Vol 49 senior issue

May 30, 2013

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

2013

Class of

takes flight

PHOTO BY JESSICA GRONKE

Vol. 49, Senior Issue

AWARDS

| May 30, 2013

Applied Arts and Technology Award: Daniela DeFrancesco

Art Award: Hannah Kabat

Business Award: Jason Postweiler

English Award: Emma Ropski

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Alma C ol lege Tr uste es Honor Scholarship—Emma Hogan Alma C ollege Distinguished Theatre Performance—Emma Hogan Alma College Highland Award—Emma Hogan Alma College Scholar Summit Award—Emma Hogan American Society for Quality Section 1208 Richard A. Maass Memorial Scholarship—Caroline Novak Arizona State University New American University Scholar Dean’s Award— Adam Depkon Art Club Scholarship— Kristen Weber Augustana College Dean’s Scholarship—Stephen Lavelle Augustana College Math Scholarship— Stephen Lavelle Augustana College Trustee Grant—Stephen Lavelle Bellarmine University Monsignor Treece Scholarship—Brendan Barker Bellarmine University Pioneer Scholar—Brendan Barker Bellarmine University Trustee Scholarship— Brendan Barker B’nai B’rith Sports Lodge Scholarship—Zach Taalman Butl er University Ac ad emi c Scholarship—Korey Bender Butler University Fairview Scholarship— Daniel Horkavi Carthage College Director’s Grant—Katrina Gieser Carthage College Merit Scholarship— Amanda Cassarella Carthage College Musi c S chol arship— Amand a Cassarella Carthage College Robert Todd Grant—Katrina Gieser Carthage College Springfield Scholarship— Katrina Gieser Carthage College Trustee Grant—Katrina Gieser Case We s t e r n R e s e r v e U n i v e r s i t y Scholarship—Caroline Novak Central Suburban League Scholar Athlete— Donald Nordstrom Columbia College S c h ol ar sh ip— C h ar l e s Mat h i e u C oncordia University Regents Scholarship—Eun Sun Park-Simpson Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Medal and Certificate—Bridget Totsch Creighton University Founders Award—Maggie Fleita Creighton University Grace Keenan Scholarship— Maggie Fleita Dave Schock Scholarship—Jack Dougherty Denison University Alumni Award—Emily Griffin DePaul University Presidential Scholarship—Celia Petersen DePaul U n i v e r s i t y D e a n’s A c a d e m i c

Recognition of

Scholarship—Danielle Kavanaugh, Norbert Kosinski, Margaret Lynch DePaul University Music Performance Award—Norbert Kosinski DePaul University Scholars’ Award—Nicole Kuykendall, Claire Raphael, Erik Wagner DePaul University St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship—Cora McCarron, Elliott Townsend DePauw University School of Music Dean’s Award— Therese Tazioli DePauw University S cho ol of Musi c Performanc e Scholarship—Therese Tazioli Des Plaines Ladies of the Elks Scholarship— Ioannis Averginos, Jessica Rabczak, Ryan Walek Dominican University Merit Scholarship Certificate— Natascia Cesario Drake University Presidential Scholarship—Nicholas Wasik Eastern Illinois University Commitment to Excellence—Frank Perrone Eastern Illinois University Baseball Scholarship—Frank Perrone Elmhurst College Founders Academic Scholarship—George Nardi Elmhurst College Founders Scholarship— Ioannis Averginos Elmhurst College Honors Program Member—Rebecca L app Elmhurst C ollege L egac y Scholarship— Rebecca Lapp, George Nardi Elmhurst College Presidential Scholarship—Rebecca Lapp Elmhurst College UCC Scholarship—Rebecca Lapp Franklin Pilchard Foundation Scholarship—Jessica Rabczak George Washington University Board of Truste es S cholarship—Michael Martino Illinois Institute of Technology Camras Scholarship—Peter Hadlaw Illinois Institute of Technology Henry T. Heald Scholarship—Liam Walsh Illinois State University George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies—Griffin Stetson Illinois State University Presidential Scholarship—Renee Hannan Illinois Wesleyan University Scholarship—Donald Nordstrom Indiana University Distinction Scholarship—Jessica Rayborn, Michael S olb erg Iowa State University Eng ine ering Und erg r ad Merit Scholarship—Kellee Hartjen, Zach Taalman Iowa State University Academic Dean’s Scholarship—Brenna Bartkowicz Iowa State University

Family/Consumer Sciences Award: Kelly Fleck

Award for Competitive Excellence— Brenna Bartkowicz, Kellee Hartjen, Jessica Self, Zach Taalman Iowa State University Grant—Kellee Hartjen Iowa State University Lualis Dumenil Scholarship Program in FCS Education—Jessica Self Italian La Societa Onararia Italica—Donald Nordstrom Kalo Foundation Don Pegler Scholarship—Hannah Kabat, Charles Mathieu Kiwanis Athlete of the Year—John Solari Loras College Merit Award—Daniel Quinn Loyola Marymount University Full Trustee Scholarship—Caitlin Dorff Loyola University Dean’s Scholarship— Pawel Pilecki, Sierra Ridge, Maria Stratigakis Loyola University Merit Scholarship— Caroline LaPelusa Luther College Founders Scholarship—Anna Bauer Luther College Weston Noble Vocal Scholarship—Anna Bauer Maine S outh Deans’ Office G oodw ill Award—Regan Carmichael, Philip Kulas, Patrick Maloney, Megan Milito, Kathryn Ness, Corbin Rusteberg, Brendan Sweetman Maine South Fine Arts Department Thespians Music Senior Award—Pawel Pilecki Maine South Football Program Inserra Achieving Success Scholarship— Michael Bosco, Christopher Buscemi Maine South High School Illinois Principals’ Association Outstanding Student and School Citizen—Jack Dougherty Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club Clyde K. Watson Award—Natalie Kirchhoff Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club Jan Cannon Award—Renee Hannan Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club Paige Dougherty Award—Caralin Schneider Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club Scholarship— Louise Araneta, Matthew Brendza, Caitlin Dorff, Caroline Dzik, Patrick Devereux, Mark Gotthelf, Sarah Hands, Renee Hannan, Natalie Kirchhoff, Lindsey Mehl, Michael Martino, Elena Navas, Caroline Novak, Wilson Ngai, Lauren O’Machel, Kaia Parenti, Madeline Petran, Lauren Porter, Daniel Poulos, Timothy Prinz, Caralin Schneider, Shie-Jene Shan, Samuel Steinfels, Carri Stevens, Thomas Spytek, Ryan Walek, Stefan Wine, Nathan Wolf Maine South Parents’

Foreign Language Award: Giana Carli

the class of 2013 Scholarship Club Virginia Feurer Award—Stefan Wine Marquette University College of Business Administration Scholarship—John O’Connor Marquette University Ignatius Academic Distinction Scholarship—Mark Gotthelf Marquette University Ignatius Scholarship—Justin Demme, John O’Rourke Marquette University Magis Award—John Howlett, John O’Connor, Joseph Pompei Marquette University Opus Scholarship—Daniela DeFrancesco Marquette University Scholarship—Laura Arieli Miami University Redhawk Excellence Scholarship—Veronica Coyne MSHS Music Booster Organization Betty Houlihan Music Scholarship—Soren R amsey MSHS Music Booster Organization Music Booster Senior Scholarship—Anna Bauer, Amanda Cassarella, Justin Demme, Caitlin Dorff, Mark Gotthelf, Karina Koch, Jim Mangan, Ryan Matthew, Kathleen McCarrick, George Nardi,Vincent Nardi, Elenas Navas, Caroline Novak, Sarah O’Brien,Kevin O’Keefe, Eun Sun Park-Simpson, Celia Petersen, Lauren Porter, Shie-Jene Shan, Madeline Steiner, Jeremy Wareham MSHS Music Booster Organization Scott Wade Memorial Music Scholarship—Jessica Spratley MSHS Music Booster Organization Gordon McLean Music Scholarship— Carri Stevens MSHS Music Booster Organization Lloyd Spear Memorial Music Scholarship—David Bechdolt National Merit Scholarship Corporation Commended Student— Jane Acker, Caitlin Dorff, Alexandra Hasan, Mika Ichiki-Welches, Matthew Kuczak, Michael Martino, Madeline McGrady, Emily Murphy, Jeremy Piech, Emma Ropski, Timothy Sheehan, Ryan Walek, Adrian Wierzchowski, Mada Al-Hamwi, Matthew Brendza, Nicole Allegretti National Merit Scholarship Corporation National Merit Finalist—Daniel Anderson, Claire Dockery, Sarah Hands, Natalie Kirchhoff, Thomas Spytek North Park University Drama Scholarship—Carri Stevens North Park University Honors Music Scholarship—Thomas Bakken,

