Vol 44 issue 3

In This Issue:

NEWS A look at die struggle in Darfur.

PAGE 3

FEATURES

ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY

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NEWS NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

Iraq War vet speaks to students United States presence in their country?" responsible for their safety.

Curtis replied "The first year over there, "One thing that really bothers me about the they treated us like celebrities. People stopped media is that they only highlight the negatives.

At 7 am this past Tuesday, November 6, us and asked us for our autographs on the They tell you that a soldier died, but do they Lance Corporal Bob Curtis came to speak to streets. My second year over there the hype tell you what was happening or what they were Maine South students about the War in Iraq. wound down, and people were like 'OK' doing? A lot of time soldiers will be building This speaker was sponsored by Maine South and my third year Conservative Forum as part of Freedom Week, the Iraqi people which included the guest speaker, as well as began questioning a supply drive for the troops in Iraq, and a why we were over spirit day on Thursday in which club members there." encouraged the school to wear red, white or One senior blue in honor of their freedom. asked if he had The club activities were in honor of any regrets about Veterans' Day on Monday. joining the The guest speaker. Lance Corporal Bob Marines. To this Curtis, served in the war in Iraq for over three he responded, "I years and was here to tell students "The Truth guess the only about Iraq." His aim, as well as that of the club, thing I regret is that was to broaden students' understandings of the I lost a lot of good war and give students a different perspective friends. At first it than what they receive from the media. was really hard. I Lance Corporal Bob Curtis is 24 years- mean, most parents old and from Norridge, IL. He enlisted in the don't want their photo by Erin Klein Marines when he was 18, close to the age of children to join the many of the attendees. This gave students a army, but I don't Senior Daniel Hejza smiles with guest speaker, military veteran chance to discuss the War in Iraq with someone regret going. If I had Bob Curtis, after the Freedom Week. who they can relate to who also has first-hand to, I would do it all schools, water refineries, or hospitals, but the experience with what is occurring overseas. over again."

He gave a short speech before opening Mr. Curtis had a lot to share with attendees media leaves the positive out," Curtis said.

"I guess it's because it's the bad that sells, the floor to questions. One sophomore asked about the media's influence over society's "How did the Iraqi people seem to react to the opinion of the war. He stated, "When World but the negativity of the media has definitely "War n influenced the public's morale," he continued.

One junior, Lisa Daul, who was in occurred,the entire public attendance stated, "I really enjoyed the was united speaker. It was interesting to hear what he had behind the to say because he presented a side to the war war, but with that I don't normally see."

The speaker shared an anecdote with Vietnam and the listeners about his return home from Iraq. more recent When he and his unit returned home from Iraq wars, media after their more than three years of service, they coverage has were greeted at the airport with protesters. He e x p a n d e d . stated "My one friend went up to one woman who was protesting and said 'Thank you.' She P e o p l e don't need asked him why he was thanking her and he to see what said 'For exercising your freedom of speech, happens in which I defended for you.'" a war: it's Conservative Forum viewed the event brutal and as a success. With close to 40 students in ugly. When attendance, both the sponsors and the speaker media were very pleased. Lance Corporal Curtis photo by Erin Klein the is over said "It's important to just get the word out Speaker pauses for a moment while thinking of with us, we there and let people know that what the media an answer to students' questions. end up being shows you is not always the truth."

by Erin Klein

3 Darfur: a country in turmoil NEWS

NOVEMBER

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specifically, the govenmient is not allowing risk. International humanitarian organizations humanitarian aid into the countr> to help the should be given rapid and unimpeded access The situation in Darfur has been problematic innocent people caught in the raids, and in to internally displaced persons to assist in their since 2003. Thousands of innocent victims some cases, is supplying the Janjaweed with resettlement."

Presently, outside forces have tried, but have been killed in the genocide. A group military supplies.

This situation has been considered failed, to send in humanitarian help. Again, to be one of "ethnic cleansing." the Sudanese govenmient has not allowed Recently, in southern Darfur, UN or outside forces to come in and aid the insurgents have been taking people civilians. According to a representative from out of the camps that they live in and the United Nations, "Although a new United forcing them to relocate to different Nations'African Union peacekeeping force areas, ripping apart for Darfur (UNAMID) is families. cunently being This has become a assembled, it serious international remains unclear situation to many whether donor because the governments displacement of the will agree to civilian population, photo courtesy of BBC News supply critical unless it is for their The Darfur people are forced to flee their villages. equipment, safety, is recognized as including illegal. According to helicopters and known as the Janjaweed have been terrorizing other regulations, the displaced photo courtesy ofabout.com land transport. the country with the support of the Sudanese should only be moved if they do Sudanese govenmient. Their motive is to obtain more so voluntarily. UN regulation The Janjaweed are a major threat to the The people of Darfur government, farmland for their herds. The Janjaweed are states, "Displacement must not which in the past Arab nomads who have herds of livestock. be carried out in a maimer that Their victims are farmers who have no violates the rights to life, dignity, liberty and has obstructed deployment of peacekeeping security of those affected, and they must not forces in Darfur, has recently prevaricated over resources to fight back.

For years, there has been tension between be forcibly resettled in any place where their the composition." according to a representative the nomad herders and the farmers. More life, safety, liberty, and/or health would be at from the United Nations.

by Samantha Yee

Dog drug searches effective at Maine South

by Courtney O 'Keefe The Maine South staff has always been devoted to helping their students with everyday issues. They take the time to make sure that the student body is in a safe environment.

Recently students and others around Park Ridge have seen an increase in actions against drugs. There have been two dog searches this year, but it seems as though Maine South is concentrating more on talking with students than searching.

One addition to Maine South's actions against drugs is the red card. "The red card process is for teachers or staff members to help identify' kids they have issues with, and it's not necessarily with drugs or alcohol but anything." says Dean Thetard.

In some schools, there are zero tolerance rules that state that if one is caught with any

substance, he or she is expelled from school.

Maine South, on the other hand, tries to handle the problem differently.

"Our school policy is to work with the kid and parents. There are consequences, but we get the accurate resources for that kid and their parents," said Dean Dagres.

Some students at Maine South have been wondering if drug tests will be part of the process of getting a parking pass next year.

The deans of Maine South have denied that any drug tests will be necessary.

What some students don't know is the amount of work that has already been put into the issue through the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, or MC YAF. The foundation is responsible for all the drug and alcohol surveys taken during the school year.

With these surveys, they are letting District 207

know if there are substance abuse problems.

It has been proven effective in decreasing substance abuse rates in high schools.

The foundation is trying to educate parents and staff about students healthy behaviors.

Overall, they are trying to decrease the use of tobacco and alcohol by Maine Township High School students.

When asked about Maine South's goals in helping kids dealing with substance abuse, Dean Dagres says, "One of the main goals is for the kids to think big picture—is this what I'm about? Is this wrong—and for them to be comfortable with their decisions."

Drugs and alcohol are always an issue in high school, but there is always help, especially at Maine South where counselors, psychologists, and all staff members are trying to make the kids in their school safe.

NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No.

Fact-checking * Facade' I feel compelled to respond to particular comments in "The Fake Fa9ade of Politicians," featured in the preceding Southwards. The author makes remarks against Ronald Reagan, who many consider to be the father of modem conservatism, idealizing less government involvement and a self-made life. He is a national as well as international hero.

While the author states that communism was declining in Reagan's heyday, it would seem that the author is not speaking from personal experience.

As the daughter of a Polish immigrant who was bora and lived in the Eastern Bloc for many years, I've heard retellings of numerous encounters that expose communism/socialismy radical liberalism for what it was almost two decades ago and what it is today—a demonic and ignorant government system which ultimately leads to a despotic society (take Russia, Cuba, Germany, China, Vietnam...).

