May 13, 2011
1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Vol. 47, No. 8
toP tEN PHOTO COURTSEY LYDIA RAMSEY
The Maine South Constitution Team places 9th in the nation
Collaboration day proposal South considers late start changes. Page 4
The best Indie games New trend spreads in video game industry. Page 10
Urban Farming
Baseball back on track
City gardens are becoming necessary. Page 11
The team bounces back after 4-5 start. Page 14
VOL. 47, NO. 8
1) On May 3, Mayor Bloomberg announced that Nissan would be given exclusive rights to make and sell cabs for New York City as a part of the “Taxi of Tomorrow” contest held by the city. Nissan’s fleet is more environmentally friendly, and will serve as competition to replace the city’s current taxi cabs.
2) On May 3, a Spanish court convicted two Somali men of piracy in the 2009 takeover of a Spanish fishing vessel. The defendants were each sentenced to 439 years in prison. This marked the first time pirates arrested in international waters were brought to Europe to stand trial.
3) On May 1, Osama bin Laden was killed by a team of U.S. Navy SEALS in Abbottabad, Pakistan, less than 1000 yards away from the Pakistani military training facility. Bin Laden has been on the FBI’s Most Wanted List since 2001 for his role in the 1998 embassy attack on the U.S. in Kenya. Leon Panetta, director of the CIA, has accused the Pakistani military of not doing enough to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, saying there is now “total mistrust” between the U.S. and Pakistan. See page 4. North Korea
1
2
New York
Spain
6
3
Pakistan Ethiopia Bogota
5
4
4) The mayor of Bogota, the capital of Columbia, was removed from office on May 3 as a result of allegations of mishandling public contracts. Mayor Samuel Moreno will be suspended for three months, and his brother Sen. Ivan Moreno was arrested April 29 for corruption charges. Ivan Moreno is accused of accepting bribes from contractors working on government contracts. Both maintain their innocence and will stand separate trials later this month.
2
SOUTHWORDS
5) On May 4, two Rwandan rebel leaders went on trial in Germany to face charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and foreign terrorism. The men are suspected to have taken part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and are accused of 26 crimes against humanity and 39 war crimes. This trial will be the first in Germany under its Code of Crimes Against International Law, adopted in 2002, which integrates International Criminal Court statutes into German criminal law.
6) A report released by Amnesty International on May 4 found signs of an increase in the number of political prisoners in North Korea. The human rights organization said the North Korean government is cracking down in preparation for the ascension of dictator Kim Jong Il’s youngest son, Kim Jong Un. There are suspected to be over 2000 political prisoners in remote working camps in North Korea subject to malnutrition, torture, and forced labor.
COMPILED BY JACKIE HAZLETT-MORRIS
NEWS
MAY 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
Japanese internment camp survivor talks to South students features editor
tudents enrolled in Mr. Rosenberg’s Sociology and AP United States History courses experienced a unique history lesson on April 12. Mr. Sam Ozaki, a retired member of the Army’s 442nd infantry regiment and former prisoner in WWII’s Japanese Internment camps, spoke to Mr. Rosenberg’s students about his experience in the camps and shared his opinions on current events Ozaki came prepared with indepth explanations to the students’ questions. So in-depth, in fact, that they surprised some of the students. “Mr. Ozaki’s honesty really shocked me at first, but then truly amazed me,” said junior Maddy Vogg. “I didn’t expect for him to say some of the things he did, and they really caught me off-guard, but really just created an overall feel of what he went through.” During World War II, due to their Japanese lineage, Ozaki and the rest of his family were placed in Japanese internment camps. Although he coached a volleyball and softball team while in the internment camp, his days were nothing like a day in
extreme, it was a relief to most of Mr. Rosenberg’s students. “I was really surprised by his take on President Roosevelt and politicians of that era,” said junior Patrick Wohl. “The history books wouldn’t tell you that some people thought FDR was a racist and only cared about getting re-elected.” In addition to his comments on FDR, Ozaki shared his opinions on the US Constitution, saying that it is not worth anything unless the people truly believe in what it says and put it to good use. His discussion about the Constitution led into his main point:
prejudice and bullying. Ozaki related his experience in the Japanese Internment camps to prejudice and bullying, a major issue in a high schooler’s life. He stressed the point that the future of our world is up to us—that we have the power to prevent future internment camps. Mr. Ozaki’s speech quickly became more than just a history lesson; it became a lesson that impacts the world’s future. Junior Kate Makowski noted that she had “learned that it is important to speak your mind and get your view across to people in order to cause change.”
News
S
summer camp. Ozaki made it a point to mention the soldiers positioned along the barbed-wire fence with guns facing in rather than out. “That part of his speech really surprised me,” noted Kathleen Walsh, a junior in AP US History. “Especially since the government said at the time [of the internment camps] that the Japanese were in there being ‘protected’ from enemies.” While in the internment camps, male prisoners were given the opportunity to get out if they joined the Army and fought for the United States. Despite his imprisonment, Ozaki agreed to join. Joining the Army was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision rather than a life-or-death one for Ozaki. Regardless of his reason for joining, he became a member of the 442nd—the most highly decorated regiment in the history of the United States armed forces, with 21 Medal of Honor recipients. Because of his experience with both the internment camps and the war, Ozaki was not afraid to hold any opinions regarding Franklin D. Roosevelt, America’s president at the time. Although his opinions were
PHOTO COURTESY YOUTUBE.COM
Ally Stevens
Mr. Ozaki talks to a reporter from FEMA regarding his experiences in the Japenese internment camps during WWII.
Celebration 2011 is officially on at Maine South Joseph Taddeo
A
staff writer
fter being cancelled in February, Maine South’s Celebration 2011 is back on. New chairpersons Sally Madden and Carol Bartkowicz came forward after the cancellation was released in the Principal’s Newsletter. Shortly thereafter, a down payment was made on a boat and Celebration 2011 was resurrected. According to Dr. Rose Garlasco, Assistant Principal for students, Celebration Liaison to the school, and Board President of the Maine C ommunity Yout h Assist ance Foundation (MCYAF), “The group that tried to take it over in September did not have much attendance or parent support at their first two meetings. Only three to four parents showed up to each meeting. Without parent support, the event would not be successful, so the group decided to disband.” Mr. Jim Longo, the former Celebration 2011 coordinator did not return phone calls.
“We wanted to make sure that the event would still be around for years [to come],” said Madden. “We both feared that if it didn’t happen this year, that it might not happen ever again. The Celebration tradition would end—we didn’t want to see that happen.” This year’s celebration begins at 11 P.M. at Brunswick Zone in Niles. Kids will have the opportunity to hang out, play video games, bowl, play pool, dance to a virtual DJ, or play the Wii on the big screen in a lounge area. “We hope this venue offers something for everyone, including pizza and soda,” said Madden. This event will go until 3:00 A.M., when the kids will board the buses to head down to Navy Pier and the Mystic Blue Cruise. The Mystic Blue Cruise includes a DJ, a full breakfast buffet, and—of course—the beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan. The cruise will dock at 6:30 A.M., where the kids will then re-board the bus and head for home. They will be dropped off at Maine South by 7:00
that morning. Past years’ Celebration-goers have really enjoyed the experience. “It was a great experience,” remembered former student Maggie Wave We had the biggest mom’s help group; we didn’t even know what to do with all the money we had. We took a bus from prom to the Aragon Theater where there was a comedy show and a hypnotist. “There was lots of food there and on the boat after, where I fell asleep, like everyone else. So our experience was definitely positive, but if it’s not something well-organized and unique, I think seniors are all responsible enough to find their own post-prom activities.” Though many students are planning on taking advantage of this event, some have decided that Celebration isn’t for them. “I’d rather hang out with my closer friends on prom night rather than just everyone that goes to Celebration,” noted senior Kate O’Grady. When asked if she thought that
parent and student apathy would hinder this year’s celebration, Madden stated, “Support from the parents and area businesses has been great. I think that the interest is starting to pick up. We are hopeful that we will get the support needed from the students to meet our guarantee to Mystic Blue.” Donations are still being accepted for Celebration 2011. Checks can be made payable to Maine South High School and should be mailed to Maine South Celebration 2011, P.O. Box 145, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Celebration tickets are being sold outside the student lunchroom for $45 during the lunch hours, and outside the bookstore after school. “We are at a disadvantage starting so late in the game, but we both truly believe this will be a great event for all of our seniors, whether they attend prom or not,” said Bartkowicz. “Students should enjoy the quality time they’ll have with their friends— something that gets more difficult to do as they start preparing to go to college in the fall.”
