Vol. 54, Issue 8 Southwords Senior Issue

COVER BY ARDEN SASAK; PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FRAZIER

May 18, 2018

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

Vol. 54, Senior Issue

The Maine Scholars (left to right: Julia Benbenek, Matthew Locascio, Emily Krischke, Grant Miller, Ryan Prendergast, and Anna Wolsza) are among many students looking forward to graduation.

AWARDS | May 17, 2018

RECOGNITION of the class of

College Awards & Scholarships

A m e r i c a n Un i v e r s i t y Ho n o r s Prog r am–C l aire Wess el kamp er American University Presidential Scholarship–Claire Wesselkamper Au g u s t a n a C o l l e g e Ac a d e m i c Scholarship–John Calabrese Belmont University Academic Scholarship– John Conradi Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Dean’s Honor Scholarship–James Butler Bradley Tuition Exchange Scholarship– Jonathan Whitelaw Bradley University Academic Scholarship– Kenny Kotowsky Bradley University Presidential Scholarship–Natalie Burdyn Butler University Academic Scholarship–Alexandra Szul Chapman University Presidential Scholarship– E m m a Wo n s o w i c z C h a p m a n University Chapman Grant–Emma Wonsowicz Colorado State University Honor’s Scholarship–Liam Conlon Colorado State University President’s Scholarship–Liam Conlon DePaul University Presidential Scholarship– Lucas Bechtel, Spyros Vaselopulos DePaul Honors College–Spyros Vaselopulos Elmhurst College Trustee Scholarship–Claire Christie Elmhurst College Legacy Scholarship–Claire Christie George Mason Athletic Scholarship–Richie Hoff Illinois State University Federal Pell Grant

and State of IL MAP grant–Julia Madej Illinois State University Redbird Academic Scholarship–Julia Madej Illinois State University ISU Access Grant–Julia Madej Illinois Wesleyan University Merit Scholarship–Emily Krischke Indiana University Dean’s Scholarship–Samantha Heitzman, Dorothy Reinhard, Paul Sasso Iowa State University Grant & Award For Competitive Excellence–Anthony Fiorentino Kansas State University Me d a l l i on S c h ol ar sh ip – E m m a Iacovella Kansas State University Memorial Scholarship–Emma Iacovella Kansas State University Pell Grant– Emma Iacovella Lake Forest College Presidential Scholarship–Jackson Petree Lake Forest College Grant– Jackson Petree Loyola University Chicago Athletic Scholarship-Aly Kilburg Loyola University Chicago Damen Scholarship–Michael Murphy Loyola University Chicago Dean’s Scholarship–Michael Murphy, Sylvia Tolczyk Loyola University Chicago Merit Based Scolarship–Angelina Popovic Loyola University Chicago The Loyola Scholarship–Kathryn Mauery Loyola University Chicago Presidential Academic Scholarship– Patrick Cichon, Juhee Raza Loyola University Chicago Interdisciplinary Honors Program–Patrick Cichon Loyola University Chicago Trustee Scholarship–Maria Manoukarakis M a r qu e tte Un i v e r s i t y G r a n t – Wiktoria Kurc Marquette University Père Marquette Scholarship–Oliwia

2018

Bu rd a , Joh n Man n i x , A m an d a Walbert Marquette University Pere Scholarship–Wiktoria Kurc Marquette Honors Program–Oliwia Burda Miami University Academic Scholars–Chloe Sassan Miami University Honors Scholar–Patrick Gillespie Miami University RedHawk Excellence S chol arship– Pat r i ck Gi l l e spi e, Lauren Ottesen, Chloe Sassan Burda Miami University College of EHS Dean’s Scholarship–Lauren Ottesen Miami University Special Education Scholarship–Lauren Ottesen Millikin University Presidential Scholarship– Anne Longman Northern Illinois University Full Athletic Scholarship– Fotis Kokosioulis Northern Illinois University Grant Scholarship Award– Grayson Teng Oakton Community C ollege Oakton E ducational Foundation High School Senior Scholarship–Jillian Sagat, Alexander Wagner Oberlin College John F. Oberlin Scholarship–Katherine Tuzzolino The Ohio State University Engineering Dean’s Scholarship– Jenna Har tjen The Ohio State University International Affairs Scholars–Madison L asso The Ohio State University Maximus Scholarship–Jenna Hartjen The Ohio State University National Buckeye Scholar–Jenna Hartjen, Madison Lasso The Ohio State University Trustees Scholarship–Madison Lasso Roosevelt University Presidential Scholarship–Maria Manoukarakis Purdue University Engineering

Honors College–Lauren Meyer Saint Louis University Presidential Finalist Scholarship–Denise Gomez Saint Louis University Higher Purpose Scholarship–Maya Thomas Saint Louis University Ignation Tuition Scholarship–Maya Thomas Saint Louis University Vice Presidential Scholarship–Jennifer Blasius St. Olaf College Art Scholarship–Arden Sasak St. Olaf College Federal Pell Grant–Arden Sasak St. Olaf College Presidential Scholarship–Arden Sasak Southern Illinois University Excellence Scholarship–Gavin Voris Whittier College Poet Award–Alexandria Sewielski Tulane University Deans Honor’s Scholarship–Theodore Wyshel Tulane University Honors Program– Theodore Wyshel UCLA Out of State Grant–Dimitri Speron University of Dayton Presidents Merit Scholarship– Brandon Christopher University of Dayton Alumni Legacy Award– Brandon Christopher University of Illinois Provost Scholarship– Julia Wapner University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor’s Access Grant–Stephanie Schnaufer, Serenity Torres University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign Engineering Department Scholarship–Hristina Marcheva University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign James Scholar Award–Caroline Coyle University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign OSFA Resident Tuition Waiver–Stephanie Schnaufer University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign President’s

Department Awards Applied Arts Award

Art Award

Business Award

English Award

Karol Koziel

Anne Longman

David Rygiel

Emma Wonsowicz

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Family/Consumer Foreign Language Sciences Award Award

Julia Belz

Mairead King

Senior iSSue | AWARDS Award Scholarship–Serenity Torres University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Various Donors ACES– Stephanie Schnaufer University of Iowa National Scholars Award–Connor Paczosa University of St. Thomas St. Thomas Academic Scholarship– Laura Martino University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Chancellor’s Scholar and James Scholar–Ryan Prendergast University of Illinois Chancellor’s Scholar–Julia Wapner University of Missouri-Columbia Border State Scholars–Thomas Forde, Anthony Porrello University of Missouri-Columbia Mark Twain Nonresident Scholarship–Thomas Forde, Anthony Porrello University of Notre Dame Academic Scholarship– Elaine Smith University of San Francisco Ignatious Award–Pearce Carlson University of Southern California Grant–Tommy Ortman University of Washington Purple and Gold Scholarship–Samantha Bergstrom University of WisconsinMadison Frawley, Dorothy Marshall Scholarship to honor Charles J Marshall–Meghan Breslin Valparaiso Presidential Scholarship–Maria Manoukarakis Westminster Dean Merit Scholarship Award–Maddie Harper Whittier College Whittier College Grant–Alexandria Sewielski Xavier University St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Award–Christo Fosse

Outside Awards & Scholarships American L egion Constitution Contest Finalists– Julia Benbenek, Will Brendza, Jack Freeman, Caroline Coyle, Kaitlin Kons, Anna Laskowski, Grant Miller, Julia Wapner Architecture,

Mathematics Award

Grant Miller

Construction, and Engineering Internship Award–Kenneth Castillo B oy S c out s of Am er i c a E ag l e Scout–Griffin Annis, Steve Manos Chicago Federation of Labor and Industrial Union Council William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship–Thomas O’C onnor C hris Harris Senior Scholarship Award–Noah Fishman, Raj Rambhajan Cook County Sherrif Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart Youth Service Medal of Honor– Thomas O’Connor Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship–Grant Miller Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award– Elizabeth O’Brien District 207 “Ken Reese” Senior Service Scholarship– Emma Niss en E lyssa’s Mission Scholarship–Emma Biggins, Gillian Niezyniecki, Melissa Correa FASFA State of IL MAP Grant–Serenity Torres Girl Scouts Gold Award–Denise Gomez Graham C-Stores Company Fueling the Minds of the Future Scholarship–Alexandria Sewielski Hawk Booster Scholarship–Ryan Bull, Brandon Christopher, Danielle Ciprian, Grant Miller, Emilie Kracik, Claire Wesselkamper Kalo Scholarship– Anne Longman, Claire Wesselkamper Maine Scholars– Julia Benbenek, Emily Krischke, Matthew Locascio, Grant Miller, Ryan Prendergast, Anna Wolsza Maine South Art Club Scholarship– Elizabeth Lieu Maine South High School Current Affairs–Giuseppe Maranto Maine South Chinese Club Scholarship–Jack Heneghan Maine South Fine Arts Senior Scholarship– Emma Anderson, Lucas Bechtel, Eliot Bontumasi, Elaina Bridich, Nicholas Bridich, Claire Connolly, Christo Fosse, Grace Goble, Daniel Grib, Emily Hansen, Emma Iacovella, Stephanie Kolar, Kelly Lennon, Benjamin LevinO’Leary, Nicholas Levy, Jennifer

Loforte, Conor Maloney, Steven Manos, Daniel McCarrick, Mary Clare Nagai, Kathleen Oleksy, Gabriel Ortiz, Thomas Ortman, Genevieve O’Shea, Michaela Parangalan, Natalie Piraino, Cole Ponsi, Alexandria Sewielski, Moise Tamas, Shea Walters, Julia Wapner, Emma Wonsowicz, Theodore Wyshel Maine South French Club Scholarship– Michaela Parangalan, Dimitri Speron Maine South German Club Scholarship–Nikola Nikolic, Ryan Prendergast Maine South Good Will Award–Elyse Bartucci, Emma Biggins, Margaret Etchingham, Madison Lasso, Gabriella Lynch, Andrew Masterson, Madeline Russell, Elaine Smith, Andrew Sullivan Maine South Italian Club Scholarship–Melissa Correa Maine South Spanish Club Scholarship– E d i t h Ko w a l i k , S t e v e M a n o s , Samuel Ronnel, Julia Wapner, Claire Wesselkamper Maine South Parents’ Club Scholarship–Julia Benbenek, Will Brendza, Meghan Breslin, Ryan Bull, Cali Dobosz, Noah Fishman, Christo Fosse, Grace Goble, Samantha Heitzman, Emilie Kracik, Kelly Lennon, Milena Lim, Matt Locascio, John Machonga, Conor Maloney, Daniel McCarrick, Hope McMullen, Grant Miller, Gillian Niezyniecki, Thomas O’Connor, Kathleen Oleksy, Sidney Simner, Elaine Smith, Matt Thorsen, Julia Wapner, Emma Wonsowicz Make A Difference Scholarship– Haley Crawford, Matthew Locascio, Conor Maloney, Genevieve O’Shea MTA Helen Dobbins Scholarship– Britney Richardson National Merit Scholarship Commended Students– Will Brendza, Meghan Breslin, James Butler, Nathaniel Cohen, Michael George, Denise Gomez, Jack Heneghan, Jessica Krawitz, Benjamin LevinO’Leary, Matthew Locascio, Grant Miller, Thomas O’Connor, Cole Ponsi,

Sofia Romas, Arden Sasak, Elaine Smith, Dimitri Speron, Anna Wolsza, Theodore Wyshel National Merit Scholarship Corporation National Merit Scholarship Finalist–Steve Manos, Julia Wapner National Merit Scholarship Corporation National Merit Scholar–Ryan Prendergast The National Society of High School Scholars–Anthony Fiorentino National Society for the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Repeated Prizes for Spanish National Exam Score Gold and Silver Awards–Nathaniel Cohen Niles Chamber of Commerce Dollars for Scholars Scholarship–Denise Gomez, Kelly Lennon Park Ridge Kiwanis Club Award–Grant Miller, Emma Wonsowicz Park Ridge Kiwanis Noon Club Certificate for Academic and Fine Arts Achievement–Thomas Ortman Park Ridge Panhellenic Scholarship–Melissa Correa, Emilie Kracik, Claire Wesselkamper, Natalie Zamiechowski Park Ridge Soccer Scott Wade Memorial Scholarship–Ryan Bull, Andrew Knapp, Conor Maloney, Angelina Moore Peggy Ross American History Scholar Award–Grant Miller Robert V. Simonson Award–Ryan Habetler Rosemont Chamber of Commerce–Noah Fishman Second Chance Scholarship–Delia Staunton Sophia Pichinos Scholarship–Savina Mihalopoulos Twentieth Century Club and Foundation of Park Ridge Scholarship–Julia Benbenek, Cali Dobosz, Savina Mihalopoulos, Laura Martino US Department of Education US Presidential Scholar Semifinalist– R y a n P r e n d e r g a s t We n t c h e r Foundation Scholarship–Alexander Wagner Western Golf Association Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship– Mairead King Will Dushek Memorial Scholarship–Nick Bridich, Mike Ribaudo, Conor Maloney

