Fredrick came back with a witty comment saying, "No, we play you in sports too; remember our football team?"

The team works well together; it has developed a theory for this difficult case. The case takes place in 1841 when a murder has occurred in Springfield, Illinois. There are a number of problems; the most credible witness, the doctor, self-medicates on laudanum, the eyewitness didn't really witness anything and is easily confused, the defendant has been convicted of murder, the accomplice is missing, and the investigator is out for revenge. These problems are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this case. However, the team has received some help in a letter written by Abraham Lincoln who tried this case back in 1841 when the problem was truly at hand.

The team has already competed in thS Charles Tournament and brought home a very respectable fifth place. It still has time to refine its case and become number one before the state tournament this year and Maine South's Hawk Invite on March 8.

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February 14,1859 - T h e United States admits Oregon as the 33rd state.

February 14, 1894 - Venus becomes both a morning and an evening star.

February 14. 1929 - The St. Valentine's Day massacre occurs in Chicago, when 17 gangsters are killed.

February 14, 1962 - First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducts the first White House tour on TV. February 14, 1971 - Richard Nixon installs a secret taping system in the White House.

February 14, 1980 - West Side Stoiy opens at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City where it runs for 341^ performances.

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SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRU.\RY 14, 2003

A big, friendly production

by Sara Wolski The selection for this year's winter play is far from typical: it's actually quite fantastical, wondercrump, and whoopseysplunkers! Several of Maine South's talented actors and technicians have been working hard to give life to David Wood's rendition of Roald Dahl's beloved children's bookTTie Big Friendly Giant.

This is a great leap for Maine South theatre, as it is a piece of children's theatre, something Maine South does not regularly perform. The show promises, however, to be very enjoyable and appealing for all ages, transporting audiences into the dearly loved world of childhood fantasy.

The play takes place in England, where little orphan Sophie sees the big giant from her dormitory window who takes her into Giant Country. Once introduced to her captor, Sophie realizes the BFG's truly endearing nature and befriends him immediately. Trouble brews, however, when she leams that the other giants in Giant Country are not as sincere as the BFG. In fact, the giants' favorite pastime is gobbling up children from all over the world. With the BFG's help, along with the

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The right way

by Patti Ristau The "Right Way" was the slogan for Maine South's girls' junior varsity volleyball team during the 2002 fall season.

The team was dedicated to acting and playing the "right way." Just a few weeks ago, the entire team was awarded for their hard work when the volleyball o f f i c i a l s ' organization, ZONI (Zebras of Northern ^Illinois).

The 'organization presented each girl and Coach Lonergan, for the first time in school history, the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.

Queen of England and her advisors, Sophie is determined to find a way to end the giants' horrible habits.

The largest challenge in making this production dealt mainly with creating a believable size difference between humans and giants. Consequently, the art of puppetry was greatly involved in the show. In addition to puppets made by an entire division of the crew, the art department has generously contributed its creativity in providing This award was received with surprise and gratitude. Unfortunately, the long and strenuous hours of practice did not produce an outstanding record, but this award has given the team a sense of accomplishment.

This honor would not have been presented to them if not for the faith that the players kept in themselves; despite losses, they refused to give up.

This award embodies their drive and determination.

Even though a championship was not achieved, this award proves that striving to do the "right thing" provides more recognition than any championship has to offer.

incredible headpieces for the gruesome giants, thanks to creative geniuses Mr. Alderson and Melina Bartolomei.

Over the last few months, the BFG crew has been hard at work under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez, while the cast has been diligently rehearsing as well under the direction of Mrs. McCleneghan, student director Adam Shalzi, and stage manager Tara Delaney.

Theo Dahl, the son of author Roald Dahl, will be attending the Saturday matinee performance. Maine South is honored that Mr. Dahl will be traveling all the way from Florida to witness his father's cRerished story brought to life on Maine South's stage. Theo Dahl has graciously agreed to share his memories of his father with the BFG's cast and crew during his visit.

The performances are on February 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and February 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Watson Auditorium.

Mr. Dahl will be available for book signing at the 2:00 p.m. performance on February 15, so bring a copy of your favorite Roald Dahl book! Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.00.

The Chess Team's victories Although playing without several key players, Maine South still faced and defeated some of the best competition in the state, taking first place in the Evanston Tournament on February 1.

Maine South defeated Palatine, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Glenbard South, and Lane Tech. From Maine South, Ed Meuller led the pack, winning three games on board seven; Mark Rokita won four games on board four.