Carri Stevens North Park University Presidential Scholarship— Thomas Bakken, Carri Stevens Northern Illinois University Huskie Legacy Award— Aurora Walker Northern Illinois University Centennial Scholarship— Aurora Walker Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees Grant— Madeline Rumbaut Northwestern University Football Scholarship— Matthew Alviti Oakton Community College Educational Foundation Scholarship— James Aglikin, Lauren Skolak Ohio State University National Buckeye Scholarship—Griffen Kasznia, Matthew Popper, Jerome Schwich Park Ridge Art League Scholarship— Hannah Kabat, Charles Mathieu, Kristen Weber Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Scholarship—Alexandra Hasan Park Ridge Community Church Eric Nelson Scholarship—Jessica Self Park Ridge Kiwanis Club Certificate of Academic Achievement—Matthew Alviti Park Ridge Panhellenic Club Scholarship—Laura Arieli, Victoria Banser, Giana Carli, Veronica Coyne, Sarah Powell, Jessica Rabczak, Jessica Self, Caralin Schneider, Therese Tazioli R.E. Shepherd Scholarship Fou n d ati on 2 0 1 3 S c h o l ar s h ip Award—Justin D emme R ho des College Cambridge Fellowship— Madeleine McGrady Rhodes College Cambridge Scholarship—Madeleine McGrady Rosemont Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award— Brendan Sweetman Saint L ouis University Dean’s Scholarship—Al Ellsworth Saint Louis University Division 1 Athletic Scholarship for Basketball—Regan Carmichael Saint Louis University Vice Presidential Scholarship—Erin Kieny Simpson College Honor Scholarship—Jessica Gronke Simpson College Presidential Scholarship—Jessica Gronke Southern Illinois Scholar—Emily Muszynski Speech, Drama, Broadcasting Booster Hal Chastain—Amber Saul Speech, Drama, Broadcasting Boosters Drama Scholarship—Giuliana Bartucci, Anna Bauer, Natascia Cesario, Mark Gotthelf, Charles Hoeg, Emma Hogan, Jack Howlett, Karina Koch, Michael

Mathematics Award: Ryan Walek

Senior Issue

Martino, Kathleen McCarrick, Elizabeth McCarthy, Molly Petray, Lauren Skolak, Carri Stevens, Maria Stratigakis, Sarah Thomas, Angelica Trygar Student Council Scholarship—Lindsey Mehl, Jennifer Mocarski, Jackie Ryer, Elizabeth Stocchetti Twentieth Century Club Foundation Scholarship—Victoria Banser, Giana Carli, Caroline Novak, Lauren Skolak, Samuel Steinfels, Bridget Totsch Tulane Founders Scholarship— Soren Ramsey Twenty-First Star Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award—Jane Acker University of Dayton Dean’s Merit Scholarship— John Solari University of California Santa Cruz Presidential Scholarship— Tori Chappell University of Dayton Dean’s Merit Scholarship—Brendan Sweetman University of Illinois Business Honors Program—Rebecca Klages University of Illinois at Chicago Business Honors Program— Georgio Ronis University of Illinois Basketball Scholarship—Jacqueline Grant University of Illinois Campus Honors Pro g r am C hanc el l or ’s Scholar—Ryan Walek University of Illinois James Scholar Honors Program—Timothy Prinz, Ryan Walek University of Illinois President’s Award Honors—Michael Virgilio University of Iowa National Scholars Award—Sarah Powell University of Missouri Diversity Award—Trenton Jackson Valparaiso University Board of Directors Scholarship—Elena Navas Valparaiso University Forte Scholarship—Elena Navas W.P. Carey School of Business Arizona State University Grant—Adam Depkon Washington University Annika Rodriquez Scholarship—Natalie Kirchhoff Washington University National Merit Scholarship—Sarah Hands Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship—Mark Abtahi, Ashling Coady, Corbin Rusteberg, Natan S ojko Xavier University Buschmann Award—Brianna Cloney Xceed Financial Credit Union Romeo Doty Scholarship Award—Patrick Devereux

Music Award: Kathleen McCarrick

| AWARDS

Social Science Award: Paval Tamas

Science Award: Thomas Spytek

Speech/Drama Award: Carri Stevens

Physical Education Award: Brendan Sweetman

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COLLEGES

| May 30, 2013

Alabama

Christina Kiotis, Marcus Owerko, Eun Sun ParkSimpson, Jenna Ryerson, Margaret Saletnik University of Alabama George Harker, Alana DePaul University Hannah Altizer, Matthew Sremac Anderson, Delaney Bean, Megan Chambers, Gabriella Donatelli, Jacob Dzik, Peter Eugenis, Isabella Fioretto, Ann Gardiner, John Guida, Arizona State University Adam Depkon Rachel Hankins, Alex Hyslop, Danielle Northern Arizona Salvatore Ciolino Kavanaugh, Norbert Kosinski III, Nicole University of Arizona John Major Jr Kuykendall, Kayla Lubicz, Margaret Lynch, Cora McCarron, Simon Megally, Patrick Mullane, Helaneh Nighoghosian, Haley O’Connor, Emily Loyola Marymount University Caitlin Dorff O’Leary, Celia Petersen, Georgia Petrovas, Claire University of California Tori Chappell, Patrick Raphael, Tessa Schiffers, Hanna Shunnarah, Devereux, Alexandra Hasan Olivia Simpson, Shannon Sweeney, Elliott Townsend, Nicholas Tzortzis, Erik Wagner, Zachary Wendorf, Corey Wichlin, Alanna Woods Colorado Mesa University Robin Zelek Dominican University Ewelina Dwojak, Ciara Colorado State University Nicolette Filipek, Gaskin Cassandra Kay Eastern Illinois University Daniel Augustyn, University of Colorado-Boulder Marisa Varco Megan Grealy, Frank Perrone Elgin Community College Ryan Buechel Elmhurst College Ioannis Avgerinos, Rebecca George Washington University Michael Martino Lapp, Carmen Malusa, George Nardi, Jacqueline Ryer Eureka College Benjamin Woroch Harper College Ioan Iordanov, Stefan Tosic Florida State University Elizabeth McCarthy Illinois Institute of Technology Jacob University Of Tampa Jenny Diaz Aynessazian, Adam Bartecki, Robert Gawrylo, University Of Miami Claudia Aniol Peter Hadlaw, Walter May, Ryan Melerski, Oliver Mulvany, Liam Walsh Illinois State University Cecilia Budzynski, Georgia Institute of Technology Patrick Burke Devin Castanon, John Cerniglia, Kevin Dolan, Kelly Fleck, Kayla Forsythe, Kelly Gibbons, Anna Graziano, Jessica Haas, Zachary Hinkamp, Coe College Gibson Odderstol Katherine Kopoulos, Tara Krkljes, Cameron Drake University Nicholas Wasik Kurtz, Steven Kurtz, Mary McCann, Marla Iowa State University Brenna Bartkowicz, Kellee Micor, Angela Montejo, Matthew O’Malley, Hartjen, Jessica Self, Zachary Taalman, Jeremy Matthew Ptaszynski, Amber Saul, Jeffrey Siwek, Wareham Griffin Stetson, Robert Taylor, Mark Trifunovich Kirkwood Community College Madeline King Illinois Welding School Zeko Durovic Loras College Daniel Quinn, Brian Scherer, Illinois Wesleyan University Michael Klein, Emil Calvin Miller, Matthew Villano, Joseph Yonkoff Maric, Donald Nordstrom Luther College Anna Bauer Knox College Caroline Dzik Simpson College Jessica Gronke Lake Forest College Madison Coffey, Dragan University of Iowa Alexander Alvarado, Matthew Trivanovic Buckley, Claire Cooney, Thomas Hader, John Lewis University Patrick Conoboy, Jonathan Novak, Lauren O’Machel, Marc Saladino, Megan Brown Milito, Dylan Reich Lincoln College Michael Nowak Loyola University Chicago Mada Al-Hamwi Bzankou, Ian Battaglia, Elizabeth Black, Augustana College Timothy Hamby, Stephen Katherine Colbeck, Zareen Khan, Monica Lavelle Kowalczyk, Wiktoria Koza, Matthew Kuczak, Benedictine University Anthony Mitchell Jr. Philip Kulas, Caroline Lapelusa, Elena Mihalcea, Bradley University David Bechdolt, John Beck, Christopher Pattullo, Ryan Pattullo, Pawel Andrew Dyer Pilecki, Kristina Radulovic, Sierra Ridge, Kevin Carthage College Luciana Raspanti Riley, Michael Rizzo, Stephanie Rodriguez, College of DuPage Rebecca Rumentsas Elizabeth Stocchetti, Maria Stratigakis Columbia College Christina Alexandru, Monmouth University Lauren Feiereisel Alexander Dudlak, Alex Giannini, Kamila North Park University Joseph Azzaro, Thomas Gryczko, Nicole Macahon, Charles Mathieu Bakken, Kathleen McCarrick, Carri Stevens Concordia University Valantis Karmantzis, Northeastern Illinois University Sara Abuhadba,

