Vol 42 issue 14

C'TEAM In This -|-

Issue:

RlilPKlilSlillVTS IN D.C

NEWS FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY Consattition team Some daace to A tasty "Dme on The Pvthagorean travels to the remember, some the Blue 1 ine" Libtarv Theorem capital and meets dance to forget Obama, Hillary

PAGE 2

PAGE 5

PAGE 8

PAGE 1 1

SPORTS Bffs' volleyball success -^pika

PAGE 1 4

2

NEWS MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

Constitution Team attends national competition

by Melissa Hansen

their feet and bring up concerns they have about society and the political culture of today and yesterday. In order to support their arguments, Maine South brought up case law, history, notable quotes, and more. The judges then complimented and critiqued the team's responses. Overall, the comments were positive, praising the coherency and complexity of the responses.

These positive comments drove Maine South to continue with relative success into the next day of competition, where

In the end. Constitution Team ended up receiving a unit award for Unit One, which Washington D.C. may is based in the historical and philosophical not have provided the influences of the constitution, indicating that victory that the Maine Maine South had been in the top 21 schools.

South Constitution Team The national champions, for the third year in a desired, but all those row, were fi-om East Brunswick High School involved have returned with the satisfaction in New Jersey. of a job well-done.

The experience did not end with the competition. Maine South was able to meet On April 28, the 24 members of the with people from all of the United States and Constitution Team left O'Hare airport with the world. Following the second round of coaches Mr. Trenkle and Mr. Hansen and competition, the team met chaperone Mrs. Bondi with a Chinese delegation to attend the National of educators who specially finals of the "We the chose Illinois to talk with.

People: The Citizen Though the conversation and the Constitution" was muddled because of yearly competition lengthy translations, it that is organized by proved to be a memorable the Center of Civic experience and a relatively Education.

The pleasant exchange of ideas. competition has been Also, Maine South traveled I'lti'l" ( onrh'w oj L ctnMiffilii a lasting Maine South The Constitution Team discusses policy with Senator Obama. with South Dakota's team, tradition.

Maine South has attended the national competition their performances were not flawless, but conversing about television, shopping, and 13 years, winning first place in 1999. dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable. other habits that concern only high school students.

The team was prepared to receive a spot in The first day of competition, April 29, the top ten. was a day to show off a year of studying the One of the most memorable occasions was meanings, implications, and implementations That evening, the team gathered as the top meeting two of the most important members of the U.S. constitution. The six units, rooted ten results were announced. Although filled of Congress: Senators Hilary Clinton from in their own element of the Constitution, with disappointed when their state name was New York and Barack Obama fi-om Illinois. presented a four-minute prepared presentation not announced (although the announcement Both briefly talked to Maine South and took to judges comprised of state Supreme of Alabama was so distorted that a few pictures with them. Senator Obama spent a Court justices, lawyers, educators, and members had heard Illinois), the team bonded bit more time with the students, shaking their representatives of the bureaucracy within over their successes as they gathered in the hands and discussing their contributions as " Washington. After the prepared response, banquet hall of their hotel room. They were 'We the People' people." the judges asked the units questions about state champions and had knowledge of politics In the end, Maine South returned to Illinois their element of the Constitution for six and government that very few students or with a better knowledge of their country and minutes; this free-response is often called a adults could profess. They had accomplished the citizens, documents, and policies that "conversation" where student representatives something, even if that something was not a affect it, along with memories that they will of each state get an opportunity to think on national championship. never forget.

Maine South brings home video festival awards

by Kevin Lim & Eliza Stanford The 13th annual Chicagoland High School Video Festival was held on Friday, April 28. 2006 at Northern Illinois University's Hoflfrnan Estates campus. Mr. Jim Francois and several of his Advanced TV Production students attended the daylong event. The festival awards excellence in several broadcasting categories, including animation (both computer and stop motion), as well as comedies, dramas, commercials, PSAs (public

service announcements), documentaries, news broadcasts, and live event coverage.

During the 2006 Festival, over 40 schools participated with over 400 video projects submitted for judging. The highlight of this video festival was the keynote speaker, NBC5"s Anna Davlantes. A local Emmy recipient and Chicago native, she spoke about the implementation of ethics into the industry and about her own personal struggles during her news career Maine South Junior Billy Basso won

second place for his video, entitled "Space Oddity", in the Animation category. Following Basso's award, Maine South also brought home several platinum and gold awards for outstanding productions. Included among the many winners were Matt Arauz, Matt Beyer, Tom Buzun, Al Dinvemo. Emily Livacari, Myles Ostrowski, Katy Shotsberger, and Bo Swantek.

By participating in this annual competition, Maine South was able to showcase some of our finest student broadcasting productions.

NEWS MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

A shift on State Street

have enough money to visit the Walnut room, those famous holiday window displays will still be around next year.

Macy's also plans to renovate the 28^BJI^^ Now that only a month shop entrance on Washington. They plan to ^^^^^^^L of school remains, the hire a doorman and build a private elevator excitement of summer to make the entrance more reminiscent of he seems to be radiating through out the air.

1940s, when customers had to schedule an ^ ^ Whether you're going to Europe, looking for appointment to visit Marshall Field's. a job, or just hanging out at Centennial pool, Marshall Field's customers now also have this will certainly be a summer to remember. an answer as to the fate of those legendary No matter what you're doing, chances are Frango Mints. Not only does Macy's plan to you'll head downtown at least one day. If you keep the mints, but they plan to build a Frango make your way to Marshall Field's on State viewing kitchen in the State Street store, so Street, you'll probably notice some changes. that customers can watch as their favorite Federated Department Stores, the owner mints are made. of Macy's, which recently acquired Marshall Although Macy's will be maintaining Field's, has announced its plans for the some of the Marshall Field's traditions, they legendary State Street store. First of all, won't be keeping all of the them. Macy's has Chicagoans will have to say good-bye to donated the entire Marshall Field's archives those famous green awnings. They will be to the Chicago Historical Society, so that replaced by black canvas awnings that will they can be preserved for future generations. bear the store's new name, Macy's at State However, you Street. This will still be is only part able to view if the fouryear plan to some of the improve the pieces from ^ q ^ State Street the archives ^i5|* building. in the State Street store.

Those of Every year, you who are the Chicago nostalgic for Historical the Marshall — ^ _ Society will Field's you ^M display two grew up ^m exhibits of the with will ^ H store's long delight to ^ H history. hear that UluMralion b\ iiiiia Tm^a\ T h e r e Macy's Federated Department Stores will replace the Marshall Field's are some p l a n s signs with ones bearing the Mac\ 's name.

Chicagoans, continue however, who s o m e are still not of those special traditions that have made satisfied with the changes made by Macy's.

Marshall Field's a landmark for so many Keepitfields.org is a website, devoted to years. "We're bringing together what our maintaining the Marshall Field's namesake. customers know and love about Marshall The site lists countless stories of Marshall Field's with the best of Macy's to create Field's memories, and it includes a petition a phenomenal shopping experience. The with 55,000 signatures, of people who have essence of what made this store so special pledged not to shop at Macy's. The website will remain and grow as Macys through also states that Federated Department Stores our long-standing traditions and exclusive has lost 60,500,000 dollars in sales due to offerings," said Ralph Hughes, the regional their boycott. vice president of stores for Macy's North.

As Federated Department Stores begins If you can scrape up enough money around developing the new Macy's on State Street, Christmas time to visit the Walnut Room, you the debates over the store's fate will certainly will still be able to see that legendary 45-foot continue.

