Vol 40 issue 7

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Academy Award winner Roberto Benigni discusses his life with participants from various schools around the Chicagoland area.

In This Issue:

NEWS:

COMIUENTARY:

FEATURES:

SPORTS:

Benigni visit

Hallway congestion

Jazz band

Girls' basketball-

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5, 2003«VOL. 40. NO. 7

Operation Iraqi Freedom hits Jiorne'

by Caiiy Calkins As the war in Iraq continues, it seems that people are becoming less aware of its significance and consequences. Just the other day, someone showed me a short article in the newspaper about the deaths of several more American soldiers fighting for supressed citizens in Iraq. The article was conveniently buried several pages into the paper. While the majority of our country remains at home, living generally steady and guaranteed lives, there are young Americans across the ocean, fighting to give Iraqi citizens the same kind of stable and fortunate lives that Americans have long been accustomed to.

One of the many heroes actively participating in the war effort is a girl from Niles named Sarah Svedcenko-Reeves. A Navy Seaman Apprentice and a navy veteran of one year, the 19-year-old spent part of the past year working as a deckman aboard the USS Pearl Harbor The USS Pearl Harbor is a Harper's Ferry-class dock landing ship that, up until this past July, spent several months in a Western Pacific deployment where it maintained and attempted to strengthen U.S. naval position in the area. Pearl Harbor supported a fleet

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of neighboring ships by providing them with valuable calculated information. This allowed the ships to continue their missions after being informed of what perhaps laid ahead of them. The USS Pearl Harbor was also a part of the last wartime amphibious

Photo courtesy cj http://navysite.de/ships/lsd52.htm

fleet which played an important role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

When asked what tasks she was specifically assigned during her time of

duty on the ship, Svendcenko-Reeves replied. "I performed maintenance on the ship. As a whole, we provided the Marines with clean beds, warm meals and showers after their months in Iraq." Also, in response to being asked about the importance of participation in the U.S military. Svendcenko-Reeves stated, "It means keeping up the freedom that most people take for granted. It also means providing much needed assistance, service and honor to those in dire need of it."

Sarah Svendcenko-Reeves did just that.

Courageously, she risked her life and gave to others. Like most people her age, Svendcenko-Reeves could have been living at home, working towards a normal college degree, and going out with friends.

However, with pride, she can now say that she spent nearly a year assisting the American effort in Operation Iraqi Freedom. ^ ^ In returning home to her f a m i l ^ ^ r Svendcenkp-Reeves said, "Although I was only on deployment for three months, it was great to see my loved ones after about a year.

I know it brought them all pride and joy to see me." Thank you, Sarah, for being a hero. •

December 5th, 1776 - The first U.S. fraternity. Phi Beta Kappa, formed at WilHam & Mary College.

December 5th, 1791 - Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna, Austria at the age of 35.

December 5th, 1876 - 296 people were trampled or burned to death in a fire at the Brooklyn Theatre in New York. '* ^t L- *'

December 5th, 1901 - The famous animator. Wall Disney, was bom in Chicago.

December 5th, 1926 - Claude Monet, painter and impressionist, died at the age of 86.

SOUTHWORDS* DECEMBER 5. 2(X)3ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 7

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Benigni comes to town

by Ashley Rezaeizadeh had such a heavy accent that when he tried from it all and never went back to the Do you remember that crazy hyper guy to speak the canto in English his dialect monestary. Then I tried to be a saint, but at the 1998 Academy Awards who was would go from English to Italian, slurring that was just not for me. hugging and kissing almost anyone he came various words in between the languages," Q: Did you expect the success in contact with? Roberto Benigni, the said Mrs. Weber. He was just as wacky and of Life is Beautiful? jumpy Academy Award winner for Life is funny as he is perceived as on the big screen, A: No. I risked my audience and Beautiful, came to Chicago on November creating clever analogies to modern day popularity because I am a comic trying to 1st for the Chicago do a tragedy. The message is subtle of Life Humanities Festival at the is Beautiful; it is a gift the artist gives. It Chicago Symphony was fun like another film [other films I have Center on Michigan done].

Avenue. A full house was Q: What is your favorite American present as the festival film? celebrated the 3rd Annual A: Ben Hur. starring Charleton Heston, Italian Language Week because it was the first film I ever saw in along with the 14th Annual my life at an "open air". My sister took me Chicago Humanities to the drive-in theater, but we were too poor Special. There, Benigni to afford to go to the movies, so we saw the read the last canto of movie backwards outside. When I became Dante's Paradiso in famous, I met Charleton Heston and said, English and Italian. Then "I loved you in Ruh Neb.'" with a select few high Q: What was your favorite schools, he had a subject in school? discussion about the A: / didn 't go to school! I didn 't like it presentation and a question as a child, but then I grew to love it and and answer session. Maine started to enjoy mathematics (I just told a South's teachers, Mrs. lie!). It was precise and 1 liked precision Weber, Mrs. Modica teach literature because they play with words. I Italian in the Foreign loved games and still do.