Music Award

Physical Education/Health Award

Science Award

Speech/Drama Award

Social Science Award

J.J. Butler

Torre Cecala

Anna Wolsza

Thomas Ortman

Julia Benbenek

SouthwordS 3

COLLEGES

| May 17, 2018 Kovac, Nikko Lorusso, Anthony Montalbano, Marvin Martinez, Savina Mihalopoulos, Maggie Muellner, Patrick Mulvany, Kevin Murray, Kelly O’Donnell, Tim O’Malley, Nick Regalado, John Rozny, Jillian Sagat, Dina Salemi, Gianni Scavelli, Liam Shipley, Amelia Stefanek, Elizabeth Zamora Southern Illinois University– Racy Peterson, Gavin Voris, Hannah Walsh Tricoci University–Ryan Petrick Evelyn Costigan, Lilly Trapp Melina Gjoka, Rosa Guagliardo, Triton College–James Andersen, Emily Hansen, Hannah Krueger, Edward Stocchetti, Stevan Zrnic Nick Levy, Julia Madej, Bryanna Florida University of Illinois at McCarthy, Robert McDarrah, University of Tampa–Kalliopi Chicago–Michael Belford, Alexandra Melerski, Danielle Nikokavouras, Grace Rumbaut Darian Danciu, Thomas Hinds, Rink, Amber Samp, Michelle Jessica Jezierny, Marko Josipovic, Schmitz, Mikayla Sommer, Monika Junkovic, Karol Idaho Danica Stassen, Andrew Koziel, Elizabeth Lieu, Louise Boise State University–Ryan Sullivan, Brendan Swarbrick, Macaraniag, Daniel McCarrick, Habetler Desiree Tobias, Nina Torossi, Brenden Mccarron, Antonio Natalie Triffo, Jeremy Walsh Tawfik, Ryan Warren, Matt Illinois Wesleyan University– Illinois Ziminski Marcus Betea, Eliot Bontumasi, Augustana College–John University of Illinois at UrbanaRyan Bull, Emily Krischke Calabrese, Kyle Leavitt, Fiona Champaign–Emily Barry, Lake Forest College– Tiffany Nimietz Nathaniel Cohen, Caroline Ballenger, Matt Hart Aurora University–Alexis Coyle, Kara Cullerton, Declan Loyola University Chicago– Mianowski Digan, Anastasia Economy, Maurice Babbitt, Obaid BinBradley University–Emily Andrew Failma, Christian Mahfoudh, Patrick Cichon, Bugai, Natalie Burdyn, Grace Foss, Sean Gardiner, Justin Jeffrey Debrauwere, Maria Coakley, Kenny Kotowsky, Grigus, Natalie Guzaldo, Sarah Chloe Taterka, Marisa Trippiedi, Hartas, Aly Kilburg, Edith Hoffman, Zachary Johnson, Kowalik, Maria Manoukarakis, Jonny Whitelaw Melannie Kavanaugh, Andrew Kathryn Mauery, Grace Columbia College Chicago– Knapp, Benjamin Levin-O’Leary, Mountin, Michael Murphy, Daniel Grib, Pierce Jeske, Milena Lim, Meg Lindemann, Giuseppe Maranto, Moise Tamas Angelina Popovic, Joaquin John Machonga, Grace Maloney, Coyne College–Hunter Thomas Posadas, Juhee Raza, David Hristina Marcheva, Rachel Rygiel, Martin Sornat, DePaul University– Dina McCarthy, Nicolle Milewska, Kelly Tanquary, Sylvia Abuhadba, Cassandra Jack Muno, Gillian Niezyniecki, Amundson, Marlowe Bangeman, Tolczyk, Claudia Wec, Mark Gabriel Ortiz, Abbey Oyasu, Wyrzykowski, Julia Zaparanyuk Luke Bechtel, Gianna Catania, Elizabeth Peterso, Citlalli Pino, Millikin University–Anne Michelle Chruscinski, Justyna Justin Pinsky, Ryan Prendergast, Longman Lepa, Angelina McAdory, Lilly Dan Sargeant, Stephanie Miller, Angelina Moore, Hannah Monmouth College–Thalia Schnaufer, Cam Stacy, Serenity Mruk, Evan Prokos, Kevin Sako, Koupas Torres, Nick Turbett, Kristina Northeastern Illinois Spyros Vaselopulos Valdez, Anna Varco, Panagiotis Dominican University–Jennifer University–Marina Josipovic Vassilakos, Julia Wapner Northern Illinois University– Loforte Ahmad Elgarawany, Fotis Elmhurst College–Claire Indiana Kokosioulis, Nikoli Stamos, Christie Ball State University–Joe Viola Aaron Teng, Grayson Teng Harper College–Victoria Butler University–Thomas Oakton Community College– Serrano Foster, James Horkavi, Conor Illinois Institute of Technology– Olivia Chudziaszek, Nathan Maloney, Fiona Spuria, Erin Dempsey-Kotowski, Braxton Alex O’Malley Straka, Megan Streightiff, Illinois State University–Alyssa Ellingsen, Kelsi Estrera, Joe Alexandra Szul Gabel, Nick Jop, Tyler Kabat, Annerino, Robert Camiliere, Anna Demarinis, Rachel Duffy, Dakota Kay, Stephanie Kolar, Jay

“Oh, the Places you’ll go!”

Class of 2018 College Enrollment Alabama

University of Alabama–Hunter Molloy

Arizona

Arizona State University– Andrew Elliott, Amy Gulliksen University of Advancing Technology–Ashley Hamilton University of Arizona–Dom Jelenkovic, Matthias Kocur

California

Golden West College–Erin Pavlis Loyola Marymount University– Kathleen Oleksy San Diego State University– Anthony Bartell, Cassie Ira Santa Barbra City College–Rory Hayes Santa Clara Community College–Julia Calcagno Santa Rosa Junior College– Declan Griffin University of California Los Angeles–Nikola Nikolic, Dimitri Speron University of San Francisco– Pearce Carlson University of Southern California–Thomas Ortman, Sofia Romas, Sidney Simner Whittier College–Alexandria Sewielski

Colorado

Colorado School of Mines–Jacob Mellema Colorado State University–Elyse Bartucci, Liam Conlon, Noah Fishman, Christina Johnson, Raj Rambhajan, Luke Van Den Eeden University of Colorado Boulder–Brendan Ahlbeck,

4 SouthwordS

Senior Issue

Indiana University–Colin Daly, Joseph DiVito, Samantha Heitzman, Mairead King, Allison Kowalski, Andrew Masterson, Sky McNabola, Matt Rachmiel, Dorothy Reinhard, Sam Ronnel Purdue University–Luke Buscemi, Julia Economy, Jessica Krawitz, Nikita Lyubashenko, Lauren Meyer, Natalie Zamiechowski Rose Hulman Institute of Technology–Griffin Annis University of Notre Dame– Will Brendza, Haley Crawford, Matthew Locascio, Olivia Niziolek, Thomas O’Connor, Elaine Smith

Iowa

Iowa Sate University–Anthony Ancona, Dominic Ancona, Cali Dobosz, Maggie Gamble, Braedon Giblin, Szymon Glab, Rachel Hans, Szymon Laczak, Will Manolis, Audrey Mulcahy, Matt Thorsen University Of Dubuque– Alessandro Corazzina University of Iowa–Cole Bruce, Eugene Caporale, Evan Clauss, Ronan Donahue, Gabby Marcuccilli, Darcy Mergens, Liam Mullens, Connor Paczosa, Jake Ranieri, Tressa Weddington

Kansas

Kansas State University–Emma Iacovella

Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University– Emma Biggins University of Kentucky–Erin Moran, Mary McManus

Louisiana

Tulane University– Jack Freeman, Theodore Wyshel

Massachusetts

Boston College–Britney Richardson Boston University–Grace Goble Gordon College–Michaela Parangalan

Massachusetts Institute of Technology–Grant Miller University of MassachuesettsLowell–Lauren Katayama

Fashion Institute of Technology–Julia Belz Syracuse University–Samantha Kotowsky

Michigan

Ohio

Central Michigan University– Kerrick Hanrahan, Zachary Wolters Hope College–Greta Kwon Michigan State University– Matthew Cascio, Luca Di Cristofano, Everett Ebling, Riley Jeffery, Fintan O’Driscoll Northern Michigan University– Elizabeth Armstrong University of Michigan-Ann Arbor–Anna Laskowski Western Michigan University– Veronica Bystrowicz, Mary Calkins, Johanna Dolphin, Emmett Goldman

St. Olaf College–Arden Sasak University of Minnesota-Twin Cities– Claire Connolly, Julia Jann, Sydney Wessel University of St. Thomas–Laura Martino

Case Western Reserve University–Jack Heneghan, Mary Godley, Brandon Ross, Shea Walters John Carroll University–Sophie Grabowski Kent State–Timothy Erskine Miami University–Maggie Etchingham, Patrick Gillespie, Tim Kerins, Lauren Ottosen, Amanda Marra, Chloe Sassan, Max Schimpf, Olivia Sellergren Oberlin College–Katherine Tuzzolino Ohio State University–Jenna Hartjen, Madison Lasso Ohio University–Brandon Jokinen University of Dayton–Declan O’Leary, Natalie Piraino University of Toledo–Justin Dennerlein Walsh University–Madeline Malinowski Xavier University–Christo Fosse

Mississippi

Pennsylvania

Minnesota

University of Mississippi–John Cleary, Catie Fabiano, Jack Leach

Missouri

Saint Louis College of Pharmacy–Jakub Skorupa Saint Louis University–Jennifer Blasius, Denise Gomez, Maggie Pawlowski, Madeline Russell, Maya Thomas University of Missouri–Thomas Forde, Meghan Marino, Anthony Porrello Washington University in St. Louis–Kelly Lennon, Hayley Semple

Nebraska

Carnegie Mellon University– Thomas Yager Pennsylvania State University– Ken Castillo University of Pennsylvania– Jakub Wojcieszak

South Carolina

Clemson University–Hope McMullen University of South Carolina– Eric Couty

Tennessee

Belmont University–John Conradi Vanderbilt University–James Butler

University of Nebraska–Michael Texas Tucker Rice University–Cole Ponsi

New York

Cornell University–Anna Wolsza

Utah

| COLLEGES

Virginia

George Mason University– Richie Hoff

Washington

University of Washington– Samantha Bergstrom

Washington D.C.

American University–Claire Wesselkamper

Wisconsin

Carroll University–Nick Bridich Carthage College–Richard Gomez Marquette University–Michael Bahu, Elaina Bridich, Oliwia Burda, Jose Flores, Tommy Gardiner, Eugene Lee, Gabriella Lynch, John Mannix, Emma Nissen, Elizabeth O’Brien, Genevieve O’Shea, Rahul Pithadia, Bonnie Price, Michael Ribaudo, Patricia Savino, Jordan Shane, Ashley Spears, John Sullivan, Katie Thavis, Ivaylo Tochev, Joe Tonioni, Amanda Walbert, Greta Zimmermann Milwaukee School of Engineering–Aaron Balani University of Wisconsin-La Crosse–John Parsons University of WisconsinMadison–Sarah Anderson, Theodore Ansani, Meghan Breslin, Jack Curcio, Alexis Chervinko, Kaitlin Kons, Steve Manos, Hannah Northfell, Alanna Stapleton University of WisconsinMilwaukee–Frank DeJulio, Skylar Jaremek, Jake Saul, Jessie Saul University of WisconsinWhitewater–Travis Reedy, Sarah Hudak, Sean O’Driscoll, Alec Sheffield

Wyoming

University of Wyoming–Ryan Hamel

Poland

Warsaw University of Life Westminster University–Maddie Sciences–Ula Koszczuk Harper

SouthwordS 5

UNSUNG HEROES

| May 17, 2018

Melissa Correa

I

first met Melissa last year when I sat near her at a Hawk Pride meeting and then again in English.

From the start, she made me feel welcomed in a room of people who were strangers.

She acclimated me to an environment that was foreign for both of us. She is one of the most compassionate and genuine people I’ve ever had the chance to meet. She genuinely cares about her community and about others.

Melissa is heavily involved in her church. She is there every weekend, volunteering and reading to children passages from the Bible while their parents are at service.

She has formed strong relationships with those at her church with her constant presence and support.

Melissa also brings her faith to those in other countries through mission trips. She visited a Colombian prison two summers ago to share her faith and give prisoners hope for a better life through conversation and basic geniality.