Christmas Tree. For those of you who don't

3

By Annette Dean

by James Mantas The MS school year, in recap: Somebody changed all the names of the courses on the 207 websites to something obscene. Somehow, almost everybody in the school found out about it—in less than five hours.

The nine-period day was made, among other reasons, to reduce the number of different schedules we'd have to use each year. We've used six different schedules this year.

One lunch period this year was 11 minutes long. The lunch lines that day required a 12-minute wait.

In a second-period CADD class, dirty "water" rained down from above.

The school didn't catch on fire this year—which means the red fire doors could have waited after all.

Ugg boots were replaced with huge white sunglasses.

The GSA site was blocked by Novell Border Manager. Nothing says vigilante like...

We had a record number of snow days - zero. It's a good thing we always plan ahead for these kinds of things.

Southwards covers this year featured sleeping seniors, a stop sign, a soccer goal covered in snow, and a hawk wearing a Santa hat.

I got fourth place (out of four) in a pickleball tournament and / didnt get an assembly.

Six people got in trouble for dressing up on Halloween.

Thank you, and adieu.

My name is James Mantas, and I have no comment

MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42. No. 14

Contraceptive awareness at South

by Kate Zelic & Melissa Jesski "I think that teens today do not fully understand the risks they take if they only have unprotected sex once. It only takes one time for something to happen," said Cody Thomas*. "I think that they are aware of contraceptives but need to make sure they are using them every time they have sex."

As Thomas mentioned, some teens do not take contraceptives very seriously. According to an unscientific survey, an alarming 28

ALWAYS

percent of Maine South students think that contraceptives are overrated. Still, the majority of sexually active students at Maine South find contraceptives to be a top priority. "[Contraceptives] are extremely important, especially at my age. It would suck if the girl got pregnant. There's no way I would be able to handle a situation like that," said Tina Sullivan.

In this day and age, contraceptives and attitudes towards them are changing greatly among students at Maine South High School.

POINTLESS...

As more teens become sexually active, education, accessibility, and effectiveness of contraceptives are issues that are prevalent in teens" lives.

The most typical form of contraception used by teens at Maine South is the condom.

According to a random sampling of Maine South students, 48 percent of sexually active teens used the condom most often.

Teens turn to this method the majority of the time because it is available without prescription. They are easily accessible in continued on page 5

HB

iiiaSiSUMLSiililiii^itlliii is looking for pictures for the Senior Issue. If you have any, drop them off at the Soutiiwortis Office. V-131

SOUTH WORDS A student-produced newspaper of:

Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge. IL 60068 Signed letters to the editor should be dehvered 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. hdiiors-in-Chief News Editors Kcaturcs Hditors Hntertainment Miters Commentar> EkJitors

Sports Eiditors Prcxiuction Editors

Photographer Staff Artists Advisors

James Mantas Greg Mitchell Annette Dean Melissa Hansen Atra Asdou Bettina Chang Martin Diamond Ronald Feiereisel Kelse\ Keith Anna Wolonciej Alexa Karas Frank Lukes Maxwell Hester Joshua Sissman Katie Katz Hannah Artwick Gina Tingas Mr. Ellefson Mr. Stathakis

FEATURES ;MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42. No. 14 continuedfrom page 4 prescription, it is easily accessible in drugstores, supermarkets, and even in vending machines, and they only cost between 50 cents and one dollar each.

The condom is the only contraceptive that protects against most STDs when used properly. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they have a three percent failure rate. By simply using a condom, teens greatly decrease their likelihood of getting pregnant. By using no method at all. the chance of pregnancy is 85 percent.

However, the condom is not the most effective method of birth control. The pill is number one. Studies show that the pill has a .1 percent failure rate. Fifty-seven percent of Maine South students surveyed knew that the pill was the most effective way to prevent pregnancy.

Another method of contraception which most teens steer away from is the patch. Only 2.5 percent of Maine South students surveyed admitted to using the patch. The patch is 99 percent effective and is very similar to the pill.

In some cases, the patch may be less expensive

than the pill, ranging from 30 to 35 dollars while the pill may cost up to 50 dollars.

In some cases, emergency contraception, otherwise known as the morning-after pill, is the only option left. "Once the condom broke, but we didn"t really think much of it at the time. We thought nothing would happen, and it didn't." said Thomas.

Others like Thomas have also experienced close calls. "Before I was on the pill. I used the morning-after pill because my only form of contraception was withdrawal," said Sullivan.

Ten percent of the sexually active Maine South teens surveyed reported usage of the morning-after pill. Typically, this type of emergency contraception ranges in price from 8-35 dollars. Places such as Planned Parenthood charge much less to make them more available to teens in desperate need. The morning-after pill has an efficiency rate of 95 percent, if used properly.

Surprisingly, with all these methods available, a small number of teens still rely on withdrawal as their only source of contraception. Although this method is better than no form at all. withdrawal still allows 19

5

percent of woman to get pregnant. Despite the high risk of pregnancy, 23 percent of sexually active Maine South students surveyed used withdrawal as their only birth control method.

With all of the various forms of contraception, there should still be a greater effort to make them easily accessible to teens. Thirty-eight percent of Maine South teens surveyed believe that contraceptives are not easily accessible. Maybe it's that they havent gone through great lengths to get ahold of some. Then again, it could be embarassment. Besides the condom, the other forms of contraception require a physician's prescription, and this may be intimidating to teens, especially if they are unwilling to inform their parents about their sexual behaviors. To face the facts, teens will still be sexually active, despite the availability of contraceptives.

Above all, it is most important that those who are sexually active have a relationship where they feel comfortable discussing contraception with each other.

"1 mean before it gets to that point we both know that we have to be protected," said Thomas. '• _ *real names were -not used in this article

Prom: a night to remember

by Emily Livacari and Francesca Pilati As Sarah Jacobs got ready for her unforgettable night, she dabbed on her lipstick and grabbed the boutonniere. When her date arrived, he told her she looked amazing in her dress. Sarah could hardly wait for her first high school prom. It was a special night that she intended on always remembering. After the dance, Sarah chose not to drink.

With both junior and senior prom coming up in less then two months, many parents are beginning to worry about post-prom plans. To many people, prom is an event that has always been connected to underage drinking and devastating alcohol-related car crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly one-third of youths under 21 killed in car crashes, died in alcohol-related crashes during prom and graduation season.

Results taken from a survey given to students at random showed that only 31 percent of high school students do not associate post-prom with drinking.

"1 feel that drinking is not an important part of prom. There are other ways to be able to have a good time and still be able to remember your entire night," said Sarah Jacobs, a senior

at Maine South High School.

In an attempt to increase the safety of prom, many schools are offering alternative plans after the dance. One of the activities being offered to seniors at Maine South High School is Celebration.

Celebration is a chaperoned, substance-free post-prom party which begins immediately following the prom and continues throughout the night. Many students choose to attend Celebration because it is a cheap, fun, and safe event for after prom.

"Last year 1 attended Celebration, and I had so much fun. Everyone who attended received an Ipod, $100 certificate to Best Buy, or a flat screen TV. It was a great time." said Jacobs.

Although alternative options are being offered to students, many teenagers still view drinking as an important aspect to post-prom.

According to a random sampling, 54 percent of Maine South students feel they can not have fun after prom without drinking.

"Last year 1 chose not to attend Celebration because 1 wanted to drink after the dance with my friends and Celebration seemed way too long. This year 1 plan on doing the same thing," said a Maine South senior, who chooses to remain anonymous.