Arizona

California Colorado

Washington, D.C. Florida

Georgia Iowa

Illinois

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Katelyn Ruane, Lukasz Zych Northern Illinois University Harrison Cohen, Montgomery Link, Amanda Sparks, Kazuma Takizawa, Aurora Walker, Megan Haduch, Charles Hoeg, Brendan McKelvey Northwestern University Matthew Alviti, Hannah Beswick-Hale, Caroline Borowski, Jeremy Piech, Jonathan Piech, Lindsey Mehl Oakton Community College James Aglikin, Nicholas Amato, Nicholas Bartley, Alexander Bauman, Stephan Black, James Burghgraef, Jordan Burgos, Delaney Carnett, Amanda Catania, Nicole Chavez, Alesia Ciocan, Jeffrey Dietsch, Michael Domantay, Jack Dougherty, Jaclynn Dunleavy, Jazmin Estrada, Rodger Ferreras, Shannon Foy, Lourdes Gonzales, Michelle Greco, Robert Greising, Griffin Hamer, Hannah Kabat, Amber King, Daniel Kowalyk, Viacheslav Kucherko, Trevor Kuta, Kevin Maigler, Ryan Matthew, Michal Mesyszyn, Jordan Milam, Tabitha Moore, Pedro Morales, Jack Mullowney, Rebeka Nekolova, Patrick O’Brien, Angelica Okowinski, Adam Olson, Trent Orr, Jill Pinsky, Dennis Michael Ramirez, Giovanni Reyes, Joshua Robins, Isamar Rodriguez, Lauren Skolak, Katherine Szczepanski, Arkadiusz Sztuk, David Tobias, Michelle Vlahoulis, Paul Zawojski, Justin Zielinski Parkland College Tyler Gooding Roosevelt University Teresa Beale, Matthew Coglianese Southern Illinois University Nicholas Foy, Alexander Hamielec, Emily Muszynski, Charlene Wong Trinity International University Zachary Jones Triton College Nicholas Demos, Cristoforo Divenere, Angelica Dreksler, Marshall Ek, Christopher Kogut, Thomas Lopez, Shelby Loutos, Jesus Saavedra, John-Luke Seng, Andrea Senyk, Milos Sretkovic, Mateusz Warpecha, Andrew Wawrzyniak University of Illinois at Chicago Diana Bernatek, Gianna Carrozza, Benjamin Cercavschi, Paulina Ciupinski, Justina Furgal, Daniel Godley, Maggie Heraty, Richard Jezierny III, Nikolina Josipovic, Dagmara Kutrzuba, Michal Liszka, Stefan Magazin, Nicholas Malone, Izabella Matczuk, Edward Mendoza, Andrew Podgorski, Daniel Radwanski, Michael Shihadeh, Philip Wasala, Adrian Wierzchowski, Milica Zivak University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mark Abtahi, Julia Adamczyk, Nicole Allegretti, Daniel Anderson, Brandon Beltran, Danielle Bertini, Alexander Bonk, Michael Bosco, Lauren Buszydlo, Haley Crawford, Patrick Daleiden, Kathleen Daly, Stephanie Daul, Antonio Dicristofano, Patrick Flynn, Jacqueline Grant, Michael Hopkins, Kevin James, Jisha Jose, Christopher Keefe, Lauren Konopinski, Kirsten Lee, Megan Lemersal, Connor Leurck, Brandon Lung, Kelly McCone, Michael Mularczyk,

Wilson Ngai, Sarah O’Brien, Kevin O’Keefe, Hailey Pater, Molly Petray, Nathan Pinsky, Timothy Prinz, Madeline Purdy, Jessica Rabczak, Georgio Ronis, Shie-Jene Shan, Bradley Sheehan, Timothy Sheehan, Jessica Spratley, Tyler Steele, Madeline Steiner, Samuel Steinfels, Jackson Strauss, Pavel Tamas, Jon Touhy, Jon-Carlo Vaccaro, Michael Virgilio, Kristina Wagner, Ryan Walek, Kacper Wiszowaty, Nolan Witry University of Chicago Meghan Salgia Western Illinois University Kevin Benson, Ryan McGuire, Brian Orzech, Bogdan Sorbun

Indiana

Ball State University Victoria Banser, Alyssa Carbonara, Patrick Maloney Wheaton College Michael Disher Wright College Cedric Ortiz Butler University Korey Bender, Emily Brumley, Daniel Horkavi, Lauren Porter, Nathan Wolf DePauw University Therese Tazioli, Kenneth Yager Indiana University Haley Arger, Brianna Conway, Matthew Elliott, Alexandra Ferro, Megan Hinds, Francesca Inendino, Christina Kaminsky, Jessica Rayborn, Sabrina Shalzi, Tara Garvey, Nicole Schaul, Ashling Coady, Nathan Gruber, Natan Sojko, Stefan Wine, Michael Salerno Indiana Wesleyan University Kate Thorsen Purdue University Kendall Fleck, Shannon Sremac University of Notre Dame Louise Araneta, Matthew Brendza, Kevin Kohler University of Indiana Kyle Gebavi Valparaiso University Kathleen Kenneally, Elena Navas

Central Michigan University Taylor Knapp Ferris State University Nicholas Santelli Hope College Rachel deMarigny, Emma Ropski, Bridget Totsch Michigan State University Giana Carli, Jeffrey Czerwionka, Mary Gallagher, Zachary Heick, Beth Henley, Conor Strauss, Benjamin Wilson Michigan Technological University Zachary Papciak, Jonathan Zamaites Northern Michigan University Robert Balek, John Manzella, Harley McCabe, John Oberheide, Madeline Rumbaut University of Michigan Kaia Parenti, Haleigh Sir, Emily Yagihashi Western Michigan University Kevin Collins, Jill Glossinger, Jaclyn Gremer, Domenico Primavera

Minnesota

Carleton College Rinya Kamber St. Olaf College Henrik Weber University of Minnesota Michelle Endre University of St. Thomas Mackenzie Duffy, Thomas Larocca

Missouri

Maryville University Amairany Delgado, Nicole Kitsuse St. Louis University Carla Badami, Regan Carmichael, Alfred Ellsworth, Erin Kieny, James Mangan, Alan Mak University of Missouri Christopher Buscemi, Niall Finn, Michael Garvey, Samantha Horodecki, Kyle Iacona, Trenton Jackson, Alberto Rossi, Patrycja Wardynski Washington University in St. Louis Sarah Hands, Natalie Kirchhoff, Matthew Kramer, Emily Murphy, Caralin Schneider

Kansas

Montana

Kentucky

Nebraska

Kansas State University Jake Morask University of Kansas Kyle Christie

Bellarmine University Brendan Barker University of Louisville Michael Rooney

Louisiana

Tulane University Claire Dockery, Soren Ramsey, Austin Righeimer

Massachusetts

Boston College Allison Curry Boston University Madeline Petran Northeastern University Carolina Rapta Olin College Mika Ichiki-Welches University of Massachusetts Jessica Zebracki

Michigan

Alma College Emma Hogan

Montana State University Stefan Trenkenschu University of Montana Robert Mazza

Creighton University Margaret Fleita

New York

Cornell University Thomas Spytek

Ohio

Case Western Reserve Caroline Novak University of Dayton Danielle DiCristofano, Grace Gorman, Evan Griffin, Evan Karlson, Anne Pavlis, Mark Rasmussen, Michael Rubino, Daniel Schmidt, Kurt Schuetz, John Solari, Eric Sons, Brendan Sweetman, Jennifer Walsh Denison University Emily Griffin Hocking College Natalya Kelliher Miami University Paulina Bochenek, Veronica Coyne, Alyssa Fuhr

Senior Issue | COLLEGES Ohio State University Mengxue Guo, Griffin Kasznia, Colleen McErlean, Natalie Michalski, Matthew Popper, Jerome Schwich, Sharon Shim, Jacob Szpernal Xavier University Celeste Carlson, Brianna Cloney, Hailey Dezort

Pennsylvania

Point Park University Sarah Thomas University of Pennsylvania Daniel Poulos University of Pittsburgh Ava Pace

South Carolina

College of Charleston Katherine Beck University of South Carolina Delaney Thomas

Tennessee

Belmont University Jacob Hennessy Rhodes College Madeleine McGrady

Texas

Baylor University Daly Guzaldo Texas Christian University Thomas Placzek

Wisconsin

Beloit College Mary Cawley Carroll University Brian Jones Carthage College Amanda Cassarella, Audrey Erdenberger, Maeve Gallagher, Katrina Gieser, Justin Gustafson, Anna Kinell, Joseph Vecchio Marquette University Laura Arieli, Sandeep Buddharaju, John Clarke, Sarah Cortez, Daniela DeFrancesco, Justin Demme, Kristen Dipietro, Connor Ferguson, Molly Gaughan, Mark Gotthelf, John Howlett, Sophie Miller, John O’Connor, John O’Rourke, Ivana Osmanovic, Joseph Pompei, Corbin Rusteberg, Claudia Sadowicz, Brian Touhy, Gabriella Viola Milwaukee Institute of Art Design Kristen Weber St. Norbert College Nicolette Sheffield University of Wisconsin-Madison Caryn Clark, Michael McGovern, Kathryn Ness, Andrew Peterson, Jason Postweiler, Lauren Zydowsky University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Sean Cara, Paulina Deren, Angelo Scuderi University of Wisconsin-Platteville Matthew Williams, Brooks McCormick University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Terrence Calkins Jr., Samuel Frink, Gabrielle Mangione, Griffen Schaefer, Emily Weisheit

Military

Air Force Oleksandr Kryshchuk Army Gustav Showley Marine Corps John Fleming, Jomari Lanzi

Colombia

Universidad CES de Medellín Salome Baena

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UNSUNG HEROES

| May 30, 2013

Unsung Heroes of

Elena Navas

E

verything Elena Navas touches turns to gold.