The author is also, perhaps, forgetting the (liberal) Carter Administration's infamous gas lines, massive national deficit which Reagan

It's not just Hillary I appreciate the article "The fake fa9ade of politicians." I completely agree with the author's point of view and was excited to see an article that didn't just bash candidates, but gave others a different way of looking at them.

Teenagers are certainly going to make a big difference in the election that will determine the outcome.

I believe it's important for them to be

educated about these candidates. The only thing I can complain about is leading the readers to think that Hillary Clinton is the only one who puts on this fa9ade. If you are going to take on the responsibility of educating us about politicians, I feel you must also inform the reader about all politicians.

-Erin Galiger

Speaking of silence I think it was a good idea to put in the article, "Silence for reflection made mandatory in schools."

The Moment of Silence really wasn't explained to the students as well as it should have been. I think it is a good idea to pray or reflect in a moment of silence, since our schedules are normally so busy and we don't

always have a minute to do that. But many students did not understand and thought it was silly; I just thought it was a good idea to explain it in Southwards since it was not explained earlier.

-Anonymous

Technology works I read the article "Technology in Overdrive," and I don't agree with it. I think all the technology helps us with our lives. iPods help us, cell phones help us; who cares if somebody is writing a paper on his iPod touch. Well, good—at least he's doing his homework.

Every type of technology helps us, and I

think it's better that our technology is getting better. We can do things on tiny objects and that makes our lives easier and I hope that keeps us going, and I hope our technology will get even better.

-Kamil Loszczhowski

inherited and implemented tax-increasing "social services" such as welfare and Medicaid that don't even apply to the national treasury's beneficiaries—the taxpayers. Also, if Reagan was so inadequate, then why did the most people in history wait in day-long lines to view his body in the Capitol? Reagan is revered, with good reason, by myself and many others.

-Caroline Ley a

S OUTH WORDS Maine South High School n i l South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068

Signed letters to the editor should be debvered to room V-131 or given to a member of the editorial staff. SOUTHWORDS reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Editors-in-Chief

Michael Coyne Meghan O'Keefe Erin Klein News Editors Nicky Priovolos Features Editors Bess Featherstone Jacqueline O'Reilly Entertainment Editors Tom Berg Katrina Underwood Xander Tapling Commentary Editors Courtney Vinopal Sports Editors Thomas Joyce Patrick Mirski Josh Sissman Production Editor Kelsey Grandi Photographers Ted Sherbin Chelsea Zivkovic Leah Artwick Staif Artists Gina Tingas Kevin Verre Mr. EUefson Advisors Mr. Stathakis

FEATURES NOVEMBER

16. 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

5

GodTube: The new Internet fad

By Bess Featherstone but has attracted four million different viewers A Christian version of YouTube has become in October, making it the largest broadcast of this year's fastest growing website. GodTube. Christian videos in the world, according to com was launched in August of this year by Fox News.

38-year-old Chris Wyatt, a student at the Dallas The videos are posted by members of the Theological Seminary. site (membership is free) and range from music Wyatt is attending the school as a seminary videos to skits to home video recordings. s t u d e n t , but his Some of the most studies have been popular videos on the site pushed back due are parodies of other wellto his creation of known songs or videos.

GodTube.

For example, some of He came up with the most watched videos the idea for this are titled "Baby Got Book" { website while in and the "ChristianyChrist Htm his classes. One of Follower" series. photo courtesy of\^-ww.GodTube.com the purposes of its "Baby Got Book" is a creation is to help GodTube is the newest fad for Internet music video mimicking savvy Christians. the Church reach the 1992 #1 hip-hop song teens, which has

by Sir Mix-a-Lot, "Baby been a problem recently. It is also a place for Got Back" a song that is still heard today. The Americans to go to find the answers to their theme of the song has changed from the original religious questions. meaning to the size of a woman's bible. Though The site has over 25,000 videos up, with the original sound and time remain, the lyrics around 300-500 going up each day. Each video have changed, making one of Sir Mix-a-Lot's is watched and pre-approved before it is posted most popular lines transform to "my bible study on GodTube, making this site appropriate for don't want none unless you got book hun." people of all ages. The site has 150,000 users The "Christian/Christ Follower" clips are

God\h\ UD6

Your Daily Dose of Reality

parodies of the popular Apple commercials in which two people, one a "PC" and one a "Mac" have a conversation about themselves, the "Mac" being the obvious better choice for a computer. In these clips on GodTube, a similar form is copied. Two men stand with nothing but a white background behind them, the same mne from the Apple commercials is playing, and the "Christian" and "Christ follower" talk about how they show their faith. At the end, it is obvious that being a Christ follower would be the better decision, like the Mac was in the original commercials.

These are only a few of the popular videos, with hundreds of others besides them, like "Psalm 23," in which a little girl recites the whole psalm, and "Jesus Muzik" that is like the other rap songs heard today, only raps about how other artists only rap about sin.

Upon becoming a member to this website, you can join groups, become friends with other uses, and create a profile that others can view. You are also allowed to upload videos, rate others' videos, make comments on them, and more.

Anyone can visit the site at www.GodTube. com and find out, as Wyatt told Fox News, "What would Jesus download?"

By: Leah Artwick

6 Mad dash for mad deals FEATURES

NOVEMBER

by Meghan O 'Keefe

There is only one day of the year that waking up early is truly worth it. It is a day for shopping, deals, and no mercy. Yes, it's Black Friday, and it's making its way to every mall and department store in just one week.

The consumerism of the holidays is epitomized on Black Friday, one of the top shopping days of the year (second only to the Saturday before Christmas). The feelings of family and food are long gone by the wee hours of the day after Thanksgiving. The only thing on the mind of those shoppers eagerly camping out outside their local Wal-Mart store is a head start on their holiday shopping.

They aren't just out to get a jump on their long lists of gifts, though. It's the incredible deals that draw them in.

Last year, Wal-Mart offered a laptop for the lowest price of all-time, a mere $300. Wal-Mart is at the center of the Early Black Friday madness and is known for dropping their already unbeatable prices, a practice that has hurt their reputation in smaller communities. Although advertisements were leaked last year, Wal-Mart is threatening legal action if any info is leaked before November 19 this year.

The 5 am wakeup call can make for quite a successful day for the pre-holiday shopper.

Old Navy's entire store is on sale, much at 50 percent off^. Highlights of their selection are coveted cashmere sweaters for men and women

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

at half off.

Sears has everything from diamonds to electronics, all "Super Wish Specials," at unheard of markdowns from 5 am to noon.

Diamond bracelets and studs, normally $300 and $260, are selling for an unbelievable

are unlikely to disappoint.

Beyond Black Friday, though, is the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend when many start to take advantage of online specials, "Cyber Monday." It is said that since this is the first day back at work for most after the holiday, many use the PC time to make their holiday purchases and take advantage of the online promotions.

Although the hype seems to suggest more, this is actually only around the twelfth busiest online shopping day—the busiest is usually within the first two weeks of December.

It is suspected that the discounts should be even more drastic this year. In the weakened economy, tied most closely to the fallout from the housing boom, this could be a mechanism to heighten the low projections for holiday sales this year. Although they experienced a photo courtesy ofwww.Iaptoplogtccom 4.6 percent increase last year, below the prediction of five percent, it is bird shoppers rush into a Wal Mart before the sun is up proposed by the National Retail Federation that sales will only raise about four percent. Holiday shopping $89.99. The Sharp Aquos 46-inch TV's price can be a somewhat accurate basis to measure the tag has been cut by $900 to $999.99 as well. economy off of, at least in the retail world; 20 Most categories, such as jewelry and shoes, percent of a typical store's sales occur during the are at a 40-60 percent markdown. holiday season.