With many students still choosing to drink

after prom, it is important that parents stay informed. Parents must make sure their children are capable of making the best decisions possible.

Data released by The Cenmry Council found that 97 percent of parents believe their kids have enough information to make the right decision about alcohol. An equal percentage of teenagers also feel they have enough information to make good decisions.

"Parents need to know that relying upon their own personal experiences is not enough to keep kids alcohol-free." said Susan Molinari, Chairman of The Century Council.

Even though statistics at Maine South High School may not prove to show the highest percentage of students choosing a substancefree night, Maine South will always offer Celebration to their students.

"1 feel that Celebration is worth attending and should always be an option for students.

It is a great alternative to drinking after prom and it is a cheap price for a lot of fun," said Jacobs.

With prom right around the comer, Maine South students need to be aware of alternative options for post-prom. Prom is a night that should not be all about drinking; it should be a night to remember.

6 The myths of fourth quarter FEATURES

MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

by Nicky Priovolos It is fourth quarter.

The sun is usually shining, the weather is warm, and the sweet smell of flowers and freshly mowed grass floats through the open windows in the first floor A-wing. It's easy to let your mind drift off to thoughts of summer vacation or graduation. Very few, if any of us, can actually concentrate on schoolwork after almost nine months of hard work and immense use of brainpower.

However, students are not the only ones wishing to take it easy for the last few weeks of school. In the interest of smooth sailing, some teachers are happy to let students coast by with minimum effort, while most disagree.

So, do teachers really lighten up at the end of the year and allow a few things to slide?

Ms. Anderson, a chemistry teacher at

Maine South states, "Both myself and my co-workers follow the same standards set throughout the year."

Mr. Deger, a history teacher, said, "1 tend to keep it consistent all year, so 1 don't add much by the year's end. They might be responsible for a little more reading, but that's about it. I would hate to burden the students because of my ineptitude."

Ms. Koshgarian. another history teacher, said, "1 don't believe teachers go easier on students toward the end of the year. The crunch is on, time-wise, and work needs to be completed. In fact, 1 give more work at then end of the year because I tend to get behind."

On the flip side, students have conflicting emotions on the issue as well. Sophomore Lauren Alpert said, "No way. If anything, they make us work harder." Similarly, Erin O'Connor, also a sophomore, said, "1 think teachers or the work doesn't really

change at the end of the year, but we don't want to concentrate on school, so it seems to get harder."

Kristin Brown believes, "I think it depends on the teacher because some pile on the work and others don't do anything in the class." Lauren Reboletti thinks, "No, overall, they don't because they pile on work that they didn't get through the rest of the year."

The truth of the matter is that it depends on the teacher. Some teachers sympathize with students and understand how hard it is for us to stay focused, and cut back on the workload or let a few things slide.

Others are just as worn out and anxious for summer as we are, keeping the pace of the class consistent. Some teachers take it to the other extreme, which is to overload us with homework and bombard us with facts in order to get through everything.

Either way, students just need to keep putting their best foot forward.

Internet restrictions gone too far

by Ryan Brown and Vince Ziols Safely inside a high-achieving high school on the North side of Chicago, there is a battle waging. It is a battle that has been fought time and time again since the conception of this great nation: a battle over censorship.

"1 get blocked when ever I'm looking for information at school for SouthwordsT said senior and co-editor-in-chief of Southwords, James Mantas. "It's stupid because we have all this access to technology, paying God knows what, and we can't use it to full extent because of the Internet restrictions around our school."

Mantas has had a problem with Internet restrictions since they where put into effect three years ago. "i can't even look up college scholarship information because of restrictions," James said. "I can't even look at major writing websites because they are blocked.""

Fifty percent of Maine South students surveyed in a random sampling said that they have been blocked from going onto an Internet site at school anywhere between once a week to every day.

"I'm usually on the computer two to four hours a day, most of the time at school. Most

of the time I'm getting blocked for some reason," said Mantas. "I mean, would it really kill the administrators to not block out the Internet and take away part of our learning experience about the world?"

One hundred percent of students surveyed at Maine South have been blocked from viewing an Internet site at school at least once, and 95 percent said that these restrictions have hindered their ability to do research inside the classroom. Some of these limits may be logical, but they other times they stop a student from performing normal school-time functions.

"When I search on Google, I can only go to 1 out of 100 sites, mostly because some topics are restricted from us to look at. How am 1 supposed to get any work done?" Mantas said. "Or 1 can't download plug-ins to go to some sites, because we are blocked from downloading anything."

More than 75 percent of students polled would rate the appropriateness of the sites that they are usually blocked from between PG13 and G, with 42.5 percent of those rating between PG and G. Students at Maine South also have clearcut views when it comes to their right to view these sites. In the survey, 72.5 percent

of students do not feel that Internet restrictions at Maine South are totally necessary.

Internet restriction has become a very controversial topic in schools today. But this isn't just a question of students wanting to be able to do as they please; it is a question of censorship.

It is a question of the rights guaranteed to all Americans. If we allow the administration to continue to control the information that we see, where will the censorship end? What other rights do students give up when entering the school doors?

All of the students polled said that the level of limitations on their school's Internet is too restrictive. In this world of instant access, the Internet symbolizes the seemingly infinite freedom that Americans have to consume and display information as they please. In this way, the Internet puts the world at your fingertips.

Censorship will always be fought over in every medium in our world. Freedom of speech has gone a long way, but will it stop at the Internet?

Even freedom has logical boundaries; in today's fly-by-wire environment, it is necessary that we set limits.

It is a test of students" freedom, the right Americans have to obtain information as they please.

MAY

12, 2()06 • VOL. 42, No. 14

"Advent Children" just average

by Ron Feiereisel

f ^ ^f Do me a favor and read this: "What 1 hope for...is to use this planet as a vessel to explore the darkness of space, as mother did before me."

Now. imagine that dialogue spoken in a gruff masculine voice, and backed by a guitar riff straight from the "SOs. And ihen bask in the fact that you hav e absolutely no idea v\ hat those few lines mean. I have no clue...and I actually saw the mo\ ie.

That's one of the problems I have with "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children." the computer-animated sequel to arguahh one of the most jxipuiar (and best) role-playing games of all time. While the action is stylish, and the computer-generated characters and environments are nothing short of aweinspiring, the dialogue and overall stor> range from ridiculous to just plain stupid. Before we realh gel into this. I'd like to point out that 1 have not played "Final Fantasy VII." know nothing of it's stor> and painfully little about its characters.

The "Advent Children" plot has something to do w ith a disease called "Gcostigma" that's some sort of by -product of the events at the end of the video game. The plot is weak to the point of being distracting. I had to pause the DVD a couple of times just to sort out u hat exactly v\as going on. The viewer is simply thrust into what appears to be a seriously complex story, which is like getting unexpectedix pushed into a pool b\ your Iriend at some sort of summer shindig. It's just ver> overwhelming, and not in a smart way. like "The Usual Suspects" where you're kind of lost, but Kevin Space> keeps >ou headed in the right direction. This moxie has no Verbal Kint. and desperately needs one.

There's really no excuse for any animated film to have a shoddy story. Films like these ("The Incredibles" or "Shrek") are worked on for \ears before their release. You'd think someone would ha\e the common sense to say, "Hey, this really doesn't make any sense.

Maybe we should re-write it." Pixar gets this, which is why their stories are of such high caliber.