William Bielski won three games and one draw on board five, and Brett Collins also won three games with one draw on board two. Rounding out the team were Robert Rasmussen on board one, John Piergalski and Robert Riddle on board three, Dan Widing on board six, and Erin Strauts on board eight.

Piergalski and Robert split board three duties due to conflicts with other events.

4 Commentary

SOUTHWORD.S â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 14, 2003

"Student Opinion

me eoiiDrs Fenced in the school hy Deaiina Oleske 1 woke up Saturday morning with an email from CNN.com saying that the Columbia shuttle had exploded. Not too sure of what I had just read. 1 turned on the television to see a streak of white smoke across the blue sky. And for some reason I thought it must have been the anniversary of the Challenger explosion.

Things like this never happen twice, right?

Columbia, Challenger - two different words that took a while to register that Saturday morning.

So with the previous seven astronauts, we add another seven.

A few things disturbed me about this whole ordeal. First of all, 1 don't know what exactly NASA is doing. Most people don't. NASA gets this vague description following its name similar to the CIA. I don't know if the loss of fourteen lives is really worth having a space program. A space program in which the public sure about its valicity.

Do you think that we will be living in space or on Mars in our lifetimes? How about in our children's lifetimes? Chances are slim to none right now. The future of space travel is uncertain at this point. So is investing two billion dollars and fourteen lives worth the space program?

Bush wants to invest more money into NASA when right now may not be exactly the best of times to invest, considering our current economy.

We are the only country to have gone to the moon, and we have done it more than once. Why is it more important to the United States than any other country?

If we are truly going to live in space one day, then why aren't other countries hopping on the bandwagon?

It is a mystery that I hope to see soon resolved. I would like NASA to come out to the public and explain why it is the utmost necessity to continue with its program. Not in a list on a website, but have an actual person come out to the public and state why. This way, when billions of dollars are spent to maintain a space shuttle and lives are lost, the public is informed why it is important.

by Allison Pullman I have lived next to Hamlin gate, the passage from Hamlin to Maine South, for almost twelve years. Recently, the school put up tall chain fences at Hamlin gate.

The gates that went up on November 26, 2002 are extremely disappointing, not just from a student's point of view, but from a neighbor's as well. The Hamlin gate area, which already looks shoddy due to lack of attention, now looks worse than ever.

The fences make the neighborhood look like a run-down street.

The administration never asked the neighborhood what it thought of the idea, and I know many people who would have liked to have been informed of such a change.

Is there a need for the new Hamlin gate?

I was told that the fences "create a safer environment." If anything, these gates create a prison-like effect, which intimidates people without enhancing their safety. Is the administration trying to keep certain people out, or is it just trying to lock students in?

Currently, theft is an issue at our school, but these gates will not solve the problem.

There are many other entrances and exits

in the school through which burglars could go. not just Hamlin gate. If someone really wanted to get through the new gates, they would find a way.

There must also be concern for the safety of the students at this school. If anything were to happen at the school, it would cause chaos and threaten everyone's safety.

This exit from the campus could be one of the fastest and most convenient ways to leave school grounds. If these new gates were locked, students would be trappedinn^L situation. Maine South could have so grave issues before them.

These gates should not be up in this neighborhood and school at all. Previous incidents may have created some distress for the faculty and administration, but these gates will not help solve the problem.

None of the incidents were directly related to the Hamlin gateway, which means that the gates are pointless. If the gates remain, think about what might be next. Safety is important, but a line needs to be drawn. The administration cannot fence us in. The students and neighbors should stop this before it goes too far.

Editors' Pic of the Week !n memory of the crew of Space Shuttle Columhia

SOUTHWORDS • FEBRUARY 14. 2003

Letter to the editors-

Commentary 5

Cost of war with Iraq To Southwards: Thank you, thank you, thank you Emily Haak. Sarah Yunker. and Meaghan Glass for opening students" eyes to the '"cost" of war with Iraq. And thank you Southwards for challenging students to take a stand—to voice their opinions. I would also urge students to voice those opinions to their local paper as letters to the editor against such a war.

An added FYI: a WONDERFUL grassroots "internet" organization exists called MoveOn that you may be interested in tapping into. I've included below, a recent email synopsis of what they (we) have been doing lately in support of the antiwar movement. Some of you may be interested in joining. It costs nothing, and they do so much!

Thank you folks—keep up the peace!

Mrs. Krista Tehle

This is an excerpt from that email: Subject: A week like no other Dear MoveOn member.

Thank you. This week exceeded our wildest dreams.

