Vol 49 issue 6

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

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Joe Staf Se

February 22, 2013

Vol. 49, No. 6

The

FUTURE

is here.

Come Together Make My Day Girls’ Choice assembly helps bring back spirit Page 3

Students use social media to compliment others Page 5

‘Faults’ Review

Kickstarter

PHOTO BY HANNAH SIMPSON

1:1 computing for all freshmen and sophomores begins next year..

(See page 4).

A look at John Green’s new Hawkettes win inaugural novel IHSA dance title Page 7 Page 10

NEWS

| February 22, 2013

Safety measures reinforced

Jonathan Zamaites PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE

Staff Writer

STAY COOL

The wooden snowman continues to reside on the frozen pond in front of the school. Students can still send in their guess of the date of its plunge into the icy waters.

Snowman contest established for Spirit Week

Jonathan Zamaites

Staff Writer t the beginning of spirit week, as part of the week-long celebration of the Girls’ Choice dance, Maine South custodians placed a wooden snowman on Maine South’s frozen pond.

The Principal’s Advisory Committee came up with the idea to have students send text messages with a prediction of the date that the snowman will fall into the pond when the ice melts. The student with the most accurate guess will win a prize.

Along with the snowman prediction contest, the committee also created a “Where’s Messmer?” competition. This activity challenged students to find a hidden picture of Mr. Messmer in Maine

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South. The picture was hidden in a different location every day of spirit week. Any student who discovered the picture’s location won a prize According to Mr. Messmer, “[The Principal’s Advisory Committee] wanted to do more fun activities for the student body.”

The snowman’s creation and placement was made possible by the Maine South custodial staff along with senior J.R. O’Rourke, sophomore Steve Sakowicz, and sophomore Nora Quinn.

As of Friday, Feb. 15, the snowman continues to remain on the ice, and students are still eligible to enter into the contest.

Students can text their predictions to 773-8880294.

School-wide renovations implemented Sarah Asson

Staff Writer ver the course of the past few weeks, Maine South maintenance staff installed wood paneling on the walls and touched up the trim with black paint. The cafeteria and the deans’ office hallway are the main areas that were renovated up to this point.

The school began to modify the walls three years ago. According to Mr. Beese, Maine South’s Director of Building and Grounds, the administration decided to re-panel the walls in an effort to update the look of the school.

“Paneling is the least expensive way to make the 50-year-old walls look more modern and new,” he said.

The hall near the Spec Gym and the pool was the first area to be done. However, after that hallway was completed, the budget was cut back and the re-paneling project was postponed. Recently, the project was picked up again, and renovations began by the cafeteria.

After finishing by the cafeteria, the maintenance crew will work their way down the fitness center hallway, then the art wing hallway, and finally finish the remaining sections in the deans’ hallway. Mr. Beese hopes the paneling process will be completed by the end of the school year, but he is uncertain of the exact end date.

Most students seem to like the renovations.

“The renovations make a big difference in the cafeteria hallway,” said sophomore Karolinka Leziak. “They make it look more modern.”

The lockers near the cafeteria and V-wing were

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also renovated recently. They were updated by spray painting the front of the lockers and replacing the white wood end panels with heavy-gauge metal. All 3,000 lockers cannot be repainted at the same time. Different locker sections are done every year to continuously renovate them.

There have been rumors that personal items were misplaced during locker renovations, but Mr. Beese says he is not aware of any incidents.

“Only the items in the locker at the end of the row are removed so we can screw in the new end panels. Because books are only taken out of one locker in each row, there is usually no mix-up.”

Mr. Beese and his team hope to move the lockers in the front hallway between doors three and four to the currently locker-free V-120 hallway in future. He wants to move the lockers in order to open up the front hall to have a clear view out of the windows. The entire front hall used to have lockers, but the lockers are gradually being moved to other locations around the school in order to open up the area. This is the final section of lockers to being moved.

The team has also just been approved to do some renovations in the classrooms in the V-wing classrooms, such as V-110, V-111, and V-112. The stainless steel counter tops will remain in these rooms, but the cabinets beneath the counters and along the walls will be replaced, new tile floors will be installed, and the walls will be repainted.

The final renovations planned include adding more display cases in the deans’ hallway in the C-Wing and finishing washroom improvements around the school.

John Novak Staff Writer

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n an effort to ensure the safety of staff and students, administrators adjusted security measures at Maine South. Changes include stricter enforcement of door policies.

“We are putting in a buzzer system at door three, and we have changed the visitor check-in process a little bit at door three with regards to signing in, where parents go, and how they’re escorted,” said Dean Thetard.

Principal Messmer sent an email to students on Feb. 5 outlining new safety guidelines: “The only point of entry for any visitor to Maine South is door number three. If someone asks you to let them into the building, please direct them to door number three and/or tell an adult of the person’s need.”

The “closed doors” policy at Maine South has caused some difficulties for some students. Students who have late arrival only have access to one unlocked door, door number three, the main entrance into the school, and that can be inconvenient for students who park in the A-wing. This policy can also create complications for students who arrive early for a sport.

“The limited number of doors open in the morning can be frustrating because I don’t have time to put my things away in my locker,” said freshman Haley Novak. “The doors in the spec gym foyer are the only ones unlocked.”

Some schools have used other methods of ensuring safety in their building. Some examples of other safety methods used by schools are walkthrough metal detectors, metal detector wands, see-through backpacks for the students, and random canine searches to check for drugs in the building.

Maine South High School also utilizes some of these ideas to ensure safety. For example the school hosts occasional drug searches by the police, and also regularly conducts lockdown drills.

Maine South does own a metal detector wand, but never has to use the device. According to Dean Thetard, it is very unlikely that the school will resort to installing a metal detector.

Security is becoming increasingly important at schools across the country. The spike in the awareness of school security and safety is in response to the recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

However, this isn’t the first time a tragedy changed the security standards at Maine South.

Following the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, Maine South hired a police officer for the campus the next day. To this day, there is police officer that monitors the campus.

By implementing these new policies, and making the school safer, the administration hopes everyone will feel more comfortable.

EASY AS PIE

| NEWS

PHOTOS BY JESSICA GRONKE

February 22, 2013

Students entered a raffle to win the chance to throw a pie in a teacher’s face. Above, junior Bridget Donahue smears pie all over Mr. McGowan’s face.