Well, not literally. Her Midas Touch generally takes the form of a quiet compliment or shy smile, and each word has the power to light up a room or pick you up after an awful day.

The greatest thing about Elena is that she doesn’t consciously orchestrate her actions to benefit the lives of everyone around her—it’s just something she does naturally. Elena Navas is the type of person who, while soft-spoken, treats everybody with a degree of respect and general sweetness that one wouldn’t expect from an eighteen-year-old girl.

I met Elena four years ago, and I’m so glad that I did. Whenever I talk to her, I find myself telling her everything I’m afraid to tell other people. She’s one of those people who listens to every word, knowing when advice is needed and when it’s better to simply sit in comfortable silence. It’s a great and powerful quality that few people I know have.

While most high school students are rarely short of gossip, I have never heard Elena say anything cruel or critical about another person. She never turns her nose up with pride. Elena is a genuinely nonjudgmental person in an excessively judgmental world. Her rare and valuable character is severely underestimated but desperately needed.

Along with her inspiring character, Elena is fluent in Spanish—she even spent a summer backpacking around Spain. She’s amazing at both the flute and the violin, and is one of the few people to actively participate in both the Maine South band and orchestra programs.

Despite her awe-inspiring achievements, Elena never even comes close to singing her own praises.

Everything she accomplishes is accomplished quietly, and everything she does for other people is done without any demand for recognition and thanks. She works purely for the benefit of others, never asking for anything in return. Elena’s astounding amount of genuine selflessness begs the attention she never seeks out.

6 SouthwordS

Jenny Mocarski

Nicole Allegretti

by Sarah Hands

by Hannah Beswick-Hale

by Molly Petray

I

t is not difficult to describe why Nicole Allegretti is an exceptional human being. She is just about every nice word I can think of.

I met Nicole freshman year in biology, and it was not hard to see that she was an extremely friendly girl. Even before we became close, she showed me substantial amounts of kindness and tried to teach me basic gymnastics at an open gym. I had never been on a set of bars in my life before that day, and she took the time to teach me anything she could instead of using the time for herself. She found more joy in knowing she helped someone than working on her own skills. This is just one example of how she is a giving, selfless person.

She has been involved in varsity gymnastics and track, and has shown extreme dedication to both, as well as being able to juggle difficult classes. I honestly think Nicole is a superhero. I would not be surprised whatsoever if she confided in me and told me of the superpowers she possesses. That would finally explain how she manages to be a varsity athlete, do very well in school, and keep an amazing attitude on top of all of that. Not to mention that she bakes and makes beautiful jewelry.

On my birthday, she made me chocolatecovered peanut butter balls that honestly were one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. She handed the tray to me before first period even started with an extremely friendly smile and birthday wish. I am usually half-asleep first period, so it is still a mystery to me how she manages to embody a ray of sunshine even on the rainiest of days.

On a different birthday of mine, she handcrafted a pair of beautiful earrings for me—just another talent of hers to add to the list. Gymnast, polevaulter, baker, jewelry maker, scholar—she can do it all whilst keeping a genuine smile on her face.

I think I speak for many people when I say thank you, Nicole, for brightening our days, helping us with our homework, and telling us hilarious stories.

W

hen I first met Jenny Mocarski, I only knew her as that girl in a bunch of my AP classes who strangely eats bananas sideways. Jenny Mocarski, also known as J-Mo, is not your average AP student. Yes, she is focused, highly-motivated, and a hard worker—but she is also sharp-witted, and is never afraid to make a fool of herself. She is the first one to share an embarrassing middle school moment as well as to volunteer her time to help other students.

Jenny is not only Student Council president, but is involved in cross country, track and field, CEC, Amnesty International, and Constitution Team. She is also probably the most popular and praised freshman gym leader in the history of Maine South.

She is committed to making Maine South a better place, from organizing food drives and collecting clothes for the needy, to representing our school at C-Team nationals in DC. Recently, Jenny was awarded a plaque with a little gavel on it and the words “Jennifer Mocarski, Student Council president.” As she carried it around during the day, people came up to her wondering what it was. It is amazing how many people are not aware of who one of our most important leaders is.

Jenny deserves to be recognized as someone who strives each and every day to serve students’ every need. Jenny is more than an active and involved student; she is truly an outstanding person who is able to be friends with everyone.

From football players to theatre dwellers, she is quick to start up a conversation about anything and everything. Her favorite icebreaker is “fun fact!” And let me tell you a little fun fact about her: she dances a mean worm.

The next time you see Jenny Mocarski, take a moment to thank her for all the work she has done to improve our school. Jenny represents the student that we should all strive to become: dedicated, involved, friendly, and hilarious.

Senior Issue

the class of 2013 Jimmy Mangan

Darragh King

D

arragh King is the kind of kid that will always put other people’s needs in front of his own.

His selfless attitude and enduring optimism make him the kind of guy people gravitate to. Darragh is the most humble, cool, and funny man I’ve had the pleasure to know these past four years. Style, humor and a good attitude radiate from him, affecting anyone who comes near him.

He has become an embodiment of joy; no matter what the circumstances, whatever difficulties faced or hopes shattered, this noble figure has carried on with an unshakable inner peace and whole-hearted happiness. No situation seems too severe to cast a shadow over his confidence in the fact that there’s a bright side to the present, and that it will only get better.

Despite possessing all of these admirable qualities, Darragh King manages to be incomparably selfless. He runs the H20 Club, works as a lifeguard at the Community Center, leads a small group at South Park Church, and has spent the last two summers counseling children at Camp Timberlee. As if this wasn’t enough, Darragh’s sacrificed the promises of financial security, academic advancement, and stereotypical “success” that often come with a college education for the sake of the less fortunate.

Next year, Darragh will be serving in Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia with Adventures in Missions. He will be confronted with famine, wide-spread disease, sex trafficking and a myriad of other problems that exist outside our borders and will be challenged to support and help those whose quality of life falls short of even American prisons and homeless shelters. He will be witnessing and fighting against the everyday atrocities within third-world countries and courageously leading the charge in facing these problems head on. Despite an absence of a cape or superpowers, Darragh King will forever be a hero in my comic book.

Michael Solberg

by Soren Ramsey

by Michael Disher

B

ased on how little he talks about himself, not many may know all of the things that Jimmy Mangan does both in and out of Maine South.

For one, Jimmy has been involved in music all of his life. Jimmy plays percussion in Maine South Band and percussion ensemble. He has also played percussion for Midwest Young Artist’s top orchestra for the past five years. Jimmy runs cross country and track, with his races of choice being the 4 by 8, and the 800 meter. He’s also really involved at his church, playing drums for the teen masses at Saint Paul of the Cross.

However, none of these things are really the most important reasons why Jimmy is an unsung hero. What is really important to know about Jimmy is how he is just so genuinely nice to everyone. It doesn’t matter if he knows you or not, he’ll have something interesting to say, regardless.

It’s exceedingly rare to find anyone with a bad word to say about Jimmy.

Even in a competitive setting, Jimmy is the kind of guy that will put being a good person over the intensity of a race. In track, he’ll often go up to people he raced against and congratulate them, even if he isn’t happy with the outcome.

That’s part of the reason why Jimmy is the kind of person people just want to be around. He’s always a good sport about just about anything, and really takes anything that comes his way in stride. Nothing seems to get to him; any adversity that comes up is met with a positive attitude and a strong will.

In the fall, he’ll be heading down to Saint Louis University to study accounting, and after that, who knows? Maybe he’ll stay with music and running, and maybe he’ll take a completely new path. All I know is that he’s going to keep on being that same old, interesting King James.

With that much talent and will to acheive, it’s hard to imagine anything but success in Jimmy’s future.

| UNSUNG HEROES

by Dragan Trivanovic

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first met Mike Solberg on the fields of Carpenter Elementary School, where he accidently kicked a ball into my stomach; I still hold a vivid memory of this incident. Lying there on the field, with the wind knocked out of me, I knew that this boy would grow up to be a great center-defensive mid-fielder for Maine South Soccer.