SouthwordS
3
May 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
Bin Laden’s death presents uncertainty for the future of America
O
staff writer
News
n May 1, President Obama made the historic announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed. The ever-elusive bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda and mastermind behind numerous attacks killing thousands of innocent civilians, was killed after a decade of searching. Bin Laden has been identified as heading acts of terrorism against the United States going as far back as 1993, when a bomb in a van exploded under the twin towers, killing six people. A select number of Navy SEALs conducted a 40-minute mission at the compound bin Laden was in, located just a mile from the Pakistani Military Academy. The mission was called a “surgical raid” by a senior administration official for its precision. This operation was successful in killing bin Laden, who died by gunshots to the head. He was DNA tested and given an Islamic burial in the North Arabian Sea. With an angered United States making his capture or death a number-one priority in the war on terror, many Americans originally assumed it would be a matter of months before news of success on this front broke. In the aftermath of 9/11, 78% of Americans believed he would likely be captured or killed, according to a Gallup/USA Today/CNN poll. By September of last year; however, 67% considered it unlikely, reported a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey. These numbers show the magnitude of the home response after news broke that he had been killed.
The news, said Alex Lundry, a Republican p o l l s t e r, i s “a w e l c o m e surprise for the American public.” T h e compound he lived in had no Internet or phone cords and was heavily guarded. Even senior commanders were not to know his hideout. However, he still needed to get messages o u t t o h i s Obama and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon in the Situation Room of the White House couriers. These receiving updates on the capture of bin Laden on May 1. s e l e c t f e w, Pakistani town of Abbottabad, where out not by troops, but by a small untraceable couriers, who bin Laden they watched the house for activity group of Navy SEALs, as well as the trusted with his life, proved the key and became convinced a “high-value information that he was hiding in to accessing his location. target” was hiding there. Pakistan, not Afghanistan, has caused The interrogation of captured However, to order an unfounded heated discussion about the future of suspected terrorists, including airstrike in a residential area of a American foreign policy. masterminds behind 9/11, led to foreign country could pose diplomatic Many people are left wondering nicknames of these couriers, one problems. According to John Brennan, what the current state of the war in particular became a point of the president’s top counterterrorism effort is after such a dramatic change. interest. For years, however, his true adviser, “the president had to evaluate Whether or not this is the opportune identity and location were unable to the strength of that information, time to end a financially unsustainable be found. and then make what I believe was war or to intensify military efforts to Four years ago, though, this one of the most gutsiest calls of any ensure the death of al-Qaeda in the man’s real name became known. If president in recent memory.” aftermath of bin Laden’s death is a intelligence were to find this man, As the world is left reeling from decision that is rapidly approaching. they could find bin Laden. this dramatic turn in international After the public was made aware of This information, however, relations and officials warn that bin Laden’s death, President Obama brought intelligence no closer to Americans should be alert for a gave a public address from the White finding this man, nor bin Laden, until response from al-Qaeda, we are House. President Obama said that mid-2010 when this courier called transitional to the obvious question though the fight against terrorism is someone being monitored by U.S. of what will happen next. The far from over the death of bin Laden is intelligence. This led authorities to the evidence that bin Laden was taken a major step in the war on terror. PHOTO COURTESY WHITEHOUSE.GOV
Caroline Murphy
Possible change in collaboration day schedule for next year Ashley Kozubal
T
news editor
4
he District 207 School Board is scheduled to vote next week on a proposal to change the duration and frequency of Maine South collaboration days. Under this proposal, instead of collaboration days occurring every other Wednesday for two hours, they would be every Wednesday for one hour. The Education Committee, which looks at issues related to student curriculum, has already made their recommendation. A presentation has been made to the School Board,
SouthwordS
and the final vote was scheduled to take place this week. (Editor’s note: The board passed the proposal on May 6.) The proposal to change collaboration days stemmed from an idea from the freshman academy at Maine West. Considering that collaboration day meetings directly impact education, the administration thought having weekly teacher meetings would have even more of an impact on student learning. Maine South administration believes that this set up will be more effective. According to Mr. Messmer, “Teacher meetings happening more
often means that they can make adjustments to their agenda and the curriculum in a more timely fashion. For example, if the English teachers realize that their students don’t understand a concept, they can make adjustments immediately to their curriculum.” According to Mr. Messmer, parent reactions are all positive so far. There will no longer be confusion regarding which Wednesday is a collaboration day; it will be instead just part of the weekly routine. As to how this will affect Hawk Pride, no final decisions have been made; however, it will involve an
adjustment to the schedule. Junior Kelly Hunt likes the idea of getting a collaboration day every week. “You’re only losing an hour of extra time,” she said, “but when you’re getting to sleep in every week instead of every other week, I would give up that hour. I don’t know what high school student wouldn’t want extra sleep.” Not all students like the proposal to change collaboration days, though. Junior Michelle Schneider said, “I would want to keep the same plan for collaboration. It is an extra two hours of sleep rather than one. It’s something to look forward to.”
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
Maine South Constitution Team places in the top ten of the nation Lydia Ramsey
O
commentary editor
when you put so many talented people together, the team was able to get past these challenges and use them to their advantage.” While there was a lot of work to be done in D.C., the team also managed to have some fun and take advantage of the great tourism in D.C. Every day, the group did some sightseeing, including the presidential and war monuments, the Newseum, the White House, Smithsonian museums, and Arlington Cemetary.
This year’s team has reached the end of its road, but next year’s team has a lot to look forward to. After the trip, Unit 2 member Joyce Hanck noted, “I learned how unique our system of government is, how much I appreciate it, and how amazing it is that high school students like us have the opportunity and the right to discuss it with important people on Capitol Hill. This whole experience has really made me realize how much I love America.”
Features
n April 30, the Maine South Constitution Team competed against 51 other high school teams in the national competition, centering around knowledge of the Constitution. Maine South’s “We the People” Constitution Team has won the state-level competition every year since 1994, advancing to the national level held in the spring in Washington, D.C. In 1999, the team won the entire competition. Since then, the team has consistently performed well, occasionally placing in the top ten, and frequently receiving other awards. This year, Maine South’s Constitution Team placed ninth out of 52 teams. Unit 4 won the coveted Reagan award, becoming the first ever unit of a Maine South team to win a presidential award. The “We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution” program is directed by the Center For Civic Education and the U.S. Department of Education. It’s the largest civic education program in the world and promotes the ideas of civil discourse and learning the Constitution among primary and secondary school students. The national competition is attended by a representing team from each of the 50 states, as well as a team from the District of Columbia and one from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The national competition is a three-day event. On Saturday and Sunday, all 52 teams competed during the day before a panel of judges. The teams competed by giving a simulated congressional hearing, which included a four-minute prepared response, followed by a six-minute free response session, and were given a score out of 60 from each judge. Each of the six units competed like this, and after the two days, the combined score was ranked and the top ten finalists were picked. Each team is comprised of six units of four or five members. The units are given different topics referring to the United States Constitution. Maine South’s Unit 4, which deals with institutions of the government, took home the prestigious Ronald Reagan Award at the competition. This year, to honor past President
Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday, an award was given to the team who performed the best out of all 52 teams on a question pertaining to his policies as president. Unit 4 answered the question, arguing that “Reagan was an effective president, but his policies, while historically significant, are not suitable to today’s political system”, and that his ideals defined his presidency. The unit was Maine South’s only all-girl unit, with members Asha Kirchhoff, Laurel Hogan, Caroline Heffernan, Kelsey Lamb, and Ali Mangialardi. “The unit knows how much we worked, and how many endless meetings we put into it, but you never really think that you’re going to be recognized for all of that hard work,” Caroline Heffernan commented. “It felt amazing to be commended for our ability to present a controversial president.” Getting into the top ten is not an easy task. “There are a lot of teams like us that have really talented students and work really hard and take it really seriously,” said Constitution Team coach Mr. Trenkle. “I always tell the team that ‘you’re really competing against your future college classmates.’ It’s a real testament to how talented and how hard everyone worked this year.” The team learned they had made the top ten Sunday night after a dance in Pentagon City Mall. The teams were announced on stage. After Maine South was called, Ellie Alvizu said, “I was in between crying and screaming... I was really excited because all of our hard work paid off. And although it sounds cliché, it is something that I will most definitely never forget.” This ecstasy was shared by the whole team. “I can’t remember the last time I was that excited about anything,” said Ali Mangialardi. Lisa Francis continued, “The word ‘Illinois’ never sounded so beautiful. I seriously could not stop crying.” Those competing in the top ten have one more day of competition. The Maine South team presented their arguments in the House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing Room in the Rayburn Building. The top ten competitors have an 11-minute free response. “This year’s team is the best I’ve ever coached,” said Mr. Trenkle, “They embraced the work and the issues better than any team before. Even though there are always issues
PHOTO BY HOPE TONE
PHOTO BY LISA FRANCIS
PHOTO BY HOPE TONE
From top: Maine South’s Unit 4 receives the Ronald Reagan Award with Mr. Trenkle and administrators from the Center for Civic Education; students Ellie Alvizu and Imran Kahn discuss the “We The People” program withCongresswoman Jan Schakowsky at Capitol Hill along with the rest of the team; the Constitution Team celebrates making it into the top ten of the competition.
