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JANUARY 30, 2004

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VOL. 40, NO. 9

Chess Team second in nation

On December 12-14, senior members oj the Maine South Chess Team placed second m the K-12 National Championships. Top: Rob Riddle. .Mark Rokita. Rohhx Rasmussen Rottom: Ed Mueller John Pii>rt>tihk}. and Rill Rielski.

In This Issue:

NEWS:

Nine-period day

COMMENTARY

Forced altrufem

SPORTS:

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SOXJTHWORDS'JANUARY 30. 2004»VOL. 40, NO. 9 iW.-:!7r«rryMm!'a».yj'~^3*;ig:?a;

Chess team at Nationals^ fcy Dan Widing This is the senior year of half the Maine South High School chess club and team.

Four years ago, a group of freshmen entered the halls and turned the chess team from a speed bump to national contenders. Now, it seems that there may not be a future chess club or team after this victorious season.

After this year the team will be graduating six out ofthe top seven boards.

The coach will be leaving with the seniors.

Maine South hired Mr. Bachler as the chess team's coach and sponsor when the old sponsor, one who had worked with the chess team for ten years, had to quit. Since then and since some ofthe chess team members were in second grade, Mr. Bachler has continuously sharing his knowlege of the game with the team members. Throughout that time, there have been countless state championships and a few national championships. However, the time commitment needed to coach high school chess intereferes too much with Mr. Bachler's work; thus he must retire from coaching after this year.

Mr. Kevin Bachler, has been prepping this year's team since October. There have

''The chess team definitely has proven itself time and time again to be a champion. " been club practices every Friday after school, and on Sundays there have been team practices at the coach's home.

Additionally there were games played online and smdying. The team work has been increased because of the possibility of State and National competitions.

On December 14th, Maine S^uth chess team seniors won second place at the National K-12 Championships. This, however, was only one ofthe team's many accomplishments. Three years ago, the

current seniors were freshmen and missed first place at state by one match. However, recovering from this set back, the team worked hard and was able to win the next two state championships. Also it has placed in the top ten at Nationals the last two years as well.

Now, the team is on its way towards another State Tournament. They have already won a seat in conference and could end the season with a perfect record in meets. Following conference is the state chess competition. At state, if Maine South wins first, they will be the first team to win three consecutive state chess championships in Illinois history. The last tournament of the year is Nationals in Dallas, Texas, April 16th. This year's team is not the favorite to win, but they are expected to be a competitive threat.

When this year ends, perhaps the t e a i ^ ^ will have one more championship under i ^ ^ B belt and the school will have another trophy.

The chess team definitely has proven itself time and time again to be a champion. Good luck Maine South chess team.

J'ofJay Jn ]-iir:tar}

I

January 30, 1781 - Maryland was the 13th and final state to ratify The Articles of the Confederation.

January 30, 1933 - Adolph Hitler was named German Chancellor.

January 30, 1948 - Hindu extremists in India murdered Muhatma Ghandi.

January 30, 1969 - The Beatles performed their last gig together in a free concert.

January 30, 1956 - Martin Luther King Jr/s house was bombed.

January' 30, 1972 - British soldiers shot at Irish catholics in Londonderry. 13 people were killed and the day became known as "Bloody Sunday."

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SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30, 2004-VOL. 40, NO. 9

â&#x20AC;˘Nine period day delay

by Nicole Calabrese Over the past few weeks, many students have expressed their concerns over the issue of the nine-period school day; some very interesting and humorous rumors surrounding the topic are being brought to attention. The first question many students want to know is: why is the school considering moving to a nine-period day? The reason is that the school is increasing the graduation requirement from 21.25 credits to 23.25 credits.

Students will now take 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science, and 3 years a social science.

IS requirement will be put into effect next year, but will only apply to the incoming freshmen. All current students at Maine South will only have to meet the 21.25 credit requirement. Based on data taken from the graduating class of 2003, 85 percent of the seniors met the new requirements and graduated with 23.25 credits or more anyway.

There were many reasons why the school decided to increase the requirement. One is that most students meet the requirement with the regular standard. Other reasons include that many colleges require 4 years of English and 3 of the other cores and data has shown that kids on the core plan mentioned above receive a higher ACT score on average.

The school realizes that with all these ew class requirements, students may not ve time to take all of the electives they wish to take. The school does not want to take away time from electives. One worry about the new requirement is that many students will not have enough time for the

elective courses in their schedules. One of the benefits of having nine periods is that it would provide students with more opportunities to take full advantage of all

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Another question is: when will the final decision be made? There is no deadline but considering the new graduation requirement will be put into effect next year, a plan of action should be reached by then. The committee has a lot of data to analyze and a lot of factors to consider. There are many options and different steps that could be taken to address this issue and right now the committee is still exploring ideas.

