Vol 41 issue 9

FEBRUARY

11,2005

1111 S. DEE ROAD • PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS 60068

VoL.41,No.9

The-irfiow m u s t go on

NEWS In Auditorium after This repaired fire.

Issue: p^g^ 2

FEATURES Are Park Ridge police out to get us?

page 6

ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY Litde Shop oi Terrorism: Horrors hollow threat?

page 7

page 10

SPORTS Girl's gymnastics - ^

page 14

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NEWS FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, No. 9

Milestone election brings hope to newly freed Iraq#

by Alex Schallmo "It was a big, climactic moment in history, which this clearly was because it had a lot of dramatic consequences and will be unfolding for many years," said a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Walter Russell Mead, on the historic election in Iraq.

There was no great derailment of the election. Security measures for the vote included an election day ban on most private vehicles and extended hours for nighttime curfew.

Abu Musab Zarqawi and Iraqi insurgents did not perform enough suicide bombings to halt the proceedings. An explosion at the Badr Kobra High School for Girls did not dampen the patriotic fervor of Saif Aldin Jarah who "would have been happy to have died voting."

With all of the security issues still prevalent, voters, according to Hadi Saleh Mohammed, the election official in charge at the school.

"wanted to come back in. They didn't want to go back home."

As national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley said, "It ought to give heart to the American people that the effort we've made to help the Iraqi people get to this day was well worth it—that the Iraqi people have justified the faith we put in them."

The Iraqi election brings with it new hope that the day when the 170,000 U.S. and foreign troops can go home is coming soon. President Bush had publicly declared that the U.S. would support whatever decision the elected Iraqi government wanted with the current occupation. President Ghazi al Yower commented that, "It"s only complete nonsense to ask the troops to leave in this chaos and this vacuum of power."

Foreign troops should leave after Iraq's security forces are built up, the country becomes more secure, and pockets of terrorists are eliminated, according to al-Yower. Defense Minister Hazem Shaab stated on the mindset of the country, "We don't want to have foreign troops in our country, but at the same time we

believe that these forces should stay for some lime until we are able to control the borders and establish a new modern army and we have efficient intelligence."

The new National Assembly of 275 members will now have the challenge of forming a constitution to be presented to the Iraqi people for ratification. A Shiite clericalbacked alliance will win the most seats, but the alliance is not expected to win the twothirds majority needed to name a prime minister without support of other parties. Many Sunni Arabs stayed away from the polls which has raised concern over future alienation among the country's Sunni-Arabs that comprise twenty percent of Iraq's population.

Although they seem to perform a smaller role in government, the country's educational and intellectual roles are much greater.

This election is a milestone for Iraq. But as a former national security council official stated, "A week or so from now, we'll be in a position to determine whether this is a turning point. We have learned from experienc^^hlt we can be mightily disappointed."

It's getting hot in here: fire at Maine South

by Michael Mangialardi Park Ridge-On Monday, January 24, 2005 at approximately 2:10 P.M., the fire alarm went off because a fire had broken out in the Watson Auditorium. Mr. Sanchez, a faculty member, and Mr. Herr, a maintenance worker, immediately responded to the crisis, using fire extinguishers to control the fire. Shortly thereafter. Dean Thetard arrived on the scene and aided in subduing the blaze. Within a few minutes, the Park Ridge Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire.

Because of the smoke, the center area of the building, the PA and V-wings of the school were closed for two hours after the fire. That night, a fire restoration service deodorized that area of the building to prepare it for class the next day. They also began the clean up of the auditorium, which is still underway.

The Park Ridge Fire Department concluded that the fire was the result of heat from a stage light igniting the main curtain. While no other

property was damaged by the flames, the extent of many people allowed a potentially horrible of the water and smoke damage is still being situation to be minimized. We are very examined. Preliminary estimates project the appreciative of the rapid response of the Park cost of repairing the auditorium to be close to Ridge Fire and Police Departments. Likewise, the Maine South maintenance and custodial $200,000.

As a result of the fire, the jazz band concert staff, our emergency response team, and our faculty and students scheduled for Tuesday, •—»m»».jiM reacted to the situation January 25 was well. I'd ''It was through our collective extremely canceled. Also, like to make special the winter note of how well our efforts that we were able to musical, "Little students responded to minimize a potentially chaotic our minor emergency.

Shop of Their patience and Horrors," is situation. " understanding going to be Principal Claypool demonstrated a performed at sensitivity to the Maine West's ™ „ , situation thaJ^^ auditorium indicative of true HawklBBe because of the difficulty in getting the auditorium ready in behavior. My strong feelings for our school community were justified once again by the time for the show.

Principal Claypool summed up the incident reactions of everyone. It was through our best with the following statement: "We were collective efforts that we were able to minimize very fortunate. The quick thinking and action a potentially chaotic situation."

NEWS FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 4 1 , N O . 9

J'he Texas "fat grade'' are you passing? fNicole Niziolek

^

overweight, which is also up from its 19c since ^ ^ ^

1994.

I^,

It is statistics like these that have"«ss;f^ By now everyone knows how nervous one influenced legislation. However, not everyone can get before opening a report card, knowing agrees with the idea of adding BMI to a report h\ James Manias that all the semester's work will finally be card. Frustrated parents claim they know if "A spud on the dark side": Sometime this summed up in one passing or devastating their children are overweight, and they do not month, Hasbro is planning to release "Darth grade. Whether the need a school to remind them. Others fear Tater." a Mr. Potato Head with Darth Vader student is hoping to for their children: "We know that eating accessories, a few months before the release get a hard-earned A, disorders like anorexia nervosa and of the pee-in-your-pants cool "Episode III" or is nervous about bulimia nervosa can be triggered by one on May 19. passing a class, comment made from a peer or coach."

I'd write something here, but I can't think everyone can relate The bill has met a great deal of of anything wittier than "Darth Tater." to the anticipation controversy since it was first proposed.

Now. imagine There are those who think its about time **STT Anti-Pistons pooch scores with a number opening the report to enforce it: they think bluntly stating two: On January 18, an NBA game card and finding a the obvious might be embarrassing grade judging the enough to actually motivate kids to do«*sa|^ Orlando Magic vs. the Detroit Pistons - was student on how fat something. "^^ill delayed in the third quarter because a dog or skinny they are.

Then, of course, there are those who***^ pooped under the Pistons' basket.

Fortunately, the Pistons were given an Impossible? see this as a monstrous experiment extra three minutes to warm up and flush Surprisingly, this granted by ruthless school officials who the image from their minds. Unfortunately, might become a do not take into account kids' feelings.

A man orders from a the dog had the bean burrito. reality for kids in They worry that with the already'^Cf McDonald's menu.

