Vol 48 senior issue

May 31, 2012

1111 S. Dee Road • Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON Nervous? Ecstatic?

Scared? Relieved?

“Keep calm” and reflect upon four great years at Maine South.

Vol. 48, No. 9

AWARDS

| May 31, 2012

Applied Arts and Technology Award: James Thomson

Art Award: Maggie Navin

Business Award: Madeline Stanton

English Award: Sarah Tarabey

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Baylor University Provost’s Gold S c h o l a r s h i p – C o l i n Mc Gu i r e Best Buy Children’s Foundation Scholarship–Allison Sakowicz Betty Houlihan Memorial Music Scholarship–Alex Pantazi Bradley University Dean’s Scholarship– Claire McGuire, Evan Olson Butler University Trustee Scholarship– Meghan Farrell California Lutheran University Oaks Scholarship–Luke Wlodarski Carroll University Charles Carroll Scholarship–Sean Aiello Carthage College CART Endowed Scholarship–Scott Adamczyk, Stacey Adamczyk, Kyle Muss, Jacob Sklena Carthage College Founders’ S cholarship–S cott Adamczyk Carthage College Presidential Scholarship–Stacey Adamczyk, Thomas Kicmal Case Western Reserve University Scholarship– Sarah Ann Ronan College of Wooster Dean’s Scholarship–Faye LevinO’Leary Colorado State University Provost’s Scholarship–Nicole Johnson Concordia University Faculty Scholarship–Erica Hauer Cook County Sheriff ’s Department Service Medal of Honor–Daniel Mizdrak Denison University Founder’s Scholarship–Charlie Vinopal DePaul University DePaul Scholars’ Award–Stephanie Curcio, Ivan Zelic DePaul University Presidential Scholarship–Meredith Mittelbrun DePaul University St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship–Dylan Garberini Des Plaines Ladies of the Elks Scholarship–Daniel San Gabino District 207 Maine Teachers Association Helen Dobbins MTA S cholarship–Jonathon Novak Dominic an University Merit Scholarship–Jennifer Parrino Drake University Presidential Scholarship– Cassandra Doody Drake University Trustee Scholarship–Cassandra Doody Duke University NCAA Division Scholarship for Track–

Recognition of M i c h a e l F i l ip c z a k E l m hu r st College Blue Jay Grant–Kathleen Suvada Elmhurst College Deans Scholarship–Kathleen Suvada Elmhurst College Enrichment Scholarship–Kathleen Suvada Furman University Leadership Award–Brynne Hartfelder Gordon Mc L e an S c h ol ar sh ip – A mb e r Gillani Hal Chastain Memorial Scholarship–Danielle Soldat Hawk Booster Board Scholarship–Scott Adamczyk, Alison Cottrell, Ashley Kovalcik, Michelle Roberts, April Si mp s on Haw k e tte B o o ster s Scholarship–Meg Patrick Illinois State University Redbird Academic Scholarship–Alex Pantazi Illinois Wesleyan University Alumni Fine Arts Scholarship–Jonathon Novak Illinois Wesleyan University Alumni Grant–Jonathon Novak Indiana University Academic Scholarship– Jessica Williams Indiana University Prestige Scholarship–Matthew Lahey Joseph Blazek Foundation Scholarship–Daniel San Gabino Kalo Foundation–Gabrielle Guerra, Maggie Navin Kenyon College Distinguished Academic Scholarship–Erin Bauer Kiwanis International Club Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts–Maggie Navin Knox College Founders Grant–Emma Frey Knox C ollege Hermann Muelder Scholarship–Emma Frey Knox College Writer’s Scholarship– Emma Frey Lawrence University Community Engagement Scholarship–Justin Coyne Lawrence University Warch Conservatory Honor Scholarship–Justin Coyne Lloyd Spear Memorial Scholarship– Britta Hoiland Loyola University Chicago Dean’s Scholarship– Nicholas Olinger Loyola University Chicago Presidential Scholarship– L e i a As i m a c o p o u l o s L o y o l a University Chic ago R ambler