It's not just the mega-stores that will be Whether you're shopping for yourself or hosting huge sales either. Malls go all-out your holiday gifts. Black Friday, as well as the for this notorious day of megawatt spending. newer Cyber Monday, you can be assured you For anyone willing to brave the after- will find your desired items and your desired Thanksgiving, pre-dawn morning, these deals price.

WAUMART

Variety show ^Undercover'

by Ted Sherbin With the fall show, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged" over, its that time of year again. That's right: the muchanticipated variety show is here again and promises to be a phenomenal one.

The theme of the show is "V-Show: Undercover." Footlighters, the group that opens every V-Show with a fantastic dance number, will be opening the show with "Secret Agent Man." In addition to this, the audience can expect

the return of the drum line with a piece written by Graham Stapleton. Other musical pieces include a ska band, featuring Kristin McGuire singing "Come On, Eileen." Other great bands will be playing, as well, that you should not miss.

Also, there are three dance pieces, one b> the Hawkettes, one by the Advanced Dance class, and one by the Orchesis.

Trunk will be featured, as usual, with their humorous and creative pieces between the acts.

The student staff, featuring Drew Galiger

as the student director of the show, and staff director Mr. Muzsynski, have been working since before the interest meeting, held on September 5, to keep the "variety" in this variety show.

Behind the stage, the crew is running, putting together the fantastic sets and keeping the show running.

The show will be held on November 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Watson Auditorium.

No matter what your tastes are, and no matter what your age is, this show will have something for you.

FEATURES NOVEMBER

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7

Maine South reflects on new SUent Reflection

by Devin Beaugiireau Ever since the new Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act was put into effect on October 12, complaints have been voiced throughout the state. But at the end of last month, one person in opposition of the act took extreme measures for his complaint to be heard.

On October 27, Rob Sherman, the parent of a freshman at Buffalo Grove High School and an atheist activist, filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the requirement of the act.

Sherman sought a temporary' restraining order to block the moment of silence in Township High School District 214 and specifically at Buffalo Grove High School. In his lawsuit, Sherman claims that the act violates the First Amendment ban on government promotion of religion, because it specifically allows for "silent prayer or for silent reflection."

At the hearing pertaining to Sherman's lawsuit, Gregory Kulis, Sherman's attorney, argued the act is clearly an attempt to force religion into public schools. "It is unconstitutional because there is no secular purpose at all," said Kulis in the "Chicago Tribune." "There should be no doubt about the law's intent."

However, supporters offer other justifications for the act, such as helping students reflect on their problems and focus before beginning a stressful day at school. They make a good point, but some people, including Colleen Keesey, a junior at Maine South, think that the point is unrealistic.

"Fifteen seconds won't solve my problems," Keesey says. As for her opinion on the religious aspect, Keesey says, "I don't think [the act] is meant to be religious, but it's stupid."

Keesey explains that the act is pointless, and because of this, students take it as a joke.

Although many students share Keesey's opinion on the motive for the requirement, others are far more skeptical. "I hate it," says Sarah Catalano, a junior at Maine South. "[The act] is an excuse to put prayer into schools.

It forces people to do something that not everyone should have to do—it takes away our right of freedom."

Critics agree, and have called the Illinois statute unconstitutional and a fairly blatant attempt to bring organized prayer to the public classroom.

Despite students' and critics' negative views on the act, it's here to stay—for now, at least. Sherman's wish to block his daughter's school from having a moment of silence each day was declined by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman. However, Gettleman says he has some serious questions about the law, and expresses concern with the act's title and possible abuses.

How to keep busy over Thanksgiving break

By Jacqueline O 'Reilly For those of us not jetting off to tropical paradises or heading over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house this Thanksgiving Break, there is a need to find activities that will keep us entertained throughout the coming week. While sleeping and avoiding homework are certainly top priorities, there are countless other events to take part in during break.

With many artists on their fall tours, there are many concerts this week.

Feist, known most recently for her song "1234," will be performing at the Riviera Theatre on November 17. KT Tnnstall. whose work includes "Suddenly I See" and "Hold On," is also in town that night performing at the Vic Theatre. Other artists passing through Chicago this coming week include Vanessa Carlton and Robin Thicke. For details and dckets | to these concerts, visit Ticketmaster. com If you're someone who appreciates art and music, look no further than the Museum of Contemporary Art and its exhibit, "Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967." This exhibit depicts the intersection of contemporary art and rock

the 74* Annual State Street Thanksgiving Parade. The parade, featuring a wide variety of balloons, marching bands, and theater performances, starts at 8:30 am on State Street and Congress Parkway and travels north to Randolph Street. If you can't make it downtown for this event, it will be broadcast live on WGN. For those of you who've already tuned into The Hohday Lite, Chicago's various holiday activities may by to your liking. Christkindlmarket, taking place in Daley Plaza, will be in full swing.

Christkindlmarket is a German tradition that has made its way to Chicago. It offers interesting, and often homemade, gifts and crafts for sale, a variety of entertainment, and traditional German food and drink.

The festival starts on Thanksgiving and will run through December.

Finally, the now-open Millenninm Park Ice Skating is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit. Open from noon until photo courtesy ofwww.fhckr.com eight, the rink offers skates for rent and a Ice skating at Millennium Park is a perfect way few rounds on the outdoor rink. However, to spend a day downtown. expect to wait in line, because this is a music. Featuring artists such as Andy Warhol popular holiday activity. and Dan Graham, the exhibit is open every day Even if you're not going anywhere exciting but Monday, and it is free on Tuesday. for Thanksgiving Break, you can be assured Thursday, if you're not too busy stuffing the there are plenty of exciting things to do in the twkey or watching football, be sure to check out area.

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ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER

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'American Gangster' a must-see Oscar contender

by Maija Gustin "American Gangster" has all the looks of a movie bound for success. With stunning performances from its cast (particularly the superb Denzel Washington) and an intense plot, "Gangster" could be a major Oscar contender.

In fact, with the recent success of other gangster flicks like 2007 Best Picture winner "The Departed," this biopic has success written all over it.

"American Gangster" is truly a standout film. It is based on the story of 1970s drug lord Frank Lucas and his rise to success in Harlem.

But unlike most gangsters, Lucas is a black man who uses the war in Vietnam to supply Harlem with heroin. He used military connections to buy drugs in bulk straight from an Asian source and was therefore able to sell heroin cheap. And it worked. He reported making about $1 million a day in drug deals.

Washington plays Lucas perfectly. Like most mob movies (think "The Godfather"), the audience wants to like him. He is charismatic and a perfect gentleman, and it is not until you see him bash his cousin's head in a piano that you realize how ruthless he is. But he only uses violence with good reason.

Frank Lucas was able to fly under the radar, of the New York narcotics unit for most of his

reign. No one suspected a black man to be a drug lord. And what's more, everyone assumed he was working for someone bigger. Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, the officer heading a special New York narcotics unit who discovers Lucas's drug ring. The story of Richie's bitter custody battle for his son is juxtaposed with his fight to stop big-time drug deals in New York.

And of course, like any violent drama with a moral to it, he learns in the end what it means to be a good person and a good father.

Other notable performances come from Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lucas's younger brother Huey, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Nicky Barnes, a rival drug-dealer, and Armand Assante as mafia-boss Dominic Cattano. Ejiofor is wholly believable as the small-town boy from North Carolina who becomes a big shot thanks to his older brother.

He gets sucked into the world of drugs, murder, and money and faces his inevitable downfall.