Melissa is notably involved in mental health awareness. She has volunteered in Out of Darkness community walks for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to spread awareness about mental health and suicide prevention and to honor those who have been victims.

She is extremely passionate about helping others with their personal struggles. She has been working with school counselors and social workers to implement an annual mental health awareness campaign starting next year, including a week of educating and spreading awareness about mental health as well as making Maine South a more positive environment for students struggling with these challenges.

With her faith, love, and empathy, Melissa has decided to go into the field of nursing to continue helping and caring for others in need. She is tremendously altruistic in her actions and confident in pursuing her future career.

6 SouthwordS

Denise Gomez

Alexis Chervinko

by Louise Macaraniag

by Mary Godley

by Shannon McGreevy

A

lexis’s work at the Student Alliance for Homeless Youth has successfully provided aid to impoverished areas of Chicago. Rooted in Park Ridge and Winnetka, SAHY encourages children to pursue an education and even provides scholarships to help.

Through her countless hours spent planning activities and raising money, she has impacted the lives of many children subjected to domestic abuse in the Chicagoland area.

Alexis’s work at SAHY has earned her the position of being co-president this year, a job she has taken to heart. She is constantly organizing fundraisers and parties in order to spend time with the kids and help them build beneficial relationships with high school students.

Currently, she is selling Cubs raffle tickets in order to raise money for these children to attend college.

Whether she is taking the ‘L’ or walking down Michigan Avenue, she will stop and take out her wallet to help the homeless person sitting on the corner, no matter how late she is running. Since she has seen the true impact of domestic abuse in homes by talking with these children, she always makes an effort to help those in need.

While she may not earn much credit for the impact she has had on her community, she continues to dedicate her time to SAHY. She has recruited many students from Maine South as well as New Trier to become members and participate in activities. By interlacing two different communities to work towards a common goal, she is able to accomplish an impressive feat: directly impacting the lives of homeless families.

In addition to her hard work with SAHY, Alexis has participated in both girls’ swim and water polo while at Maine South.

SAHY is a very large part of Alexis’s life, and I am positive that she will continue to grow the organization while she attends college.

I

first met Denise Gomez in our three-year-old morning preschool class at Saint John Brebeuf ’s.

We went to preschool together for two years, but for kindergarten, I went to Field Elementary, and she stayed at Saint John’s, so we lost touch.

Flash forward to Mr. McArthur’s third period AP Euro class sophomore year, Denise and I were in the same row of desks. I knew she was familiar, but couldn’t pinpoint what I knew her from.

After we both received 68% on the first Renaissance test, we got to talking and realized our connection. Expanding our childhood friendship was one of the best decisions I made in my four years of high school.

Denise is an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She is unnecessarily kind to others and has an infectious positive attitude. She is also one of the hardest working people in our grade, receiving straight A’s for all four years.

Her extracurriculars are incredible as well.

She is active in her youth group and Church, and is a member of Girl Scouts and Constitution Team. She is also an (injured) track athlete, tutor, volunteer, and the secretary of Spanish National Honor Society.

Despite her busy schedule filled with AP classes, work, and practice, she finds time to help other members of the community. Last summer, she organized a day of service and invited friends and family to her house to make baby bibs out of old tshirts and towels for mothers and children in need.

Denise is extremely involved in her community, and nearly everything she does is for the benefit of others. Even her job, tutoring at Mathnasium, helps struggling kids with their academics. Maine South has been lucky to have her these past four years, and she will be dearly missed.

In the fall, Saint Louis University will be fortunate enough to have Denise on campus. She will be studying Physical Therapy in an accelerated six-year doctorate program.

Senior Issue

Thomas Ortman

Matthew Massari

by Caroline Coyle

W

hen you think of Maine South Theatre, you may think of Tommy Ortman, as he has shined on the stage performing, being on crew, or student directing every production since his freshman year. However, the stage is not the only place Tommy dedicates his time to; since middle school, Tommy has been extremely involved in the special education program, and his involvement has only expanded at Maine South. For the past three years, Tommy has been enrolled in Theatre Communications, a drama class for students with special needs where he acts as a teaching assistant to help others share a love of performing.

Tommy has combined his love of theatre with his desire to help others through his participation in the Footlighters scene for the past four years in the Maine South V-show. In Footlighters, Tommy has helped teach dances and songs that the students with special needs get to perform as the opening number of V-show. This year was my first time helping out with Footlighters, and I got to see first hand the clear impact that Tommy had on everyone involved. When Tommy walked into the rehearsal room everyone’s face lit up, and he was often greeted with numerous hugs and cheers.

Tommy never judges anyone and looks past differences such as disabilities and sees people for who they are: his friends. Tommy is especially close with senior Siobhan Coakley, whom he is taking to Senior Prom, and he is hoping she will win prom queen because he believes that she deserves a chance in the spotlight and wants her senior prom to be extra special.

Tommy is the embodiment of a selfless person; he puts all of his effort into making other's lives better and never focuses on how he might benefit from an interaction. I am confident that Tommy will continue to serve as a light in the lives of all whom he encounters at the University of Southern California where he will be studying theatre with an acting concentration.

Steven Manos

by Christo Fosse

I

first met Matt in Mrs. Bobowski's kindergarten class at Field Elementary school. It was in that class where I first witnessed one of Matt’s finest qualities: kindness. One day, following the chaotic mess which marks kindergarten “play-time,” he, unlike everyone else, helped stack the building blocks into orderly piles, even without being told to do so.

Over these past four years, I have quietly admired Matt's passion for and dedication to helping others.

Matt’s younger brother has neurofibromatosis (NF), a neurological disease which causes learning disabilities. Going to his house, I always took note of how kindly he treated his brother. He always included him, whether we were building a fort or playing video games.

During our middle school years, Matt invited me to a fundraiser where I saw him support his brother and interact with other kids afflicted with NF. Matt attends this fundraiser annually, where he hopes to take part in discovering a cure.

His helpful nature extends to coaching. During his junior and senior years, Matt coached a Special Olympics swim team at a local YMCA. As a coach, he led the team, which included his brother, to a first-place finish at the relay race in the State Competition at Illinois State University.

In addition, Matt was a member of both the swimming and water polo teams at Maine South.

He also played the baritone in the marching band and symphonic band. Assuming the unofficial role as the baritone section leader, he helped teach the incoming freshmen how to march and how to read a drill chart.

Matt's desire to help other knows no limits, and while quiet in nature, his actions represent exactly the type of person he is. Next year, Matt will be attending the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign where he’ll continue to make an impact on his classmates, teachers, and the community.

| UNSUNG HEROES

by Christo Fosse

I

f you have ever attended a Maine South band rehearsal, at some point during the practice, you probably heard the echoing boom of “Steeeeeeve” resonate through the room. (This usually occurs after Steve makes a funny comment or plays a killer french horn solo).

While no one can agree on the origins of this epic chant, those who know him, however, can all agree on one thing: Steve is one of the most genuine, kindest, and hardest-working people around. Steve has dedicated his high school career to an equal mixture of service, athletics, and performing arts.

During his junior and senior years, he served as a mellophone section leader for the marching band.

As a section leader, he fostered an unbreakable bond between his group—seen with no other section in the band.

Steve played the french horn in the Wind Ensemble and the Pit Orchestra for three years, earning ILMEA Band and Orchestra Honors his junior and senior year, respectively. When a french horn part wasn’t included in the Pit his senior year, he joined the musical cast instead, receiving more laughs than almost any other character.

As an athlete, Steve was a member of the cross country team for four years, making varsity his senior year.

He also excels in the classroom. This year, he earned National Merit Finalist Honors for his exemplary performance on the PSAT. He’s also a member of five different honor societies.

Despite all this, what sets Steve apart is his commitment to service. He spends much of his free time volunteering at the park district nature center, his church, and as a math tutor. As a sophomore, he earned Eagle Scout rank.

Steve represents the epitome of a Renaissance man—his talents and interests make him well-liked amongst his peers and teachers. Although Maine South will miss Steve next year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be fortunate to gain him.

SouthwordS 7

MEMORIES | May 17, 2018

8 SouthwordS

Senior iSSue | MEMORIES

SouthwordS 9

RETIREE COMMENTARIES

| May 17, 2018

Helping is far from a one-way street Sewing the

final patch to my career’s rich tapestry

Mary Grant-Angioletti Social Worker

I

t was 1994, and although Kurt Cobain had recently passed away, the band Nirvana was making its way up the charts with hit songs like “About a Girl.” It was the year the television show “Friends” debuted, the year the PlayStation was introduced, and the year Justin Bieber was born. It was also the year I began my amazing journey and life work as a school social worker at Maine South.

This position was and is my dream job. As I begin to anticipate the future, it is impossible not to reflect on the past. I have had the incredible privilege to share in the lives of many students in almost a quarter century of lightning-quick time. It has been a sharing of all that encompasses growing up and navigating the teenage years, and the struggle to find the way.

It has also been the shared joy that comes with trusted relationships when the turmoil subsides and one is able to open a door to hope and believe that there are better days to come.

The past 25 years at Maine South have brought many changes. It wasn’t until almost 13 years after my first

day that the iPhone was introduced and texting became a common way to communicate. iPods, iPads and Facebook were somewhere on the horizon and something we had only heard might be possible in some distant future. There is, however, much that has remained a constant over time, and most likely will prevail long after my tenure.

Maine South continues to be (as it was all those years ago) a school filled with humanism. Although not perfect, it is a school that draws the finest of teachers and staff that are not only excellent in what they do, but also unwavering in their investment

and compassion for students and families. It is an anomaly in a world that often focuses on the loss of our humanity.

Maine South and its community is a family unto its own. I have witnessed the entire community countless times come together as a whole to help in any way possible for a family who has suffered tragedy or when circumstances have left them in need. The Maine South family, and the families of those who comprise our community, have rallied in droves to lend support, time, and love when it has been needed most. It is a high school known for its excellence in academic achievement, tremendous sports programs and abundant extra curricular activities. It is a place where graduates work hard in their adulthood so they can come back and raise their families here. There is a great deal of pride when parents are able to say “I went to school here,” M. Stella Weber or they come back to Maine South Foreign Language Teacher to teach. ne of my favorite composers and I, too, leave Maine South filled singers is Carole King. There’s with great pride of having worked a song of hers that I really enjoy. It here the last 25 years. It has been an begins with… honor and a privilege. I am forever “My life has been a tapestry of rich grateful for this incredible ride. and royal hue An everlasting vision of the everchanging view.”

This resonates with me on so many been through the pain of adjusting to levels.

The 31 years I have spent in at least 4 different student information systems. Throughout all of these District 207 have certainly created changes, a few things remain constant. that tapestry. The colors that have Maine South students are still the enriched the tapestry have been all brightest, most involved, and nicest three district school colors. I’ve spent kids imaginable. Not a day goes by my career being a Warrior on so many that I am not impressed and humbled fronts, a Demon for the fiery Italian in by them. The teachers and staff in this me and finally a Hawk where I’ll take building are still the hardest working the opportunity to continue to soar and most compassionate people I have (no pun intended).

It’s a common thought that one ever met. Each and every day they work miracles in their classrooms, who is blessed with a great job hopes on their sports fields and on their to retire from it. Although the years auditorium stages. I am impressed passed, I never thought that it would be my turn. It’s bittersweet, however. and humbled by them.

Finally, I would like to thank my I’m so thankful for the students, colleagues in SPS, for without them, parents, administrators and amazing my last 21 years would not have been teachers that I have met along the the highlight of my career. Never way who have been, and are, part of could I have dreamed of working my tapestry.

As I reflect, I’ve conquered the with such a dedicated, professional and compassionate group of people. “everlasting vision of the everThey are my second family, and I will changing view.” Sometimes the view miss them the most when I move to wasn’t clear, but I carried on. As this district braces for many changes, my sunny Tucson, Arizona.

My last piece of counseling advice? hope for everyone is to make sure Life is short, so don’t rush through it. to foresee that the view will be ever Live in the moment and savor each changing and to keep things positive.

Arrivederci (until we meet again)! day. Cheers!

Surroundings change, but Hawk spirit remains Susan Maurer

Counselor s I look back over the past 33 years it amazes me how fast the years have flown by. The old adage is true—life is short. Who can really say at the age of 23 that they know exactly what they want to do for their entire career? I certainly couldn’t at that age, but I know now that I absolutely made the right choice.

There is nothing I would have been happier doing than what I have done for all of these years—working with the best teenagers and colleagues in the world.

My career started back in 1985 when I taught U.S. History and coached debate for two years at B elv i d e re Hi g h S cho ol ( n e ar Rockford). I came to Maine West in 1987, and later transferred to South, teaching World Cultures, U.S. History and Government. While I still enjoyed the classroom, I found that I got the most enjoyment out of talking to students about what they wanted to talk about—themselves!