Family/Consumer Sciences Award: Valerie Figueroa

Award–Aman Kapoor L oyola University Damen Scholarship– Kerry Warchol Maine South High School Art Club Scholarship– Gabrielle Guerra Maine South High School Bob Simonson Award– Nicholas Mitrovich Maine South Boys’ Basketball Program The Big Jerry Memorial Scholarship– Ryan Fahey, Nick Mitrovich Maine South High School Brett J. Harman Endow ment Fund–Ant hony Mastrolonardo Maine South High School Chris Harris Memorial Scholarship–Jeremy Apolinski Maine South High School Goodwill Award–Jaclyn Angioletti, Abriana Fallico, James Frankos, Nicole Johnson, James Loomos, Nicholas Mitrovich, Katherine Solberg Maine South High School Helaine Mann Scholarship–Paige Schoening Maine South High School Ken Reese Senior Service Scholarship–Julia Kashul, Daniel San Gabino, Madeline Stanton, Patrick Wohl Maine South High School Music Boosters Music Scholarship–Madeline Baer, Ethan Campbell, Justin Coyne, Emma Frey, Faye Levin-O’Leary, Jonathon Novak, Kaitlin O’Keefe, Kristine Seibert, Danielle Soldat, Kathleen Suvada, Regina Verhelst Maine South High School Speech, Drama & Broadcasting Boosters SDB Scholarships–Emma Frey, Becca Hess, Angelo Hunter, Ryan Mays, Allison Sakowicz, Danielle Soldat, Elizabeth Turner Maine South High School Student Council Scholarship-Julia Kashul, Evan Olson Maine South Mothers’ Club Scholarship–Jeremy Apolinski, Austin Bryniarski, Ethan Campbell, Colton Cannon, Justin Coyne, Cassandra Doody, Morgan Faley, Emma Frey, Merrill Hester, Aman Kapoor, Kaitlyn Krone, Matthew Lahey, James Loomos, Joseph Mack, Jonathon Novak, Sarah Ann Ronan,

Foreign Language Award: Faye Levin-O’Leary

the class of 2012 Allison Sakowicz, Daniel San Gabino, April Simpson, Katherine Solberg, Regina Verhelst, Kerry Warchol Maine S outh Mothers’ C lub Clyde K. Watson Award–Austin Bryniarski Maine South Mothers’ Club Jan Cannon Award–Jonathon Novak Maine South Mothers’ Club Virginia Feurer Award–Joseph Mack Marquette University Western Golf Association Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship–Shane Sweeney MetLife Foundation MetLife Pathways Aw ard – Pat r i c k Wo h l M i am i University of Ohio Red Hawk Merit Scholarship–Meg Patrick Monmouth College Achievement Award–Taylor Sutschek Monmouth College Presbyterian Scholarship– Ta y l o r S u t s c h e k N a t i o n a l Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar–Adam Smith National Merit Scholarship Corporation C ommende d Student–Austin Bryniarski, Cassandra Doody, Lauren Krone, Joanna Kuczak, Renee Kumon, Steven Lim, James Loomos, Caroline Murphy, Christine Murphy, Jonathon Novak, Kyle Richardson, Katherine Solberg, Sarah Tarabey, Regina Verhelst, Lawrence Whitney, Connie Woo, Alexander Zaug National Merit Scholarship Corporation Finalist–Ethan Campbell, Colton Cannon, Anthony Groenewold, Alexander He yde National Merit Scholarship Corporation S cholarship–C olton C annon, Alexander Heyde National Merit Scholarship Corporation SemiFinalist–Adam Smith Northern Arizona University Presidential Scholarship–Joseph Mack Oakton Community College Academic Scholarship–Paige Schoening Ohio State University Health Sciences Scholar–Sebastian Graca Ohio State University Maximus Scholarship–S ebastian Graca Ohio State University National

