Vol 49 issue 4 by Southwords

December 21, 2012

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

Vol. 49, No. 4

GET YOUR

Maine South’s Orchesis Dance Company performs ‘Under the Big Top’ in the Watson Auditorium, Jan. 11-12 Signing Off Cheezborgers

The need for a sign grows at Maine South Page 3

Maine South alums manage Chicago’s famous tavern Page 7

PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE

Ticket

Bad Publicity

Hit the Mats

Negative media attention Three South girls join wresshouldn’t define a district tling team Page 12 Page 16

NEWS

| December 21, 2012

District implements new hazing ‘Action Plan’ District 207 establishes new hazing prevention practices after recent hazing incidents at Maine West Chris Brendza

Staff Writer ecently, a lawsuit was filed against District 207 alleging that multiple cases of hazing occurred at Maine West High School. These allegations have had repercussions throughout the district, as administrators try to ensure that similar events do not happen again. New measures to prevent hazing have already been put in place, such as the new anti-hazing pledges that students and faculty are required to sign for each extracurricular activity that they are involved in. Many other steps are being taken to curb hazing and bullying. These steps were laid out in a statement by District 207 Board of Education President Sean Sullivan. According to the statement, annual staff training will reaffirm district guidelines regarding hazing. Furthermore, focus groups for staff, students, parents, and administrators alike will convene to study “policy, practice, climate, and culture as it relates to bullying and hazing and to prepare recommendations for further plan implementations.” A new district hotline will also be launched to help students report hazing and seek help if they

SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE

Students involved in extracurricular activities are required to the sign an anti-hazing contract for each activity they are involved in.

are victims. This hotline will also help students find adult assistance for a variety of other issues, like bullying. Schools will make better use of the already present Positive Coaching Alliance on each campus to help students, coaches, and parents learn the importance of positive coaching techniques. The Positive Coaching Alliance is a national nonprofit organization. Its purpose is to help provide athletes with a positive, character-building sports experience. A comprehensive review of the current district policies on hazing and bullying will also be conducted. Current district policies can already be found in students’ handbooks. An independent investigator has been hired by the district school board to “scrutinize every

aspect of this matter, including, but not limited to, policies, procedures, training, and follow-up.” The investigator will give the Board of Education a summary and recommendation upon the completion of their work. This action plan was developed “as a result of the Maine West alleged hazing incident,” Sullivan noted on behalf of the District 207 Board of Education. The main goal of this plan is to “eliminate the practices and traditions that might lead to such hazing incidents. This commitment is essential to ensure the civility and mutual respect that is vital to a quality education and a positive learning environment for all students.” He also stated that the Maine Township Board of Education “takes the allegations and events being reported very seriously and has done so since initial reports surfaced in late September of this year.” Hazing allegations filed on behalf of four current and past Maine West athletes claim that members of the boys soccer and baseball teams assaulted their teammates in an initiation. The allegations also claim that two coaches witnessed the act and knew about the behavior, but did not report it. These acts allegedly occurred despite strict rules already in place regarding hazing in extracurricular activities. The policy in the District 207 student handbooks prohibits any form of bullying or hazing. Coaches are required to watch their team for any signs of hazing, and report the cases if any do occur. Coaches are also required to speak with parents at the start of seasons about hazing and bullying.

Alumnus wins national award for Southwords cartoon Jonathan Zamaites Staff Writer

aine South alumnus and former Southwords production editor Adrian Adamiec was awarded second place for his editorial cartoon by the National Scholastic Press Association. His representation of Mitt Romney boxing former Sen. Rick Santorum received this national honor for its “effective use of caricature and a nice sense of movement [which] help give this editorial cartoon vibrancy,” according to the NSPA critique. “The award came as an awesome surprise,” said Adamiec. “It’s just like any other quality cartoon produced for Southwords, and it was really

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nothing special.” Maine South, along with around 188 other schools—including one finalist from London—all submitted to the cartooning category. There were five finalists and five honorable mentions. Adamiec was the second place finalist. The first- place winner was a student from Redwood High School in Larkspur, California. “I was leaning toward a caricature, and Illinois as a boxing ring came naturally once we agreed on the theme,” said Adamiec. “I miss bouncing [ideas] around like that; it’s really how the more memorable graphics came about.” The NSPA is a nonprofit organization for secondary schools, and

AWARD-WINNING CARTOON Adamiec’s cartoon appeared in last year’s April issue of Southwords. It accompanied an article about Romney’s effort to win Illinois’ vote in the Republican primary. its awards are considered among the most prestigious for secondary school journalism. This membership-based association holds an annual competition and gives awards in nine categories, such as Best of Show,

Newspaper Pacemaker, Broadcast Pacemaker, Story of the Year, Multimedia Story of the Year, Broadcast Story of the Year, Picture of the Year, Design of the Year, and Cartooning Awards.

December 21, 2012

| NEWS

News Editors or the past five years, Maine South has been without an announcement sign in front of the building. This has proven to have a negative effect on the school. For many years, a sign at the corner of Dee and Talcott advertised Maine South events such as Homecoming festivities. After the sign was removed, the number of non-students attending these events dropped sharply. Community member attendance at Maine South Fine Arts performances, especially V-Show, has significantly decreased since the sign’s replacement. “When I first started with student council, we would have times when all three nights would sell out, or definitely Friday and Saturday,” said Ms. Muir, the Student Council supervisor. “The last few years, we haven’t sold as many tickets as we used to. Now, Thursday night, we only sold about half of the available of tickets.” Theatre Director Mr Muszynski agrees. “We have seen a distinct downward trend in outside audience participation in things like the musical, V-Show, plays, and concerts because it’s hard to get our public to know that it’s happening.” “[With an events sign,] an alumnus driving by the school sees that we’re doing ‘Legally Blonde’, and they’ll call and get tickets. But since we don’t have one, they have no way of knowing that unless they read the local paper or check online.” This raises the question of

which means it is not to be seen by the general public; thus, it doesn’t violate the ordinance. The sign could not be put in place unless the ordinance was changed to allow government entities, like schools, to install them. Another option for installation is for Maine South to apply for and receive a variance that would allow it to circumvent the ordinance. Getting a variance would be difficult because other establishments would want electronic signs as well; this variance would open the door for a multitude of requests. Since the removal of the old sign, there have been no attempts to install a new one. Mr. Messmer has shown interest in purchasing one, though. “I certainly think having an electronic sign or something like that is kind of a nice thing to raise awareness to the public and the outside community,” said Mr. Messmer. “I’m not opposed to an electronic sign, and if we could ever get the clearance, I think we would be able to raise enough money to do that.” Mr. Messmer is also working with the Fine Arts Department to create standing banners to advertise student performances. Although not a substitute for a sign, these would definitely help improve attendance of the general public at student productions. “ I f y o u ’v e e v e r b e e n downtown and driven by a theater, you might have seen those standing banners, where the dates of the performances are advertised on the bottom,” said Mr. Messmer. “We just did the Laramie Project 10 Years Later, and there is a poster created for that by the kids, so we would turn that into an actual full sign that is maybe two or four feet by eight feet high and have that as part of advertising in front of the building. “I think it looks really classy and nice, and it would make a really nice addition to our school.”

WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? The original sign, pictured here in the 1976 yearbook, was installed at the corner of Dee and Talcott. It was used to advertise various events happening at Maine South to the community, and student council members were in charge of updating the text.

PHOTO COURTESY EYRIE

Caroline Borowski & Dora Bialy

why a new sign hasn’t been implemented yet. Maine S outh’s original announcement sign featured five lines of space to display messages for passersby to see. This sign was replaced by a fourline sign in the late ‘70s. However, the second sign came down in 2007 because it was rusted and outdated. Plus, replacing the letters was laborintensive, causing the messages to not always be up-to-date, and the space was limited. The sign’s limited board space would often prevent some school events from being posted. When the sign was taken down, plans were made to replace it with an electronic sign similar to the one displayed outside Maine West. This type of sign would be more efficient and aesthetically appealing. However, the plan was never carried out, and a sign featuring the school’s name and Blue Ribbon Award was put up. The decision not to install an electronic sign wasn’t due to financial issues. The school had enough money for it; Student Council had funds set aside for it, and the school’s previous principal, Mr. Claypool, had some outside funding as well. The proposal for an electronic sign was presented to the school board and passed. It was denied by the city, though, because of an ordinance that prohibits electronic signs in Park Ridge. The ordinance was passed on May 9, 2007. It stated, “No sign shall have blinking or flashing lights, or other illuminating device that has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, traveling/chasing or blinking lights, or rotating beacons. Time-and-temperature signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this paragraph.” Because of this ordinance, the school even had some trouble securing the scoreboard on the football field since it had LED lights. However, the scoreboard’s instillation was permitted because its purpose was for internal consumption,

SIGN OF THE TIMES The second sign, pictured here

as the table of contents for the 1982 yearbook, replaced the first sign. Although useful, it had limited space for messages.