Gooding Jr has a small part, but after a series of flops ("Love Boat" anyone?), the audience is reminded why he won an Oscar for "Jerry Maguire." And Assante, who has been in more unknown movies than one can possibly count, is wonderfully frightening as a traditional Italian mafioso hurt by Lucas's cheap, straight-fromthe-dealer dope.

"American Gangster" is all it's cracked

up to be (no pun intended). The story is so grotesquely vivid that you leave the theater feeling different than when you went in. And it was all real. "Gangster" is not for the faint of heart. The first scene involves an alreadybeaten-and-bloody man getting shot. And that's only the beginning of the violence. In fact, no more than about 15 minutes go by without some more blood and guns. Director Ridley Scott did not shy away from the topic of heroin either.

Apart from the buying, packaging, and selling of heroine, "Gangster" features several scenes of people injecting the drug into their arms.

There is also a nice Thanksgiving montage in which images of Lucas celebrating with his family are juxtaposed with those of the deteriorating (and dead) junkies that he is supplying. The movie truly provides an intense look at the dirty side of drugs.

At two hours and 37 minutes, "American Gangster" is a long film (featuring about four previews, if you want to skip them). However, there is never a dull moment. There's really never even a chance to check your cell phone to see how much time is left. It's always intense; in fact, the only times you might turn your head are when junkies inject bloody needles into their repulsive arms.

Hollywood, however, does not shy away

'In Defense' A Solid Second Effort

by Jimmy Grizzel When Say Anything's Max Bemis releases an album, he goes all out. Their debut album, "...Is a Real Boy," was a 20-song concept album. This time, Bemis gives us a massive, 27-song album that transcends any one genre.

"In Defense of the Genre" incorporates elements of reggae, club, show tunes, and even a little hip hop. Even though Say Anything's "In Defense of the Geme" may be the most pretentious and obnoxious album released in a long time, it still manages to be endearing, fresh, funny, and a superb sophomore effort.

Say Anything was originally Bemis's one man crusade against the music industry. That has changed with "In Defense of the Geme"; not only is Bemis actually supported by a full band, but the album is also being released by a major label, J Records. Similar to how "...Is a Real Boy" was originally going to be a play about a band trying to make it big, "In Defense of the Geme" is very loosely based on one of Bemis's own personal relationships.

The album is made up of two CDs, with there

being a distinct difference between the two: the first CD is better than the second. "Baby Girl, I'm a Blur" is by far the best song on the album, and it also happens to be the lead single from the album. It combines a driving pulse with synth to great effect. "Shiksa (Girlfriend)" is the excellent response song to "Every Man Has a Molly," off of their first album. It pairs static, rapid verses with a melodic refrain. 'The Church Channel" is a reflective song about Bemis' bipolar disorder that repeatedly changes themes before concluding with a duet with Paramore's Hayley Williams. A few songs on the first CD fall flat, with the revenge-driven, show-tune-wannabe "That Is Why" being one of them.

The second half of the album is only good, to the first half's exceptional. "Spores," one of the highlights of the second CD, flip flops between an angry rant and a fond lament. The orchestral "Plea" is the obligatory emo ballad, but it is lyrically superior to most of the album. My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way sings backup on the title track. It's a rollicking indictment

of the indie hipsters who have criticized Bemis because he was too "mainstream."

A recurring theme in the album is the use of guest artists. In addition to Williams and Way, singers from Dashboard Confessional, A New Foxmd Glory, Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday, and even DJ Swamp (whoever that is) make cameos. However, they're all backup singers here, leaving Bemis to remain the musical force.

Overall, "In Defense of the Genre" is a spectacular album. At 89 minutes, it's a little too long, and there are some throwaway songs, but with 27 songs, there's still over an hour of great music; more than enough for everyone to enjoy.

Bemis so easily moves from arrogance to sarcasm to irony that it's impossible to know what he really intends in his songs.

Regardless of his personality, Bemis has crafted an exemplary album. He sings, "You're old and slow/I'm fast and new," which perfectly describes the album. It's fresh, different, and transcends the entire musical spectrum.

ENTERIAINMENTI NOVEMBER

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9

'Between'A 'Limited' a great comedy Great Album

by Steven Wear

Just as one would think that a train couldn't get lost, one would think that Wes Anderson could not outdo himself. Well, "The Darjeeling Limited" not only shows that a train can get lost, but also that Wes Anderson has created his best movie yet.

"The Darjeeling Limited" starts off with a short film called "Hotel Chevalier." Only lasting 13 minutes and containing more cinematography than plot, "Hotel Chevalier" offers a prologue to the travel of Jack, one of the three main characters and brothers in "The Darjeeling Limited." "Hotel Chevalier" takes place in Jack's hotel room in Paris where Jack (Jason Schwartzman) becomes informed that his girlfriend (Natalie Portman), whom he was hiding from, is arriving at his hotel. The quirky, odd behaviors of the no-shoes-ever Jack and the girlfriend in "Hotel Chevalier" set the mood for "The Darjeeling Limited."

"The Darjeeling Limited" is a story of redemption, brotherly love, and of how problems tend to work themselves out. Using the usual Wes Anderson cast, "The Darjeeling Limited" starts off with Bill Murray playing a random businessman, gripping the inside of a cab, racing to catch his train. In slow motion, as Murray fails to make his train, Peter (Adrien Brody) sprints past to hop on the back of it.

Francis Whitman (Owen Wilson), recovering from imdisclosed injuries, has called his two brothers Jack and Peter to join him on the train in India for a trip of bonding and spirituality.

For the first time in the year after their father's death, and their mother disappearing off to some corner of the world, the three brothers are together.

The conflicting p e r s o n a l i t i e s and rediscovered quirks of each of the brothers quickly make Francis' plan for bonding and revelation unlikely. Each of the brothers has his own problems —Francis' injuries. Jack's ex-girlfriend, and Peter's pregnant girlfriend.

With the escape of a purchased cobra, painkiller abuse, and an all-out brawl between the brothers, the three get kicked off the train and deserted in the middle of the desert. This is where the movie becomes more serious. There is the spiritual experience of saving children out of a rushing river, and the revealed real purpose for the trip: to find their mother. Don't worry, however; Anderson does end the movie with his trademark slow-motion scene.

"The Darjeeling Limited" is not only a

comedic success, but also an artistic one.

Anderson was able to demonstrate his amazing skill in cinematography by purely shooting the bulk of a movie on a real train. Having to manage camera equipment and lighting in the capacity of a narrow train, all the while scheduling filming around train schedules, is a feat by itself. Anderson was not afraid to move the camera, switching back and forth from a person's face to another person's face, or to give a vertical view over a table. The mere position of the shots is enough to keep the viewer tangled in the hour and a half story.

One of the most interesting cinematic decisions that I have ever seen happened near the end of the movie. Anderson shows all of the characters seen so far in the movie and what they were currently doing, but regardless of where they were, they were shown in cabins of a train. It was an interesting way to tie in the different story lines of all the characters at the end of this film.

Why I like "The Darjeeling Limited" has almost no relevance to the plot; quite frankly the plot was weak. The point of the movie is like the fouth floor of the A-Wmg: nonexistent.

"The Darjeeling Limited" was a good movie because it felt new. Recent comedies have been digressing to getting the audience to laugh by using excessive foul language, extremely offensive images or topics, or violent behavior.

It's not that these things aren't hilarious — because they are—it's just that every comedy shouldn't just be the same stuff over and over again. "The Darjeeling Limited" is funny for what it lacks. Some of the fimniest moments are the ones where there is only silence. "The Darjeeling Limited" gets its laughs by surprising the audience with the spontaneity of events and reactions of characters. When somebody says to get rid of a perfume bottle you would not think that one would react by calmly and swiftly smashing the bottle against the closest window without cleaning it up. With scenes like the perfume bottle, "The Darjeeling Limited" made very little sense, but it was fantastic because of the lack of coherence as well.