Texas, where State mounting stress of American childrens' « 3 * Senator Leticia Van dePutte proposed a bill that lives, this is a futile adjustment that will only •s^f* Speaking ofpoop...: A man in Pennsylvania ^^Buld require schools to state a child's BMI lower kids' self-esteem. These people find'^^^I prairie-dogged it on May 28. He changed his pants at a friend's house, put the (Dody mass index) on report cards. The law themselves among many asking, "If we are "evidence" in a garbage bag, and for would require schools to compute a child's allowed to assign 'grades' to weight, then whatever reason, disposed of it near a water body mass based on their height and weight, what's next?"

•«^* reservoir.

Someone called the police, who and potentially deem them overweight. called the Bomb Squad and the Hazardous Perhaps it is not a shock that the bill Materials Response Team, who then closed originated in Texas, where more than one third off the streets in the area and apprehended of the school children are overweight, a figure the man. unacceptable for Van dePutte. The senator Taking government-sponsored random believes that putting a child's BMI on a report paranoia to a wonderful new level... card next to their other grades would make the parents take childhood obesity more seriously Paris Hilton severely cripples adult fdm and get involved with their health concerns, industry: In December last year, Paris Hilton just like they would with a problem regarding saw her. um, masterpiece debut production a child's academic performance. on sale at a newsstand in California. She Van dePutte also happens to be a practicing proceeded to throw her change at the clerk, pharmacist, and was inspired to take action proclaiming, "I'm taking this and I'm not when she saw the alarming number of sickened buying it." fat kids coming into her office. "[It amazes me] One DVD down, six-and-a-half zillion to to see the number of eight to nine-year-olds go. that are coming into the pharmacy to get the insulin, or twelve-year-olds that take more Man uses receding hairline for profit, proves blood pressure medicine than my that truly anything can be found on eBay: grandmother," a stunned Van dePutte Andrew Fischer from Omaha. Nebraska, got ^M^claimed. $37,.^75 for advertising "SnoreStop" on his ^ B S o m e agree with her once they are forehead for one month. confronted with such staggering statistics: D Less than 54.0% Carry the four... that's almost $1,250 a according to data taken from 1999-2000, a D 54.0% to 55.9% day.

To answer the inevitable question, yes, staggering 15% (9 million) kids aged 6-19 are • 56.0% to 59.0% I would wear a 1-900 number on my face obese. Even scarier is the fact that this figure • More than 59.0% for that many Benjamins. Anybody want to has more than tripled since 1980. Sadder still advertise "No Comment" on his ferehe^? is the 10% of preschool children 2-5 who are chart courtesy of www.statehealthfacts.org

American Overweight and Obesity Rate 2002

3I ^

FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, No. 9

Fine Arts, auditorium still hot to the touc]# b\ James Manias

On January 26, two days after the 8'" period fire, I walked onstage in the empty auditorium. "It smei Is expensive," commented Jonathan Markowski, a self-titled "sound guy" on crew. We surveyed the 48-hour-old damage. "It smells like a much-needed upgrade." . Most of the hanging lights were sitting on the covered wood of backstage; strange-looking machines whirred as they sucked moisture out of the hardwood: the bare walls made everything feel like a construction site; every single curtain was gone On Monday. January 24, the main curtain in, the auditorium caught on fire. What we all instantly knew was that it was the most interesting thing to happen at Maine South in the last four years what nobody really knows is why it happened.

Shortly after the 7'" period theater tech class, Mr. Sanchez was in the auditorium for a few minutes.

He stepped out for a moment to make a quick phone call; it was during this phone call that the fire alarm sounded. Everyone shuffled outside. "I hope our books are nice and toasty in there," said the boy next to me as we shivered.

Mr. Sanchez was informed that the fire was in the auditorium, so, accompanied by a few custodians, he ran into the auditorium to find the elevated, flame-retardant curtain ablaze 20 feet above the stage.

"I was there within two minutes of the fire starting." Mr. Sanchez said. He said that no one could've gotten into and out of the auditorium in the time he was gone, which may or may not disprove the "someone was smoking and wanted to kill us" theory.

Mr. Sanchez brought the curtain down (dropping it like it was hot, if you will) so nothing else would catch fire. To bring the

curtain down, one must know how to operate it; of the 2,500 of us, Mr. Sanchez guessed that fewer than five students could do this comfortably.

Shortly after the fire, firefighters tried to light a piece of the rest of the curtain on fire, but failed. The entire curtain should have been fiame-resistant; the same company using the same method on the same day with the same chemicals treated the entire curtain.

The sprinkler system in the auditorium began to spray water down, covering the stage and drenching almost everything, except a somewhat important prop for the play. The smoke began to become so thick that visibility was getting really bad. The fire-which was a single fiame about fifteen feet tail-was burning along the edge of the curtain. Several emergency vehicles arrived, and firefighters doused the stage, the curtains, and the auditorium in even more water.

The final explanation, generally accepted by the whole of Maine South, is that one of the lights on the first row of lights was too close to the curtain and ignited the fire.

T h o s e lights- there were more than two lights that s a m e distance from the curtain in d i fferen t places-had been that far from the curtain since the first play this year, and were on for longer periods of time during "The Visit" and the VShow. It wasn't an electrical fire because all

(

the bulbs were intact - they would have exploded if there had been an electrical surge capable of burning through the wires' insulation, and none of the insulation was damaged anyway. The dust on the curtain could have caught fire, but the light would have had to be extremely hot.

According to members of crew, the next day after school there were still at least two inches of standing water on the carpet. All of the curtains were ruined from the smoke. The entire PA-wing and V-wing had to be abandoned until 4 p.m. due to smoke. The crew for "Little Shop of Horrors" lost a week of preparation. New curtains have already been ordered.

The play was still scheduled to open the same night as had been planned, but will be opening at Maine West instead of here.

Thankfully, nobody was injured, killed, engulfed in flames, and nobody was deafened by the fire alarm.

"Little Shop of Horrors" opens February 17.

SOUTHWORDS A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School 1111 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 material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Editors-in-Chief Carly Calkins Kate Funkhouser News Editors Ashley Rezaeizadeh Alex Schallmo Features Editors Kelsey Keith John Mallory Entertainment Editors Melissa Hansen James Mantas Commentary Editors Mike Bielaczyc Rebecca Christopher Corinne Ullrich Sports Editors Steve Contorno Greg Mit^^L Production Editor Bobby C r i s i ^ ^ Core Photographers Katie Katz Audrey Russell Core Staff Artist Jon Markowski Advisors Mr. Ellefson Mr. Slathakis

FEATURE' FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, NO. 9

5

tf'our ride on "Wheels of a Dream

99

by Jim DiMatteo and Siobhan Laii Over 300 students auditioned early last summer for a chance to participate in the Illinois All-State production of "Ragtime."

This number was reduced to 123 of the best performers, musicians, and technicians.

Among them were Maine Souths very own Nick Cosgrove, Jim DiMatteo, and Andrew Weisheit in the cast and Siobhan Lau in the orchestra.

Starting in August, a series of five rigorous rehearsal weekends began. Students came from as close as Maine East and as far away as Harrisburg. near Kentucky. The rehearsal days were very long, with some lasting as long as

"Students came from as close as Maine East and as far away as Harrisburg, near Kentucky." ^ ^ ; l v e hours. The participants did not realize at the time that this experience would affect them in such a profound way.