Language Department, Q: How did you feel the night and Mrs. Bondi, Social L.LB. won two Oscars?

Science Department Chair, A: / never thought I 'd win and I think I were present to ask Benigni various references as he went along Dante's showed how I felt that night. Everything questions along with the other schools. was exploding inside of me, so I climbed dialogue.

Benigni was born near Arezzo, Italy and Afterwards, sixteen schools were invited, over the furniture and almost stepped on later moved to Rome to begin his acting Maine South, Maine East, and Maine West some people! career at the Satiri Theatre. He had been in included, to partake in the discussion with Q: Do you like the hospitality of many plays and movies throughout Italy Mr. Benigni. The schools brought students Chicago? (Maine South's question) before he became very well known as an to ask questions on everything from Roberto A: Oh my God! They have been so Italian cinema icon in the 1990s from his Benigni's acting career to his favorite generous with me and I would love to return roles in Johnny Stecchino (1991) and // subject in high school. The students the love. It has been a beautiful reception Mostro (1994). At the 51st Cannes Film representing Maine South High School were for me.

Festival, he won the Gran Premio della Milena Fatta and Elizabeth Bondi, a Robeto Benigni appreciated the Giuria and two Oscars for Best Actor and graduated student. Here are some of the architecture and Chicagoans, as much they Best Foreign Language Film for Life is questions asked from the discussion and cherish his work and passion for it.

Beautiful (La vita e^ bella, 1998). Roberto prepared by Mrs. Modica: Benigni's most recent film, Pinocchio Q: What would you have been if you SOUTHWORDS would (2002), was nominated for an Academy hadn't decided to become an actor/ like students to take a ward for Best Foreign Film. director? moment and remember At ten o'clock in the morning, the A: / tried to be a priest to please my presentation of Benigni's reading of the last mother, but that did not work because, as I Pearl Harbor on Sunday, canto of Dante's Paradiso commenced. was at the monestary, it started to rain and December 7.

"He recited it in English and Italian, but he flood. It was a bad sign, so I just ran away

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5. 2003»VOL.40. NO. 7

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by Motiika Bysiecki

'Tis my senior year. It is the end of a long journey. Tomorrow is the time I crawl from a small crevice to a great one, housing all that might he. But I hate knowing that this chamber door will close firmly behind me.

While I anticipate with glee the new moments to come, I stay sitting. knowing that it is all I can do for now.

1 cannot yet leave. At times, I reflect and do not ever want to leave—am content with what I have. Staring at the once promising room filled with caring smirks of friends and hopeful gazes of teachers, I glance around and see all of the joy that has been. But, I know that I must go and leave them. I know that I must leave myself, the self that I have known since childhood.

Tomorrow my self cannot stay confined in this small space. It forces me to look past the smirks and gazes and peer through a gap in the door, catching a glimpse of the fairies tinkering with all that might he. In awe of them, 1 stare and begin to dream of tucking them away in my magic jean pocket and having them whisper all sorts of truths to me about life in the tomorrow. And all of my mind's questions of all that might he have answers whispered in response, except the one question that my heart tried to ask: What will become of all that has been? Of friendships and bonds that time was never meant to break?

Again. I look back on that room with those faces, which flickered my years with warmth and love. My heart dreams of tucking away all that has been and carrying it through to all that might be.

I plead with the fairies, shedding tears on their wings, "What will become of everything else?" But the fairies are my fairies, tweaking only my fate. What their fairies decide, I can't know.

— Student Opinion Maine South Hawks: red, white, and black

by Elizabeth Chao blanket statement as the stereotypes we're I can't refute the facts. Maine South is, trying to expel. First of all. for the most part, admittedly, an incredibly white school (I'm it's not our fault that we happen to go to a talking skin color here, not morality. That's mostly racially homogeneous high school. a topic for another issue.). According to the Diversity isn't about one student; it refers 2002 census, 93.4 percent of MS students to the overall composition of a group of are white. For all of you math geniuses, that students. means that a mere 6.2 percent of students And even more importantly, there's a come from African, Asian, or Hispanic whole lot more to diversity than just race. backgrounds. What a dismal statistic.

Yes, we do lose out by not having more There are some serious drawbacks to Hispanic. African-American, and Middleattending such a racially homogeneous Eastern classmates to befriend and learn school. In addition to missing out on the from (thus the imminent Asian Club.). wonderful blend of cultures for which our However, we can't lose sight of the fact country is so famous, most of us don't have that Maine South has a lot of diversity in the opportunity to befriend very many areas other than race. Twenty-two percent people outside of our white, upper-middle of us speak foreign languages at home, and class community. Teachers tell us about the we come from all sorts of family and socioJapanese internment camps during World economic situations. Even among those War II, and ages of discrimination against who practice the same religion or none at Muslims and Arabs (no, the two are not all, there are countless varying philosophies synonymous) have been that make each of us resplendent in the media different and thu! since September 11th. diverse.