Our plan was to launch an antiwar television ad campaign, hold twelve local press conferences, grow our "Let the Inspections Work" petition, and have meetings in Congressional offices around the country. We knew it would be big. But we never thought it would be this big. ...The stakes are high, folks. This war is a menace to our country and our world.

But the last week has shown that an enormous group ofAmericans are going to do everything in their power to ensure that a peaceful resolution is reached. So we really mean this: Thank you.

Sincerely, The MoveOn Team

o

"Princess Diana. She gave selflessly to others and genuinly loved the diseased, sick and lonely."

Caroline Kochmit -'04

Staff Opinion

Remaining heroes forever

by Kara Collins Everyone has his own definition of a hero.

Heroes can be anyone ranging from a family member to a television show celebrity.

Keeping this in mind, one thing is true: every person who was a part of the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke up as it reentered the Earth's atmosphere over Texas on February 1,2003, is a hero.

They are heroes not only in America, but all over the world as well. Those seven men and women put their lives on the line to better mankind.

A hero is a person with courage and purpose, and who makes sacrifices for a special cause. These seven people had done just that.

They not only had the courage to go into ' space in order to advance science, but they also risked their lives and died doing what they loved.

Ilan Ramon. David Brown, Risk Husband, Michael Anderson, William McCool, Laurel

Clark, and Kalpana Cawla, the seven members of the closely knit crew that was lost that Saturday, are all heroes.

We thank them for making the ultimate sacrifice—they braved danger and the unknown to contribute to the development of the human race and lost their lives for their noble cause.

They were heroes before they left on January 16, 2003, and they will remain heroes forever.

Each member of the crew accomplished so much for modem science.

NASA only sends the best of the best into space.

They will be sorely missed, but greatly remembered. All seven of these honorable men and women spent their entire lives striving to enrich themselves and mankind.

We can only admire them for doing what each one of us wish we could do. They have truly reached the stars and beyond.

"John Lennon. He not only was innovative and talented, but also worked for equality and peace."

Claudia Mallon -"03

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"Nelson Mandela. He has done so many great things that have changed the world."

Heather Lambert -'05

"Homer Simpson. His lazy ways have rubbed off on me and changed my life!"

Adam Sodini -'04 bv Kiley Borowski

6 Commentary

SOUTHWORDS • FEBRUARY 14, 2003

— Student Opinion •

Animals have the right to liv^

by Kristie Holowatyj Animals are not able to reason: therefore, they feel no pain and suffering.

This absurd theory belonged to philosopher Rene Descartes.

Unfortunately, his theory has been used as early as the 17'" century. Until present, the theory is used to justify inhumane acts of animal experimentation, also known as vivisection.

Hundreds of companies that produce cosmetics, toiletries, household items, pharmaceuticals, chemica and petroleum products use animal testing. The All for Animal newsletter, printed in April, 1998. wrote of 500 cruelty-free companies, but a large number are still using unnecessary animal testing.

Vivisection is needless and inhumane. Most of the chemicals that are used in products have been previously tested. Why continue to subject animals to these tests if the previous results will not change?

The main users of vivisection are cosmetic and toiletry companies. These companies began animal experimentation

The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a list of companies that use animal testing. A few include: 3M Scotch tape and Post-Its S.C. Johnson Wax-Pledge Windex window spray Kleenex tissues Huggies diapers Arm and Hammer Baking Soda Crystal Blend (cat litter) Proctor & Gamble-Oil of Olay makeup Cover Girl makeup Pampers diapers Head and Shoulder shampoo Clearisal face cleanser Zest soap Tide detergent

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in 1933, when a woman used Lash Lure mascara. After a few uses, Vivisection is only one of the many conher eyes began to burn. She then cerns of animals and their supporters, and became blind, and eventually died. not buyiiifi products from companies that As a result, the U.S. Food and conduct animal testing is only one solution.

Drug Administration (FDA) Try some of these other solutions: helped pass the Federal Food, Become a vegetarian Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) which protected the public from Do not buy fur products unsafe products. The FDA now Make donations to organizations such as requires cosmetic manufacturers PETA to perform whatever tests are Adopt a pet from an animal shelter necessary to prove that their V^ ^ products are safe, even if it means including include testing invitro tissue cultures, utilizing computer software, and analyzing & animals. databases of tests already performed.

Two common tests ^ These alternatives are not only efficient used on animals are and cheaper, but they have better results. So, the Draizetest and why do companies continue to use animal Lethal Dose 50 testing?

There are two main reasons: the '"•S**^ (LD50). The Draize test fear of lawsuits and the assurance of humq, lai^ evaluates a substance s safety.