Bringing back the school spirit

At last year’s winter assembly, there was one activity in which basketball News Editor players competed in a free throw aine South’s student body competition. The trend of student packed the Spec gym on Friday, involvement continued this year.

The first event involved two Class Feb. 8, for a school assembly to conclude the spirit week leading up Council students from each grade to the Girls’ Choice dance. What competing against the other grades differentiated this assembly from to catch as many ice cream scoops previous ones was the significant as possible in the cones in their mouths. amount of student involvement.

“This competition was my favorite Before every Homecoming and Girls’ Choice dance, either Student because even though I ended up Council or one of the class councils covered in ice cream, vanilla happens prepares an assembly to rev up school to be my favorite flavor,” said junior spirit. In previous assemblies, the Taylor Martell.

To break a tie between the juniors principal would recognize the sports achievements from that season and and seniors, one competitor from each grade had to eat as much ice congratulate them.

Recently, these assemblies have cream as possible in thirty seconds. become much more student-centered. Matt Brendza brought the seniors a victory.

Students were also able to enter a raffle to earn the to chance to throw a pie in one of their teacher’s faces. Jackie Ostojic represented the freshmen, Julia Koza the sophomores, Bridget Donahue the juniors, and Claire Raphael the seniors.

“I bought the t i c ke t s b e c au s e I LEANING TOWER OF PEA SOUP Lauren thought the raffle was O’Machel represents the senior class in building the highest a fun idea, and I put tower of soup cans. This event was intended to introduce the Mr. McGowan’s name school-wide canned food fundraiser.

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down because I thought he would take the pie with a good sense of humor,” said Donahue.

Following the pie throwing, a student band performed.

Underground Empire, consisting of seniors Soren Ramsey, Kevin Dolan, and David Bechdolt, played “El Scorcho” by Weezer.

To introduce the student-wide fundraiser to end hunger, Student Council organized a soup can relay.

Seniors Lauren O’Machel and Brendan Sweetman dominated the competition by creating the tallest tower of cans.

“We actually had no idea what we were doing,” said O’Machel. “We walked in with a plan, and then it quickly failed. But we are seniors; we had to win.”

As a grand finale, senior Jack O’Connor got to throw a pie in Mr. Messmer’s face.

He responded by saying, “I hope I still graduate.”

Junior Class Council was the main director of the assembly activities and Spirit Week. The activities for the assembly and Spirit Week were thought of two months ago when the Executive Committee and Dr. Rose Garlasco met a few times to approve of all the ideas.

Another new point of this assembly was that it was in the middle of the day, after third period, instead of the end of the day, which encouraged student attendance.

HERE’S THE SCOOP

Junior Hayley Miller drops a scoop of ice cream on junior Taylor Martell. Martell caught three scoops in the cone, earning second place for the juniors.

There have been many positive responses to the new way that the assembly has been approached.

“I thought it was great,” said Dr. Garlasco. “Having it in the morning allows everyone to participate. It seemed to me that students and staff enjoyed the assembly. I’ve gotten emails from both students and staff saying it was one of the best assemblies. ” Many students agree.

“I think these assemblies are getting better at getting students’ attention,” said senior Rinya Kamber.

“The competitions are more fun and engaging. There are a lot of class prizes, too.”

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NEWS

| February 22, 2013

Maine South transitions to 1:1 computing Dr. Barb Dill-Varga, the cost in the first two years is higher due to the cost of the Chromebook itself. By the third and fourth year of using the online texts, the savings begin addAnne Marie Pavlis ing up for parents.

Guest Writer After book buyback, students iting curricular advantages in regular classes end up spending for students and cost savings about $506.00 over four years on for parents, the District 207 school texts that are also available electroniboard voted 7-0 in favor of having cally. The Chromebook itself costs freshmen and sophomore students $319.00 at checkout, and access to purchase Chromebooks and utilize E-books costs an additional $151.09. online textbooks beginning with the Overall, this comes out to $470.09 for the Chromebook and selected texts.

2013-2014 school year.

The policy of one device for each Without purchasing an optional student, or 1:1 computing, is already $30.00 insurance, students would be in place at New Trier, Niles, Ley- saving $35.91 over four years. (These den, and Stevenson. It has been in totals do not include mandatory the planning stages for District 207, texts like English books or ones that along with several pilot programs, are not available electronically.)

However, some students in AP for five years.

The drop in the cost of the de- classes will have to buy textbooks in vices and online resources made it addition to the Chromebooks since many AP textbooks are not available possible to move forward.

“E-Book prices have fallen so in E-book form. As time goes by, the dramatically that the economics now school anticipates that the E-book work advantageously for parents,” offerings will continue to increase.

This shift is not about saving stated Superintendent Dr. Ken Wallace. “With the current state of book money, though. “[Going 1:1] opens up some avpricing, students can not only get E-Books, but also all supporting ma- enues for us academically that can terials for a fraction of just the cost of include a wider use of some of the great open source materials that exa hard copy book.”

The plan to begin with only the ist,” said Dr. Wallace. “This will open freshman and sophomore classes, the door for the curriculum to truly and phase in an additional class each move beyond the classroom.”

Dr. Dill-Varga agreed. “It’s not year until the school is completely 1:1 in 2016, is financially based. Initially, about the device. We really intrinsiaccording to Assistant Superinten- cally believe that. You don’t just want dent for Curriculum and Instruction people doing digital worksheets.

That’s not what this is about. It’s about a paradigm shift in terms of creating access for all students to the resources that are out there on the internet. It’s how collaboration is going to change between students, between students and teachers. It really blows out the bricks and mortar mentality about schools. Now the schoolhouse is the world, and it’s not just between 7:45 and 3:15—it’s 24/7 potentially.”

Any advancement The four-year cost of the Chromebook and electronic in technology comes texts (left) is slightly less than the cost of the equivalent paper texts (right). These electronic offerings will con- with its concerns, but District 207 Technology tinue to grow, resulting in more savings in the future.

PHOTO BY HANNAH SIMPSON

Starting with the class of 2016, Chromebooks to be required for students

GRAPHIC BY MATT ANDERSON

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INTO THE CHROME AGE

With the Chromebook, students will have some of their textbooks, notes, and even tests computerized. This eliminates the need for some books and binders, resulting in less paper waste.

Director Dr. Hank Thiele feels confident the infrastructure is in place for the switch.