Seriously, working with kids one-onone and helping them to overcome

A

10 SouthwordS

obstacles and plan for the future is, for me, the greatest reward in education.

After obtaining my counseling degree I was lucky enough to move into the Student Services Department in 1997, and I have been a counselor ever since—loving every minute of it.

A great deal has changed at Maine South over the years, and I often joke that I am one of the remaining “institutional historians,” keepers of the history of this place. We have gone from an 8 period day, to a 9, and, next year, back to an 8. Course names have changed and returned (World Cultures, for example), and we have all

O

Senior Issue

| RETIREE COMMENTARIES

Good people are the key to effective education

Susan Kramer

Foreign Language Department Chair

E

very year, at the Foreign Language honors program, I share with the parents and students in the audience how blessed I am to work in this school, and as I look towards retirement, “blessed” is still the word I would use to describe my career. Through all of the professional changes in education, there has been one constant—the people with whom I interact daily. Working in an educational environment has led to a lifetime of learning for me, and working with so many amazing students and teachers has made for a rewarding career.

As I reflect back on my years in District 207, and in particular on my years at Maine South, I have been fortunate to work with so many people who were willing to share their expertise and experiences with me, enriching my life and teaching me to take a look at the different perspectives that exist in our Maine South community. From the administrative team to the custodial staff to the administrative assistants, there have always been smiles and a willing hand to help me with my questions.

I have not been shy about telling people with whom I speak about the Foreign Language teachers and their many talents. I have been fortunate to work with a group of passionate, compassionate, and enthusiastic teachers who are dedicated to their students and the teaching of foreign languages (rather than a specific language) in order to help

students learn how to communicate in a global community. A213 is a room filled with laughter and collegial support where teachers collaborate on ideas every day on how best to teach.

I often have walked into the workroom for a quick hello and walked out many minutes later with a renewed appreciation for the teachers with whom I work along with another great activity to implement in my own classroom. To say that I will miss the interactions among the staff of the Foreign Language Department is an understatement.

Finally, what continues to drive my own desire to improve as an educator are the students with

whom I interact on a daily basis. I am so grateful that my position as a department chair allows me to to continue to have a classroom experience with students.

Over the years, some of my favorite classroom activities are the result of students making suggestions about how they like to learn and then collaborating with me on the structure of the activity—from popcorn vocabulary definitions to partnered skits. This year, the students improved upon the skits by collaborating with other groups to maintain a common theme among presentations.

It added to their enjoyment in creating the skit and to mine as a member of the audience.

The relationships that I have established over the years with the students and the ways in which they have challenged me to reflect on my teaching and improve will always be one of the highlights of my career. However, what I will truly miss are all the ways that they have made me laugh over the years, as they remind me of what really matters in the classroom.

So, as I reflect back on my career, it really was about two things: the people and the learning.

Raising my own children, my message was consistent that they needed to search for and find a profession that would bring them happiness on a regular basis because so much time is spent in the work environment.

For me, the field of education, specifically District 207 and Maine South, has been my happy place.

Jumping the map, landing in the Hawk’s nest Warren Scott

Social Science Teacher

M

y interest in teaching started when I graduated from Wauconda High School in 1980. I then attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated in 1985. When I was a junior, my parents encouraged me to try some business classes. That lasted one semester because I really disliked the classes I took. By taking these classes, it reaffirmed my desire to be a teacher.

I was hired at Waukegan East High School and started in August of 1985, the first person to be hired in the Social Studies department in 18 years.

In the early ‘90s, Waukegan would close the East campus and I was moved to the West campus, and the school was renamed Waukegan High School.

While at Waukegan, I coached football and track.

In 1994, the state of Illinois passed a massive early retirement program for teachers which opened up hundreds of jobs. I ended up leaving Waukegan and going to Naperville North, where I continued teaching Social Studies and coaching football. The problem with Naperville North was that it was over fifty miles from my home in Wadsworth, which is at the Illinois/Wisconsin border. I drove the 110-mile round trip for seven years. After teaching for 16 years, I would make another change, giving up my tenured position in

Naperville.

When looking for a job, I said I would not take a job anywhere south of the Kennedy Expressway.

I ended up getting three job offers. Mundelein, Grayslake and Maine South all offered me a job.

While Mundelein and Grayslake were much closer to my house, it ended up that Maine South was a no-brainer. South gave me credit for all sixteen years of experience and I would be teaching the same subjects that I taught in Naperville using the exact same books.

An additional incentive that South offered was that a fellow colleague from Naperville, Kara Kendrick, also took a job there, and my friend Rick Rosenberg was already teaching in the Social Science department.

I have had a fantastic run at Maine South over the past 17 years. I am not saying there have not been some bumps in the road, but I am still thankful I chose South. I have had the privilege of working with some excellent teachers in my department and around the school.

To my department, both here and retired, you have been an inspiration. The reason we get through the days and years is because of each other.

To the rest of you, I am thankful for getting to know you and work with you. You are the best of the best. I will miss seeing everyone every day

and wish all of you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

In conclusion, I consider myself to be a very lucky man. Thirty-four years ago I met my soulmate at Hackney’s in Lake Zurich, and we have had a great life together and are looking forward to our next chapter. I have two wonderful children who make me proud every day. I have had a wonderful career, working with outstanding people. I am ending my career as a satisfied man. Thank you Maine South for the past 17 years.

SouthwordS 11

RETIREE COMMENTARIES

| May 17, 2018

As one chapter closes, opportunity for adventure awaits I

the content with our students. And there was certainly not the constant connection to students that we now have via email and technology.

I have truly enjoyed teaching mathematics and helping students thoroughly understand and make deeper connections. I never wanted to just present steps and procedures and instead wanted to try to tie old concepts to new material for my students.

Like many math teachers, I have some favorite topics to teach. I love teaching Calculus, as it is a course where so many concepts finally come together. All of the years of “when will we ever use this?� could be answered.

Calculus flows seamlessly and makes so much sense and is so practical. As I type this, I realize just how many topics I love to teach. Some of my best memories are from comments and letters from previous students who thank me for really helping them to

make sense of the mathematics and for preparing them for college. I have enjoyed working with teenagers and enjoyed their enthusiasm and their energy. I will miss watching students grow into young adults, and I will miss the great conversations I have had with students over the years about

4 GREAT YEARS SP

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THANKS FOR November 14, 2014

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Hawks make

KINDNESS COUNT Sophomore Emma Thomson is in the spotlight for playing on the U-17 Women’s National Team.

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Freshmen Abigail Oyasu, Angelina Perrone, and Maggie Etchingham (left to right) demonstrate the power of kind words during the “Make Kindness Contagious� campaign.

This year’s V-Show calls on a wide array of talents, including the comedy of Trunk.

See page 2

Maine South installs new security cameras.

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Time Change

New schedule may have unintended consequences.

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September 4, 2015

Fresh Perspective

Direct Hit

Inside the minds and lives of New band director is hitting freshmen. all the right notes.

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October 9, 2015

Hakuna Matata Hurricane Helpers

Universal truths in Disney movies provide inspiration.

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Open Sesame

Church group volunteers in Fall play presents new New Orleans. interpretation of old tales.

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Vol. 52, no. 2

After visiting us Declaring War Bestselling author and alumnus returns to MS. Page 2

College Crunch Game, Set, Match

Revealing the indiscretions of Seniors conquer the college Tennis team returns to Urban Outfitters. admissions process.

State tournament.

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November 20, 2015

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Fresh Start

Maine South’s New Year’s resolutions.

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Year in Review

Students select the best entertainment of 2014.

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En Garde

Furry friends

A look into the life of one of the nation’s top fencers.

Page 16

Maine South junior adopts dogs for a cause.

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Girl power

Feminism deserves a new definition.

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Empty theater

Trips to the movies decline in popularity among Hawks.

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boys’ basketball team.

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of emergency days.

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Pay it Forward Picture Perfect

School-wide fundraiser receives record support.

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Kick at Nationals Page 15

take trips abroad.

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March 24, 2016

Sizzlin’ Styles

Golf Gurus

Students talk about their Beat the heat with these cool Boys’ golf kicks off another experiences as custodians. summer trends. strong season.

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Maine South adds two new inductees.

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Being Isis

Laugh it Off

Junior wrestles with the mis- Students prepare for the conceptions of her name. opening of “Candide.�

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Athletic TLC

A spotlight on the trainers’ daily routine.

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District open to paying for state ACT. Page 3

Students gain an early ex- MS custodian trains to beperience in the workplace. come an MMA champion.

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA BIELAWIEC

PHOTO BY MONICA BIELAWIEC

Fast & Furious

Freshman AP courses boost challenge index.

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Emily Myers speaks about her future in the Air Force.

Page 6

Clothing business booms Southwords predicts the 2016 Athletes share their unique for senior Jaziah Vargas.

Academy Award winners. game day traditions.

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See pages 14-15

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Hawk Voters

Battle of the Ballot Lasting Legacy Students explain why they support each candidate.

Page 4

Clinton makes the most of her short time at South.

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Laugh It Off

TV shows use humor to discuss the election.

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District 207 responds to e-mail inundation.

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Students fail to respect authority figures.

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Treat yo’self

Smaha Spotlight

Celebrate your birthday with A look at the Smaha family a month full of freebies. legacy at MS. Page 11 Page 16

Junior Megan Wilcox and senior Jack Cahill-Lemme star in this year’s musical, ‘Big Fish.’ See page 12

We The People Constitution Team makes some big amendments.

Page 4

Got roomie?

Spontaneity when choosing a roomate may not be bad.

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Camera Ready Aces on the Team

Maine South students share Seniors lead boys’ volleytheir experiences as models. ball into a hopeful season.

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Vol. 53, no. 5

pitch

PHOTO BY TED WYSHEL

With only hours left in the election, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump continue to have their sights set on the highest office in the land.

Social Science dept. holds a mock election.

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Act Your Age

Maine South’s parking lots have reached a new level of chaos.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HALEY MECH PHOTO BY JEN BECK

The Big Show

Powderpuff proves girls can Senior experiences success WMTH broadcasters shine be fierce and feminine. with shoe purchase program. spotlight on athletics.

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So you’re not traveling this Spring Break.

Fear not—Southwords has your guide to the ultimate staycation.

You’ve Got Mail

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The band, choir, and orchestra win 17 awards at a national competition held in Washington D.C.

PHOTO BY JEN BECK

Girls on the Field Get Your Kicks

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TACKLING Parking lot problems THE ODDS Risking the roads Lots of problems

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Bright Idea

December 16, 2016

After its first Conference loss in 16 years, Maine South football wins the state championship in a stunning upset of Loyola.

TAKEOFF Precautions considered to prevent accidents.

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February 3, 2017

Vol. 53, no. 3

All eyes on the

The Maine South Fall Play, “The Sparrow,� uses theatrical rigging to help its characters soar.

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November 8, 2016

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Vol. 53, no. 2

đ?†?đ?†?

Ethnic generalizations harm society.

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Holiday classics rival their Nationally-ranked fencer modern counterparts. competes globally.

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ReadyFOR

Eight seniors to continue playing baseball in college.

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FISH

Maine South is hosting the ‘Mr. Hawk’ pageant in order to raise money for the annual school wide fundraiser.

Quick to Judge Man With A Plan The Oscar Draft Game Day Rituals

AP Availability Military Bound Carol Competition Fencing Master

Boys’ soccer celebrates a noteworthy season.

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Not Done Yet

E-sports become more popular among Hawks.

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BIG

Maine South is hosting the ‘Mr. Hawk’ pageant in order to raise money for the annual school wide fundraiser.

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October 14, 2016

April 21, 2016

Mr.Hawk

The ‘Star Wars’ resurgence electrifies students and teachers alike as generations of fans unite for the return of the popular saga.

The Free ACT Real World Skills MMA Madness

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Game Time

Amateur stylists help ready students for dances.

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GET HOOKED ON

PHOTO by MOnica bielawiec

Wall of Honor

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the

With Thanksgiving approaching, Southwords heads to the Windy City to rate the best pies in town. See page 2

PHOTO BY LAUREN PAPP

ILLUSTRATION BY BASIA CHRUSCINSKI

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force

E

AP courses are more than just a score.

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Junior Janitors

Park Ridge steps up efforts to enhance the Uptown area.

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See pages 2-3

AP Agenda

NIGHT

Faithful to

See pages 8-9

Maine South welcomes students with a brand new layout featuring Student Service Teams.

than religious turmoil.

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Into THE

And the award goes to ...

February 26, 2016 December 16, 2015

ON TH ES

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Fashion Police

Fashion offerings slated for reduction next school year.

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PIE STUFF

From exuberant costumes to thunderous chants, super fans redefine what it means to show true Hawk pride.

PHOTO BY RHYANNE NOCHE

Wilkommen!