Whatever decision they come to, it will be a data-driven one. Once the committee does decide, they will recommend their plan to our principal. If our principal approves, then he will present it to the superintendent, who will make the final decision. The committee is working hard and will be keeping to the student body updated on their progress.

IMEA returns picture by Joyce-Ann Santos Maine South has to offer. A committee consisting of members from all different departments has been put together to decide what the next step will be.

The next question many students have is: if we do have nine periods, what would the schedule be like? This is a difficult question because there are so many options that the committee is exploring. There is the option of nine 44-minute periods, like they have at Maine East. Another option includes modifications to the current schedule, like having homeroom once every week or for a shortened time each day.

Starting school a little earlier and getting out a little later is another alternative. The committee is taking extracurricular activities into account because of the high involvement of students and if Maine South High School did have nine period days it would not cut into their time.

By Sara IVolski Twelve of Maine South's finest musicians in band, orchestra, and choir will be departing for Peoria, Illinois on January 2 8 - 3 1 for the Illinois, Music Educator's Association's AllState Festival. The festival consists of three and a half days of intense musical rehearsals, teacher workshops and conventions, and a series of guest and student concerts. The festival culminates on Saturday with final concerts from the IMEA All-State and All-State Honors bands, orchestras, and choirs. Maine South students that will be attending the IMEA All-State Festival this year are as follows: Alison Derifield, Sarah Griebler, Emily Hayden, Laura Jacox. Siobhan Lau. Laura Martini, Ismene Potakis, Robert Riddle, Lizzie Upton, Andrew Walter, Andrew Weisheit, and Sara Wolski.

Congratulations to all of these students and good luck downstate!

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SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY .^0. 2004ÂŤVOL.40. NO. 9

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Student Opinion

meeditorsj Aggressive altruisnr

by Monika Bysiecki One of the perks of adulthood is voting. Come next autumn, 1 will be given that opportunity and will take it gladly.

Unfortunately, I will sit mute throughout the democratic primaries, which lie before my 18th birthday. To counter this setback, I decided to choose a future president and campaign for him (or her) to my fullest potential.

Early on, I endorsed a left-winged democrat that strongly believed in the right to choose, intended to modernize health insurance, and condemned a war fought because of misinformation. His platform fell into step with my own beliefs. He was my ideal candidate. Or, at least, his platform was ideal.

During his conciliatory speech after the Iowa Caucus, Howard Dean became the little engine that could, gaining momentum and steam. He rolled up his sleeves and started screaming the names of states he was going to conquer.

Countless political analysts commented, "Could Howard Dean actually beat Bush?" It was solely a rhetorical question followed occasionally by a resonant "no."

Electability was the question on many voters" minds: 48 percent stated they would prefer a candidate who could beat Bush but didn't agree with on the issues, according to a Gallup poll.

My ideological, young heart was crushed at hearing the figure. Why would citizens vote for a Democrat they don't agree with fully?

But, electing a more appealing, centered Democrat in the primaries would mean that, come November, moderate voters wouldn't be trapped choosing between Bush or a liberal extremist.

Accordingly, now I root for the "middle guy," seemingly Kerry. And while I have lost the perfect representative, the liberal Dr. Dean, I now hope for a greater win. a president that promotes middle-of-theroad policies (leaning slightly to the Democratic side) that the majority of Americans accept. I have to concede, that is a soothing thought. It is indirect democracy at its finest.

by Becky Christopher new sort of peer-administered censor-if you It was twelve o'clock on a Saturday, and don't have anything nice to say, we shall I had just finished delivering a speech on simply beat you with planks of wood until the true right of free monarchy for the third you do. consecutive time. Of course, this is by no The good college admissions essay means extraordinary among Saturdays at portrays the author as a lone philanthropist twelve o'clock, because speech-delivering in a world of cynicism, discrimination, and is generally the purpose of a speech meet, republicans. and this is what I do as a speech team But why? Can we pause a moment from member. our acceptance of all people, our celebrations of However, I still consider it a diversity, and our personal goal to appreciation of poor have completed wayfarers to see that we these rounds and are discriminating congratulate rather rudely against myself on the half the world's relative retention populations? of sanity as I walk Pessimists, realists, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ _ _ ^ , ^ ^ and people who did not out of the room receive the requisite and am immediately accosted by one of the other amount of exposure to My Little Ponies as speakers. "I hate Machiavelli," she says, children now find themselves the dregs ^ ^ ^ society. That we so callously look down o^^ by way of introduction.

I had devoted at least a minute to others simply because of their outlook on Machiavelli's 'the ends justify the means' life is truly awful. Instead of trying to crush in my speech, and feel the need to defend the infamous things, beat down dissenters, him from the anonymous vigilante's pent- and forcibly impose happiness, we should up rage. She continues making the bold allow diversity. You cannot make a person assumption that because I can quote him, see the inherent good in all simply by threatening him or her I am the literal embodiment of all his with eternal beliefs. "I can't hold with his philosophy-how can you be so damnation, so why try cynical about people?" to change him?