But how many of those classroom lessons, And in ways that j--~__;,,-<=;,^ don't necessarily show touting the importance of Jl U up on a census, each racial equality, ever really person has individual hit home? Without the tastes, talents, and opportunity to put a ideas that contribute to philosophy of racial variety at our school. tolerance into practice, it Is it so difficult to can't truly become believe that a theatre ingrained in us. major could have If everyone around us something to teach a is the same color, how do varsity athlete, or vicewe really know if we truly versa, or that a are colorblind—as we computer science geek fervently claim—or if it's could help out a friend simply that no one close struggling in Preto us has ever challenged Algebra? Do we not all our limited spectrum? learn to practice Though few. if any. Maine South students would call themselves racists, we tolerance every day as frantic freshmen or do need to acknowledge that, due to our lack bickering guys bowl over us in the halls?

No one would say that Maine South is a of exposure, we may foster subconscious racial stereotypes that only expanded racially diverse school. It just isn't, and for personal relationships and insight can the moment, we can't do anything about it.

What we can do is foster w e l c o m i n ^ ^ replace with objectivity and truth. attitudes to all of our fellow students—i^^ That is not to say that merely by going the words of Mr. Claypool. "exhibit Hawk to Maine South, all of us are racists deprived Pride"—and learn not only to tolerate, but of diversity. That'd be as much of a false to appreciate, the diversity that we do have.

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5. 200.^ÂŤVOL. 40, NO. 7

Student Opinion

Home of the honks

Bv Caroline Magniison Most kids at Maine South end up being tardy for a class at one point or another in their four years here. Persistent tardiness has almost become a normal thing in some classes in the more remote parts of the school and students are getting in trouble for it. Is that persistent k.^^_-^.0^' tardiness a result of the dawdling in the hallways or is it a result of poor hallway walking on the .other students" parts? A way to fix this problem, either way, is by "enforcing" laws of highway driving, modified of course, to the hallways of Maine South.

You have to walk fast to get to class in five minutes and even then you don't make it sometimes. This problem is caused by

either people walking too slowly, people stopping in the hall to talk to their friends, people cutting you off to get to another hallway, or many other occurrences. If highway-driving laws were enforced in the hallways, people would be able to get to their classes on time.

If the laws were enforced, there may be a minimum walking "speed" that all hallway walkers would have to maintain.

Also, there may be a "passing lane" so people could walk more slowly but no get in the way of faster walkers. There would be fewer people cutting each other off because if you are going to "turn" right, you would be in the right "lane" and the same with the left.

This system makes complete sense and would make our hallways not only more efficient, but safer, and it would also improve the level of teen driving by making us familiar with the laws.

So all we need to do is follow the laws and say "goodbye" to tardiness.

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The result of a pretentious judgment is Death

by David Nicholas Capitol punishment is a national issue as worn out as an old book. When an oblivious mind endeavors to read a book, it always ends up forgetting preceding information and initializes an infinite loop of reading and re-reading the same stat again, and again, and again. The old book and ethical issues inherit all of the wear and tear, but they are not at fault; however, the ignorant soul, humanity, is.

Even after many years of heated debate over the ethical issue of capital punishment, the faction with the most power and influence won the battle. Capital punishment is allowed, but the idea is becoming fatigued while carrying the growing weights of morals, vehement debates, and an increasing population.

Furthermore, there is one heavy weight I would like to impose upon the issue: logic.

If life and its meaning have never been fully understood, then what human is great enough to take these things away? No one should be arrogant enough to make judgment upon such an astounding concept as human life. Nonetheless, it is done anyway, simply because our existence also validates two more rightful freedoms: the freedom to make decisions and to be judgemental.

Because this is a national issue concerning the lives of American people, the elimination of the death penalty must be reconsidered. If enough people stay rational and informed about the issue at hand, then those who will acquire future political power will have the proficiency to improve our government. For now, though, it seems ignorance will stay manifest in politics.

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Longer passing periods so we have more time to get to our classes.

Sarah Burke, '04

Don't worry about it; it will figure itself out.

Mike Maloney, '06

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Longer passing periods and people should use sidewalks more. People should bring warm clothes so they can walk outside when it's cold.

Katie Kloess, '05

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Have different passing periods for different grades.

Sarah Tyre, '07

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5. 2003'VOL. 40. NO. 7

Student Opinion

"Put the rea/into rea//fy (PLEASE!)"

by Amanda Brooks Real- actual, not fictitious or imaginary.

In short, real is everything a reality show is not. The first reality show, "The Real World", on MTV; was a concept created by producers on MTV risking the channel's following by trying to create a documentary of people trying to live their lives with people that have different backgrounds.

When the show premiered, it was immediately embraced by America, mainly because it accurately depicts life and the hilarious cat-fights that come along with it.

It's very addicting to watch. Other television producers began to pick up on the idea and experiment with it. Over a decade we have gone from realistic points of view to playing make-believe on television.

What has happened with reality shows in the past 10 years is ridiculous. They're like boy bands- they just don't go away.

