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ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY Ron's^Mnnkii" review

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JANUARY

27,2006 • VOL. 42, No. 8

Despite new challenges, Constitution Team still victorious

by Melissa Hansen On December 9, 2005, the Maine South Constitution Team won the 2005 Illinois State Hearings for the "We the People; the Citizen and the Constitution" competition and will be representing Illinois at the national competition at the end of April.

This is the twelfth year in a row that the affectionately-labeled "C-Team" has won State, each year adding more to the strong and proud legacy that Maine South has had at the competition since the U.S. Department of Education established the program through an act of Congress in 1987.

Because of the tendency for Maine South to win (Maine South has only lost one state hearing since the program's inception), there is a great amount of pressure on the 24member team to perform well, no matter the obstacle. This year, more than most, posed several challenges.

The first very evident challenge was the change in sponsor. Mr. States, who had coached C-Team for several years, decided he wanted to spend more time with his newborn daughter, passing the coaching torch onto Maine South alum Andrew Trenkle, who had the honor of being on Constitution Team during his senior year. Mr. States would remain the teacher of the U.S. Government/ Comparative Government A.P. class, where Constitution Team meets every

fifth period.

Mr. Trenkle, aided by Mr. Hansen and Ms. Madsen, worked tirelessly to organize the team into six functional units (each devoted to a different aspect of the constitution) in time for the competition. Each unit was responsible to form a four-minute response to each of the three State Hearing questions, as well as to know background information, such as historical facts, quotes, and court cases, for a six-minute free-response. As game time grew closer, with District being followed less than a month later by State, practices with the three sponsors and guest judges became weekly as units got together on weekends, poring over books and computer screens, trying to know as much as they could about their topics.

While the team felt accomplished after winning district, state was the true concern.

There was the hanging rumor of "the six points"—the number of points that separated Maine South last year fi-om Elgin. Every member felt an overwhelming amount of pressure. Ceaselessly, everyone asked the obvious question: can we win State?

The Monday before the competition, Mr. Trenkle and Mr. Hansen came to the fifth period C-Team class and told them that, at their current skill and knowledge level, this year's C-Team would not win state. The room was silent and tense as the death sentence was read: they would be responsible for the destruction of a Maine South legacy if they didn't do something drastic.

So they did. Units met nightly for hours on end, sifting through case law and

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Constitution Team strikes a pose before the Regional competition.

current events. The U.S. and comparative government books were read haphazardly during passing periods. Bleary-eyed members spent most of the school day reciting quotes and recent developments on the Saddam Hussein trial that they had memorized at two in the morning. This was cramming to the next level: "shoving stuff into your brain until you can't think anymore," stated one member.

The night before, C-Team held their final practice for state. After each unit performed, Mr. Trenkle played the final moments of a past European soccer championship, where, in a mere six minutes, the losing team was able to come up from behind and win. The video served as a reminder that, not only were they all a team, but they could win by nailing the six-minute free-response.

Come that Friday morning, Maine South sat poised in the Q Room of the Hyatt Lodge at Hamburger University in Oak Brook. Each member was as prepared as possible. As the competition began, the stress of the previous week melted; each unit was near-perfection.

The judges praised the team's ability to think logically and support their arguments during the free-response, noting how this ability set them apart fi-om the other teams. In the end, other than a strange misnaming of Alexander Hamilton as "John Hamilton," there were no regrets. Maine South had done its best.

As the team waited to hear the results, members held onto each others" hands in support and hope. When Elgin received second, cries were choked back; when Maine South won, the tears fell and the victory cheers were released as the first-place plaque was accepted graciously.

In the end, Maine South had won by over one-hundred points. Units two and four won special awards for their outstanding presentations.

And this little CTeam that could went from feeling like losers to celebrating like winners. Twelve years and counting, and the legacy goes on.

NEWS JANUARY

27.2006 • VOL. 42. No. 8

3

The Hungry City

By Annetle Dean

As we near the end Just because Chicagoans live unhealthy of January, it is clear lifestyles does that mean that they are that most of us have the fattest people in America?

According to the Centers for Disease forgotten about our New Year's resolutions, Control and Prevention (CDC), six out including those to of 10 Illinoisans are overweight or obese. lose weight. However, However, another CDC report found that 20.5 following the recent release of "Men's percent of Illinoisans are obese. That may Fitness: America's Fattest Cities 2006" seem like a lot but 23 other states including: survey, which declared Chicago to be the Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California.

Fattest City in America, many Chicagoans Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky. may be returning to their abandoned diets. Louisiana. Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri.

The survey collected data from the 50 largest North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. cities, in 17 categories. They measured everything from how many gyms there are per Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin had 100,000 people, to the percent of people who higher a higher percentage of obese citizens.

Bolton accounted for this by saying that the consume five or more servings of fhiit and survey was more vegetables a day, to about creating the city's air quality. awareness According to Neal about unhealthy Boulton. the editor lifestyles than of Men s Fitness, determining Chicagowasdeclared the number the fattest city in of overweight America, because people in a city. it had the survey's The ranking "is worst workout not really based environment. upon what a 24 percent of person does at the Chicagoans who dinner table. It's participated in the not about going survey told Men s around counting Fitness that they the number hadn't had any of overweight Photo courtesy of circuilcityxom physical activity in people. It's about the previous 30 days.

Chicagoans watch more TV than citizens a call of arms to That statistic may in any other city surveyed. the mayors and come as a surprise to some, because Illinois is the only state that governors to provide public health initiatives requires physical education in public schools. that will stem tide of obesity," he said.

There is however some good news out of the However, according to the American Heart survey. Despite the fact that many Chicagoans Association and the American Academy live unhealthy lifestyles now, it doesn't of Pediatrics, 24 percent of Illinois school districts have been granted a "waiver" from always have be like that. Baltimore, which the daily physical education requirement since came in first on the Fittest Cities list this 1995, and it is estimated that 37 percent of year, came in 25th place on the Fattest Cities Illinois' elementary schools and 39 percent of list last year. Another inspiring turnaround took place in Phoenix, which went from high schools skip the daily physical education 12th place on the Fattest Cities list to a 15th requirement without an approved waiver. It is also estimated that 38 percent of Chicago's place on the Fittest Cities list in just one year.

The survey does make one thing clear: children are overweight, which is much higher than the national average of 25 percent. Chicago, it's time to get off the couch, Another factor that hurt Chicago in the put down that hot dog and slice of deepdish pizza and start working towards a survey was the fact that Chicagoans watch more TV than any of the other cities surveyed. more healthy lifestyle in the new year.

by James Mantas iPod pants? Bring on the MySpace compatible sunglasses: Levi Strauss is introducing a brand new line of jeans that are fully iPod ready, which are probably going to be called iJeans, or something sise trendy.