SouthwordS
5
May 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
Having a great summer without leaving the Windy City Kelsey Eichman staff writer
As many students know, Park Ridge can be considered quite a bore. Sarcastically known as “Action Ridge,” students find themselves roaming around the streets of Uptown and … that’s it. However boring Park Ridge may seem to a teenager, its surrounding cities and summer activities are not. By being so close to Chicago, there is no reason to have a dull summer. Chicago, Park Ridge, and other neighboring suburbs host a wide variety of summer festivals and year-round activities.
Features
Festivals Summer is the time of year for festivals. Jeff Fest located in Jefferson Park, is a three-day festival celebrating the businesses and people of Jefferson Park It will begin June 27 this year. Similarly, Wicker Park holds its own Summerfest. It will be held on July 23 and 24 and will be full of indie eats and beats. Lincoln Park, Southport, and Park Ridge hold similar block party style summer festivals. Food Retro on Roscoe and Bash on Wabash also hold a similar style. Lisle holds its own unique Forget the usual chains this summer and festival, the Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival. Held June 30 through July 4, this festival has try out some legendary restaurants. Hot numerous hot air balloons as well as food and music—all for a cheap admission price of Doug’s is known for having the best hot $5. Be sure to check out the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival which will screen classics like dogs in Chicago and it’s hard not to love a “Psycho” and “Sunset Boulevard” throughout the summer at Grant Park. Evanston has place that bills itself as “The Sausage Superan annual honorary arts celebration for General Custer. This huge block party will have store and Encased Meat Emporium.” This over 250 artists, tons of food, and constant music. Also in Evanston is the Ethnic Arts funky spot, with a black-and-white checkFestival. Over 100 nations are represented in song, dance, spoken word, visual arts, ered floor and bright yellow walls always and food. At the Rogers Park Artists of the Wall Festival, visitors have the ophas a line of customers waiting to taste the portunity to be a part of public art by painting their own wall. The walls are kept city’s best. For dessert, check out Molly’s up until next year’s festival. Some other notable art festivals to check out are the in Lincoln Park. This bakery serves legFountain Square Arts Festival in Joliet, the Chicago Tribune endary cupcakes as well as other bakery Magnificent Mile Art Festival, and the Cantigny Sculpture items such as brownies and cookies. This & Fine Art Festival in Wheaton. And don’t forget about bakery was inspired by the owner’s elthe Park Ridge Art Fair in Hodges Park. It will take ementary school teacher, Ms. Molly. For place June 18 and 19 and will feature local arta more ethnic experience, try some pierists. Music Festivals can be one of the most ogis at One Sister located in Chicago. fun and memorable things to do in the For a more traditional dish, try some summer. Lollapalooza is one of the most of Chicago’s best pizza. The Cremini well-known music festivals. Held in Mushrooms and Dante Cheese pizza at Grant Park in early August, this threeGreat Lake located in Andersonville as day festival hosts many widely-loved well as the margherita pizza at Castel artists. With the likes of Eminem, ColdGandolfo have been rumored to be play, Deadmau5, Atmosphere, and the best pizzas around. Also available Crystal Castles, anyone is bound to is Chicago’s Ribfest. Going on from find performers to suit his or her June 9-10, Chicago’s Ribfest gives a tastes. The Dave Matthews Band Caravan Tour is held taste of some of the best ribs around. in early July and is similar to Lollapalooza in that it And don’t forget to visit Taylor Street’s is a three-day festival with many bands of all genres, Festa Italiana from August 10 to 12 like Kid Cudi, OAR, and Ben Folds. Other notable for copious amounts of delicious Italmusic festivals include the Chicago Country ian food. For those unsure of their Music Festival (June 30-July 1) and the Pitchcuisine of choice, visit the Taste of fork Music Festival, a more “indie” festival Chicago from June 24 to July 3. The (July 13-15). For those more interested in Taste traditionally has blocks upon pop, check out the B96 Summer Bash and blocks of food. Because they offer the Kiss FM concert, Fantabuloso. The sample sizes, it is a good way to try Summer Bash will be held June 11 in many different foods. For a closerBridgeview and Fantabuloso will be to-home experience, visit the Taste held May 18 at the Allstate Arena. of Park Ridge for a similar experiOther summer concerts in the ence. It is also a good way to suparea include Rihanna, Natasha port local businesses and find a Bedingfield, Mac Miller, new favorite local restaurant. The Neon Trees, Britney Spears, Taste of Park Ridge will be held and Katy Perry. from July 7 through July 9. Get active Whether it’s golfing, taking part in a charity run, or roller blading, keeping active will keep anyone fit and enthusiastic about the summer. Charity events such as The L.A.T.E. Ride and the Ride for AIDS simultaneously help out a good cause and keep anyone in good shape. If running and cycling gets too boring, try rollerblading. The Fleetwood Skating Rink, located in Summit, has been open for fifty-two years and definitely still rocks its disco vibes. They have exclusive teenager-only nights as well as roller disco competitions. All skill levels are welcome. Into the retroness but not the rollerblading? Try Elk Grove Bowl, a retro bowling alley located in Elk Grove. They have fun Polaroid photo machines, billiard tables, and a retro café, while still keeping their bowling games under $4. For a relaxing summer workout, try many of the yoga locations in Park Ridge. Both Sun and Moon Yoga and Corepower Yoga offer a wide range of classes for all skill levels.
6
With so many music festivals, new restaurants, and art festivals, it’s difficult to have a dull day during the summer in the Chicagoland area. Keep active, and visit legendary block parties throughout this three-month break.
SouthwordS
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
District 207’s fashion students prepare for their big night Gabby Guerra
C
staff writer
Features
oco Chanel said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Never has this proved a truer emotion than for the fashion students at Maine South participating in this year’s fashion show production along with Maine West students. For the past seven years, Maine South and Maine West have put on this production together. The show is made up of multiple “acts,” with three combined South and West acts and four at the responsibility of each school for a total of 11 acts. Every year, Maine South and Maine West alternate hosting the show, choosing from a wide variety of themes. Previous themes of the shows have ranged from television and movie themes to travel themes. This year’s theme is based around different types of influential magazines such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, National Geographic, and InStyle, to name a few. “The fashion show is a big commitment,” explained Mrs. DeGrado-Inserra, the fashion teacher at Maine South and organizer of the event. “It’s a lot of work, blood, sweat, and tears; it’s a lot of free time.” The students identify with that better than anyone. The fashion students create the garments modeled in the show and some students in the fashion construction and fashion merchandising classes are also in charge of acts in the show. In addition, there are student producers each year that take on the responsibility of keeping tabs on every other student in the show and making sure everything is always perfect. From the construction to model searches, the students are involved with every part of the show, and with Mrs. DeGrado-Inserra in charge, nobody is allowed to slack. Kayla Katz, a recent silver medal winner in the state-level FCCLA competition, agrees with Mrs. DeGrado-Inserra. “The fashion show is a lot of
hard work,” Katz said. Yet year after year, through all of this hard work, students still participate. That’s because the show is more than just hard work; it’s a fun experience to last them a lifetime. “It’s fun every step of the way. Yeah, it’s a lot, but it’s work that you enjoy doing, and it’s always worth it,” continues Katz. Some, like Kayla Lubicz, a FCCLA national qualifier, don’t even consider it work at all: “It’s not really stressful. It’s just fun.” For the students involved in the fashion show, the best part is not designing and construction, it’s not organizing and choosing music—it’s the final payoff. “My favorite part is the actual show because the entire night is filled with excitement and anticipation. It’s all your hard work breaking the surface,” stated Katz. Lubicz agrees.“It’s also great because every student at Maine South has the opportunity to be part of the show,” she added. The model searches are open to everyone and fashion students that prefer to be behind the scenes, like senior Caitlin Vaughn, can. “I like showing off pieces in the show that I worked hard on, but I don’t like modeling,” said Vaughn. “That’s why the model search is great, because I can stay behind the scenes as an act captain.” In total, the show takes around four months of planning for just one night of fashion. Despite all of the hard work, students are never disappointed with the end result, and that’s not just because of student effort. Many of the fashion students’ thanks go to Mrs. DeGrado-Inserra, who admits that the night of the show is her favorite part of the process as well. “It’s always a good outcome. It’s a proud moment for me to see all of the garments my students have made on stage,” she said. The production really is an event, and this year’s show is sure to prove true to Chanel’s words and to make all of Maine South proud. Tickets can be bought in the bookstore for $3.00, or on the night of the show for $5.00. Either way, make sure to attend the show tonight.