We are a school "Oh, um. I don't think he was that accepting of many cynical." races and creeds, why "God! That's awful! I don't mean not be accepting of all to ask, 'How do you sleep at night,' interpretations of the or anything, but how do you sleep at state of nature? night?"

Of course, this is not to say that This presents an interesting and entirely unique situation: I have been bullied by a pessimists are completely unaccepted in person whose name I do not know, simply society. They should endeavor to change because I am less of an optimist than she. their method of thought as quickly as Unfortunately, this is an increasingly possible because, once out of the makelove-not-war liberal happyfest of high common scenario.

The optimists of the world have recently school, they will find the real world not as decided that they simply cannot cope with accepting of the perception of upiquitoiM^ the joy of a half-full glass alone, and have corruption. It is common knowledge that z^^ to forcibly impose that joy on the rest of important people-politicians, dentists, lawyers, tycoons-are completely altruistic, the human population.

This wave of thought is evident good-hearted, honest, accepting, and everywhere. Classrooms have imposed a habitually donate all funds to Greenpeace.

*7 have been bullied by a person whose name I do not know simply because I am less of an optimist than she."

SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30, 2004«VOL. 40, NO. 9

Sophomore Opinion

CommentarvS

#^ine period day? Hip hip liurray

by Melissa Hansen As counselors pull in students to decide their classes for next year, the age-old question comes up again: are we mo\ ing to a nine-period da\ ? There are two reactions to this somewhat daunting prospect: either you're ready to ship off to Bermuda in avoidance, or you start doing an impro\ isation of the Macarena in glee. I knov\ plenty of people who are already booking their tickets, but if you caught me in the hallways, you'd see a regretfully-short sophomore in an enthused, John Travolta-esque dance pose.

Why should the students at Maine South support a nine-period day? Isn't this the same kind of schedule that would make students wake up earlier, stay at school later, and cause them to complain mercilessly to their counselors'? If you're going to be negative about it, why then yes it is. But there's always that silver lining if you just bother to look.

How many students feel bogged down lin classes they'll never use but are required to take? After the average student puts in the mandatory English, math, science, and gym classes as well as the recommended social science and foreign language, ones with a lunch period have only one period left in the day. Maine South is full of so many amazing elective opportunities and it's not possible to fit them all in one period.

How can a jjerson specialize or try to test out the non-academic waters when they have such limited time to do it?

With an extra period, students will have the chance to take on that extra foreign language or sing in choir or paint a masterpiece or—yes. this is an option— sleep in a study. Instead ofjust focusing on the required academics, you will have the ability to do something just for yourself The idea is that you can decide on how you want to use this freedom. No longer will you be able to complain that you were forced into being a well-rounded automaton.

You will be given the chance to take the classes you want whether for fun or to pursue v\ hat you want to do later in your life. Or, for those of you who'd rather get an extra hour of sleep each night, you can do \()Lir homework, however devoid of wasting time it may seem.

The possibilities are limitless. You can either take advantage of them or let them waste away, but either way. the nine-period day gives you tirmer control on your destiny at Maine South.

For those triple-flap people, the nineperiod day will not affect them in the slightest. And we would all wake up a little earlier. True, we'll spend more time at school. But looking at what you can gain as an individual, it seem an even trade.

Anyone up for the electric slide?

How we measure

by Greg Domashovetz The general consensus is that there's only one way to be the best. Take sports for instance. Everybody measures themselves in comparison to the team captain, the local boy-wonder, the celebrity pro player.

But what about those of us who compete in some way outside of mainstream society?

We all know that a tennis player spends hours upon hours training and perfecting his or her skills, but other competitors put just as much time, devotion, and energy into his or her own venues. Someone competing to know the most trivia; someone giving up ^^c ^ours of their life every day to make their iniature armies painted wonders to • behold; someone who sits in front of their computer to become the best at obliterating the virtual competition. Each one measures themselves in relation to another that they

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It'd be good for sure, because then I'd have a lunch.

Audrey Russel, '05

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It would mean less time for homework because sports would start later in the day.

Alex Friel, '07

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perceive as better. So why is it that these people don't get any respect? As one of them myself, I'd like to see a football jock try to perform with the same amount of skill that we can. They aren't as likely to memorize an almanac, aren't as adept with a paintbrush, and aren't as able to slay their virtual foes as well as we can.

I don't pretend that that my "sport" is better or more noble than physical sports. I just state that it is different yet requires an equal amount of skill. I don't ask that folks televise or make heroes of my counterparts and me; I just request that I don't feel obligated to mumble or blush when I mention my "profession." I merely hope that one day, football, soccer, and anything else will be willing to share a comer of the sports page with trivia, painting, and video games and respect our success as well.