Since it has been proved that thi safety directly on skin or area around the eye.

This test involves placing the substance into alternatives are better, companies shouu ^ the animal's eyes and recording the outcome. abandon their fears and let the animals keep The LD50 test entails force-feeding a their right to live.

There has been major progress over the substance to a group of animals until fifty years with this matter, but it has not yet been percent of the group dies, hence the name. eliminated.

A law needs to be passed to Lethal Dose 50. make vivisection completely illegal.

According to the Northwest Animal Rights Rene Descartes' theory is completely Network (NARN), about 25 to 50 million animals are experimented on yearly in the wrong. Animals, like humans, feel pain and United States. The Animal Welfare Act suffering, and have the right to live.

(AWA) was established to protect animal Mohandas Gandhi states is best in his rights; it does not protect, however, mice, rats, autobiography, "To my mind the life of a or birds, which makes up 85 to 90 percent of lamb is no less precious than that of a tested animals. These creatures are the same human being...I hold that, the more helpless creature, the more entitled it is to as any other animal; in fact, they live and protection by man from the cruelty breathe just like humans. of man."

Ethical Consumer Guide to Everyday Shopping (ECRA) announced that in July of 1991. Proctor and Gamble conducted tests on over 300 guinea pigs. In 1992, they conducted more tests to include dogs, ferrets, and % hamsters. Alone, this company performs tests on 50,000 animals per year.

There are many alternatives to test a product's safety without killing living creatures. A few methods

[Features 7

SOUTHWARDS â&#x20AC;˘ r[;BRUARY 14, 20()i

21 years of satire

by Liz Ortega As the latest show opens its doors on Broadway, mobs of people swarm to the nearest box office or Ticket Master to reserve their seat in the theatre.

However, as the big hits like The Lion King and Les Miserahles attract a large audience, people fail to recognize the longest running musical in New York C i t y Forbidden Broadway.

It was 21 years ago, on February 15, 1982, that Forbidden Broadway opened its doors to the public. The mastermind behind this dream was Gerard Alessandrini.

As a child growing up outside Boston, Alessandrini had access to the arts in the city. At an early age, he discovered his interest in song writing and his love of musicals and parodies. His ability to sing and act gave him the opportunity to perform in his high school productions and lead him to his future career.

Alessandrini had starred in such musicals as Oklahoma, Carousel, and The Fantasticks. However, what he was really passionate about was a club act. He knew that just singing various Broadway hits wouldn't keep the audience's interest. As a result, he decided one day to grab one of his friends and perform some of the parodies he had written since childhood that had been

Hey you!

If you want to write articles for Southwords, submit them to the Southwards 'office located in V-131.

collected in a folder labeled, "Forbidden Broadway."

At first, it was only a nightclub act at Palsson's Supper Club with no producer and very few costumes.

Everything was really simple. There wasn't any form of advertising nor did they have permission to sing any of the songs from the Broadway musicals.

Fortunately, with a little luck, talent, and perseverence, they had Broadway stars and producers of hit musicals as their biggest fans. Critics gave stellar reviews for the hilarious comedy act. followed by public stardom and fame.

Profits were being made, and costumes increased in number and extravagance, allowing for greater variety in who and what the show could parody.

Today, the formula behind the show remains the same: two men, two women, and one hard working piano player. It is also true that not a single show is ever the same: it always gives its satirical comments on the current musicals as well as on some old-time favorites.

Alessandrini is always on the prowl with his Forbidden Broadway radar, scanning every Broadway show as to not miss a potential bit of satire for his show.

Even if the audience hasn't seen the latest musicals, however, a large middle ground of humor is present. Alessandrini's intent isn't just to sting and jab today's Broadway stars, but rather, as the official Forbidden Broadway website states, the show is to be an inside scoop for the Broadway outsider.

With its tremendous success. Forbidden Broadway has spawned road companies all over the world. It has also been the basis of Forbidden Hollywood, which has a satirical

take on actors such as Cameron Diaz, Jim Carey, Demi Moore, and Judy Garland.

Windwood Theatricals states, "The bigger the production, the harder it falls. No film, brand-new or venerable, is safe."

Over the years, the show has accumulated recognition with awards such as the Drama Desk, Obie, and Outer Circle Awards.

Finally, in 2001, Alessandrini received the Drama League Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre.

Looking back at the life of Forbidden Broadway provides an informal and funny history of the American musical theatre. It is twenty-one years in the running, and the show continues to provide plenty of entertainment and laughs for the whole family. Outlasting most of the productions it has satirized. Forbidden Broadway is a truly beloved theatrical institution.