Japan earthquake affects Maine South student Colleen McErlean
I
staff writer
n March, Japan was struck by one of the largest earthquakes in history. With the help of daily coverage and assistance from corporations, the earthquake’s victims have received world-wide sympathy and support. However, despite financial relief, its people and their relatives are still dealing with the aftermath and the distress the disaster caused them two months prior. For the relatives of victims living overseas, the natural disaster was a nightmare that came true. Recently, a Maine South student, Mika Ichiki-Welches, and her family have experienced this nightmare. Southwords spoke with Mika and her mother, discussing the effect the earthquake has had with their family in both the United States and Japan. Southwords: What does it feel like to have family in Japan while every-
thing is going on? Mika: It’s hard. Talking to them isn’t enough. You don’t know what’s going on. You don’t know if there will be another aftershock or an earthquake. Especially since no one knows what any of that may cause. Southwords: If you had the choice, would you rather be home in the United States or with the rest of your family in Japan ? Mika: Right now, I definitely want to be in Japan with the rest of my family. That’s not just because of the earthquake, but also because my grandpa is sick. If I could, I would choose to bring them all here. That’s because I am scared, because I have no idea what could happen there. Southwords: Do you feel like the Japanese government is truthfully telling the people about everything that is going on in Japan? Mika: I don’t know. They are being
very hesitant not to scare people and are trying to say things not as harshly as they are in reality. They are exposing their people to the facts they think they should be, but trying not to scare them. Southwords: Do you think that this crisis, and your mother having to be away in Japan with your family, has caused you to mature or grow up more quickly? Mika: It definitely has. I have to worry about the house and my siblings. I have to worry if they will get to school on time and if their clothes are clean, because my mom’s not here to clean them. And on top of that, I have to do all my school work and everything. It’s a lot to accomplish all at once. Southwords: Is the whole situation as scary as the press makes it out to be? Mrs. Ichiki: Kind of. The situation is kind of the same. But the press in Ja-
pan is more chill than the press of the United States. The whole problem is very unexpected and unstable. But the people of Japan are just making sure that their own people are okay. They know that they are going to be okay. They aren’t just sitting around crying and waiting for help, they know that they have to fix it. All the people around the world are very supportive. Its very scary and the earthquake and the radiation haven’t stopped. The earthquake is still occurring. Southwords: For how long would you like to stay there if you could? Mrs. Ichiki: I have a special reason to be here: my dad. And if I could I would stay here as long as I could to help out as long its necessary. But I wish that my children could be here, and in that case I would move them from here to a safer place away from the radiation.
SouthwordS
7
May 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
‘Fast Five’: fifth time’s the charm Kaci Zimmerman entertainment editor
“F
PHOTO COURTESY: FLICKR.COM
Entertainment
ast Five” broke records in its first weekend in the box office by raking in 83.6 million dollars in North America alone. Not only that, but it is widely considered the biggest and best movie out of the franchise as well as the largest movie in Universal history according to Universal Studios. “Fast Five,” released April 29, directed by Justin Lin, has boosted the franchise’s box office sales by 52% and was named the third highest release outside of the holiday/summer season. Not only was the movie just as thrilling as the others, it had the same cast members too. The legendary duo of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are back again with their hot pursuits and decked out cars like usual, but in another country. The fifth movie in the “Fast and Furious” series picks up exactly where the last movie ended, with Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) on his way to prison, while Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and Dom’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) lead a mission to free him. After Dom’s rescue, O’Conner and Mia, head to Rio for a rendezvous. That’s when Dom shows up with a job for them: to steal cars off of a train. Things go bad quickly, and after numerous gravity-defying escapes, the group is being hunted by the resident head honcho of Rio, a powerful and ruthless drug dealer, Herman Reyes (Joaquin de Almeida), because of something they accidently took with them: Reyes’ car, which contains a computer chip with incriminating information on
Gurkha LAPV
his operation and where he hides his money. The car was being impounded by the American DEA, and the theft attracts the attention of Reyes and his crew as well as a band of American agents led by Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), who isn’t about to let three fugitives get away. Mia then announces that she’s pregnant which should’ve ended the job, but the duo instead pulls off one massive job that will set them all up for 2010 Dodge Modified life and cripple Reyes’ operation. But in order for Vault Charger it to work, they need a team. The characters that have survived the crazy car chases from the other four movies are back yet again for this big-time operation that Dom has planned. The special effects are top notch in this fifth franchise. Sure the physics in this flick are slightly off, but that makes for a good action movie. The fact that the original cast is back for more just makes the movie even better. Nobody can be as tough as Diesel or have the dreamy blue Ducati Street Racer eyes of Walker; so it’s only appropriate that the cast remains the same. Like the “Star Wars” series, “The Fast and the Furious” franchise wasn’t released in chronological order. The first two released films were in the correct order, but the recent 1972 Nissan Skyline three films were released in non-consecutive order. The cars pack even more punch this time around and are in mint condition, like always. But, surprisingly, there wasn’t as much street racing as one might expect. Unlike the other four movies, “Fast Five” has more of a plot, not just gratuitous shots of cars racing, which is probably why 1967 International Scout the other films didn’t get that good of reviews. On numerous review sites, the fifth flick is getting a lot of positive attention from critics and site users. Most state how “Fast Five” is the best out of the series which is rare, considering it’s the fifth installment. “Fast Five” may be the best movie, but it’s not the last. With a huge 2002 Porsche GT3 twist at the end, it can only be said that Vin Diesel and series producer Neal Moritz are already developing 2010 Lexus LFA the sixth installment, “Fast & Furious 6.” “Fast Five” is the first movie out of the “Fast and Furious” franchise to win over the critics on the infamous rating site, “Rotten Tomatoes” with an impressive 79%. “Fast Five” definitely sets us up for what can only be a summer filled with great movies. 1966 Ford GT40
The cars that made the movie:
8
1963 Ford Galaxy ∙ 1966 Ford GT40 ∙ 1966 Corvette Grand Sport ∙ 1967 International Scout ∙ 1970 Dodge Charger ∙ 1970 Ford Maverick ∙1972 Nissan Skyline ∙ 1972 Pantera Detomaso ∙ 1996 Toyota Supra ∙ 2002 Porsche GT3 ∙ 2006 GMC 2500 Yukon ∙ 2009 Nissan 370Z ∙ 2010 Dodge Challenger ∙ 2010 Subaru STi ∙ 2010 Lexus LFA ∙ 2010 Dodge Modified Vault Chargers ∙ 2011 Dodge Charger Police Interceptor ∙ Gurkha LAPV ∙ Ducati Street Racer ∙ Train Heist Truck ∙ Koenigsegg CCX
SouthwordS
2009 Nissan 370Z
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
The Royal Wedding: a modern fairytale Katina Beniaris
I
staff writer
Middleton entered the room. “She is so stunningly beautiful. It’s [the gown] so regal, it’s such understatement that I think it’s just perfection. Everybody is starstruck with her gown,” commented Harold Tilman, the chairman of the British Fashion Council. Kate wanted to keep her dress designer a secret, and it was worth the wait. Her Alexander McQueen dress, designed by Sara Burton, amazed the crowd with its simple yet elegant sweetheart-shaped corset and longsleeved lace. The classic dress appeals to modern brides everywhere. William and Kate had a traditional Anglican wedding with the music, hymns, prayers, and vows. Prince Harry, William’s brother and best man for the ceremony, burst into a wide grin as the maid of honor, Pippa Middleton, proudly held her sister’s trail. Family tradition was very significant in this royal wedding, honoring not only history but also William’s late mother, Princess
Diana. “It’s such a shame and so poignant that Diana missed out of her boy’s big day,” admitted former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bone. It has been fourteen years since Princess Diana’s fatal accident in Paris. If she were there, she would have known that Kate was “her little boy’s soul mate.” Not many royal weddings in the past had a romantic feel to it like this one had. It was almost as if it came straight out of a Disney movie. About 1,900 guests joined the couple in the celebration as they swooned, watching the couple ride away in the royal carriage. The guest list included international royal families and celebrities like Elton John and David Beckham. Queen Elizabeth II honored the newlyweds with new titles. The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plan to honeymoon in the Greek island of Seychelles sometime before June 30.