German students step foot on American soil.

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA BIELAWIEC & KATE PAPCIAK

On the Lookout

Southwords uncovers a variety of unique foods and drinks at local establishments.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

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Vol. 51, no. 6

Culver’s • McDonald’s • Gene & Jude’s • Chipotle • Hay Caramba • Taco Burrito King • Portillos • Five Guys • The Sandlot • Paradise Pup • Superdog • YA Loft- PR Library • Starbucks • Elementary School Parks • Panera • Taco Bell • Buffalo Wild Wings • IHOP • Eggsperience • Kappy’s • Denny’s • Cream of the Crepe • Mac’s • Lola’s Diner • Le Peep • Einstein’s • Maine South Weight Cage • Niles Family Fitness Center • XSport Fitness • Flahive Advanced Strength Training • Community Center • Planet Fitness • Charter Fitness • Corepower Yoga • New Prospects • Baked By Betsy • Lisa’s Italian Ice • Charcoal Pizza • Uncle Dan’s • Planet Smoothie • Oakton Pool • Mrs. A’s cupcakes • Jackie’s Nail Salon MSNails Students weigh • Spadida • Nail Beauty • Nice Nails • Lee • French 4 U&Me in on their favorite • Anthony Valentino’s • DeVine Salon •local Michael Vaughn Hair Sadestinations.

Pages 6-9 lon • Anasa Salon & Spa • Indira Salon Spa • Sola Salon Studios • Trader Joe’s • Whole Foods • Mariano’s • Jewel • Garden on the Run • Happy Foods • The Sandlot • ParadisePup Five Guys • WildBurger • Wally’s • Brandy’s • Portillo’s • Tasty Pup • Buena • TGI Friday’s • Jersey Mike’s • Subway • Potbelly’s • Jason’s Deli • Tony’s Deli • Oberweis • Hinkley • Centennial Hill Full-court press Out in the Cold Higher Power World Traveler Dancing Queens • Tea Lula Restaurant Gumba Joe’s Hawkettes • CafetakeTouche Upperclassmen lead the District 207 has•runAffresco out Spirituality is more important •Foreign second in language students PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA LARRAGOITY

The Maine South football team begins the 2014 season with an historic victory.

EY

PHOTOS BY LAUREN PAPP

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February 6, 2015

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by jOSHUA LARRAgOITy

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ONE For the AGES

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September 19, 2014

both math and life.

However, I am looking forward to the new and next chapter of my life.

I can’t wait to learn new things that I never had time for while teaching, as teaching is an all-consuming job.

I want to take classes to learn about things, such as how to garden. I want to know more about investing too.

I love to be active, so I am going to have plenty of time to run, hike and bike, which are some of my favorite activities.

My husband and I are planning to travel and have five trips already planned in the first seven months. I look forward to spending more time with my family and friends.

So, I imagine I am not unlike many of our current seniors. I am excited about moving on to the next phase in life, but at the same time, I feel sadness at ending what has been a huge part of my life which has been time here working at Maine South.

PHOTO BY JOSH LARRAGOITY

Mathematics Teacher t is hard to believe 33 years have gone by this fast. I began my teaching career at age 22 at Maine West. I spent 13 years there teaching math and coaching girls’ softball, girls’ volleyball, and the math team.

I transferred to Maine South in 1998 and have been here ever since.

During this time, so much has changed. We used to calculate grades just eight times a year, and it was always by hand and took hours to calculate all the numbers. We then bubbled in grades and comments for the students and parents. We used to have to bubble attendance sheets and hang them on the door after every period.

Graphing calculators were just coming into classrooms and the opportunities that they provided made for huge changes in the way we could approach mathematics and

PHOTO BY MONICA BIELAWIEC

Dawn Majcen

Beverage Bill

Cook County places a tax on sugary drinks.

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December 19, 2017

Deck the Halls

Local family Christmas display benefits charities.

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Silent Knot

Spice up your holiday wardrobe with scarves.

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Swim Superstar Freshman Annika Wagner breaks school records.

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Post-Truth

“Fake News� replaces reputable journalism.

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Working It Out

Athletic Alumni Fresh Folk Tale

Southwords reviews the best Talented MS graduates now Theater tech shines in this play at the collegiate level. year’s winter play. gyms in Park Ridge.

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April 20, 2018

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Vol. 54, no. 7

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Select classes shift focus to blended learning.

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See the Light

Viral Vectors

A tour of Chicagoland’s most Physics teacher gains fame festive decorations. for instructional videos.

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Crew Chief

Senior rower climbs national rankings.

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Singular Sensation

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL FRAZIER

Despite the implementation of general parking, empty spots remain abundant.

Mixing it Up

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL FRAZIER AND JUSTYNA LEPA

PHOTO BY JEN BECK

Parking sux

Spring musical challenges a smaller-than-usual cast with original Broadway choreography.

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Senior Claire Connolly plays Bebe in ‘A Chorus Line.’

Water Woes Donation Registration Hot Diggity Dog

Some faucets removed from service after tests.

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Senior helps lower age for organ donors in Illinois.

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Southwords reviews the best hot dogs in Chicagoland area.

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Batter Up

Baseball gets off to hot start under new coach.

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Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Cereal: life’s most essential food

Luke Bechtel

Entertainment Editor ith the privilege of higher education inevitably comes financial worry, at least for a handful of years.

Indeed, the stereotype of the “broke college student” rings true for many, if not most, and finding creative ways to survive on a budget is a quite practical collegiate pastime.

Staples of college foods range from ramen noodles to pizza, from boxed macaroni to Chinese take-out.

Seeing as breakfast is often considered the most crucial meal of the day, I would like to inform my fellow graduating seniors on the proper protocol for making a delicious and affordable bowl of sweet, sweet cereal.

1 . C ho o s e you r c ont ai ne r.

Lightweight plastic containers (e.g.

Tupperware brand) are the most ideal option, because they are virtually indestructible, even when dropped or thrown. Ceramic and glass bowls or other containers are a cardinal sin in the cereal-eating game; my friend once told me that glass is useful for only two things: tables and windows.

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2. Choose your cereal. Sugary cereals like Frosted Flakes, Fruity Pebbles, or Cocoa Krispies are all excellent choices and complement each other well, but that’s not to say there isn’t a place for more healthoriented, whole-grain picks like Raisin Bran or Quaker Oatmeal Squares. This choice will inform the mood of the rest of the cereal experience.

3. Choose a suitable milk to lubricate your bowl of otherwise dry cereal. For fans of classic cow’s milk, 2% or whole milk are the only decent options, and for the vegans or vegetarians out there, a respectably creamy alternative is cashew milk.

4. Choose some add-ons. Great additions to a bowl of cereal can range from diced strawberries to granola, and even chocolate syrup (if you’re feeling exceptionally exotic).

5. Begin combining your ingredients in the plastic container.

It’s critical that you add the dry goods (cereal and add-ons) first, prior to the milk. Consider layering cereal with fruit or other additions to ensure variety in every bite.

6. Pour your milk of choice over

GOOD NIGHT, SWEET PRINCE Nothing has changed. My math teacher can attest to seeing this same squishy face sleeping in class every day.

the dry ingredients. Don’t skimp on the milk; pour until it forms a small puddle at the top. Having surplus milk not only keeps thirst at bay while eating, but also offers a nice post-cereal cup of milk that can wash down the delicious breakfast you had just consumed.

7. Choose a reusable spoon that can be washed time and time again, because in the long run, reusable silverware will prove much more cost-

effective than the disposable variant.

8. Dig in! Be sure to consume your cereal within a few minutes of pouring the milk, as the milk will make the cereal soggy quite quickly.

A bowl of cereal is at its absolute best seconds after the milk has been poured—remember that.

With these tips, you, too can consistently produce delicious, costeffective bowls of cereal to quell your morning hunger.

I’m thankful for these four years Jenny Blasius

Entertainment Editor very year, there are people who graduate from high school, look back, and think to themselves, “Thank god it’s over. I hated every minute of it.” While I cannot say I loved every day of high school, let alone every minute, I am upset to see four years of friends, firsts, and failures come to a close.

Entering Maine South, I knew almost no one. Come the first day of school, I was over whelmed, intimidated, and slightly frightened by the number of unrecognizable faces in each unfamiliar room I entered.

However, through all of my years at Maine South, no matter how many people I knew, when I eagerly flipped through the pages of the yearbook at the end of the year, I found myself constantly amazed by the number of faces I did not recognize.

Now, even as I prepare to graduate,

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I anticipate to pick up the yearbook, flip through to the senior section, and still not know plenty of people.

As a freshman I thought the key to having the best high school experience was rooted in making as many friends as possible.

However, over the years, I have realized it is the comparatively smaller number of people and the memories with them that matter most; the faces and memories that I will remember in five, twenty, and fifty years.

For me, these are the people I spent years in the darkroom with, the lab partners I accidentally broke lab equipment with, the people who made gym (dare I say it) fun each year, the people I spent hours with backstage every day after school, and the friends who made me laugh and constantly offered me their help when I needed it most.

More than anything though, high school has taught me to do things I never thought I could and has pushed

me to do things that terrified me. As a shy freshman, I never would have thought I could successfully stack a tower of milk crates to ring a bell on the ceiling of the back gym.

I never thought I would be able to leave high school with the knowledge of how to expertly paint a house, nor did I think I would conquer an unknown fear of falling walking 45 feet above the Maine South stage.

But now, in the final days of senior year, it’s that thought of hating every minute of four years of my life that scares me the most.

These past four years I have met my closest friends who I’m proud to say are also the people who inspire me the most—the people who make it so hard to say goodbye to this chapter of my life.

I am so grateful for them and everyone else who has made my high school experience worth remembering, and I hope the next four years will be just as special.

JENNY FROM THE BLOCK Even though I may not be growing up to be a farmer and my bangs are no longer, I’m still an over-all good person.

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| May 17, 2018

The path that made me who I am

Caroline Coyle

Commentary Editor hen I walk across the stage decked out in my red graduation cap and gown, I will be walking out of my high school years a completely different person than I walked into Maine South as four years ago.

Al l of t he hard work, and dedication that I put into my school work definitely contributed to my personal growth, but I know that it was the effort that I put in after 3:15 that truly shaped the person I am today.

I started my underclassmen years as a member of the Hawkettes dance team where I spent every single school night running around the track, stretching in the cafe, and kicking in the dance room.

Although, at the time, I hated the strict practice schedule and harsh coaching style, as I look back, my two years dancing taught me to be respectful, timely, and gave me an irreplaceable work ethic.

I continued on the path to my current self when I tried out for the musical, “Big Fish,” my sophomore year. I definitely should not have

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made the show due to an unfortunate incident at callbacks, but by some miracle, I made it. It may seem super cliché, but the moment the cast list came out, my life changed. I was immediately swept into a world of love, positivity, and support that was the Maine South PA wing.

I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime, all because I decided to try out on a whim. After “Big Fish” closed, I immersed myself within the PA wing, being in cast, crew, and production staff for the next seven shows at Maine South.

As I look back on my high school theatre career, I realize that I have gotten the opportunity to both shine on stage and behind the scenes, but I have also gotten the opportunity to find my true self. Theatre has taught me to embrace my inner self, be more confident, and everyone is a star in their own unique way.

The last stop on my personal road, was being a part of the Maine South Constitution team my senior year.

Ask any of my friends or family and they will tell you how obsessed I am with C-Team, but my feeling was not always this positive. The team consists of the top students in my class, and

SWEET CAROLINE

Just like the song, I’ve tried to focus on the good things in life. When I look back at my four years, they’re most certainly sweet.

to say I felt intimidated would be an understatement. Towards the beginning of the year, I was constantly flooded with the feeling that I wasn’t smart enough to be on the team, and even had to meet with our coach, Mr. Trenkle, to make sure I wasn’t bringing the team down.

As our state competition approached I channeled my insecurity into hard work and constantly strived to become more knowledgeable. As I look back on my year, and reflect on my team’s top ten finish at Nationals,

I am so proud of the student, team member, and person I have become.

C-Team pushed me to be the best student I could be, taught me that accomplishment comes with a lot of hard work, and gifted me with a team for life.

As I look back on my four years as a Hawk, I recall the path that led me to becoming the diligent, confident, and hardworking person I am today.

I have realize that I owe it to the activities that challenged me to grow and spread my wings. Thank you.

Moments, memories, and my mental camera Christo Fosse

Editor-in-Chief can still remember my first day at Maine South. Waking up that morning (Aug. 25, 2014, if you were curious), hundreds of thoughts and questions flooded my brain. What am I going to do when I walk in? Where should I stand before walking into advisory? What if I don’t recognize anyone?

I never liked change. If anything, the freshman orientation strengthened my nerves and trepidations about beginning high school.