Buckeye Scholarship–Sebastian Graca Oklahoma State University Nonresident Achie vement Scholarship–Rebecca Frank OxBow School of Art and Artists’ Residency Herb & Karen Tews Scholarship–Margaret Navin Park Ridge Art League Scholarship– Morgan Mittelbrun, Maggie Navin, Sara Wojtowicz Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce Scholarship–Claire Doherty, Meredith Machon Park Ridge Civic Orchestra J. Mark Waltz Memorial Scholarship–Ethan Campbell Park Ridge Community Church Eric Nelson Scholarship– Joseph Mack Park Ridge Kiwanis Club Scholarship–James Loomos, Meredith Machon Park Ridge Panhellenic S cholarship– Evangelina Castaneda, Meg Patrick, Allie Sakowicz, Taylor Sutschek Park Ridge Presbyterian Church Scholarship–Meredith Machon, C o l i n Mc G u i r e Pa r k R i d g e Presbyterian Church Joan Timme Memorial Scholarship–Taylor Sutschek Park Ridge Presbyterian Church Ralph J. and Ellen Frost Scholarship–Claire McGuire, Daniel San Gabino Park Ridge Presbyterian Church Shaw Scholarship–Taylor Sut s ch e k P u rdu e Un i ver sity Presidential Scholarship–Daniel San Gabino Saint Louis University University Scholarship–Lauren Conway Saint Olaf College Cassler Music Scholarship–Britta Hoiland Saint Olaf College Performance Study Scholarship–Britta Hoiland School of the Art Institute of Chicago Distinguished Scholar Scholarship– Morgan Mittelbrun School of the Art Institute of Chicago Merit Scholarship–David Kenney, Sara Wojtowicz Scott Wade Memorial Soccer Scholarship–Erik Baker, Nora Brosnan, Morgan Faley, Allyson Schnell Scott Wade Scholarship– Jeremy Apolinski Second Chance

Mathematics Award: Ethan Campbell

Foundation Scholarship–Paige Schoening Stetson University Tuition Exchange Scholarship– Allegra Miller Trinity International University Kantz er-Rudd Scholarship–Hannah Moy Tulane University Founders’ Scholarship– Jeremy Apolinski Twentieth Century Club Scholarship–Jeremy Apolinski, Claire Doherty, Mary Rozny, Daniel San Gabino, Kathleen Suvada University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship–Breighanna Carey University of Colorado NCAA Division 1 Athletic ScholarshipSoccer–Olivia Pappalardo University of Dayton Deans’ Merit Scholarship– Jaclyn Angioletti, Daniel Mizdrak University of Dubuque Forerunner Award–Tess Vanella University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Honors Program Chancellor’s Scholar–Colton Cannon University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Honors Program for Business S c h o l a r s h i p – Mo i s e s C o r r e a University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign James Scholar–Paul Ansani, Colton Cannon, Moises Correa, Anthony Groenewold, Adam Smith University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign President’s Aw a r d S c h o l a r s h i p – M o i s e s Correa, Caroline Featherstone, Adam Smith University of Iowa National Scholars Award–Caroline Gust University of Missouri Mark Twain Nonresident Scholarship– Kathryn Makowski University of Missouri Mizzou Heritage Non Resident Scholarship–Haley McDill University of South Carolina Coopers Scholar Award–Mike Miller Western Illinois University NCAA Division 1 Athletic ScholarshipBasketball–Michelle Maher Will Duchek Memorial Scholarship– Derek Dare, Zachary Eckhart, Daniel Moorehouse Xavier University Dean’s Award–Claire Doherty