“When we revamped the wireless network last summer, we built it with the anticipation that there would be 6,000 wireless devices connected to it in each school. That’s basically two for every one person in the building at any one time, so the capacity exists for that.”

A District survey two years ago, according to Dr. Dill-Varga, indicated that only 7-10% of students do not have Internet access in their homes. But, the devices can still be effective without it.

“You can work offline,” Dr. DillVarga said. “If you started the document at school, you do not have to have internet access to continue working on it at home. You can take it home, work on it, and then when you bring it back to school, or anywhere that has Internet, it will automatically sync and it will update.”

Dr. Thiele understands the concerns about the devices becoming outdated if a student has one for four years, but said that it is part of living in a technologically-advanced world.

“Chromebooks didn’t even exist four years ago,” said Dr. Thiele.

“You’re entering into a world of unknowns. We predict as far out to the best of our ability and then we’ll have to be nimble and respond to situations that develop.”

Although somewhat concerned over the seven-month time frame from approval to implementation, teachers are excited by the possibilities the devices will afford them in the classroom.

“It’s going to allow students to be more creative because they will have more ownership of what is explored in class,” said Social Science teacher Mrs. Kaye. “It will definitely help in finding information, giving students access to videos and web sites.

It will help students collaborate with each other in meaningful and timely ways.”

“I already let students use smartphones in class, but sometimes it’s hard to see detail figures on the screens,” math teacher Mr. Hurley said. “[Chromebooks] will make these lessons better. Personally, I am excited, but it is always difficult to force changes quickly [for staff]. The key will be training staff on how to best use the resource.”

Students see the change as an organizational advantage. Freshman David Fleita said, “It’s going to make things easier as everything will be in one place and we’ll have it with us all the time. Not having to carry textbooks will be cool.” CANNOT COMPUTE

Southwords staff takes a look at the disadvantages of 1:1 computing. Page 8

Dr. Thiele stressed that new technology is always going to have obstacles to overcome and urged naysayers to keep things in perspective.

“The first time they gave kids quills, they had to figure out how to get inkwells to every kid. Then they had to drill holes in desks because kids kept knocking over inkwells.

These were problems that came up that had to be addressed then, with ‘new technology’ and they did. We’ll have our own ‘inkwell problems’ moving forward, and we’ll fix them.”

Feburary 22, 2013

| FEATURES

Laney Kraus-Taddeo & Marisa Sclafani Staff Writers

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hroughout the years, Maine South Hawk Pride has been reflected in spirit weeks, all-school assemblies, and dances. Now, with the widespread and continous use of technology in society, there are new vehicles to spread Maine South spirit. Social networking is one of these vehicles. Recently, two Facebook pages were established to fuel Hawk Pride and offer a positive connection for students.

On Jan. 16, 2013, an anonymous senior created the Facebook account, “Maine South Compliments.” On MSC, students are able to send compliments about different Maine South students to the moderator who then posts the positive messages on the MSC wall. Often, the name of the person who receives the compliment is tagged, permitting his or her friends to see the compliment and “like” or comment on the post.

MSC has over 900 friends, and the number continues to grow. The page, which encourages students to communicate in a kind and heartfelt way through a familiar social network, has received positive feedback.

“I felt like Maine South needed some good, you know?” said the creator of the Facebook account. “After all of the bullying that’s been going on and all the hate, I thought spreading the love would be something that would be great for the school.”

MSC encourages congenial

interaction between students and supplies a boost of confidence to those who receive compliments.

However, there are some requests submitted to MSC that aren’t posted, such as sarcastic or backhanded compliments. Still, the administrator of the page stated that about 95% of the submissions are positive.

“I wanted to look back at my high school years and say that I was proud of something I did,” said the account’s creator.

Along with MSC, the Facebook group “Maine South MotherHawkers,” has grown in membership since it was created this past football playoff season.

In contrast to MSC, MSMH was set up as a “group” which allows for frequent interaction among the 900+ users. Some of these users are the weekly contributors of the page. This group promotes numerous Maine South activities, ranging from athletics to volunteer events or even to South’s spirit weeks.

Overall, the page has contributed to a growing sense of pride and encouragement among the students of Maine South.

The administrator of the group, senior Ben Wilson, initially set up the page to “pump up the student section for athletics.” However, he believes the page incorporates and welcomes all Maine South activities.

For example, Maine S out h students recently initiated volunteer efforts to help the victims of the Sandy Hook Crisis. Suggestions were shared through the MSMH

Facebook page, and students supported one another in cardsigning, snowflakedecorating, and moneycollecting endeavors.

Students c a m e to ge t he r to help others in need, showing the leadership an d c omp a s s i on that represents Maine South.

Ju n i o r B r e n d a n P l o e n , a frequent contributor to the Facebook page, rallies fellow Hawks together to promote South’s athletics.

“I love getting the students pumped up for the games,” said Ploen. “To me, there is nothing like school spirit.

Letting the students know that there is a big game and that they should go out and support [the players] is huge.”

This online promotion of sporting events and other activities has resulted in larger crowds for Maine South.

Both online and in person, students cheer on their peers and motivate one another. The Maine South basketball teams, for example, witnessed an escalation in their fan section during recent games.

Senior Johnny Solari commented in the MSMH group about the fan section during the New Trier game on Jan. 11: “The fan section was too good tonight. One of the best fan sections I’ve ever seen,” wrote Solari.

At least two students are stationed at the TechGenius station every period from 1st through 8th, which gives both students and staff the opportunity to come ask for help whenever they need it.

The students were selected for the program last December. An email containing an application was sent out to all students, and the students that filled out this application were then interviewed by both Mr. Suh and the librarians, Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Kowalski. The selected students were informed soon after and began working about four weeks ago.

Because it is new and relatively unkown, not many people have yet made use of this resource. Some

TechGeniuses wish they could be of more use to fellow students.

“Right now, most people don’t even know we exist,” said sophomore Matthew Weiss. “I have to tell students that these computers are reserved for TechGeniuses all the time.

I’m sure they’ll find us useful once they know about us.”

Nevertheless, the program has proved a good opportunity for these tech-savvy students to become more involved with the school’s technology program.

“I love working with computers and teaching people new things about them,” said junior Peter Foley. “I learn new stuff when helping people.”

GRAPHIC BY CECILIA CORTES

Facebook groups fuel Maine South student pride

The contributions to the page have been productive and aim to motivate students to support their peers. Best of all, the group page is open to all students at Maine South.