Television producers are no longer letting reality just happen. They are scripting it.

First there was the "Real World." I'm not sure what went wrong after that. It has been said that reality shows were a ploy to draw younger viewers so ratings for channels directed towards adults would be boosted.

â&#x20AC;˘Maybe the "ploy concept" might explain why reality shows have made such a drastic change.

The great thing about all of these shows is that they lack reality. Tell me, where in reality does a man find his wife by dating about 30 other women at the same time?

Something tells me there might be a slight trust issue there. It's great how they dump the contestant too. "You are eliminated."

That's definitely a great way to dump someone.

Then there's "Joe Millionaire". Another dumb show. Only in America can you get compulsive lying, money (or should I say lack thereof), sex, and girls who love to gossip all in one show. "American Idol", probably the most popular of them all is coming back with its 3rd season. Doesn't having an "idol" refer to one idol? Soon we're going to have 37 different American Idols. Does that mean I should idolize all 37? "The Osboumes" is a show I actually consider reality. They definitely don't hold anything back when they've got something to say. The stupidest of the batch is "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica". This is a show that follows two young pop stars in their first year of marriage. I managed to

catch an episode of that one. Once again, wow! Where did Jessica Simpson's brain go (probably wherever Anna Nicole Smith's went...)? I was lucky enough to catch the episode where Jessica buys two pairs of underwear, both at S500 a piece. Her excuse to her hubby? "I forgot to look at the price tag." Yeah, it's become really obvious that first year of marriage will go over well. The most pathetic thing is, America is obsessed with these shows. Actors must be struggling to find jobs, because they are all taken by people with no lives trying to get their 15 minutes of fame.

Reality shows have proven why some other countries might think of America as one big joke. While other countries are concerned about surviving in general, we are imitating survival and starvation in a television show. We're obsessed over if Richard, the naked man, would win one million dollars by outplaying and lying to^ his "friends" on "Survivor".

America definitely knows and practices its morals. To end this "commentary," reality shows should die. Just kidding, (or am I?) They should at least go away for a while or actually try putting real into reality shows.

Obsessing about the future is a big mistake

By Meg Archer When visualizing my futue as a senior, all I can think about are the SATs. I imagine the teenagers who have been studying without end, now hunched over in their desks, eyebrows furrowed and pencil slipping from their grasp due to sweat. For a while, I was completely convinced that my entire future would be resting on this one test of my intelligence. The pressure that is put on us is neurotic and due to one fixation: college.

Of course I understand the importance of a higher education and I woud like to attend a university myself in time, but why do I get incredulous looks when I say it's possible I'll stay at Oakton Community College to take some art classes before I decide anything permanent? It's absurd to some that there are other options than going to college. We're so tied up into getting into

our first choice schools that we don't realize that there may be great things to accomplish outside of education.

Some are afraid to drop AP or accelerated classes because it won't look as good on their transcipts.

We're up at all hours of the night trying to finish homework because we "get involved" (the slogan for high schools everywhere). All I ever hear is, "Colleges will be looking at that." So, people get sucked into worthless activites when their time would be better spent doing something they take pleasure in.

Why don't colleges look to see if you've enjoyed your high school years? That's an extremely important part of life.

And endlessly, we hear adults saying how much they miss being young. They tell us

we should cherish our childhood and stay youthful. Of course, growing up is what adolescents do best, so I saw focus on the now rather than the future while the present still has promise.

Don't b\ Louis Doulas f e e inferior to^ those who know exactly what they want and how to achieve it. Ultimately, be confident in who you are and your talents. Take a deep breath... and relax.

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5, 2003ÂŤVOL. 40, NO. 7

Pickwick's birthday

by Brendan Farrell The Pickwick Theater, located at 5 South Prospect, turned seventy-five years old this year. It has come a long way since its grand opening in 1928.

The Pickwick Theater was designed by the architects Zook and Mccaughey, with help from the sculptor Alphonso lannelli.

These men helped give the Pickwick its distinctive features and shape, which is instantly recognizable to anyone who has lived here. Over the years, the theater has become a landmark in Park Ridge.

The Pickwick Theater seats over 1,400 in the front and is home to movies, plays and concerts. The three rear theaters opened to the public in 1990. Many of the older theaters split their theater up so they could show more movies, but the rear theaters allowed the front theater to stay as it was.

The Pickwick Theater became a Historical Site in 1975 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pickwick Theater's marquee also became famous when it was used by the movie reviewers Siskel and Ebert in their television show, "At the Movies."

One of the nicest things about the Pickwick is the prices they charge for movies. While most movie theaters have become very expensive, the Pickwick has remained a bargain. All shows at or before 5:00 p.m. are $3.50, and after 5:00p.m. they are $5.00, with seniors paying $3.50 at all times. Its affordability compared to the other movie theaters nearby makes it a popular place to go in town.