the Antlers. The opening track, “I Don’t Want Love,” shows a great contrast of heart-aching lyrics and a calm chord progression from the guitar, backed by an assortment of noises from the keyboard. This combination of upbeat sounds from the guitar and keyboard with grief stricken lyrics continues into The view of a forest adorns the cover of “Burst the next track, Apart,” complimenting the calming ballads perfectly. “French Exit.” together with the often repeated In “Parentheses,” a new mood is introduced as a verse, backed by a repetitive wave of soft drum pattern plays against the ambient sound. “Hounds” and “Corsoft vocals which subside when in- sicana” have a similar feel: a mesh terrupted by a distorted guitar riff of crooning and atmospheric noise. that cuts in briefly, only to disappear Like “Parentheses,” “Every Night My as a new verse arrives. It is a heavi- Teeth Are Falling Out” stands out as er sound that is alien to the typical atypical to the Antlers, with its many sound of the band, but this is only a quick guitar riffs. The lone instrumental song on taste of their experimentation with the album, “Tiptoe,” incorporates a new sound. An accurately titled “Rolled To- soothing saxophone line with a keygether” puts Silberman’s crooning board melody that dances around;
listening to this song is reminiscent of someone sitting on their balcony under the moonlight, sipping a fine beverage. A sweeping sound fades into the closing “Putting the Dog to Sleep.” It is here that the Antlers give it their all, with biting guitar chords ringing through distressful vocals. Whereas “Hospice” felt like another solo album by Silberman, “Burst Apart” shows a tremendous amount of group input. The drums have an increased role in each song, while the keyboard is mostly used to provide a gentle background to the vocals. There are times where it embellishes beyond simple chords; for example, a trance-like keyboard pattern is present in much of the song “No Widows.” It is clear that this album was not produced with just one person’s ideas. Never before has a band been so dedicated to its work or so passionate in providing rich imagery. The Antlers are masters in their own realm of heartbreak, being able to communicate through a world of varying emotions. One would be remiss to not hear the dedication that echoes from every corner of their sound. “Burst Apart” is now in stores.
Anthony Eugenis commentary editor
I
n 2006, Peter Silberman, a newlysettled Brooklyn resident, formed a band called The Antlers. Finding himself deep in the unknown bowels of indie rock and wielding only a guitar and his voice, he quickly recorded two albums. He then sought two other members, one on the keyboard and one on drums. After producing two EP’s, the band recorded “Hospice,” one of the finest examples of a concept album. The story of an emotionally difficult relationship is shown through the guise of a hospice worker and his dying patient; the mood is extremely sorrowful, and each song brings a melancholy mood to the listener. When word came out that a new album was to be released, it was safe to assume that the atmosphere of the previous album would carry over. And in some ways, “Burst Apart” does sound like “Hospice.” Perhaps it is Silberman’s way of singing—best described as an angel-like falsetto— coupled with the lamenting lyrics which generate an image of mourning and loneliness when thinking of
PHOTO COURTESY FLICKR.COM
The Antlers wrench hearts with ‘Burst Apart’
SouthwordS
Entertainment
t’s just as popular as the Olympics, the World Cup, or even the Oscars. The royal wedding joining Kate Middleton and Prince William was viewed throughout the world by an estimated total of over 2 billion viewers on April 29. People wanted to witness a commoner bride becoming a future princess, an event that might only happen once in our lifetimes. “We were supposed to have just a small family affair,” joked Prince William at the altar with the bride’s father, Michael Middleton. Of course, the size of their world-wide audience was not surprising at all. The number of wedding views skyrocketed, not only on television, but on the Internet as well. According to E! Online, over 2.6 million tweets were sent about the Royal Wedding. The British Monarchy’s Royal Channel on YouTube offered a live video
feed. On Facebook, more than 6.8 million people commented on the wedding within the first 12 hours of the event. Eleven U.S networks carried the entire wedding festivities. Unlike previous royal marriages, William and Kate met at the University of St. Andrews, where they were flat-mates and dated for about eight years. William knew that Kate not only made the perfect future queen, but a wonderful wife too. Their exchanged looks during the wedding ceremony hinted towards their love for each other. Kate did her own make-up for the wedding so William “could recognize her.” Westminster Abbey was transformed beautifully into a new, organic setting with a hint of its history. Nature became an important theme for the Gothic church with eight-foot trees and bushes filled with beautiful flowers such as blossoms and lilac. The long red carpet brought more of a glamorous movie-star feel as Kate
9
May 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
INDIE GAMES BRING OUT THE GENEROSITY IN GAMERS Max Mallory entertainment editor
Entertainment
W
hen people think of video games, they think of big-budget, long-development titles like the “Call of Duty” series or the recent “Portal 2.” The companies who release these types of games work for years on them, trying to make a game that millions will love, and a game that will make them millions. But what about the smaller companies—the small teams who don’t have a huge budget or full-time jobs as game developers? It’s hard for these people to make a dent in the video game industry, but lately, they have been, thanks to two things: the Internet and word of mouth. The rise of the Internet in the last decade has given indie game developers a chance to get their games out to more people than ever before. With online game-delivery systems like Steam and Onlive, these developers can sell their games to a huge audience for a decent price, and skip the middle-man that is video game publishers. These publishers are a double-edged sword for all game developers. On one hand, they provide the money and marketing that creates profit. On the other, publishers almost always have to approve a game, and if they don’t think it will sell, the developer has to tweak it according to their publisher’s wishes. If a small indie company can come up with the money to create a game, and the marketing to sell it, they can bypass a publisher completely, giving them full creative freedom. It’s perfect: the developer
makes money and the fans are satisfied. Perhaps the best example of an indie game is Mojang Specifications’ “Minecraft.” The game was released as an early alpha version in May 2009 at just ten dollars a copy. Less than two years later, it had moved into beta and sold over one million copies (as of this article, it’s sold over two million). Not a single penny was spent on marketing. The only promotion ever done by creator Markus Persson (who goes by Notch) was posting on a few forums and telling some close friends. This is how indie gaming excels. What would you trust more, a commercial on TV for a video game, or a recommendation from a friend? With low budgets, the best way to advertise is to spread the word through the consumers. The lack of a publisher’s big budget causes indie game developers to go out and talk to the gamers themselves. “Minecraft” isn’t the only example of indie success. Last year, the first Humble Indie Bundle was released. Created by Jeff Rosen of Wolfire Games, the bundle was a collection of five different indie games for sale as a package—but instead of a flat fee, buyers could choose how much they wanted to pay, from nothing to their entire bank account. Not only could they choose how much to pay, but they could choose how much of that money goes where, with four categories: The developers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, The Child’s Play charity, or a humble tip (Wolfire Games). This gave the buyers full freedom over their money, and the developers returned that freedom by releasing
New ‘Great Gatsby’ movie set for 2012 release Austin Bryniarski
A
commentary editor
classic staple in many Maine South junior’s literary agenda is soon to become a major motion picture for the fifth time. A film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s lyrically captivating “The Great Gatsby” is slated to come out in 2012, and the star-studded cast for the production was recently announced. Some of the roles have already been filled by big-name actors: Leonardo DiCaprio is to play Jay Gatsby, British actress Carey Mulligan is to play Daisy Buchanan, and Spiderman star Tobey McGuire is to play Nick Carraway. Fans have been abuzz with rumors of Australian actress Isla Fisher playing Myrtle and British actress Hayley Atwell playing Jordan Baker. Director Baz Luhrmann will be directing the flick, and with an excellent track record of successful films under his belt, he will be sure to please newcomers to Fitzgerald and hardcore flapper fans alike. His past direction of multiple award-winning films such as “Moulin Rouge!” and “Australia” give him a credibility in the field of cinematography and art direction, something extremely important when portraying a historical setting, especially the flashy and opulent roaring twenties. Luhrmann isn’t new to adaptations of liter-
10 SouthwordS
ary genius: his 1996 “Romeo + Juliet” told the Shakespearean tragedy in more modern terms— excerpts of which can be viewed in the freshmen classroom. His previous experience with the “Gatsby” cast will also come in handy, as Leonardo DiCaprio starred in “Romeo + Juliet.” The estimated budget for the new Gatsby film is $120 million, giving the production team a comfortable amount of money to work with. Once the casting and pre-production work is done, filming is set to start in August 2011 in Austrailia, more specifically in Sydney and New South Wales. While four American adaptations, have thus far been created, undoubtedly the most famous version is from 1974. Starring Robert Redford and Mia Harrow, the film is enjoyable but certainly could be improved as far as the cinematography goes. While the film garnered two Oscars—one for costume design and the other for music— awkward angles, strange transitions, and merely adequate quality make the story deserving of a modern facelift. Certainly, in the age of “Avatar,” visual techniques can preserve the aura of the era while doing so in a cleaner and sharper manner. The film is in pre-production, but it is still provoking excitement amongst both teens appreciative of “The Great Gatsby” and cinema connoisseurs. It might even make that end-of-the-unit test a little easier.
