Vol 40 issue 12

SOUTH maine

MARCH 19,2004

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<; n i j t h ^^^-J^ VOL. 40, NO. 12

It's finally h e r e

Southwards editors balloon and boat off in search of more stories as Katie Waller ('04) stays behind to work on her taiL

In This Issue:

NEWS:

Mock Trial TeaiTi

COMMENTARY:

Unfriendly Ma^ag South

SPORTS:

Boys' Track

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004ÂŤVOL. 40. NO. 12

40 years of synch success

by Sara Wolski As the new Ritz Carlton in South Beach, competitive tryouts. Tons of girls were cut Miami, opens its doors, synchronized every year and only 30 to 40 girls made swimming is the hot attraction with daily the team. There were no clinics, so girls performances of this Olympic sport. Maine South, one of the few schools in the area that offers this unique oppurtunity, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, along with the Marlin swim club.

To complete the occasion, several Maine South Marlin alumni have joined the ranks Members Jrniii ilie Marlin Swim Team pose in a triangle. and will perform in the photo by Colleen McCurry annual spring swim show. Among these are Anne Horvath ran around trying to find out what the coach Kissel, Lauren Dirr Bochet, and Lisa wanted."

Smorowski Merlin, all Marlins for at least Tryouts involved such tasks as two years. They all swam under the direction swimming two lengths ofthe pool with one of Dawn Butler, who also coached breath and traveling across the pool twice competitive girls' swimming. with one leg suspended in the air. toes "There was a lot of overlap between pointed, while the arms propelled forward Marlins and the swim team," says Kissel. in underwater figure-eights. Butler wanted "In order to make Marlins, you had to be an the girls to look perfectly professional with incredible swimmer and pass two sets of their hair slicked under a swim cap. full

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smiles even while performing difficult cardiovascular maneuvers, and strictly precise movements at all times.

"We were swimming during the time that synchronized swimming was being admitted into the Olympics in 1984, so it was very exciting to compete and perform," says alum Lisa Smorowski Merlin, "The Marlin show was very popular and included a Mom's number [in which the mothers of the swimmers participated]. There were also several boys from the swim team on Marlins."

With strong swimmers such as Traci Keenan. who set a record for 100 breaststroke, and Courtney Madsen, who set a records for 50 freestyle. 100 freestyle, and 400 freestyle relay, Marlins boasted swimmers with Olympic qualifying times.

"The camaraderie on Marlins was the best part," says Lauren Dirr Bochet.

"Synchronized swimming is so much fun to do; we're very excited to swim again th j year."

The Marlin swim show Spotlight is on April 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. in the Maine South pool. Tickets are S4 and can be purchased at the door.

J'0 day J I! JjJcf;or;\ /

March 19, 1628- Englishmen found the Massachusetts colony.

March 19, 1629- The first Romano\ Tsar of Russia. Aleksei M. Romanov, was bom.

March 19, 1831- In New York, the first bank in the United States was robbed of $245,000.

March 19, 1860- William Jennings Bryan, a great orator and political opponent of William McKinley. was bom.

March 19, 1931- Nevada legalized gambling.

V.

March 19. 1995- Michael Jordan retumed to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls after a 17 month hiatus

SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2003ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 12

Icing on the cake

by Kristi Katz The most successful season in Mock Trial history has come to an end. The Hawks had their most triumphant season to date. The team is comprised of five seniors: Kara Collins, Ellen Dwyer, Marie Guillo, Kristi Katz, and Joe Oliver; a plethora of juniors: Pam Kaye, Jessica Newton, Corinne Ullrich, Keith Dent, Christina Fudukos, Sarah Greibler, Mary Whitas, Alyssa Engle, and Jenny Poliwka; a lone sophomore: Rebecca Christopher; and a trio of freshmen in Amy Johnson, Blair Smith, Catherine Gaudin.

It all started on Saturday, January 31, when the MT Hawks traveled to the Kane County Courthouse in St. Charles to compete in the St. Charles Invitational. The Hawks tied for an amazing second place with the defending state champions, Timothy Christian.

The momentum kept rolling for the team s they went to the prestigious DuPage ounty Tournament on Friday, February 6.

Maine South was one of two teams to make it to the finals on Saturday morning, beating out the defending state champs for the spot.

Maine South was the first county team to advance to the Saturday finals. At the finals.

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the team got the verdict they were looking for, but it came down to points and their rivals, St. Charles East, inched out the Hawks.

The next tournament was Maine South's very own MT Hawk Invite where the team had another excellent showing.

Individually, Joe Oliver received an outstanding attorney award.

But the Hawk Invite was just a warm-up for the state competition, held on March 5 and 6 in Springfield. It was at the team's first trial on Friday against Fenwick High School, where Kristi Katz received her AllState attorney award. Alyssa Engle received her All-State witness award during the second trial on Saturday against Hubbard High School. It was late Saturday aftemoon that the MT Hawks received the news that they had made the Elite Eight and would have to perform another trial in the finals.