Then, of course, there's the dialogue, which was nothing short of laughable. The three main

bad guys, Kadaj. lx)z, and Yazoo-yes, those are the real names-keep talking of "mother" and calling the main character. Cloud, their brother.

The fact that Cloud is their brother makes sense.

I get that But "mother" is confusing, and the wa\s some lines are spoken just seem odd.

No one calls their brother "brother" Maybe something got lost in the translation from the Japanese version. It would certainly explain a whole lot.

Despite the goofv dialogue and paper-thin plot. I don't di.slike "Advent Children." It's a technical marvel in that the computer-generated animation is absolutely stunning. It sets the bar a little higher for the whole industry, which will catch up soon enough. I he visual aspect of the film is something to be applauded not so much in the way the film is shot, but in the way the environments look. One setting is a forest. with trees that glow a fluorescent pale white in almost total darkness. The scene is eerily beautiful and unique because something like that is probably next to impossible to pull off in a li\e action movie or hand-drawn anime.

The voice acting is basicalh what you'd expect from an English dubbed feature-the actual \oice o\er work is prett> solid, but it clearU doesn't mesh with the movements on the characters* lips. Coupled with the dialogue. it's really sort of pt>intless. The characters rattle off very little explanatory dialogue to keep the story moving, and then it's on to the next big battle. The battles themselves are fantastic, well-choreographed and exciting, but the dialogue just throws a stick into the spokes of the film, and often left me saying something to the affect of, "Okay, let's get to a fight."

"Advent Children" feels like a traditional anime feature, but looks like a Pixar movie.

Although it is a sterling example of how far computer technology has come, it doesn't have any slaying power with the average \icwer, because it's not accessible to people w ho know nothing of "Final Fantasy VM." It's something of an (xld hybrid. The movie's not for kids, but it's not really for adults, either. It's found its own odd niche, which I guess is something I have to give it credit for.

"Final Fantasv VII: Advent Children" is available now on DVD and the Playstation Portable (PSP-which is probably the target market.) It's cost at most stores is $20.99 w hich really only justifies purchase for fans of the game. HopefulK it will pop up at Game stop for cheap in a fe\v months.

The end of school is finally approaching, but there are still so many more places to \ isit on the Blue Line. What better time than the summer to take a ride and explore the city? Daylight stretches a minute longer each da\, and it is about time you took the final stretch all the way to Greek town at ihe UIC-Halsted stop.

It may be one of the farthest destinations from O'Hare on the "L." but it is well worth the trip if you are bored on a scorching hot day.

Artopolis Bakery and Cafe is a less expensive alternative to some of the other restaurants in GreekTov\n. without sacrificing qualitv. It has the feel of a large coffeehouse, but the menu is extensive and is far from anything ordinary, fhey serve individual pizzas foryour not-so-daring American friends at a reasonable price of six dollars. The traditional Greek food is also delicious for >our wannabe-Greek friends. The yuvetsaki which is Greek for beef and pasta in red sauce contains mild orzo noodles with tender beef that falls apart w ith the touch of a fork. This is one of my personal fa\ orites, and I highly recommend you try it for yourself.

Slop at Damen to daip in on the coffeehouse.

Filter, to fill up on something warm when those Chicago summers drop into surprisingly low temperatures. It is Chicago, after all.

Make sure to try the hot chocolate and enjov the many coffee varieties offered. .And if \ou are really daring. I mean even more daring then trying some craz) Greek entries that I recommend, then you should make an appearance at Margie's Candies off the Western stop. This place gets a little seedy at night, .so I suggest coming by after lunch to enjo> some large portions of creamy inexpensiv e ice cream. The sundaes are ser\ ed inseashell bowls with plenty of wafers to share w iih friends. You must eat at Margie's: ne\ er take your ice cream to go. becau.se the inside of the place is like a fun house with a side ofcraz). The walls are lined with hundreds of dolls and I have a feeling that the ow ncrs haven't changed ihc decor in over .^0 years.

That's what makes it unique.

1 hat's all for this year. I hope jou all had as good a time as I did on the Dining on the Blue Line. Maybe next year I'll Catch ya on the Metra.

8

lN3ER:m:mMEM^ MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. \4

Not the usual Starbuck's scene ^^^^^'^ ""ly «« b}' Alexandra Evangelou One thing rings true about Chicago teens: had the white chocolate shake and another had once the temperature hits 70, we automatically the Kafeine salad.

It took a while for the food to get to us. but rush out to buy sandals, shorts, and tank tops. When the weather is nicer out, people we didn't let that bother us. The first taste of tend to let go of things that stress them the cappuccino milkshake made me want to out and just enjoy the beautiful weather. dance. It was just the right combination of The weekend of April 14 was just that. coffee and ice cream. It reminded me of frappe.

1 led my friend to the beautiful Northwestern a coffee 1 used to order while visiting Greece.

University campus. We decided after running The drink was smooth and not at all thick. It around in the sand and splashing around in the was simply perfect. Now. as for the cheesecake, water (at 11 o'clock at night) to find a trendy perfect doesn't come to mind. The cheesecake coffee shop. Being in a college town, we knew went beyond that: it was greatness on a plate. we would not be disappointed. After driving Once 1 put it into my mouth mouth, the cheesecake melted around in awe of the homes in into goodness, in a Evanston, we found what we were short three minutes looking for. the cake was gone.

"Small," "trendy," and "eclectic" and I wanted more. were the words that came into mind Kafeine is also a when we saw Kafeine. The quirky vegetarian-friendly spelling of caffeine made us want to establishment. My go in and experience this coffee shop. vegetarian friend When walking into the little liked all her options coffee shop, I was amazed to see land couldn't decide how many people were sitting Iwhat she wanted around enjoying the surroundings. from the menu.

To put it simply, it was crowded.

She decided on the This didn't bother me at all because Kafeine Salad. It I was too preoccupied by all the was a mix of greens, "stuff" this place had. carrots, p e c a n s , I was taken aback by the t o m a t o e s , and mismatched ftimiture, the collection celery. To top the of books on the wall, and the waiters salad off, my friend running around. Trying to get a table illustration bv Ron Feiereisel chose the Caesar at Kafeine was a bit difficult. You do not get seated at Kafeine: you just jump on dressing. The salad had a mix of beautiful the first available table in sight. There is also a colors, and my friend finished all of it and was beautiful outdoor terrace surrounding a pool. satisfied.

Overall, Kafeine is a fun, quirky, eclectic So alter surveying the scene and weighing our possible options, my friends and I decided to place. If you want to come and just relax you just wait for a table. Luckily, a group of boys can do that, or you could also bring a book. The got up from their table and allowed us to take room volume was Just right. However. Kafeine their seats. We thanked them and scurried into had one negative. the seats before anyone else could claim the Another friend never received her drink. table.

We didn't notice until the check came. 1 was Once we were seated, a fi-iendly, upbeat disappointed in this because Kafeine is a great waitress came to our table and gave us our place, but this incident didn't lend to its overall menus. Looking at the menu 1 realized it was credibility.

Being the bravest out of the bunch, I decided hard to concentrate on the food. The menu, like the coffee shop, was also quirky. It had tid-bit to talk to someone in charge. They apologized, facts that kept patrons occupied, and also funny acknowledged their mistake, and gave us the names for their food and drinks, such as "Fat- drink to go. I would have appreciated the drink, Ass smoothies." After only a few short minutes. the apology, and the acknowledgment a little I ordered the cappuccino milkshake and the more if she gave it to us for free. Other then that New York style cheesecake. My other fi-iends little incident, our night at Kafeine was great.

average eatery

by Colin ReiJy We were welcomed to Chicago after a long road trip by a dimly-lit restaurant lined with random pictures and posters all dating back to the infamous career of Mike Ditka. The hostess was very friendly as she took our jackets, put them on hangers and gave us cards with numbers on them. It was clear this restaurant was intended to be a classy place.