Other lame and totally real trendPodcompatible clothing include the "iBoxers" line by Play Underwear.

Too bad the whole building wasn't made out of irony: Japanese firemen in Shimohetsugi had a bouncin' party to celebrate the end <ÂŤ a fire awareness event and almost burned down their two-story wooden fire station.

We're developing orbital laser beam weapons and there are wooden firehouses in Japan? Are they wasting all of their intelligence on Playstation 3 and anime?

No El in "awkward": Pranksters hijacked the PA of a train and broadcast an early 20th century sex phone call. Passengers thought the driver had accidentally pressed the intercom button while on a private call.

"It was fairly graphic. There was an elderly lady sitting across fi-om me and she was giggling behind her book," said one passenger.

Flipper said yes: British citizen Sharon Tendler "married" a dolphin in Israel in early January. The bond holds no legal binding, but that doesn't keep her from remaining a "one-dolphin" woman.

So, if they get a divorce, does she get half of the pool? yVaste not; sell for 25K: William Shatner (Captain Kirk) sold a kidney stone to GoldenPalace.com for $25,000 and gave the money to charity.

He passed it last autumn. Yes, it's midwinter. Yes, his name is Shatner. No, 1 don't want to think about how he not it.

JANUARY

27, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 8

Oprah: 20 years, a lot of free stuff

by Meghan O 'Keefe Since Oprah came onto the scene as a nationall) syndicated talk show in 1986, she has become the world's leading talk show host.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show'" has hosted interviews with some of the most remarkable people on earth, including Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou. and Bill Clinton, as well as numerous celebrities. She has captivated the nation over these past 20 years, and is commemorating 20 years on television with the release of "The

Oprah Winfrey Show: 20"" Anniversary DVD".

A main focus of the DVD is the evolution of Oprah herself over these past 20 years. For one thing, she started out the underdog, up against Phil Donahue, and ended up taking his title. She weighed more than she does now.

Her hair was a constant mess, but nowadays is always styled perfectly. And her clothes were the worst of the 80s and 90s, yet today her style is picture-perfect. Her image has done a full 180 degree turn since the show began.

The show itself has become a different

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Next issue: a wonderfully insightful comic

by Hannah Artwick that may or may not feature Sesame Street characters.

Old school Oprah entity since the start. Oprah originally stood in the audience with her microphone talking to her guests. The shows had themes, but they were modeled on what was popular or expected of the time.

Since then, the shows have become aides continued on page 5

SOUTH^VORDS

' Answer:

A student-produced newspaper of:

SOUTHWOPv.DS SUDOKU ByjXMCS MXNTXS

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 brevitj' and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Editors-in-Chief New s Editors Features Editors Entertainment Editors Commentary Eiditors Sports Editors Production Editors Photographer Staff Artists Advisors

James Manias Greg Mitchell Annette Dean Melissa Hansen Atra Asdou Bettina Chang Marty Diamond Ron Feiereisel Kelsey Keith Anna Wolonciej Alexa Karas Frank Lukes Maxwell Hester Joshua Sissman Katie Katz Hannah Artwick Gina Tingas Mr. Ellefson Mr. Stathakis

FEATURES JANUARY 27, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL.

42, No. 8

continued from page 4 to the people. Eiach show is meant to help someone, or to teach something, or make a change somehow. Also, the human spirit has become a frequenti) discussed aspect of the show. Her focus has turned to be a wide range of accommodating phases. She can do anything, from "How to A\oid Getting Kidnapped" to "Makeovers that Make You Look 10 Years Younger"; her shows speak to people. She was the first to realize who her audience was, w hat it was the> could use in their life, and she gave it to them. Housewives want to know about protecting kids, about Martha Stewart, and about decorating their home.

The innovations Oprah has made over the years have helped to even change the nation.

Oprah's Book Club generated the highest sales imaginable on books that would never have gotten the attention they deserved otherwise.

She has journeyed to Africa and given Christmas

photo courusy ofoprahxom

5

presents to 50.000 poor kids. She has gone on tour w ith Tina Turner. She has an empire worth over a billion dollars and is still grow ing. With the most successful show in history; she has w on 7>-X Emmys. Her achievements are neverending, and are all preserved on this DVD. The DVD also highlights many heartwarming and heart-wrenching interviews. This includes everything from Mattie, the peacemaker and poet who died at 11 from muscular dystrophy, to the mothers of dead children, to every major news event of the past 20 years. The candid and personal interviews are all very one-of-a-kind and true to who Oprah is, a brilliant journalist.

Oprah is someone who came from nothing, but who believed in her ability to tell the news and talk to people. Her sheer determination is what pushes her above the rest, as is portrayed on the DVD. She gives hope to the underprivileged and the priviledged as well.

She is a heroine to those just like her, who are wishing and hoping to make a difference.

Oprah of the 21st century

It's the oddities that we love

by Ewelina Lewandowski

a guitarist who relentlessly twirled his long blond tresses with his pinkie. These two boys left an impact on me because, unlike most of my friends there, they proudly displayed their talents and oddities. They had learned to love

In the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movie "Switching Goals," a store executive is talking to his public relations manager about a new commercial he wants to shoot. He has a specific actor in mind for the role, and to describe him, he stutters, "You know, the guy... with the hair... and... and the teeth..." The publicity brain gives him a blank stare, unable to zero in on the particular performer until the storeowner remembers the snazzy waterproof parka the character wore. "Rain Man! Tom Cruise!"

It is not surprising that the media tech couldn't put a finger on the preferred actor. The utterly unoriginal description narrowed the possible candidates; other than the occasional toothless yeti, that most of Hollywood population fit at one or another. However, the memorable raincoat pinpointed his thoughts. Not everyone sported one.

Last year. I attended a weekendpholo courtesy ojcostumeexpo.< am long leadership conference consisting The mohawk: not just for weirdos anymore. of 200 students ft-om all over Illinois.

Many exceptional acquaintances accompanied them, disregarding ifthey were "weird" or not. me in that weekend's activities, but truthfully, They gave us something to remember them by.

I can't place names with faces anymore when Those who are truly unique, we remember. looking at photos. Well, except for two - Matt, We remember those quirks and eccentricities a tall lanky math-genius in my group, and Tyler, that make us who we are. A misplaced mole.

a Spongebob shoelace, a streak of magenta hair - those are the reason we recognize a number of the Maine South population from the halls. We pay attention to rarities. We

"Wepay attention m to rarities. We soon accept them. At last, we appreciate them." soon accept them. At last, we appreciate them.