The Hawks faced Noble Street Charter High School in the final trial, and Noble Street was no match for Maine South, as the Hawks were just too much for them. The Hawks placed fifth in the state out of fiftytwo teams. The state finals were just icing on the cake to an amazing season.

Chicago History Fair success

by Carly Calkins On Saturday, February 28, while much of Maine South's population was sleeping in on a beautifUl morning, several selected students traveled to Niles North High School to proudly display their projects in the Chicago Metro History Fair. The projects were chosen from those submitted at Maine South to compete in this portion of the fair. Although they were all extremely creative and unique, the project requisite was that they pertain to an aspect of Chicago history.

The Niles North regional fair included ^representation from northern suburb high School students. Teachers from these high schoolsjudged the projects and chose those that would move on to the citywide competition. Projects representing high

schools from the entire Chicagoland area will be competing at this broader level.

South students whose projects were judged at the regional fair were: Caitlin McAuliffe, Christine Oleksiuk, Carly Calkins with Ellie Papadimitriou, Constanza Lea, John Jacobi, Anna Bochenek with Nathalie Kruczek, Michael Ross, Joanna Zak with Austin Pruett, Dorsa Samsami with Dianna Kim, Colleen Finlay, Matt Caddell, Glenn Lorentz, Danielle Kleehammer, Mary Poliwka, Tina Filipatos, Max Kruczek, and Sarah Nicholus. So far, those chosen to advance to the Chicagoland competition with their projects are Michael Ross and Colleen Finlay. Congratulations to all the regional participants and best of luck to those advancing to the citywide competition.

3 Mock Election Results

by Matt Smart & Emily Mott On March 3, Maine South seniors participated in a mock election. All history classes that consisted of seniors were invited to vote. The accelerated government class, taught by Mrs. Deines, sponsored the mock election.

Students did all of the prep work, from making the ballots and posters to calling news sources to inform them of the election.

In the democratic primary: Kerry won with 64.4 percent of the votes.

Edwards came in second with 18.6 percent and Dean came in third with 17 percent. The candidate racking up the most votes for president was Kerry with 58.5 percent of the votes. Bush received 32.9 percent of the votes and Nader took 8.6 percent. The democratic senator who received the majorty of the vote was Blair Hull with 22.6 percent of the votes. The republican senator who won was Jim Oberweis. He received 36.5 percent of the senior votes.

Based on the student majority, it is clear that Maine South does not agree with the way President Bush is handling his job. Maine South also believes, by a narrow margin, that we should legalize gay marriage. The majority of the seniors do not believe that the war on terrorism has been successful. Maine South agrees with the Title IX policy, which gives equal expenditures on athletics for males and females. Finally, Maine South seniors believe that race and gender should be taken into account when colleges are deciding who to accept.

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004»VOL.40, NO. 12

Student Opinion

me editors Hall monitor disrespect !-( p r o p e r t y f ' l O t f

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by Khsti Katz -' Spring break: it's every teenager's desire and every teenager's parents' nightmare. Every year, teens save up their money and beg their parents to let them have some "fun in the sun" in Cancun for just one week. Some go for the tan, some go for the relaxation, while others go for the experiences (good or bad, I am not sure).

Spring break is the one week people look forward to all year; it's a time of no worries. As soon as you arrive back at Maine South, you're planning next year's vacation—it's something to look forward to.

In fact, I'm sure you're reading this thinking to yourself, "Come on, you can do it, just get through one more day of school and then you're free for the next week." I know you're just reading this article to pass the time in math, because you can't concentrate on what you're supposed to be doing, because spring break is consuming your mind.

But when did this spring break phenomenon come about? Why spring break? Why not winter break? Think about it; it should be the dead of winter when you want to freshen up that pasty skin of yours—not the spring.

I know what it is—spring fever. It's the end of the third quarter, with just one quarter of the school year left (and for my fellow seniors, one quarter left of our high school careers), and with just a little over two months left until summer, spring break is considered a preview. Whatever the reason, spring break has become a national craze.

Whether you are going away for the week or taking some well-deserved R and R in the comfort of your own home, spring break is the one week out of the year to take a break from it all, with the hope of coming back to the halls of Maine South refreshed and rejuvenated.

So here is my public service announcement for the Maine South student body: be safe and use protectionpreferably SPF 15 or higher. See you in one week.

by Dan Martin Mr. Claypool has made an effort to sit in on every English class at Maine South and express his feelings on some issues. One of the things that he talked to my class about was the treatment of hall monitors and study supervisors. It seems that he has observed what I have noticed since I came to Maine Southdisrespect. It is impossible for me to go a day without observing some student say or do something disrespectful to these supervisors. Treating these parapros in the hallways and in study rooms any differently than regular teachers is unacceptable.