We were wear>, on our way home from a long road trip. Ditka's had a very nice feel, leaving a good first impression.

At 4:30 on Easter Sunday, it was almost empty, unusual for a restaurant of this caliber The walls were covered with thousands of pictures and random memorabilia from Ditka's famed sports career as a coach for the Chicago Bears during their incredible 1985 Super Bo>wl Season.

Unlike the hostess, the waiter was not sharp.

Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. We happened to get the bad apple, the waiter who almost deserted our table for what seemed like an eternity. We ordered our drinks and our soups and salads, and then our experience was waiter-less for about 40 minutes. The aspect that makes it worse is that, as mentioned before, fee restaurant was almost empty.

1 took the extended time to choose entrees well. I thought it was nice, not being pressured into making a quick decision. However, fhe mood would soon change. 1 turned angry at the carelessness of our waiter, and we called him over and he apologized, but did not offer an explanation. We ordered our food, and 1 was willing to judge this restaurant on the food, and service soon to come At first, the sen'ers confused our order with another table's. This did not lead to a good first impression of the restaurant.

Finally, our food came and I happened to order a full slab of ribs, which looked ver>' good, i have ordered ribs at various other restaurants previously, when I learned not to judge a book by its cover. From the first bite, it was apparent that the ribs were .smoked, but a little too smoked. Some parts would qualify as burnt, and the sauce was a little too traditional for me. For a twenty-one dollars. I would expect more than a slab of ribs and a small pile of fries.

Overall, I would give Ditka's a middle range C. It's at least worth checking out. even if it isn't for everyone.

COMMENTARY MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

9

Living in a culture of constant hurry

by Bettina Chang

Everyone is always hurrying to do something. "Oh no, I'll be late! I'll miss something!

I'll look bad! My boss/teacher/mom is going to kill me!"

What has society done to us? No one has time for a break anymore. By the end of the day, we feel like we should be panting for breath. In our culture of hurry, perhaps it would be of benefit to take a step back and slow it down.

As the end of the year approaches, students feel the weight of the deadline more and more on their backs. That, along with the end of sports seasons, the big end-of-the-year performances, AP tests, awards ceremonies, and whatever else you venture to participate in, adds a lot of pressure to your schedule.

Students are constantly running from one end of town to the other, speaking rapid-fire into their cell phones, speeding down Touhy and barely looking before changing lanes. Of course, we all know that speed limits in Chicago are more like "speed suggestions," but let's imagine for a minute that these numbers actually meant something. If you drove above the speed limit, you are putting yourself and others in danger. Would you still speed to school?

Is being on time to practice really more important than your life, or the lives of others?

Maybe that's too rash of an example. Here's another familiar situation to many of you: it's one a.m. on a school night and you've just finished an incredibly pointless and tedious assignment. You've been panicking over the prospect of sleeping through a history test the next morning, and all you want to do is get to bed. Then, just as you're about to sign off, a friend messages you and asks for a favor.

His printer just broke, could you please print

something out for him? And the first thought to run through your mind is, "But I'm just about to leave." Couldn't he find someone else? Or print it out at school the next morning? Chances are, yes, he can. But tell me, how long would it take to do this small favor for a friend. Five minutes? Less? But of course, the most common answer to this late night plea is"sry i really gtg. ask sum 1 else?"

People constantly think they are running out of time when they really aren't. They are simply failing to use it correctly. Prioritize.

How important is your time when you can't even spare five minutes to help out a fi^iend?

There is always time to lend an ear. to make someone smile, to just say "hi," and "yes, I recognize that you exist on the face of the Earth." It sounds so simple, yet it's in our societal nature to try to conserve every second.

If you conserve that time and don't put it to anything meaningful, then what was point in the first place?

The laws restrict the wrong group

by Hannah Pae In Tuscola, III., a 77-year-old woman began a road test to renew her driver's license by backing the car over a curb and into a tree.

Then, she plowed through the plate-glass window's of the driver-testing center, killing a woman, who was waiting to take a vision test, and injuring three others.

As I neariy got into an accident this past weekend with an elderl> woman who rolled a stop sign, I couldn't help but think. "Should elderly citizens still be allowed to drive on the road?" With so many lives at stake in the hands of these reckless drivers, I say that elderly drivers should do the public a favor and stay off the road.

Unfortunately as people start to age, their vision, hearing, reflexes and attention spans start to diminish. These are all normal processes of aging, which are an inconvenience to many, but also a danger when it comes to driving.

Experts on aging say most physical functions degrade at a rate of five to 10 percent for ever> 10 years an adult ages. That's prett> scary. Just imagine getting rammed into by an elderly driver who stomps on the brakes five seconds after spotting >ou at the intersection.

Sadly, decades of driving experience count for little without physical skills.

On the other hand, many people would probably argue and say that teenagers pose the biggest threat to drivers. After all, statistics show that teenagers are four times more likely to be killed in an auto accident. But then again, the elderly pose a similar risk. Yet, much more is being done to control teen drivers than elderly motorists.

There is so much stigma associated with teenage driving because we're deemed to be the group that's immature and impulsive with the lack of driving experience, but everyone forgets that we all have to start somewhere.

You can't expect a novice to be a pro at what he or she is doing, and raising the driving age would only delay mistakes. Teens only have room to improve but elderly drivers don't - their driving abilities can onh go downhill. Besides, with all the driving regulations that teens have to deal \\ ith. like curfew and a limited number of passengers for the first six months upon receiving a license, it's only fair to impose them on the onl\ other risky driving age group - elderly motorists.

If senior citizens are worried about getting around. the> have manj options to choose from. Most cities offer discounts to seniors

on public transportation, and senior centers, churches and community service agencies often provide special transportation services as well. Many times, family and friends are more than happy to act as chauffeurs to keep their loved ones off the road.

So then why are elderiy drivers so resistant in giving up their driving privileges? Independence. To strip seniors of their driving rights would be robbing them of their independence.

But quite frankl>. shouldn't the safet> of others be top priority? I say it seems a bit selfish.

Although many states have enforced strict measures to improve the driving record of teenage drivers, little has been done to pre\ent dangerous senior citizens from driving.

Thankfully, in Illinois, seniors are required to take some type of road test, but this should be a requirement in all states.

Teenagers make up 10 percent of the population and account for 14 percent of highway deaths. Adults. 65 and older, make up 13 percent of the population and account for 14 percent of highwa\ deaths.

So why aren't organizations like MADD and AAA lobbying for new laws restricting elderiy driving privileges? Grandma can vote.

Junior can't.

10

COMMENTARY MAY 12, 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

A religion misrepresented

by Alexandra Evangelou munion cup. Marijuana is apart of their reliIn a Hawk pride lesson, I had to ask the stu- gious culture, and so is the representation of dents about groups at Maine South and what the Rasta colors. identified them. One outspoken girl yelled out At Maine South, many wear the Rasta col"the stoners." I had to write this on the board ors and truly don't know the meaning behind it. and proceeded to ask her what identified them. The students here have chosen to make Rasta She replied, "They look like hippies and wear a part of their fashion wardrobe "must-haves." those colors that mean they smoke weed." Af- Others, such as descendants of African slaves, ter she made that remark. 1 thought about it. are into Rasta for religious satisfaction. a lot of people really dont know what those The Rastafarian religion was started by Afcolors mean. For a while, 1 was one of those ricans who felt that Afiica was the birthplace people and simply just categorized "those colors" with marijuana.