Not everyone has the courage to openly express his or her interests, but we should.

Whether it's through artwork, fashion, words, athletics, or cooking, we should feel free to share our eccentricities, regardless of what others think. The things that make us happy deserve to be flaunted. It's good to stand out for something you particularly enjoy. I mean, even the Olsen twins parade around as a brunette and blond with black highlights.

If we were ail the same, w e ' d all be unnoticed. Maine South would be a colossal blob of Abercrombie mannequins, s t a g g e r i n g to the A - w i n g and back.

As m u c h as we w a n t to fit in and not be too drastic, it's important to have a flavor of your own. Spice it up.

6 Another reason to celebrate FEATURES

JANUARY

by Bettina Chang

Second semester has just startedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;finals are long gone and post-final partying is definitely at an end. If you're looking for a good reason (or excuse) to celebrate a little more, you should know that Lunar New Year's Eve is this Saturday, January 28.

Commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is actually celebrated by many Asian countries, such as Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India, and Thailand. Lunar years are based off the cycle of the moon and work completely independently of the solar calendar. This is why, according to our watch, lunar new year's day falls on a different date each year. Also, different countries recognize different beginnings to the year, but the most common is this coming Saturday.

According to Chinese tradition, this year is the Year of the Dog, while 2005 was the Year of the Monkey. In actuality, this year will be 4703 on the Chinese calendar. Years have an assigned animal based on a twelve animal rotation that originated from an ancient myth.

Many a December 31 have I watched the ball drop in Times Square and wondered whether the Americanized new year was a big deal at

all. It's a party, it's a countdown, and it's over.

However, for those who celebrate lunar new year, the festivities are much more elaborate.

pliolo courtesy of skphotoiiA (Hii

The most well-known symbol of Lunar New Year celebrations is the Chinese dragon.

Depending on tradition. New Year celebrations can be as short as a couple days or as long as an entire month. People would stay home and prepare for feasts or clean the

27,2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 8

house, thinking that sweeping out the dust of the old year would bring a clean start to the new. In olden days, all shops and services would close down for the entire time. Now, because of the disruption of business, only a couple of days before and after New Year's Day are official holidays.

Though festivities varyfi^omcountry to country, all cultures have an elaborate feast with heaps of food and special New Year's-specific dishes that are to bring good luck for the next year. The Chinese pick food that carry auspicious meaning, such as eating fish (yu), which is a homonym for prosperity. Long noodles symbolize a long life.

Other countries such as Korea or Vietnam have similarly specific and important food traditions.

Another common factor of all Lunar New Year celebrations is a strong emphasis on familial love.

Families are always together for these festivities.

Even far away family members try incredibly hard to return home. Even extended family all gather in one house to celebrate together. In countries of ancestral worship, offerings are always made at family shrines for passed loved ones.

Regardless of different traditions, an important superstition of Lunar New Year is the importance of the first day in relation to the rest of your year. So whatever you choose to do this weekend, remember that you'd better eat some noodles and clean your house, or you'll be miserable until next February.

Starting over: second semester is here

by Nicky Priovolos It is hard to believe that we are half way there already--one semester down, one to go. Now that the agony of finals is over, we are free to take a few deep breaths and relax. It's a good time to look back and reflect upon our first semester. Don't let an unpleasant start prevent you from improving this semester. We can put it all behind us and start over, learning from our past mistakes and building on that knowledge to make this semester even better. It is time to make a fi^esh start with a clean slate. Since it is still early in the new year, we can look at it as making some new years, or rather, new semester, resolutions.

Here are some tips to start off on the right foot.

Another key detail in a successful career as a student, because let's face it, being a student is a job, is prioritizing and organizing our time wisely. For those of us who haven't learned

our lesson yet, it's not very beneficial to wait until the night before a five page research paper is due to start the research. Teachers do know what they're doing when they assign it a few weeks ahead of time. If you know your 200 point history presentation is due the day after your best friends birthday bash, get a had start. It's easy to feel blue when your backpack weighs more than you do and you are also carrying books home to complete the homework load for the night, but don't let it get you down. Make a schedule each night and approximate the amount of time you think each homework assignment will take you, and you'll see that you'll still have time to go on-line or watch "The Real World."

Another way to survive the second semester is to hit the ground running. In August, it is really easy to just let the first weeks of school just glide by on rollerskates, which can cause major damage, because first quarter does count. If you find

that you are struggling, get help right awaydon't wait until the night before finals to try to understand something. On a similar note, be sure to ask your teachers before burning -excuse me- properly disposing of your first semester material; they might be important for June finals.

Also, attitude can change everything. Perhaps you are not thrilled at the prospect of spending another five months in a certain class. If your attitude towards that class is "1 hate this class, it stinks and I'm not going to do anything but complain" then you are not likely to get very far.

Focus on the highlights of that class and think positively. Time goes by a lot faster if you actually pay attention and take, dare I say it -the dreaded n-word, "notes"- than if you dart death glares at the chalkboard. If you can't find anything positive about the dire class, fool yourself into believing that it's the most exciting subject on earth.

As always, the main thing is that you try your best and when June rolls around, you are able to say, "I worked hard and did everything I could."

ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 27,2005

â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 8

7

"Munich": intelligent, emotional

by Ron Feiereisel

Palestinian organization that they were killing, the psychological side of the story moves to the forefront, and we sit back and walch Avner * * * * become incredibly paranoid. Spielberg uses the mysterious nature of black operations to "Munich" was an odd get the audience thinking aboul the meaning of experience for me. I mean, seemingly random encounters. In one scene, I've never been checking my watch in a movie boisterous American tourists in London heckle theater, hoping that the film wasn't over. Avner and his team, right when ihey are aboul wanting there to be more than there actually to make a hit. Before they know it, their target was. is gone, and the tourists leave just as quickly.

The film is a tale of vengeance, in which This little incident may seem like nothing. On a team of Mossad (the Israeli equivalent the other hand, it could mean that tourists were of the CIA) agents is chosen to assassinate CIA agents trying to protect their Palestinian the masterminds behind the massacre of 11 asset. Moments like this add anotherdimension Israeli athletes to the m o v i e , during the 1972 making the viewer Olympic games second-guess in M u n i c h , Avner's decisions Germany. The and suspect the plot i s n ' t as members of the clear-cut as it team when their seems: the main explosive devices character. Avner. malfunction. played brilliantly T h e c a s t is

by Eric Bana yet another facet ("Hulk." "Black of "Munich" Hawk Down") ihat makes the and his team film outstanding. lose themselves S p i e l b e r g uses in the shady relative unknowns world of covert tocreale a believable operations, team of "evcryman" where everything assassins. None can be going of the men seem perfectly at one Eric Bana and Geoffrey Rush in "Munich." super-human: in m o m e n t and fact, some of them utterly wrong at the next. seem a little under-qualified. The bomb builder.