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IDX) It would be better because

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I could get another elective in.

Katie Katz, '06

u It would be bad. I'm already too tired at the end of the day.

Tommy Byots, '07

6 Student Opinion

SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30, 2(X)4ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 9

Robbing more than just the musicians*

by Robert Shaul Music is an every day part of our society.

There is no debate about that. Some people wake up to music; others sing in the shower.

Most listen to it on their way to work or school; almost all use it to relax themselves after a stressful day.

The debate, however, is about those same people pirating music off of the Internet, actions that not only rip off material owned by another, but also help to steal money from those people behind the scenes in the making of a CD. Arguers for the illegal act of pirating music say that Napster is acceptable because the entertainment industry makes too much money as it is.

The computer industry also produces huge profits.

It is much easier to see why someone who manufactures computers would be upset at their products being stolen.

However, since the entertainment industry produces ideas, not tangible merchandise, their product being stolen isn't considered a crime by most.

Our society is hypocritical. A computer thief is a thief, yet a music thief is an activist who quickly and publicly turns into a hero.

All too often, people will make excuses for why they do illegal or unethical activities.

This is no exception.

Musicians make money. In fact, they make lots of it.

However, how does their wealth make them less deserving of compensation for their music?

Musicians have an uncanny ability to take their views and turn them into something that is universally understood.

These artists make large amounts of money directly because of this ability.

If you had their talent, you would be making that money as well. Barry Bonds once told reporters that the reason he was making so much money was because he could hit the ball out of the park, and if anyone could do it like he could, they would make his kind of money, too.

The money musicians make comes in waves, as their income depends upon the amount of time it takes to produce a CD. It could take them a year to create a CD because of time touring or doing other promotions. That is where they get their wealth from: the public buying their CDs, buying their concert tickets, or through other promotions. They do not have a salary and have to create their own earnings by promoting a attractive product.

Since Napster was born, the music industry has lost money. The music industry includes not only the artists, but also those behind the scenes that make the CD possible. It is not only the artists that rely^ on these sales to earn a living.

The industry has cracked down on the"" pirating of music by suing those who have downloaded vast amounts of music. CD sales have gone up in the process. This is by no means a coincidence.

Student Review-

Flat Top Grill gets four stars

by Tom Bellino Back in September, I was talking with my friend Sean about what we should do that weekend. He asked me, "Do you like Stir Crazy?" And I quickly answered, "Yes," it being one of my favorite restaurants. He responded with, "Hmm, I think I know of a place we should go to.

It's called Flat Top in Oak Park. You'll like it, trust me."

As I drove down Lake Street in Oak Park, I was amazed by the bustling and vibrant nature of the sidewalks. Bright, yet tasteful lights shone through the summer trees, and the smell of exotic Asian sauces permeated the walls of Flat Top Grill, located at 726 Lake Street in Oak Park.

Though parking was not exactly ample, due to Flat Top's easterly location in downtown Oak Park, it was only a short

walk from my parking spot on a side street to the Grill.

Soon after entering, I was handed a piece of balsa wood, and instructed to write my name on it. I promptly wrote a name and was then instructed to grab a bowl and make my way through the "Stir Fry Adventure."

According to Flat Top, the Adventure has nine steps.

Essentially, you are supposed to: 1. Grab a bowl; 2. Choose from specialty rice or noodles; 3. Pile on the fresh vegetables; 4. Ladle on one or more of their homemade sauces: 5. Select from quality meats, seafood, or heartier vegetables; 6. Add any of their zesty spices; 7. Pick out an option stick to let them know

how you would like your stir fry prepared; 8. Relax while your food is cooked; 9. Enjoy and repeat the entire process at no additional charge.

I loved the concept of doing part of my own cooking. I was able to completely customize my meal according to my preferences, yet I did not have to touch a single spatula.

Another great aspect of Flat Top Restaurants is that they are located in beautiful, trendy, and diverse neighborhoods. Therg are locations in Lakeview (Chicago), Olc Town (Chicago), near University Village (Chicago), Evanston, and Oak Park. There are also locations in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Arlington, Virginia.

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SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30, 2004ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 9

A noble

by John Gonzalez Imagine a man being killed for trying to make the world better. During his life he had only tried to achieve world peace and justice, then was murdered by a radical.

This is the story of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a man who stood up to the British government and the world in order to prove what he believed. Today marks the 55th anniversary of the murder of this political and religious figure.

Gandhi was born in 1869, the grandson of an Indian official. He was brought up in a religious environment, and his family valued the concept of meeting one's goals without resorting to violence. He was the youngest of six children, and he began attending to high school in 1881. Two years later, at the age of thirteen, he was married to his wife Kasturba. Mohandas Gandhi was rebellious, trying foods that Hinduism forbids, but he was also an excellent student. Gandhi traveled to England to study law in 1888, the same year his father died, and he proved to be gifted in this area as well.