PHOTO BYJESSICA GRONKE

Maine South is one of the only schools in the area without an announcement sign

PHOTO COURTESY EYRIE

Lack of an events sign inhibits school

SIGNING OFF The sign currently standing on the corner of Dee and Talcott was installed in 2007 when efforts for a new electronic sign failed.

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| December 21, 2012 PHOTO BY KRISTEN VAN TINE

NEWS

Vocal Jazz performs on ABC7 Students sing holiday tunes on live TV Elizabeth Stocchetti Staff Writer

O PAINTINGS ON THE WALL A variety of artwork made by students is displayed at the Iannelli Studios Heritage Center through Jan. 6. Students had the opportunity to choose which art to put on sale and how much to charge.

Student art displayed in studio News Editor aine South Art Department students displayed their artwork for the first time in an art show at the Iannelli Studios Heritage Center in Park Ridge. The artists were given the opportunity to be publicly recognized for their hard work and artistic talent. The exhibition celebrates the works of level-four students enrolled in Art 4, Design & Materials 4, and Photo 4 at Maine South. An opening reception for the students was held on Nov. 26 at the Iannelli Studios Heritage Center, where much of the artwork was priced for sale. The student art will be showcased from Nov. 23 to Jan. 6. Maine South artists were grateful for the experience of selling and displaying their art to the public. “It really is great experience and a wonderful way of getting my foot into the art world,” said senior Jessica Haas. “I know that I’ll benefit from this greatly.” The art show features different types of art pieces created by Maine South students; prints, cut paper pieces, digital media, pottery, photographs, watercolor paintings, three-dimensional artwork, and other forms of student art appear in the studio. Level four art students were told to choose two to three art pieces to be displayed in exhibit. Students could then price their works,

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anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars, with the approval of their teacher. Artists also had the option to label their art as “not for sale.” Along with student work, the studio includes an assortment of holiday trees, each decorated by a different local organization. The exhibit is made possible through the generosity of the Kalo Foundation and the Maine South High School Patrons of the Arts fund. The Kalo Foundation became the official owner of the Iannelli Studios in 2006. It provides a variety of classes and seminars for aspiring artists in media such as painting, drawing, photography, and printing. The artwork of the fol- FIRED UP Student pottery is displayed at the Iannelli Art Studio. These pieces were made by lowing seniors is displayed students in Art 4. in the Iannelli Studios: Delaney Bean, Haley Crawford, Alyssa Alfonso Iannelli. Alfonso Iannelli Fuhr, Michelle Greco, Emily Griffen, created a variety of artwork that is Jessica Gronke, Jessica Haas, Erica now displayed at the Metropolitan Hernandez, Hannah Kabat, Saman- and MOMA in New York, the Art tha Horodecki, Charles Mathieu, Institute of Chicago, the Museé de Taliah Molina, Brian Orzech, Molly Orsay in Paris, and the V&A in LonPetray, Jill Pinsky, Alexandra Ripley, don. Park Ridge was once known as Ashley Ripley, Lauren Skolak, Aurora Walker, Alana Sremac, Kristen an art colony. The Iannelli Studios Weber, Alanna Woods, Fiona Yla- strives to highlight the artistic past of the city of Park Ridge and to help gan, and Paul Zawojski. The Iannelli Studios were origi- Park Ridge artists develop their artisnally owned by the renowned artist tic abilities. PHOTO BY KRISTEN VAN TINE

Kristen Van Tine

n Tuesday, Dec. 18, Maine South’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble had the opportunity to perform live on ABC7 News. They were featured during the 11 a.m. program at the downtown studio on State Street. About a month ago, Mr. Hanes, the Director of Choirs at Maine South, received a call from the ABC7 studio in regards to having the Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform live on the show. ABC7 also asked to record the ensemble for promotional holiday advertisements. “I was excited. We have never had a group performance live,” said Mr. Hanes. “It’s new for us all.” Students have also expressed excitement about the opportunity. “I have been on Vocal Jazz for three years and this is the biggest thing we have ever done,” said senior Gibson Odderstol. “It’s kind of nerve-wracking, but I am excited.” The ensemble performed a remix of “Up On the Housetop” in which the lyrics were about modern items like iPods and Camaros. They also performed classic Christmas carols such as “Good King Wenceslas” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” “It’s a great opportunity to appear on television with my fellow ‘jazzers’,” said junior Will Mendez. “We’ve been working diligently towards this moment for a while now.” The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is an extracurricular musical group for which students audition in the beginning of the year. Nineteen students are currently a part of this year’s ensemble. The group rehearses three times a week, from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., and they participate in various school concerts. “We perform jazz standards, musical theatre, and blues,” said Mr. Hanes. “The ensemble also does a lot in the community for various organizations and churches, especially during the holidays.”

December 21, 2012

| FEATURES

Sophomore ‘beauty guru’ is a YouTube sensation From hair and makeup tutorials to the latest fashion trends, Claudia Sulewski shares it all on her YouTube channel, BeyondBeautyStar

5STAR POWER

Sulewski started filming YouTube videos in November of 2009. Since then her channel has grown to having over 180,000 subscribers, and over 15,000,000 video views.

Katrina Iorio & Katie Kaminsky FeaturesWriters

3BEYONDBEAUTYSTAR

he average high school student is usually concerned with school work, sports, and extracurricular activities. But at 15, Claudia Sulewski is making a name for herself as a YouTube star. Sulewski has had much success as a YouTube beauty guru, with her YouTube Channel, BeyondBeautyStar. As a beauty mentor, Sulewski gives fashion, beauty, health, and lifestyle advice in videos ranging from hair and makeup tutorials, to fashion trend overviews, product opinions, and healthy eating tips. Sulewski started her channel, BeyondBeautyStar, in November 2009, after being inspired to do so by other YouTube beauty gurus. “I started watching them over the summer, and when I first started seeing these beauty-related videos, I immediately got hooked,” said Sulewski. “Once I started doing it, I realized it’s like a whole second world, a second life, because I’ve met so many people. I can go on the computer and enter into this whole online world, and it’s an escape from the real world.” Three years have passed since Sulewski posted her first video on YouTube, and now BeyondBeautyStar has a total of over 180,000 subscribers, over 15,000,000 video views, and is sponsored by Style Haul. “I first started out by getting paid by Google AdSense, but this summer, Style Haul, which is a YouTube network, reached out to me and I signed with them so now I get paid through them,” said Sulewski. Numerous perks and opportunities have accompanied this success. For example, Sulewski has been to New York City for various beauty conventions such as the Beauty and Fashion Vlogger Alliance, and the B. F. V. A. Guru Glam event. At these types of conventions, she learns about

On her channel, Sulewski gives advice in her videos on how to conquer the beauty world. This past year she attended several beauty conventions, including the Beauty and Fashion Vlogger Alliance in New York City.