'Ragtime'" is about three goups of people: W.A.S.P."s in a wealthy city outside of New York, Lower East Side immigrants, and black residents of Harlem. The three groups were forced to co-exist in turn-of-the-century

by Jonathan Markowski

America populated by industrial titans like J.P. Morgan and Vaudeville showgirls like Evelyn Nesbit. It is a compelling story of love. hate, acceptance, and the music that would forever alter the American landscape. To quote Maine South's theater director. John Musyznski, "The entire country needs to hear this story."

The show opened to rave reviews at the Illinois High School Theater Festival at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Over 3,000 theater enthusiasts saw the epic production.

"Seize the moment, live the day. "cause there's only one today," was the cheer that rang out in the green room of the festival stage before the company gave its last performance.

Until that moment, no one really comprehended how real this experience was.

The participants had absorbed so much of each other over the past six months that it would be nearly impossible to leave one another for good at the end of the weekend.

As the lights rose on the finale, the cast was visibly shaken. Characters Coalhouse and Sarah (both of whom had died earlier in the show) looked down upon their son and sang of the hope that he could live in a world not ruled by hate, but acceptance. Bryan Taylor and Paige Collins, the actors portraying them, were sobbing out of the emotion of the last show and the power of the story. As the ensemble came on to the stage for the curtain call, holding hands in solidarity, as if to take

the final performance head on. they created a wall of sound that echoed in people's ears and hearts.

"The entire country needs to hear this story."

-Mr Muszynski As the curtain went down, the teary-eyed orchestra played the exit music. The last note was played. The music was over; the stand lights were off, but the emotions flowed. No one knew what to do or say, so the cast merely embraced one final time.

Everyone involved with this production has come to the conclusion that it is almost impossible to convey what this show has meant to them. "Ragtime" gave each and everyone of us a profound understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Unfortunately, the bond that was shared has already started to fade, but that doesn't change the fact that people were forever changed as the passionate and eccentric performers that they are. The impact will live on in the hearts of the participants and viewers forever, as clear as that particular brand of music that forever changed America. "Listen to that 'Ragtime.'"

FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 4 1 , N O . 9

Does the P.R.P.D. really deserve their bad rep? bv John Mallon'

It is clear to almost everyone in this school and this community that the police force here is a big part of Park Ridge. They have become a force with a reputation, and that reputation is not a good one.

When I talked to a lot of the students here at Maine South about the Park Ridge Police, almost all of them had the same thing to say to me. They said that Park Ridge Police were unfair and targeted teenagers. There were also reports of police brutality and things of that nature.

I interviewed police officer Jeff Waddell, who works here at Maine South, about not only the bad reputation the police receive here, but also the state of the town as a whole through the eyes of a police officer.

"I think most teenagers believe cops are out to get them," said Officer Waddell.

"Almost all kids have a negative view of police officers, and not just the ones here.

They also just don't like authority, period.

It's usually the same kids that are in trouble with the cops that are also in trouble with their parents and teachers."

There is no doubt that most kids don't like to deal with cops. Not many teenagers are willing to be friendly when they are about to be arrested.

"Most of the time, teenagers have contact with cops, it's a negative situation," he said. "Someone will probably get in trouble. And most kids don't like to be asked a lot of questions, so when we start questioning them, they might get defensive, and then they might run their mouth or something. When this happens, as a cop, 1 can't back down. I have to do my job."

The question will always remain in most teenagers' minds: are the police really out to get us?

"I think the opinion of police officers as the guys out to get teens is a common one. not just in Park Ridge," he said. "I used to think that way when I was a teenager, but as I grew up, I realized that it wasn't true. I think that as most of the kids here grow up, they will also realize it."

A common misconception about the Park Ridge Police is that they go around on Friday

and Saturday nights looking for parties and looking to arrest teenagers. Officer Waddell said this is not the case.

"We do not ever look for parties because we don't have to. The situation that arises is that the kids having the party ruin it for themselves," Waddell said. "The party becomes too large, the music becomes too loud, there are people out in front of the house on neighbor's lawns, and then someone around the neighborhood makes a complaint.

And when a complaint is filed, we have to answer it; it's just part of the job. I always tell kids to police themselves. Ifa party gets out of hand, it is likely that the police will

An B\ Jon Marhmski

arrive there at some point."

The students of Maine South also had plenty to say about the Park Ridge Police, both good and bad.

"I think that a lot of people exaggerate the negative aspects of the Park Ridge cops because it's trendy, or they want to sound like rebels," said senior Mike Bielaczyc.

Some were less forgiving.

"The Park Ridge Police spend too much time haggling juveniles instead of trying to promote a better community," said senior Dave Roraff.

"1 think some of the cops here are evil, and some are pretty sweet," said senior Rick Anderson. "It's about 50/50. As long as you don't do anything dumb, you won't have to worry about any of it."

Waddell shifted from speaking about the reputation of cops to just talking about Park Ridge as a whole.

"I think Park Ridge is a great community to raise a family in," he said. "There are a lot of great organizations and people here. There are a lot more positive things about it than negatives, but we're not immune from crime; no community is."

Teenagers are the group quickest to complain about the behavior of the police here, and they have the right to. But we also have to look at our own actions.

"Most of the kids in this town are great,' Waddell said, "but it only takes a few badj 3dJ^^ to ruin the situation. Whenever a kid comp that he was treated unfairly, I always ask Rim what he did to make the cop react like that."

As Waddell said earlier, this is a town that is very safe, but it does have some problems. The issue of illegal drugs in Park Ridge has come up a lot lately; he offered his opinion on the severity of the issue.

"I don't think that the drug problem is as big as it's said to be," he said. "I don't think 'problem' is the right word to describe it. It certainly is a big issue here, but I don't think it's that different than any other town."

That being said, the issue of drugs never came up as heavily as it did late last year.

"People had a tendency to not talk about the drug issue here before." Waddell said, "and now that people are actually talking about it, it has become a much bigger issue than it was before."

Park Ridge is a town with a lot of flaws, but that is to be expected. No town can be perfect, and the fact is that this community is low in crime and provides a good education for us. On the subject of the fairness of police officers, it is a case-by-case basis here. There are going; | ^ some kids who hate cops no matter what.

"My job is tough because almost everything I do is negative," said Waddell. "I arrest people and send some of them to jail. This is what makes it hard for us to have a good reputation.

All we want to do is help people."

ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY

11,2005 • VOL. 41, NO. 9

7

^Vest nest to host Hawks' "Horrors"

by Melissa Hansen

director, and Kristin Burke, the student It began with that total c h o r e o g r a p h e r . eclipse of the sun. Vocally talented, Mushnik's Skid Row they each bring the Flower Shop, formerly unique characters to only populated by the life in a realistic employees, Seymour and Audrey, and the way. Britt-Marie owner, Mr. Mushnik. is now the hot spot of Sivertsen. one of the town—all thanks to the bizarre arrival of Skid Row urchins, Audrey II, the strange and unusual plant that credits the ease of Seymour bought For SI.95. So opens Howard putting the show Ashman and Alan Menken's "Little Shop of together to the HoiTors," the Maine South winter musical. devotion the entire The black romantic comedy revolves around cast shows. "When Seymour and his growing relationship with his you're working with otherworldly. Venus fly trap-looking plant. As other people who are it turns out. the plant can talk—and he is not as dedicated to the hesitant in making his lethal desires known. show as you are. it's Seymour is hesitant to fill these desires until easier to rehearse a he meets Audrey's abusive, motorcycle-driving scene. [All of the dentist boyfriend and decides that both of their actors] are able to ^ o a l s can go hand in hand. The entire musical incorporate [their] ^ ^ l a r r a t e d by three street-smart urchins who ideas to block a Tlw official poster of the winter musical will be nold the Greek chorus role of informing the scene properly," she promoting the move to Maine West. audience what is going on. attests.

Tlie twelve-person cast has been working Despite hard work already done by the cast the stage manager, have both emphasized the tirelessly through rehearsals with Mrs. and crew, because of the recent fire in the commitment needed from all crew members.

McCleneghan. the director, auditorium, there were concerns of whether or The set will be constructed at Maine South, Aileen Farrell, the student not "Little Shop" would be able to be then dismantled and transported via truck to performed at Maine South as scheduled. The Maine West. Timing is especially crunched: the stage and backstage areas were deemed Maine West winter show, "Pure as Driven off-limits as the auditorium was Snow," ends on February 12; once it is finished. refloored, painted, and cleaned. The Maine South crew members will be assisting burned curtains needed to be the Maine West crew late into the night to strike replaced by the insurance company the set and build up the transported set. This, with a new S300.000 one. along with anticipated difficulties based on Eventually, because of the using different lighting set-ups and stage necessary repairs, it was decided blockings, will be making the 2005 winter that the Maine South auditorium show one of the most hectic and difficult in would not be ready by the show recent history. date. However, the show must go Adjustments are being made as needed for on, despite dire circumstances; use at the new auditorium. "We have moved becau.se of this, "Little Shop of curtain call from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to give Horrors" will be moved to Maine tho.se who accidentally arrive at Maine South 30 minutes to get to Maine West," states Mrs. West.

While some stage crew McCleneghan. The Maine West auditorium members have shown enthusiasm seats 1,000 persons, as compared to Maine as the Maine South winter South*s 800 person seating capacity. Tickets musical "goes on tour," there will be sold at Maine West and Maine South. is no denying that the work "Little Shop of Horrors" will be presented necessary to complete such a on February 17, 18. and 19 at the Maine West task is demanding. Mr. auditorium at 8:00 p.m. With all the work and «,u,<,/.,Av«.to.Sanchez, the technical dedication put into the show, it is evident that Clirist}'iyiteket. Siveiiseii, aid Javia Deniirmpohis are thesttvet wrhim. director, and Suzy Herman, it will be anything but a horror.

8'

:yTERl-AtNME]N V FEBRUARY

II. 2005 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 41,No. 9

Video game economics grow up: rated "M" for mone^ bad press. It just gives enemies of the gaming industry more reason to whine.

"BMX XXX." How about "Postal 2"? Most PC gamers "Leisure Suit Larry" remember "Postal"; the subject of the game is. (which was recalled simply, to go postal. It consisted entirely of because one of the game's nothing I can print. "Postal 2" is even more actors was a minor). violent, and controversy rocked the PC gaitiing "Halo 2." "Grand Theft .Auto: San Andreas." stage.

That cursed "Grand Theft Auto" franchise.

They're not great games, either. Had the "Mature" rated games have been around as games been of a higher quality, it would have long as boy bands, but it was "GTA" that made been more worthwhile to see them fight for them a trend. their right on shelves.

Still, no matter how many clerical officers Don't tell me that "Donkey Kong" was made for middle-aged men; sure, middle-aged were mad about "Postal." the master remains: men (and women) like it. but the game is kid- Rockstarâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who had a hand in almost every friendly too. The same is true with "Super mainstream "M" title last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;released Mario World" for the legendary Super "Grand Theft Auto; San Andreas," the sequel to "GTA: Vice City," in October.

Nintendo.

"Grand Theft Auto" and "Halo 2" outsold As a whole, older consumers buy more than younger ones. Economic fact; you need money every other game on the top ten best-selling to spend it. Products that appeal to teens and games of 2004; don't forget that those two adults, then, are usually the most successful. games both had only two months to sell in Prime-tim TV has gotten more sex-oriented; 2004, since "Halo 2" released in November and commerc; is have gotten more risque; video "GTA" hit stores at the end of October. games have gotten more violent.

The media attention both games received Don't get me wrong. 1 love violent games was incredible. The big problem was that more than 1 love muffins, and I love niuftlns. everyone was playing these games, though they but the new trend is giving the gaming industry were meant only for a very mature audience.

by James Manias

My seven-year-old cousin beat "San Andreas before I even got to play it; he also beat "Halo 2" on heroic (hard difficulty). Whether or not parents are responsible for controlling what their kids play is arguable, but nevertheless a debate for another day.

Morally sound mothers, religious groups, and anyone else on a noble CRisade to end noneducational video entertainment attacked.

Games like these twenty years ago would've halted the growth of the budding industry.

"GTA" is the safest way to live out your crimefilled fantasies. "Halo 2." also extremely fun, pits you against an annada of aliens. How the gaming industry is siuA'iving criticism during this trend has become a miracle in itself Though the media suffers firom constant problems with the FCC. it will never end. The video game industry, however, can be censored, if not terminated. Games like the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise only give the mobs lit torches. Though usually enjoyable (and sometimes the best a coasole has to offer), "M" rated games are the worst possible thing for the industry.

Nevertheless, my seven-year-old cousiij^H "San Andreas" reserved "just in case" T ^ ^ sold out, and I bought "Halo 2" at 3 a.m.

Indie-rock artist Ben Kweller: "they call him BK"

by Dina Romanazzi Ben Kweller, also known as BK, is an upbeat, energetic arti.st who will raise your spirits. BK isn't recognized as much as he should be for his unique and charismatic music that his fans love so much.

Brought up with music and influenced by the Beatles, Kweller has always had that "knack" for good songwriting and playing music. After he received his first guitar at the age of 12, he began to take his music more seriously.

photo con

In 1993, Kweller started his own band.

Radish. They were noticed for their talent and appeared on "The Conan O'Brien Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." Radish disbanded in 1999, and later that year, Kweller signed as a solo artist with New York-based Island Records.

His clever song lyrics and distinct voice help make a great album. "Sha Sha," his first album, was released in 2002, followed by "On My Way" in 2004. Each album has one great song after another. They were both recognized for their catchy lyrics and irresistible sound.