L i k e m o s t p e o p l e , I g re w accustomed to my middle school routine: a steady social life, relatively easy classes, and most important, a consistent sleep schedule.

That first day, I wanted nothing more than to fit in. So, instead of wearing the traditional first-day-ofschool polo, I opted for a grey, Maine South t-shirt, black shorts, and gym shoes. Too nervous to eat, I skipped a dish of scrambled eggs for a banana.

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Pulling into the circle drive, my dad sensed my nerves and offered to drive me around the school one more time; however, seeing other freshmen walk through the main entrance oddly comforted me, reminding me, as cliche as it sounds, “we’re all in this together.” I stepped out of the black Toyota Highlander and began what marked the next four years of my life.

My friends and family often tell me I have a “steel-trap” memory. For whatever reason, I can remember the most specific details, from special occasions to everyday life.

While some of my peers can hardly remember freshman year, it feels like I can’t escape it.

If I close my eyes and concentrate, I’m sitting at my desk, frantically shaking my leg because of Mrs. Demarigny’s Accelerated Algebra 2 exam; I’m about to take the field for the first time as a member of the marching band, suffering from a case of strep throat; I’m emptying my trombone spit valve in excited

anticipation before the spring concert.

(Did I mention I can remember every band song I’ve ever played?)

While some may argue living in the past is harmful, I believe my memories are my most valuable possessions.

They’ve shaped my beliefs, interests, and decisions. They’re like old friends—not always there, but present when you need them.

At a company meeting before V-Show’s closing night, Mrs. Saurer told the cast and crew to pause at some point during the performance and take a “mental snapshot.”

Throughout my high school career, I’ve tried to memorialize each moment, good and bad, by taking a “snapshot.”

Performing a trombone solo at the Christmas concert my sophomore year. Teaching Mr. Hutter how to whip during the Mr. Hawk competition.

Screaming after advancing to the top ten finals during Constitution Team Nationals. Click, Click, and Click.

BOWTIE BOY

This was my face when I realized I would never work on another issue of Southwords again.

In the fall, I will again face one of the biggest changes of my life. Similar to four years ago, the same questions have begun to pester me. What if I don’t make any friends? What if my roommate is crazy? What if I fail my classes?

However, it’s comforting to know I have these memories and experiences to guide me through the challenges.

I’ll just have to clear some space for the next four years (even if it means I can’t remember that darned Calculus formula).

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

The boys are back in town Tommy O’Connor

Features Editor was at work and heard a couple of coworkers talking about their upcoming reunion. They were going back and forth about going alone or with their wives.

It had me thinking that a reunion may very well be the next time I see the many familiar faces of Maine South’s passing periods.

Perhaps if I were the graduating class of 1990 instead of 2018, I would attend my ten-year reunion with much anticipation and excitement.

By 2028, the “wonders” of social media will have, undoubtedly, already notified me of every intrusive and obsolete detail of everyone’s lives.

I’ll show up that night equipped with job statuses, relationship statuses, as well as first names for those I will most certainly forget.

If I’m lucky, I’ll attend with no date on my arm and the night, or more like the weekend, will be great fun hanging out with my good friends.

Come my 20-year, I will probably have some genuine excitement—happy to leave my wife and kids and get out of the house.

Some of my classmates will have forsaken their attendance for residence in a milder climate, and

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the rest of us will dust the snow off our autonomous cars and head for some run-of-the-mill banquet hall.

As I imagine my 30th reunion, it seems reasonable to believe that we’ll send our robots to attend for us. They’ll come back to fill us in on what everyone’s up to, even though we will already have access to that information.

Who needs human interaction when you experience the whole thing from the comfort of your own home?

Will I even be alive for a 40 year reunion? Will any of us be? Maybe the robots we sent this year wanted to have their own fun and no longer have a use for us.

They’d drink and have fun in the same fashion at the same banquet hall, like a scene that is straight out of “Westworld.” At this point, we all would actually appreciate the fun of a reunion.

On the chance that we do survive the A.I. revolution, I’ll be happy to attend my 50-year reunion. And although this may be one of my last reunions, it will be good to reconnect with those who made high school great.

I’ll make sure to bring my wife. I’ll need her to carry my bags and help me in and out of the car

TOMMY BOY

My hair was so long in preschool, people thought I was a girl.

with my walker. This reunion’s gonna be a good one.

Maybe I’ll just have her wait in the car.

The conversation would center around the “kids these days,” and we’d pretend that we never did anything foolish when we were young, when in fact, it’s only the foolish things we remember.

The stories make everything worth it Christina Johnson

Editor-In-Chief o hell with happy endings, aren’t you here for the story?

I have written three full pages of ideas for this commentary. Single spaced. Size 11 Times New Roman. Three full pages of ideas to expand into a 500-600 word summary of my choosing (this is, in total, exactly 548).

Unlike other situations where I have to write a paper or article and am able to toss something together the night before it’s due and still miraculously survive the rubric, this small piece has no grade and is truly just a last word before leaving this school and graduation.

I’ve been torn between writing about my fluency in the artistic language of sarcasm, philosophical discoveries, or my favorite lyrics. I wondered whether I should throw in an “Impractical Jokers” reference, but after I remembered the last look I got when I screamed “Larry” in the hall, I decided against it.

I’ve also tried to create a story where I come back for my 10-year high school reunion, describing how much my life has changed—but I can’t go making promises that I’ll come back.

I’ve written a paragraph on students’ inability to think up creative insults, and I’ve also written down all of the people I could call out for their untimely introduction into my life, but that seemed a bit too

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savage, even for me.

Yes, I’m allowed to be quite indecisive on my last word here because I won’t see most of you ever again. You never think that the last time will be the last time; there will always be more. You think that you have forever, but you simply do not.

So I want to say everything I haven’t had the courage, or frankly the time and energy, to explain over these years, but a little commentary cannot sum up much of anything with the extent of detail that I wish.

I can’t explain to you the late-night Slurpie runs or share the quote list of student conversations I’ve heard in the hall. I don’t have enough space in this half sheet to explain the impact that these past four years of people and experiences have had on my growth and life. I don’t even know if I should try because it would be meaningless to the limited few who would read this.

There may be a few I could see reading this, though, like the person I sat with at the eclipse or the one whom I used to plan “Pie Wednesdays” with, both of whom I haven’t talked to in months; both of whom I won’t see past graduation.

Only recently, though, have I gained the courage to act upon and say every thought that has sat idle in my mind for so long—even the ones that I just come up with on the spot. And I’m actually very happy that I’ve reached this point.

I don’t know what life has planned for me next,

but I promise it won’t be boring—I just won’t accept such a thing.

To those people who have somehow been part of my life—have somehow impacted me— thank you, because I’ve got some fantastic stories to carry with me for the rest of my life.

And what is anything worth if there’s no story to tell?

I WASN’T PREPARED FOR THIS

Procrastinating until the last minute is another skill of mine that I could surely tell hundreds of stories for. As a child, my parents thought I was cute no matter what random thing I did with my arm, so I waited untill the last minute to pose.

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The stickers only stick if you let them Kelly Lennon

Features Editor he Hawk Talk quote of the day, though a worthy cause, usually gets drowned out by the chatter of students anxious to flee their classrooms or cut off by the eagerly awaited bell.

Many of the quotes that I did manage to hear were promptly forgotten, but one resonated with me.

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

The loudspeaker did not introduce me to this quote, but rather reminded me of it.

For years, a printed copy of the quote has hung on my bulletin board—now it is mostly covered up by pictures documenting senior year, but it is ever present. Every night when I came home from school, my parents would recite it. It became my mantra. I needed it.

Insecurities used to rule my world. I was so terrified of what people thought of me that some days it was hard to leave the house.

The process of figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be had just begun, and I very nearly let others shape that definition. I was putty: there to be molded into whatever form pleased the world the most. Inferior.

The Wemmicks saved me. The small wooden people depicted in Max Lucado’s “You are Special,” spend their days bestowing golden star stickers of praise upon those they deem worthy and gray dot stickers on the unappealing.

As one Wemmick covered in gray dots comes to discover, “the stickers only stick if you let them.”

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FLOWER POWER

Don’t let people tell you what to wear. Wear your flower glasses, and wear them proud.

Whether I was 4 years old or 14, if I was feeling particularly unconfident, my father would read me the story of the Wemmicks.

Though I’m sure I grumbled about it at the time, that book truly helped me shed my stickers on the path to self-confidence.

Slowly but surely, my stickers have fallen away. Gone is the sticker of people pleasing, the

incessant need to make sure everyone is happy in every moment.

Gone is the sticker of test anxiety, replaced with the realization that there are more important things in life. Gone is the sticker of insecurity and self-doubt, the origin of all stickers.

Caring what other people think is exhausting. I wasted so much time and energy on trying to please everyone and present myself in an appealing way to the rest of the world, that I had none left for my own happiness.

Moving past all that took me years, and I am still not perfect. My friends and family can attest to the fact that I still have my freak outs, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little bit worried about what you’re thinking of me while reading this. But at the end of the day, I am happy.

I have learned to not let what other people might think cripple me like it used to.

I have learned to have power over myself.

I have learned that Eleanor Roosevelt, my parents, and even the Wemmicks were right: you can choose to let others affect you or not. I choose the latter.

The majority of the crap that we devote our stress, sweat, and tears to in high school will not matter in the long run.

Not the kids who made fun of us, or the test we bombed, or even the dress we wore to prom.

It has been a journey, and the lessons it has taught me will stick with me long after the daily stresses have faded from memory. In the wise words of my dear friend Savina, “It don’t bite.”

Find friends who don’t judge you Justyna Lepa

Production Editor

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’ve always been the imaginative type. I was always engulfed into wondrous worlds that were more exciting than my own.

I would tap, tap, tap away at my portable console. The screens would illuminate my face as I stayed up at late at night, hoping my parents wouldn’t notice me as I snuck in a couple extra minutes of game time.

I was, what… ten years old? I thought I was clever, but I’m sure they always knew what I was up to.

I would be engulfed in one of my Pokemon journeys, or some obscure platformer.

I would bring my portable system to school and enjoy the games on the go. But then I grew up and cast aside my childhood.

Middle school came around and people started judging me for what

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I liked.

They would make fun of me and insult my interests. I hate the feeling of it. It’s as if someone tears out everything inside of you that makes you unique and stomps on it, spits on it, and rips it into pieces.

I did the rational thing and dropped my interest in gaming. I sold my portable consoles and gave away my games. The years went by and I slowly forgot the joys of my childhood.

The years go by in a blur, and suddenly it’s freshman year. This was my first major change in my life, considering I went to a k-8 school.

The environment was huge and the school took me by surprise. There was so much variety to the point where I couldn’t believe how much of a variety there was in students.

I quickly found what group I clicked with and it was such a relief.

Maine South is a place where you

JUST(YNA) BE YOURSELF

As a child I had the freedom to be myself without being judged by others. Now I’ve learned to accept myself and my passions.

can find friends that don’t judge you, friends that support your interests and even spend time doing the same thing as you.

I ended up picking up gaming

again. Now it was something I didn’t have to do alone. I wouldn’t be ridiculed for it. I had found a home among friends, and it’s a time I will never forget.

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

I’m always ready for change Louise Macaraniag

Commentary Editor efore my first day of school in America, my mother compiled a list of acronyms that the other kids might say that she did not think I knew. These acronyms included “LOL,” “OMG,” and of course the famous “ROFL.” That was 10 years ago when I was 8. Now I’m 18, and my mother has recently given me a list of scholarships she compiled for me to apply for.

I remember the first day of elementary school when I accidentally started speaking Filipino instead of English to my classmates, and they all gave me a weird look.

That’s when I realized that I was in another country, vastly different than my own. But, lately I’ve found it difficult not to use English to describe something to my family.

I took ELL (English Language Learning), which was a course for students who had low English scores and displayed a lack of knowledge of the English Language. Now, I’ve just

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completed two AP English courses, and have earned college credit for displaying my understanding of English.

When I was seven years old, I told everyone I wanted to be a preschool teacher, not because I was passionate about teaching and mentoring younger generations, but because I thought—blinded by my second-grade arrogance—that it would be the easiest job in the world.

Now I am challenging myself to go above and beyond, aspiring to educate the public about injustices as an investigative journalist.

I listened to punk rock music at the age of 12 when I went through my angsty phase and developed a sense of defiance against authority. I genuinely thought anarchy was the only form of government that could work.

Then, I took multiple history classes in high school and acquired a love for history and a desire to learn more about the government.

My interest has pushed me as far as becoming a political science major

STRIKE A POSE

To this day, I still don’t know what to do with my hands in pictures.

at UIC. When I was 13, I thought I was destined to be a doctor or a nurse because it was more practical, even though I enjoyed reading and writing.