“Everyone has been really nice and hysterical,” said Wilson. “At the worst, people poke fun, but I’ve never seen it taken badly.”

B oth the MSC and MSMH Facebook pages fuel school pride, even if they do so in different ways.

Ploen admires the MSC page as “celebrating the individuality of our students and all of the incredible gifts and talents that they bring to South every day,” while the MSMH page “celebrates achievements in athletics, charitable events, and more.”

The pride doesn’t have to end here either.

“I’d like to see the page used for more than just my last year at Maine South,” said Wilson. “Otherwise, I just encourage the other people to make a similar page for coming years.”

Caroline Borowski News Editor

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aine South’s technology department recently instituted TechGenius, a new computer tech program in the LRC, that allows computer-savvy students to help their peers with printing, Google Docs, Microsoft Office documents, email, and student portal troubles.

This program was launched less than a month ago.

“We wanted to create a program that will allow students to learn new skills, share their technical knowledge with peers, and have a chance to earn service credit while doing so,” said Technology Manager Mr. Suh.

PHOTO BY JESSE GRONKE

TechGenius introduced at Maine South

TECHGENIUS TO THE RESCUE The TechGenius station is located right outside of the LAN in the LRC. Two computers are reserved for this purpose.

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FEATURES | February 22, 2013

Celebration of Hawks’countries and cultures Comes Honey Boo Boo,” firstgeneration Americans find creative ways to maintain contact with their heritage.

“Polish school is not that fun, but it is important to make the best of it,” said sophomore Dan Wierzchowski, a dual citizen of the United States and his parents’ native Poland.

It is assumed that parents have Katie Krall & Katie Kaminsky taught their children the basics of the Polish language. The responsibility of Features Editor & Staff Writer a Polish school student is to focus on hile the students at Maine difficult grammar points and Polish South are sometimes labeled history, with the ultimate as homogenous, they actually come from very diverse backgrounds.

Many students are first-generation Americans, meaning one or both of their parents came from a foreign country.

School Daze The swelling Ir ish population and reputable schools in Park Ridge brought sophomore Megan King’s Irish father and English mother to the bustling suburb.

“S c h o o l i s v e r y different over there,” said King, a first-generation American. “Basically, I’m a pioneer.”

King’s parents have a very different idea of the school system due to their upbringing in foreign countries.

King’s father grew up on an isolated farm in the former English colony, where school revolved around the agricultural calendar; however, like many American parents, they have a high expectation for their children’s p r i z e b e i n g grades. passing the “Matura” exam.

“School sets your whole life up “The ‘Matura’ is the final test. It’s for yourself, where you are going to basically the SAT plus the PLAN plus go to college, how that’s going to get the ISAT all combined,” explained you a job and your future,” said Alyssa Wierzchowski. “You can only take it Darlak, a sophomore at Maine South once and you spend years studying for and first-generation American of it. We started studying last year.”

Fillipino descent. “It is expected that Another way first-generation I do well.”

Americans connect with their culture Darlak’s mother was born in the is through artistic cultural activities Philippines, a cluster of islands off such as dance. the coast of Japan. Similar to King’s “There are a lot of ways to stay parents’ experience, the structure of connected with your heritage, the school system is confusing for including Irish fiddles and music, Darlak’s mother, yet the ultimate goal but basically everyone is an Irish step of education is the same regardless of dancer, both boys and girls,” said international boundaries.

Kathleen Daly, senior at Maine South Creative Culture and dual citizen of the United States In a world revolving around and Ireland.

Facebook, algebra tests, and “Here Irish dance is extremely popular

First-generation Americans at Maine South correct misconceptions regarding school, religion, food, and the pursuit of happiness

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among Irish youth.

“You do it for one year to please the family,” added King. “You learn one jig, and then you move on.”

An amateur speaker of Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines, Alyssa Darlak stays connected with her heritage via Manny Pacquiao fights.

“I should videotape a Filipino family on the night of a Pacquiao fight,” said Darlak. “We get together, he’s standing there and people are screaming. It’s about $50 extra per month to watch his fights but it’s

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totally worth it.”

Community of Faith Religion plays a large role in many American teens’ lives, and first-generation Americans are no exception.

“The Irish are very Catholic,” said Daly. “My grandparents attend Church nearly every day.”

Along with attending mass every Sunday, Daly also attended Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, CCD, which culminated with her Confirmation in 8th grade.

“If a Church is bilingual, they will most likely have a Polish school program,” said Tom Kuczak, a firstgeneration American with both parents having been born in Poland.

Catholicism has always been an

important part of Polish culture.

Like the Irish and Polish, Filipinos are deeply involved with their Catholic faith.

“Nine days before Christmas, people go to a mass in the Philippines which begins at 4 a.m. to prepare themselves for the birth of Christ,” said Darlak. “We have a similar religious party in the U.S. to keep the tradition alive.”

Home Cooking Food represents culture and tradition. Homemade dishes have become some of the best and worst parts of being a first-generation American.

“Potatoes are their own food group,” said Megan King. “In an Irish household, there is never a meal that is lacking in spuds.”

“I recently found out that not everybody has a rice cooker at their house,” claims Alyssa Darlak.

Rice is a staple in the Philippines. The starch has carried over to the Darlak and many other Filipino homes.

“I’m sick of klopsik, that is how often my family has it,” said Wierzchowski of the popular Polish dish that is composed primarily of meat.

Pride & Prejudice With all the benefits of being a first-generation American, there are some negative sides, namely prejudice.

“Sure, I face stereotypes, but I’m okay with the fact that we call gym shoes runners or trainers,” smiled King. “The jokes are usually lighthearted, and I make fun of some Irish customs myself.”

“There are Polish jokes and yeah, I wear socks with sandals, but I’m proud of it,” said Kuczak. “I’m starting a trend.”

“Sometimes, the things kids say can be hurtful. Someone told me I wouldn’t be a good driver, and people have assumed I am in a difficult math class because I am Asian, but I love being Filipino and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” said Darlak.

Ethnicity in 2013 is nothing to hide, but is rather something to be celebrated, from the A-wing to the mountains in the Philippines.