This lack of respect for hall monitors is a symptom of a larger problem at Maine South: lack of respect for the property and feelings of others. How many times are the

bathroom walls defaced by graffiti? How often do we see calculators, books and backpacks taken from their owners and destroyed or sold? All these troublemakers are doing is reinforcing the arrogant and destructive teenage stereotypes that happen to be true in a few cases. In the hall I have frequently seen students simply ignore the hall monitors who tell them to put on their , IDs. These acts of " disrespect create a negative image of all teens. Why do we, as students, support these troublemakers by laughing at their outrageous behavior? Do you really want to be known as a "teenager" and not as an individual?

Help stop this behavior by ignoring the offenders. Hopefully, this will cause them to lose interj est. Use the manners you have been taught! or, if you haven't been taught any, learn some.

Restricted rights

by Joanne Narrido Statistics show that teenagers have gotten into more car accidents than any other age group. In response, some states have issued GDLs (Graduated Drivers' Licenses) to limit the driving privileges for teens in order to help them gain the experience they need to be safer drivers. Now a law in fortyone states, GDLs have taken away the freedom of some of our nations youngest drivers. This country prides itself on having the most liberal society, but by controlling teenagers' driving privileges, the government is only restricting the rights of a certain age group.

Teens need a way to get to work, school, home, and other activities without worrying about getting stoppied by an officer who asks them twenty questions about what they are doing out. Teenagers also have a tendency to go out a lot-not just to hang out with friends or go to the mail-but have to participate in community and school activi-

ties. They need a way to get to each of these places without worrying about factors that might cause them to have to stay home. They shouldn't have to depend on working parents to get them where they need to go. These parents don't always have the time to drive their kids around to every activity. By depriving teens of community-sponsored activities because they lack transportation, they may turn to destructive activities as an alternative.

Instead of taking away the driving privileges of these young adults, they should be taught how to be safer drivers. In addition to the standard drivers" education classes, lectures should be given about how to be safer on the road. Parents can also help by talking to their kids about why it is extrememly important to be a safe driver^ Some parents think that talking to their chi^ dren is useless because they don't listen to" them, but there is always a chance that their words will make a difference.

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19. 2004*VOL. 40 NO. 12

Junior Opinion

IVs so cool when people are friendly

by Ham Kaye The other day. I was making my way through the varyingly rude or indifferent hallways when I approached a door to the C-wing hallway from the A-wing sidewalk.

A small crowd of kids had gathered and started to pound on the door to be let in.

The door was locked trapping them out n the 30-degrc February chill.

I was already lai to class but didn think twice abou helping them out bounded over ani pushed it open U them.

As I held it ope for the first girl in lin who brushed right b me, I noticed th distinct lack of eve a "thanks."

Granted, I'm not looking for esteemed praise, laud, or glory, nor would I not have opened the door if I knew they were going to be so unresponsive, but that incident struck me as ridiculous.

And yes, I have been just as offended upon witnessing this, when it wasn't I who opened the door. And yes, I know, you're

thinking. "Wow. relax. Pam. it's a freakmg door."But this is the beginning of our generations ability to make difference, and it would be awesome if we were the polite, happy, friendly generation. Its not hard. It just means taking the half-second to thank the person who opens or holds the door for you, lends you a pencil for that scantron test, or picks up and hands back the worksheet you dropped.

Heck, it's a smile-actually taking up no time at all-to more than just your friends: to the janitors, or to the people you see so often in the halls that you start to recognize each other, or to the people with lockers near yours.

Maybe next time I'll ask the population of Maine South to start up a conversation with someone who looks like he needs a friend, but for now all I'm asking is that you thank people who help you out in a pinch-and for goodness' sake, smile once in a while.

W^* Vei7-if you're rude, no C ^ one is going to want to talk to you!

Q^ Sarrah Malke. '04

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o Without politeness, you can't get anywhere in life.

Nicole Krueger, '04

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Joint Opinion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Maine South not in compliance with Title IX

by Kris Johnson and Veronica Katz It's twenty years after the women's locker room was trimmed down in size, and the shortage of women's lockers can no longer be ignored. Numerous lockers were lost in order to make way for the fitness center.

Because fitness and athletics are important, it's ironic that female athletes are not given equal facilities that their male counterparts recieve. These students are deprived of not only lockers, but justice as well. So what's ' all the fuss about? It's not about one or two or three or four lockers, but four hundred.

Additionally, the women are not provided with a cage, is a secured area for athletes to

store their equipment, as the men are.

Because females are denied these amenities, many athletes are left without their own athletic lockers. In particular, the female swimmers are lacking viable lockers. This problem was supposedly "fixed" over the summer by removing formerly full sized swimming lockers, and replacing them with two stacked lockers. You can see why this would be problematic for swimmers, as the wetness from the top locker seeps into the bottom and coats the items in chlorine. The most effective way to remedy these problems is to have parents notify the district superintendant. Dr. Snyder.

What a stupid question; I'm out of here.

Anonymous

X Respect is earned with politeness. Common courtesy is a fact of life.