SOUTHWORDS

1

A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Parle Ridge, IL 60068

| | |

i Letters to the editor should be delivered to | \ room V-131 or given to a member of the edi- | I toria! staff. SOUTHWORDS reserves the j \ right to edit material for clarity and brevity | \ and to reject ohscene/libelous submissions. \ Editors-in-Chief

Emily Haak Deanna Oleske News Editors Monika Bysiecki Ellen Dwyer Commentary Editors Kara Collins Michelle Le Features Editors Caroline Kim Sara Wolski Sports Editors Austin Gibbons Kristi Katz Production Editors Ian Beacrafl Bobby Crismyre Core Photographers Kiley Borowski Allison Edgar Core Staff Artists Sara Pecherek Salena Retsos Advisor T.R. Kerth

8 Features;

Sr)UTH\\()RDS'

BRl lARV 14. 2003

Park Ridge: safe or maybe not

by Trisha Krysztopa and Kathy Pankau With good schools, large houses, and a country club. Park Ridge is a seemingly f)erfect town, but this town may not always be the safest place to live.

According to the Illinois State Police Annual Report for 2001, many of the most serious crimes have increased significantly over the past couple years.

A few years ago, marijuana was Park Ridge's greatest concern, but teenagers in the area have begun to experiment with more devastating drugs. According to the Illinois State Police Annual Report, the arrests for marijuana possession have decreased three percent from 2000 to 2001, but the arrests for possession of a controlled substance have increased to 58 percent.

According to the Illinois State Police Annual Report, the drug related crimes have all increased in number over the last few years by 32 percent across the state.

Why does Park Ridge, a seemingly safe town, have such serious drug issues? Some people give credit to a lack of activities in town. Teenagers always complain that there is nothing to do and nowhere to go. Some teens have even been banned from the uptown area, leaving them nowhere to go without a car.

Park Ridge did make an effort to give idle teens somewhere to go with the building of the skate park. Nonetheless, the rules and regulations there may have also led many teens to rebel.

Another fact about Park Ridge that could result in the rising drug problem is that the teenagers generally have a lot of money and nothing to do with it. Many teens have no expenses to cover because their parents bought their cars and pay for their insurance. Some teenagers may even leave high school without ever having a job.

Consequently, Maine Township has made efforts to keep its students away from drugs. They have established many programs to prevent drug usage, rather than putting drug abusers in rehabilitation centers after the addiction has already started.

For example, the K.L.O.W.N, program

teaches kids starting at the third grade level to stay away from drugs.

Maine Township has also started programs to provide students with activities to do instead of drugs. The E.A.R.N. program gives kids between the ages of 12 and 19

minor jobs that help the community. It gives them something to do so that they are not bored and allows them to enrich the community at the same time.

The increasing drug and alcohol abuse also leads to an increasing number of DUI arrests. Most of the arrests that are published in the Park Ridge Advocate are for DUI's.

The people arrested for that crime don't tend to be Park Ridge residents, but their drunk driving sprees through the town leave all residents at risk.

Furthermore, Park Ridge is a target for burglary and larceny as it is a fairly wealthy community. Unfortunately, many of these crimes are committed by people who live here, not those from other suburbs or cities.

Burglaries increased 14 percent and larcenies increased 22 percent from 2000 to 2001.

According to the police blotter in the Park Ridge Advocate between the publishing dates of July 18, 2002 and August 29. 2002, over $60,000 worth of personal items were stolen from cars, homes, and businesses in the Park Ridge area.

A Park Ridge resident, Antoni Krysztopa stated, "I was outside of my garage when I saw a man running away with the front door from the house that was being built next door.

He actually stole their door. How pathetic is

that? I chased down the man and yelled for my wife to call the police. He didn't get very far carrying that door."

One positive fact is that arson decreased by 79 percent from 2000 to 2001. However, of the arson reports made, no one was charged or convicted of the crime.

Auto theft also decreased eight percent from 2000 to 2001, even though there was a summer burglary spree during the summer of 2001.

According to the Park Ridge Advocate in July of 2001, three Park Ridge teenagers were charged with these crimes. One teenager was charged with three counts of residential burglary, another with seven counts of residential burglary, and yet another with two counts of motor vehicle theft, two counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and t ^ i ^ ^ counts of burglary to a motor \ H ^ hide.

Park Ridge has not had any records of murders in 2000 or 2001. It has, however, had a 150 percent increase in rape. Out of the five cases in 2001, only two people were actually arrested and charged with crimes.