PHOTO COURTESY CLAUDIA SULEWSKI

5MEET AND GREET Claudia strives to connect with her viewers on a personal level, rather than just posting videos. During the Summer of 2012, Claudia and several other YouTubers met up with subscribers in New York City. new products in the beauty market, and meets with representatives of different companies regarding her channel. “Being able to fly to different places, like New York, for different meetings and events is very interesting,” said Sulewski. “Being able to connect with people across the world fascinates me. I’ve gained many best friends that I meet with at least a couple times a year, and I’ve become very close with other YouTubers.” Recently, Sulewski reached a milestone as a YouTuber. “Next time I fly to New York, I’m going to meet up with Clean and Clear

because I’m one of the Clean and Clear Ambassadors,” said Sulewski. “As an ambassador, they can send me their newest products before their launch, and if I ever really like them and I want to share them with my viewers, then I can,” said Sulewski. But despite each of the positive aspects of running BeyondBeautyStar, Sulewski notes that there are negatives. One of these is simple— time management. “I’ve been filming videos at least once a week, every single week, for the past three years,” said Sulewski. “Trying to balance my schedule and manage my time is hard, because

it can get overwhelming.” Even though the time is hard to find, Sulewski manages to keep her channel fun and interesting, and frequently connects with her viewers on a personal level—not just on YouTube, but with Twitter , Instagram, and Facebook as well. Responding to viewers’ comments is one of the ways she accomplishes this. “I love reading comments and responding to them because I’m able to connect with readers on a more personal level than just posting a video,” said Sulewski. She also monitors these comments to make sure her channel offers a safe and welcoming environment for younger viewers. “You have to watch out for haters,” said Sulewski. “I have a wide variety of viewers ranging from eight-yearolds to teenagers. I have to delete comments with bad words, or just negative comments.” Although it is a YouTube sensation now, BeyondBeautyStar wasn’t always a major hit. For Sulewski, the journey to success took time, persistence, and hard work. “Time and consistency are key,” said Sulewski. As for the future, although Sulewski is interested in beauty and fashion, she does not want to pursue a career in one of these fields. But creating and editing videos for BeyondBeautyStar has rubbed off on her. “I am definitely interested in filmmaking and communications, being able to connect with people through film and video,” said Sulewski.

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FEATURES | December 21, 2012

Violinist collaborates with uncles for PBS Caitlin Dorff Staff Writer

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Mat t h e w ’s e x p e r i e n c e h a s made him welcome to any future collaboration with his uncles. “I hope to be able to record in that kind of environment again and look forward to any chances to perform with the Safes,” said Matthew. This is the first time Matthew has recorded with his uncles’ band, but it is not the first time he has performed with them. At a younger age, Matthew played the keyboard with the Safes at a concert at the Beat Kitchen, a Chicago music venue. He was also featured along with the Safes on their performance on “Chic-a-Go-Go,” a Chicago children’s dance show. In middle school, he was able to work with his uncles when he and his cousins performed one of the Safes’ songs in the Maine South V-show two years in a row. At Maine South, Matthew is a part of the Chamber Orchestra, Maine South’s most advanced orchestra, which meets before school to rehearse music for smaller groups of instruments. Influenced in part by his Gaelic heritage, Matthew has had the chance to learn and play a repertoire of Irish folk music in addition to his classical repertoire. In this way, he sees his study of the violin not only as a way to improve his musical technique, but as a way to learn about his culture. For Ryan Matthew, playing the violin has been a life-changing journey, and has allowed him to meet a variety of people. “My favorite experiences in playing the violin have been meeting a lot of

5A FAMILY AFFAIR Matthew, left, enjoys collaborating with his uncles. Recently he recorded with them and their songs were featured on PBS’s “Roadtrip Nation.”

6VIRTUOSO Matthew, left, has been playing violin since the age of five, and

is currently a member of Maine South’s Chamber Orchestra. Before recording with his uncles’ band, he played with them at the Beat Kitchen in Chicago, and performed with them on “Chic-a-Go-Go,” a Chicago children’s dance show.

PHOTO COURTESY RYAN MATTHEW

lympic athletes, professional musicians, and skilled dancers, tend to start practicing their sport, instrument, or craft, from a young age. Similarly, for Maine South senior Ryan Matthew, playing the violin has been a lifelong affair. “I have played the violin for 12 years. I started when I was five, and I was originally encouraged by my mom to take lessons,” said Matthew. Matthew comes from an exceedingly musical family, and was given his first and each of his subsequent violins by his grandfather, who restored or assembled many of the violins himself. He and six of his thirteen cousins have all played the violin from a young age and have been brought up practicing and performing together. This familial love of music recently opened up an incredible opportunity for Matthew. He was given the chance to play with his Uncles’ Band, the Safes, on their new album. Several of the songs on the album have been featured on the public television series “Roadtrip Nation.” “It was exciting to be featured on PBS, and I love playing with my uncles,” said Matthew. “They are so talented.” The Safes, made up of Frankie O’Malley, Patrick O’Malley, and occasionally featuring former band members Sean and Michael O’Malley, is a band of brothers. All of the band members went to Maine South High School and made their start as a band during those years, including multiple V-show performances. On “Roadtrip Nation,” a few songs on the Safe’s new Album, “Century of Saturdays,” were featured in a few episode segments during this past season and during the closing credits. The songs will also be used during next season’s closing credits. Matthew plays the violin in several songs on the album, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being able to play more rock-oriented music on the violin. “The recording process was a fun and new experience,” said Matthew. “I not only enjoyed the musical aspect associated with it, but also the camaraderie and family bonding. I enjoyed working in an atmosphere that was both familiar and professional.”

PHOTO COURTESY RYAN MATTHEW

different people and being given so that will come with it. “I know that no matter what I do many opportunities,” said Matthew. He currently looks forward to the in life, I will always have this form of future, and the musical opportunities musical expression.”

December 21, 2012

| FEATURES

Chicago, a curse, and ‘Cheezborgers’

Katie Krall

Features Editor

5MY KIND OF TOWN The original Billy Goat Tavern honors the many famous visitors with their Wall of Fame. Presidents like George W. Bush, along with actors like Will Ferrell and Bill Murray have all stopped in to enjoy the history. t ‘BUTT IN ANYTIME’ The billy goat is

PHOTO BY KATIE KRALL

aine South is the alma mater of many successful people in a variety of fields. The third generation of the Sianis family, all MSHS alumni, have shown what a good education and ambition can produce. The unique, rich family name that sounds like a Greek dance has as much character as the patriarch of the family, Sam Sianis. The nephew of the original owner of Billy Goat Tavern, Sam continues the tradition of good food and laughter with his family who own and manage the eight Billy Goat locations throughout the Chicagoland area. The original Billy Goat Tavern and the multiple locations that make up the franchise began with an American Dream. “My great uncle came to the U.S with his brother in the early 1900s. They worked as shoeshine boys, paper boys, and they started saving their money,” said Bill Sianis. “In 1934, my great uncle founded the [Billy Goat] Tavern by the United Center.” Bill Sianis, a baseball and soccer player during his time at Maine South, is one of the six Sianis children who all attended Maine South. The Sianis children grew up with the restaurant, each not remembering a time when the Billy Goat wasn’t a part of their lives. “I worked at the Billy Goat since I can remember… helping out with cokes,” said Sianis. “I would go to school during the week and come here (Chicago location) on the weekends.” Chicago in the ‘30s was a bustling town with as many personalities as stockyards. Trucks would muddle through the slush-filled streets, taking animals to their demise. “One day a goat fell off the truck, my great uncle saw it had hurt its leg,” recalled Sianis. “He decided to take it in to treat it and kept it in the back of the restaurant, which was a little backyard. The way people reacted to the goat, he decided to keep it as a mascot. He named the place ‘Billy Goat Inn’ like an inn for goats.” Billy Goat Inn was across the street from the Chicago Stadium and “Billy Goat” Sianis paraded his mascot for political and sporting events at the Stadium. The goat became almost as famous as the atmosphere he

PHOTO BY KATIE KRALL

was advertising. It wasn’t until 1945 and the famous Curse of the Billy Goat, though, that the stockyard escapee was thrust into the national spotlight. The lovable losers of the North Side did not always go home empty handed every October. The Chicago National League franchise won the World Series in 1907 and 1908 with the famous double play combination of Tinkers to Evers to Chance. The Cubs continued to have success over the years, winning the national league pennant every three seasons from 1929 to 1938. “Billy Goat” Sianis decided to embrace America’s pastime in 1945 and bring his beloved goat to Wrigley to advertise his tavern and get a few laughs. He was welcomed to the Friendly Confines but his goat

the mascot of the Billy Goat franchise and has been since 1964. The original farm animal fell off the back of a stockyard truck and “Billy Goat” Sianis kept the stockyard escapee in the backyard of the tavern. When the Goat was not allowed into Wrigley field, Sianis allegedly put a curse on the Chicago Cubs that would not be lifted until the Goat was finally let in.