Indie-rock was labeled as "alternative" in the 80's, but now Indie-rock consists of bands with small independent record labels or no major record label support at all. Ben Kweller isn't on a huge record label, nor is he extremely well known, but that's what separates his music from the rest.

Kweller's music has also been titled as "anti-folk." which is folk music with a punk attitude, or "Shock-rock and protest paired with an acoustic guitar and intelligent lyrics," according to rkstar.com.

Ben Kweller's mix of indie-rock and antifolk come together and create hits like "Hospital Bed," "The Rules," and "I Need You Back."

His quirky lyrics will be stuck in your head for days. For example, in "Hospital Bed," he sings "You be Betty/ I'll be Betty/I'll play Joe/ you play Joe." In "The Rules," he sings "Show me all the rules girl/ I just want to get em' wrong/ Show me all the mles girl/1 just want to belong."

Although Kweller might not be known by many, those who do know the 23-year-old Texas native are addicted to his music. I asked Jaimie Burger, a sophomore at Maine South and a true BK fan, what she values most about his music, and she responded, "His music is really honest and true; he doesn't try to hide reality from the public. He writes about' t wJiat he feels." Ben Kweller has that sound you { really hear anymore.

For a change in music that you won't regret, listen to one of Ben Kweller's songs and judge for yourself. As a fellow fan once told me: "once you listen to a song of BK's, you just want to hear more...and he's really cute."

'CoMMENmR'' FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, NO. 9

9

the ediiofs

by Katie Fimkhouser ^pH^k ^L^ ^^k S _ J^B • ^^

Here's the disclaimer: ^ respect health class. In it.

I learned relevant things and felt comfortable ^ _; asking questions. I worked with people 1 wouldn't have otherwise met.

I like and respect my health teacher. He really tried to help the class and often succeeded. I'll be proud of myself if I can put forth as much consistent effort in my job as he does.

I've been really lucky with all of my P.E. teachers and have developed emotionally and athletically under their guidance. Their office is right next door to the Southwards room, and they're good neighbors.

So, I write this without any condemnation of the Physical Education department. I write instead about what I thought I learned in health class, what I think 1 learned my junior year, and how the two don't seem to fit together Health class my sophomore year did an cellent job teaching me about the harmful side effects of drugs. I understand how they work and why they're dangerous, and I'm grateful for that. Health class also gave me an impression about drug users: if someone regularly takes drugs, his or her life would

begin to deteriorate in a manner of months.

Drugs, I thought, would not only ruin your life, but ruin it quickly.

I believed this message. It wasn't new to me; I'd first heard it in D.A.R.E.. and it had been repeated many times since. I also believed it because 1 thought that everything I learned in school was unbiased—that is, I was learning the facts, and could interpret them for myself.

1 was guided to the conclusion that drugs would expediently ruin one's life as if it were a fact.

So I was surprised when, my junior year, I met people who took drugs multiple times a week and still got good grades. They were kind and gracious. They seemed, and still seem, completely okay.

This new picture seemed completely incompatible with my previous ideas about drug users. Yet here they were, living proof that drugs do not immediately ruin your life.

If Health class was wrong about drugs, what else did I learn there, or perceive, that wasn't true? This one fact seemed to discredit an entire lifetime of drug education. Were the harmful side effects of drugs exaggerated?

I don't know. I still don't know, and it bothers me that everything I learned has been, to some extent, discredited.

What 1 know is that some kids do become horrible drug addicts, and some kids appear to

ATTENTION, STUDENTS Do you like to write?

Are you yearning to express the tortured artist within through journalism?

Are you always telling your friends that you could write better Southwards articles than we do?

Now's your chance!

The Commentary section has several staff writer positions open.

As a staff writer, you would be able to express your opinions on school issues, politics, current events, and much more. In additio your articles would feature a picture of your head.

Stop by the Southwords office (V-131) or the English office and talk to Mr. Ellefson or Mr. Stathakis for more details!

be fine even though they use drugs on a regular basis. Whether this second group will grow up to experience side effects, I have no idea. All I know is right now, today, they are fine and happy. They get good grades. They have good relationships with their friends and family.

They don't put undue pressure on you to experiment with drugs.

I also know drugs are illegal, and that getting caught with them will leave you with a permanent record. I know that some people can take drugs and be fine, but others can't. I've never tried drugs, and I've never really regretted it. This gives me the freedom to openly address this topic. I just personally don't think taking drugs is worth the risk.

But I wish Health class taught me all of this.

I wish Health informed me so I wouldn't have been so surprised when I stumbled onto my revelation that some users cJo seem okay. I wish it taught me so I wouldn't doubt the validity of other things I learned.

If the point is to convince us not to take drugs, why not make Health class seem like a completely reliable source? There's already so much distrust of institutions that Health can't afford to discredit itself further.

Health is clearly a "real life skills" class.

Why, then, aren't we taught about how life really is?

10 Is terrorism a hollow threat*k W^ COMMENTARY

FEBRUARY

h\ Mike Bielaczvc

It just doesn't add up.

For any logical thinker, it just doesn't add up.

On one hand, there is the accepted notion that the biggest threat to our country's safety and way of life is terrorism. This is, without a doubt, the one issue that gets the most of our government's attention.

The figures support this: a cabinet post devoted to homeland security, two wars based on the threat of terrorism, hundreds of billions spent on anti-terrorist activities, and almostdaily coverage of terrorist related news.

On the other hand, one must consider that, according to the Immigration and Naturalization Services, more than a million illegal immigrants have slipped into the U.S. in the past few years, raising the total to about seven million, it is not difficult to secure materials needed for a destructive device, and security in metropolitan areas is not nearly as tight as it could be.

There are more than ample opportunities for terrorists to utilize the suicide bombing strategy as they do in Israel and Iraq. There, it has unfortunately become a daily occurrence to see dozens of innocent bystanders die as a result of murder disguised as political martyrdom.

The point when comparing the t-wo sets of facts is this: given the less-than-secure nature of the United States, if the rest of the world, mainly Israel and Iraq, is subject to daily oc-

1

"The goal of the terrorists is clear, yet, if this terrorism is as realistic and dangerous as we believe, what is the reason we are so safe from more attacks?"

currences of mass murder in the form of bombings that aims to kill any and all supporters of the American and Zionist agendas, why aren't terrorists choosing to strike on U.S. soil more

11, 2005 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 41, NO. 9

often? believe, what is the reason we are so safe from Have there been attacks on the U.S. by for- more attacks? eign enemies in the past? Yes, but with the exAs a citizen of this country, I would give ception of the 1993 World Trade anything to Center bombing which failed i i be able to bring the towers down, and 9/11. say that this all attacks have been outside the ofis because ficial borders of the United States we truly are The embassy hostage situation i! secure, Lebanon and Iran; the attack on the , thanks to our USS Cole: the embassy attacks in ~ airport secuLebanon, Beirut, and Kuwait; t rity, border bombings of military bases in | control, and Spain. Austria, and Italy; the Pan- %, intelligence Am Boeing 747 bombing; and the The terrorist strike on the USS Cole in Octobera g e n c i e s .