The Pickwick Theater not only plays the host to movies, it also features many

Musical diversity

by Sara Wolski After a successful run of V-Show, the Maine South Jazz Band has no time to relax.

They have more music to learn and upcoming performances for which to prepare. The Jazz Band is under the direction of Dr. Michael Stewart who is conducting the Jazz Band for his second year while also teaching trumpet lessons all over the area. The PA 109 Jazz Ensemble performs a concert in January, with guest soloists from the student population, as well as one in May. They also attend a High School/Middle School Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Festival takes place in February 'and incorporates Jazz Bands from all over the area. During the Festival, bands are adjudicated by up to three judges (not necessarily competing with the other schools), and participate in a clinic with

other ensembles. At the end of the day, solo awards are given to outstanding student jazz musicians, culminating in a concert with renowned guest artists.

The Maine South Jazz Band provides a diverse musical experience for all students involved. Jazz music is a different type of music from what students are generally accustomed to in a high school band and orchestra. In jazz, rhythms are swung and harmonies are more layered and complex.

"Jazz has an intricate harmonic language," says Director Dr. Stewart, "and there is more tension in the music because of the complicated harmonies and dissonances."

While all the students involved are excellent musicians, jazz remains a challenging and exhilarating musical experience.

concerts and plays as well. The Park Ridge Civic Orchestra has been performing in the main theater since 1994, when it opened to a crowd of one thousand people. In fact, the Pickwick recently even played the host to a rock concert featuring the band DADA. The lobby and the marquee in the Main Theater were recently repainted, sprucing it up. On November 28, the Pickwick Theater showed their most successful movie of all time, A/v Big Fat Greek Wedding. which had been a surprise hit last year. The admission to the movie was free, and the theater also offered live organ music in addition to the movie.

The Pickwick at 75 is one of the most amazing sites in Park Ridge. It has a magnificent lobby, marquee, theater, and location. It is history in our own town. ^

S OUTH V / O R D S A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School i 1 ii South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068 Signed letters to the editor should be delivered to room V-131 or given to a member of the editorial staff. .SOUTHWORD.S reserves the right to edit material for clarity' and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Editors-in-Chief

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

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SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5. 2003ÂŤVOL. 40. NO. 7

The Brooklyn Theatre fire* b\ Tom Drazba

Last spring. Chicago was shocked when thirteen people were killed at the E2 nightclub. But as tragic as event was, it is overshawdowed by disasters of the past.

Today marks the 127th anniversary ofthe Brooklyn Theatre fire, which took the lives of 296 people. That night, hundreds of people came to see the famous actress Kate Claxton in a rendition of "The Two Orphans" but no one expected what was to become of the theatre.

The theatre was built in 1871, over the site of St. John's Episcopal Church, which stood on the corner of Washington and Johnson Street. No one thought that five years later only a kerosene lamp had to be knocked over to set the theatre ablaze.

Flames engulfed the ceiling and spread like a wildfire, destroying the building.

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At about 11 p.m. the curtain was drawn up revealing the final act; however, the corner of the curtain was burning. One of the workers at the stage noticed the fire and quickly attempted to extinguish it.

Unfortunately, he was unable to put out the blaze, and it quickly spread through to the wooden frame, which supported the scenery, canvas, backdrops, and ropes. This frame fed the flames and caused panic within the crowd. A large number of people were sent fleeing through narrow passageways.

If the worker had lowered the curtain, he would have endangered the lives of many or all of the actors on stage and caused widespread panic and chaos. Instead he chose to leave it there in hopes that the fire would put itself out..

The fire was only more tragic than it should have been because ofthe absence of a fire escape. There were five narrow passageways that many people thought led out of the building, these, however, led many people to climb over each other and caused a number of deaths.

Since the deadly fire, many building fire and safety codes have been passed as regulation to help insure a quick and safe dismissal of a building in the event of a fire.

Many of the bodies have been buried in a common grave in Green Wood Cemetery.

This cemetery is home to many actors and historical figures. A monument also was constructed to commemorate those who perished in the blaze.

Just like the disasters of recent years, this will not soon be forgotten.

A humane anniversary,

by Stephanie Righeimer Today in the United States, .^8 individual states enforce capital punishment. Among those .38 states, 37 of them, including Illinois, use lethal injections as a method of execution. This Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the first execution by lethal injection.

Oklahoma became the first state to adopt lethal injection as a means of execution in 1977. However, this method of execution wasn't used in the U.S. until five years later, and it wasn't in Oklahoma.

In 1982, Charles Brooks Jr. was convicted of murdering an auto mechanic.

His sentence: death. On December 7, 1982 at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, forty-year-old Brooks became the first person executed by lethal injection.

Twenty-one years ago. Brooks was killed after being injected with sodium pentathol.

Today, however, common procedure for lethal injection includes the successive injection of three separate drugs into the convict's bloodstream.

Sodium thiopental is injected first, making the victim unconscious. Then, pancuronium bromide, a muscle relaxant, is injected. It stops the prisoner's breathing by paralyzing the lungs and diaphragm. The

final drug, potassium chloride, ensures the convict's death by causing him or her to go into cardiac arrest.