"The Darjeeling Limited" is currently playing in theaters. "The Darjeeling Limited" is rated R for the language used throughout the movie. That's right: no full nudity or heads exploding into pulp. Hop on a train or just drive to a theater and see it now. "The Darjeeling Limited" is really for those who are Anderson fans and/or want to see a little something different.

by Tom Berg The newest offering by the ska-punk band Streetlight Manifesto, "Somewhere in the Between," is their finest album. It took the band four years to fine-tune this albiun and it deserves recognition.

"Somewhere in the Between" opens up with the track "We Will Fall Together," which does a great job of catching the listener's ear. The album takes a brighter turn on the next track, "Down, Down, Down" to Mephisto's Cafe," which shows off the talent of the horn section, especially Mike Soprano on trombone. "Would You Be Impressed?" once again is a statement of how great the horns are, but more of leading man Tomas Kalnoky's vocal work shines through here.

His dark lyrics and swift vocal style fuels the whole album.

The song "Somewhere in the Between" is the happiest song on the album, and it shows the band's musicality, where it switches to half time to emphasize the meaning behind the song. "One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in the Grave" and "Watch It Crash" are the more exciting songs on the album. The for^ mer using fast tempos and backup vocals to achieve intensity. The latter uses strong horn lines, powerful lyrics, and overall volume to build to add to the overall energy of the album.

"Forty Days" is a calmer track, setting a more Latin groove to relax to, while still catching your attention. "The Blonde Lead the Blind" uses more pleasing harmonies and a nice major tonality to stay with the mellow feel, yet still remains at a fast tempo.

"The Receiving End of it All," is the climax of the album, and also the darkest track on this CD. The track breaks away to an instrumental section near the end that builds up perfectly and you can tell that the album was definitely saving the best for last for the final track. "What a Wicked Gang Are We," is really just getting the last word in on the album and ending it with a really big bang.

"Somewhere in the Between" is one of the most unique albums to hit the music scene, and once you sit down to appreciate the music, it really makes sense why the band took so long to come out with this album. The horn lines, Kalnoky's vocal work, the overall intensity, the variety between major and minor keys, all of these things just add up into one spectacular album.

10' New ^Guitar Hero' developer still rocks .NTERTAINMENT

by Jeff Dittbiirner With the recent buyout of Harmonix by Neversoft (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series), many players were afraid that the overall quality of the "Guitar Hero" series would be affected.

With the October 28th release of "Guitar Hero ni: Legends of Rock," it was made clear that the new games would still push the bar past 11. The game's style is the same as the previous games, taking songs from famous (and sometimes not so famous) rock bands and putting the player in control of a lead guitar player. The songs are a bit more diverse than "Guitar Hero 2's" wide range of choices, spanning from Slayer to Santana, and the overall realism of the game has been heightened somewhat since the previous entry in the series.

A great deal of the hype surrounding the game's release is the new Battle Mode, which pits players against each other in a way previous games never have. In it, the two players must each play the same part of the same song. The only catch is, instead of players having Star Power to help them take the lead, they have Battle Power. Battle Power is used to try to make the opponent fail, which is a vital part of the game's career mode. Each string of Battle Power notes ends in a powerup, which is deployed by tilting the guitar upward. Battle powerups are meant to make it harder for the opponent to play, whether by increasing the difficulty of the song from Hard to Expert or by instantly activating the lefty-flip, which is sure to wreck your opponent's winning streak.

The Career mode of the song is basically the same as the past two "Guitar Hero" games. Play songs, unlock new venues, and earn money for new gear, songs, and characters. However, at certain points in the game, players must face the Legends of Rock themselves. Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello is featured, as well as Guns 'n Roses' and Velvet Revolver's Slash.

The boss battles play out in Battle Mode, with the human player losing the battle if the boss survives the song.

The game ends with a rather unique twist, which makes the credits much more interesting.

After defeating the final boss, the player becomes a Rock Legend and is transported to a mountain seen in the opening of the game.

Once there, you are on your own, except your axe and the towering mountain of amplifiers stacked beneath you. There, you are faced with a choice: do you sacrifice your masterful hands to the Gods of Rock, or do you chicken out?

The song playing is the much-anticipated and much-feared seven-minute song 'Through Fire and the Flames" by Dragonforce. The song is

a great deal harder than any song previously featured, and will force players to finally accept the new, wireless Les Paul controller as an extension of their body.

New venues include Backyard Bash, a prom-style gig played on a deck. Desert Rock, a music video shoot, and the mother of all gigs.

Hell itself.

Another new feature of "Guitar Hero III" is the new Online feature. You simply select it from the main menu, and you can join up with another player over the Internet and play through songs with them. All modes of the game are feamred here, including Co-op Career, which allows you to play through Career mode with a few new songs added to your setlist. One player plays lead guitar, the other plays bass.

After a preset number of songs, the jam session ends and you can select another match.

Characters were a vital part of the series, since they allowed players to choose their character based on their own preference.

New additions to the series include Midori, a Japanese pop-star with bright purple hair, the God of Rock, a Zeus- inspired deity with a special guitar, and Lou, the Devil. The staples of the series. Axel Steel, Johnny Napalm, Casey Lynch, and Izzy Sparks haven't changed a bit, but Judy Nails has been combined with Pandora as the alternative-rock guitarist, and Clive Winston has merged with Xavier Stone, the 70's rocker. Of coiuse, the Grim Ripper is featured as a purchasable character, along with the robot-rocker Metalhead in the PS 3 and Nintendo Wii versions of the game.

The new PS 2, PS 3 and Wii controllers all feature wireless guitars; however, in the case of the PS2, the guitar is slightly more sluggish than its wired counterpart. The Wii controller features a slot for the Wii-mote to slide into, which will make noises depending on how the game is going. Using Star Power will cause it to buzz and vibrate slightly, and missed notes will play from the small built-in speaker. PS3 gamers will need to plug a receiver into the USB ports in order for the controller to fimction properly.

One unfortunate feature of the new entry in the series is rather obvious in-game advertisements.

It's one thing to have Guitar Center and Gibson sponsoring the store; in fact it adds a degree of realism to the games, but having an Axe-themed guitar, bass, and dancers? Pontiac's contribution to the game isn't much subtler. The entire music video set has the Pontiac logo stamped all over it. Fortunately, you don't have to buy the instruments, and the dancers only appear during your encore with Tom Morello.

NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

*Dan in Real Life'

by Colleen Herrmann 'Dan in Real Life" was, to say the least, not what I was expecting. Categorized as a comedy/romance, this movie leans more toward the romance side of things, with an unusual love triangle between the main character, Dan. his brother, and a girl that they met at a bookstore.

Dan is a widower trying to raise three daughters in a small town in New Jersey while writing for the town newspaper as a parenting advice columnist. The majority of the movie is spent with the viewers feeling sorry for Dan while everyone else in his large and perfect family is happy.

Dan, played by Steve Carrel, does a great job playing the type of guy that just has all the WTong luck. The irony in his character is that while giving expert parenting advice to the himdreds that read his column, at home he is lacking in the skills to get his daughters to even get along with him.

Dane Cook, who plays Dan's younger brother Mitch, also does a good job. playing Dan's exercise-instructor brother who is not lacking in the confidence department.

He is unwittingly the third side in the love triangle formed. Marie and Dan both know the attraction each other but tr>' to deny it to everyone, including themselves.

Juliette Binoche delivers the role of Marie, the smart, unknown outsider to the family, who gets roped into this mess involving the two brothers. She starts off the movie as the woman that can finally get Dan to open up about his late wife, until they both arrive back at the same family cottage in Rhode Island for the weekend, and Dan is left bewildered and confused about how to handle the situation.