However, Park Ridge seems to have a dilemma with rising crime rates and is having difficulty charging and convicting perpetrators. Whether the issue stems from parents fighting illegal searches in court, or people arguing that they were charged inappropriately, crimes in Park Ridge are difficult to address.

Lynn Hurley blames the problems in Park Ridge on teens lacking realization of their priorities. She believes that parents need to spend more time with their kids and less time working.

She states, "We are Blunderland, and let's face it; unless we rediscover our rage, our gritty fight, we might as well resign ourselves to setting up lung transplant funds for our kids instead of college ones." ^ ^ Although the amount of crime is a l a i ^ ^ ^ ing. Park Ridge is not the only suburb wi^r these drug and safety issues; other suburbs are likely to be dealing with these same dilemmas as well even if they appear to be seemingly perfect towns on the outside.

:Features 9

SOUTHWORDS â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 14, 2003

The perfect crime

by Paul Mazzerella Today, we see red and pink all around us. These colors are commonly associated with love and friendship on Valentine's Day. 74 years ago, however, red wasn't just for Valentine's Day. On this day in 1929, the red was for blood-the blood of seven men who were brutally murdered.

The Roaring Twenties was a time of living freely and easily, until prohibition blocked access to alcohol. There were entrepreneurs, bootleggers, or more commonly called "racketeers," who serviced the thirst of the people with underground alcohol and gambling businesses. Two of the most famous racketeers of the time came from ChicagoAl Capone and Bugs Moran.

These two gangsters were fierce competitors in the bootlegging business, and the competition was not friendly. Gang .shootings, beatings, and robberies occurred 'across Chicago prompted by the two vice lords. The police did not interfere between the two gangsters until Valentine's Day in 1929.

Capone's men had heard of a large whiskey shipment heading towards Moran's warehouse at 2122 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Immediately, men were sent to intercept the alcohol. Leading the charge was an assassin of Capone's-"Machine Gun" McGurn.

A police car pulled up outside of the warehouse and four men stepped out of the car. Two were dressed in Chicago Police uniforms, and the other two were in normal

street clothes. Inside the warehouse, Moran was in his office while seven of his men waited in the garage for the delivery. The men entered, and a few minutes later, machine gun shots rang out from within the garage.

The "policemen" were then seen escorting two men outside who were dressed in street clothes, and they arrested them in the street. Inside the garage, seven men were found dead with numerous bullet holes in their backs.

The men in the garage didn't put up a fight because they believed the men were real police officers and surrendered immediately with their hands to the wall. This left the Capone assassins open to fire.

Bugs Moran had seen the car pull up from his office window and, thinking it was a police bust, hid under his desk. When he stood up after the car pulled away, he found all his men dead. His first thought was, "Only Capone kills guys like that."

Witnesses say that no one called the police because they thought the police were already there. They assumed the gunshots were a result of a scuffle between the gangsters and the police. When they saw the "policemen" leading two men in street clothes out to the car, they assumed everything was settled. No one suspected that the two men were the other Capone killers, who had originally left the

car with the "policemen." It was a perfect plan to deceive any witness.

The only leads the authorities could obtain were on Al Capone and his gang.

Despite several accusations, Capone and all four murderers had alibis. Capone was in his villa in Miami during the week of the murder, and the four accused men were in Cicero at the exact lime of the incident.

Pictures of the bodies lying in pools of blood, pierced with bullets, flooded the media and quickly donned the title, "Valentine's Day Massacre." No matter what evidence the Chicago Police could gather, it was never enough to convict anyone. Capone was the only man accused, but without evidence, he could not be convicted.

Many people feel that this is the only recorded example of "the perfect crime"- a mass murder with no one charged. Even though it wasn't officially proven, almost everyone believed that Al Capone was responsible for the massacre. This belief began the decline of Capone's popularity with the public and led to the end of his life only a few years later.

Today, we think of love on Valentine's Day, but seventy-four years ago, Al Capone and his gang were thinking of blood and bullets.

h\ Christine W\-man

10 Spurts

S(JllTHWORDS -FEBRUARY 14, 2003

Twisting towards the end South ^

by Kristi Katz The girls' gymnastics season is coming to a close, but the team has vowed to keep its enthusiasm up until the very end. There will be no problem with that considering how well the girls have done thus far.

The team finished its regular season against the Evanston Wildkits. The Hawks fell to the Wildkits with a close score of 126.8to 123.8. With KiraFedinyak still out with a leg injury, the Hawks rallied together, but it just wasn't enough. Senior, Monica Rangel led the way with 34 of the team's total points (9.0 on floor, 8.8 on vault, 8.5 on beam, and 8.1 on bars). Other key scores came from Jenny Carli (8.4 on vault), Ashley Hodges (8.3 on vault), and Alina Pyzowski (8.3 on bars).