the source code for all but one of the games in the pack. This let the more techsavvy buyers make their own changes and modifications to the game. When the promotion was over, the “Humble Indie Bundle” had made over 1.25 million dollars, and it startled the industry. Nobody had expected such a huge number of donations when the games could be legally downloaded for free. Not only that, but like most indie games, the Humble Indie Bundle had no marketing of its own, letting the fans tell each other about it. The first bundle was such an accomplishment that Wolfire Games organized a second bundle for release in December 2010. The second Humble Indie Bundle was even more successful, with a final total of about 1.8 million dollars raised. Notch was one of the top donators, buying a bundle for two grand. A third bundle (composed of games by developer Frozenbyte) was released just last April, with over $900,000 raised. Indie games tend to defy genre, or at least represent more than one. There’s something out there for everyone. Maine South senior Kamil Socha commented on this diversity. “Popularity has risen due to defining what each genre should be,” Socha said. “Puzzle games like ‘Spacechem’ really poke around your mind, giving the player a fun, unique experience, while horror games like ‘Amnesia: The Dark Descent’ or the ‘Penumbra’ series create a real sense of fear throughout the entire journey. I’m surprised indie games don’t get more notoriety.” While some defy genres, others revolutionize them. The first licensed indie sports game was released last year. “NLL Lacrosse 2010” was licensed by the National Indoor Lacrosse League, and released on Xbox Live’s Indie Games channel for just five dollars. Many critics called it one of the best sports games of the year, and the developers went on to release a college lacrosse game, entitled “College Lacrosse 2011” this past January. It’s even cheaper, at just one dollar for a download. Nobody can deny the effect that indie games are having on the industry. These games are crafted out of love, not profit. Developers are finding more and more ways to get their work out to the public. There are video games out on shelves that can be fully completed in a week, selling for $60. Indie games can give limitless entertainment for a fraction of that. These games are changing the industry and changing the way people look at video games, not just as a niche hobby, but as a legit art form. This opinion is only going to grow as time goes on.
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
Urban farming movement should be here to stay While the phrases “urban farming” and “urban agriculture” may seem oxymoronic, the growing of food, livestock, and community within an urban setting is increasing in popularity.
Austin Bryniarski commentary editor
History Repeated
Victory gardens, created during and after the Second World War by American and British citizens alike, provided an at-home alternative to where the nation’s food came from. However, after years of American factory farming, a dependence on processed foods, and an obsession with anything “fast,” the food system is anything but connected to its original—pun intended—roots. With an increase in food activism and awareness, seen in films like “Food, Inc.” and books such as Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” the movement for sustainable, urban agriculture won’t just be a fleeting fad, but a metropolitan staple.
Sustainability at the forefront
The beauty of urban farming is that it’s taken with an entirely ecological approach. “Where would one get the soil, water, and other necessities for plant life in the city?” one might ask. Instead of hauling soil from the countryside, food scraps, organic waste, and paper products that would otherwise crowd landfills are turned into nutrientdense compost to grow a bountiful harvest. The costly dependence on fertilizer that rural farming lauds doesn’t apply here: the soil is so nutrient rich that chemical aids are not needed. With that being said, the organic movement is very much aligned with urban farming. The same rainwater that causes complaints over flooding and pollution would instead be captured and used to water fruits and vegetables. These sorts of practices embody the “closedloop” system, where everything that is used is being reused—even down to the abandoned or unused space the farms are located on. Ecological conscientiousness is a cornerstone of “urban ag.”
Socially Responsible
While it’s an unfortunate fact, grocery stores tend to cater to more affluent communities. This, in return, makes impoverished (and urban) areas cut off from produce necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Corner stores and convenience stops are only source of sustenance—Funyuns replace vegetables, a soda replaces milk. Such areas have been dubbed “food deserts,” but urban farming would supply the necessary oases to curb this major social problem. Not only would residents of these areas receive fresh veggies to eat, but fish like tilapia and perch are also a major product of these small farms, so patrons can get their protein, too. Growing Power, an urban farm in Milwaukee, exemplifies all of this. It’s an in-depth case study that shows why urban farming is so important. Located a few blocks away from a large housing project, it supplements the needy while simultaneously serving as a national inspiration for the urban farming movement.
Juniors: start preparing for college this summer
Lindsey Alpert
C
staff writer
liking what you see, you will save yourself a possible application fee and a little time. 3. Work on college essays and get teacher recommendations Oh, no, it’s those dreaded essays. The ones that you see Facebook statuses about, the ones you spend weeks on, the ones that make or break you. The bad news? They are critical and an important factor in applying. The good news? There’s time to do it. M o s t j u n i o r s w o n’t s t a r t applications until the fall when school is back in session. That means there are at least three months if not more to start brainstorming ideas. College essays consist of general prompts asking about the activities you’re involved with, and why you want to attend the school you’re applying to. They really just want to get to know you. What’s easier than writing about something you know? Af ter t he ess ays come t he recommendations. Some schools
find them necessary and some schools don’t, but required or not, they are still a part of the process. Compose a list of a few teachers that would be willing to vouch on your behalf. All they have to do is write about how you would fit into that particular college or university and why you would be a good match. The beginning of next school year is the perfect time to ask, especially with rolling and early decision/action admissions. This is a lot to do during a time when you’d much rather be tanning on the beach or playing Xbox for hours on end. But really, it will pay off in the end. When others are scrambling to find somewhere to apply to, you’ll be made in the shade while you wait for responses. To some, the thought of leaving high school may be scary, hard, or completely amazing. No matter how you feel about it, eventually it’s a bridge you’ll have to cross. So start now, organize yourself, and get ready to move towards the other side one step at a time.
Commentary
lass of 2012, it’s our turn. This year when we turn in that last final and walk out of Maine South this June, we will be seniors. This calls for celebration right? Not so fast. We are not in the clear quite yet. In about three months, the new senior class will be applying to college. There’s no time like the present to start. If you dare to prepare for your future, here are the top three things to do during summer to get prepared. 1. Take standardized testing sooner rather than later. It’s understandable. No one actually likes sitting in a frigid classroom for four hours to take a test during the spring and summer. Taking the ACT’s and SAT’s involves a great deal of pressure; not only does it test on overall aptitude, it plays a significant role in college acceptance. Granted, it’s not all about test scores; a good GPA plays a role as well. But just like PB&J, you can’t have one without the
other. So get yourself a study guide and make time to take the tests now. This way, when the fall rolls around, you will already know that you are set with your score or that you want to try again to improve. 2. Visit all potential schools It’s amazing how many students apply to schools without knowing much about them. If possible, sit down with your parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, older siblings, etc. and plan a weekend to go visit schools you know you’re interested in. Is the college far? Ask your friends to find if someone else is also interested in the school, as carpooling can help save money. Schedule the visit through the school’s website as close as a week in advance. Trips aren’t always feasible, but everyone can do something. Jump online and peruse the college’s website. It gives basics about the school along with some fun information about activities, sports, and the community that the school offers. This way, if you don’t end up
What is your advice for the class of 2012? “Don’t stress out about college choices.”