For those who don’t speak soccer, the centerdefensive mid-fielder has one of the simplest yet toughest roles on the field—to be the defensive backbone of the team. The CDM is the first wall of defense, driven by stamina and pure physical strength. Mike Solberg has the two most important traits needed for this position: determination and fighting spirit.

I first experienced his work ethic when he decided to join the tennis team junior year. Out of his immense determination, Mike Solberg was able to improve his game with startling speed. He would embarrass the rest of the team when we ran for long periods of time. He would be the first one on the court and the last one to leave. This eventually led him to compete at the first doubles position his senior year. Through playing tennis with him, I experienced firsthand who Mike Solberg truly is: a good human being.

I was relieved when he was accepted into the Constitution Team this year because I knew that he would give it his all-out best (no matter what the other teams said behind our backs at the sock hop).

In Washington D.C., when the Illinois Constitution Team was competing for a top-ten spot on a national level, Mike Solberg never ceased to ease our nervousness with witty jokes. He provided the support the team needed to carry through to the final round on Capitol Hill, where he and the rest of his unit wore epic American flag ties.

Mike Solberg exemplifies what it means to be a Maine South Hawk. He shows us what it means to be a good person, classmate, teammate, and friend.

I consider myself lucky to know him.

SouthwordS 7

MEMORIES

| May 30, 2013

8 SouthwordS

Senior Issue

| MEMORIES

SouthwordS 9

MEMORIES

| May 30, 2013

“I’ll never forget the one time in math class when the whole class was working on a crossword puzzle. There was this one word that was 11 blanks long and its clue was ‘something you put in an omelet.’

Shie Jene Shan boldly shouts, ‘It’s got to be CELERY.’Good times.”

—Wilson Ngai

“Dream. Discover. Dare. Find your identity and the vision that constantly pumps blood to your heart. And just do it.”

—Christina Alexandru

“They’ll probably never have another sock hop after this.”

—Phil Kulas

“People don’t realize that these four years of our lives are the ones that we look back on and say thanks for the crazy stuff that we have done . For all the embarrassing moments and the moments that we cherish, those are the ones that have formed the people we are today. I loved every moment in high school, even the moments that weren’t so great, because that is what makes them special.”

—Lauren o’machel

“I loved being in the dodgeball game against the teachers at the homecoming assembly. It was one of the scariest moments of my life because my swim coach Kura was in it and promised he would aim just for me.”

—Anne Marie Pavlis

“Listening to The Most Interesting Man In the World’s doppelganger, Don Francisco, play guitar and sing.”

—Ben Wilson

“Friendship is one of the hardest things to explain. It’s not something you learn at school, but school is a place where friendships are created.”

—Tyler Gooding

“Ending my high school golf career by breaking records, winning regionals, and making it to state was my favorite high school experience.”

—Kelly McCone

“On my first day of freshman year, I was walking with my neighbor through the A-wing parking lot, reading a map of the school. While looking down and reading the map, I ran into a stop sign. Great way to start off high school! It’s funny being a senior and looking back on it now, though.”

—Danielle Bertini

“Some of my favorite memories from Maine South are walking out into the lobby of the auditorium after a show and seeing all of the smiling faces.

It is at that point that I know all of my hard work and time backstage paid off.”

—Chas Mathieu

“UNO. Art. Dancing on Xbox. Rock shows. Fun times. Movies. Ice skating. Bon fires.

Hugs. Four years of friendship: High School.”

—Hannah Kabat 10 SouthwordS

Four years of

Senior Issue

| MEMORIES

memories

2009-2013 SouthwordS 11

STAFF & SENIOR COMMENTARIES | May 30, 2013

It’s not ‘work’ when you love what you do Dennis McCann Counselor

1968. Lyndon Johnson was President and protesters fought with the police at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. First class postage was 6 cents. O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy. Sammy Sosa and LL Cool J were born. I started teaching in the Chicago Public School System.

In 1969, I moved to Gordon

Technical High School and stayed for 17 awesome years until I made the greatest professional decision of my life and came to Maine South in 1986. At both schools, I was a teacher, coach, dean of students and a counselor. At South, I have been a counselor, football and wrestling coach and summer school dean for 27 years...and what a ride it has been!!!

Like Dr. Seuss said, “oh, the places you will go and the people you will meet.”

All of my memories revolve around the wonderful staff and colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with, the students that I have helped and learned from and the athletes that I have been honored and blessed to coach. Teaching, counseling, and coaching isn’t something that you “do”, it is who you are and that is the mantra that has guided me in my professional life. I have been fortunate to blend my personal life into what I have done at school and that’s the reason I loved what I do and never really “worked” a day in my life.

There have been a lot of “goodies”: State championship teams in football, academic awards of excellence for our

school, a bevy of wrestling titles and new adventures. I want to wish “All trophies and, of course, identification the Best” to everyone. with a truly great school like Maine Thanks for the memories, and “Go South, has been wonderful. But, Hawks”!!!

I have truly enjoyed t h e j o u r n e y. T h e everyday interaction with students and staff, helping others to stay the course, triumph over adversity, and meeting challenges head-on is what I like. I even embraced the struggles, the disappointments, and the little successes that could make a day for someone. All part of life­—and I felt it.

T h e r i c h n e s s of relationships, the beauty of the morning, the lively art of conversation, everyday school shenanigans, and the blazing competition of high school athletics is what I have loved.

Now, after 45 years, it is time to move on to

High school flies, but has profound effect Matt Anderson Production Editor

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n life, you have those experience that are once in a lifetime; you never get them back. High school is one of those experiences. When you enter the doors of Maine South for the first time, you are confronted by an immersive experience that is unlike any you have ever encountered.

There’s so much to do with the time you’ve got here and so little time to accomplish things. Though four years may seem like a lot of time to kill, it flew by more quickly than I could have ever expected.

When I began my freshmen year, I wasn’t sure what to think—the environment was so different from what I was used to. Soon, though, I had found some of my best friends, and discovered that high school could be a great time; it was almost like a big party (if parties gave homework and tests).

If there is one thing all students should know, it’s that you need to get involved. Seriously, there’s

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something for everyone at school.

I’ve been involved in many activities over the last four years of my high school career, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Even if you have no idea where to start, find something to do. Whether it’s a club or a sport, you’ll be guaranteed to find something you’ll love eventually, and in the process, you’ll make new friends or even realize you have a passion for something you’ve never tried before.

Maine South has had a profound effect on me. It’s taught me that no one person is the same; we all have different qualities. While sometimes these qualities can be quite weird, they allow us all to have our own take on the world, and share it with others.

That being said, I’ve met some pretty “weird” people here over the years, and have loved every second of it.

There are some kids that will come into high school hating it, thinking it isn’t the place for them, or that it’s a waste of time. Just give it a chance. In no time at all, your perspective will probably change as

you get settled in. By the time senior year comes around, you’ll be having the time of your life. For those of you who don’t get what I mean, don’t worry—I promise you will figure it out.

To all the seniors, I’d like to say I’ve had a great time with you all. High school is something I’ll always remember, and you guys helped to make it that way. I’m going to miss seeing all of your faces next year after we all start the next “chapter” of our lives. I’m lucky to have known all of you; you’ve taught me to just be myself, and to ignore what everybody else thinks.

JACKSON POLLOCK ON LINE Goodbye, Maine ONE No, but seriously, who gives a corded phone South. I think I can speak to a baby? for all of the seniors when I say it’s our time to move on. even the cockroaches. (Okay, maybe We’ll miss everything about you— not the cockroaches.)

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Money should never be the point Soren Ramsey Editor-in-Chief

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laying in bands throughout high school has taught me a couple of important things. For one, it’s taught me to be flexible. Sometimes things were really well-organized and on time, and sometimes we sat in a bar for three hours waiting for the sound guy. You just have to be flexible.

It also taught me a lot about people. I’ve met some of the coolest people I know through playing around Chicago, such as Mark Alan, the most driven and selfless person I’ve gotten to know in the music world. I’ve also met a lot of people who are impossible to reach when you need them, and a little bit shady when you actually meet them. You have to work with both kinds of people in life.

However, I think the most important thing I’ve learned over the past four years, and the most important thing I’d want to impart, is the importance of doing things for you and no one else. Not in a selfish way, however—but more in the way that you should never go into anything with a motive other than the love of what you’re doing. You don’t make money playing local bars and venues.

You just don’t. That should never be the goal.

You also can’t really count on a lot of people

showing up at everything you do either, so any fantasy of fame should already be off the table. We had a bunch of really good shows, where we would get 25 or 30 people to show up with the other bands doing likewise. We also played shows that were far away, in bad weather with bad promotion that basically netted 10 people total. Again, this was never the point of playing.

What made playing in a band so significant for me was that I was playing music I loved with guys I had been friends with since we were in first grade.