February 22, 2013

| ENTERTAINMENT

Five stars for “The Fault in Our Stars”

Sarah Hands Editor-in-Chief

“T

he Fault in Our Stars” is a young adult novel about Hazel Grace, a seventeen-year-old girl with leukemia. Like most young adult novels, a high school romance is central to the plot. Unlike most young adult novels, “The Fault in Our Stars” is actually good.

One thing that should be made clear from the start is that this is not a “cancer book.” One of the great things about this novel—and all of John Green’s novels—is the basic realism and relatable qualities of the characters.

Yes, Hazel has leukemia, and yes, this obviously makes her life extremely different from many of ours. However, her illness is neither the focus of her life nor of the novel itself. To Hazel, “cancer is… a side effect of dying.

Almost everything is, really.”

While that may sound pretty morbid, in context, it reflects Hazel’s entire personality in context: “Whenever you read a cancer booklet or a website or whatever, they always list depression among the side effects of cancer. But, in fact, depression is not a side effect of cancer. Depression is a side effect of dying. (Cancer is also a side effect of dying. Almost everything is, really.)”

Hazel does not view her illness as an insurmountable obstacle to

everything. She does not wax poetic about her hopelessly doomed adulthood, and she does not come to any grand universal realizations about the sanctity of life. She approaches it with that classically sarcastic cynicism and dry humor that comes naturally to all teenagers, because that’s just the picture Green paints: Hazel is not the “Tragic Heroine Suffering From A Terminal Illness.” Hazel is a teenage girl who happens to have leukemia. She also happens to like America’s Next Top Model.

So, no. This book is not a “cancer book.” It’s difficult to place it into any one category; there’s a love story, of course, between Hazel and a boy named Augustus Waters, and there’s an epic adventure in search of realities that will never meet expectations.

The love story itself is sweet and heartbreaking, but it isn’t dripping in unrealistic perfection and drama like a tear-soaked Nicholas Sparks book.

Their meeting is strange and a bit sketchy (the pair meets at a cancer support group, and Hazel goes over to Augustus’ house that same day to watch a movie, de-

spite barely knowing the kid), but it’s presented as exactly that: strange and a bit sketchy.

There are romantic moments between the two of them, of course, and the two characters are truly compatible. They both know about the

emotional struggles that come along with being a teenager with a terminal illness, and they both have a sort of intellectual fascination with modern literature and the metaphorical resonance of cigarettes. They’re also both a bit pretentious, but it’s a sign of good character development: flaws that are obvious enough to be intentional, but not significant enough to make the reader love the character any less.

My one criticism for the book would actually be the development of Augustus’s character, and he’s my favorite. The thing is, he’s a little too perfect. Yes, like I said before, he is a bit pretentious and mushy, but he’s still overall a character who’s a bit too good to be true.

He’s the guy with the wounded past, and he just happens to understand everything Hazel goes through. He speaks like a gentleman and uses correct grammar in everyday conversation. He writes long letters about literature and sees the “true beauty” of a girl with tubes coming out of her nose and carries a cigarette between his teeth without smoking it because it’s a metaphor for life and... come on, nobody is like that.

In Green’s defense, though, I can’t pretend I don’t enjoy believing in an unrealistically perfect guy. It makes the book that much more heartbreaking.

The most amazing thing about this book, however, is not the characters. It’s not the plot, and it’s not the themes. John Green has a beautiful way of creating labels for truths you never knew you believed.

How “some infinities are bigger than other infinities,” and how “pain demands to be felt.”

When a writer can seamlessly transition between witty, sarcastic commentary and profoundly universal observations, you have something absolutely terrifying and completely beautiful. You have “The Fault in Our Stars,” and I can guarantee that you will cry.

Entertainment Staff High Five—I just beat my Llama/ Duck score! This month’s issue of Southwords ranks the top 5 apps at Maine South based on their popularity throughout the student body.

Candy Crush. This game is similar to Bejeweled but uses candy pieces instead of jewels. Every level has a different incentive or task. Each player gets five lives at the beginning of the game. There are 215 different levels with different kinds of game modes. The fact that Candy Crush allows you to compare high scores with and challenge your friends makes this game very competitive and addicting.

Llama/Duck is possibly one of the most basic games in the app store. From reading the description, one is likely to be amazed at the fact that people actually want to play the game. But it is precisely Llama/ Duck’s simplicity that makes it so delightful.

Want. Need. Love. Wanelo is the ideal app for a teenage girl.

It is an addicting app because items are grouped in “Trending” pages that help you to keep up the latest trends.

With just a click of a button, Wanelo saves you countless hours browsing the web. Wanelo introduces you to low-key stores and handmade crafts, that give you a unique option of shopping.

There are a few games that high school students play that involve a little bit of thinking. Ruzzle, a game based on connecting different letters to make words, is one of them. This Boggle clone is addicting because of the satisfaction that you get when destroying your friends in a Ruzzle match. Ruzzle is not only skill-based, though, and devolves into a game of luck when time starts running out and one begins to feverishly swipe at the screen at an attempt to gain points.

Snapchat gets our number-one spot because it is hugely popular with what seems to be all high schoolers. Snapchat allows for faster picture messaging than MMSing and is preferable when sending hideous pictures of yourself to your friends. Once they are opened, and their timer runs out, they can never be seen again.

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SouthwordS 7

COMMENTARY

| February 22, 2013

STAFF EDITORIAL

Cutting edge is not always the best idea he introduction of 1:1 computing at Maine South may seem like an exciting development to students.

While the idea of using a computer all day in class is something the “Internet Generation” would welcome, this transition may not be the best thing for Maine South—at least, not yet.

It’s easy to see why 1:1 computing is so attractive to so many people. We are the first generation to be raised with personal computers as a form of entertainment, but the novelty of technology never really wears off.

1:1 computing is cutting edge, not to mention extremely convenient.

Note-taking takes less time when you’re typing instead of writing longhand, all of your materials are stored in one place, and you don’t have to worry about lugging around fivehundred-pound textbooks that you never use anyway.

While all of these potential benefits sound great, that’s just what they are—potential.

1:1 computing is just starting to be implemented in schools, and there’s still so much that we don’t know. Yes, there are a great number of potential benefits, but there are a lot of potential disadvantages as well.

For starters, technology is sometimes unreliable. While it is true that Chromebooks are (supposedly) incredibly stable, everything has its kinks.

Yes, documents are

stored on the Cloud, so you won’t lose your work if your Chromebook dies, but what happens if something goes wrong during a test?