-Robert Adams ‘11
“Take advantage of opportunities.“ -Kelsey Lamb ‘11
“Just be human. -Micah Lenz ‘11
“Join C-Team!“ -Imran Khan ‘11
SouthwordS 11
May 13, 2011
Vol. 47, No. 8
Katherine Szczepanski & Lesley Grove
“I
commentary writers
Commentary
am a lover, not a fighter,” were the seemingly strong words of Donald Trump during a Las Vegas speech in April 2011. The 65-year-old multi-millionaire is considering running as a candidate of the 2012 presidential election. However, Trump’s words and actions don’t quite match his ambitious desire, and his attempt at running for president shouldn’t be taken seriously. Over the past few years, Trump has shown various cases of immaturity that prove he is in fact a “fighter,” not a “lover.” He verbally fought with talk show host Rosie O’Donnell on numerous occasions. He has also notably called our current US leaders “stupid, stupid people.” Donald Trump is a business man, not a politician, so he has no right to say something like this when he has not yet himself put in any effort to lead our country. Trump’s most recent attempt to tear down Obama occurred when
Katie Hernandez editor-in-chief
I
n every country, there are cultural markers that signify certain stages in a person’s life. In America, there are several. With high school coming to an end, many Maine South seniors are preparing for their first major life change—graduating high school. College or not, in America there is societal pressure to do something after graduation. Some choose to work, others take a year off and voyage to countries abroad, and some will join the military. I, along with the majority of Maine South seniors, will be beginning college next fall. Whether students are staying close or going far, leaving for college is the next major stage in their life. It is the first time for many that we will relocate all on our own. Leaving for college yields a mix of emotions. It is exciting to know it’s a brand new start, but with that excitement comes with a fear of the unknown. In lounge one morning, my friends and I were talking about next year. “Think about it, in a few months
12 SouthwordS
Trump wanted proof that the President was an American citizen and demanded to see his long form birth certificate. The White House recently released President Obama’s birth certificate, which stated he was born in Hawaii, not Kenya. Trump selfishly took credit saying he was the reason the certificate was released. “I am so proud of myself. I have accomplished something that nobody was ever able to accomplish.” He also accused our president for not properly handling the fight on budget issues. Trump’s belief that there will soon be a government shutdown, and that Obama will be responsible is ridiculous. He’s playing on the strings of the Tea Party Movement, perpetuating falsehoods that only breed ignorance and fear. Furthermore, Trump believes that simply being rich is the key quality to solving our national deficit. “I mean, part of the beauty of me is that I’m very rich. So if I need $600 million, I could put up $600 million myself. That’s a huge advantage.” Unfortunately for Trump, we are we’re going to get dropped off by our parents and not see them for months,” said senior Carli Pappas. “We will be completely on our own.” As independent as I like to think I am, college will be the first time I am on my own, and held entirely responsible for my life. From doing the laundry to making it to all my classes on time, it’s all on me. While I will only be in the next state north, some students are traveling much farther. May 1 was the deadline for college enrollment, and some students had a tough decision to make: take the chance of traveling hundreds of miles away from home, or choose the safety of attending a college close to home. “I chose to go to college in Colorado over Iowa because I decided that I wanted to take a risk and leave my comfort zone,” said senior Michele Lee. “It is absolutely breathtaking in Colorado and I know I will get a whole new experience there.” On the other hand, senior Andrew Terenzio decided to stay close. “I figured it was a lot easier getting to Milwaukee than Columbia, South Carolina,” said Terenzio. “Also, while the international business at S.C. is number one in the nation, Marquette is a better school overall.” For those that are opting not to attend college next fall there are many
PHOTO COURTESY FLICKR.COM
Trump unqualified for candidacy in 2012 Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068
Signed letters to the editor should be delivered to room LRC 1 or given to a member of the editorial staff or e-mailed to southwords@maine207.org. SOUTHWORDS reserves the right to edit material for clarin need of different kinds of solutions ity and brevity and to reject to improve our weakest systems. If obscene/libelous submissions. he really wanted to follow through with this presidency, he would need to improve our economy with a stable plan. No one knows if Trump’s decision is a permanent one. The candidates will be named in June 2011. Hopefully, the man that tries to save our country using excessive profanity in speeches is not nominated. “I love this country…But the world laughs at us. They won’t be laughing if I’m elected president.” Mr. Trump, we’ll see about that.
alternative options. Several Maine South students are choosing to enlist in the military. For example, Kevin Hemphill will be attending the Air Force Academy. With a GPA of 4.91 Hemphill had ample choices of where he could attend college, but he decide the Air Force is where his future lies. “I really like all facets of the Academy experience,” said Hemphill. “I like that I will be challenged academically and physically. I will have opportunities there that don’t exist anywhere else. I felt so honored to be accepted and in the end, it just felt right.” Other students may take a year off to intern, work, or travel abroad. Senior Caitlin Vaughn will be traveling abroad to South America to do volunteer work and possibly take some classes if available. “I feel burned out after 13 years of schooling and I am interested in learning somewhere outside the classroom,” she said. “I really want to see the world while I still have basically no responsibilities. After a year off, I plan on attending college.” Plans for next year var y for everyone, but one thing that holds true for all is there will be change. The years after high school are years of self discovery and new experiences. It’s a meaningful time when teens find their identity and begin their adult lives.
Editors-in-Chief Jackie Hazlett-Morris Katie Hernandez News Editors Ashley Kozubal Sam Okrasinski Features Editors Jimmy Loomos Ally Stevens Entertainment Editors Max Mallory Kaci Zimmerman Commentary Editors Austin Bryniarski Anthony Eugenis Lydia Ramsey Sports Editors
Erin Martell Charlie Vinopal
Production Head Adrian Adamiec Production Editor Adam Smith Photography Editor Josie Fioretto Editorial Assistants Josh Timm Hope Tone Adviser
Mr. Stathakis
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
Charlie Vinopal
T
sports editor
he turbulent Chicago weather has done more than cause student anger; it has also been the source of trouble for this seasons boys’ tennis team. Several matches this season have been cancelled. With a number of matches being called off, the Hawks have had a hard time finding a groove. This year, the team consists of six returning seniors, Kevin Hemphill, Nick Karas, Brendan Maigler, Andrew Brodech, Bobby O’toole, and Pete Bakapolous, who help create the three singles and two doubles teams that play every match. The Hawks are off to a bit of a slow start to the 2011 season. They’re currently 2-3 on the season with all losses coming in non-conference play. Junior Kevin Sulewski understands the difficulties of being in the tough CSL South division. “The weather has been a real problem this year but we’re doing really well as a team,” he said. “We’re in a hard conference and that’s a challenge for us.” Although
the Hawks are in second-to-last place in their division, the standings are deceiving. Due to the numerous early season rainouts, the tennis team has played only five matches so far compared to eight by the first place Glenbrook South Titans. Now that the glum April months are in the past, the team is looking forward to establishing some sort of consistency that can bring them to winning matches. One of the early season upsides for the tennis squad is that they are currently 1-0 in conference play. With many more of those games to play, they are looking for similar outcomes. For the rest of the season, the play of the six returning seniors will be integral to the team’s success. Junior Hugh Stapleton believes that as the weather gets better and they get back on the court more frequently, the team’s play will improve. “The team dynamic has really been growing,” he said. “The more time we spend together, the better we play out on the courts. We need to keep an upbeat attitude especially when we play tough Senior Kevin Hemphill returns a serve at a recent practice at South. The teams like GBS and New Trier.” Hawks have been rained out numerous times so far in the 2011 season.
MAY
Spring Sports Calendar
PHOTO BY CHARLIE VINOPAL
Tennis tries to find groove in gloomy April months
Boys’ trackCSL Conference Invite
13
14
Boys’ Tennis vs. CSL conference. Softball vs.York
16
Sports
17 18 19 20 21 Boys’ Volleyball Boys’ Volleyball Softball vs. Softball vs. Boys’ Volleyball vs. Waukegan vs. Evanston Regina Fremd TBA Girls’ soccer Baseball North Softball vs. vs.Von Steuben Crossover Hersey Baseball vs. GBS 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 IHSA SecIHSA SecIHSA SecIHSA SecIHSA SecIHSA Sectionals for all tionals for all tionals for all tionals for all tionals for all tionals for all sports sports sports sports sports sports Baseball vs. GBS
SouthwordS 13
Vol. 47, No. 8
PHOTO BY JOSIE FIORETTO
May 13, 2010
Junior Kyle Richardson rips a pitch to center in a recent game against Niles North. Richardson doubled home the winning run for the baseball squad on April 29. The Hawks are currently in second place in the CSL South division.
Baseball’s pitching, underclassmen shine Charlie Vinopal
T
sports editor
Sports
he Hawks baseball team is starting to turn their season around after starting off with a 4-5 record in the early 2011 campaign. Through those first nine games of the season, the team had a hard time closing games, falling 5-3 to Von Steuben in the late innings of the season opener as well as 5-2 to rival Notre Dame. After the heart-breaking, one-run loss to the Dons, the Hawks fell 5-3 and 3-2 to Nazareth and Fenwick respectively. Maine South would lose the next two games on April 11 and 12 before finally turning the corner and getting back to their winning ways. “We started 4-5 and lost some tough games because of physical and mental lapses,” said Coach Bill Milano. “We are now 9-5 and have won 5 in a row. The pitching continues to be solid. We are now adding some timely hitting and playing better defense.” The beginning of the season wasn’t a complete wash for the ball club, however. Moments of brilliance were seen from the young team, including comfortable wins over Prarie
14 SouthwordS
Ridge (11-2) as well as over Lane Tech (16-5) the very next game. On top of those big wins were impressive showings by new talent. On April 8, junior Pat Aloisio pitched a 75-pitch, two-hit gem in a winning effort against Fremd. The junior had the Fremd hitters guessing all game. “I was constantly changing up the speeds and moving my pitches all around the zone,” said Aloisio. “Hitting is all about timing, so whenever I can keep the hitters off-balance, it gives them a tough time making good contact.” Since the 9-2 win over Maine East on April 14, the Hawks baseball squad has not lost a game. The Hawks beat Waukegan in eight innings in two consecutive games on April 28 and 29. The first of the two had the Hawks behind for the majority of the game until they exploded for nine runs in the seventh and eighth innings. An RBI double by junior Jimmy Frankos, as well as a gutsy steal home by Nick Calabrese, led to a much-deserved win for the Hawks. The next game proved to have even more excitement than the last as the baseball squad scratched out a
4-3 win in the bottom of the eighth on a Kyle Richardson double. The walk off was a true thrill for the junior “It was an exhilarating moment,” said Richardson. “Situations like that don’t happen very often, and it was a culmination of a great team effort that I was blessed to be a part of.” The Hawks then went on to trounce Niles North 10-0 in the next game. Senior AJ Sus pitched six innings of perfect ball before slaughter rule was called after a John Gobbo 3-run bomb. Sus struck out seven Viking hitters en route to his no-hit, no-run effort and also went 2 for 3 at the dish. The pitching dominance continued for the Hawks in their 3-0 win over Deerfield as junior Keenan Kelly pitched the complete seven innings while giving up only one hit and striking out two. As the Hawks win streak continued, the team started to feel as if it would never end. “In the beginning of the year, we weren’t finishing our games. We were starting off strong but didn’t keep it going,” said junior Nick Calabrese of the team’s early season woes. “We weren’t bringing
as much intensity throughout the whole game as we should of and it took us a while to start clicking. Now we’re playing together through seven and have a groove going.” At the start of the season, the Hawks were near the bottom of the CSL South, but now are back up to second place behind the powerful GBS Titans. With only a month left in the season, the Hawks baseball squad is looking to continue their winning ways through to the end. The Hawks’ strength this season has been their strong play within conference. They are currently 5-1 in conference play, and that has been the difference thus far in their season. Coach Bill Milano believes that the team’s greatest asset is their pure, gritty nature. “Our team always competes and battles on every pitch. It is a privilege to coach such a determined group of young men.” Strong pitching performances and hard-nosed baseball have propelled the Hawks to where they are now in the CSL South. They hope to continue to utilize their fresh talent through the final month of the regular season and on into the playoffs.