Spielberg's direction is light and stylized, to Robert (Mathieu Kassovitz). is actually a bomb say the least. He uses quick cuts, reflections, and disposal man. who in his spare time builds toys. interesting lighting to create tension in spades. Another, the clean up man. Carl (Ciaran Hinds), Another thing Spielberg does particularly well seems like more of a burned out old w ar-horse is use the viewers expectations to surprise than an expert, which makes his character ihem. In several scenes, he waits until just believable. The only men w ho seem capable are before or just after you think something will AxncT and the team's driver. Steve, played by happen, effectiv ely keeping you on the edge of Daniel Craig, the new James Bond. Craig play s your seat. In one scene, you know that Avner is his character with an engaging, cold efficiency going to shoot the man. but the standoff before thai really makes me w ish he had a bigger part the gunshots draws you further and further in the overall story. Regardless, all of the actors into the scene, and then when it finally comes, and actresses in the film are excellent. you're startled by it, even though you know "Munich" revs the viewer up during the that had to happen. first half, w ith stylish, nail biting action. Then, The assassination scenes are only half of the during the second half, shifts the scope of the movie, though. Once the agdfils find out that film from the targets of the assassins to the they are being hunted, quite possibly by the assassins themsches, the way they deal with

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the morality of their jobs, and the paranoia that overtakes them. "Munich" also seems incredibly rele\ am. even more than thirty years after the story unfolded.

With "War of the Worlds," Steven Spielberg dcmonsirated the talent of making a big-budget summer blockbuster with some emotional resonance, though the action was always in ihe foreground. With "Munich," Spielberg demonstrates his ability to create a fast-paced political thriller that's full of parallels to the modern day political climate, downplaying the action, and instead attaching the viewer to emotionallv to the characters.

Letter To the Editors Why video game pIot.s matter more than gameplay Dear Editors, When I think of legendary video games 1 think of "Final Fantasy VII." "Chrono Trigger," the "Legend of Zelda" scries, and the "Xenosaga" series. Each of these games are a beautiful mix of gameplay. graphics (each of them good for their respective time), soundtracks, and storyline.

Storyline is important. Iflhercwasa game that had the best graphics, the best play control, and the best mechanics but it's story line consisted of a pear that had to get to the top of a staircase, I don't think too many people would be rushing to Best Buy and pick up "Pear Stair EXTREME" for the Playstation 2.

Games with a g<xxi storyline are indeed some of the most fun games of all. Lei's faoe iiâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;video games today have ascended to the status of art. For each genre of movies and books, there is a genre of video games.

Science-fiction has it's "Halo" and "Xenosaga." .Medieval fantasy has "The I.egend of Zelda" series and "Warcral'i." Drama has it's "Final Fantasy." E\ en shool-em-up thrillers have their "Grand Theft Auto" and "Metal Gear Solid."

Not all v ideo games are m i n d l y entertainment, and it's aboul time ihc general public realizes that the best games have a good balance of play control and mechanics, graphics, gameplay, and of course, fun.

This is Adam Baruch (a.La. Senior Sergeant GolcoCfce, Level 58 Ore Hunter on the realm Stonemaul in "World of Warera ffYSIGNlNG OFF.

ElsllIERIAlNMENT JANUARY

Absurdity at new heights

by Gina Czarkowski

Boosh" was bom.

The show itself is like nothing you have ever When was the last time you saw sometliing truly messed up? Something that made you seen before. The look of the show is completely laugh like craz>, but without a clue as to what weird, over-the-top, and at times like some sort you were laughing at. Something so totally out- of demented kids" show. In fact, Noel Fielding there that you needed to press the "info"' button does a lot of the design work for the show and on your remote just to make sure it wasn't your some of his characters bring to mind what might happen imagination. if Tim Burton If you think and Dane Cook you're overdue got jobs at the for something Children's like that, you Television might want Workshop. to look up And, oh, just •'The Mighty wait until you Boosh." hear the music.

"The Mighty Julian Barratt is Boosh" is a an accomplished surrealistic musician, British sitcom and he writes that explores all m a n n e r the n o t - s o of f r e a k i s h normal lives songs that are of H o w a r d performed on Moon (Julian the show. The Ba rrat t ) songs r a n g e and Vince from raps about Noir (Noel the Arctic tundra •'I e l d i n g ) . to s o m e w h a t H o w a r d is Howard and Vmce. of "The Mighty Boosh. obnoxious pretentious, introspective, obsessed with jazz, and absolutely electro-pop, but all of them are so totally silly pathetic when it comes to women. Vince is a they just make you laugh with the overwhelming glam-rock, free-spirited chick magnet with the silliness of it all. Noel and Julian work together ability to talk to animals. In their first season of on the script, which is absolute genius. In just TV adventures, the guys work as zookeepers at one scene, there can be bad dancing, communist "The Zooniverse" under their crazv American jokes, bears attacking, someone getting hit with boss Bob Fossil (Rich Fulcher), and beside a blowgun dart in a verv' unfortunate spot, and the zoo's resident shaman and information not-so subtle hints that Bob Fossil is one taco kiosk guy, Naboo (Michael Fielding. Noel's short of a combo platter Even in its madness, every element of the show blends together Brother).

"The Mighty Boosh" started as a staged perfectly to make a half-hour of total insanity, comedy show in England that won the Perrier the likes you won't see anywhere else. Sound Award for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh crazj ? Sure. It is completely mad genius. But Festival 1998. After performing in residency if you like Monty Python style humor or if you in London, they buih up a cult following, and just like British people in general, this show is at the next Edinburgh festival, their new show, definitely for you.

"The Mighty Boosh"' can be seen on BBC "Arctic Boosh," sold out every night. Their third stage show, "Autoboosh," was also a America's late night comedy block. The success, winning the Melbourne International Underground, every weeknight starting at Comedy Festival's Bany Humphries Award. It 11 o'clock p.m. So by all means, witness an was at this point that the BBC took notice, and episode of "The Might Boosh," embrace the gave Julian and Noel their own radio show, and eccentricity of it all. and don't even bother in 2004, their own TV show. Thus, "The Mighty tr>'ing to figure out what you're laughing at.