was not. Refusing to go in without his goat, “Billy Goat” Sianis never had his day in front of the ivy. “From ’45 and on, they weren’t winning, and they asked my great uncle if he put a curse on them. He said that unless they let the goat back in they will never win a World Series,” said Bill Sianis. “In 1984 the Cubs called up my Dad and asked him to bring the goat on opening day and try to reverse the curse. My Dad took it and walked around the stadium and that was the first time since 1945 that they made the playoffs.” Bill Sianis, a fan of both the Cubs and Sox, believes there is something more than coincidence to the curse. What began as a publicity stunt for a small Chicago tavern has turned into an endless debate and a lifetime of

suffering for many Cubs fans. The original Billy Goat Tavern has not only had influence locally, but also on one of the country’s most popular comedy shows, “Saturday Night Live.” Comedians such as Jim Belushi and Bill Murray, on their way to success, often stopped to grab a burger at Billy Goat Tavern. Jim Belushi’s parody of the cooks at the tavern yelling out “cheezborger” is historical and hilarious. The sketch became a national phenomenon and made the Billy Goat franchise even more renowned. “In the ‘60s, my Dad and my uncles were Greek workers who didn’t know too much English; they just knew what was on the menu,” said Bill Sianis. “People would ask for fries or Pepsi and they didn’t know how to say we don’t have fries or we don’t have Pepsi, so you felt like you were getting yelled at.” Billy Goat Tavern has made a lasting impression on many of the comedians and journalists that have descended down its historical steps. Mike Royko, one of Chicago’s greatest journalists, claimed the tavern as his hangout and became an honorary Sianis family member. Much like the philosophes and physiocrats in France during the 18th century who gathered at salons to discuss their views on the economy and government, journalists would come to the tavern to discuss writing and life. There were four newspaper offices near the lower Michigan Avenue Billy Goat Tavern at one point in time in Chicago history. In “Wise Guy’s Corner” one could hear the crass, rich opinions of Royko while enjoying a cheeseburger and a coke. The Tribune is the only publication left in what once was an imposing quadrant of press, but the original tavern still remains. The Sianis family have experienced many things, but they still reminisce about their days as Hawks. The knowledge imparted on them has lasted through the years. “We all graduated from Maine South and this place is part of our lives. We all have degrees in something,— accounting, law, physical therapy, architecture—but we all wanted to continue working with the restaurant” said Bill Sianis. There is still nothing that brings a family closer together than history, love, and “cheezborgers”.

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ENTERTAINMENT

| December 21, 2012

October 12, 2012

| ENTERTAINMENT

Southwords taste-tested the burritos of five local restaurants to determine the best.

Chipotle Chipotle holds a special place in the hearts of burrito enthusiasts and rightfully so. Chipotle uses some of the best ingredients and, quite successfully, strives towards delivering a healthy yet flavorful experience. Chipotle is the only restaurant in our Burrito War that offers a burrito bowl for example. This cuts the carbohydrates in the burrito quite drastically, ideal for those looking to drop a size, or simply maintain a healthy, slim figure. The burrito itself is not the biggest, but the employees are more than willing to throw in an extra scoop of rice for free or a double serving of steak, if

Yavor Todorov & Alex Korzynski

Entertainment Editors

Garcia’s Garcia’s is a bit out of the way for some people, but it is definitely worth the longer drive. Garcia’s differs from most of the other restaurants in this Burrito War in that they are a sit-down restaurant with waiters and bus boys, meaning you will have to add a tip to the total cost. They have an extensive menu with a wide variety of burritos to choose from. Garcia’s provides the best value for your dollar. They thrive not off of skimping on a few ounces of steak, but rather, like other sit down restaurants, off the overpriced drinks they sell and off the hope that they will develop long-term customer loyalty with customers that will return with their friends who will then return with their friends and so on. That be-

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4749 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60625

When you first walk into Los Comales, you get hit with a scent of authentic Mexican food, which is what most people expect when craving a true burrito. Similar to Garcia’s, Los Comales offers casual dining with waiters. The ambiance makes you feel like you’re receiving an authentic burrito. The tortilla chips and spicy cilantro salsa are too tempting not to eat while waiting for your meal—and it’s a good thing, because the burritos aren’t as big as a king size burrito from TBK. Los Comales offers the same ingredients as most restaurants, but unlike others, they offer not just grilled chicken, but breaded and marinated as well. There isn’t much time to be im-

you’re willing to pay, of course. Chipotle has their burrito preparation down to a precise and clear-cut science, which almost guarantees a satisfying experience every time you pay a visit. The ambiance of the Uptown Chipotle is extremely friendly and social. It is rare to walk in and not see somebody sporting Maine South attire. Maine South students as well as middleschoolers around the area are this Chipotle’s main clientele. 119 S. Northwest Hwy. Park Ridge, IL 60068

Taco Burrito King

Los Comales ing said, Garcia’s has one of the biggest burritos in Chicago. Although they do not use 15-inch tortillas, their burritos are loaded with enormous portions of juicy steak, fresh guacamole, and fluffy rice. Garcia’s does not disappoint even the largest of appetites. The ambiance is exciting, with many people to keep the waiters busy and the costumers in a lively mood. The service was not the best, and the cashier was unpleasant, but it is worth returning because Garcia’s undoubtedly delivers one of the best burritos in town.

Burrito House

patient because Los Comales’ service is very speedy, especially when there are only a few people present during the afternoon. While Chipotle tortillas seem light, airy, and fresh, Los Comales tortillas do not. The tortillas at Los Comales tend to be flaky and dry, which really takes away from the overall flavor of the burrito and diminishes its quality. If you’re looking for a place to sit down, but still want to have a quick and satisfying experience, Los Comales is open until 3 a.m. on the weekends, and 1 a.m. on weekdays. 9055 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL 60714

Taco Burrito King is definitely the place to go if you are out late and are craving one of, as the owner stated, “The biggest burritos in Chicago.” Although TBK boasts a whopping 15inch “Super King” or “XXL” burrito, you are really just getting a “King Burrito” on a larger tortilla with extra lettuce and a tiny bit of extra meat. Taco Burrito King is super convenient, however, as it is open 24/7. Their stingy portions should not deter you from paying them a visit. Their burrito tastes very good at 2 a.m. and is made very fast; in fact, the Taco Burrito King on Touhy is the only restaurant in our Burrito War that has a Drive-Thru window. The service is acceptable. Unfor-

If you aren’t concerned with the environment in which you eat, then Burrito House may be an option. Although the staff is very fun and nice, the food is of poor quality, the place is deserted, and as soon as you walk in, you get overpowered with the intense scent of bleach, so powerful that it makes your lungs tingle a bit with each breath. It is difficult to bash a place with such friendly employees, but because the food is so mediocre Burrito House gets a poor review. The rice was dry and coarse. The refried beans were not fresh; and the chips were dry and stale. The other ingredients did not fare much better, as the tortilla was dry and the lettuce tasted bitter. The steak was of average quality, obviously of poorer quality than Chipotle’s organic meat, but infinitely bet-

ter then Maine South’s own Quest, which serves a stomach-churning excuse for a steak burrito. If you’re out in the Niles area after 11 p.m. and are craving a burrito, Burrito House might be the way to go, seeing as it’s your only choice. 9001 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL 60714

t ¡SAY QUESO!

Edgar Salimas. a dedicated Burrito House employee presents a steak burrito as well as a friendly smile.

tunately, the employees seem to be dazed at times, but that may be due to the fact that they are working long hours and exhausting shifts. If you are out in the Skokie area after a late-night movie at Village Crossing or are simply craving a sizeable late-night feast, Taco Burrito King is your place. 6701 W. Touhy Ave. Niles, IL 60714

SouthwordS 9

ENTERTAINMENT

| December 21, 2012

October 12, 2012

| ENTERTAINMENT

Southwords taste-tested the burritos of five local restaurants to determine the best.

Yavor Todorov & Alex Korzynski

Entertainment Editors

8 SouthwordS

4749 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60625

Taco Burrito King

Burrito House

t ¡SAY QUESO!

Edgar Salimas. a dedicated Burrito House employee presents a steak burrito as well as a friendly smile.