Liz Holland, '05

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19. 2(X)4'VOL. 40. NO. 12

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Senior Opinion

Expanding Maine South to fit its needs0

by Stephanie Righeinier Forty years ago. Maine South opened its doors to its first 2,570 students. Before the building was completed in 1964, students from our area attended either Maine East or Maine West. Maine South was built because of the quickly rising enrollment numbers at the other two schools. Maine South provided students in the area with new facilities, more space, and for many, a more convenient, central location.

However, as enrollment continued to grow, so did our school. By 1973, only ten years after Maine South's opening, the student population had grown to .3,300 and the field house, cafeteria, and twelve A-wing classrooms had been added.

The enrollment at Maine South decreased, and is now increasing again, with a current enrollment of around 2,500 students, and an estimate of enrollment increasing by approximately 276 students within the next five years.

Beginning next year and up through 2011, the increase of students may require anywhere from an additional 7 to 10 classrooms.

Does Maine South have the space needed to hold this growing population?

Besides the possibility of a nine-period day, the school board has discussed five other options that would provide more classroom space. The ideas they discussed included relocating the Alternate Resource Center (ARC) program to the building and grounds department at Maine East. This option would make six classrooms available at Maine South at the north end of the building. Or, we could divide the District 207 meeting room into two classrooms.

Meetings normally held in the room would have been relocated to space in the library.

The school could create three classrooms from two existing writing labs and move to a mobile computer lab format in the existing English classrooms. We could expand the cafeteria and add eight more classrooms, or add two classrooms/study areas.

In a recent survey of 110 Maine South students showed that 22 percent of students were in favor of relocating the ARC program to Maine East. However, the survey was given to students without any knowledge of the amount of space needed

and the cost of the different options. Moving the ARC program would cost $600,000 to remodel the buildings, make grounds area at Maine East, and to construct a location for the department. This option would only create six of the estimated seven to ten rooms that Maine South will need in the future. Fourteen percent of students though that the best idea was to convert the writing lab into three separate classrooms.

According to Galis, the cost for switching to a mobile writing lab would

space without creating renovations to other parts of the building, there is still a slight problem. With the growing number of incoming freshman each year, not only will there be a need for more classrooms but also for more parking as time goes on. The expansion of the cafeteria would eliminate the teacher lot behind it, giving teachers more parking spots in the A-wing and students less. It seems that with every suggested plan of expansion, the problem of not enough space is only temporarily solved and more problems are created.

The school board never mentioned a suggestion I've heard discussed amongst \\ many students and faculty members: the i \ 1 Robert J. Frost Administration offices.

During the 1984-85 school year, the Maine Township District 207 Board of Education sold the district's administrative offices located on the corner of Devon and Dee. Lucky Maine South was chosen as the new home for these offices. The Ralph J. F r o s t ^ ^ Administration offices are now located i t ^ ^ P the southernmost hallway before reaching the A-wing. What did they replace?

Four classrooms. Prior to moving $50,000 and the administrative offices to Maine South, would include the costs of renovation and the south hallway included four classrooms. laptop computers and carts. This option may "Why can't we just move the create three new classrooms, but how many administrative offices somewhere else?" is of the existing English rooms would in turn a common question among both teachers be needed to house the mobile computer and students.

It would make room for at lab? This suggestion is merely a least the four classrooms it replaced, if not rearrangement of the space we already have, more.

The offices do not need to be located rather than the addition of the space that we at Maine South, whereas classrooms do. will need.

This plan would not take up parking Another 14 percent of students were in favor of expanding the cafeteria to create space, and would not create any future two new classrooms or study halls. The cost problems. The administrative offices would of adding two rooms to the cafeteria is about only need to find somewhere to relocate, and the offices converted into classrooms. one million dollars.

Expansion of the cafeteria to add eight No additions to the school would be additional classrooms won the majority of necessary.

Considering all the solutions that have the vote, with 44% of students in favor Although similar to the option to add two been proposed by the school board, the rooms, the school would grow closer to the students, and the faculty, the relocation of predicted amount of space needed. Of the Robert J. Frost Administration offices course it would cost much more, seems to be the best solution. The problem approximately $ 1.6 million more, for a total of not enough space is quickly arising, a'i each freshmen class grows larger than the' cost of $2.6 million.

Although the expansion of the cafeteria last. Whatever solution is decided upon, if seems to be the most logical of all the Maine South does not gain more space, it suggestions, in that it would free up the most will soon be busting at its seams.

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004*VOL. 40, NO. 12

iHawks soccer: committed to acheive

by Anthony Gonka The Maine South soccer program has committed itself to off-season activities this year more than ever before. It suffered a disappointing loss to lower-seeded Evanston in the sectional semifinals and is working to improve for next year.

Varsity head coach Tim Spiegel and assistant coach Dan States have organized a new trend in off-season training with the introduction of the Hawk Indoor Soccer Tournament.

Coach States said, "Coach Spiegel and I organized this tournament to keep our players conditioning in the offseason while still allowing them to have a considerable amount of fun."

The tournament, which has just wrapped up, consisted of ten clubs of four or five players each that met to play on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the back gym throughout the winter months.

Both Jay Zukanovic and Roberto Barbanente agree that. "The games were really intense. Nothing got our hearts pounding faster."