While in England, Gandhi became a barrister for the Inner Temple, which is similar to a Christian minister. When he returned to India and searched for regular legal work, he was unable to find employment. The only job he was offered was a government position in the area of Natal in South Africa; however, he was met with extreme prejudice there. He, along with all other Indian laborers, was segregated and restricted by law. Gandhi worked hard for the South African government until he was fed up with the injustice he faced. Gandhi began to take up discrimination cases from Asian laborers to try to gain equal rights for them and all other pieople of color in South Africa. Later, in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 and in the Zulu uprising of 1906, Gandhi provided first aid to injured soldiers on the battlefields. Even after these conflicts were over, Mohandas Gandhi continued to assist South African minorities. He organized and participated in many marches and protests, including the momentous Long March in October 1913. In 1914, Gandhi won a

martyr

major victory for South African minorities and returned to India.

As soon as he was back in India, Gandhi realized that the same bigotry was plaguing India. He believed India should become independent of the British Empire. He decided to combat this injustice with nonviolent protests and a civil disobedience movement. On March 30th, 1930, Gandhi started the 241-mile-long Dandi March, in which he walked from Ahmedabad to Dandi, gathering followers to his movement along the way. Immediately after reaching Dandi on April 5th, Gandhi spurred a boycott of salt sold by the British. In August 1931, after this boycott, the King of Britain invited Gandhi to London to discuss Indian independence at the Round Table Conference. Unfortunately, the meeting was unsuccessful.

In October of 1940, Gandhi launched the Individual Civil Disobedience campaign, which emphasized the importance of the individual contributing to the protest in unique ways, and thereby strengthening it.

During this campaign, the British government imprisoned 23,000 people. In 1942, Gandhi told the people of India that in order to succeed they would have to sacrifice, even sacrificing their lives if necessary. Gandhi, who by this time was being referred to as Mahatma, or 'great soul' by his followers, was imprisoned for this deliberate disobedience of British control.

While he was incarcerated, his wife, Kasturba, took ill. She died on February 22nd, 1944.

Despite this personal loss, Gandhi's political and humanitarian efforts were paying off A diplomat was sent to India to oversee the negotiation of independence.

On August 15, 1947, India finally became its own nation. Many people were upset at Gandhi's attempts to remove India from foreign influence. However, the most divisive issue was in the population of the young country itself. Gandhi"s support for a reconciliation of Hindus and Mushms, and his disappointment about the separation of India and Pakistan into separate nations made many Hindus feel betrayed, even

though Gandhi had never been anything but devoutly Hindu, one of these was Nathuram V. Godse. On January 30th, 1948, while Gandhi was walking to a prayer meeting in Delhi, Godse ran in front of him and rapidly fired three bullets into the 79 year-old's chest. Godse was soon caught, but remained exultant at the assassination and unrepentant for the rest of his life. But, at that moment, Gandhi collapsed, sputtered his final words through the surge of blood that was bubbling up his airway and over his tongue with every ragged, fading breath, and died. The great man lay dead on the ground.

If anything can be learned from the life of the fatherofIndia.it is this: violence will not bring about change that will be for the good of mankind. The way to win a battle is not to fight, but to learn.

SoniJTHXVORDS

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A student-produced newspaper of

Maine South High School i 111 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. SOUTHWORDS reserves the right to edit inatenal for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions; Editors-in-Chief

Monika Bysiecki Kristi Katz News Editors Cariy 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 Johnson Kiley Borowski Core Photographers Kathleen Pinter I Joyce Ann Santos Core Staff Artist T.R. Kerth Advisor

8 Features

SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30, 2004ÂťVOL. 40, NO. 9

Silent epidemic: self Important Facts About Self-Injury: -behavior patterns producing physical injury to the person on the body, regardless of apparent or putative intent -women are responsible for 60% of all cases of self injury -most cutters are in their teens or early twenties -about 10 percent of treatments in medical wards are for self-inflicted wounds -frequency of self-injury is higher in females, but severity is much higher in males -the stereotypical "cutter" is a young, single woman -self-injury brings out many uncomfortable feelings in people who don't do it, such as anger, fear, and distaste

by Christie Telkamp As you walk down the halls of your school there are all different types of people.

They all have their own lives, own friends, own family and own problems.

One would be surprised who lives with it. It is not a physical disease; you can't see it. No one else experiences the exact same feelings or symptoms. It has many different names, among them, self-injury and cutting.

Self-injury is not talked about and some people haven't heard of it or don't even know what it is. Generally speaking, selfinjury is, according to Focus Adolescent Services, the act of attempting to alter a mood state by inflicting physical harm serious enough to cause tissue damage to one's body.