Prior to lethal injection, the standard methods of execution were hanging, electrocution or death by gas. The national leader in executions, Texas, adopted the method of legal injection as a more humane procedure.

Only ten years after the first lethal injection, another 32 states, as well as the U.S. military and federal government, adopted the more "humane" method.

Today, lethal injection is the most popular form of capital punishment. Current statistics show that "97 percent (155/160) of executions since 2000 were performed by lethal injection."

The adoption and popularity of execution by lethal injection grew out of the idea that the method is more humane, in other words, less painful for the prisoner. But the "painlessness" of this procedure has become controversial.

Although many doctors aren't aware of it, medical ethics prevent them from participating in executions and the American Medical Association condemns their participation. Many doctors, however.

continue to participate despite the rules of medical ethics.

Since doctors are not allowed to participate in executions, the injections are performed by "trained" yet inexperienced medical technicians. Injections often become complicated due to the fact that "people on death row are prone to poor vascular access because of scarring from intravenous drug use, severe obesity, or poor general health."

Lacking the experience needed, a technician may have trouble finding the vein or not know how to act if the needle becomes clogged. If the needle does become clogged, or if it is accidentally inserted into a muscle, the prisoner can experience extreme pain.

Another argument against the "painlessness" of lethal injection is that the first drug, the anesthetic, may wear off while the second drug, the muscle relaxant, continues to paralyze the prisoner. A fully conscious prisoner is then s l o w l ^ ^ ^ suffocated, as they suffer perhaps the m o J ^ ^ agonizing death.

No matter what viewpoint is taken on the death penalty, on December 7,1982, capital punishment changed forever.

SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5, 2003ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 7

A voice that carries

by Tom Belliiia What would you do if you arrived home from a long day at work, and as you checked your answering machine, there was a message from your mother that went like this: "[beep]... are you gay?...[click|'" This experience happened to Margaret Cho, who turns 35 today, December 5.

Rarely in the world of entertainment can a comedian be so well known by just one line of their routines. "'Hi my name is Gwen..." and "Who's your daddy?" are just a few of Cho's original phrases.

Margaret Cho was born on December 5, 1968 in San Francisco. Her life was anything but ordinary. "It was different than any other place on earth," she says. "I grew up and went to grammar school on Haight Street iduring the 70's. There were old lippies, ex-druggies, burnouts from the 60"s. drag queens and Chinese people."

To say the least, Cho didn't exactly come from a community like Park Ridge. San Francisco's diversity taught her to accept all types of people and it also showed her of people's ignorance to minorities' plight. She wanted to make a difference and show the world that an Asian-American girl could in fact be a celebrity.

Cho began her stand-up career at the young age of sixteen at "The Rose & Thistle," a comedy club above the bookstore that her parents owned. Her career moved quickly when she won a contest where the first place prize was the chance to open for Jerry Seinfield.

She then soon moved to Los Angeles to move into a house with several other budding young comedians. She moved out, however, because, "I wasn't the most famous [one there]. If the Manson family had come. I wouldn't have been Sharon kTate; I would have been one of the 'supporting victims, and who wants that?"

1994 was a year of whirlwind success for Cho. She was the most booked act on the college market, appeared on Arsenio

Hall's show, was promoted by Bob Hope and won the 1994 "Female Comedian ofthe Year" award. Almost overnight Cho had become a household name.

Her next major move was onto the small screen with the premiere of All American Girl, a sitcom, starring Cho, about an AsianAmerican family. It was well received among audiences, but the show was

cancelled due to disputes between the network and Cho. This may have been the start of Cho's existence as an activist.

The network thought Cho was too fat to be on prime-time television, whereas Cho herself and any doctor knew that she was a perfect weight and didn't need to work out six days a week and starve herself as the network demanded. They also said she "wasn't Asian enough." Then, when more Asian things were added to the show, ABC complained that the show was "too ethnic" and watered it down.

After all was said and done, Cho knew that working with the network media industry wasn't for her. They wanted her to be something she was not. Ironically, it was Cho's sexuality that would be even more controversial.

In later years Margaret Cho revealed that she was bisexual and became an avid activist for gay and lesbian rights. Her kneeslapping comedies, I'm The One That I Want, Notorious C.H.O, and Revolution,

contain references to the ridiculousness of America's bigotry and close-mindedness when it comes to gay and lesbian issues.

Cho has been endorsed by nearly every major GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) organization in existence and also by several women's and AsianAmerican organizations. She also offers a glimmer of hope to teens and older homosexuals by showing them that one person can make a difference. All of this, interestingly, came exactly 25 years after the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first well known gay politician. Ever since this hate crime that shattered hopes for millions of gay Americans, few celebrities have fought so fervently for GLBT rights. This lack of predecessors didn't stop Cho from doing what she believed was right.