SouthwordS 9

ENTERTAINMENT | December 21, 2012

Orchesis dances ‘Under the Big Top’

Matthew Weiss

Staff Writer Its the holiday season again, and we round up the top five gadgets Maine South students should request.

Coming in at number five is the Nexus 7. It’s a 7-inch android tablet that works perfectly in a school setting or for impromptu sessions of Angry Birds. It works well with all the Google Apps Maine South uses such as Gmail, Docs, and YouTube. It’s easy on the wallet at only $200. There’s even a model with AT&T or T-Mobile data access for $300. Number four belongs to the new Acer Chromebook. It’s a computer built solely around the internet and runs Chrome OS, not the unstable Chromium OS. A major benefit on the Acer Chromebook, is that it sets up Google accounts in under five minutes. The only flaw about the whole package is the battery life— Anna Laskaris three-and-a-half hours. It is worth Entertainment Editor the $200 at play.google.com. his year, the 2013 Orchesis “Under The third option mixes activity the Big Top” performance will be with tech. Its a tie between the held on Jan. 11 and 12 at 7:30 pm in Nike+ Fuelband and the Fitbit One. the Watson Auditorium. The songs Both are pedometers, but they are and costumes were carefully chosen, also so much more. The Nike model to follow the circus-like theme. lets users set “Fuel” points goals and Almost ever ything in the pushes them to reach that goal, while production is student-based, which Fitbit pushes users to set goals and allows Orchesis members to create earn badges. Nike only supports an the majority of the aspects of their iPhone and Android App, but Fitbit performances. offers an iPhone, Android, and third “Ever ything is based off of party Windows Phone App to track students,” said junior Marissa Sulek, your badges and monitor progress. one of the Orchesis Officers. “We This next device works best at [dancers] chose our lighting and parties and epic spillover. The costumes, and we choreographed 3M Streaming Projector is bundled most of the dances.” with a Roku Streaming Stick to deOrchesis gives students an liver Netflix, Hulu, Amazon video opportunity to experience styles of and more. The content can be dis- dance that they may not otherwise played on a wall at up to 60 inches. get the chance to. The performance It needs to be left charging because it consists of a total of 16 different only lasts one-and-a-half hours. numbers with varying styles of dance. The number-one gadget on this Coach Amelia Faulstick, who has list is not a single device, but been with Orchesis for eight years, an entire category. It’s smartphones. choreographs the senior number and An iPhone, Android phone, or a few other special pieces. The rest even a Windows Phone can benefit of the pieces are left for the dancers a student in high school with a full to create. Having the chance to student keyboard for texting and e-mailing choreograph and de velop the friends and teachers. It can even make phone calls. As a bonus, you’ll initiative to instruct peers strengthens always have Angry Birds with you, leadership skills. “Some dancers have become more along with data to access the app well-rounded dancers,” said Coach stores with over 100,000 apps.

5INTO THE WILD

Dancers strike a fierce pose in “Wildcat,” choreographed by senior Megan Hinds. “Wildcat,” is a high energy contemporary jazz piece. 6‘IN THE MOOD’ TO DANCE Dancers wear costumes just as jazzy as their movements. In a throwback to the 1940s, dancers perform “Admit One,” a piece choreographed by junior Marissa Sulek.

PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE

PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE

10 SouthwordS

Faulstick. “Orchesis made it possible for some dancers to break out of the box they have always been in and expand their horizons.” “Jazz has always been my main style of dance,” said freshman Julia Bork. “Orchesis has exposed me to contemporary and lyrical [dance], which I’ve never done before.” The show is extremely fast-paced because the numbers come right after another with a one to two-minute break between each dance. Another thing that separates the Orchesis show from other shows is the community participation. In the January show, students from middle school perform with

the Orchesis team. Every Monday, students from middle schools such as Emerson, Lincoln, and St. Paul come to the dance room. There, these younger performers learn a jazz routine with the help of the Orchesis crew. These students get the opportunity to join some of the high school dancers on stage and get a feel of being a part of the Orchesis team. “Orchesis is one of the hidden treasures of our school,” said freshman Kara Webster. “Not many people know about it, but it’s really interesting. More students should come to our shows and see what it is that we really do.”

December 21, 2012

| COMMENTARY

Southwords editor goes back to the Dark Ages

Lauren Smith

Commentary Editor

rom exac t ly 11:29 AM on Thursday, Nov. 29 until the Thursday of the following week, my world was incomplete. The hole in my life was the result of my empty hand, where my beautiful and caring iPhone 4S once rested. My task seemed simple: to go a week without my cell phone. A week without my text messages, my e-mail app, and my Netflix account. Easy. The absence of my phone was going to liberate me. My experience would mirror that of the transcendentalist Henr y Thoreau’s in his work, “Walden.” Thoreau’s time secluded in the woods was a time for reflection and appreciation for the simple things in life. The time apart from my phone would help me really see the world—instead of looking at a screen every free moment of my day, I’d be observing life around me. For an entire week, I roamed the halls of Maine South and completed daily activities locked out of my cellular device (only my coeditor and dad knew the password, and they were expressly forbidden from telling me unless it was an emergency)—and I was losing my mind. Every ping of an incoming text message made my heart flutter, until I remembered I couldn’t unlock my phone. The worlds of Instagram and Twitter carried on without me (because making my way to a computer was too difficult, and I had forgotten my passwords anyway). Before my phone was locked with that elusive new pass-code, I texted people I thought would need me in the following week letting them know of my upcoming predicament. Their numbers were scrawled on a sheet of loose leaf that I carried everywhere in case I needed to use a land-line to call them—oh the humanity. I didn’t realize I would be so lost without my cell phone. Before that fateful Thursday, I was constantly

connected to my friends, parents, teachers, and I had just discovered the wonders of Snapchat. Afterwards, I had to learn to reach people in a completely different way. I used e-mails to make Saturday night plans. My younger brother left notes on my backpack every morning with the time he needed to be picked up from school. Getting homework help from classmates threw me off the most. Usually, a quick picture of my problem sent in a mass text garnered a useful

GRAPHICS BY MATT ANDERSON

A week without my beloved iPhone nearly broke me, but I don’t regret it

response and I would continue working, but without my cell phone, getting help took effort. E-mailing was too slow because not everybody was on their e-mail in the same way they were constantly on their phones. I didn’t have any other option; I used my mom’s cell phone. Yes, I broke down. I needed to get help, and I caved. But it was so tempting. Her phone, because of iCloud, had all of my contacts and my Twitter and Instagram accounts ready to access. My locked phone, so close yet so far

away, had broken my technologydeprived heart to the extent that I turned to another device. The sad moments during my phone-less week began to pile up. One night, I had a dream of what my text messages read. In desperation, I tried to get my phone back a day earlier. My argument was that a week was from Saturday to Sunday, so since I lost my phone on Thursday, I should get my phone back on Wednesday. I was laughed at. The notebook I carried around to document my feelings was filled with scrawls reading “If I could go on Twitter, this would be my tweet.” On day two, I tried guessing the new pass-code, knowing I didn’t have a chance at unlocking my phone. I was going crazy. After the fifth day, my phone was nowhere to be found. It was dead, probably underneath a pile of clothing in my bedroom, all but forgotten. I still felt the pangs of quitting my phone so suddenly, but after 120 plus hours of iPhone-less oblivion, my feelings were becoming numb. I only had two more days until my liberation, and I could only concentrate on making it until Thursday. My experience without my phone had taught me some things about society. When I wasn’t constantly checking any updates, I had the chance to look around at other people checking theirs. At a dinner one night, I noticed that everyone’s phones were on the table, and the diners did not hesitate to interrupt conversation to look at the screens. I also realized that my phone was always in my hand when I was around my house, even during the first few days of my lockout. From grabbing a snack in the kitchen to doing homework on my bed, that little black gadget was always within arm’s reach, even when I was locked out. My cell phone had become another bodily appendage, a necessary tool that accompanied me wherever I went. What I did not discover in my time without my phone was why I need it to be so close to me at all hours of the day. According to StatisticBrain.com, 68% of all people sleep with their phones next to their bed. I am one of them. This close proximity is not necessary—no emergency calls are going to wake me in the night. Has my cell phone

Checked phone knowing it was locked 12 times Checked phone forgetting it was locked 10 times Used another phone 11 times Tried to crack the passcode 3 times Used my phone sneakily (had to) 4 times Missed Texts 22 total Missed Calls 15 total

WEEK IN REVIEW

The stats don’t lie: living without my phone was not easy.

come to play such a pivotal role in my life that I can’t even spend a few hours apart from it? When I’m not even conscious? During my time apart from my phone, I was asked, quite often, if I felt free without it. This was a confusing question, because what I was feeling was the exact opposite of liberation. I had lost my constant contact to the outside world, and my life had become significantly more complicated. I understand why people might think that phones trap them, but when one is able to connect with anything at anytime, that is hardly an entrapment. The need for that 24/7 connection to other people, I believe, comes from something much deeper than wanting to just access the Internet. Our natural desire to say our thoughts and to be noticed can be fulfilled with a simple Facebook post or text to a best friend, and our cell phones enable us to go so far beyond just that. Our cell phones are our lifelines, an extension of our thoughts and beliefs and a tool that links so many people together. The week I spent without this connection was hard, but it made me appreciate what I had so much more. My little iPhone kept me in constant correspondence with everything outside my bedroom, and without it, the world was a much larger place.