How could these teens choose to inflict pain on themselves?

The entire concept of cutting can be very hard to understand for people who do not do it. According to an article in The O b s e r v e r newspaper in May 2002, many people brush it off as stupid, ignorant, and even pathetic.

However, the people who cut aren't any of those aforementioned things.

Many people who self injure or take part in selfdestructive behavior (i.e. eating disorders etc.) are the people one would never expect.

They suffer in silence.

Many teens "go to great lengths to hide their scars or wounds. Many consider selfharm to be a deeply shameful secret and dread the consequence of discovery... In fact, the incidence of self-injury is about the same as that of eating disorders. However,

because it is so highly stigmatized, most people hide their scars carefully."

Why would anyone ever purposely inflict pain on him or herself? According to People Who Self-Harm, inflicting pain on ones self can help escape from feelings of emptiness, depression, and unreality. When intense feelings build, become overwhelming and the injurer is unable to cope, it can ease tension and provide relief.

By causing pain, they reduce the level of emotional distress to a bearable one.

Some try to escape feelings of numbness; many people say that they do it in order to free something or to feel as if they are still alive. Isaac Meals, a teen who has traveled the road of self-injury, said, "You don't cut to die, you cut to ease the pain that your life is bringing you."

Many people who cut or selfinjure say that they deal with feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred.

Ninety percent of self-injurers say that they were or are discouraged from expressing emotions at home, and one-half of cutters have reported either sexual or physical abuse in their past.

Although abuse is common among selfinjurers, just because someone hurts themselves does not mean that they were abused. It may very well be that they were taught as children that certain feelings are not allowed or were punished for expressing certain feelings. These invalidations can lead to one feeling like he or she never mattered, which in turn could be a cause of self-injury.

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SOUTHWORDS«JANUARY 30, 2004«VOL. 40, NO. 9

-injury and cutting Many cutters use it as a way to deal with epidemic is not just a secluded problem; it everyday life; they use it as a coping is happening everywhere nationwide. Even mechanism to deal with feelings that no one a number or celebrities have made a public wants to deal with. If you take a step back admittance to self-injury, among them: and look at it, self-injury is not much Johnny Depp. Angelina Jolie, Christina Ricci, Courtney different from Love, Shirley the other ways Manson, Fiona that people have Apple, Marilyn learned to deal M a n s o n , with problems Elizabeth such as drinking, Wurtzel and drug abuse, over Princess Diana. eating, anorexia, "They (selfwork, or injurers) are not smoking. Selfstupid or mad, injury is just not but maybe they as understood or are trying to tell accepted for us something whatever reason about their inner by society today. lives and can't Self-injury is No one can pick a "cutter" out of a crowd. find the words. (surprisingly Self-injury is a private disease th .t has no So they do things common among visible signs. photo by Kiley Borowski to themselves teenagers and is that say, 'Look, growing more look how I hurt,' and we should look." Selfand more common among people, mostly injurers are not any different than the girls, between the ages of 13-15 years old. average person.

They, for whatever reason, Many experts say that adolescents are do not know how to deal with events or especially vulnerable to self-harm because feelings in their life.

The first step to it is such a critical period in their lives changing behavior is to understand it and dealing with emotions. Teens are tormented by feelings of self-loathing, loneliness, once one knows where the problem comes confusion and alienation. These feelings from it can be fixed. If you or anyone you seem to be completely normal to some but know is injuring themselves please tell may be too hard to handle for others. This someone. They can help.

Where to go for help: -Talk to a counselor -Hotline: 1-800-DON'T-CUT -Focus Adolescent Services: www.focusas.com or 1-877-362-8727 -Girls and Boys Town National Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

Causes: •Lack of nurture as a child •Physical abuse •Sexual abuse •Chaotic family conditions •Adolescence •Low self esteenn •Traumatic life experiences •Feeling numb •Self-hate •Feeling out of control •Feeling empty •Feeling worthless •Borderline personality disorder •Depression •Bipolar disorder •Schizophrenia •Hypomania •Reduced levels of serotonin in the brain •Invalidation

lOSports

SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30,2004'VOL. 40, N0.9

About to explode

by Katie Waller h\ Katie Waller The halls and gyms of Maine South High School have been buzzing a bit louder lately, and it's not just students discussing the upcoming Girls' Choice Dance and Valentine's Day. Instead, the twelve members of the 2003-2004 varsity girls' basketball team have been preparing for their games.

"I heard what I thought was this chanting, so I turned, and it was just Nicole [Cummings] talking through and visualizing what she needed to do for her game that night," stated one student when questioned about all of this. "It was weird, it was like she was in a zone."

The girls have recently been using this visualization technique to enhance their successes by picturing themselves right there in the moment..

"Basketball is a very mental game. It's not all about someone's physical skills; you've got to stay both physically and mentally tough," junior guard Danielle Jenero commented on the team's strategies.