And that’s all we needed to keep the fun going.

Could we have been more popular if we had played the kind of stuff more people listen to? Maybe. But what if it didn’t work? Now we’d be playing music for someone else’s sake, and without the perks that accompany selling out.

By maintaining the integrity of what we were doing, playing our songs that we loved, it didn’t matter much at all if we were playing at the Beat Kitchen, or the block party of somebody none of us knew.

I guess what I’ll take away from high school is that you can’t count on finding happiness through money or fame or any other means, so you just have to go with what makes you happy with no strings attached. After all, that’s really all you have

complete control over. What you love to do should always win out over what you expect to get from it. If you do that, and you don’t worry about how much money it’ll make you, everything else seems to fall into place in the end.

PEOPLE ARE LIKE CARDBOARD BOXES They’re a lot more appealing when they’re new. After about eighteen years, they get kind of stale and weird.

Taking the good with the bad in high school Caroline Borowski

News Editor y first day of freshman year was my first real exposure to the world of Maine South. I was extremely lost, as probably most of us were at that time. I remember having to wander down to the PA wing to find a classroom hidden in that separate part of the school that I didn’t even know existed.

While I was aimlessly wandering through the hallways, the Hawk Pride leaders looked so confident at Maine South, as if it was their home.

Seeing as how I couldn’t even distinguish between two hallways, I couldn’t imagine finding this building a comfort zone. However, just two years later, I became one of those Hawk Pride leaders guiding lost freshman to the C-wing English rooms and the isolated field house. And now, we, once lost freshman, are about to graduate and walk into another new territory: college.

As our time here winds down, most of us cannot wait to experience something different. Most of us have been together, in some combination at least, since kindergarten. We want a fresh start, a chance to meet new people. But amongst all that anticipation and excitement about the future, we shouldn’t forget about the present; we should also make the most of now.

No longer will teachers be around, as they were at Maine South, to assign us homework on a daily basis. No longer will we be in class 8 hours a day and

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at extracurricular activities for another 3-4 hours, only to come home after a 12-hour day to a pile of homework, forcing us to be mobilized. No longer will we have our parents by our sides to cater to our every need. And no longer will we have the privacy of our own rooms and the comfort of being with our best friend whenever we need them.

Sure, some of these sound like the kind of things you won’t miss. But remember that some other, more pleasant things will also disappear. It’s important we take the whole package of high school and make the most of everything, good or bad. It all goes away quickly.

We’ve all heard the sayings “time flies so make the most of it,” and “enjoy every little bit of life.”

But it’s hard to really grasp these concepts unless we experience them ourselves. High school is the perfect example of how time truly flies. Most of us can still remember that first day of high school as if it were yesterday, even though it really was almost four years ago. At the moment when we just began to learn how to maneuver through the awkwardlyplaced A-wing stairs with 2,000 other kids around us, we couldn’t imagine our reign here ending.

Likewise, we cannot imagine graduating from college at this moment. But just as the end of high school crept up on us, so will the end of college, and everything else in life. So enjoy the present THIS IS AN ADORABLE because the future will come, but the past will PICTURE It’s too bad, actually, because we can’t really make fun of it. never return.

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SENIOR COMMENTARIES

| May 30, 2013

I am, and always will be, completely terrified Sarah Hands Editor-in-Chief

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his whole thing is completely terrifying.

By “thing,” I mean everything. I am terrified of everything. I am terrified of leaving everything I have ever known for everything I do not know, and I am terrified of everything. I am terrified of everything I am leaving and everything I am coming into because I have no idea what the next four years or four decades have in store for me or for you or for your best friend. I probably don’t even know your best friend.

There is an infinite amount of everythings in life—some everythings are smaller than others, but they nonetheless have the power to completely consume you for infinite amounts of time, regardless of how big or small those infinities feel.

The everythings I have been consumed by during this four-year infinity terrify me. I’m terrified that I have nothing to say about these everythings, and I’m terrified that the everythings of high school are more nothing than something.

Despite this, I’m okay. I am okay right now and I know that I will be okay, regardless of how terrified I am of the infinite number of indefinable everythings (or nothings) that I am leaving behind or coming into. I know that I’m okay because my

fear in this moment is not isolated; I am always terrified.

My family tells me that I’ve become a lot less afraid since I started high school—by this, they really mean less shy, which I suppose is true. I used to be terrified of talking to people, regardless of how well I did or did not know them. People still scare the heck out of me, but I’ve come to realize that they’re usually worth talking to. I don’t freeze up when I have to ask for a pencil. I used to do that.

Despite this, I’m not any less afraid now than I was four years ago. The only real change is in how I view fear and how I choose to use it. I used to think that fear was purely a bad thing—that it only placed limits on what I strived to be. It took me a long time to realize that the high that came from overcoming the limits I—and no one else—placed on myself was five million times better than the enhanced timidity that resulted from a pure flight mentality.

Yeah, this whole thing is completely terrifying.

I’m practically paralyzed by the terror as I write this, and I’ll be just as afraid when my dad drops me off in freaking St. Louis (seriously, Missouri) on Aug. 18. Despite this practical paralysis, I have never been more excited in my life. I’m excited and terrified by the prospect of jumping into an infinite amount of indefinable everythings. For now, these everythings might as well be nothings, because I

have no idea what they consist of or how big or small they might be.

It’s this sense of not-knowing that makes this whole thing—by “thing,” I mean everything—so terrifying and amazingly awesome.

SAVE THE WHALES!

My life is a collection of the irrelevant and anecdotal advice people stick to their car bumpers.

All in my head: growing up at last

Margaret Lynch

Entertainment Editor

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y freshmen year, my anxiety had a grappling hook on my mind and that grappling hook dug in deeper as we started to watch a film strip about the spread and mutation of tuberculosis in Russian prisons. I didn’t u n d e r s t a n d w hy I w a s rendered catatonic by this film, or why no matter how many times I turned my earrings clockwise I couldn’t control what was scaring me.

My friends turned to me in confusion, looking for an explanation that I couldn’t give.

The heaviness of why it felt like I was suddenly going to contract a mutated form of tuberculosis, and be tried for a felony in Russia, scared me.

Yet what scared me most was what people would think of me if I told them what truly was overwhelming my freshmen mind. I told people I was just stressed, despite the fact that

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I was trying to control the world from harming me, by doing things I even thought were silly. I told people the minimum. I didn’t dare let anyone see my compulsions.

I knew they were irrational, so naturally, I was embarrassed.

The embarrassment made it worse.

Anxiety creates a deep pressure on a person. It calls upon you to manage the entire world and everything you’re afraid of by doing things over and over again until everything felt right.

Anxiety doesn’t care that your homework isn’t done.

It doesn’t care that you don’t have enough time to count all the way to 60 five times to make yourself feel better when you only have five minutes left during the ACT. It doesn’t care that you’re at a party, that you want to have fun and not have to leave because you feel like the world is crumbling around you. No. It has the power over you—that is until you tell it otherwise.

The first day of high school, I was petrified that people would think I was crazy because I would have faltering nerves during every moment, or because I would hold back tears of fear during movies, or anything that triggered me. I kept every fear and anxious moment to myself until I no longer could.

Then this crazy thing happened: no one thought I was insane.

Maine South accepted me.

I was able to be my slightly neurotic self and no one thought I was nuts. A big deal has never been made over my anxiety and I’ve rarely felt embarrassed to say, “Oh, I’m just having a bit of an anxiety attack right now.” Maine South students proved to me that I’m not really crazy. I walked into Maine South thinking I’d be judged for my anxieties.

Now, I walk out knowing that I won’t be. I’ll always have horrible anxiety—that

will never change—but the ability for me to accept myself and my anxiety was in part because of Maine South.

I thank Maine South for

CALL ME, MAYBE? as old as flip phones.

helping me accept myself, and I thank you all for knowing that just because someone’s a little bit different, that doesn’t mean they’re crazy.

Just kidding. That song is almost

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

The clichéd confessions of a runner Jessica Gronke

there.

There are even those who cheer against me, omeone once told me that senior year is like telling me that I can’t possibly make it the rest of running a race. I told them that that was the the way; I’m dying out. most clichéd thing I had ever heard. But, since Then, there are the faithful few. They are the running has had such a huge influence on my ones with me before the race starts; they calm life, I can’t help but notice the similarities between my pre-race jitters and give motivating pep talks. the two.

They are the ones who run alongside me during It’s pretty simple, actually. The starting gun the race, shouting encouragement. They are the goes off, and I wonder what I’ve gotten myself ones who elbow others out of their way to get the into. There are just so many expectations set, and perfect view of my finish. They are the ones who the pressure is on full force. I’m not so sure that hand me water and recount what an amazing race I’m prepared for any of it. As the race progresses, I just ran. They are the ones I rely upon. there are those moments when I just want to up The last 100 meters are my favorite. It’s an alland quit. out sprint to the end, and I know it’s my strongest Here I am in the middle of this race: my heart leg of the entire race. Crossing that finish line is racing, my legs are ready to fall off, and the end presents a moment of elation, followed by a wave is too far away to even comprehend—yet I push of exhaustion. The realization smacks me in the through it all and keep on going. Why? Well, that’s face: I’m done. All the training and hours spent also quite simple: why not? I’ve gotten this far, mulling over this one big race, and it’s over. might as well finish it off.