27,2006 • VOL. 42, No. 8

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fy Alexa Karas This week we will be making a quick stop on Washington to taste the famous "bretzeP" bread at Hannah's Bretzel.

Grab a bite to eat at 180 W. Washington (the corner of Washington and Wells).

Hannah's is a classic sandwich joint with hearty meals that range from 6-8 dollars in price. Not only can you walk eight paces from the wall to the counter, but eight is also the number of months Hannah's has been open. The inside is ver>' new and clean, and the theme is organic foods.

The most popular sandwich is the turkey with Swiss, romaine lettuce, and tomato chutney. The ingredients are very fresh and the chumey has an explosive taste that adds to the sophisticated flavors in the sandwich.

Make sure to ask for their famous "bretzel"" bread. It is made from pretzel dough and is soft and mild. For the discerning taste, they offer other breads such as whole grain and farmer.

Another specialty of Hannah's is their organic drink selection. They have no fountain drinks, just bottledjuices and water, like Vitamin Water and Izze Sparkling soda.

There is also a wide varietv of hot teas and coffee.

On the wall opposite, the counter is an array of chocolate bars from all parts of the world.

There are hundreds of choices from countries like Belgium, France, and Germany.

The atmosphere is ver) casual and the service is quick and friendly. There are only four stools to use in front, so Hannah's is more of a takeout place. It is a great restaurant to go to during the warmer months. Picking up a sandwich on your way to Millennium Park, just a few blocks away, you can make the best of a brisk, sunny day. Or, when you are finished shopping for great sales at the soon to be renamed Marshall Field's, you could stop in and grab a treat on your way back to the "L.'" To get to this restaurant you must take the Blue Line on the CTA toward the loop and get off at Washington. Make a right onto Washington towards Wells and walk to the intersection. Hannah's hours are 8am-6pm.

COMMENTARY JANUARY

27,2006 • VOL. 42, No. 8

9

Finals shouldn't be the final decision

by Emily Miller

Nervous hands aggravate the hair until it falls out. Minds repeat Spanish vocabulary into the wee hours preventing a shred of sleep.

Hands cramp from filling in too many scantron bubbles until the lead is so dark it looks like a black hole. These are the dreaded side effects of finals. Although they only come twice a year, both times they are met with annoyance and aggravation.

Finals are meant to be a test to recap all the knowledge that was learned over the semester.

They are meant to see if anything was actually learned throughout the quarters (even though

the questions can be so obscure the answers aren't even known by the teacher). So for a week, twice a year, every student must take these tests that have the ability to greatly affect their grade. Not only are they impossibly hard and time consuming, some even take an extra day, they usually are not grade builders for students.

All semester, studious students diligently work to maintain a decent grade through hours of arduous work and studying. These finals don't cause increased anxiety for students that have a solid 85 percent, but for those who straddle the A-B line around a 90 percent and the B-C line around the 80 percent. The grade is on the cusp between an A and a B or a B

and a C, hanging on just for the finals. And after the final, that A becomes a B and the B becomes a C. It usually seems unfair that students can work hard all semester for a certain grade and then have it taken away by one test worth 20% of the entire grade. Finals are too important.

It is like the whole grade rests on one test on that one day.

Maybe on that day, you aren't feeling too well. Maybe you stayed up too late studying and are too tired to read the questions. Oh, well.

Try harder next time. After all, the finals will keep coming back year after year.

Remember, there is an upside besides learning: we get some time off".

Overpowering music with commercial lines

by Kate Geishecker "What's your favorite band?"

That's one of the first questions I ask all of my guitar and piano students.

The most popular answer lately seems to be Green Day and AC/DC, but once in a while, I run across a Lindsay Lohan or Hilary Duff fan, which depends on the student.

What I was not expecting, however, was the answer I received when 1 asked my youngest piano student what her favorite band to listen to was. "The Pussycat Dolls," she replied, smiling up at me with her innocent 5-year-old eyes. My jaw dropped. How is it that this innocent little girl, only minutes earlier playing "My Dog, Spike" on the piano, knew of, let alone liked. the Pussycat Dolls? What was next?

Toddlers listening to "Laffy Taffy" or the Ying Yang Twins?

No doubt musical genres have expanded since the Beatles and the Stones were big, but this expansion of musical genres doesn't mean the social responsibility, or more importantly, the artists' good taste. I'm not so concerned about the content of the music as much as I am the quality—there is no doubt that Hendrix wrote better songs than Hilary DufTs people or that the Beatles wrote more profound lyrics than the

Pussycat Dolls' "Don't Cha." 1 find it hard to even call most of the artists of today musicians—Britney Spears, Jes-

Old-school AC/DC

sica Simpson, Hilary Duff... do any of these women write their own music? Play an instrument? Give concerts (fidicated to music more so than image? These stars struggled to obtain a place in the spotlight and exploit it by making clothing lines, perfumes, body sprays... and the public buys into it.

Little girls like my piano student adore it.

But who took the music out of the music business? Who took the struggle out of making it?

I doubt Lindsay Lohan's transition from Disney star to pop sensation was anywhere near as harrowing as the Beatles' struggle for fame. Sure, you see the special on VHl about Jessica Simpson and how her label wanted her to lose even more weight. The sad part? Not that the label wanted her to lose weight, but that ^he did it. How is losing weight related to music in any way? Does it make you a better singer? If Jessica Simpson weighed 200 pounds would her voice sound any different?

Even in Chicago, the city of blues, music isn't how much talent you have as much as it is who you know. What messages is this sending to youth of today?

That talent is secondary to image and connections? That musical ability is only great if you already have looks and charisma? Jimi Hendrix didn't have to be the most attractive man alive. Mick Jagger didn't have to be hot. The Beatles didn't have to put out a line of cologne. So what happened to hard work and talent and who changed the rules of music?

10

COMMENTARY JANUARY

27, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ Vou 42, No. 8

Where did the snow days go? b\ Paula Zelkowska of knowing whether or not we really had car trouble. That's why students are usually not We live in a society that expects life to be given the benefit of the doubt because, of risk-free. Parents try to teach their children course, they could be lying. Students have no responsibility, which cannot be taught without way of proving that they couldn't open their car door in the morning. Explaining the morntrust.

By law, teens are allowed to drive to school, ing story adds to the amount of stress one has from just getting yet they're not reto school. sponsible enough A lot of stuto cross the dents are exstreet. hausted from Often teens are long hours after responsible for school on sports car accidents or teams, or workinjuries sustained ing and then staywhile driving ing up late doing in bad weather. homework.