Although this movie received positive reviews from web sites such as variety, com, it was definitely lacking in the comedy department, which I thought was its biggest downfall. With Steve Carrel and Dane Cook in the main roles, I was expecting a little more humor from them and a lot less family drama.

Although the trailer portrayed the movie to be hilarious, it had its few key laugh out loud scenes which every one can enjoy. I think everyone would agree that this is not the type of movie to go to if all you w ant to do is laugh, but if you want to see a warm movie easily relatable to everyone's family drama, then 'Dan in Real Life" is the movie to see.

COMMENTARY NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

Cook taxes on the rise

by Kim Blankshain

As if living in Cook County isn't expensive enough, it looks like its about to get even more expensive. With Mayor Daley trying to get support for a new budget plan, it looks like the county's taxes are going to go through the roof.

Although the state legislature extended a property tax break on October 12, taxpayers are still going to be bombarded by new taxes in the near future.

After recently trying to raise the county's sales tax by two percent, the county is now looking at adding a tax of $4 on every phone line, including cell phones. There are also proposals to increase taxes on bottled water and gas, even though Cook County is already home to some of the highest gas prices in the country.

All this because the city of Chicago and the

photo courtesy of ^M-w.usmayors.org

Mayor Daley's new budget plan will cause tax increases.

profk^rfrf-NAf

With the Holiday season finally upon us, it's easy to get caught up in "me"- not necessarily materialism (although that's a part of it), but also what we get out of the holidays.

For example, what does Thanksgiving mean to you? To most high school students, it means a week off of school, but youTl probably have to see some relatives you don't really want to. On the other hand, you get food. Lots and lots of food. For many people, this is where the thought processes on the holiday end.

Readers, that's a bad way to look at the holidays. Thanksgiving is a time to be gratefiil for everything you have, to be grateftil for your family, friends, and everything else that you have in your life. That means that the focus isn't you: it's the gifts and blessings in your life. Ifs not a coincidence that the holiday is called Thanksgiving: a day to give thanks.

The holidays are a chance to show people

county have a projected budget deficit of $307 million in 2008.

While Mayor Daley says, "I'm out there in the communities and 1 understand," it is obvious that he doesn't truly understand the implications of these tax increases.

The proposed $4 phone tax would add an average of $20 a month to a family of four's phone bill. While that may not seem like a lot, for some families that $20 might come out of money they need for food, heat, or health expenses.

Instead of increasing taxes, the mayor and the county need to find ways to lower the budget. Daley claims to have cut jobs to lower the budget, but in reality he has only cut 35 of 35,867 city jobs.

There has to be a better way for Chicago and Cook County to balance their budgets. They had better find it soon or taxpayers countywide are going to suffer budget problems of their own.

J

by Michael Coyne that you care about them. With the traditional •'gift-giving" days around the comer, we could focus on what we might get. or we could look

photo courtesy qfvww.theney-.

at the holidays in the way they were meant to be seen, which means we ask different questions.

Instead of "What will I get?" or. "What can I give someone so that I'll get the biggest

thanks?" we should be asking ourselves, "How can I show the people in my life that I care?" In other words, "What can I give?"

The focus can't be "nie." It needs to be the people and blessings in your life. Again, it's not about you.

It's easy to be interested purely in what affects you directly, such as gifts, meals, and time off school. But we forget that the holidays are a time to show appreciation, or rather, give thanks.

Be thankful to your parents for providing for you. Be thankful for the chance to attend a great high school. Be thankftil for your fiiture and for the people \\ ho care about you.

So rather than using the holidays as an excuse to ask for more, try examining their real purpose: appreciation of what you have and a chance to give of yourself Enjoy your week to give thanks, readers.

Don"t forget that we all have, plenty to be thankftil for.

12

COMMENTARY NOVEMBER

16,2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

Making the most of shopping trips

by Courtney Vinopal Shopping can either be one of the best found or b) placed at the highest shelf in the experiences of your life... or one of the store, causing me to climb on top of various worst. In the world we live in today, there are high objects in order to reach it. I'm sure many hundreds of stores that you can choose to shop can sympathize with me. If you walk into a at when your wardrobe is in need of an update. store with only one style of clothing, this is Whether a tiny boutique or a megastore chain, also a sign that you have started in on a bad there's bound to be at least one that fits your shopping experience. Stores certainly should shopping needs. For every good store you stick to some theme of unity between all of come across, though, there's bound to be a bad their clothes. For example, it would be odd for one lurking around the comer. When you shop the Gap to start carrying dark, edgy t-shirts at a bad store, you'll know, as the experience and pants with chains on them. However, if will leave you feeling cheated and unsatisfied. only one type of person, such as a working To avoid an unpleasant run-in with a bad store, mother or an urban hipster, can shop at a just look out for some telltale signs. They are particular store, it shows lack of creativity and not hard to spot, and hopefully, can aid you in variety in the clothes. So, if you walk into a making the best shopping decisions. store that sells only one type of clothing style The biggest telltale sign of a bad store is in one size, just walk away. Shopping at this particular type of store any blaring club music as you will only leave you feeling walk in the door. This music empty. may be great for a dance party, but it doesn't make for The final element of a the most pleasant shopping bad store that you should experience. Shopping is a always be wary of is a time when your mind should snotty employee. I know be free of any distractions. retail is not the most How can anyone really choose exciting field of work, but between, say, a fabulous fiinnel is important that when neck houndstooth jacket and you enter a store, the an equally amazing cashmere Stores like Forever 21 play loud, P^^Pl^ workmg there are sweater dress when all that thumping music for shoppers. " v " ' ^^ ^^e very least. Bad can be heard in the store is a stores contain two kinds thumping bass and weird techno voices? Bad of bad employees: the overzealous and the stores play bad club music because they know underzealous (yes, I realize that may not be a it may subconsciously make shoppers buy word). Overzealous employees make for a bad more than they normally would. With all the shopping encounter because they make you distracting music in a bad store, you may end feel pressured as you shop. They may pester up coming home with a pair of deep purple, you about finding additional sizes, bring you patent leather, ankle boots when all you really clothes you don't want, or repeatedly ask you needed were some basic turtlenecks for fall. for the fifteen thousandth time if you want Shopping in a store with loud music can cause to open an account and save 15 percent for you to lose your shopper practicality... instead the day. Underzealous employees are worse. of listening to your inner conscience when you They may not make any effort to help you in look at those ankle boots, all you hear is the your struggle to, say, reach clothing perched blaring noise. In short, a loud store equals a extremely high up. When you approach the frenzied shopping experience. cash register, they will not appear even mildly Another characteristic of a bad store is not amused at your presence, but rather unhappy. accommodating for the needs of every shopper. Good stores hire employees who know when All shoppers deserve a store that provides many to help the shopper, but don't push it. They clothing and accessory options in a variety know when they are needed. Keeping your of different styles and sizes. It is not good eyes open for helpful employees, as well as for stores to cany hundreds of items in one a variety of clothing and minimal music can particular size, and leave all of the other sizes be your first step in achieving shopping bliss. in the dust. One of the biggest predicaments I When you eliminate bad stores in your life, encounter at bad stores is when the size of the you may in turn be eliminating bad shopping one item I want is either a) not anywhere to be karma forever.

o

"Bart Simpson."

-Marco deLaurentis '10

O "Tom the Turkey" -Liz Hankins '09

U

WD

WD 'Clifford the Big Red Dog. -Sean Paoletti '08

H U

O CM

The cornucopia."