Pretty soon it will be time to get into training Along the way, the people cheering for me for that next race, and the old one will simply change. It does not matter who the person is: each be a base upon which I will build my future one plays a vital role during my race. strategies. It’s a race in which I learn my weak Some arrive late and miss the start. Regardless, ARRGH! I’m not usually in front of the camera, but spots, strengths, and true fans.

I know that I’ll see them screaming their lungs out when I am, I’m a pirate.

As clichéd as it might sound, that is the view of at the finish line. senior year from a runner’s perspective—at least, Others are present at the start, but somehow A scattered few find their way to the end, but from my perspective. One piece of advice: don’t never manage to find their way to the finish line. their shouts are no match to those who beat them forget to let yourself enjoy the thrill of finishing.

Photography Editor

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High school is what you make of it Gianna Carrozza

Commentary Editor s I sit here writing my final say on high school, I’m clueless. There is so much I want to tell the underclassmen, but at the same time there isn’t. It’s almost impossible to sum up four years in a few sentences. I’ll try not to sound clichéd, but that’s all but inevitable.

I want to tell the underclassmen to live every moment to its fullest, always try their best, join a club, or play a sport, but do you think they would listen? I know I wouldn’t when I was an ignorant freshman with my entire high school career ahead of me, unaware of how quickly these four years pass.

I would like to tell them all my experiences and mistakes, hoping they’d listen and learn from mine. I want to tell them how lucky they are to go to a school with so many great teachers who are always willing to help. And that there are so many resources available that should be used to their full advantage.

I want to tell them so much, but as I’ve learned, these are all things people need to learn for themselves. It’s impossible to learn from someone else’s experiences, so why should I share mine?

If you’re really curious, my high school experience was average. I went to class every day, did my homework, went to swim practice and came home. The amount of effort I put into school and sports was sufficient and I was okay with that.

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my way.

I met so many great people and teachers, and had so many memorable moments, but I won’t waste your time telling you about them because those are my own. It’s up to you to make your own memories and learn from your experiences.

What I’m trying to say is that everyone gets something different out of high school, so don’t be disappointed if your experience didn’t exactly match up with the typical teenage life you see on MTV. You should probably be pretty happy it didn’t end up that way.

High school is a time to grow, learn from your own choices, and make your own memories.

Prepare yourself for the world ahead of you because that’s where what you make of yourself really counts.

Something I did learn that I would like to try to pass on is to just get inspired. Don’t be dull or unenthusiastic, especially about school work.

I changed my entire career just because of an Advanced Composition research paper. Not really the typical thing to decide your future career on, but that’s because, for once, I embraced a topic I was passionate about and was able to see it in a SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY different light.

Hi, my name is Gianna Carrozza, and I like butterflies If you learn anything from my short commentary, in my hair. it would be to just take high school for what it is.

I was fully aware that you get what you give. I Do the things that make you happy, but know that wasn’t expecting to be a state swimmer overnight some of those choices might come back to bite you. or be at the top of my class. I was fine doing things Enjoy it in your own way.

SouthwordS 15

FEMALE ATHLETES

| May 30, 2013

Maine South’s 2012-2013 Meghan Salgia Badminton

Jacqui Grant Basketball

Molly Gaughan Cheerleading

Megan Lemersal Cross Country

Meghan Salgia was a two-year varsity member for the badminton team. This season, she was 21-13 at first singles. Meghan won the Hawk Invite and placed second at the East Aurora Invite. She qualified for State her junior year in singles. “Meghan has had a positive impact on our team,” describes Coach Muir-Wilson.

“I often had compliments from other coaches and parents about how well she played. She is a very sweet and supportive teammate. Meghan was voted as the team captain, and everyone enjoyed practicing and playing with her.” Meghan will go on to the University of Chicago and play club badminton there.

Jacqui Grant was a four-year member of the varsity team and this year’s captain. She has led the team in points scored, rebounds, and blocked shots. Jacqui has the secondmost points and the second-most rebounds in girls’ basketball history at Maine South, and she has also contributed to the Hawks getting third place in the state in 2011. She received first-team All State honors by numerous associations including the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

Jacqui received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Illinois—UrbanaChampaign, where she will continue her basketball career.

Molly Gaughan was a three-year varsity cheer member. She is a twoyear CSL Conference Champion and three-time state qualifier. Molly is also a 2013 IHSA Individual Achievement Award Winner and a Maine Scholar Athlete. She was the first cheerleader to attend the JKB Leadership program in Colorado through South Stars.

“Her compassion and dedication to the sport and her academic status has inspired and been admired by the coaching staff and her peers,” said Coach Coy. “Molly’s knowledge and determination has raised the bar for all of her teammates.” Molly will attend Marquette University next year.

Megan Lemersal has been one of the most successful long-distance runners in Maine South History. She has been instrumental in qualifying the team for the state meet for the past three years and has finished in the top 20 each time. Individually, she has the second-best time in school history for Maine South’s home course and has earned All-State honors on two occasions. “Besides being an outstanding runner, she is an even better person,” said Coach Downing. “Her leadership skills and dedication to our programs will be greatly missed.” Megan will continue her cross country career by running at the University of Illinois in the fall.

Allison Curry Soccer

Cecilia Budzynski Softball

Anne Pavlis Swimming

Nicole Kitsuse Tennis

Allison Curry was on the girls’ varsity soccer team for three years, and was a captain the for past two.

Allison was the leading scorer and earned All-Sectional her junior and senior year, and also received AllState honors. Going into playoffs, Allison led the team in goals with 26.

Allison Curry will be in the top five of girls’ soccer history for the most goals scored, and leads the team in assists with eleven this past season.

“Allison is a great teammate,” said Coach Crawford. “The team respects and trusts her. They would say she has a ‘team first’ mentality.” Allison will attend Boston College next fall.

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Cecilia Budzynski has been on the varsity softball team the past two years as the third baseman. Cecilia was nominated by her teammates this year to be a captain on the team, and she was known for leading by example.

“When I think about Cecilia, I think about how much fun high school sports are,” said Coach Paiser. “She always gave one hundred percent, worked hard, and had a smile on her face. She was always early to the field.

If she made a mistake, she would learn from it and move on to and become a better person and player.” Cecilia will be attending Illinois State University next fall.

Anne Pavlis was a two-year varsity member; she competed in sprint freestyle and butterfly races. Anne ended the season swimming several lifetime bests and is considered one of the most improved and motivated swimmers in the program. She qualified for State in the 200-meter free relay, which set a new school record. “Anne had a terrific senior season,” said Coach Kura. “She always worked as hard as she could in practice and truly had a desire to improve and achieve her goals. She was a great example to the younger swimmers.” Anne will attend the University of Dayton next year.

Nicole Kitsuse was a three-year varsity member on the girls’ tennis team. She went to State her junior year with doubles partner Claudia Aniol and was All-Conference her senior year. “Nicole is one of the few players whose game developed significantly after her sophomore year,” states Coach Bondi. “Usually players come in at a certain level and make small improvements each year.

Nicole worked especially hard in her last two years to move her game to a much higher level, becoming a more polished and competitive player. ” Nicole will attend Maryville University in Missouri in the fall.

Senior Issue

| FEMALE ATHLETES

Senior Female Athletes Kathleen Daly Golf

Haleigh Sir Gymnastics

Emily Yagihashi Hawkettes

Claire Cooney Lacrosse

Kathleen Daly is a three-year varsity golfer and a team captain this season. She holds the ninth-best career nine-hole average in program history.

She also been named All-Conference for the past two seasons. Her best 18-hole performance occurred at the team’s Regional competition, leading the team to a Regional Championship.

Kathleen’s sectional score led the team to its first IHSA State Tournament appearance in program history and an eighth-place finish. “She competed on every shot every time she took the course,” said Coach Hamann. “The team could always count on her.”

Kathleen will attend the University of Illinois in the fall.

Haleigh Sir is a four-year gymnast and was voted captain for her senior season. At Conference this year, Haleigh placed second all-around, and first on beam and floor. She placed fourth all-around and third on floor this year at Regionals. Haleigh was the MVP the past two years, and holds top-five scores for each event in Maine South history. “Haleigh has been a great leader as a captain of our team this year, motivating her teammates and leading by examples of hard work and commitment,” said Coach Robinson. “She was always willing to help her coaches and teammates in any way.” Haleigh will attend the University of Michigan.

Emily Yagihashi is a three-year varsity Hawkette and was a captain in both her junior and senior year.

