Inside:
SOUTHWORds Vol. 24, no. 10
Maine Township High School South
February 10,1988
Valentine messages ~-page 5
Romance novelist visits students Martha Jean Powers, a local romance writer, visited Mrs. Diane Johnson's English HI Accelerated students on January 26. At present, Mrs. Powers' s novel Proxy BrLie, can be found in bookstores. With two books due out in March and five more in the making, she is rapidly becoming a recognized writer. In her presentation she explained the lengthy process writers must go through to have their work published. This involved procedure entails sending aquery letter, which does not even include the story itself, but rather a brief overview of the plot. The publisher may or may not request to see the actual, full-length work, for nine out of ten queries are rejected. Upon acceptance, the writer submits portions of the novel for further review and consideration by
the publishers. If the editors see potential in the writer's style, they will contact him or her within three months for the entire novel. In Mrs. Powers's case, many months passed before she received a reply from the publisher.
Depending on the author's experience, a varying amount of money will be sent as an advance payment. The success of the novel will determine the royalties the author will receive in the future. Mrs. Powers is currently awaiting royalties from Proxy Bride while writing her forthcoming romances. Mrs. Powers's visit was in response to the English students' interest in the process of publication and a recent class assignment dealing with romance.
Curtain to rise for 'Merton' The 1988 All-School Play, Merton of The Movies, will open Thursday, February 18, at 8:00 p.m. Under the direction of Mr. Marie Bielak and student directed by junior Martha Muhlena, Merton of the Movies is a comedy set in the 1920's. Merton Gill, played by Andy Kohl, lives in the small townof Simsbury, Illinois working for Amos Gashwiler, played by Matthew Johnson. Merton claims he is in love with the famous movie actress, Beulah Baxter, played by Maura Scott. Leaving his true love, Tessie Keams, played by Chans Runnels, our hero sets out for Hollywood hoping to meet Beulah. Once Merton arrives at the Holden Lot in Hollywood, where Beulah shoots her movies under \hs direction of Sigmond Rosenblatt, played by Greg Miner, Merton meets and observes many strange characters including J. Lester Montague (Dom Louise), Rosenblatt's right-hand man, Weller (Mike McGarry), The Montague Girl, Beulah's stunt woman (Jan Waldron), Harold
Parmalee, an actor to whom Merton bears a remarkable resemblance (Frank Stokes), and Muriel Mercer (Kristi Altobelli). This cast of characters and the chaos which reigns when they try tofilma low-budget silent film provide the comedy throughout this delightful story. Other cast members include Marty Maloney as Elmer Huff, Martha Muhlena as Casting Director, Matt Krause as the Cameraman, Chris Chandler as JefTBaird, Laura Waclawik as Mre. Patterson, Pat Leahy as Mr. Walberg, and Laura Hansen as Maxine the violinist Show dates are February 18,19, and 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Clyde K. Watson auditorium. Friday night there is a Pre-Show dirmer at 6:30 p.m. for $8.00 for adults and S7.50 for students and seniors. This price includes the show. Tickets for just the show can be purchased for S3.00 from cast members or at the door.
Speakers meet at South The annual Maine Invitational, a Contest Speaker's tournament, was held here at Maine South on Saturday, January 30. At 7:15, approximately 650 students representing 33 teams gathered to register for competition, and at 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:30 a.m., students competed in all three rounds in events such as. Verse, Prose, Extemporaneous Speaking, Special Occasion Speaking, Oratorical Declamation, Original Oratory, Original Comedy, Humorous Inteipretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Duet Acting, Dramatic Duet Acting, and Radio Speaking. Students were judged and ranked in comparison to each other by different judges each round. A full
team consists of two contestants in every event, and individual standings are the basis of the entire team's rank. Placing at the Invitational for Maine South were Jenine Smith in Verse-first place, Tricia Callahan in Prose-second place, and Andrew KoliI and Jan Waldron in Humorous Duet Acting-third place. These contestants and others were selected to go on Regional competition Saturday, February 6, at Niles North High School. The top four individuals in each event will go on to the Sectional comjjeiition, February 13, and the lop three from each section will compete in the Stale Competitive Speech Meet in Bloomington on February 20.
Romantic novelist Mrs. Martha Powers speaks to Mrs. Johnson's English 3 Accelerated classes.
Scholarships for South seniors This year the Panhellenic Club and the Maine South Mother's Club are offering scholarships to the seniors. The Panhellenic Club is a woman's organization which consists of those who had belonged to a sorority in college. The student must be a resident of Park Ridge or a student that goes to either Maine South or Maine East High School. The scholarships range from about $250-5750. They are awarded on the basis of a student's academic achievement, his/her involvement in both school and community activ ities, and his/her financial need. However, to be a candidate for this program, one does not need to join a sorority in college. The applications are available at the Career Resource Center or by contacting Mrs. Marjorie Piasecki (823-1381). The deadMne for tlie application is March 15, 1988. In addition, the Mother's Club is offering a scholarship to seniors who must have graduated from Maine South in January 1988 or will graduate in June 1988 and also muslbe enrolled in the school of his/her choice by the fall of 1988. The criteria for this scholarship will be: financial need, high school academic achievement, ACT score, involvement in extra-curricular activities, and recommendations. The applications are available at the Career Resource Center. The deadline for tlie application is April 1988.