Music Award: Alex Pantazi

Senior Issue

| AWARDS

Social Science Award: Patrick Wohl

Science Award: Sebastian Graca

Speech/Drama Award: Matthew Bonadona

Physical Education Award: Taylor Sutschek

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COLLEGES

| May 31, 2012

Alabama

Illinois

Auburn University Sarah Arana Augustana College Josefina Fioretto, James University of Alabama Breighanna Carey, Peters Matthew Kelly, Jacob Marshall Aurora University Kyle Salmen Benedictine University Mohammed Tutanji Bradley University Claire McGuire, Evan Olson, Natalie Plokita, Jon Weber Grand Canyon University Heidi Gregerson Northern Arizona University Joseph Mack, College of DuPage Luke Lenti College of Lake County Nickolas Mateus Nicholas Robertson Paradise Valley Community College Briana Columbia College Noor Al-Banna, Markian Bojkewycz, Colin Kaniff, Kayla Katz, Miles Pusateri University of Arizona Erik Baker, Alison Penze Malin Concordia University Erica Hauer DePaul University Brian Bedon, Erica Bosco, California Lutheran University Luke Wlodarski Sean Cahill-Lemme, Ian Catalano, Jenna Conway, Stephanie Curcio, Johnathon Eller, Joseph Chapman University Eric Sirvinskas Gagliardi, Sarah Gallagher, Peter Gaudyn, Santa Clara University Dylan O’Reilly University of California, Berkeley Caroline Matthew Gieser, David Holmquist, Theodore Karabatsos, Molli Kleeman, Megan Maines, Murphy University of California, Riverside John Emily Mathias, Amanda Miceli, Meredith Mittelbrun, Amy O’Malley, John O’Malley, Michael Forsythe Seskiewicz, Luke Terleckyj, Emily Valdez, Marcus University of San Francisco David Grecu Winogradzki, Marie Zakarian, Ivan Zelic California State University Jacqueline Nadler Dominican University Kevin Erazo, Mairead McKenna, Jennifer Parrino Eastern Illinois University John Harper, Karlie Colorado State University Gregory Egan, Mirabelli, Amanda Taylor Nicole Johnson, Stephen Lombardo, Katherine Elmhurst College Cesar Pino, Tyrnnon Steffen, Pachowicz, Annie Stimson Kathleen Suvada Fort Lewis College Hunter Courtney Harper Community College Mary Rozny, Rachel Frontrange Community College Lindsy Lee Rumentzas University of Colorado Boulder Brett Barsanti, Heartland Community College Shannon Olivia Pappalardo Tworek Illinois Center for Broadcasting Ryan Fahey Illinois Institute of Art Ashley Cardamone, Yale University Austin Bryniarski William Kann, Kyle Przybysz, Paul Reszczynski Illinois Institute of Technology Michael Dobben Illinois State University Meagan Boatright, American University Ryan Mays Phillip Cusimano, Vincent Dinwiddie, Brian George Washington University Patrick Wohl Dittburner, Christine Ewald, Katie Karrasch, Eric Mallon, Connor Mathisen, Alexa Mundzic, Cassandra Nugent, Alexander Pantazi, Michael Eckerd College Leah Miller Paradiso, Alexandra Piekarczyk, Kaitlyn Schlitter, Flagler College Melissa Murphy Michelle Schneider, Nicole Schueller, Kristine Stetson University Allegra Miller Seibert, Allyson Stevens, Elizabeth Turner, John Varygiannes, Whitney Wolters Illinois Wesleyan University Lindsey Alpert, Drake University Cassandra Doody, Renee Kaitlyn Mullarkey, Jonathan Novak Kendall College Michael Merz Kumon, Jonathan Kusnierz, Joshua Timm Knox College Emma Frey Iowa State University Michael Kenevan Kirkwood Community College Caitlin Connolly, Lincoln Christian College Kacy Hancock Loyola University Chicago Adrian Adamiec, Lindsay Fleming, Grace Rueve Leia Asimacopoulos, Demetra Bairaktaris, Stefan University of Dubuque Joseph Gryzik University of Iowa Sylvia Borzym, Nicholas Barac, Anna Bunda, Rachel Clausen, Kristina Calabrese, Megan Couty, James Frankos, Paula Daniels, Danielle Diatte, Patrick Gawrylo, Gawedzki, Caroline Gust, Nicholas Gust, Arika Stefan Houpy, Katherine Hunt, Patricia Justice, Lucas, Catherine Otis, Alec Pappas, Olivia Aman Kapoor, Karolina Kobos, Joanna Kuczak, Rodriguez, Adam Sobczyk, Timothy Solomon, Michael Lee, Anielyn Magsino, Nathan Mora, Nicholas Olinger, Amanda Sek, Emily Sekiewicz, Anna Toulon, Kerry Trewartha Pola Susfal, Philip Titean, Louis Tsichlis, Kerry