Even if there are no problems with the computer itself, every student at Maine South knows how unreliable our Internet can be.

Also, not all people have access to Internet at home. You can get free wifi at public places like the library or Starbucks, but it would be an inordinate burden for a student to do their online homework away from home every day.

Even without 1:1 computing, many classes have the occasional homework assignment that requires access to the Internet; with 1:1 computing, it’s likely that there will be even more assignments like these, however. After all, computers are going to become central to the classroom experience.

Then, of course, there’s the fact that this simply is not something we’re used to. We’ve grown up with comput-

ers, and we all rely on technology for a lot of our schoolwork, but 1:1 computing is something completely different from anything we’ve ever had in the classroom.

The adjustment to a completely different style of learning and testing could negatively affect students’ grades toward the beginning of the year, if not longer. In high school, GPA is way more than a number.

While there are many obvious benefits to 1:1 computing, there is far too much uncertainty surrounding the full, mandatory integration of technology into daily classroom activities.

In the end, the pros and the cons of the switch are all “what-ifs” and speculation.

Perhaps, in the future, this would be a wise move. For now, however, experimenting with our education is hardly worth the risk.

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

Sarah Hands Soren Ramsey

Production Editors Matt Anderson Hannah Simpson 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

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Submit article ideas or write a letter to the editors!

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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.

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Deliver signed letters to LRC1 or scan the QR code on the top of this page to e-mail southwords@maine207.org SouthwordS

Sports Editors

Hope Allchin Alex Ellyin Kay Thursby

Photography Editor Jessica Gronke Adviser

Mr. Stathakis

February 22, 2013

| COMMENTARY

Armed doesn’t mean safe Lauren Smith

Commentary Editor ince the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred in December, schools across the nation have been reviewing their security measures. Because of the long debates in Washington, some school districts are not waiting for new federal legislation regarding the Second Amendment to occur, and are taking matters regarding firearms into their own hands.

In northwestern Ohio, a school board unanimously voted to arm the four custodians that work at the local K-12 school. The weapons on the hips of each custodian are meant to protect children from other armed enemies. Fighting firearms with firearms.

The fact that grown adults, elected to a school board to promote children’s education, have unanimously decided that arming custodians is the best means possible to protect children escapes my realm of comprehension.

These four men are only required to learn how to use the gun. They will not be taught how to handle hostage situations or situations with unstable people who are out to kill, like S.W.A.T. team members or police officers are.

The suggested training for these custodians is also unsettling. They are going to be required to train with firearms one day a year.

According to Officer Luehr, Maine South’s School Resource Officer, “One day of training is not enough. It’s not enough for police officers who actively engage in violent conflicts. Certainly one day would not be enough for somebody involved in a weapon system situation at a school.”

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Having increased security personnel on school campus to protect students makes sense only because those personnel are trained specifically on how to protect. Custodians are trained to keep the school environment healthy and safe for students—not to shoot down intruders.

Are people in charge losing their senses when it comes to protecting people from tragic hypotheticals? This seems to be what is occurring at not only this Ohio school, but at others in the state and across the nation.

At a Catholic high school in Dayton, Ohio,

discussions in board meetings revolve around arming the school principal. A man who went to college to be an educator might be forced to wield a weapon at his place of work.

I believe that there are sick people in the world who are a threat to many people’s safety, whether it be at army bases, schools, or places of worship. But putting the “guns in the hands of the good guys” is only a solution when those “good guys” are able to protect safely.

People’s lives are also endangered when in the presence of guns, even when the weapons are in the hands of the “good guys.” Accidental discharge or stolen weapons are only a couple of the new threats beyond the possibility of an armed intruder.

School is supposed to be a safe haven for students and teachers to work together for a quality education. It is not supposed to be a place of fear or militarization. The solution to protecting school does not lie in putting guns under the desks and on to the hips of teachers and custodians. It lies in taking weapons out of the hands of people that are not mentally capable of handling them—something that stricter gun laws would help accomplish.

In a perfect world, students could come to school knowing that their safety was a guarantee.

But the world is not perfect, and the fact is that another mass shooting or gun-related tragedy occurring is inevitable. The best course of action would be to strengthen security and remove as many threats as possible.

Giving a couple of school employees handguns is not strenghthening security—it’s increasing the possibility that future conflicts will end in more carnage and more heartbreak.

Time to stop getting political on Facebook Soren Ramsey Editor-in-Chief

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n the wake of such senseless disasters as the Sandy Hook shooting, one thing really seems to unite people: Facebook statuses offering solutions to all the problems “This is exactly why people shouldn’t be allowed to have guns.

Stronger gun laws would prevent tragedies like this from happening.”

Or, the inverse.

“If teachers and custodians were armed and trained to handle firearms, these kinds of tragedies would never happen.”

Judging by the string of politically-

charged posts surrounding the shooting, as well as any number of other newsworthy events, everyone with access to a computer has the solutions to the problems of our country, if only people would listen to them. And they have a pressing need to share them with the world.

Frankly, it’s about time we stopped.

This isn’t just a complaint about the clutter on my newsfeed. It goes deeper than that. When you put your views out there for the world to see, you might hold some optimistic fantasy of a spirited debate springing up.

Of course, this never actually happens. What really takes place is a bitter argument that devolves into personal attacks and generally leaves everyone involved annoyed.

Besides, it’s very unlikely that reading something on Facebook is

going to somehow change beliefs about the touchy issues people argue over.

Chances are, if you actually take the time to read and respond to somebody’s assertion, you already know and care about the issue enough to have a stance on it. It’s unlikely that anything somebody could post within a paragraph or two could change what you already think. All it could ever hope to accomplish is alienating people, to the point of people flat out ignoring you or starting to dislike you on a personal level.

Beyond the general ineffectiveness of it all, I’ve also seen a number of these posts cross the line from attacking a point of view to being flat-out offensive towards a person or group.

Anger over something Obama said or did resulted in blatantly racist posts.

Responses to the terrorist attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi led to

angry posts that basically implied that all Muslims are terrorists. These ad hominem arguments are the kinds of things that people would be appalled to hear in public, yet somehow when you post them on the Internet, it becomes acceptable. The Internet has become a mask to hide behind, even on Facebook where everyone knows you.

Basically, if you have a political opinion to express, there are plenty of other ways for you to do so. Try to argue with someone in person where you can actually have a productive and reasonable talk as opposed to cheap shots from the detached safety of the Internet.