Cyndi Torres, a freshman at DePaul University and an avid Cho fan, said of Cho, "I think she's really helped the gay community by putting a smile on our faces and showing the world that we are indeed normal people - normal people who like to laugh and have a good time."

Undoubtedly, thousands of people have listened to and enjoyed the poignant and hilarious comedy of Margaret Cho. She's changed some minds, turned some heads and brightened some days.

The best person to describe her accomplishments is Cho herself. She says, "I didn't try to be a role model. I just speak my truth. I guess speaking from your heart really creates a huge impact, and if I can encourage people to do that, then I would love to be a role model. If I could encourage people to use their voices loudly, then that's my reward."

Cho teaches her fans to use their voices to express themselves. Magaret Cho is a comedian who never compromises her views and stays true to who she is, and this independent spirit is part ofthe message that she tries to spread to everyone.

10

SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5, 2003ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 7

An outstanding seasoif

by Emma Sarran

After several early morning practices, an even better fourth in the 100 freestyle.

Freshman Colleen Muszynski also had a trying times, victorious meets, hairy legs, Zillmer narrowly missed advancing to the very impressive showing, placing fourth in pasta parties, and many other the lOObreaststroke. Although fun and memorable times, the this finish was also just short 2003 Maine South girls' varsity of advancing Muszynski to the swim season has come to a state cut, it allowed her to beat close. her previous best time by a The team traveled to whole two seconds.

Glenbrook North on Saturday, Many other swimmers also November 15 for the IHSA achieved personal best records, Sectional and put up an making the meet overall very incredible fight while there, successful for the entire team. missing advancing some While the girls are saddened members of the team to the state that their season has come to a competition by merely fractions close, they will never forget all of a second. of the fun times, all of the While competing in the memories, and all of the exceptionally competitive accomplishments they made fiawk swimmers race to ihc linish hne. sectional, the girls' overall photo by Kathleen Pinter this year. score was not extremely high.

It has been an amazing However, the team still had jouney and an outstandinj many impressive individual showings, state competition, but achieved her personal season for the 2003 Maine South girls namely in three specific events. bests in both races. While being only a varsity swim team. With many returning Sophomore Lauren Zillmer placed an sophomore, the future looks very bright and members, it is clear that next year is going outstanding tenth in the 50 freestyle and promising for this young star. to be even better.

%J^) ^^â&#x20AC;˘^"i.;>

Boys'Basketball

Havs^k 12/5

12/6

vs. Maine East

Girls' Basketball

\

Highlights 12/8

12/9

12/10

@GBN @ Galesburg

vs. GBS

Boys' Indoor Track Girls' Indoor Track

Boys' Swimming

vs. St. Patrick @ Rolling Meadows

Girls' Gymnastics Wrestling

vs. Leyden West

@ Maine West

i

vs. Lk. Zurich /St. Pat/St. Rita J

n

SOUTHWORDS'DECEMBER 5, 2003ÂŤVOL. 40, NO. 6

lying downstate

by Greg Mitchell Coming into the semi-final game in Park Ridge on November 22nd the Lake Park Lancers had beaten a higher seeded team in all of their playoff games. Three straight times they had come in underdogs and upset the favorite in a wild game. Daily Herald sports writer David Oberhelman began to call them the "comeback kids." However, on Saturday the Maine South aerial attack, powered by Sean Price and Alberto DeCicco, was too much for the Lancers to handle. On the first offensive play the Hawks fumbled, leaving the door open to a Lake Park score. However, the Hawk defense held and did not allow the Lancers any points on that possesion. With 4:43 left in the first quarter Maine South drew first blood on a 33 yard touchdown pass from Price to DeCicco. Tyler Knight's kick made it 7-0. Lake Park made it interesting on their next possession with a dazzling hook and tter pass from Brad Wilk which ended up iih Ryan Cibulka sprinting 74 yards for the score. The extra point was missed making the score 7-6. Price hooked up again with DeCicco with a 28 yard touchdown pass on the Hawk's next possession.

Knight's kick made it 14-6 with 2:30 left in the first quarter Lake Park wouldn't be shown up as Cibulka caught a 38 yard touchdown pass from Wilk only a minute later. The two connected again on a successful two point conversation that tied the score at 14.

The Hawks would score what proved to be the game winner with 8:38 left in the second quarter. On fourth and five at the Lake Park seven yard line Maine South sent out the field goal unit. Wilson Field was silent as 6,000 people looked on wondering whether the Hawks would fake it. The ball was snapped to Price who stood up and flipped the ball to Knight who was running all by himself on the right side. Knight dashed 8 yards and dived into the endzone between two Lake Park defenders, the first ^f what looks to be many Knight buchdowns at Wilson Field. The Hawks would score 5 more touchdowns and add a field goal during the rest of the game. Lake Park could only muster 16 more points against a stingy Maine South defense. A

defense which intercepted five balls and sacked Wilk five times. This put the final score at 56-30, another Maine South blowout victory.

Sean Price was 35 of 46 on the day for 462 yards and six touchdowns, which puts him only 193 yards away from the singleseason record for passing yards in a season.