-Amy Kearney '10 -Maris Witry'10

NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

A Thanksgiving thought

by Xander Tapling

Thanksgiving is just around the comer, and I think I share everyone's main emotion: "Yes, a whole week off." Frankly, that's amazing, and we all know it. At the same time, though, I think that we've forgotten the real meaning of the holiday. I believe the only people that really think about it are the second graders who have their little potluck feasts, and the only reason they know that is because they're being fed and they have a test on it the week afterwards.

Really though, we have already committed horrible crimes against the Native Americans, so it's almost a painful memory to look back and go "Oh...they helped us survive...didn't they?"

One part of Thanksgiving that consistently confuses me is the length of the holiday. We

as Americans seem to have overblown the importance of all of the holidays, thanks to the power of commercialization. For instance. Thanksgiving lasts from about the end of Halloween until December first, which is nothing compared to the Christmas/New Years' holiday which seems to last from the beginning of December until the end of January (or however long it takes your family to haul all of the decorations down).

Now, jumping back to just Thanksgiving, what is the tradition for this holiday? I believe that wise man Jim Gaffigan summarizes it up the best: "It's Uke we didn't even try to come up with a tradition... 'How about we eat a lot?'

'We do that everyday.'" I could go further into that quote, but they'd end up censoring at least part of it. To be totally honest, it's really understandable to have considerable difficulty coming up with a separate tradition for Thanksgiving, which seems to be a warm-up

holiday for the Christmas season.

The main point of this is to ask: do we give thanks for anything during Thanksgiving? I mean, aside from "Thank God my relatives are gone," we might give thanks that we have all the food, sure, but families of every religion (or lack thereof) do that on a daily basis. Instead, I want to put forward a motion to change the name of the holiday, since not many people do give thanks for much, except out of ceremony and tradition. I want to name the week we have off: "Holiday Season Practice." It makes a whole lot more sense; because it just gives the country a chance to run out, buy random decorations and a lot of food (that they end up throwing away) and maybe donating a few bucks to the poor because they decide they want to try to save themselves.

So, with that in mind, I want to wish all our readers a very happy Holiday Season Practice.

Polish Club participates in Polish Film Festival by nomas Bielawieck

Everybody likes watching movies.

People love the emotions that the movies provide and those moments of relaxation that they can spend with friends and family. Movies have always been important as methods of expression and bringing stories up to a worldwide audience.

The movie industry is gigantic and still growing. Actors and directors have achieved fame and wealth through it, and the ceremonies surrounding it have developed well- known names.

That's why it was a huge honor when the Maine South Polish Club was asked to help organize and take part in the Polish Film Festival in Chicago.

For the past 19 years, the Polish Film Festival in Chicago has been a major event for many people. Being photo courtesy of Thomas Bielawieck the largest presentation of Polish film worldwide and one of the oldest ^^t^n^ j,y^. j^onika Podgorski, Agatha Lewandowska, Anna Ciupinski, film events in Chicago, it takes and Tom Bielawieck with the founder and the director of the festival, Mr. place over a two week period of t-^^y^-^w, time, showing 63 films in four different theatres.

The Polish Club had a chance to participate in the pre-festival VIP gala, where students met with famous directors, actors, screenwriters, and authors. This event was followed up by the opening night world premiere screening of "Hannah" directed by Janusz Kaminski. Bom in Poland, this two-time Oscar winner for cinematography infilmsby Steven Spielberg, including "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan," and "Amistad," presented his work as a director.

The students got to experience the preparation and the events that take place in a real film festival and took part in it first hand. The Polish Club saw this as an exciting learning event where they received the satisfaction of being specially chosen as part of the festival process. The festival director and founder, Mr. Christopher Kamyszew, extended a special thanks to the Maine South students and hopes to see them again at the 20"" anniversary celebration.

14' Volleyball ends in heartbreak NOVEMBER

by Josh Alvarez 'They didn't win it, we lost it," sighed a fan.

The last lines of an inspiring volleyball season uttered on November 5 summed up the suf)ersectional match against Libertyville, but by no means did it reflect the entire season.

Throughout the season, the girls dished out fantastic performances that no one player can take credit for, but that is not to say that there were some outstanding individuals in the squad.

Three of our Hawks have been honored as AllConference players: Karen Solari ('08), Ashley

accomplished the holy grail of all Maine South sports: vengeance against New Trier.

The Hawks came into the first game of Sectionals having narrowly lost to the Trevians on three separate occasions only to deliver a severe lashing and winning in two blowout games.

An hour after some good o l ' Trevian stomping, the Hawks came up against Stevenson high school. After a close first game loss 23-25, the girls came out just as tenacious for the second game,

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

happen," commented Coach Kelly Markworth who has been credited by her own players as the architect of the successful season.

photo b\ Erin Klein

l*olobyErlitKleiii

Brittany Wisniewski prepares for one of her powerful serves.

Heffeman ('08), and Haley Toter ('08).

Just the Thursday before, the Hawks

but things started looking bleak and the Hawks fell ^''^ "^"'" ''"'^^'^•^ "/' '^ Sam composure during the draining into a 15-22 hole.

Supersectionals match.

Then, the "seventh The Hawks walked in to the super-sectional lady" woke up. One of the best student sections with momentum from the November 1 triumph. in recent playoff history roared to a sudden They got off to the right start against Libertyville start and the girls returned the favor. A sudden with a 25-22 first-game win. However, things five-point rally and aggressive play stunned took a downhill jolt with an unnecessary 19-25 Stevenson and the Hawks took the second game loss and a devastating 16-25 season-ender.

26-24. The rest was easy. The fired up Hawks Despite the disappointing end, the girls crushed the demoralized Patriots 25-19. still deserve praise for not only heir season in "We played confidently and maintained general but also for their efforts.

Indeed, the our concentration. We knew we were going girls' volleyball team "did work." to come around at some point and made it

Boys' b-ball hopes to keep momentum

by Patrick Mirski

As the last leaves of fall drop and winter approaches, the start of Maine South basketball charges ahead. The Hawks, led by Coach Lavorato, are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in seven seasons and are hoping to be a big contender in the tough CSL South conference.

With seven of the top eight players of the Hawks still on the gridiron, the Hawks will have to wait to begin their season as a full squad.

The Hawks will be a young team this season, with only a handful of returning seniors.

Lavorato states, "Our team will be young and

inexperienced early, but with the return of the seniors a strong veteran presence will exist."

The returning Hawks include Joe Kozak, David Chao, Matt Tarpey, Greg Pierce, and Joe Murray.

On top of thejuniors and seniors, sophomores Kevin Schlitter and PJ Killean will be joining this year's varsity team. The Hawks will also be depending on the efforts of juniors Dustin Popiel, Patrick Johnson, Strahinja Nikolic, and John Alviti.

Overall, the entire roster will need to step it up in order to maintain the level of play achieved last year. The dynamic of the new and old players will be a determining factor in the success this team will be able to achieve

this season.

Although New Trier is the pre-season pick to win conference. Hawks basketball is building and can be a dominant force this season. The Hawks finished with a record of 15-13 overall last season and with a 3-7 record in Conference.

The Hawks season begins with the Downers North Grove Thanksgiving Toumament, where the Hawks won first place last season. They hope to keep their title as champions and to start their season with a resounding victory. The Hawks are very optimistic about the upcoming season and are hoping to continue the growing tradition of Maine South basketball with their emerging new talent.

15

.PORTS NOVEMBER

16, 2007 • VOL. 44, No. 3

Zillmer is All-State There were 159 runners at Sectionals, and South placed 15* overall. Zillmer knew going into the race that she needed to place in order to go down state and that is exactly what she Looking back at last year's season of girls' did. She had a time of 18:40.20 and was cross country, Kristen Zillmer finished in 70* ranked tenth. The other top six who ran were place at the state meet with a time of 18:08.