SouthwordS 11

COMMENTARY

| December 21, 2012

STAFF EDITORIAL Negative publicity an unfair portrayal of 207 T here are several things that may come to mind when you mention “Maine South” to someone who attends a different school. Perhaps, we are known as the “football school.” Maybe we’re recognized for our high test scores or fine arts programs. Hopefully, people will not begin to associate barbaric behavior with us as well. In light of recent newsworthy events, it isn’t very difficult to see the possibility of negative perceptions of District 207. Unfortunately, the media has a tendency to focus on those unusual disgraces rather than the everyday merits of Maine Township schools; after a while, the bad seems to outweigh the good. This is not an accu-

rate representation of our school. While the existence of bad behavior is certainly not something that should be ignored, it’s important to remember that these incidents of violence do not reflect the overall character of the student body at any of the Maine Township schools. Disgusting hazing traditions should in no way be condoned. Resorting to physical violence in petty arguments is never okay. While these actions are reprehensible and their media exposure is justifiable, they are the actions of individuals or small groups of individuals acting with bad judgment. They are not the actions or will of District 207 as a whole and

do not represent the students in it. In truth, Maine South is not filled with volatile people ready to cause physical pain or humiliation as some sick display of power. Maine South is not governed by a desensitized population that would rather film a fight on their smartphones than call for help. These are characteristics which, while they may define certain people, do not define our school. Maine South is not any of this. Perhaps it is better to ask what Maine South is. Maine South is a school where a senior girl founded Cards for Hospitalized Kids in 2011 in an effort to bring smiles to those who need it most, and countless

students have continued to contribute to her cause. Maine South is a school where, every year, the student body donates thousands of dollars to worthy causes, whether it be a Make-a-Wish child or a disaster relief fund. Maine South is a school where, every April, students faithfully go an entire day without speaking in support of those who don’t have that choice, and they do so without the fear of being ridiculed by their teachers or classmates. While the media may attempt to label a community based on isolated incidents, our identity comes from our character, which will never be overshadowed by brief moments of indiscretion.

Don’t give up on music just yet Soren Ramsey Editor-in-Chief

t seems like the longer you hang around any kind of music fan, the more likely you are to hear something along the lines of, “Music’s so terrible nowadays. I wish I had been around for the golden age of [insert genre].” Complaints about the state of music can stem from the death of great artists to the latest Top-40 hit. I’ve been guilty of using this exact complaint pretty often, longing for the days of sixties rock, or nineties grunge. However, as I was thinking about it the other day, I realized that, in a way, music has actually improved from a fan’s perspective. While it bums me out that I’ll probably never see Led Zeppelin or The Smiths, there is plenty to be optimistic about. For one, artists continue to move from traditional marketing to a more direct line to the fans. More musicians choose to release albums

12 SouthwordS

independently through their own labels, driving down costs and putting more money in the hands of the creative talent. Others choose to simply give away their work. We’ve been told for years that music piracy is destroying music, when it has really just forced artists to adapt. In 2007, Radiohead received major publicity for releasing “In Rainbows” through their website, and letting fans decide how much they wanted to pay. Even though about half of listeners chose to download the album for free, it turned out to be a major windfall for the group and proved that artists can thrive without the traditional record label. The rap group Odd Future is known for giving away all of their music, and instead making money through touring and hand-made merchandise sold directly to their fan base. When bands are forced to out-sell streaming websites, the fans benefit. Another somewhat indirect benefit of modern music is that, since music piracy has cut down on bands’ revenue, they have to tour

more frequently. Touring has changed from a way to promote CD sales to the main revenue stream for musicians. This means more opportunities to see your favorite acts, as well as chances to buy music and merchandise directly from the band. And, with the recent rise in popularity of big-banner music festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, you can often see many of your favorite artists in the course of a single weekend. Not to mention the fact that the quality of sound in venues and festival grounds has improved dramatically over the past two decades. Sure, the prospect of never experiencing Woodstock or oldschool rap may make some music fans disappointed. Maybe you missed out on the rise of alternative British Hypno-pop, or whatever obscure genre you identify with. Or, maybe the majority of current pop music is destroying your faith in artistic integrity. However, the sooner you realize that every decade has both brilliant and God-awful music, the sooner you can start finding that niche in today’s music that suits you.

Maine South High School 1111 South Dee Road Park Ridge, IL 60068

Signed letters to the editor should be delivered to LRC1, given to a member of the editorial staff, or e-mailed to southwords@ maine207.org. Southwords reserves the right to edit material for clarity and brevity and to reject obscene/libelous submissions.

Scan this QR code to e-mail Southwords Editors-in-Chief

Sarah Hands Soren Ramsey

Production Editors Matt Anderson Hannah Simpson News Editors

Dora Bialy Caroline Borowski Kristen VanTine

Entertainment Editors Alex Korzynski Anna Laskaris Margaret Lynch Yavor Todorov Features Editors

Katie Krall Des Mustafa Amanda Svachula

Commentary Editors Gianna Carrozza Lauren Smith Sports Editors

Hope Allchin Alex Ellyin Kay Thursby

Photography Editors Sophia Conde Jessica Gronke Adviser

Mr. Stathakis

December 21, 2012

| COMMENTARY

Bathroom use is a right, not a privilege Vicki Tanquary Staff Writer

hile most teachers do allow students to use the restroom during the class period, many of us have had that teacher who does not think it is necessary for students to use the restroom outside of the passing period. Maine South’s student handbook says nothing about the use of the restroom, so teachers appear to have ultimate authority over the situation. The right to use the restroom is actually protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment: “[W]hen the State by the affirmative exercise of its power so restrains an individual’s liberty that it renders him unable to care for himself, and at the same time fails to provide for

his basic human needs—e.g., food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and reasonable safety—it transgresses the substantive limits on state action set by the Eighth Amendment and the Due Process Clause.” Therefore, if a teacher does not allow you to use the restroom, he or she could be violating the Fourteenth Amendment. However, asking to use the restroom on the basis of the Fourteenth Amendment means your teacher probably isn’t going to like you very much.

What do

Some teachers object to frequent restroom use because it causes a loss of class time. “[I don’t] restrict, but if someone goes every day, I talk to them,” said Mrs. Kirshner, a Maine South English teacher. Mrs. Kirshner then proceeds to work out a solution with the student, therefore cutting the amount of class time lost. Although the loss of class time may bother teachers, it doesn’t really bother students. “What [I] missed during class is [my] problem,” said Austin Ek, a Maine South sophomore.

Not being able to go often enough can be a serious problem. In an article by Arti Patel titled “Holding Your Pee: Health Risks From Ignoring Nature’s Call,” it is stated that it is normal to urinate eight to ten times a day—which means that approximately three of these times would be during school. Urine needs to be released in a reasonable amount of time if one does not want infections and an overstretched bladder. However, not being able to use the restroom in some classes may mean constantly missing time in another. On a trip from the PA wing to the third floor A-wing, a bathroom stop is nearly impossible to coordinate. “[I] believe that no one should be denied the privilege to use the restroom,” said math teacher Mrs.Langmyer, “and [I] trust a student to use the restroom if they need to.” Ms. Pichinos, a Maine South art teacher, doesn’t limit access to the restroom unless she knows the student is actually just wandering around the halls. “If a student approaches me with a request to use the restroom, I expect them to be mature enough to go,” said Ms. Pichinos. The bottom line is Maine South should develop a consistent policy for bathroom usage that can allow students to use it in any class at reasonable times. Teachers need to make their policies a bit more flexible to allow students a quick, needed break.