To Is leaving ISnot be late for a IS year -olds at flap class, one home more danhas to wake up at gerous than putfive in the mornting a 25,000 ing to check if pound bus on icy it snowed.

That roads? only adds to exDale Kaiser, a haustion and meteorologist in poor concenthe Carbon Dioxtration during ide Information school hours.

Analysis Center, pholo counesy o/wwwjnil^du A lot of has provided staMaine South students would like to have an opschools have tistics stating that purtunity to do this at least once a year. built-in snow 197 out of 260 days, in case weather stations they are needed.

Therefore, there reported fewer days of snowfall since 1948.

Decreasing snowfall leads to less of a rea- are no scheduling problems at the end of the son to have a snow day. Winter in the Midwest year. When the snow days aren't used, some is all about snow. If students don't get to enjoy schools use them in the spring. Other schools it, they still have to come to school for the ex- use the days to prolong vacations.

Schools that have many built-in snow days tra days buih into the school year, which just have to pay severely at the end of the school doesn't seem very fair. year.

These snow days rangefi^omfiveto fourFive years ago, we had one snow day. Last teen days of freedom. In the recent years, we year, we had an early dismissal and this year, did not get the pleasure of getting an oppurtuso far we have had nothing. nity to do this.

If this continues, school officials should All Maine South students ask for is at least take away the extra days added to the school year for bad weather purposes, or we should one snow day.

When snow hits our town, we shouldn't go be given an actual snow day. Since weather has not yet permitted an actual snow day, we to school. We should use our snow days inshould be given at least one of the extra days stead of dealing with car troubles, tardies and many absences. If we choose not to have a off anyway.

Let's not forget about the long lines by the snow day, then we should at least get a day off attendance office on bad weather days. At- during the school year to make up for the extra tendance supervisors say they have no way days added.

'It is MySpace, definitely!"

-Matt Walsh '06

1^

'Ripped Blue Jeans."

-Danny Rogers '08

OX)

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'Definitely the Ugg boots."

-Lamise Moukyed '08

^

'North Face Jackets."

-Brigid Walsh '07

OMMENTARY JANUARY 27,2006

â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42. No. 8

11

The 10 greatest songs ever written

by Brett Beaugureau

What is happening to music these days? It seems as if every new song that comes to the radio just gets worse and worse. Many Maine South students Hsten to music made by whiny guys who dress and sound lii<e women or dudes rapping about the latest babe they've been with... However, most students also like rock, although they may be too scared to admit it because it's not as in style as other music and gets little radio play. But the world of sex, drugs, and rock n" roll is cooler than any rappers.

In order to enlighten those who are too scared to put on their leather and grow out their hair, I have compiled a list of the 10 greatest rock songs ever written, as chosen by students who aren't afraid to let their hair hang down: Honorable Mention: "Livin' On A Prayer," Bon Jovi "This song is classic, not overly cheesy like most 80s songs. It has a lot of meaning and yet it still sounds great."

-Anna Wolonciej

10. "Turn the Page," Bob Seger You should listen to this song, because it will absolutely blow your mind.

Enough said.

9. "Free Fallin," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Free Fallin" is my favorite song by Tom Petty, and no matter how bad your voice is, everyone can sing along with it" -PatO'Hara 8. "Baba O'Reilly," The Who The heavy, loud, rock sandwiched in between synthesizer and violin all adds up to as close as you can come to ecstasy in a song.

7. "Right Now," Van Halen "It's one of those rare classic catchy 80s songs that isn't completely full of sex" -Emily Schmalz 6. "Freebird," Lynyrd Skynyrd One of the most well known and well liked songs ever. Sweet, sentimental lyrics and slide guitar, followed by an long, intense solo.

5. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones "Anytime 1 need a song when I'm down, this is the one I listen to, because who doesn't want satisfaction ?

-Blake Borowski Sung by Mick Jagger, a man who gets all the satisfaction he wants, this song says it all for most people.

4. "Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin The best song written by the best band ever to walk the face of the earth. God bless Jimmy Page.

photo toiirlesv oj ^vww.ledzeppetiiiA

Led Zeppelin arguably wrote one of the best songs ever.

3."Layla," Eric Clapton "Eric Clapton's Layla is one of the most recognizable songs in the past half-century, and for good reason" -Greg Mitchell

piiotn t ourlt \\ ii/ 1 1 ji'luilciiiion.com

John Lennon. in some people's opinion, wrote one of the greatest songs of all time.

2. "Wish You Were Here," Pink Floyd "Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" is one of the deepest, most beautiful songs you'll ever come across."

-Kevin Kelly I. "Imagine," John Lennon "I wish the world would be really like that.... just brillianf' -Dominik Kieca I think that says it all.

And there they are; the 10 greatest songs ever written. I hope that everyone is able to enjoy them as much as 1 have, because they are all timeless classics, and will never get old.

If you would like to challenge this list of "The 10 Greatest Songs Ever Written" please submit your opinions to the South words office V-131. # 1

12

SPORTS JANUARY

27, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 8

Lady hawks continue to soar in their conference

by Brittany Wisniewski The months of December and January proved to be very intense for the girls" gymnastics team. In the past several weeks, the varsity team has participated in numerous tournaments, faced a vast array of competition, and have proven that they can be counted among the best teams in the area.

On December 28, 2005, the team competed in the Maine West Invite and placed fifth out of twelve schools. Danielle Tourtillott had an amazing tournament with high scores on every apparatus and in the all-around competition. She placed second on vault with an 8.75, fifth on bars with an 8.05, fifth on floor with an 8.9, and seventh on beam with and 8.05. In the all-around competition, Tourtillott finished fourth with an average of 8.438. Ana Carolyn Franzen and Olya Witkowsky also placed on beam and vault respectively.

The varsity team made it back-to-back solid performances at the Maine East Blue Demon Tournament on December 29. The team battled hard and placed second overall.

At the Evanston Wildkit Invite on January

7, the Hawks continued their streak of stellar tournament performances. The team finished seventh overall and. once again. Witkowsky and Tourtillott achieved terrific scores. Witkowskv

Olson and Andrea hrankos pose on the balance nailed an 8.525 on vault and placed ninth.

Tourtillott posted an 8.5 on vault and placed lOth. The J V team also had their share of victories.

They competed in the New Trier JV Invite on January 7. The team came in fifth. Gabby

Sadowicz performed well enough to place on floor. Courtney Fuller and Megan Wisniewski both placed on vault.

On Tuesday, January 10, the girls'gymnastics team took on Evanston at their final home meet of the season. To honor their six senior gymnasts, the team presented them with aflowerceremony before the match began.