Sammarco (44*, 19:11), Bozikis (102'"', 20:02), This alone was a rewarding accomplishment; Gavin (119*, 20:19), Graf, Christma Carvatta only two girls in Maine South history have and Brosnan. The Sectionals had changed from advanced to State. One was Kim Coppin last year, making it the toughest sectional in during her freshman year in 2001 and Laurie the state. The interesting change in sectionals Anderson, who not only was the first to go to effected many. Some schools who were ranked State, but also came in 24* place, earning Allin the state last year weren't able to qualify this State. Anderson was all conference twice but year. That is how advanced it became. only qualified for state once.

Now, nineteen years later, another cross Earlier in the season, Zillmer broke the country runner has qualified record for the three mile in for All-State: Kristen Zilhner. cross country, as well as the Zillmer can proudly say that Maine South course record not only did she place on the with a time of 18:46. Coppin All-State Wall of Fame, but she held the record, but now also has accomplished her goal Zillmer is ranked as number by going down state more than one. That alone was a great once and shattering the record beginning to the season but she by placing 19*. finished it even better.

T h i s w i l l be C o a c h D u r i n g the C e n t r a l Downing's second year training Suburban League conference the girls' cross country team, meet, Zillmer did in fact break and he has pushed, motivated 18 minutes but it wasn't a full and encouraged all the girls three miles. At the state meet throughout the process. He in Peoria, it was three miles, led the girls' Varsity team to and she did, in fact, set a new Sectionals last year, and without record for herself, placing in a doubt it was his goal for this 19* with a tune of 17:35 and year as well. Going into the a 5:52 mile pace. Zillmer was Central Suburban League South the main reason the team did photo by Meghan O'Kee/e girls run, held at Waukegan's better and went further this Zillmer ran as the number one runner all season and ran her way to a stunning Heritage Park course, all the year.

19th place in the state meet and All-State recognition. schools were well aware that Laurie Anderson led her Maine South was the team to team down state in '88. It beat. The team as a whole did an outstanding Sectionals, and at Regionals the girls improved would be no surprise to hear that within the job, placing first in both the frosh/ soph and from last year as well. The team qualified next two years there can be a chance for that the varsity race. Sophomore Shelley Brosnan last year, when they placed fifth and Zillmer to happen again. It has only been done once in came in first place for the course during the came in fifth, whereas this year she improved Maine South history but Zillmer is an example freshman/sophomore race. Kelly Kohlndorfer placing fourth with a time of (18:07). Others that hard work and dedication can make it placed first in the JV race, and Kristen Zillmer who helped in the victory were Sammarco (11*, possible. placed first for the varsity race 17:25. Last 18:47), Shah- Gonzalez (28*, 19:43), Rebbeca Many look forward to next season with year, Zilhner was also the champion. Others Graf (29*. 19:43) and Bozikis (34*, 20:02). high hopes, as for the seniors, many recognize who are All-Conference athletes joining Even with past injuries, such as Zillmer's knee Zillmer as a legendary runner and one people Zillmer are freshman Alexis Sammarco, in injury, she, as well as the girls, gave it their all, don't see often. It has been an honor running third (18:17), co-captain Colleen Gavin in eigth proving that they deserved to move on together. with her. As for this year, many of the cross (18:33), Michelle Jaworski in 12* (18:47), The next step for the girls was Sectionals held country girls, including Zillmer, will be setting TeresaBozikis in 13* (18:49) and Sonia Shah- at Schaumburg, where they awaited a highly more goals for themselves as indoor track Gonzalez in 14* place with a time of 18:50. competitive race at Busse Woods. season approaches.

by Erin Mulligan

Rebbeca Graf also ran varsity and helped earn first, but, unfortimately, only the top fifteen are considered All-Conference. All seven girls were determined to place first and were dedicated on doing so throughout the race. South beat out New Trier, Evanston, Waukegan, Niles West and Glenbrook South with an ultimate low score of 37. Coach Downing knew that this was the schools sixth time in history bringing home the Central Suburban League Conference trophy and couldn't have been prouder of how hard they tried to earn it.

Regionals was held at Lake Park this year.

The girls qualified as a team placing in fourth with 106 points. Only five teams can qualify for

SPORTS BoNs' GOLF • GIRLS" VOLLEYBALL • GIRLS' GOLK • GIRLS '

SWIMMING

• GIRLS'TENNIS •

FOOTBALL

• CROSS COI

NTRV

• Bo\s' Swc ER

Football takes care of business

by Tommy Joyce

the game, but the Hawks defense stiffened and stopped the conversion short. The team clung to a 14-12 lead.

Orlando tacked on a 26-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter to push the lead to As the cool wind blew across Glenbrook 23-12.

South's field, the Hawks stepped up The Hawks' defense did not to meet their challenge. Under the give up any points in the final 20 lights at Glenbrook South, Coach minutes and shut down the Titan Inserra's squad defeated the Titans offense. They put the clamps on the 29-12, with no dramatic comeback running game of Glenbrook South necessary this time. The Hawks as the front seven played valiantly. were cool under pressure the entire Central Suburban League Lineman contest as they won their secondof the Year, Alex Dardi, came up round game to push their record to with a key sack on third down to 10-1 on the season. end the last of the Titan threats.

The team started out quickly, The team was not done scoring taking the opening kickoff and as Chao broke the goal line for marching straight down the field. his second touchdown of the The methodical drive was capped day. Behind the great play of the with senior running back David offensive line, the Hawks' running Chao's 11-yard touchdown run. attack finished off the 29-12 win.

This was the first of Chao's The Hawks handed Glenbrook touchdowns, on a day where he South both of their losses this year photo courlesv of Da\id Chao rushed for 164 yards on 30 carries and won the Central Suburban Running back David Chao cuts through Titan defenders. for a remarkable 5.4 yards per carry.

League South crown. They went undefeated in conference play However, the Titans would and beat rival New Trier 42-7 not be subdued so easily. They during conference play and struck back with their own 38-22 in the first round of the long drive, which resulted in a IHSA playoffs. During the Glenbrook South touchdown. season, the Hawks' explosive But the Titan kicker missed offense averaged 39.8 points, the extra point, allowing Maine while the stingy defense only South to keep a slim 7-6 lead. gave up a remarkable 12.8 With one quarter in the points per game. With the books, the Hawks were driving, offense and defense firing on and early in the second quarter, all cylinders, the team looks to quarterback Charlie Goro be very competitive the rest of punched it in from six yards out the year. for the Hawk touchdown. Goro had a phenomenal day rushing The Hawks still have a the football with 142 yards on tough road ahead of them, as 18 carries, averaging a stellar they match up against 8-A 7.9 yards per carry. Combined number one seed and 18"" with Chao's 164 yards, the team ranked team in the nation, Mt. rushed for 306 rushing yards Carmel. Mt. Carmel has won photo courtesy ofMiiu Ketidrick behind strong efforts from the Quarterback Charlie Goro drops back to pass, behind the solid blocking of the 10 state football titles, though offensive linemen and wide several of the titles were won offensive line. receivers. in 5-A, the team has still been The Hawks took a 14-6 lead into the locker After the Glenbrook South score, Inserra's competitive in 8-A. Making the contest even room at halftime. This quickly changed, as squad responded as the team drove down the tougher, they will have to play at Mt. Carmel Glenbrook South received the kickoff and field and senior receiver Danny Benson scored on the south side of Chicago at Gately Stadium scored on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The another touchdown, adding to his amazing (results of this game not available at press Titans attempted a two-point conversion to tie season total. Junior wide receiver/ kicker Joe time).