YOU think?

Exercise your voice— write a letter to the editors! Deliver signed letters to LRC1 or scan the QR code on the top of page 12 to e-mail southwords@maine207.org

SouthwordS 13

SPORTS

| December 21, 2012

Hawkettes dance team joins the IHSA Katherine Miles

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATIE NESS

Staff Writer

he Maine South Hawkettes have proven the phrase, “practice makes perfect.” So far, the Hawkettes have had three competitions: placing first in Kick in the Glenbrook South competition and first in Kick and second in Pom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were .9 behind Loyola, who won in the Pom category. The Hawkettes still have four more competitions to compete in, and they will attempt to improve in Pom, which is a new category of dance for the Hawkettes. While in past years the Hawkettes have only competed in Kick and Jazz, this year they switched to performing in Kick and Pom. As of the beginning of this school year, Maine South Hawkettes is an official IHSA sport. “It’s a completely new organization and it has been a sudden transition for us,” says junior captain Hayley Miller. While there are new rules and regulations regarding competitions because of the IHSA classification, the Hawkettes will still compete in the UDA (Universal Dance Association) as well as the IHSA. “It’s definitely harder to compete in IHSA because there are no categories,

Photo by Jessica Gronke

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

The Hawkettes perform their opening routine for the Holiday Show. The Varsity and JV squads performed their jazz dance on Dec. 9 at this annual event.

but it’s still a competition,” says junior Danielle Austriaco. “I still have my team, and we still have just as much fun.” Their 2012-2013 season began with long, hot summer workouts, and will end with Nationals held in Orlando, Florida in early February 2013. The Hawkettes will leave Park Ridge on Jan. 31, and return Feb. 4. There are several categories of dance at Nationals and which category the Hawkettes are placed in will determine the number of teams they will compete against. Usually there are about 40 teams in each category, but the number of teams gets smaller and smaller as more teams are eliminated. Teams come from all over

the country, and in the past, at least five teams from Illinois have made it down to Orlando each year. The Hawkettes are coached by Jackie Graney. The captains of the 2012-2013 team are seniors Alexandra Ferro, Kayla Forthsythe, Jennifer Walsh, and Emily Yagihashi, and junior Hayley Miller. During the school year, a typical Hawkette practice ranges from two-and-a-half to three hours every day after school and most Saturdays, unless there is a competition. The Hawkettes consistently practice their routines and change them when necessary to make them absolutely perfect. “The team goal for the season is to be awarded top three at the UDA

National championship,” says Coach Graney. “It takes a lot of hard work,” says Elizabeth Black, a senior on the team and two-year varsity member says. “You have to love what you do and really care about your team. You have to be very focused on your goals and want your team to accomplish those goals.” “I think Hawkettes is a very rewarding experience,” she continues. “It has definitely taught me a lot about myself and my abilities and limits. Hawkettes has helped me figure out how to manage my time and work with other people who all want the same goal. I think that is what makes the experience special.”

by only one goal in their only matchup of the season. Maine moved on with their season on Wed, Dec. 5. They faced Highland Park in a CSL conference showdown, full of penalties and questionable calls. The Maniacs came out aggressively, winning the faceoff and quickly moving the puck down the ice. In the middle of the first, Maine East Senior Alex Hadzhiev scored the first goal of the night with help from Maine South’s own Senior Steven Kurtz. “We jumped on [Highland Park] pretty quick,” said Head Coach Mike Tompkins of his team Wednesday night. “But we missed assignments and let [Highland Park] back into the game.” Deep into the first period, Pat Conoboy was put in the box for roughing. On the power play, the Highland Park Giants took advantage of the extra man on the ice and put up

a rebound that went by goalie Collin Bailey into the back of the net. “[The Highland Park player] dove. I didn’t even touch the kid,” said Pat Conoboy regarding the penalty he was given. Then, near the end of the first period, Maine gave up yet another short-handed goal, making it 2-1 in favor of the Giants with a slapshot from the wing. Maine quickly responded with a goal of their own tying it up 2-2 off the stick of Brendan O’Leary. But the tie did not hold long as the Giants put another on the board late in the second followed by a Maine goal to tie it up in the third. The game finished in a 3-3 tie, bringing Maine’s record to 14-2-2. “[Maine’s] penalty kill has been very strong all year, as shown by [their] performance throughout the rest of the game,” said Coach Tompkins. The future is looking quite bright

for Maine Hockey. The JV squad is getting better by the game as well. Both teams are in first place in their divisions.

Zack Jones

Staff Writer rofessional hockey may have had most of its season canceled due to the lockout, but there are still numerous teams playing because they simply love the sport. The Maine Hockey Maniacs have been out to an incredible start with a record of 14-2-1, headed by top scorers junior Ethan Flynn and senior Robert Greising. Flynn has 27 points, 12 goals and 15 assists in just 23 games. Greising has 21 points in 24 games. “We’ve been hot,” said Cameron Kurtz about his team. “We’ve got good team chemistry and we’re just clicking.” With 116 goals this season, the team statistics show this as well. “We’re doing well, and, thankfully no more Buffalo Grove,” said Kurtz. “They always give us a tough game.” Buffalo Grove has been Maine’s biggest rival for years; they beat Maine

14 SouthwordS

Photo byJessica Gronke

Maine Hockey holds on to first place

BRING IT IN

The Maine South hockey team celebrates a goal in their game against Highland Park. The match ended in a tie with a final score of 3-3.

and Caleb [DeMarigny] have done a great job of knocking down shots and making plays on the defensive end of the floor. Then, off the bench, we have George [Sargent] and [Dan] Schmidt who always bring energy and make the plays whenever they are called on.” “We know what to expect,” continues Quinn. “But at the same time, since we’ve had success, it just makes us want more and go deeper in the playoffs this year.” The Hawks new point guard, sophomore DeMarigny, is replacing Nick Calabrese, who graduated last year. “The transition has been a long one, but it has been a fun challenge for me personally,” said DeMarigny. “Over time, through the summer especially, my role has progressed into more responsibility and leadership in the offense, along with still working hard on defense and taking care of the ball.” DeMarigny was brought up to the varsity squad last season, being put into a defensive role. His main focus

was to take care of the ball and let the experienced players score. “The intensity of everything that we do [is higher between the sophomore and varsity levels]. It is a totally different ballgame from that standpoint, the games are much quicker, teams are more disciplined, and it becomes a struggle. Everyone is fighting to get their time, nobody takes plays off, and it makes the game much more intense.” The Hawks’ biggest early this season will come at the Proviso West Tournament in a highly-anticipated match-up against Hillcrest—the number four team in the state. “We wouldn’t be putting ourselves in this position if we knew we couldn’t compete,” said Coach Lavorato, who is in his tenth season as the Hawks coach. As usual, the CSL is one of the toughest conferences in the state. “It has been our goal (to win) since I’ve been here,” said Coach Lavorato. “It is ten games, over three to four months, and hopefully, we will be on top at the end of conference play.”

Staff Writer

he Maine South girls’ basketball program has developed a winning tradition in the past couple of years. While household names such as Allison Groessel, Jackie Rieger, and Michelle Maher have carried the team in seasons past, head coach Mark Smith feels very comfortable with senior forward Jacqui Grant spearheading the charge this year. Grant has been on Varsity all four years of her career, and each year, her role on the team has changed. This season, Grant will be relied upon in order for the Hawks to have another stellar year. The University of Illinois recruit scored 29 points in the Hawks’ opening game against Wheeling, but individual stats are what Grant is least concerned with. “I believe we can accomplish a lot this season as long as we work together,” she said. This year’s team is certainly more than just Grant. Senior guards and captains Regan Carmichael and Mackenzie Duffy provide the Hawks with one of the best backcourts this side of Chicago, and they are a very big reason that the team has gotten

PHOTO BY MOLLY PETRAY

LEADING THE WAY Senior captain Regan Carmichael drives for a lay up against New Trier. The Hawks went on to win 47-42.