Khobar tower bombings in Saudi of 2000 killed nearly two dozen U.S. sailors. H o m e l a n d Arabia all illustrate terrorist action Security against American lives, both military and ci- took steps towards strengthening our safety and vilian. security, including adding 10.6 billion dollars However, one would think that instead of from the Fiscal 2002 Emergency Budget, and focusing their efforts on killing Americans assigning more than 4,000 FBI special agents abroad, the terrorists would want to maximize and 3,000 support staff to investigate 9/11. efficiency, utilizing tactics such as suicide Even still, airport security, although va^ bombing in crowded areas like a Blue Line sta- improved since 9/11, does little to stop teil tion during rush hour or Navy Pier in July. ists with no previous suspicious activitiess ;aild At this point, it is important to note that I does nothing to deter potential terrorists already am in no way, shape, or form condoning these within U.S. borders. Judging by the number of actions. The thoughts and scenarios presented illegal immigrants living in the U.S. (nearly here are only theories and explorations of a se- 4(X),000 illegal Arabs among them), it is relarious issue facing the nation and the world. tively simple to make one's way across .the Furthermore, it is important to examine why Mexican or Canadian border. Besides, who's terrorism has become an all-encompassing, im- to say that people willing to sacrifice their lives minent, and dangerous threat since 9/11, the last in the name of a holy war don't have the finaninstance of Americans dying on U.S. soil as a cial resources of hostile nation-states to ensure result of terrorism. Everything we do is in the safe passage to the states, be it a crude smugname of protecting ourselves from dirty bombs, gling or a sophisticated mission complete with chemical warfare, airborne nukes, and count- clean papers? less other weapons that terrorists might employ.

As for the intelligence community, it is clear We are continually and relentlessly told that that competition, instead of cooperation, bethere could be a terrorist strike at any time; we tween the FBI and CIA is what drives the agenbuy duct tape in record amounts and quiver at cies. Given the recent failures in intelligence the thought of being at red alert on the home- regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, land security advisory alert system. Bin Laden one can see our intelligence capabilities are not himself, in a message to the American people where they should be. in December of 2001, said, "This is a message The president didn't even endorse the idea to all the infidels and to America. The message of a national intelligence director until politisays: 'Leave the Arabian Peninsula defeated cal pressure forced him to do so. Our bloated and stop supporting the coward Jews in Pales- national bureaucracy has so many agencies tine. Otherwise, you will be severely tortured terlocking with one another with little dl in this life before the hereafter. You should leadership that it's easy to see that if our own know that we can destroy you and other en- intelligence, along with that of London, Beremies.'" lin, Paris, Moscow. Cairo, and Tel Aviv, could The goal of the terrorists is clear, yet, if this fail so miserably regarding reasoning for war.

Continued on page II terrorism is as realistic and dangerous as we

FEBRUARY

u

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, No. 9

Continued from page JO

O) effectiveness as a whole can easily be called If it's worth committing suicide in order to kill Tnto question. It is easy to imagine a scenario U.S. soldiers in Iraq, then wouldn't killing U.S. that consists of any random individual securing civilians in the States have the same, if not a materials that could be used in the making of a greater, effect on U.S. morale?

I suppose the question is simply this: is bomb small enough to fit in a backpack, but giving the War on Terror top priority in national potent enough to take a dozen lives.

International researchers have warned that security really necessary? This is a question the world is awash in unaccounted-for that must be looked at from different weapons-grade uranium and plutonium after perspectives. If it is not our security, then do the Institute for International Studies at they simply not have the numbers in terms of Stanford University completed a database of members willing to sacrifice their lives? lost and stolen material. The average person, This is not how it is presented to us; we are Arab or not, does not get randomly searched told that the terrorist threat is made up of a in a crowded metropolitan area: our strong fantastic number of enemies desperate and evil sense of civil liberties would not allow it. enough to sacrifice astronomical numbers of In a relatively low-security society, as far lives in the name of a jihad. We have even •••'•••w iiiMiMMT—M— made the as open areas »*'P**W'"iPPfW^ that are effort to puipcsefijlly crowded are announce concerned, that we one would make no imagine that distinction terrorists with between the capability t h e of getting into terrorists the country themselves uld take and the vantage of countries this as they t h a t have in other h a rbor parts of the nJia«»«^i>iiiiiiMlia t h em. world.

MiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^ Another possible theory as to why terrorists President Bush said, "Every nation now has a do not carry out many smaller-scale attacks on decision to make. Either you are with us or U.S. soil is that, simply put, they are planning you are with the terrorists." The threat for an attack on the scale of another September obviously warrants this kind of bravado in the 11. This would hold up, save for the idea that a international community. constant barrage of smaller attacks more It is hard to imagine that the people willing effectively demoralizes a nation. Is the fear of to dedicate their lives and deaths to the U.S. retaliation enough to deter these sorts of destruction of Western ideals for the attacks? We should hope so, for our own sake. advancement of Arab politics would be An attack the size of 9/11 is spectacular, but unwilling to give up as many lives as possible does the death toll still shine as brightly in the to accomplish the goal. terrorists' eyes when one takes into account that Perhaps the terrorists don't realize the ease the most successful attack on U.S. soil killed with which they could attack inside the U.S. 3,000, when the current war in Iraq has claimed That would be a lucky break for us, but it is an tens of thousands of Iraqi lives? Is 3,000 such uncomfortable thought to have. War and death an awesome number over the course of years in the name of liberty and freedom is what we -maybe even decades-of planning? If an are fighting for, and we accept this. enemy's effectiveness is measured by the I wish and hope this is all wrong. I hope lumber of dead, then let us be blunt and that we have eliminated so many terror cells pclaim that the enemy in this terrorism is not and are destroying so many terrorists that the Tiearly as effective as he can be. threat has diminished. I hope our intelligence Is this because in a post-9/11 world, the U.S. and security is so amazing that we really are has eliminated most of the terrorists? This can't this safe. However, I still have to ask: is the be the case, judging by the sheer number of terrorist threat simply that-a threat and nothing them pouring into Iraq from bordering nations.

"It is hard to imagine that the people willing to dedicate their lives and deaths to the destruction of Western ideals for the advancement of Arab politics would be unwilling to give up as many lives as possible to accomplish the goal. "

ON

O

GO

"The armies have been on watch."

-Lea Uaia M)6

o M o -(—^

+-»

"There is no more threat."

-Sebastian Frohm '05

o a-)

^—> "Because they are planning for a much bigger attack and they are going to wait it out."

-Chris Piatek '06

"We are more involved in Iraq and we know what's going on."