Then, I joined the newspaper in high school, and I started to see a future

in journalism and other liberal arts careers.

And, now I am utilizing my resources and education to pave a career as a writer and journalist.

During my sophomore year, we were required to speak in front of the class for Oral Communications, and I couldn’t look up from the podium or else I would go into a slight panic.

A week ago, I emceed an open-mic night, made a couple mistakes and laughed it off without lamenting it the next day.

I’ve attended six different schools throughout my life and have had trouble making lifelong friends and forging close relationships.

But now, I feel assured that my high school friends will be my friends for a long time.

Needless to say, times have truly changed, and I can’t wait for more changes to come. I’ve grown so much, and I will continue growing in college. Hopefully, 10 years from now, I can look back and see how far I have come.

Don’t be afraid to make new friends Mary Godley

News Editor spent the first three years of high school with a close-knit group. I had many loose acquaintances, a few in-school companions, and one best friend. This was due to my introverted nature. In the past, I kept to myself and rarely ventured out of my comfort zone, but I planned for this year to be different.

I wanted to make the most of my senior year, so I made an effort to be more outgoing. I put myself in new situations that made me uncomfortable. I reached out to different people, organized exciting plans, and, most importantly, made new friends.

Becoming involved in different activities led to the development of many new friendships.

I became close with people I would’ve never imagined even getting along with. Many of these friendships are with people who I now consider some of my closest friends.

Constitution Team, Southwords, and even Adventure Ed., for example, introduced me to brand new people, or forced me to get to know people I had already met. People like David Rygiel, Christo Fosse, and Julia Economy are friends that I became close with this year and will miss dearly next year.

My increased involvement in activities that used to make me anxious has paid off immensely. Each of my extracurriculars surrounds me with a unique

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group of peers.

My teammates, unit mates, and classmates are all very different from each other. Despite the different circumstances for our friendships, each mean the world to me.

Continuing and expanding the friendships made early on in high school is supposed to be easy senior year, but not when you make completely new friends. It feels like you have three years of catching up to do in one, which is impossible, but I think I’ve come pretty close.

Now that I’ve found a good group of people, I don’t feel like I’m ready to leave. The summer doesn’t feel like enough time before we all have to start over again.

A new beginning will be refreshing and is much needed for many of us, but losing touch with my best friends won’t be easy. My one regret of high school is waiting too long to join new activities and meet new people.

Senior year is meant for making lifelong memories with your best friends. The tailgate, senior breakfast, prom—the coveted festivities of the 12th grade—all lead up to the final bow, graduation. It’s sad that highschool is coming to an end, but I’m glad I get to experience what’s left of it with a great group of friends.

One piece of advice for underclassmen: reach out to new people sooner and be as outgoing as you can—you won’t regret it.

WE ALL NEED SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON Just call on your brothers (or father in this

case) when you need a hand. Your support system of friends and family will never let you down.

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SENIOR COMMENTARIES

| May 17, 2018

Final Comic-tary

by Yara Ruzhkovska

The yellow brick road is waiting for me Arden Sasak

Production Editor here’s no place like home,” Dorothy says as she clicks her shoes three times. The clock keeps ticking down until I finish high school and leave for college, and Dorothy keeps coming back to me with her ruby red slippers, asking me if I’m ready to leave.

Am I ready to leave?

“I am,” I tell myself. Recently, Park Ridge has become my Kansas. I feel like I’m stuck in a time loop, everything repeating over and over again in a never-ending cycle of seeing all the same places, doing all the same things. It’s becoming dull.

Maybe it was this cycle that influenced my choices in applying to schools outside of Illinois, far away from the small town where I was born and raised, from the same people I’ve known for my whole life. I’m ready to go someplace new.

But it seems that just as you’re preparing to leave a place, you start to miss it more.

My best friend and I are planning out our summer with a feverish passion, knowing that in three short months, we’re going to be fractured.

The agenda includes afternoons basking on the beach, summer festivals and concerts, and visiting all of our favorite nooks and crannies of northern Chicago.

Our plans represent the rush we’re feeling, the rest of our lives close enough to touch.

We plan like that ramen place in Wicker Park, is going to close tomorrow, or that farmer’s market is only going to last one week.

College is making us think that these places won’t be there when we return, but it’s the unknown future that scares us.

“There’s no place like home,” Dorothy says.

And there is no place like home.

The twisting in my stomach at the thought of

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leaving the family and friends I love tells me so.

My mother, whose low-key obsession with murder mysteries spreads from Agatha Christie to foreign Netflix shows.

My father, who always has some sort of construction project going on around the house.

My little sister, whose newest hobby is bird watching.

My stepdad, the hot sauce sommelier.

My stepmom, the jogger.

My aunt, who always has the loudest laugh in the room.

Oliver, who would never drink bagged tea to save his life and Liz with her perfect eyebrows and cat eyes.

There’s no place like home, and I’m leaving it all behind.

Is it the right choice?

Dorothy only reminisces about Kansas after she’s had the adventure of a lifetime. It’s only after going so far that she’d appreciated what she had back home.

I’m not sure if I’ll feel that way. Even with all of my grumbling about Park Ridge, I’ll always appreciate my life here and all the opportunities it’s given me.

But this town isn’t my adventure. It never has and never will be. I’ll never feel any fufuillment by being here, and I need to let it go.

Northfield, a small town in rural Minnesota, will never be as awe-inspiring as the Emerald City, But it’s the destination to my adventure, the one I’ve chosen.

I have people that I know and love back home, but I know that it’s not just that I want to leave.

There are experiences that I need to have. I need to grow. I need to leave.

I need to see where my yellow brick road will take me.

HATS OFF

As excited as I am going to Minnesota, there’s nothing better than a good Cubs game. Even back

Wherever it does take me, I know I’ll be all right. There won’t be any tornados or witches or flying monkeys, but there will be other challenges that I’ll face, challenges I’m not expecting. But I know I’ll figure out a way to solve whatever I come across. I always have and I always will.

So I slip on my ruby red slippers. I haven’t defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, nor am I looking for the Wizard of Oz. But they will take where I need to go.

I’m ready to take on the yellow brick road, and there’s no turning back.

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Don't spend high school playing it safe Elaine Smith

News Editor s someone with a type A personality, I have always been one to plan ahead. The thought of the unknown always scared me, so I would do everything in my power to make sure that every aspect of my life was well thought out.

When I graduated from Emerson Middle School, I already knew how exactly I would spend the next four years. I played basketball and the clarinet since the 4th grade and would obviously continue to play both throughout high school. I started taking tennis lessons and assumed that I would try out for the team in the fall.

Academically, I loved both math and science. I thought that I would be extremely successful in my high school math and science classes. I even thought that I would eventually become a biochemical engineer.

As expected, nearly no aspects of my predetermined high school plan came to fruition. I stopped playing basketball and the clarinet after

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sophomore year, deciding instead to only play tennis. My first B in high school was in my freshman math class and I got a D on my first biology test.

While my high school experience ended up being very different than I thought it would at age 14, the very best parts of my high school experience were the activities I was most hesitant about doing.

I was an avid reader of Southwords since freshman year but didn’t decide to join until junior year because I felt that I lacked the experience necessary to be a successful writer and editor.

Joining Southwords would mean trying something entirely new, which was unusual for my “play-it-safe” personality.

I can now say that Southwords has been one of my favorite parts of high school. Being a News Editor for the past two years has allowed me to develop my writing and communication skills while giving me the chance to keep the Maine South community well informed.

The other activity that I never planned on doing was Constitution

Team because I really disliked public speaking. I ended up signing up only after being persuaded by an enthusiastic upperclassman.

Constitution Team was without a doubt the best part of high school.

Over this past year, I have discovered my passion for constitutional law and have made many close friendships.

While I still don’t enjoy public speaking, I have discovered the benefits of practice.

My high school experience has taught me to be more flexible, both in regards to long term planning and in helping me to appreciate the present moment.

During the past four years, I have learned that some of the best moments are the ones where you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.

When I began high school, I limited myself and ended up missing out on doing what I truly enjoyed.

While my high school experience turned out different than I previously imagined, in the end, I’m glad that it did.

BONNET BLUES

Even as a baby, I thought I had my life all planned out.

17 years later, I can happily say that I am thankful for all of my life's changes.

Life is like a see-saw; try not to set it on fire Dimitri Speron

News Editor he end of high school is an interesting time.

Some people decide to sleep for 13 hours a day.

Some people decide to stop coming to school entirely.

And others decide to write preachy articles about all of the wisdom they’ve gathered in the last four years.

This article will probably end up belonging mostly to the third category, although with some jokes that no one will understand peppered throughout.

One of the most prevalent messages that older students and teachers give out when you get to high school, especially the military-esque club recruiters at freshmen orientation night, is to join as many clubs and organizations as possible.

When I was but a wee (actually I've probably gotten smaller since then) sophomore, I took all of this advice to heart, I joined every club that I could find and scooped up every volunteer opportunity that I had heard of.

Ultimately, in my junior year, I realized that I had spread myself far too thin. Except not literally thin. Junior year was an interesting part of my life.

Stress and rushing became my life, and I found myself speeding to school to meetings almost every day of the week and staying late for practices long into the evening.

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The ultimate irony of having done so much is the little reward that it yielded.

Colleges—the endgame of essentially everyone’s high school extracurricular journey—tend not to care that you participated in 10 clubs or that you did dozens of different events throughout your four years.

What is truly important, both for the sake of stress-reduction and for college admissions, is doing things that you truly enjoy, not things that you believe will look good on college applications.

There is, of course, a limit to this. Should you take the minimum number of classes every year and barely pass because that is what makes you happy?

No, probably not; but that leads me to my next point.

One of the most integral factors to the success of any person, not just the enterprising high school student, is the development of a healthy work-life balance.

Not everything should be a mindless, hedonistic pursuit of pleasure—but not everything should be practical, either. The goal of every high schooler ought to be to develop a formula for being successful, not necessarily quantitatively, but simultaneously in life and in leisure.

Happiness in life is subjective, and a concrete foundation built in high school (not literally, that’s more of a college-level architecture type thing) is something that will be serve as an endless font of

benefits in the future.

Learning to pick clubs, activities, and sports that not only contribute to your future, but also do not place undue stress on your mental state is an important skill for the future.

Not spreading yourself too thin is a truly vital component of healthy mental state, and, as such, taking the time to develop that skill as a high schooler will inevitably lead to additional success in the future.

My final advice is this: never, ever, use Comic Sans in any context, ever.

DIMINUTIVE DIMITRI

Despite the fact that this picture was taken over a decade ago, I still have the exact same patented blank stare. Outside of the frame is likely a large plate of cookies or a similar food that would elicit such a stare.

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FEMALE ATHLETES

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Julia Economy Badminton

Hayley Semple Basketball

Catie Fabiano Cheerleading

Kathleen Glockner Cross Country

Julia Economy is a two-year varsity player and one-year captain who plays the number-one singles spot and number-two doubles spot.

Economy works hard at every practice to improve her playing—and her teammates’. She does this by helping her teammates in practice, coaching during games and always keeping everyone motivated. One way she keeps everyone motivated is by doing her Hawk call at the end of the team cheer. “Her teammates would describe her as determined, energetic, and someone who plays with passion,” C oach Eve Muir-Wilson said.

Economy will be attending Purdue University.

Hayley Semple is a three-year varsity member and one-year captain who played guard. Semple is described as a great competitor and teammate.

“Hayley was a tremendous studentathlete who has set the bar high for players who follow in her footsteps,” Coach Mark Smith said. Semple was an All-Tournament selection in multiple tournaments and the only senior on the team who received All-Conference honors in the CSL South. Semple’s leadership helped lead the team to win the regional championship in her junior and senior year. Semple will be continuing her basketball career at Washington University in Saint Louis next year.

Catie Fabiano has been a varsity cheerleader for three years and is a two-year captain. Fabiano has led the team as a flyer, base, and front spotter. She was a great role model both on and off the mat by working hard in school, being there to help her teammates and pushing herself and others during practice. “Catie showed all captains coming after her that not only can you be a good captain, but you can also be a good friend,” Coach Kelly Nessling said. Catie was able to land her standing tuck, round-off tuck, round-off back handspring tuck and was working on her layout by the end of her senior year. She will be attending Ole Miss in the fall.

Kathleen Glockner is a fouryear varsity and three-year AllConference runner. Glockner started her freshman year as the number six runner and has moved her way up to the number two runner and captain.

She has been a part of the varsity top seven all four years, and the team has qualified for State all four years.

“She is always interested in running more and more miles, completing more and more intervals, and then desiring to compete in more and more races,” Coach Jeff Downing said.

Glockner also just qualified for State individually in the 3,200-meter run.

She will continue her running career at Montana State University.