She is one of the strongest dancers in the program, especially in the kick style. Emily sets a great example for the younger dancers by proving that working hard outside of practice is just as important as working during practice. “Emily is a phenomenal dancer,” said Coach Graney. “Any skill you give to her, she will master, and if not at that exact second, she’ll come back to practice the next day and have it. Emily works hard at everything she’s involved in and will be dearly missed.” Emily will attend the University of Michigan.

Claire Cooney is a two-year member of the varsity lacrosse team and was voted captain this season.

Claire led the team’s offense in many categories; she was named a CSL All-Conference player this season, and she was also awarded the Maine South Sportsmanship award the past two seasons. “Claire’s teammates would describe her as the heart of our team, and also an emotional and field leader,” said Coach Solomon. “Being on such a young team and in a young program, Claire has left an incredible mark as a great leader and mentor for the future Maine South lacrosse players.” Claire will be attending the University of Iowa.

Emma Ropski Track & Field

Emma Ropski has been the captain of the girls’ track and cross country teams the past two years. Last year, she had one of the fastest relay times in the country and she earned AllState honors in the 3,200 meter relay.

“Emma has been such an incredible addition to our track team,” said Coach Downing. “She helped solidify our middle distance programs as the ultimate relay competitor. Our running program has benefitted from her leadership as a captain, and her character and discipline will be missed.”

Emma will continue her running career at Hope College.

Kirsten Lee Volleyball

Kristen Lee is a two-year member of the girls’ volleyball team, and was nominated as a captain for her senior year season. Kristen was named All-Conference and recognized as a scholar athlete. “Kristen has been a leader on and off the court,” said Coach King. “Her willingness and desire to work hard and push others to be better athletes has been contagious. She is the type of player that will go out of her way to make sure her teammates are successful, and we, as a team, grow as one.” Kristen will attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she will be studying business.

Iza Matczuk Water Polo

Iza Matczuk was a four-year varsity member on the girls’ water polo team.

She was an All-Conference performer the past two seasons and was named an All-Sectional performer this year. She helped lead her team to the Sectional semi-finals. Iza led the team in goals this year, scoring 67, along with 26 assists. “Iza led the scoring attack for a well-balanced varsity team,” said coach Gershon. “She was a key player on the defensive end of the pool as well and assisted her teammates in having a winning season.” Iza will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall.

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Maine South’s 2012-2013 Zack Jones Baseball

John Solari Basketball

Jon Vaccaro Cross Country

Zack Jones, the team’s catcher, is a two-year varsity member. He was captain of the baseball team this year.

Zack has a .984 fielding percentage and is known for throwing out opposing players attempting to steal.

He is batting at .387 with 22 RBIs and a .465 on-base percentage. “Zack acts as a coach on the field by calling pitches, announcing coverages, and encouraging his teammates,” said Coach Milano. “He remains a fine role model for younger players in the program with his work ethic, hustle, and determination to improve his game.” Zack will continue to play baseball at Trinity International University.

John Solari was a four-year varsity player and two-year captain. He was selected twice to the All-Conference Team for the CSL South, twice to the Herald-Advocate All-Area 3rd Team, the Voyager Newspaper AllArea 2nd Team, and IBCA All-State Special Mention. “In John’s four years, he scored 1046 points and had 538 rebounds,” says Coach Lavorato.

“He is the winningest player in Maine South basketball history, contributing to three Regional Championships, one Sectional Championship, one Elite 8 appearance, one Conference Championship, and two 28 win seasons.” John will play football at Dayton University in Ohio.

Jon Vacarro is the team captain of the cross country team and a member of the track team. He holds the fourth-fastest time on the Maine South course. Jon is the District 207, conference, and regional champion and, with his sixth-place finish, an All-Sectional runner. His 15th-place finish at State with a three-mile time of 14:41 earned him All-State honors as well. He also qualified for State in the 2011 season in the 3,200 meter.

According to Coach Nordahl, “Jon is an excellent leader and a solid academic student. He displays an excellent work ethic year-round.” Jon will attend the University of Illinois next year.

Tom Larocca Swimming

Patrick Daleiden Tennis

Griffin Kasznia Track & Field

Tom Larocca is a four-year varsity member and freestyle competitor in both sprint and distance races and a four-year varsity letter winner. He was a state qualifier in three relays: the 200-meter medley, the 200 meter free, and the 400-meter free, each of which set a school record in the past season. His name, along with his relay teammates, appears most on the team record board. “He was not only our most valuable senior, but also our most valuable swimmer overall,” said Coach Kura. “His work ethic and commitment to performing the best that he could every day made for a truly special senior season for Tom and his teammates.”

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Patrick Daleiden is a three-year varsity member, and has an 11-4 record overall. Patrick has been the number-one player the past two seasons, and he has earned a three seed in sectionals of this season. “Patrick has played well all season with great class, integrity, and sportsmanship,” said Coach Young. “The legacy Patrick leaves here is for other players to make the same commitment to learning the game, competing, conditioning, playing with class and integrity, and always allowing your play to speak for you.” Patrick will be attending the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign next year.

Griffin Kasznia is a three-year varsity member who runs sprints and competes in the high jump. He was selected to be one of the captains and is the team’s most successful high jumper and 400-meter sprinter.

Griffin was named All-Conference in 2013. The highlight of his season was his top placement in the Ron Gummerson Cougar Invite, where he was 400-meter sprint champion. He also qualified for state in 2012 in the 4 by 400-meter relay. Coach Sutschek believes that Griffin’s success is significant because it demonstrates how soccer players can benefit from track and calls him a “consistent performer and good competitor.”

Senior Issue

| MALE ATHLETES

Senior Male Athletes Matt Alviti Football

Robert Mazza Golf

Calvin Miller Soccer

Matt Alviti has been the Maine South quarterback for the past three years. He has led the Hawks to a 33-4 record and a state championship in 2010, while also setting records for total touchdowns scored and rushing yards for a quarterback. He earned both All-State honors and CSL South Offensive Player of the Year twice.

“His leadership will be truly missed,” said Coach Inserra. “I can’t remember one day in three years that Matt took it easy in practice. He was the ultimate competitor.” Matt is the first Maine South football player to play in an AllAmerican game and the first to receive a scholarship from a Big 10 school.

He will continue to play football at Northwestern University.

Robert Mazza was on the boys’ varsity golf team the past two years, and his scores led the team throughout the season. Robert shot a 72 in the second tournament of his senior season, a 76 at the Wheeling Invite and a 77 at Conference. “Robert was focused, confident, and always consistent,” said Coach Scholl. “As a quiet competitor, he possessed all the attributes needed to excel in the sport. His desire to improve and compete was outstanding, but his positive attitude with his teammates made him stand out as an MVP in the sport. I have no doubt he’ll be successful as an athlete and student.”

Robert will attend the University of Montana next fall.

Calvin Miller was a two-year varsity player and team captain.

Calvin established himself as a player that his teammates look to as a leader both on and off the field. “Calvin has outstanding field sense and intuition, along with excellent technical skills, and he is an athlete who competes with innate confidence, poise, and determination,” said Coach States.

He was selected as an All-Conference player in 2011 and an All-Sectional player in 2012, in addition to being named to the Quincy Notre Dame All-Tournament Team in both 2011 and 2012 and recognized as a Maine Scholar Athlete. He will continue his soccer career at Loras University where he will be studying business.

Nate Wolf Volleyball

Kyle Christie Water Polo

Terry Calkins Wrestling

Nate Wolf has been on the varsity boys’ volleyball team the past two years. This season, he was nominated captain. Nate played as an outside hitter for the Hawks, and leads the team in passing and is second in digs. During his varsity career at Maine South, Nate had 201 kills, 22 aces, 135 digs, 37 blocks, and was All-Conference. “Nate’s teammates would describe him as very easygoing, and someone who does not get rattled,” said Coach Granell. “They would also say, ‘When we really need a point, we have to get the ball to Nate.’” Nate plans on attending Ball State University.

Kyle Christie is a two-year varsity member and co-captain who plays the right wing position. Kyle had the most positive turnovers this season with 124 steals. Over his career, he has earned the most assists and points on the team. He has also led the team to back-to-back 23-7 seasons. “Kyle’s example has sent the message to a great number of younger players to play polo over the summer, which has been the key to our recent success,” said Coach Deger. “He worked as hard as anyone and committed himself to making the squad a respected team within the state.” Kyle will attend the University of Kansas next year.

Terry Calkins is a four-year varsity member who has 131 career victories, the fourth most in school history.

He was a Regional Champion twice and qualified for state three times. In addition, he was named to the AllConference team three times, while winning Conference twice. “Terry is a skilled technician who understands the sport well,” says Coach Hanson.

“He leaves as one of the most decorated and winningest wrestlers Maine South has seen. Terry’s legacy has set the bar for future Hawk wrestlers.”

Terry will attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next year and will continue wrestling.

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SENIOR ATHLETES

| May 30, 2013