Gymnasts on all three Hawk teams performed excellently. The Varsity fought hard, but lost a close match.

126.8 to 119. Maine South posted oustanding scores on vault. Tourtillott attained an 8.7. Witkowsky earned an 8.45, and Carolyn Olson achieved an 8.25. Olson and Tourtillott also scored well on bars and beam. Joanna Slezak and Tourtillott dominated in the floor competition with Tourtillott putting up an 8.4 and Slezak posting a 7.35.

In the upcoming weeks, the Hawks lady gymnasts will look to continue their strong showing this season. With strong girls leading the group, the lady Hawks will compete in the Niles North Invite, the Niles West Invite, and the New Trier Invite, which will be the final tune up before the conference tournament.

Wehman leading the way for boys' basketball

by Alexa Karas The Hawks storm into the halfway mark of their season with a solid 3-1 standing in their conference and with a record of 95 overall. The only loss during conference competition was against rival, Glenbrook South. They are a close second behind GBS but plan to plow past them and take the first place spot after winning a few games on the road.

"It's difficult to win on the road and beat them on their own court," said Coach Lavorato.

The Hawks are constantly looking forward and setting goals one step higher than the previous year. Last season, the Hawks earned a conference and Regional championship. The fact that Maine South will be hosting the two Regional games gives the Hawks a greater advantage with having two extra home games near the end of their season.

Key offensive players are John Wolfe, Adam Fee, and Anthony Cruz. In their game against

Evanston, Wolfe finished with 23 points. Fee with 22, and Cruz with 19.

Players that spend some time on the bench but more time contributing to the court are Will Ruben and Peter Bjelopetrovich. Carl Michas and Matt Kelly most often execute defensively. "We couldn't do without our maestro, Colin Wehman,' comments Lavorato. The game depends on point guard, Wehman, and the attitude he has that day.

The juniors that do not see much time on the court actually play a big role behind the scenes. Each week, they scout the offense and defense of the opposing team and Bjelopetrovich present this information to their teammates. This gives the starters a better understanding of the future game. Some

juniors include Dan Altizer, Jake Wilson, and Tim Mathison.

Within minutes of the Maine East game, the Hawks took control of play and dominated scoring for the rest of the game. Wehman called the plays and controlled the tempo, depending on distinct opportunities. He made a quick pass to Cruz, who finished the play off with a basket. Wehman kept the intensity high with a steal early in the first quarter and a lay-up following the drive.

The rest of the game continued with Bjelopetrovich raining threes and Fee and Cruz charging the net. Ruben phi, and Wolfe worked as a team warms up. with Ruben feeding the ball to Wolfe, sometimes in midair. The Hawks won with a final score of 57-35.

SPORTS JANUARY

27, 2006 â&#x20AC;˘ VOL. 42, No. 8

3

Boys' track ready to start season strong

by Greg Mitchell After one year of labeling themselves the Maine South Field and Track team, due to the overwhelming strength of the field events, the program will return to its more traditional name of Maine South Track and Field.

The field events, led by graduates David Spencer, Tony Colleti, and the Annes brothers, carried the team more than a few times in the 2005 campaign. However, the program looks to make up for these losses with an improved track squad.

Though the team mayfindthemselves scoring points in different areas than last year, equaling last year's success would be a tremendous accomplishment. The 2005 season was quite simply one of the best in the program's history.

The team won both the Indoor and Outdoor Conference Championships for the first time

ever, and won the Sectional meet for the second time in three years. Individually, they qualified 18 athletes to the state meet, and impressively, all four relay teams. The now-departed Spencer garnered All-State honors in the triple-jump and long-jump as well.

Mr. Tumilty returns as the head coach and sprinting coach, Mr. Nordahl returns for distance events and Mr. Lonergan returns for jumping events. Mr. Karlov will be sorely missed as the throwing events coach, but taking his place will be Maine South graduate and physical education teacher Mr. Fee, who was one of the greatest throwers in Maine South history, owning spots on the top ten list for both the shotput and the discus.

"The entire coaching staff is very excited about the upcoming season and working with the athletes," Mr. Tumilty commented. He also stressed the importance of senior leadership, saying that the excellent leadership from last year's seniors was a major reason for the success of the team, and that he is looking for

this year's seniors to follow suit.

The distance team will be anchored by returning state qualifiers Greg Udzeliak and Pat O'Hara, both of whom had outstanding cross-country seasons as well. They will look for large contributions to be made by seniors Greg Mitchell, Kyle Schriener, and George Tzortzakis, and juniors Brett Beaugereau and Karl Karrasch.

The sprinting squad promises to be one of the best in the program's history, and will be anchored by returning state qualifiers Gilby Lifton, Dante Sabel, Marshall DeChambre, Dan Feiereisel, and Piofr Lewkowski. They will also look for contributions from Dave Ryan, Eugene Mendoza, and David Chao. Feiereisel and Ryan will also look to be a powerful one-two punch in the hurdles.

The field team will still be a sfrong unit, and will be led by Dirk Haller and Matt Rogers, and will look for contributions from Eugene Mendoza, Blake Bi ^^wski, and Marshall DeChambre.

Cubs vs Sox: Who had the better offseason?

Yes, the White Sox won the World Series, and I won't be a bitter Cubs fan and not recognize that. Wait... I forgot, I am a bitter Cubs fan. The fact is, Chicago is and always will be a Cubs town, and when the Cubs win the World Series, the celebration will make the Sox parade look like a middle school pep rally.

Last year in this publication, I went against my instinct and said that the Sox had had the better off-season. Though I was unfortunately proved to be right, I still had an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. Due to this, 1 will not pick against my Cubs, and not simply because I bleed Cubbie blue, but because they indeed did fiave the bettWoff-season "^ "" Coming into the ofi-sea^on, ( iibs gereral manager jiin Hendr> needed to address two problem^ thai had been plaguing the team for the past tu o seasons: the lack of production from the top of the order and the lack of quality bullpen arms. He quickly addressed the latter of these two by signing relievers Scott Eyre and Bob Howry, who were the best relievers on the market (except Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan, both of whom received mammoth contracts). Eyre and Howry should provide a solid bridge to closer Ryan Dempster, from both sides of the rubber.

It was no secret that Hendry had aggressively pursued new Dodgers" shortstop Rafael Furcal, but when they lost out on the bidding war for him, they swung a trade for centerfielder Juan Pierre, who I believe is a better acquisition. Cubs fans will remember Pierre from his scrappy play during the 2003 NLCS, and will fall in love with him for just the same reason. He is a quintessential leadoff man; he gets on base with high frequency and creates havoc on the basepaths, as evidenced by his 57 steals last year.