It’s important to bear in mind that, on the Internet, everything can get misinterpreted. Arguing about politics online at the very least makes you look jaded and bitter, and at the most, flat-out offensive.

SouthwordS 9

SPORTS

| February 22, 2013

Hawkettes make IHSA history

Sports Editor n January 26, the Hawkettes dance team won the first-ever IHSA State Dance Competition.

The team, led by senior captains Alexandra Ferro, Kayla Forsythe, Jennifer Walsh, and Emily Yagihashi and junior captain Hayley Miller, competed in the 3A division.

“Winning state was definitely a giant accomplishment for Hawkette history,” said Miller.

“Because it was only the first year of the IHSA state, it was difficult to know what to expect. After the preliminary round at State, we were ranked second by the judges, so going into the final awards, we had no clue what was going to happen. Being the team who won the first ever IHSA state was an honor.”

The Hawkettes continued their success in Orlando, Florida in the first weekend in February by competing in the Universal Dance Association National Competition. In the semi-finals on Saturday, the Hawkettes finished in the top half, earning a chance to compete in the finals.

The 23-member varsity team finished sixth in the nation in the High Kick category with a score of 83.63 and twelfth in the Pom Category with a score of 81.95.

“Our finish in 12th was a huge accomplishment considering it was our first year competing in the Pom category,” continued Miller. “I am so proud of my team after our Nationals performance. We were a bit shaky in semi-finals and we were able to use our first performance to motivate us. Walking off of the finals floor at Nationals, I could not have been more proud of the group of girls dancing next to me.” “‘Remember the name’ was our team slogan for the year,” said junior Lia Tsikretsis. “Going into Nationals, we just wanted to make Maine South known in kick and especially pom.”

photo BY JESSICA GRONKE

Hope Allchin

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SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS

The team poses with its Universal Dance Association Spirit Award at the assembly on Feb. 8. The Hawkettes were given the award during the national competition in Orlando.

The team attributes its success to hard work and practice.

“We spent a lot of time cleaning and specifying all the details of both routines in practices,” said Miller. “We also performed in a number of competitions and performances so we were more comfortable performing to our best abilities even when the pressure was on.”

The Hawkettes also know the importance of a strong team bond.

“Our team this year was so close and strong which made this season ten times more enjoyable,” said junior Katie Kovalcik. “We all became best friends by the end of the season which is why I feel we were so successful this year.”

The Universal Dance Association also awarded the Hawkettes with the American School Spirit Award at Nationals. The team received the Spirit Award because of their commitment to the community, including volunteering for Feed My Starving Children, dancing at Marillac House, supporting the Park Ridge Farmers’ Market, and caring for kids with spinal muscular atrophy.

Boys’ swimWho is your favorite Disney

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Sports Editor

Are you planning on playing any sports in the Spring?

What is your favorite zoo animal?

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10 SouthwordS

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Which is better: iPhone or Droid?

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The Hawkettes will be featured on ESPN in March to honor this achievement.

“The UDA spirit award was just such an achievement to us because that has nothing to do with our dance ability,” said Kovalcik. “It was all about what we do when we’re off the dance floor. It was all about the charity work we do and the things we do for our community.”

On and off the dance floor, the Hawkettes hope to always keep improving.

“You never know what is next to come,” said Miller about the future of the program. “That’s what is so exciting about Hawkettes. The one thing I know is that it’s bound to be yet another incredible season with a talented group of dancers.”

“Having the honor of winning the first IHSA state title for dance was a perfect way to end our season,” said Yagihashi. “We’ve all worked extremely hard this year, and I am so proud of my team and how far we’ve come. Being a Hawkette for the past four years has been the best experience of my high school career, and it is one that no trophy could ever measure up to.”

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Staff Writer aine South girls’ basketball has high hopes for this year’s postseason. At press time, the team was 26-5 and had won the Bison Classic and the Dundee Crown Tournament.

The team won its twenty-sixth game in the Regional Championship game against Maine West, setting them up for Sectionals.

This is the team’s third straight year having 25 or more wins. Their five losses have been to Evanston, Glenbrook South, Loyola, Trinity, and Marian Catholic.

Coach Smith and the girls hope to achieve the goals they have set for the postseason.

“My specific expectation for the playoffs is to be playing our best team basketball of the year,” said Coach Smith. “If we play hard and we play together, we will be a tough team to stop. Our goal this season is to merely play our best when it counts most and to work as a team. There are so many things that have to fall into place for a

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team to go down state.”

“This year so far has been a positive one, and our record shows it,” said senior captain Jacqui Grant.

“We have played great teams that are ranked and have won. Beating those teams has given us so much positive energy and that is why I think we will do well in the post season. When we come together and play our game, it is hard for teams to stop us.”

The girls have accomplished a lot this season by winning several big games. The final three games at the Dundee Crown Tournament and upsetting GBS and New Trier were the season’s biggest moments.

“Beating three ranked teams in consecutive days to win the tournament, especially after being down late in the championship game against Naperville Central, will always be memorable,” stated Coach Smith.

The girls beat Mother McCauley, Fenwick and Naperville Central to obtain the first-place trophy at Dundee Crown.

C o ach Smit h k nows t hes e accomplishments came from the team’s effort.

“Success is the delicate balance between relentless pursuit of making it happen and the patience to let it happen.”

Along with winning the Bison Classic and the Dundee Crown tournament, a few of the girls have had the honor of being named All-Tournament as well, including junior Hailey Schoneman, Grant and senior Regan Carmichael in the Bison Classic and Grant and Carmichael in Dundee Crown.

“I think this season has been going great,” said Carmichael. “We lost a few games we should have won, but everyone is there for each other, which makes our team so special. I also think our team is hungry for post-season wins, especially the seniors because of how our season ended last year. I’m so excited for this post-season, because not only is it my last one, but I think we have great potential to get far.”

other,” said senior captain Maggie Heraty. “We are like a family; the chemistry we have is very rare to find, which helps us work together.”

Putting in three hours of practice each day allowed the team to grow closer and achieve their goals. All the girls kept a good mindset and did their best to remain productive.

Junior captain Maria Maune knows this team has a special bond.

“We are a family, and if we

didn’t have that, we wouldn’t have gone anywhere this season,” she described.

Day in and day out, the team stayed determined and never let up.