-Jaime Hejza '05

12

SPORTS FEBRUARY

11, 2005 • VOL. 41, NO. 9

An end of an era : who will Chicago to turn to now^ ^^1^^

by Steve Contomo

H H H H V " ^~"*'

The city of Chicago has become the land of mediocrity. The Bulls Dynasty of the 90s is a just a faint taste of what once was. I wasn't even bom the last time the Bears were feared; my Grandpa wasn't even bom when the Cubs and Sox were in their hey-day.

We throw this burden on ourselves and on our heroes. Every once in a while, an athlete comes around with shoulders as broad as this fair city and can carry upon them the hope of millions.

As Michael Jordan was fading out, and the Super Bowl Shufflers had long become mere middle-aged men, someone arose and defined Chicago so perfectly, we hoped he would stay forever. Now, we couldn't wait to see him leave.

Sammy Sosa was Chicago. His smile, his hop, his powerful swing turned the Cubs away from what we thought they were for so long— losers. His 66 home mn MVP season was so amazing not just because of what he accomplished, but because he led the Cubs to their first playoff birth since 1989. Every time he stepped to the plate that year, we thought we had a chance to win. Bottom of the ninth?

Two outs? Don't worry, Sammy's up. And for the next five seasons, he was our hero.

We were on a first name basis with him. just like we called Jordan "Michael." We thought he worked and lived at the comer of Clark and Addison. But in reality, we knew nothing about him. We only knew him between April and October, and in the months between, we figured he was down in the Dominican Republic practicing his stroke daily, fine tuning his swing by watching film, running sprints, and chasing fly balls. His boom box and salsa music were dealt with for so long because he was Sammy. Sosa, the captain, One of Sosa's a title given to him by exmanager Don Baylor, who never liked Sammy, but feared his and his followers' wrath.

Looking back, 1 can't remember once where Sosa acted like a captain. Captains don't show up to spring training late. Captains don't boycott the media. Captains don't play salsa music in the club house after a loss, or treat the disabled list like its vacation fime, or walk out on his teammates during a game.

But we dealt with it all because he was Slammin' Sammy. Despite the fact he never brought us a World Series, we took the headache as long as he hit 50 homeruns and

drove in 150 more. After last season thougr thougn. hitting just .253 with 35 homeruns and only 80 RBls. management finally had an excuse to get rid of him and his antics. And we followed and cheered him out. A fallen hero? It's more like a necessary divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, mutual on both parties. Go to Baltimore; see if we care.

And we won't, unless he returns to '98 form—which he won't.

What now? Who can carry what only Ditka, Jordan, and Sosa could?

571 home runs Brian Urlacher? Mark Prior?

Kirk Hinrich? None have proven themselves worthy of that level. Sure, their pictures are taped on our walls and we wear their jerseys.

But if they all were traded or retired tomorrow, would we still wear their numbers in public?

Not in the same way the United Center is still filled with red and black 23 's, nor the way that Wrigley will be with 21. He was our S a r j ^ ^ No one can replace him, but with the h e a d ^ K gone maybe Dusty Baker can concentrate on what Chicago wants more than a hero—a championship. And they have just the team to do it.

Boys' basketball enters second half of season ^^^^ ^HBHk P l ^ ^

by Frank Lukes The boys' basketball team is looking forward to the rest of their season, where they hope to continue their success.

When the team took on the Maine East Demons, they ended the day with a convincing 45-30 win. Colin O'Malley led in the points category with 12, followed by Mark Duric, Phil Mix, and Sean Price, who had seven points each. Price also helped make these points possible ending with six assists.

The Hawks played Waukegan three days later, where they hoped to collect their second win in a row. The first half ended with Maine South leading 36-33. "We played an outstanding first half," said head coach Lavorato. The lead started to slip, though, and at the end of the third quarter, the Hawks were down 47-43. The team, unfortunately, wasn't able to recover, losing the game 75-58. The

team wasled by Mark Duric who had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Phil Mix and Adam Fee followed with 10 points apiece; Fee also had five rebounds. Senior Alex Tone ended the game with 10 rebounds.

The team then suffered another defeat, this time to Maine South rival New Trier, losing 69-45. Bouncing back from two losses, the Hawks traveled to Prospect and handed the home team a 66-54 loss. Colin O'Malley ended the game with 13 points, eight of which were in the fourth quarter. Mark Duric and Phil Mix each had 11 points, and Sean Price had 10 points. Coach Lavorato commented. "This is the first game where we had four people scoring double digits." Duric led in the rebound category with 10, followed by Adam Fee with nine. In addition to his 10 points, Price also ended the game with 11 assists.

Glenbrook South was the next team awaiting the Hawks. Ranked 25th in the Chicago Sun Times and 18th in the Chicago

Tribune, GBS proved to be a worthy opponent.

Maine South was up 16-6 in the second quarter and was up 20-16 at the end of the half The guys held their lead over GBS, ending the third quarter 27-26. In the fourth, GBS scored a few more points, and the Hawks couldn't maintain their, lead losing 42-35. "We had an outstanding defensive effort." said coach Lavorato. Offensively, Phil Mix had nine points, Anthony Cmz had eight points, Alex Tone had nine rebounds, and Mark Duric had eight rebounds.

"As a team I believe we are putting ourselves in a position to win. We are playing some of the best teams in the Northern suburbs.

We have been doing very well in the firstJfl|£ and the first three quarters." said LavcHr. "Right now we are looking for a way to finish, and we have some players with some ability that can finish. We are looking forward to the second half of our season, and hopefully we'll figure a few things out and beat some of these top ranked teams."

EPORTI FEBRUARY

11, 2005 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 41, NO. 9

B

Hawks Swimmers Up To The Challenge Girls' basketball stays strong iy Erin Keating they had won the previous year. However, the There is a light at the end of the tunnel for meet was the closest that it has been in a long the Maine South boys' swim team as the time. Downers Grove North took the regular dual meet season comes to a close. championship with 231 points, followed by However, these last few meets may prove to Conant and Mundelein with 226 and 217 be the toughest competition the Hawks have points, respectively. The Hawks managed to had to face all season. "We have three of the earn 163 points, while 5"' and 6* were given to top ten teams in the state in our conference, Schaumburg and University High with 163 and including reigning state champion. New Trier," said Coach Chris Deger.

"These next meets will certainly be a challenge for us."

When the Hawks traveled to Skokie to face off against the Niles West Wolves, they returned home disappointed by the result. Although there was a victory on the JV Chris DiFranco practices his backstroke. level, the varsity squad lost a close meet to the Wolves 86-100. However, a plethora of season- 68 points. Individual first places in the meet ^ ^ t times gave the Maine South something to came from Chris DiFranco in the 200 yard IM ^ ^ B e r about.

(2:17.44), Tim Michaels in the 50 freestyle The Hawks did not fare much better in their (25.83), and Eric Libner in the 100 backstroke match against the Glenbrook South Titans. The (1:01.04). The 200 freestyle relay of Pat Pieta, strong Titan team managed a 134-52 victory Rick Macino, Ryan Morrisroe and Billy over Maine South after winning all but one of Potratz also managed'to capture the gold. the races that night. The Hawks' only victory Still, the Hawks must continue to test their came from the 200 medley relay, composed of strength as they compete against St. Viator and Chris DiFranco. Pat Pieta, Eric Libner and then state powerhouse New Trier on Senior Kyle Thompson (1:49.01).