Scott Gerrits, Jay Zukanovic, Matt Perille and Mark Zei placed first as part of the tournament champions Chelsea. They

defeated the regular season champions Bayern Munich 5-4 in the tournament championship; Joe Luzio and Matt Bochenek led the second place Bayern Munich. Third place was taken by the Chris Blankshain led Manchester United with a dominating win over Roberto Barbanente and Jeff Weiner's Real Madrid. The Cinderella story was Juventus FC, who defeated tournament champion Chelsea early in the season 30. They deserve a special congratulation for their simply outstanding season.

Although many of the players in the tournament were seniors and will not be returning next fall, junior all-star Erminio Caporale and underclassmen sensations CuUen McChristian and Arthur Dinvemo improved greatly due to this opportunity. They look to make next season an even greater success. ./

The 4th Annual Anelise's Run 5k fun run, 1.5 mile kids run and family walk

4'** Annual

SOUTHWORDS A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School n i l South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 Signed letters to the editor should be delivered to room V-I31 or given to a member of the editorial staff. SOUTHWORDS reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Editors-in-Chief

Date: Sunday, April 25, 2004 Time: 9:30 a.m.

Where: Park Ridge Community Center Entry: $15.00 if registered by April 23rd ^register by April 7th if you want a t-shirt $20.00 race day registration $17.00 register at www.active.com ^Registration forms are available at the Park Ridge Community Center. *Stay after the run for the Community Center Spring Fest.

Monika Bysiecki Kristi Katz News Editors Carly Calkins Ashley Rezaeizadeh Commentary Editors Annie Berndtson Kate Funkhouser Kara Collins Features Editors Corinne Ullrich Greg Mitchell Sports Editors Katie Waller Bobby Crismyre Production Editors Kris John.son Kiley Borowski Core Photographers Kathleen Pinter Joyce Ann Santos Core Staff Artist T.R. Kerth Advisor

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SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004»VOL. 40. NO. 12

It's not easy turning greens

by Sammi Lopiparu As anyone who's anyone from the Chicagoland area should know, each year the Chicago River is dyed an emerald green in honor of the St. Patrick's Day celebration and annual parade. This year was no exception. Standing on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, everyone can see the lovely Irish color flowing throughout the water. It only lasts a for a little while, but when the river is turned its new color, it is definitely hard to miss.

How did Chicagoans get this idea, some might ask. After all, Chicago is the only city in history known to have ever successfully dyed an entire body of water..

Well, the idea certainly wasn't intentional; in fact it was the product of a waste management effort that sprung an idea in a man named Steve Bailey, chairman of the loop parade from 1958-1966.

In early December of 1961, the city started enforcing water pollution control chambers in order to eliminate waste discharged from city buildings. The beginning of December in this year was also when a city plumber went to see Bailey and explain to him what his plans were for locating the place of pollution. When the

plumber arrived at Mr. Bailey's office, he was splotched with green coloring, and explained to Steve Bailey that he had been dumping green coloring in the river canals to locate which spots were polluted in the river. Mr. Bailey suddenly became excited at the idea of coloring the river, and green is just the right color when you're planning the St. Patrick's Day festivities.

"Why couldn't we dye the whole river for St. Patrick's Day?" Steve Bailey asked.

He got uneasy replies from everyone in his office. It had never been attempted, before and no one knew exactly what type of reactions people would have on seeing the river turned green. After meeting with the port director, the deputy port director, and the Chicago city fire department, it had been decided that a new tradition was going to be started. Steve Bailey was a good friend of the mayor, which did not hurt his colorful cause.

The only problem that remained for Mr. Bailey's team was finding a cookbook for dying rivers. Chicago was the first and only city to dye a body of water, and the amount of dye versus the amount of water was unknown, so everyone just went by feel.

There was much trial and error: 100 pounds of vegetable dye kept the river green for a week, 50 for three days, and finally 25 pounds of vegetable dye was perfect for just one special day. Currently, however, the city uses 40 pounds of food coloring to dye the river because it is more environmentally sound.

"I remember seeing that dye for the first time we tried it," Steve Bailey recalled.

Unfortunately, the first try made the water look marbled and ugly. "But," Bailey continued to explain, "once we stirred it up in the water with a couple of motorboats, it made a regular carpet of green. It was beautiful. It looked like you could walk on it," After all of this initial effort, the beloved Chicago tradition has been carried out year after year, but it started out as just a fortuitous accident. Next year, if you happen to be downtown on St. Patrick's Day, try to go for a stroll on the Michigan^^ Avenue Bridge. When you get there, l o o H ^ ^ down at the brilliantly colored water, and you will be able to see over 40 years of tradition rushing and swirling underneath your feet.

Boris Schlapek: a modest success

by Frank Johnsen There are no flashy cars, glamorous entranceways, obsessively groomed landscaping, or eye catching decorations.

The isolated interior walls harvest no awards, banners, or signs of achievement.