But those colors go beyond that. As one friend told me, "It's actually a religion, like the Christians have the cross, the Rastafarians have those colors."

The colors, which are normally black, red, green, and sometimes yellow represent the Rastafarian religion. Red represents the church of Rasta, and it also represents ,,j MHM.Hi-Wm.«r? piitii" the blood shed of the Bob Marley is the most celebrated Rastafarian in history. martyrs, green represents the fertile land of Ethiopia, black represents the colors of Africans, and yellow of mankind. The religion was lead by Emrepresents the wealth of their homeland. peror Haile Selassie I, who they believe is a I was intrigued by this and 1 wanted to see if manifestation of God. Rasta has taken some anyone knew what the colors and Rastafarian beliefs from the teachings of a Jamaican black really are. As I began to ask around casually, nationalist, Marcus Garvey. Marcus Garvey I started to get the same responses. Everyone preached about self empowerment and started who wears those colors is a so called "stoner." the "Back to Africa'" movement. Rasta is a I \^is bothered by this, andfi-ankly,I was quite religion, not something that identifies people annoyed. I was annoyed because the fact is the who smoke marijuana. It is a whole lifestyle Rasta goes beyond smoking marijuana. which people live by.

Rastafarian reasoning behind using mariKeep this in mind when you see someone juana is stated in Psalms 104:14. Actually, wearing those colors. Ask them if they know Rastafarians (the name for their religion) con- what each color represents, ask if they know sider marijuana to be "wisdom weed" because that this is actually a religion, and ask them it helps a person gain knowledge. Marijuana why they really wear those colors. 1 would is part of a religious rite and a way of getting hate to see these colors being worn as a fashcloser to their inner spiritual self, God, and ion statement. How would you feel if a group creation. Smoking marijuana is also a part of suburban teenagers wore something that of their religious ceremonies. They all gather is important to your culture and religion and around and pass the Chalice, a large smoking have no clue as to what it really means? This is pipe, which they all take turns smoking from. not a fad, plain and simple. This is a religious They believe that the passing of marijuana is group that is misrepresented. similar to other religions which pass a com-

O • p^ ''^•^ Q^

"Why do teachers give seniors homework second scmcsler'.'"

1"^

-Dave Douglass '06

o ^m^ ^^

"Do you think the school should have healthier food in the cafeteria?"

W

-Laura Van De Carr '08

"Why can't the Bulls win the Championship?"

-Will Ami '09

Jrt

Why don't seniors have open campus.'

-Danielle Burian '06

^

COMMENTARY MAY 12.2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

11

Playing to lose: The NBA playoffs

by James Krogstad

Back in 2004, the NBA divided into three divisions for each conference instead of their original two divisions in two conferences.

Since then, the playoff seeding has been twirled around. Now, we have three division champions that will take the first, second, and third seeds of their conference.

In the 2004-2005 season, both fourth seeds had better records than the third seeds. The fourth-seeded Chicago Bulls had two more wins than the third-seeded Boston Celtics, and the fifth-seeded Washington Wizards had the same record as Boston. In the west, the fourthseeded Dallas Mavericks had a better record than the third-seeded Seattle Supersonics with six more wins.

Confusing isn't it? Because the NBA changed into more divisions, it is likely that one division is deeper with better teams than another. But after last year's debacle, everyone looked away from this little problem.

No one thought it could get worse, right?

Well it did. Let's jump a whole year ahead.

Here we are, beginning the NBA playoff's, and yet again, we have confiision and disar-

ray, which lead to controversy in one of the last regular season games. Before the playoffs, the L.A. Clippers battled the Memphis Grizzlies in a game that would decide the fifth seed for the NBA playoffs. If the Clippers won this game, they would be the fifth seed instead of the sixth seed. Sounds like something any team wants, a better seeding.

But the catch is by being the fifth seed, you get the honor of facing fourth-seeded Dallas, which actually has the second best record in the West. Many people were worried that the Grizzlies/Clippers game would be "tanked," meaning that both teams would try to lose the game so they could avoid the explosive Mavericks.

You're probably asking yourself, "But what about the sixth seed? You'll have to face the third seed; wouldn't that be a hard match up too?" The answer is no, not when you are facing a young Denver Nuggets team that both Memphis and L.A. have a better record than.

To make things even worse than they already are, the sixth seed gets home court advantage against the third seed, which just doesn't seem fair.

The NBA has this year's playoffs unorganized, and very confusing. All of a sudden, you have a third that would be tied for the sev-

enth best record in the West (which the Nuggets would lose the tiebreaker and become the eighth seed).

Let's look at what the match-ups are for this year's playoffs opposed to what it would have been if the conferences were back to two divisions. The confirmed western playoff matchups: (1) Spurs vs. (8) Kings, (4) Mavericks vs. (5) Grizzlies, (3) Nuggets vs. (6) Clippers (Clippers have home court advantage), and (2) Suns vs. (7) Lakers, Now let's take a look at how different everything would be if their were the original two divisions: (1) Spurs vs. (8) Nuggets, (4) Grizzlies vs. (5) Clippers, (3) Mavericks vs. (6) Lakers, (2) Suns vs. (7) Kings. Even though the Mavericks would still have a better record than the Suns, this would have been a little more organized than this jumbled wad of teams they have now. All four match-ups are completely changed around.

David Stem should stop worrying about what players wear on and off" the court and try to come up with a solution for next year's playoffs before something even worse happens. Ever heard of a team with a better record than one of the three division champions that did not make the playoffs? I haven't, but keep that in mind for next year.

The Pythagorean library theorem

by James Manias Almost every body has been halted when walking through the library to get to their next class, whether from the Writing Lab to, say, room C115, or vice versa. Someone has instituted a rule stating that students can't pass through the library during any passing periods, which includes going to the library from the Writing Lab. So. come with me on an investigative journey into the "Route Involving Docility and Impairing of Conscious Utilization of Longitudinal Optimization yet Unfortunately S u p e r f l u o u s , " or more c o m m o n l y , RIDICULOUS. The RIDICULOUS survives on the assumption that those unfortunate students with study hall classes that are signing into the library will easily camouflage themselves

amongst those cutting through the librar>.

First of all, why would someone ever want to ditch study? I mean, it isn't detention — detention is sitting in a room with no windows with nothing to do in near-silence for 20 minutes. Some study halls at least have windows that look out into the hallway. In fact, the punishment for ditching study halls is detention.

So, ditchers used to ride on the backs of those rule-abiding, wholesome, time-efficient students.

But the once-rule-abiders are now rulebreakers. They attempt to slice through the library w ith no regard for order or the perfectly rational library guidelines.

Why? The pleasurable glide across the lush carpefing? Their passerb> interest in literature?

The thrill alone?

There's approximately 12 feet from the door of the Writing Lab to the hallway: from there, approximately 140 feet to the front

hallway, and another 138 feet to the front door of the library. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, one could easily find a direct pass through the library, ignoring the few bends and curves of the route, to measure about 205.299 feet—84.701 feet shorter than the route around the library via hallway.

At 4 ft/s—my estimate of the average traffic speed in the hallway during an\ given passing period—that's about 21.25 seconds.