Speaking of records, Alberto DeCicco set an IHS A playoff record with 17 receptions for 181 and three touchdowns. Receivers Mike Labus and Derek Walsh also posted impressive stat lines with Labus going 899-2 and Walsh 8-97-1. Labus was also stellar defensively, recording five tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. Lewis Borsellino and Steve Truly each had seven tackles to lead the Hawks and Don Durbin sacked Wilk twice. The defense limited Lake Park star running back Kwame Agyeman to only 46 yards on seven carries and allowed only 67 yards to the entire Lancer rushing attack.

This win advances the Hawks (13-0) to the 8A championship game on November 29th at Memorial Stadium in Champaigne, Illinois. They play defending state champion Lockport(ll-2) which lost two games early in the season but has been rolling ever since. This game will feature two of the state's best junior quarterbacks.

Price and Lockport's Jake Christensen.

South Stats

The number of juniors the Sun-Times has named player of the year in the award's 53 year history. The two players are Dick Butkus and Sean Price,

The place the girl's volleyball team fmished at the state tournament.

32 The average point spread of Maine South football playoff wins.

The "Black Hole" sucks in New Trier photo by Kiley Borowski

S)iT]mi)iii)S

2003 SPORTS Boys' Basketball • Girls' Basketball • Indoor Track • Boys' Swimming • Girls' Gymnastics • Wrestling

Thank you, fans

by Adrianna Stasiuk The Maine South varsity girls" volleyball team would like to thank all of their loyal Maine South fans for the support they showed throughout the sea.son. You have followed the team through good and bad.

Yes. there was talent, and yes. the fans saw the fire in the team's eyes. They saw the potential on the court that could be molded into something great, and something great came.

The Maine South girls rode on to become conference champions, and finished very respectably at many prestigious tournaments. In asking random students in the hallways, who wish to remain anonymous, about girls volleyball, the questions in late August began. "We have a girls' volleyball team here at Maine South?"

Then in September. "Are they any good?"

And finally in November the question was.

"Can they make it downstate?"

And to answer all those questions, yes. there is a girls' volleyball team at school, and yes, they are very good, and yes. they did make uit aownstaie. downstate. How do la maKe HOW did aia they tney ao downstate you ask?

Well if you somehow Dwnstate you ask? Well if you somehow seemed "thing" that the ;emed to to zone zone out out at at that that ""thing" that the

whole student body attended on Friday.

November 14. in that "big gym"' with loud music and pretty colors, the team placed .^rd downstate.

The State Tournament was a fun one, as the Hawks beat New Trier for a third time, then lost to eventual state champs Joliet Catholic, and finally beat Belleville Althoff, ranked 14th in the nation, for the 3rd place trophy.

During the long lay over between the second and third matches on Saturday.

Rcdbird Arena Security reported suspicious behavior in the nosebleed section and called for backup, as some hobos, who later tu out to be dedicated Maine South f mistook the sticky floors for beds. The fans were kicked out, and forced to pay another admission fee. Sorry guys. After the trophy had been awarded to Maine South, junior setter Siobhan Mischke purposely broke the hand off of the girl figure on the trophy apparently to "take a piece of the victory home" with her. Despite the trophy conflict, everyone came home elated after the tournament, pina Heiderman and Britt Zwolfer go up tournament, as as the tne Hawks Hawks ended endea on on aa great great win.

For a block. win. Thanks Thanks for for the the school's school"s great great support support I photo by Kiley Borowsk. and display of Hawk Pride.

m

777/5 g/r/s team is up and running b\ Waller

by Katie Waller The echoes of basketballs dribbling are being heard throughout the gyms in Maine South again as this years girls' varsity basketball season is underway. The girls had a different start than they were used to while many of the teams' players were going through volleyball playoffs. This did not discourage the girls one bit as they continued on with a strong seven, and waited for the arrival of the rest of their team. "I kept looking around wondering why the gym felt so empty, and then I remembered that the rest of the girls were

still in season. The seven of us decided to start building a strong foundation for this season. We knew the rest of the girls would jump on the bandwagon right away, so we didn't waste any time." stated senior Claire Forde. The Hawks have been working hard now since November 3, practicing from after school until the dark of night, and even occasionally calling up RE. teachers Ms. Markus. and Mrs. Roddick-Small to help in scrimmages. This hard work has been paying off. as the girls went right into the season, winning their home opener against Rolling Meadows with a final score of 75-

37. The Hawks also looked strong in the Buffalo Grove Thanksgiving Tournament defeating Barrington, and losing by only two to New Trier. After the season opener, senior center Lauren Shesek was heard saying, "We are off to a great start, and looking forward to a wonderful season. We know there is still work and improving to be done, but I think we are going to surprise a lot of t e ^ ^ ^ this year with our desire and will." Witmr full thirteen girls and a long season ahead of them, the 2003-2004 Maine South girls' varsity basketball team is up and running and ready to take on any opponent.