It seems like a dull environment for the former star place-kicker from Maine South High School and eventual professional football player for the NFL Baltimore Colts.

"The way I live is the way I am as a person. I know that I have achieved a lot and there is no need to show other people that I have," said Boris Schlapek, a Russian native who currently resides in Park Ridge.

"My upbringing as a soccer player in Russia definitely improved my chances of making it professionally as a kicker. I am just grateful that Maine South recognized my talent," continued Schlapek.

In fact, Schlapek was not interested in playing high school football until the Maine South program saw his remarkable kicking abilities.

"During gym class one year, we were playing a friendly game of touch football. I kicked the ball off It sailed 60 yards and the rest is history."

Following his three successful years as Maine South's starting place-kicker, Michigan State University showed interest.

Schlapek looked into the university and eventually decided to attend Michigan State for college.

"It basically came down to Michigan State and Iowa; I went to Michigan State.

They showed a greater amount of interest in me, and I was pretty much guaranteed a starting job all four years."

A guarantee is a guarantee. Schlapek started all four years as promised and graduated in 1972.

"I enjoyed my four years there so much that I was depressed to leave. But, that's life, and I set my sight on the NFL," declared Schlapek.

Schlapek was drafted by the Baltimore Colts (they moved to Indiana and are currently known as the Indianapolis Colts) in the 1973 NFL Draft at the age of 22.

His professional career was brief. He retired after 3 seasons in the NFL at the age of 25.

"The competition level is so high in t h ^ ^ ^ NFL that it's hard to stick around. But, a ^ B least I got there."

That's not too bad for a 1968 graduate of Maine South High School.

SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004ÂŤVOL. 40. NO. 12

9

(You mean the costume lady?

by Rosalee Inendino A person's work area over the years usually reflects the person working in it.

This is definitely true for Mrs. Lauri McCleneghan, whose office has somewhat transformed into a shrine to all things theatrical since she began her career at Maine South. It encompasses all of the things she has done as well as just her favorite things about theatre. Hanging frorn one side of her desk is a decorative scarf, which is a souvenir from her 2003 winter show. The BFG. "I've always wanted to do a children's show. Those kids are our future audience and there is not enough theatre that they can see and enjoy," Mrs. McCleneghan explains. "I chose BFG partly because Ronald Dahl is a great children's author, so kids could read it in school before coming to see the show."

What's the other reason why she 'picked The BFG as her particular show?

"I've always loved puppets. We had the giant masks; we had the actual puppet of the Big Friendly Giant; we had the lights in jars. It was the visual show that kids were going to really connect with and enjoy," she says happily.

Alongside the scarf, there is a poster with many different pairs of shoes in tribute to her love of costuming as a tangible reminder of her many past shows.

"I like teaching and I like directing; however, I am most comfortable in the costume room," Mrs. McClegneghan says.

"I did freelance costuming for shows in New York City before I came here. I also did things like stage manage shows and equity contracts. That was sort of my 'poverty' period," McCleneghan remembers, smiling a little to herself.

Lauri McCleneghan. or Mrs. M as she is affectionately referred to in the PA wing, ^has been a teacher at Maine South for over feeven years. However, the fact is, she wasn't always headed in this direction. In fact she had never even considered her current position in years past.

excitement in her classroom. "I could never teach a subject like math where it's the same everyday."

However, even though she loves to teach drama class the best, Mrs. McCleneghan also enjoys teaching the sophomore required class o^al communications. She has found that it is a truly unique experience.

"Oral Comm. is always interesting because it is so different. Everyone has to take it and there is only one level. So one of those straight A students might just be sitting next to a kid who has gone through rehab. The straight A kid might think, 'Hey, this person sitting next to me is pretty cool.' Or the other student might think that the straight A kid is not as bad as he or she once thought."

Although teaching is what she has been doing for almost a decade, Mrs. McCleneghan still remains a veteranarian at heart. Her house full of pets testifies to her extreme love of animals.

"I always had animals in my house as a kid. I've had cats, dogs, snakes, iguanas, hedgehogs, mice, rats, and hamsters. I just got a veiled chameleon that has eyes that go in different directions. It's very good experience for her. "Later that fall. I fun." was asked back to do a Moliere show with Along with her love for all types of all the big. traditional costumes. After that, animals, Mrs. McCleneghan loves to watch I started doing almost all of the costuming old or classic movies. McCleneghan says and coming after school everyday to work that her favorite movie genre is definitely with the students. One day after school, Mr. "bad sci-fi."

Muszynski asked me if I had ever "I don't like all this new good sci-fi. I considered becoming a teacher here. He like the old, bad stuff like Godzilla and said that since I was already here with the Swamp Thing," she says as she points to her kids everyday that I should think about it. I classic Godzilla poster. eventually went to school and got my Mrs. McCleneghan is undoubtedly a teaching degree." Obviously, Mrs. devoted teacher whose interests expand far McCleneghan has liked it here at Maine beyond her dramatic little office found in South enough to stick around. "Now I teach the PA wing. What advice does a talented drama I and oral c ommunications." woman who is interested in so many No one could ever try to convince her to different things have to give to students? teach any of the other subjects.