“Teammates were sick, injured and drained, but we were always motivated to do our best and accomplish the goals we had set,” added Heraty. “We continued to work really hard and would challenge ourselves to try new things to help our routine.”

But in the end, each girl on the team has a special relationship with one another.

“Every girl is like a sister to me,” junior captain Nicolette Fabiano said.

“Every single girl on the squad gave it everything they had and we had no regrets,” Heraty said. “Getting 13th place was such an amazing feeling.”

Other accomplishments the team had this season was their secondplace finish at the Rolling Meadows Invitational on Dec. 15 and placing eighth at the North Pole Invite, which took place at Lincoln Way North High School on Dec. 8.

Looking towards next season, the team wants to qualify for the state meet again and make the top 10 during the preliminary rounds.

Cheerleading places 13th at State Alex Ellyin

Sports Editor his year’s Cheerleading team experienced success on many levels. In addition to winning the CSL onference meet for the fourth straight year, they placed 13th at the state meet. This wouldn’t have been possible without the chemistry and dedication the girls had.

“What sets our team apart from others is that we are so close to each

PHOTO BY Jessica Gronke

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GO HAWKS!

Sophomore Mary Grace Sharp hits her “low touchdown” as she cheers. The squad competed at State after getting the top spot at the CSL conference.

Mr. McCann, Counselor

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oach McCann is known around the school for many different reasons. He is a wrestling coach, a football coach, and a counselor. In college, Coach McCann was a wrestler at St. Joseph’s College in Renssalaer, Indiana, where he was inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Fame.

“My favorite part of the college athletic experience was the relationships and working together with my teammates.”

Coach McCann coached wrestling for a combined 44 years at Gordon Tech and Maine South. He is in the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame, as well as the Maine South Athletic Hall of Fame.

For Coach McCann, the most important part of anything you do is the journey. He tells each student he works with to “enjoy the ride.” The most influential moment in his life came during his junior year in college.

Coach McCann was going to quit the wrestling team, but his coach talked him through the difficult time.

“My coach showed belief in me,” he describes. “That still influences me today as a coach. I have tried to bring people in, showing my support.”

In his entire college career, he missed one practice. This was when he went through the choice of quitting or staying on the team.

“My advice to potential student athletes is to be prepared for the time commitment and the demands that college athletics require.”

Throughout his lifetime, wrestling has created relationships for Coach McCann that will last forever.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. MCCANN PHOTO COURTESY MRS. TOROSIAN

Girls’ basketball has early playoff success

February 22, 2013 | SPORTS

Mr. McCann (pictured here as a Gordon Tech coach in the 1970s) has coached wrestling for 44 years.

SouthwordS 11

CHEERLEADING | BOYS’SWIMMING AND DIVING | BASKETBALL | HAWKETTES | HOCKEY | WRESTLING | GIRLS’GYMNASTICS

CSL South Conference Champions photo BY Photos byJESSICA JESSICAGRONKE GRONKE

Boys’ basketball captures first conference championship since ‘99 Brendan Ploen Staff Writer

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oing into last Friday’s game against New Trier, both the Hawks and the Trevians were ranked in the top 20 in the state, and the Trevians had won 10 straight and the Hawks had won 13 straight. For the second time this season, Maine South defeated New Trier in overtime, 49-46.

The Trevians started off the game with a 13-2 run.

The Hawks climbed back by pounding the post with forwards sophomore George Sargeant and senior John Solari. New Trier got into foul trouble early, which also helped Maine South.

“We had a key moment after the start of the game,” says Solari. “We made a big run to make the game close.”

In the second quarter, it was back and forth until junior Andrew Palucki hit his first three of the night to give the Hawks a 23-20 lead. The teams went into halftime with Maine South leading 25-23.

The Hawks have been playing consistently good defense over their winning streak and held Princetonbound Steven Cook to only 10 points in the game.

“We pride ourselves on our defense, and our team has been able to do a great job getting huge stops when they count at the end of games, mostly because of the way we are able to communicate to each other,” said senior guard Frank Dounis.

“We had to make it a team effort, try and get five sets of eyes on him every time he touched the ball,” said senior captain Danny Quinn. “It’s all about the little things about him. We just wanted to execute well and I think we did that tonight.”

In the third quarter, it was the Hawks again who executed and took advantage of foul trouble. They got out to a nine-point lead but the Trevians responded to even the score at 37 after three quarters.

The crowd sensed it was going to be a close game.

New Trier was up by two points with just under a minute left when Maine South went to the line for a holding violation.

Solari converted both and the game was tied at 43. After a costly Trevian turnover, the Hawks nearly ended it with a buzzer beater, but Solari’s shot rimmed out.

In the overtime period, it was Palucki and Solari who made baskets to increase the lead to four points.

New Trier answered with a 3-pointer and immediately

 BACK IN BLACK The boys’ basketball team poses for a team shot immediately following the 49-46 overtime victory over New Trier. The Hawks have won two straight overtime games against the Trevians. fouled Palucki, who made only one of two to give the Hawks a 2-point lead with 10 seconds left.

In one of the last Trevian scoring opportunities, Quinn read the pass to Cook, dove on the ball and called a timeout.

“All the credit goes to the scout team for that play,” said Quinn. “I was able to recognize that set and make the play just because of how well we were prepared to defend that play. They really did a phenomenal job.”

After a Trevian foul which resulted in Solari making one of two free throws, New Trier was still in position to tie or win. The last shot rimmed out, sending the Hawks players and students into a frenzy with a final score of 49-46.

The Hawk student section took the floor in a college-like celebration of storming the court with their players as they sang the Maine South fight song.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” said Solari. “It was a huge game and it felt like it was a playoff.

Being in the middle of the crowd with my school hugging me after the game is something I will remember forever.”

“It means that this group of players has left their legacy here at Maine South,” said Coach Lavorato.

“For years to come, they can come back to Maine South to look up at the sticker in the gym and the trophy and to know that they helped put a piece of hardware in the trophy case.”

Hoping to win Sectionals for the first time since the 2009-2010 season, the Hawks will be hosting

 TIE GAME Senior guard Frank Dounis looks for an

opening against the New Trier defense. Despite a 13-2 start by the Trevians, the Hawks climbed back into the game.

the Regional round of playoffs. Their first playoff game is on Feb. 26 and the Regional championships will take place on March 1.