Vol. 47, No. 8
May 13, 2011
Success for boys’ track Erin Martell
PHOTO BY CHARLIE VINOPAL
H
Senior Patrick Ryan finishes strong during practice. The varsity track team finished first at the Niles West Invite and second at the Niles North invite.
sports editor
ead boys track Coach Brian Fee must be one happy coach. With so many outstanding performers, this year’s boys track team is expected to go far. Not only are the 4x4 runners third in State, but Maine South track has some of the top runners in school history. “We have a really well rounded team this year,” says Junior Tom Fritz. “We have Nick Wisniewski who went all state in the pole vault last year, Dave E c k h a r t who got 10th in the mile, and our 4x4 relay, consisting of me, Mike Azzaro, Andrew Terrenzio, and Michal Filipczak, which also got tenth last year. Filipczak was first in state at one point in the 800 so he should do really well too. “Overall, I think we’re going to do the best Maine South has ever done in the state competition. Two years ago was our best at 10th place; we’re
hoping to beat that.” But track is not only predicted to be successful—they already have been. On March 4, boys track competed at the Niles West invite, one of the biggest indoor meets of the year. Not only did Varsity win, but the Hawks swept the meet on all three levels. They also have strengths outside the runners. Senior Frank Colletti holds Maine South records in shot put and discuss. Senior Dylan Wallace and sophmore Jon Vaccaro hold records in the 3200 meter run, While Senior Luke Mottley holds a 2010 long jump record. Similarly they took second in the Niles Nor t h invite on Feburary 25, and first against St. Joe and St. Pats, winning with a final of 96 points to St. Joe’s 13 and St. Pat’s 46. Maine S outh track hopes to continue their success in their upcoming meet against Schaumburg this Friday.
Girls’ track stays strong sports editor
G
Sports
irls track finished off their indoor season with a phenomenal win. They won the CSL conference meet by 24 points on March 18. Head varsity coach Jeff Downing described it as a season highlight. “[Winning the conference meet] is not something we have done before, so we are excited,” he said. But the Hawks have more to look forward to with the outdoor season. They hope to claim a victory in the outdoor CSL meet, where they placed second in 2010, 2008, and 2006. A victory would mean overcoming powerhouse New Trier, who has prevented a claim of the outdoor title in years past. Luckily, the Hawks have a diversity of talent on this year’s team, which may be just the thing that brings home a victory. “This is one of the best teams we’ve seen as far as being able to fill all the events with talented
individuals,” says Coach Downing. “It gives us a lot of opportunities to qualify for the State track and field meet—our ultimate goal.” Among these talented players are returning seniors Monica Janeczek in relays and long jump, Veronica Szklarzewski in relays, tripple jump and long jump, and Kyle Sutschek in throws. Also, Sophmore Megan Lemersal who runs the 1,600 and freshman Emily Leonard who runs the 3,200.With so much talent, it’s no wonder that they have done so well in the beginning of their outdoor season. On March 4, the Hawks participated in the Hawk Relays, where Maine South dominated in almost every event. In the mile relay, 50-yard dash, 880 medley triple jump, and distance medley relay, the Hawks took an easy first, placing second in the shot put and long jump. Overall Maine South won with a total of 165 points, beating Loyola Acadamy, Maine West, Maine Juniors Aimee O’Malley and Caroline Unger prepare for their upcoming East, Buffalo Grove and Jacobs high meets. The Hawks look to continue on their strong season, which has school. been highlighted by a first place finish at the Hawk Relays.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE VINOPAL
Erin Martell
SouthwordS 15
baseball
• girls’ soccer • track • boys’ gymanastics • badminton • softball • boys’ tennis • boys’ volleyball • water polo
Nicole Johnson
H
staff writer
awks varsity softball was off to a promising start with two consecutive wins against Larkin 4-0 and Northside Prep 7-0. Unfortunately, this short streak came to a close with the first season losses to Rolling Meadows. Giving up two runs in the first inning, one in the second, and one in the fourth, the Hawks lost to the Mustangs by one run in the first game. In the second game, the Hawks’ nine hits couldn’t make up for leaving the bases loaded twice. Senior captains Lauren Thornhill, Nicole Mullarkey, and Julia Cohen hope to lead the Hawks down a different path than last year’s team, which finished with a record of 9 wins, 24 losses. However, after winning only three out of the next nine games, two of which were losses to rivals New Trier and Glenbrook South, the girls have a tough road ahead of them.
With a starting conference line-up consisting solely of returning players, these veterans know the hard work it takes to play on a Varsity sport. Exercising much determination, the girls came out victorious against Waukegan. With a final score of 9-2, the Hawks claimed their first conference win from the Bulldogs. After two close losses to the Leyden Eagles, the Hawks developed a plan for their next opponent, the Evanston Wildkits, to finish the game strong. Too many times this season, Maine South has pulled ahead, only to give up runs late in the game. With this in mind, the girls started the game with a shutout. But by the seventh inning, the Wildkits managed to get back in the game after a go-ahead, three-run home run. The Hawks fought back, scoring two runs on a line-drive hit by Zoey Sowinski to defeat Evanston 8-7. Conference championship dreams are still in sight for this hard-working team.
PHOTO BY JACKIE HAZLETT-MORRIS
Softball stays in CSL playoff picture
Senior Christina Carvatta takes swings at a recent practice. The Hawks are currently 9-12, good for third place in the CSL South.
Charlie Vinopal sports editor
A
fter toiling near the bottom of the standings through their first two years of existence, the boys’ water polo team is now beginning to come into their own. The Hawks played so well to begin the 2011 season that they were receiving votes to be in the top 25. Maine South started their season by winning two of three before going into the Maine East Invite. The invite proved to be a successful one for the Hawks as they finished first out of six other teams in contention. The invite win was the first major tournament win in club history for the team. South beat a number of teams, including Von Steuben, Maine East and Bradley-Bourbonnais, en route to the tournament victory. The water polo squad rolled over the competition in tournament play, beating Niles West 16-1, Von Steuben
12-5, Maine East 6-4, and BradleyBourbonnais 7-2. After the invite, the Hawks reached a bit a rough patch in their season. When tournament play ceased, the Hawks beat York and Saint Rita, but then went on to drop four out of their next five games. The trouble that they had after the Maine East Invite was not all that it seemed. Through that five-game stretch, they faced a majority of teams that have been well-established in high school water polo for some time. As the midway point of the season went by and the team began to move closer to the end of the 2011 campaign, the team began to get back to their previous form. After losing four of five, they went on to win five straight. The water polo team beat such teams as Glenbrook South and Elk Grove during their streak. The Hawks really showed their
PHOTO BY JOSIE FIORETTO
2011 season is best yet for boys’ water polo
Junior Mike Dobben attempts a pass at a recent game at South. The Hawks are currently in third place in the CSL South division. strength throughout the win streak, displying their pure talent and will to win. In a match against rival Maine East, the water polo team battled back from behind to secure the win. The Hawks were behind the Blue Demons for the majority of the contest until five
straight goals came from seniors Mark Oulvey and Eric Gowlovech. The Hawks are currently in third place in their division with a 16-7 record. They are keeping up with already-established water polo teams like GBS and New Trier with sectionals quickly approaching.