"I would just tell everyone to go with the "Drama is the only thing I wanted to flow. You never really should plan too much teach. It is so different everyday." Mrs. for life. You should roll with the punches McCleneghan likes a little bit of variety and and see what happens."

"If you asked me when I was in high school what I wanted to be, I would have never said a teacher. I wanted to be a vet."

Mrs. McCleneghan has a very interesting story as to how she ended up at Maine South. "I was doing some freelance costuming in Chicago when I was asked to do Maine South's production of Annie several years ago." She felt that it was a

lOSports

SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004*VOL. 40, NO. 12

Hawks start off early*

by Melissa Rauschenberg The girls' softball season has started off quickly. Tryouts only went Monday through Thursday, but the teams are now packed full of great athletes.

Varsity's first week of practice was a little rough, consisting of three 6 a.m. practices and two after school practices.

Even though it was early, the girls worked hard.

Number of career victories for two-time All-State wrestler Nick Fallico.

"^^liS

and the team will miss her contribution greatly.

New friendships will be made with the new comers, which include freshman Michelle Chiarmonte.

Overall, the future looks to hold a successful season for the 2004 Hawks. The girls will play their opening game at Ridgewood High School. Come out to some games and cheer on the Hawks.

South Stats 4:38

156

i^^

As of right now, the Hawk's favorite practice drill is the batting cage where they work on short bunts and line drives.

The varsity team is looking good this year with junior returnees Nicole Cummings, Danielle Jenero, Kim Coppin, and Siobhan Mischke. Senior returnees are Traci Leslie, Megan Granger, and Melissa Rauschenberg. Jenny Sanders will be taking the role of manager due to an injury.

Time of school record-breaking sprint medley acheived by Claire Forde. Katie Coppin, Bridget Cameron, and Ashley Morris.

Havs^k 3/19

3/20

Boys' Baseball

2 Number of freshmen on this year's boys" varsity volleyball team.

1

Highlights 3/22

3/23

3/24 vs. Conant 10:30am (DH)

Boys' Gymnastics Boys' Tennis Boys' Track

@ Evanston 4:30pm

Boys' Volleyball Badminton

@ BG Inv. Sam

Girls' Soccer Girls' Softball '

Girls' Track

J

â&#x20AC;˘

SOUTHWORDS'MARCH 19, 2004ÂŤVOL. 40, NO. 12

11

"Pushing to the limit

by Claire Forde The girls' 2004 track team has been pushing their bodies to the limit during the past couple of weeks, and the hard work has been paying off big time. On February 20, the Hawks won their own Hawk Invitational, which including stiff competition from many surrounding schools. The girls blew the competition away with 124 points. This was a huge success for the girls who had many team members finishing wonderfully. Individual winners included Katie Coppin in the 880 (2:36.9), Claire Gilpin in the 50 hurdles (8.0), and Ashley Morris in the long jump (14-10). On February 28, at the Wheeling

Invite, the Hawks placed second out of ten teams, losing the first place finish by only one point. It was upsetting to the team to miss first by such a close margin, but the Hawks are quite proud of their second place finish. Theresa Spencer was a two-time winner who earned first place in both the high jump (4-10) and the triple jump (317), while Morris jumped 15-4 to earn first place in the long jump. Across the board, there were also many other outstanding individuals who placed. On March 5, Maine South hosted the annual Hawk Relays. The girls were able to pull off an amazing 3rd place finish, out of 6 teams. Again, the

Sta.tot>ouncl

by Kiley Boniwski "Maine South, the floor is yours for competition," a faint voice announced as the Hawkettes posed in their beginning stance. They had three minutes to prove their hard work, dedication, talent, and passion to the judges. Beginning only weeks after school let out in June of 2003, the devoted girls danced summer into fall, through the football season, and into the basketball season, perfecting their technique.The team selected choreographer, Kasper, to create their hip hop routine and gave captains Kiley Borowski. Traci Leslie, and Dana Peterson the responsibility of constructing the dance routine. The girls began competing their routines at the Argo Invitational, receiving first and third place in AAA Dance and Hip Hop. Continuing to the Dundee Crown Invitational, the Hawkettes qualified their Dance routine for sectionals. The girls went on to

compete at Stevenson, where they placed second in their Hip Hop routine, qualifying for sectionals. The Hawkettes next traveled to Fremd High School on a cold, Saturday morning to compete in the IDTA North Super Sectionals.

Their commitment and confidence captured two qualifications to the IDTA State Contest. Along with this award came more s h oc ki n g results. Only nine teams qualified for sectionals under AA.\ Hip Hop, and Maine South placed third. In AAA Dance, the Hawkettes received fourth place out of eighteen teams at sectionals.

A heavy weight was lifted off of the girls' shoulders, but only momentarily. A few days after their success at sectionals, the girls were back to work, harder than ever.

The Hawkettes will join the elite few competing to be the top in Illinois at Assembly Hall at the University of Illinois.