Boys’ basketball excited for the challenge

Brendan Ploen

Staff Writer he boys’ basketball team has a challenging season ahead of them. They will be competing against some of the most highly-ranked teams in the state. So far, the Hawks have answered each challenge with a victory and find themselves 9-0, with another important CSL South matchup coming up tonight against Waukegan. The Hawks have defeated Niles West, Evanston, and Glenbrook South, and have only Waukegan to play before the Proviso West holiday tournament. This year, the Hawks are led by a trio of seniors—Frank Dounis, John Solari, and team captain Danny Quinn. “We have a great group of guys this year,” said Quinn. “Each guy on the floor brings a different skill to the table. Frank is our best penetrator and an open floor guy, John is the anchor in the middle who is always finishing around the rim. With all of that inside, [Andrew] Palucki

Mr. Nee, Math Department

r. Nee, Maine South math teacher and assistant boys’ varsity basketball coach, attended Augustana College, where he led his team as a point guard. Competing in front of large crowds, and competing during the season and also during the off season are just a couple of Mr. Nee’s favorite parts from playing collegiate basketball. Mr. Nee also had the opportunity to travel to Europe with his teammates, where he played six games over the course of eight days. However, earning this opportunity was not easy. “Athletics at the collegiate level are about production and consistency,” stated Mr. Nee “Students who would like to play a sport in college should have the mentality that you must prove yourself on a daily basis, and take nothing for granted,” he said. Mr. Nee noted that in order to play at the collegiate level, one has to be willing to work hard every day at practice, and “never lose sight of the people you’re playing for because they care about you very much.” Playing at the collegiate level, Mr. Nee made life-long friends that he still keeps in touch with today; three of them were even groomsmen in his wedding. He also likes to keep in touch with his former coaches, especially during the season, to see how the Vikings are doing. Mr. Nee is hopes to pass on his great experiences as a high school athlete to the boys he coaches now. PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. NEE

off to a 9-1 start so far this season. Senior guards Erin Kieny and Claire Raphael along with junior forward Katherine Miles also provide some spark for the lineup and have been very consistent. However, this team wouldn’t be as successful without the dominant play of junior forward Hailey Schoneman, someone Grant has been very impressed with so far. “She has done a great job leading by example and has come a long

way since last year,” Grant said. Schoneman’s success has provided the Hawks with another low-post scoring option with rebounding skill. The leadership that the seniors have shown this year has played a big part in the success of the team. The vocal enthusiasm and passion for the game has allowed the team to gel rather quickly. Carmichael, Duffy, and Grant all have led in their own way, and this variation of qualities has given the Hawks a very well-rounded mindset for success. “B eing a senior leader has taught me how to deal with difficult situations and different personalities,” said Grant. “The mental toughness that we have on this team is truly outstanding.” While past teams have set the bar high, this year’s Hawks have looked quite crisp en route to an early 9-1 start. But these seniors also know how much of a grind the year can be, and they are determined to leave their mark on the program. “We know what we can accomplish as a team,” said Grant. “I think it will be very special. Everyone plays for each other, and until we have given 105 percent, we will not stop fighting.”

Nate Wolf

Mr. Nee (pictured here in his junior year) attended Augustana College where he played basketball and majored in Computer Science and Business.

photo courtesy of mr. nee

Senior captains help lead Hawks to victory

December 21, 2012 | SPORTS

SouthwordS 15

Hope Allchin

Sports Editor or the first time in several years, Maine South’s wrestling team is co-ed. This season, three girls, junior Noelle Fallon and seniors Sammi Horodecki and Andrea Senyk, joined the team, defying the stereotype that surrounds the male-dominated sport. Horodecki had been thinking about joining the team for some time. “I decided to join wrestling because it was always something I had in the back of my mind,” said Horodecki. “My older brothers have told me in the past to join, so I finally decided to go for it.” Fallon, on the other hand, stumbled on the sport by accident. “At the end of my sophomore year of water polo, my coach told me to start weight lifting,” said Fallon. “I had a friend who taught me to power lift. I started power lifting at Maine South’s weight cage to continue my training. Because I was lifting in the weight cage and could lift quite a bite for my size, the guys asked me about my training and I even started doing the pre-wrestling conditioning. It was later suggested by some of the guys to try out for wrestling.” Senyk joined the team for a very different reason. Her sister is trained in the martial art of Brazilian jiu jitsu. “She was using me as a practice dummy,” said Senyk. “I couldn’t defend myself.” She took up wrestling at Maine South to condition herself with the eventual hope of becoming a jiu jitsu fighter like her sister. According to the girls, actually joining the team was not difficult because the program is open to anyone who can pass the physical and is dedicated to practicing hard. The hard part was convincing others, most importantly their parents, that they were ready to be a part of the team. The girls and their families talked with former head coach Mr. Fallico and current coach Mr. Hansen so they could understand exactly what they were signing up for. “My mom and sister were totally for it,” continued Senyk. “My dad— well, I’m his daughter.”

“My dad was a little hesitant at first, but I’m committed to other sports and he knows I work hard, so he caved in a bit,” said Fallon. “Others were also uneasy about the thought of girls wrestling at first, but I believe they see that we push ourselves as much as [the boys] and they have grown used to us. At this point, I know a lot of people are supportive. My dad, my friend that trained me in power lifting, and other wrestlers will always give me tips on moves and cheer me on even when I know I still have a lot of room for improvement.” Now that the girls are on the team, the program is trying to make as few alterations as possible. “Our team is unchanged,” said Head Coach Hansen. “[The girls] reach up to our expectations. We don’t alter them for anyone. Weigh-ins are always harder, but other than that, they are treated the same as any other wrestler.” Senyk agrees. “They don’t treat us any different in conditioning—no way.” When it comes to health checks and weigh-ins, it’s a different story. “Everything is separate,” remarked Senyk, specifically addressing the weigh-ins. “I’m okay with my body. I’m a wrestler. That’s part of wrestling.” The uniforms are also a little different. The girls wear long sleeve shirts underneath their singlets, which is in accordance with the rules for all wrestlers, and skull caps under their head gear. “Having girls on the team I think has changed how strict the coaches are on the language that the other guys have on the team,” adds Horodecki. As of this point in the season, Fallon is the only one wrestling in competition. She has faced three girls and four guys and has a 2-5 record. Senyk hopes to get her first opportunity soon. “I was nervous at first,” she said. “I feel [like this is] my chance to put myself out there. I’m not expecting to win the first match. I want to win one match without a forfeit.” Senyk brings up the possibility of a victory without wrestling. In the sport, a wrestler can forfeit any match, and it

Photos by jessica Gronke

Girls join wrestling program

SQUARING OFF

Seniors Sammi Horodecki and Andrea Senyk practice against each other in the wrestling room.

TAKEDOWN Junior

Noelle Fallon practices with the boys in the varsity program. Fallon competes in the 120 lb. weight class on the JV team.

is not unheard of that a male wrestler will forgo wrestling a female wrestler for either moral reasons or possibly pride. Senyk thinks that it shouldn’t matter what gender a wrestler’s opponent is. “It’s like those breast cancer shirts that say ‘fight like a girl,’” said Senyk. “Girls can really fight. It’s okay to be strong.” Horodecki hopes that other girls realize this too. “I know that there have to be some girls out there are interested in doing a male-dominated sport but may be too scared or nervous about it,” she said. “I know for sure that that was how it was for me.” Despite the challenges the girls face, in the end, they just want to be treated like the other members of their team. And although joining the team was “scary” and “intimidating,” they can all agree that they made the

right choice in joining the team. “Wrestling has brought me a lot closer to my sister,” said Senyk. “[It has] completely changed my life and the course of what I want to do when I graduate. When I joined wrestling and started to get hurt I became more aware of my body. My mom is a physical therapist and she would help me stretch or show me ways to help my hurts, and I liked that I could take what my mom taught me and bring it back to my team if someone had the same pain as I did, so I decided that I want to become a physical therapist.” “The key to doing anything that you want to do in life is not to care what anybody else thinks,” said Horodecki. “No matter what people have said when they find out I’m on wrestling, it just gives me more motivation to show them I can do whatever I set my mind to.”