Some other team strategies have included tough two-hour practices after school, film watching, and specialized passing and shooting drills.

It seems the varsity basketball team just can't spend enough time together because they were even seen one night spending almost four hours at a pasta party held at Patti Ristau's house. "It was fun! We played pool, foosball, and Guesstures, but after awhile, 1 just wanted to go out with my own friends. Don't tell the girls, but after spending two hours with them at practice and then three hours at my house, I just wanted to kick them out." commented Ristau on the night. "Kick them out" is just what she did, but the straggling girls still at the pasta party took it lightly, knowing that there would be more fun-filled pasta parties to come before the season comes winds to a close.

These new implemented strategies have helped the girls capture the consolation championship title in the Chicago Holiday Bison Classic tournament. Although all of

HBXA/k Boys' Basketball Boys' Swimming

Boys' Wrestling

Girls'Basketball

Girls' Gymnastics

Girls' Indoor Track

Boys' Indoor Track

1/30 1/31 Niles West 7:30 p.m. feGlenbrook South @Conant INV 1 p.m.

5 p.m.

CSL Conf.

CSL Conf.

Tournament Tournament @ Niles West 7:30 p.m.

@ Sweet 16 6:30 p.m.

K their games have not ended in sweet victory, these young ladies have proven their talent while battling head to head with top-ranked teams such as New Trier, Glenbrook South, and Evanston. With these well-respected teams in the Central Suburban League conference, the stars of the 2003-2004 girls" varsity basketball team have not received much of a break from competition. The Hawks thrive on this competition, and know that it only makes them stronger.

While this would discourage some, the girls have kept their heads high and have continued to work hard. Junior post Meghan Polston was quoted on this topic by saying, "As a team, we are so close to just exploding. It's a little frustrating, because we know we are good and want to come out on top. But we know everything will fall into place if we just keep playing our game.'

As of now, the girls' basketball team is' preparing to face conference opponent Waukegan on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Spec Gym. Come out and cheer these girls on to success.

Highlights 2/2

2/3

Prospect 7:30 p.m.

ŠElgin 7:15 p.m,

2/4

11

SOUTHWORDS'JANUARY 30,2004ÂťVOL. 40. NO. 9

â&#x20AC;˘Girls' gymnastics

by Kira Fedyniak & Jessica Burnight "T-Unit!" Annie Walsh screams across the gym. That's right, that is no mistake.

New head coach Tessa Robinson constantly hears this nickname echoing throughout the fieldhouse as the girls ask for help with their gravity-defying stunts.

Starting off the year with a new head coach, the girls' 2003-2004 gymnastics team has still managed to have an impressive season.

Varsity finished with a 1-3 record in the conference while the JV girls finished with

1

1

Place the girls' gymnastics team finished at the Maine East Beach Meet Invitational.

a 0-4 record. The promising new freshmen did well, and hope to be even better next year.

The varsity team has accomplished a lot, including a first-place finish at the Maine East Beach Meet Invitational. Other outstanding victories include Senior Kira Fedyniak's first-place all around finish at the Maine West Invitational and freshman Danielle Tourtillott's third-place finish on floor at the Star is Born Inivitational. At the Niles North Invite, Fedyniak placed

South Stats 1:04.62 Personal best time of Chris DiFranco in the 100-yard backstroke.

second all around while Tourtillott placed tenth on the balance beam.

With the season coming to a close, the team has their sights set on next year's team.

Although seniors Jenny Sanders. Jessie Burnight. and Kira Fedyniak will be missed, other varsity memebers such as Ashley McClelland, Danielle Tourtillott, Andrea Frankos, Carolyn Olson, and Kristin Anderson are sure to keep the team going strong, under the supervision of the new "TUnit."

5 N' HTiber of straight CSL-conference titles for Maine South wrestling.

Totally cooked in two hours

by Greg Mitchell & Katie Waller When asked what wrestling practices are like for the 2003-2004 boys' varsity wrestling team. Coach Fallico said. "Some people question how hard you can really practice for a meet that takes about six minutes for each wrestler, but we have to practice hard every day because wrestling is like playing volleyball or basketball with someone your own weight on your back trying to defeat you. Just imagine how hard that would be. We practice after school for a solid two hours, and the guys are totally cooked in those two hours."

The boys' wrestling team's hard work is paying off as they have posted a ppectable 14-11 record. Despite having a ilatively inexperienced squad, these guys are still extremely tough and doing quite well. With only five out of the fourteen weight classes having a returning varsity

wrestler, the Hawks were given an obstacle to overcome right at the beginning of the season. However, the boys have triumphed over this inexperience by being really tough and competing extremely hard.

Five of these meets have been very close duals which could have easily put their record at 19-6. so do not be deceived by their record, these Hawks are stars.