Keep in mind, though, that you are passing through the single most obnoxious traffic section in mankind's and Maine South's history—the Suicide T —so tack on a good 10 to 20 seconds.

Which brings me to question the rationale of the RIDICULOUS. Anyone could solve the ditching problem fore\'er b\ taking attendance in the library.

There are dumb rules, and there are reasons and places to complain about them. This is mine. Where's yours?

12

SPORTS MAY 12. 2006 • VOL. 42, No. 14

Who will come out on top this season?

I will admit that this is a bit of While I hate to put a damper on a homer pick, but it would be a Greg's last defense of the Cubs, and downright crime for me to pick more importantly, his last pointagainst the Cubs in my final pointcounter point at Southwards. I have counterpoint battle. Picking against to let him have it one more time. the World Champions, even when The Cubs were supposed to finally they are White Sox, is very difficult, win the World Series in 2003. It was but here we go. only their sixth playoff appearance I'll start off by acknowledging that the White Sox did indeed win since 1972, but for a few games, the Cubs had a chance to change their last year's World Series, but that was last year's World Series, so it thus history of bad "fortune." Fortune, of course, is a word synonymous with has no bearing on this current season's outcome. By the same token, the luck. Put a "bad" in front of it and it becomes synonymous with the Cubs did finish a disappointing fourth in the NL Central last year, but word "Cubs." Cub fans have been using their bad fortune and injuries as that result also has no bearing on this current season's outcome. excuses since the Bartman incident/sign of God's hatred of the Cubs.

The Cubs have a much easier road to success by playing in the National "Oh, but we have been injured. If we had Wood and Prior, we would League, which is far and away the weaker of the two leagues. The baby- beat the Cardinals for the Central Division Title." Wrong. You still call faced Rockies are overachieving and leading the pathetic NL West, where I Ryan Dempster a suitable closer, a .500 record won the division last year. The Mets are off to a fast start, in part because you couldn't but are a bunch of unproven find anyone one else. You think winners, and behind Pedro you have a left fielder in Matt Martinez and Tom Glavine, Murton, but what really makes their pitching is suspect. The •M him different from the 15 guys Cardinals are the class of the before him who failed to keep NL yet again, but even they are the job? The management built weaker. The Cubs have alread\ a homerun team in the last two proven they can compete with years, but forgot that they live them. The Astros are feasting in the Windy City and play in a off an incredibly easy schedule, pitcher's park. Nomar, like Jeremy the Bronson Arroyo-led Reds Bumitz, Kenny Lofton, Moises will surely fall apart, and even Alou, Corey Patterson, and the NL powerhouses such as Atlanta steroid-free Sammy Sosa, was a and San Francisco have shown ^^^^"^ '""' ^^^^ *''"^'>' *'"'"«"'• bust and is now gone. vulnerability. The fact is, while the NL is wide-open, the AL is stacked phoUi cimrlt's This season, newly-aquired with good teams.

The Sox celebrate after winning Jacque Jones has not hit and can't the World Series in 2005.

In their own division, the Sox have to deal with a talented and hungry keep the media off of his back.

Indians team and an upstart Tigers team that surprisingly has the best Juan Pierre, the best available pitching staff in the majors, leading the league in ERA. The AL West center fielder this year in free agency, is hitting .248 with no homeruns is a three-team race, as the Rangers, A's, and Angels are all dangerous and two runs batted in. Derek Lee broke his wrist in a collision at first and legitimate contenders. Add the Yankees and Red Sox into this mix base. His absence puts even more pressure on the pitching staff, who and you have a league stocked with quality teams that are all capable already is missing Wood and Prior. They seem to be making this an of dethroning the Sox. annual ordeal. Both have been injured in the past three seasons making Though I am very reluctant to do so, I will place my faith, and the it impossible to tell if the Cubs are true contenders, or had one good vaffdity of this argument, into the gigantic collective "'if that is Mark season back in 2003.

Prior and Kerry Wood. If the Ciibs can get a quality.' season from Just one The White S<;>x wiseK built a team equipped with uncanny starting oftheirthreeailirtgitarters(Wo<.)d,Prior,and Wadc.Milkr;beginiia3gin ,^tcbir^^which won five slraighi coiiiplete,ga||g^ the postseason last June, then their pitching stiit'f should be able to earn them to the top ot fall ITierc is a balance ut speed and power rn the lineup, which produces the NL. Greg Maddux has been simpi> brilJiarit, C arlo=;Zuinbrmiois too tinielyiiils and ro^ufacture^ runs. "%}& isuot tomention a strong defense good not to bounce back Ironi hi^ World Baseball C la^^ie-induced poor and a manager who loses to take risks (vsluch usually pay oflf) with the start, and the bullpen is strong enough where this is a real possibility. game on the line.

The Cubs are also better defensively and faster then they have been in How could the Sox finish worse than the Cubs, who placed fourth in years, which can carry a team farther than one would think. the NL Central last year? The Cubs remain virtually the same team give So Derrek Lee is down. Prior and Wood are as sore as ever, and Jacque or take a couple guys, with almost the same lineup. The Sox clearly Jones is already having issues with the bleacher bums. The Cubs are improved through the aquisitions of current AL homerun leader, Jim still above .500. and with a few breaks and some good health, shooting Thome, and fifth starting pitcher Javier Vasquez. to the top of a weak NL is a realistic expectation. In this journalist's I'll tell you how the Cubs will win: it will take a miracle. Remembering final opinion for Soiithwords, this is a lot more possible than the Sox how they have been treated by the forces that be, I think they'd be better maintaining their current pace in a highly competitive AL. off watching the playoffs at home.

SPORTS MAY 12, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 14

B

Baseball led by a mature pitching staff

by Nick Ryter A lot has happened since the last issue. Through the fifth week of the season, the team is 16-6. The Hawks baseball team has gone 10-0 since they first reached the .500 mark (6-6). The Hawks gained a lot of maturity and a little humility to keep rolling.

Throughout the past 10 games, the Hawks offense has exploded, and their pitching staff has zeroed in on opposing hitters. Hawks coach Bill Milano would like to see his team focus more on line drives rather than towering fly balls, the team's worst enemy. Other than that, the Hawks have sewed up a defense that the pitching staff can rely on.

Mike Bradley got the Hawks up to .500 by earning the Hawks second conference win, a 12-2 victory at Niles North. He received run support on Vince Mathe's third and Alex Friel's first homeruns of the season. The following day, the Hawks battled to a 4-3 victory in eight innings over Lane Tech. Lefty Rob Seiwert fanned 10 batters, setting up the win for Ryan Wachholder (2-0), who also came up with the game-winning single.

Pro scouts were out on April 17 to see a

heavily anticipated matchup between Kevin Manson on the hill and Tyler Latendorff at the plate for Maine West. Through five innings of work, the Hawks ace struck out eight batters, including Latendorff twice. Bradley led the Hawks with three hits and two R.B.I.'s as the team had 13 total hits. The final score was 9-4.

In the first game of a conference match-up against the Niles West Wolves, Bradley pitched a complete game, while Mathe went 3-4 with a double in a 7-3 win. Perhaps the Hawks closest contest came two days later when the Hawks hosted Niles West. The Wolves held an early lead until the Hawks lineup came alive in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kevin Schrop, who homered earlier and was 4-5 on the day, doubled in two runs to win the game.