Maddie Malinowski Soccer

Britney Richardson Softball

Milena Lim Swimming

Julia Benbenek Tennis

Maddie Malinowski has been a three-year varsity player. Malinowski, who plays midfield, is the team leader in goals, shots, and shots on goal. The girls’ soccer program is grateful for the hard work she put in. “Her fellow teammates would say she leads by her example and effort on the field.

She is not a vocal leader, but she will outwork the other teams’ players,” Coach JJ Crawford said. Malinowski was All-Conference and All-Sectional her junior year, and she will be up for both awards this season. Malinowski will be continuing her soccer career playing Division two soccer at Walsh University in Ohio.

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Britney Richardson is a three-year varsity player and two-year captain who plays centerfield. Richardson is a hard-working and talented athlete who is constantly trying to do her best. Richardson has the highest batting average this season. “[Britney is] nice, easy going, but determined, awesome, fun, caring, hard working, loving, motivating and talented,” Coach Emmy Pasier said. Richardson has been a great role model to her teammates by always trying to help the team improve—on and off the field. Richardson will try out for division one softball at Boston College next year.

Milena Lim is a four-year varsity swimmer who swims sprint freestyle and breaststroke. Lim has been a top sprint freestyler for the past three seasons. She is a very hard worker who will always put others’ needs before her own. “Milena’s legacy will be that she was always so motivated to do well and hard-working. She also was so friendly and caring for everyone associated with the girls’ swim and dive program,” Coach Don Kura said. Her positive attitude has helped the team become closer. She was able to have her best season as a senior. Lim will be attending the University of Illinois.

Julia Benbenek is a four year varsity player and a captain. She worked her way up over the years to play the number-one singles position her senior year. She is enthusiastic, hard-working, and always willing to help any player who needs it.

Benbenek has helped impact the team this year through her guidance, leadership and motivation. Benbenek puts all her energy into the team. “She embodies the tenacity and motivation of an exceptional athlete. Julia has amazing leadership qualities and she is a fearless competitor,” Coach Gerry Smith said. Benbenek will be attending Georgetown University.

Senior Issue

Sarah Hoffman Golf

Sarah Hoffman is a two-year varsity golfer and a co-captain.

Hoffman is described as hardworking, passionate, and dedicated.

She helped impact the unstoppable and fierce team culture of this season.

“Not only does she work hard and is our MVP because of athletic ability, she motivates the team, sets an example and always puts in extra effort,” Coach Kayla Hansen said.

Hoffman shot a season low of 86 at the Rockford Invitational and is always reliable in bringing in a 9-hole score in the 40s. Hoffman will be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to study biology on a Pre-Med track.

Jessie Saul Gymnastics

Jessie Saul has been a four-year varsity member. She worked hard to try and compete in the all-around as often as possible, although she was limited by injuries. Saul is described as being motivated and a great leader.“Jessie has helped raise the skill level of Maine South Girls' Gymnastics as a whole and has put us on the map as far as being a school strong in the sport of gymnastics,” Coach Tessa Robinson said. Saul qualified for State her junior and senior year on bars. Saul's highest bars score, 9.375, places her in the top five on Maine South's record board. She will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Olivia Niziolek Track & Field

Olivia Niziolek is a four-year varsity runner and four-year state qualifier. Niziolek mainly competes in the 1,600 meter and the 4 x 800 meter relay. She is the only girl in Maine South history to break 5:00 for the 1,600 meter (1 mile) race, with her personal best being 4:54. Niziolek is a great runner and a great leader.“It has been awesome to watch her train and give such great leadership to all of the runners. Olivia has to be considered our best female runner ever,” Coach Jeff Downing said.

Niziolek will be running division one next year at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Meghan Breslin Hawkettes

Meghan Breslin is a four-year varsity Hawkette and two-year captain. “Meghan is a dedicated team member inside and outside of practice. She is an exceptional dancer, and continuously worked to improve every year,” Coach Casey Gibbons said. Breslin helped lead her team to win a National Championship her junior year and place second her senior year. She is described as dedicated, prepared, determined and knowledgeable. Breslin was a role model to younger teammates during her senior year. Breslin will be continuing her dancing career on the University of Wisconsin-Madison's competitive dance team.

Sophia Galassini Volleyball

Sophia Galassini has been a threeyear varsity member and one-year captain. She was a middle hitter and outside hitter. Galassini helped lead the team by leading warm-ups and drills during practice. She was a passer for the first time her senior year and adjusted well to it and ended the season with the highest passing percentage besides the libero. “Zo was never satisfied with only playing the front row on the volleyball court; she worked so hard to earn and keep her role as an all-around volleyball player,” Coach Kathleen Durkin said.

Galassini is continuing her volleyball career at Lawrence University.

| FEMALE ATHLETES

Lauren Katayama Lacrosse

Lauren Katayama has been a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain. Katayama plays midfield and over her four years has over 150 goals and nearly 250 points. Katayama is a great competitor who always has a good time no matter how intense the game is or how hard she has to work. “Lauren, along with the other three girls in our senior class, are irreplaceable. They built this team and this program. As sophomores, they took this team to the final four and as seniors they are primed for an even deeper run,” Coach Colleen Speth said. Katayama will continue her lacrosse career at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. .

Sam Bergstrom Water Polo

Sam Bergstrom is a two-year varsity player who plays driver.

Bergstrom is always reliable in offense and defense. One example of this is that she is the leading senior scorer of the team. Bergstrom is a good teammate who is always supportive and always works hard to improve.

She is an asset to the team because she plays the game rather tirelessly and always follows her shots. “Sam is easy-going and finds a way to add to the offense of the team,” Coach Chris Deger said. Bergstrom is attending the University of Washington-Seattle, though she has yet to determine if she will be playing water polo in college.

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MALE ATHLETES

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Torre Cecala Baseball

Torre Cecala is a two-year varsity baseball player. As an outfielder, Cecala was among the team’s best in extra base hits, RBI’s, and batting average. Additionally, he was a valued player in the field, playing left field for most of his senior season. Cecala was also praised for his leadership on and off the field. Teammates noticed that he cared deeply about the future of Maine South baseball.“Torre is a player who leads by example,” Head Coach Brian Lorenz said.

“Everything he does, he does it the right way.” Cecala will be attending Marquette University next year.

Grant Miller Basketball

Grant Miller, a three-year varsity basketball player, was voted MVP of the 2017-2018 season by his teammates. He was the team leader in rebounds, charges, blocks and was second in scoring. Miller was highly praised by teammates and coaches, including Coach Lavorato who said, “Grant’s high character and constant motor energized the team daily.”

Miller was awarded CSL South AllConference and Chicago Sun-Times All-Area at the conclusion of the season. He will be playing basketball at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology next year.

Evan Clauss Swimming

Evan Clauss has been a four-year varsity swimmer, a two-year captain, and a record-breaking swimmer for the Hawks. Clauss broke the 100-yard butterfly record as a junior which had stood for over 45 years.

Clauss has also been on numerous medal-winning sectional relay teams as well. Aside from the fly, Clauss has been a major player in the 200yard freestyle, and sprint freestyle events. He was awarded a Varsity Special Achievement award for his skill, leadership, and performance for this year’s squad. Clauss plans on attending the University of Iowa next year.

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Brandon Christopher

Cross Country

Brandon Christopher is a threeyear varsity runner for cross-country.

Christopher set the standard for cross country. “Brandon was an outstanding team captain for cross county,” according to Coach Greg Nordahl. “He was incredibly supportive of his teammates and enthusiastic for their success.”

Christopher had placed high in many races during his career, including 3rd place at the CSL Conference meet and 11th place at the IHSA State meet.

He will be running track and cross country at the University of Dayton next fall.

Danilo Kovacevic Tennis

Danilo Kovacevic, a four-year varsity tennis player, was the numberone singles player for boys’ tennis this season. Kovacevic was a fourtime state qualifier and a two-time sectional champion for the Hawks.

He also holds some prestigious individual records at Maine South, including most all-time singles wins.

According to Coach Greg Young, “Danilo has very simply set the standard for success and achievement as a player, while showing how to be a great leader and teammate.”

Kovacevic will be continuing his tennis career at Ball State University next year.

Fotis Kokosioulis Football

Fotis Kokosioulis, a three-year varsity member, was one of the most successful running backs in Maine South football’s history. Kokosioulis holds the record for yards rushed and most touchdowns scored at Maine South. He also earned three IHSFCA Academic All-State selections. Coach Dave Inserra describes Kokosioulis as an extremely dedicated player. “Fotis was the hardest working member of our team. He never had to be asked twice to do something,” Inserra said.

He will be continuing his football career at Northern Illinois University on a full athletic scholarship.

Brandon Christopher

Track & Field

Brandon Christopher, a twoyear varsity runner, has been a role model for the track & field program throughout his Maine South running career. Christopher was one of the most successful long distance runners for track, running events from 400 meters to 3,200 meters.

Running in the highly-competitive CSL, he placed second in the 1,600 meter outdoor conference race as a junior and won the 1,600 indoor this season. Teammates often describe Christopher as hard working and motivated. He will be continuing his running career at the University of Dayton.

Senior Issue

Jimmy Horkavi Golf

Jimmy Horkavi has been a varsity golf player for two years. Horkavi led the talented boys’ golf team with a scoring average of 38.2 per nine holes last season. In 2017, he shot consecutive rounds of 76 at Regionals and Sectionals to advance to the IHSA State meet as an individual.

Horkavi has been heralded as a consistent golfer by coach Steve Scholl. “Jimmy’s ability to never get rattled is what made his senior season such a memorable one,” Scholl said.

Horkavi will be remembered as a keen leader of one of the best boys’ golf teams in Maine South history. He will attend Butler University next fall.

Josh Wydra Hockey

Josh Wydra has been a varsity member of Maine Hockey for three years. At the forward position, Wydra has led the team by example and has also taken time off the ice to work with other players. He served as captain during his senior season, and he was described by his teammates as someone who is very passionate about winning. According to head coach Greg Mrofcza, “Josh’s presence will be felt in the varsity locker room for at least the next two seasons, as many younger players had him as a role model.” Wydra was a league allstar last season, and he was among the top 40 forwards in the state of Illinois.

Richie Hoff Volleyball

Richie Hoff is a three-year varsity player for boys’ volleyball. Hoff, an outside hitter, was recognized around the CSL for his leaping and attacking ability. Hoff was also valued for his leadership skills, and he was always working to improve, which is part of what made him the best outside attacker on the team. “We’re really going to miss his powerful arm at the pin,” coach Gary Granell said. This season, Hoff managed over 300 kills and was named to the All-Conference team. He will be continuing his volleyball career at Division I George Mason University in Virginia next year.

J.T. Calabrese Lacrosse

J.T. Calabrese has been a threeyear varsity boys’ lacrosse player.

Calabrese was a reliable player in every part of the game, especially face-offs. He was counted on for almost every face-off for the Hawks, and he was considered one of the best in the State. Calabrese, the second-leading scorer on the team, emerged as a leader in his final year.

According to coach Camerin Staffel, “J.T. was the heart and soul of the lacrosse team.” Calabrese is described as a hard worker, who, even when he was sick, played and still scored two goals. Calabrese will play lacrosse at Division III Augustana College.

Sean Gardiner Water Polo

Sean Gardiner, a three-year varsity water polo player, thrived on both offense and defense for the Hawks. Gardiner was described by his teammates as a fierce competitor, feared by the rest of the CSL conference. According to Coach Terry Lyons, “Sean has probably been one of the best defensive players we have seen in the last six years,” Coach Lyons said. “He is hard working, humorous, and willing to share is knowledge with his teammates.” Gardiner is third all-time on the boys’ water polo scoring list. He will be attending the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign next fall.

| MALE ATHLETES

Ryan Bull Soccer

Ryan Bull is a three-year varsity player and team captain for the boys’ soccer team. Bull played seven different positions over the course of his high school career, and ranks tenth on the all-time scoring list.

According to Coach Dan States, “Ryan is a terrific young man who epitomized the role of student-athlete by not only being an integral part of the varsity soccer program, but also excelling in his academic endeavors.”

In 2017, Bull was named to the CSL All-Conference team. Bull will be attending Illinois Wesleyan University to play intercollegiate soccer next year.

Eugene Lee Wrestling

Eugene Lee, a three-year varsity wrestler, was a captain for the team in 2017-2018. Lee competed at 138, 145, and 152 pounds over his three seasons, and was a state qualifier as a junior. He finished his career with over 80 victories, but more importantly, he worked hard as a leader of the team. Teammates appreciated Lee’s sacrifice over the course of the season in order to help the wrestling program. According to coach Kevin Hansen, “Eugene dedicated himself to the sport, having had little to no experience before high school.” Lee will be attending Marquette University next year.

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