Captains Joe Oliver. Anthony Lovero.

Rick Loera, and Nick Fallico have led the team to an impressive 4-0 conference record. The Hawks competed for their fifth straight CSL-South conference title on January 23 against competitive Evanston.

The varsity starters this year that have played key roles in the Hawks' success are Russ Cabral, Andrew Krieger, Kevin McMahon. Nick Lagattuta. Dan Oldzewski.

Josh Caudill. Paul Osterberg, Nick Schitino, Matt Rice, Alex Gersch, Nick Fallico, Jim

Walter, Steve Truty. Rick Loera. Anthony Lovero. Joe Oliver, and Andrew Maratea.

On an individual note, Nick Fallico became the winningest wrestler in Maine South history on Saturday. January 10 by recording his 142nd victory. Expect that number to be much higher by the end of the season.

Along with this great accomplishment, Fallico has also signed with Michigan State for the upcoming year.

Congratulations to Nick and the rest of the 2003-2004 Hawk wrestlers who have shown great strength and stamina this season.

With the season winding down, the guys continue to work hard and strive for excellence. Despite the lack of experience, the Hawks have proven themselves worthy in a competitive sport and conference. The guys now look to take on competetors in the CSL Conference Tournament this Saturday.

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

Growing exponentially

by Jesse Kramer After a lengthy string of practices over Christmas break, the varsity boys swim team is once again on the road to victory.

On Tuesday January 6, the boys toppled a quality St. Viator team by a score of 10576. Such an accomplishment was facilitated by strong swims by Mark Kruk in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 1:58.31, Kyle Thompson in the 100 freestyle with a time of 54.63, and Chris DiFranco in the 100yard backstroke with a personal best time of 1:04.62.

The team was next tested at the Hawk Relays, hosting their own invitational meet.

Due to a disqualification, the team placed a disappointing fifth, but received seven medals, including three on the freshman level. Again, the Hawks swam strong.

advancing by the efforts of strong swims by some of its individual members: freshman.

Rick Macino, and senior captain, Mark Kruk.

Last Friday, Maine South swam against state powerhouse, Evanston, and, once again, tasted disappointment. The Hawks experienced a crushing defeat to the Wildkits to 133-51.

Even in such a bleak meet, some bright points remained. Freshman Mark Szpak and Junior Kyle Thomson each finished first in their events, the 200 and 100-yard freestyle, with times of 1 ;59.55 and 53.47 resjjectively.

Both were personal bests.

Moreover, the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Mark Kruk, Mark Szpak, Kyle Thomson, and Jesse Kramer finished second

with a season best time. Other notable swims came from Eric Libner in the 100yard butterfly, Kevin Kane in the 500-yard freestyle, Frank Macino in the 50-yard freestyle, and Robert Riddle in the 50-yard butterfly.

On the junior varsity level, the team has received the same degree of successes. This sentiment is best summarized by varsity coach Chris Deger when he said, "These kids grow exponentially better with each passing day." At the Leyden Freshman Invitational, the team placed fifth due to the absence of a few key members. Despite such setbacks, junior varsity coach Da )oir Kura looks to the future, knowing his te will be ready for an impressive conferenJ meet.

Confusing their opponents

by Kevin Collins The men's 2003-2004 varsity basketball team has had its ups and downs this season, but everyone who has been watching lately knows that the Hawks are moving in the right direction.

After two solid wins over rivals Notre Dame and Streamwood, the Hawks had a tough loss to the Lake Zurich Bears when Phil Mix's three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out.

Taking that game as motivation, the Hawks went on to face the state-ranked New Trier Trevians. Team members Phil Mix and Rob Paz chose to pump the guys up even more for their game by combining their skills for a little freestyle rap combined with a choreographed dance rhythm. "We were a little disappointed about the game the other night, so it was great to have Paz and Mix be so selfless by giving us that perfomance," stated senior Brian Filippini.

The performance did just that as he Hawks battled point-for-point with the Trevians,

forcing the game to go into overtime. In i c^otrne,

However, luck was not on the Hawks side

that night as a questionable traveling call cost them the hard fought game.

After that tough loss, Mark Duric came up with an idea to confuse the other teams.

"Why don't we all wear masks to the game so Evanston won't recognize us," he said.

The team completely forgot about the idea, and Mark wore his mask all alone.

Evanston thought they could walk all over the Hawks, but that was the complete opposite of what was going to happen. The Hawks once again battled point for point with the highly ranked Wildkits, having a tie with four minutes left. Then the Wildkits went on a run and the Hawks weren't able to come back in time. The leading scorers for the Hawks were Mix and Collins with 11 points each, while Gordon Watt, an : state candidate was held to a season low^ point. The Hawks face another highly ranked team at Prospect this Tuesday, February 3. You can bet they are going to put a show on for the crowd.