Unfortunately, the White Sox lost some good men and power by letting go of Frank Thomas and Carl Everett, '^^^^ but Jim Thome will provide more ^ g f l j ^ ^ B k consistency from the lefit side of the ^ I P I ^ ^ ^ ^ H plate. Other than Konerko, who is 1|^^^^R signed on for five years, guys who â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ^ " ~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ signed new deals this off-season are back-up catcher Chris Widger, infielder Pablo Ozuna, catcher A.J. Pierzynski, and pitcher Jon Garland. Coming over from the Pirates is veteran infielder Rob Mackowiak, who will fill the shoes of free-agent Willie Harris, while Damaso Marte, who had issues with his pitching command, and manager Ozzie Guillen, will carry on as a Pirate. ^ illiams even managed to get the highly underrated pitcher Javier Vasqiiez from Arizinia tor relievers Orlando Hernandez, (who was getting Marquis Gnsipm-old), Luis Vizcaino, and minor league CF Chris Young. Vasquez had an off year in 2005, but should return to his former self under fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen.

As far as the Cubs go, they lost a big bat in Nomar Garciaparra to the Dodgers, and their only key acquisition was CF Juan Pierre. Eyre and Howry will help, but Dempster remains largely unproven. They still need a left fielder, and may need a second baseman if Todd Walker decides to walk.

Expect a similar scene to last season, when the Sox had to fend off the young and tough Cleveland Indians. The Sox improved pitching staff should dominate the division again, but the questions will be whether closer Bobby Jenks' arm stays healthy, and whether their lineup will be able to win the one-run games like last year. If the Sox can stay healthy, then they will return to the playoffs.

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Boys' swimming competes at Hawk Relays

by Frank Lukes The boys' swim team is having one of the best starts that they could hope for. The team is 6-0 and is simply dominating in dual meet competitions. The most recent of these wins came against St. Viator.

The Hawks took nine of the twelve firsts at the meet, showing that the long Christmas break hadn't slowed them down a bit. "St. Viator's numbers have been down as of late," said Coach Deger, "but, they still are able to muster some strong competition in a dual meet, and under Barb Balla, they taper very well because they are coached so well."

Chris DiFranco had an excellent meet winning the 50 free with a time of 24.10, as well as the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:00.75.

Other swims worth mentioning came from Marc Sarran, winning first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:11.09, and a second place finish in the 100 fly with a time of 1:00.46. Mark Szpak finished with a first in the 200 free with a time of 1:58.37, and a second place finish in the 100 free with a time of 54.51. Eric Libner showed his swimming ability, snagging a first place finish in the 100fi-eewith a time of 52.90.

Hawks diving standout Kyle Benedix finished in first place with a score of 132.00.

Relay victories came fi-om DiFranco, Pat Pieta, Rick Macino, and Libner in the 200 free, as well as Mark Szpak, Sarran, Libner, and Pieta in the 400 free with good times of 1:37.78 and 3:35.26, respectively.

After the rollover of St. Viator, the Hawks were pumped for the SO"" Annual Maine South Hawk Relays. "We had hoped for a good showing at our own invite and looked forward to a good series of swims, " said Deger.

Going into the invite, Deger and his swimmers knew that Sandburg was going to

pholo by Josh Sissman

Matt Shesek dives into the pool. be strong, and Jacobs-Dundee Crown would be stronger than they were last year. They predicted that Conant would be as problematic as always, and that Niles North would have some good stroke specialists.

In the diving portion of the relay, Maine South had a tough time, as all of the programs

have solid diving backgrounds. Sandburg took home the first and hit one of the top combined scores in the history of the relays with a score of733.25.

The highlights of the relays included a fourth place finish ft-om Colletti. Grieco, Kramer and Thompson in the Frosh-Soph 500 crescendo relay, with a time of 5:16.05. A strong swim by some of the hardest working swimmers on the team led Macino, Libner, Szpak, and Sarran to grab a second place in the 850 crescendo relay with a time of 8:20.76.

"The 800 fi-ee relay was a gamble," stated Deger. "But, all four of our swimmers swam quite well." Three of the four swimmers hit personal-best times and the anchor hit a seasonal best time. Macino, Kramer, Michaels, and Oulvey ended in fifth with a time of 8:26.77 and moved Maine South into fourth place.

The 4 X 100 IM relay was next, and strong swims by DiFranco, the Szpak brothers, and Sarran gave them a second place finish with a time of 4:07.16.

"We didn't finish as well as we wanted to [at the Hawk Relays]. We should have finished higher if not won the invite," said senior Matt Shesek.

In the end, Maine South walked away with a fourth place finish. The guys are looking to use this as motivation to keep improving their times and blow their competition out of the water.

Wrestling battles strongly in waning weeks

by Tommy Joyce With a dramatic comeback win against the Evanston squad, the wrestling team is looking very strong down the stretch.

Down 28-10, the team stormed back to win the meet 30-28 over Evanston. The team also had a huge win in the Homewood Flossmoor Invitational recently. The wrestlers beat out eight excellent teams to take top honors in this tournament. Matt Rice (145 pounds) was the champion of his weight class, and also leads the team with 23 wins this season. All other wrestlers finished no worse than fifth in their respective weight classes.

The team is again directed by Coach Fallico. Captains Matt Heller and Rice, have been terrific teachers in helping the wrestlers

improve their skills and stamina, along with their records. Coach Fallico has run the program since 1999 and has had ongoing success, winning five regional and sectional titles during his tenure. The program has a very good reputation, never finishing lower than second at the end of the season in their conference.

It is a very young team this year, but the wrestlers make up for it with their work ethic and a demanding practice schedule. The Hawks are 12-10 overall and 3-1 in conference meets with one dual meet left in the season.

The t e a m s efforts have guaranteed that they will finish no lower than second in the conference and can take over first with some help from other teams.

The 2005-2006 team has many excellent wrestlers with rapidly improving skills and the records to show for it. Even though this is the first time in the last six years that the team does not presently have a college Division IA recruit, the Maine South varsity program is doing well.

This year's team includes freshman Scott Petray (103), junior Kevin Contomo (112), sophomore Chris Osterberg (119 ), senior Nick Lagattuta (125), junior Steve Jaworski (130), senior Mark Fosco (135), senior Matt Heller (140), senior Matt Rice (145), junior Alex Friel (152), junior Eric Serslev (160), sophomore Tom Kashul (171), junior Loukas Kalliantasis (189), junior Mark Corsello (215), and freshman Chris Brassell (275).