That Saturday, the Hawks stormed into Elk Grove to take on the fifth-ranked team in the state in the Grenadiers. Bradley set the tone early with a homerun in the first inning, while John Wolf went 2-4 with a homerun to get his first victory on the mound this year. The final score was 10-5.

Manson's nine-strikeout, two-hit, completegame shutout held off Waukegan as Schrop and Wolf both went 2-3 to lead the Hawks to a 5-0 win. In the second game, Bradley toed

the rubber to improve his record on the season to 4-1. Wachholder was a home-run short of hitting for the cycle, as the Hawks pounded the Bulldogs for 15 hits in their 13-5 victory.

The Hawks jumped all over Libertyville in the first inning with seven runs. That was more than enough for Seiwert, who looked determined to get his first win of the year. The Hawk hurler zoned in after the first inning and ended up with eight strikeouts in an 11-4 win.

Deerfield saved their ace for the Hawks, but it wasn't enough as the Hawks prevailed in a close 5-3 game. John Wolf got his second win in five innings of work. Manson came in to save the game, but left fielder Matt Mueller had the play of the day, making a diving catch in the bull-pen on a foul ball.

At Evanston, the Hawks' bats were silent until a three run inning in the fourth gave them space. That was all Manson needed, with another complete-game shutout to run his record to 5-1 on the year.

The fast start taken by the Hawks has them in control of their own destiny in the South Central Suburban League. Strong competition still lurks in teams aiming for the bulls-eye on the black and red of Maine South's team this spring. As Coach Milano puts it, "We need to continue to pitch, hit, and field every game."

Firing up on all cylinders

by Tommy Joyce Coach Pasier's team is sitting atop the CSL South, thanks to impressive performances from the whole team. The hitting and pitching have both gained a lot of momentum throughout the season. The Hawks recently beat rival New Trier 2-0 in one of their biggest wins of the season.

In this dramatic game, Emily Epifanio hit a long solo homerun in the fourth inning to open up the scoring.

Then, in the top of the sixth, the Hawks added an insurance run when Katie Anderson led off with a double Porterfield prepares

and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Christina pitching of Allison Abezetian. Already with a Solari. Michelle Chiaramonte was the 6-4 lead in the top winning pitcher for the Hawks over the of the final inning, tough Trevians in a CSL South battle.

South increased its lead after Epifanio Pasier's team also beat Lane Tech 8-0. launched a colossal as promising sophomore Gina Jenero got two-run homer over herfirstvarsity win as pitcher. She threw a the wall in deep lefttwo-hit shutout and struck out four battercenter. along the way.

The Hawks took both games of a All aspects of doubleheader with the girls' experience Leyden as they beat have improved, and the Eagles 3-2 and 7-0, with the leadership respectively. The girls of the seniors, the also crushed Waukegan > oung players have 11-2, as Chiaramonte had a chance to pitched and got another shine through.

Chiaram amazing win.

The Hawks seem The girls" softball team to be firing on all cylinders on their hot winning ran their overall win streak to streak. Come out and support the stellar softball seven straight when they beat team when they face off against Regina on May Highland Park 8-4 behind the 17 at Maine South. to hit the ball

SRKIIVJCJ BxsKBAi.i. • GIRLS' SOCCER • TRACK • Btns' GYMNASTICS •

BADMIMON

200e>

• SOFTBALL • Bovs' TENNIS • Bo^s' VOLLENBALL

Pulling together during times of need

by A lex a Karas As the school year comes to an end, the volleyball season finally starts to accelerate into high gear.

Every game counts, especially from this point on, and every moment brings the Hawks closer and closer to another shot at state.

The Hawks managed to capture first place in the Libertyville tournament a few weeks ago, adding to their long list of awards and trophies.

Teddy Adamczyk and Kristaps Staks were key offensive players and were both named to the All-Tournament team.

Being a little short handed because of Ryan Haas' ankle injury, and with three members absent due to the national constitution team competition, the Hawks thought that they would have difficulty in the Downers Grove

South tournament. However, everyone pulled through, and the Hawks managed to win second place out of 24 teams, losing only in the championship match against Naperville North, the number one ranked team in the state.

"It's nice to know that the other guys are ready to step in." commented Coach Granell.

Because the underclassmen were called upon to lead the team, new faces appeared to shine through that will continue to be important in the years to come. "Claude [Kuzmicki] played well and stepped up. We expect big things from him," said Granell. Dan Suwinski also guarded the right side of the net well with four kills and three blocks.

Currently, Mike Thomas is replacing Haas in the middle and has been performing well. In the DGS tournament, he had 13 kills. "Thomas is a great new middle," said Granell, "We are relying on him, and he is raising his game."

In the back row with the official title as labero, Cullen McChristian made 48 digs out of the possible 58 he attempted on serve receives in the DGS tournament. At times, it seems like he is always in the air. anticipating plays even before they materialize.

Matt Kelly also continues to be one of the key members of the offense, with 10 blocks and 43 kills in the DGS tournament. He had the highest kill percentage on the team, at 63 percent.

Adamczyk was the best player offensively, with 61 total kills and nine aces. He managed to make over 20 kills in one match alone.

The boys also defeated Niles West and pushed their record to 19-5. Unfortunately, after losing to New Trier, the Hawks will most likely be placed as the third seed in the Sectional tournament behind Glenbrook North and New Trier.

Boys' tennis preparing for Sectionals

by Frank Lukes Playing the best competition out there isn't always easy, and the boys' tennis team knows this better than anyone else.

The guys play the top-ranked teams day in and day out. and never for a second think that they are going to lose. The team knows that in order to become the best, you must play the best.

This is the attitude that the Hawks have had in this last string of meets in which they were the underdog and were favored to lose. After a disappointing finish at the Hawk Invite, the guys regrouped for Sectional opponent Schaumburg two days later.

It was an intense, close meet with win:> coming from the number-one doubles team of Dave Douglass and Andy Hemphill. Chris Dardi and Morgan Tarbutton at number-three doubles, and Nikola Zistakis at number-two singles. In the end, however, Schaumburg edged out a 3-4 win.

The next three meets were against

powerhouses New Trier, Glenbrook South, and Highland Park. Maine South lost all three meets but got to see what the best competition in the state is like.

"In Highland Park, GBS, and New Trier [meets] we played good tennis, but it just wasn't

Stapleton and Magnuson volley at the net. reflected in a win. And we want to continue to plav good tennis going into Conference," commented Coach Young.

The Hawks bounced back and showed some good results at the Hinsdale South Quad. The

first opponent of the day was against Sectional opponent Lake Park. Maine South prevailed in this match-up 5-2, with key wins coming from Douglass/Hemphill at number-one doubles.

Mike Magnuson and Graham Stapleton at number-two doubles, as well as Dardi/Tarbutton at number-three doubles.

The Hawks then lost to host Hinsdale South 1-6, with the only victory coming from the number-three doubles team of Dardi/Tarbutton.

Grayslake was the last team Maine South had to play and they won convincingly, 6-1.

In the last home meet of the season, the guys took on Conference opponent Niles West.

There was good tennis all-around, but Niles West emerged with the win. 2-5. Winsfromthe Hawks came from number-two doubles team of Magnuson/Stapleton 6-4. 6-2, and the third ~ doubles team of Dardi Tarbutton 6-0, 6-1.

The Conference tournament starts today and runs through tomorrow. They hope to be playing their best tennis and possibly upset some top seeds. After Conference they guys will be practicing harder than ever for Sectionals on May 19, where they hope to qualify their entire Sectional team to the state tournament.