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Washington, D.C. Florida

Iowa

4 SouthwordS

Warchol, Lawrence Whitney, Ewelina Wojcik, Connie Woo, Kelli Wozniakowski Monmouth College Taylor Sutschek Moody Bible Institute Samantha Read, Julia Tobin North Park University Colleen Donohue, Elizabeth Lasch, Barbara Madej, Anette Niebrzydowski, Brett Slager Northeastern Illinois University Paul Lesny, Nicholas Pagone, Emma Russell, Gabriele Vildziunaite, Donald Allegretti, Lawrence Scimeca Northwestern University Agata Nartowska, Daniel San Gabino, Nicole Zawistowski Oakton Community College Ryan Aguirre, Kareem Alayoubi, Brandon Alexander, Patrick Aloisio, Richard Armstrong, Joseph Azzi, Filip Boksa, Elizabeth Bolin, Peter Bukowski, Kate Carlson, Margo Corujo, William Coyle, Nicholas Cronin, Daniella Dandrea, Ryan De La Cruz, Katerina Dimas, Ryan Diversey, Ryan Dohr, Alexandrea Downen, Abriana Fallico, Martin Foss, Michael Genyk, Cameron Grossart, Angelo Hunter, Michael Jeske, Michelle Karabetsos, William Karabetsos, Kamil Kowalkowski, Grzegorz Kras, Piotr Krynski, Brittany Laskowski, Alex Macahon, Robert Paul Manalo, Victoria Marinopoulos, Anthony Mastrolonardo, Ryan McEnerney, Jordyn Michaels, Evan Mikrut, Cody Modena, Joseph Motroni, Andrew Murphy, Steven Naughton, Kevin O’Mara, Kyle O’Shanna, Martina Pajaj, Enock Park, Andrew Piecyk, Athena Principato, Rainer Ramoran, Travis Sarov, Matthew Sasenick, Anthony Seng, Diana Smyrska, Kevin Sulewski, Erin Sullivan, Alexandra Tomic, Daniel Tomzik, Nicholas Torre, Joshua Trawver, Maximiliana Utratny, Paul Waltos, Daniel Ward, Anna Wargo, Jocelyn Wind, Michael Zielinski Olivet Nazarene University Kristine Kjell Robert Morris University Jasmine Ng Roosevelt University Kyle Besetzny, Evangelia Castaneda, Becca Hess, Franklin Krautwald, Alexander Longo School of The Art Institute Of Chicago Gabrielle Guerra, Morgan Mittelbrun, Sara Wojtowicz Southern Illinois University Daniel Brewster, Lea Civitella, Peter Curi, Ashley Kovalcik, William McGuire, Meganmae Pelagio, Sabina Staszel Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy Curtis Massari Trinity International University Hannah Moy Triton College Daniel Allegretti, Alicja Biniek, Dominik Bonarek, Brittany Bucholz, Anjunea Hair, Mateusz Kapusciarz, Sarah Keckley, Ashley McAuliffe, David Sadowicz, Anthony ShapiroRizzi University of Illinois at Chicago Mohammad

Senior Issue

Al-Hamwi Bzankou, Zacharia Askar, Natassia Bahni, Owen Beale, Madalina Ciocan, Briana Cisneros, Aneta Darlak, Vitaliy Denkovych, Ashkan Khalili, Garrett Klepitsch, Christina Limberopoulos, Daniel Lu, Alexandra Mascari, Margaret Obacz, Louis Panozzo, Stephanie Pearson, Anna Solak, Enya Ward University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ioannis Anastos, Paul Ansani, Austen Beaugureau, Heather Besler, Zachary Bosy, Casey Bryniarski, Thomas Calandriello, Rafal Chochol, Moises Correa, Lawrence Darlak, Charles DiFranco, Nina Duric, Zachary Eckhart, Caroline Featherstone, Eric Freemon, Katherine Gardiner, Anthony Groenewold, Margaret Holbrook, Reva Karkhanis, Emily Kelly, Joshua Knitter, Jennifer Kopoulos, Tiana Kosaka, Kaitlyn Krone, Lauren Krone, Cealan Laffey, Michelle Larocca, Michael Larsen, Steven Lim, Meredith Machon, Bridget Mancini, David Mollin, Audrey O’Connor, Lauren Pentz, Krystian Pieta, Stephanie Rancich, Joseph Schmit, Adam Smith, David Sonnicksen, Michael Stangel, Madeline Stanton, Jack Starzec, Jessica Strzepka, Jason Tan, Douglas Wagner, Jacob Walley, Michael White, Lindsey Zawila University of Chicago Keenan McKenzie, Sarah Tarabey Western Illinois University Michelle Maher, Cody Stinnett, Dennis Walega Concordia University Nicholas Mitrovich

Indiana

Butler University Meghan Farrell, Tea Gjoni Indiana University Patrick Barrett, Sean Brosnan, Tyler Fahey, Joseph Galiotto, Matthew Lahey, Laura Nesse, Katherine Rothschild, John Sweeney, Madeline Vogg, Kathleen Walsh, Jessica Williams, Purdue University Adam Forbes, Thomas Fritz Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology Christian Owen University of Notre Dame Thomas Lis, Katherine Solberg, Monika Spalinski, Kyle Richardson Valparaiso University Nicholas Reich