Night. The conference meet will also be a However, three second places came from challenge for Maine South, as they will be Marc Sarran in the 200 freestyle, Pat Pieta in competing in one of the hardest conferences the 100 breaststoke, and Chris DiFranco, Eric in the state.

Libner, Kevin Kane and Kyle Thompson in the Please come support your Hawks as they 200 freestyle relay. host conference February 11 and 12 at 6:00 and At the Conant Cougar Invite, Maine South 1:00 pm. Bring your date and have a little presaw some very unexpected results. The Hawks Girls' Choice fun as you watch the swimmers only managed to finish fourth in the invitational make a splash.

Southwards needs spring sports writers... if you're interested, contact Mr. EUefson or Mr. Stathakis, or stop in VI31, the Southwards office.

by Alexa Karas The end of the regular season is fast approaching, and the girls' basketball team is staying focused and consistent. They have been defeating rivals by outstanding point margins and have balanced their game by increasing the power of their defense. The key defensive specialists that have stepped up and have challenged the most difficult opponents are Patti Ristau and Nicole Cummings. Their combined teamwork has increased the percentage of Hawk victories.

However, at the same time, the offense has charged ahead, and some players have had double-digit scoring games that have simply blown away their opponents. Against Chicago Washington, Ashley Tomzik and Cristina Solari each scored twenty points. During the last weekend of January, the Hawks took on three teams in a 24-hour period, in the most difFicul. game of that weekend, the girls defeated Glenbrook South 62-49. Scoring was high, as Tomzik finished with 17 points, Solari with 13, and Meghan Polston and Britney Zwolfer with 11 points each.

Sitting back and taking a brief sigh of relief, the girls can admire their record of 5-3 in conference play and 18-7 overall as of January 31. Although the Hawks have suffered a few defeats, that is no comparison to the outstanding victories they have achieved. After their loss to New Trier, they defeated their rivals, Maine West.

Although some leaders in scoring and defense have emerged, the most important thing is that the team is working together as a whole and utilizes the effort of every player.

During the game against Streamwood, all 12 players scored and contributed to the winning effort. The final score was 70-32. Coach Deines has been trying to keep fresh legs ois the court instead of simply relying on the starters.

The team's success has also relied upon the veteran guards, Danielle Jenero and Cummings. With the Hawks averaging 59 points a game, they are hoping to continue their success and stay victorious throughout regionals. "We aim high, and if we fall short of our goals we simply modify' them, and then aim high again." says Coach Deines. Maine South will be hosting their first regional match against Maine West on February 15 and are hoping for as much fan support as possible, if you love basketball and w ant to support your school, join the Hawks as they challenge Maine West in their first regional match up.

S

r OlvliS W^iivi I l i K

2 0 0 5

BASKETBALL • INDOOR TRACK • Bo^ s' SWLMMING • GIRLS' GYMNASTICS • WRESTLING

Picking up the slack The varsity team has accomplished a lot as a team and as individuals. As a team, they With the lady Hawks' gymwon an award at Maine East's nastics season quickly coming to invitational for their beam peran end, we reflect back on their formance.

Individually, Ashley season. The team started off on Tourtillott won third place on the right foot this year with five her floor routine at Niles West returning varsity gymnasts and seventh place on her floor Kristin Anderson, Andrea routine at Niles North. Carolyn Frankos, Ashley McClelland.

Olsen finished in the top five for Carolyn Olsen, and Danielle her vault routine at Niles North.

Tourtillott. and three new varsity The three top varsity gymnasts, members Ana Franzen. Sara Andrea Frankos. Carolyn Garofalo.

Olsen, and Danielle Tourtillott. and Lindsay Jozwiak. all coming Andrea Frankos on beam are "all around" gymnasts, out for the team again. With the perform on the vault, beam, bars. loss of only three seniors last year, the promis- meaning they ing newcomers gave it their all to show off their and floors, stuff.

As the season began to wind down, the girls

by Katie Katz

started pushing themselves even harder to perform to their full potential, and that's when the injuries started to occur. Three of the eight varsity gymnasts were injured within the last two months of their season. Their injuries occurred while performing. Andrea Frankos. Lindsay Jozwiak, and Ashley McClelland were out for the rest of their seasons.

With conference right around the comer, the girls gave it all they had and tried to pick up the slack for the injured girls. When it came time for conference, which the Hawks hosted, the girls were ready to perform to the best of their ability with or without their whole team. The team pulled it together and was able to finish strong among the competition.

With a strong finish at conference, t h e ^ ^ h now looks to continue into the post-season^Wn Regionals at Palatine High School.

Would it be beneficial for the Illini to lose a game?

Yes- If the Illini lose even one game, their No- No, losing would absolutely not be beneficial to national bandwagon will empty in the Illini basketball team because it will be detrimental milliseconds. However, I believe it would to team moral. A unique confidence accompanies the ^ serve them better in the long run to lose a undefeated status—the Illini would be foolish to abandon game in the regular season. Losing is never this confidence simply because they feel "pressured." good, but history does speak for itself. The As to the historical signifigance of being undefeated, ^ Indiana Hoosiers went undefeated and won it's happened once, so it could the national championship in 1976. Since happen again. Besides, isn't an undefeated team due for then, twelve teams have gone undefeated a victory? in regular season play. Not one of those Additionally, allowing the team to lose would teams has won the national championship encourage them to slack off. Putting them in a mindset the year they went undefeated. of not playing to the best of their ability might be Being undefeated puts more pressure on difficult to reverse. Also, the glory of being undefeated a team, and the Illini alrcad\ ha\c enough is-jKe HMire niotivati«fl. ki lo|iag»they wltdcQioldlger pressure tnim the media "^'ou have to hate til pro\L' tci ilie world thai thc>' wiere captthle of remember these aren't professionals; they being an undefeated team. While this might mitigate are kids, at the oldest in their early twenties. societal and university pressures, a certain glow Losing a game would also take the bullseye Luther Head looks up court accompanies the "I did this and you didn't think I could" of the mini's back. This would mean having feeling. With nothing to preserve, the team will have an easier time accepting the notion of a loss. When a team can't really fathom less trouble beating a lesser team when they are having a^^Blosing, doing so is less likely. The opponents will be more motivated to play night. A loss would hurt, but it wouldn't crush the teams' s^fft. the Illini as well as possible because they'll want to beat an undefeated team. After barely beating Iowa in overtime, the Illini responded by This will make the game more fun to watch (though neither of us plan on convincingly beating Wisconsin in Madison and pounding doing so). Also, the opponents will be intimidated by the big, bad Minnesota at home. Imagine would a loss would do to the team; "undefeated" team. it could serve as a sort of regeneration.

Besides, who loses on purpose?