It was a very successful night, but unfortunately the team couldn't come up with the win.The girls rebounded well from the

loss, and they competed in the CSL conference meet on January 31st. Each girl gave all she had, and the results reflected everyone's efforts. The team placed third at the meet, with many outstanding individual performances.

The girls were excited to go into regionals after their successful showing at the conference meet. For the next week prior to the regional meet, the Hawks came to each practice determined to work out every little kink in their routines so that they would be perfect for regionals. The practice paid off, as the Hawks had an amazing show at regionals.

It was a great way to end the season. The Hawks are already looking forward to next year, as they will still have a strong base of returning varsity members. One thing is for sure, next year's team will have some very high expectations to meet.

The results are obvious

by J.P.Allen

The Maine South boys' swim team has been hard at work in the pool for the past couple of months, and the results are obvious.

Not only are the guys' times dropping but their hair is also feeling the effects of their rigorous workouts. Their hair has become noticeably lighter in the past couple of months, due to copious amounts of time the team has been spending in the pool.

The Hawks have been busy in the water, starting with Senior Night. They thrashed the Titans 118 to 68. Individual winners included Will Kruesi (23.73 in the 50 yard freestyle), Mark Kruk (1:00.28 in the 100 butterfly), Kevin Pick (53.31 in the 100 freestyle), Mike Biar (1:04.82 in the 100 backstroke, and JP Allen (5:34.86 in the 500 yard freestyle). The Hawks were quite satisfied with their performance.

The following morning was a big day for the Hawks. It was the M"" annual Conant Cougar Swim Classic at Conant High School. This is an event where there are three heats of every event. Each event and level scores the same number of points.

so it is designed to show the depth of the teams there. The Hawks took first place for the second year in a row, winning the freshman A, B, and C levels.

The Hawks proved that they are to remain a threat among the swimming world. The highlights of the day were Krusei, Kruk, and Pick, who won four gold medals in all of their events. Peter Przekota won three gold medals as well. The team ended up winning the meet by whopping 77 points.

If there is one thing to be certain of this year; it is that the Hawks are not afraid to swim hard. The team has definitely been reaping the benefits of its hard work and dedication throughout the swim season. Already, the team has captured a first, second, and third place finishes at the competitive invites they have attended.

The team is hoping that all of its hard work and success will continue into the post season. The Hawks are looking forward to the CSL conference meet, where they will give the New Trier Trevians a run for their money. The Hawks are also hoping to send the team down to the state finals in March.

Stats 4 The number of consecutive CSL championships the wresthng team has obtained.

1 The place taken by the boys' swim team at the Conant Invite.

3 The place taken by the girls' gymnastics team at tho^ CSL conference meet.

^P"''<^^ 11

SOUTHWORDS • FUBRUAR^' 14, 2 0 0 3

Sprinting into the season

by Austin Gibbons The month . of February is upon us, which means track and field is underway. They have been working hard since long after finals were over. January 21 began the long and grueling season. There is no end until the state meet at the end of May. They are living by their motto, "Every meet is a championship." Their first championship was a dual meet against Niles North and St. Ignatius on February 5, which they won handly. They performed quite well in their first championship battle.

With two returning All-Staters in Ken Johnson and Tony Marcinek, who took sixth and eighth respectively in the 400M at the state meet last May. The Hawks also have Marcinek returning as state-qualifying pole vaulter,

/-—71 "^^^"^ <'' Boys'Basketball

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Feb. 14

Girls' Basketball

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I — f jW^"^ 1"^ M S ^^ ^ • f - * -

f

t t ^ t

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Feb. 15

vs. New Trier 7:30 pm

Feb. 16 -

t M^^ Feb. 17

Feb. 18

(a) Rolling Meadovys 7:30

(a) CSL Invite 2:00 pm

Boys' Swimming Wrestling

Chris Mitchell as a state-qualifying high jumper, and Chuck DiFranco and Pawel Lewkowski returning as state-qualifiers in the 4X200M Relay. The Hawks look strong with a solid senior class, with a dependable junior

class right behind to back them up to the very end.

The Hawks are working hard day in and day out at practice, but without Coach Tumilty's motivational quotes, practices would not be the same. He gears us up every day for what is in store. With jump ropes, plyometrics, low hurdles, high hurdles, and form running, the Hawks get prepared for the workouts, which prepares them for the competitions.