Hawks missed out on a higher placing, this time 2nd place and by only three points.

Many athletes placed in this invitational, including a first place finish by Katie Coppin in the mile (5:36-her personal record). Morris, Bridget Cameron, Claire Forde, and Coppin also broke the school record for the sprint medley with a time of 4:38. The Hawks are continuing to make great strides and working their way to contend with the best competition out there.

With many key athletes placing in events and the relay teams taking home some medals, the girls are looking forward to a great outdoor season.

Hard throwing, base stealing, run producing icind of year

by Donnie Bungum The Maine South 2004 boys' baseball program is blasting out of the box faster than Ichiro Suzuki with a hot foot. That's right, the baseball team is up and running already.

After a demanding week of tryouts, the team was chosen by Coach Milano and Coach Marsicano.

The selection process was extremely difficult, as all who came out, really came out to play.

The team is looking forward to an enriching season filled with emotional and spiritual development. Heck no! The guys are out there to win it all, baby!

Over the summer, the Maine South baseball team was able to make it to the Elite-Eight in the state tournament. This is a huge success for the guys and based on this accompUshment, they expect to win the Regional this year for the first time in a long time.

Watch outâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this year is going to be a hard throwing, base stealing, run producing kind of year!

SoiTHHIIIlllS

2 0 0 * SPORTS Boys' Tennis • Baseball • Softball • Outdoor Track • Badminton • Soccer • Boys* Gymnastics • Boys' Volleyball

/t's a bird, it's apiane...

by Kaitlin Moran Wait, no, it's definitely a bird, or shuttlecock to be exact! The birds are soaring as the Maine South girls" badminton team takes flight.

The excitement began on a stormy morning on the first Monday in March.

Over 50 girls partook in the festivities of the week, which included rigorous skills testing, exhausting shuttle runs, and stressful duals.

In the end there remained 13 wise varsity members, about 16 eager JV players, and 16 blooming freshmen.

Maine Southians feel the presence of the team from the energetic aura sent out from the spec gym at odd times of the day and

night. Chants such as the hokey-pokey, dances like the bunny hop. and percussion rhythm performed by Meghan Carlson and Kaitlin Moran are sounds and sights that typical students will need some getting used to. As for the unity of the team, fourth year member, Kelly Demakis stated, "We are tighter than a team; it's almost like a cult!"

Varsity Coach Eve Muir-Wilson was eager to interject, assuring that it was only her balking like a chicken at 6:45 in the morning, and that no animals have been harmed in the execution of our practices.

Beyond Maine South, local businesses are feeling the impact of the newly assembled badminton team. The girls have

played a major part in boosting the economy with outings to Portillo's. Planet Smoothie, Panera, and McDonalds already in the short time they've been together.

As for badminton, the true purpose for their unity, all three levels are preparing for a successful seasons. Numerous members have improved during the off-season and are ready to fill the shoes of the five members that graduated last year.

The JV team is headed by Mr. Earl Dannon 'Yogurt," and inspired by Mrs. D. Taylor, and soon-to-be baby boy Dannon.

The varsity squad is deep in talent and should be competitive with each other a^ well as their opponents this year.

Continuing tiieir intensity

by Benz Ng The next stop on the Maine South boys' track team's journey toward a run at a state championship was the Niles West Wolfpack Invitational. The Hawks performed well on all levels in a quality meet with ten teams.

On the freshman level, the Hawks snagged 3rd place with top 6 finishers in 16 out of 17 events. The sophomores came away with a 1st place finish with top six finishers in 15 out of 17 events. Both • underclassmen levels performed extremely well and look to be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

On the varsity level, the Hawks took 2nd with many great individual and team performances. Medalists on the varsity level were: David Spencer with 3rd in the triple jump (40'7) and 1st in the high jump (6'2); Matt Annes with 2nd place in the pole vault (13'0); the 2nd place 4x800 relay team of Mike Palermo, Lee Camarano, Greg Udzeliak, and Brain Ruder (8:37); Dane •Volden with 3rd in the 55 High Hurdles

(8.0) and 2nd in the 55 Low Hurdles (7.5); Chris Ryan 2nd in the 55 High Hurdles (7.9) and 3rd in the 55 Low Hurdles (7.5); Gilby Lifton with 1st in the 400 meter run (54.0); and the 4x400 meter relay of Al Pinter, Volden, Pat Moran, and Lifton with a 2nd place finish (3:43.4).

Even with a great performance on all levels, the Hawks will not be satisfied. Only first place finishes on all three levels would satisfy the team. These Hawks are hungry and ready for more challenges.

The team looks to continue their intensity in the upcoming Evanston Frosh/Soph Invite and the Rolling Meadows pole vault meet, where Matt Annes, Mike Annes, and Tom Janczura will compete against some of the best pole-vaulters in the state.

With the CSL Indoor ConferenI Championship looming ahead, you can beT your bottom dollar that the Maine South boys' track team will be ready to compete and blow the competition away.