A strong training regime will hopefully lead the Hawks to their ultimate goal a state championship. A state championship that is not out of reach for these Hawks. All that is left is the hard work between now and the end of May. The Hawks next meet is February 19, versus Highland Park and Lake Zurich at Maine South.

(a) IHSA Sectional (a) New Trier 7:30 pm

@ IHSA Sectional (a) IHSA Regional

Girls' Gymnastics

Boys'Track Girls'Track

^

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n'> 20( e r

SOIUHORBS

SPORTS

Boys' Basketball • Girls' Basketball • Indoor Track • Boys' Swimming • Girls' Gymnastics • Wrestling

Individual effort = team success

by Anthony Lovero

There are many skeptics of the sport of wrestling. "'Liking" the sport of wrestling is simply a matter of opinion. In December, a group of wrestlers met in the Hawk wrestling room at twelve midnight.

Although they did not know it, those wrestlers were about to embark on one of the most remarkable seasons in Hawk wrestling history.

At the beginning of the year, the team stepped into the wrestling room confused; the team had only 3 returning varsity starters (out of 13 possible) and had no idea how the season was going to go. Coach Fallico offered the bewildered wrestlers many words of wisdom and didn't bother to sugarcoat its current situation. Fallico told the team that they were terrible on paper; their lineup was to be full of inexperienced wrestlers, and it was to face many very tough (on paper) teams. He also gave them words that were to inspire them for the rest of the season and possibly their lives; however, he told the team that the

by Austin Gibbons The boys' basketball season is winding down to a near end. They have fought hard through battle after battle against tough teams. It is nearing the heart of the season now, as the IHSA State playoffs begin in the near future. They will make the best of their opportunities, and run for this year's title as long as they can.

They have taken on Glenbrook South, Niles West, Fremd, Waukegan, and Prospect in the recent past and have been trying to improve on this year's record of 3-15. They suffered a tough loss to the Titans of Glenbrook South. They failed to take advantage of the opportunities the game presented. Scott Wojteckzo played a great game, leading the Hawks to the end.

Jamie Friel did all he could, nailing a high

paper didn't matter, and that the team's skill level really didn't matter either. He told the team that it needed only two things to be successful this season: mental toughness, and an indomitable spirit. He also told the team to "count on the Hawk in February." The Hawks went through the rigors of practice each day with these words on their minds.

Whenever the wrestlers felt tired, sick, or hurt, they remembered the coach's words and continued pushing themselves.

After the smoke of the regular season cleared, the Hawks took a brief moment to recap what was supposed to be a dismal season. Their record stood at 21-3 (better than last year at this point) and they were the undisputed CSL South conference champions (last year, the Hawks were cochampions).

Many people were amazed at this performance but to the Hawks, it came as no surprise. It has been said "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

it percentage of his shots. But through it all they could not overcome the Titans.

They got off to a slow start against the Wolves of Niles West. They fell all the way to 63-33 after three quarters, but fought back hard, battling their way back to within nine points; however, they could only get so close.

The following day the Hawks took on Fremd. They played well throughout the game, leading after the half by one point. Sean Price and Kevin Collins (shown center) really stepped up

The Hawks this year beat nearly every talented team that they faced simply with their hard work, mental toughness, and indomitable spirit. Now that the regular season is over, the Hawks have put all prior achievements behind them and are focusing on the state series. With all-conference athletes Dan Tedeschi, Kevin McMahon, Nick Fallico, Trevor Russell, and Joe Stritzel leading the way, the Hawks are working to achieve their goal of qualifying for the team state tournament (first in MS wrestling history).

The Hawks are hoping that their work ethic and toughness will bring them success in the near future. All Maine South athletes have been taught that regardless of physical sicai condition or skill level, work can accomplish amaz7 IZlTl^ things. In all MS athletics when it comes time for the individual to be tested (as they already are), the fans, coaches, and fellow athletes can count on the Hawk.

down coming off the bench. They fought hard until the end, but once again couldn't come up with a win. The Hawks just couldn't get the calls to go their way and Fremd was on fire, hitting a majority of their shots. Joe Allegretti and Friel both played excellent games, leading the Hawks despite the loss.

TTiey are rounding out their season with games against New Trier tonight, at Maine South at 7:30 pm, and they are at Rolling Meadows tomorrow.

These are likely the deciding g a m e ^ ^ the season, as this will determine wffl^P they stand in the IHSA playoffs and their path to the title. The Hawks look to capitalize on their chances and the , time has come to finish strong.