Kentucky

University of Kentucky Michelle Colletti

Louisiana

Louisiana State University Carly Inman Tulane University Jeremy Apolinski, Michael Zadlo

Massachusetts

Babson College Cezary Bialon Boston University Claire Floriano Harvard University Alexander Heyde, James Loomos Wheelock College Emilia Crnjak

Michigan

Central Michigan University Rebecca Nedza Hope College Allyson Schnell Michigan State University Andrew Bisanz, Ava Bobola, Valerie Castelluccio, Matthew Gamache, Matthew Garvey, Chase Krug, Alexander Naber, Robert Peterson Michigan Technical University Maggie Ziols Nor thern Michigan University Matthew Carlborg University Of Michigan Erin Martell Western Michigan University Danielle Soldat

Minnesota

Bethel University Daniel Fink, Debra Fink St. Olaf College Britta Hoiland Winona State University Paul Preston

Missouri

Saint Louis University Catherine Alviti, Lauren Conway, Andrew Sweeney University of Missouri Mackenzie Dolan, Nicole Donnellan, Casey Gibbons, Kimberly Hejza, Daniel Krone, Kathryn Makowski, Ryan McCarthy, Haley McDill, John McGinnis, Sean O’Donnell, Eric Schmeisser, Jennifer Tallen, Rebecca Wechter, John Zivkovic Washington University in St. Louis Regina Verhelst

| COLLEGES

Xavier University Claire Doherty

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University Rebecca Frank University of Tulsa Matthew Bonadona, Joseph Olan

Pennsylvania

Bucknell University Brian Kowalski Carnegie Mellon University Margaret Navin University of Pittsburgh Madeleine Baer, Nicole Shammo, Hugh Stapleton

South Carolina

Furman University Brynne Hartfelder University of South Carolina Michael Miller

Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University Christine Polka

Texas

Baylor University Colin McGuire University of Texas at Austin Merrill Hester, Sean Valentine

Vermont

University of Vermont Nora Brosnan

Wisconsin

Carroll University Sean Aiello, Julia Kashul Carthage College Scott Adamczyk, Stacey Adamczyk, Daniel Chmielewski, Michael Fernandez, Robert Duke University Michal Filipczak, Michelle Katkus Jr., Thomas Kicmal, Daniel Moorehouse, Kyle Muss, Carla Nuzzo, Nicholas Schaefer, Jacob Roberts Wake Forest University Morgan Faley, Allison Sklena, Heather Steiner, John Warnock Lawrence University Justin Coyne Sakowicz Marquette University Stefania Barbanente, Jasmine Basile, Valerie Figueroa, Sarah Kerin, Jaclyn McGrath, Shane Sweeney, Caroline Ziminski University of Nebraska Matthew Smolic Milwaukee Institute of Art And Design Angela Parker Milwaukee School of Engineering Donald Deda, Princeton University Ethan Campbell Thomas Wojnarowski Northeast Wisconsin College Julie Callahan University of Wisconsin—Madison Alison Cottrell, Columbia University Christine Murphy Kelsey Eichman, Michael Klimmeck, Michael New York University Amber Gillani Nieder, April Simpson, Mollie Stevens United States Militar y Acade my Ha le y University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee Kaitlyn O’Connor O’Keefe, Elaina Rubeo, Andrew Whitenack University of Wisconsin—Whitewater Taylor Dornik Bowling Green State University Hayley Jaffe Case Western Reserve University Sarah Ronan College of Wooster Faye Levin-O’Leary Air Force James Marbach, Ryan Reeder Denison University Charles Vinopal Marine Corps Elvira Cortes Kenyon College Erin Bauer Miami University Douglas Aniol, Trevor Jaconetti, Queen’s University Anna Muiznieks Meghan Patrick Ohio State University Sebastian Graca University of Dayton Jaclyn Angioletti, William University of Leeds James Thomson Dixon, Daniel Mizdrak, Kallie Webster

North Carolina

Nebraska

New Jersey New York

Ohio

Military Canada

United Kingdom

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UNSUNG HEROES

| May 31, 2012

Unsung Heroes of

Katie Solberg

Sam Read

Renee Kumon

f you have ever attended an athletic event at Maine South, you have probably heard the shouting of “Go Hawks!” or “T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K!” come from a particularly jovial gal. This cry of joy is not from an individual player, parent, or fan, but a cheerleader with a signature smile. For the past four years, Katie Solberg has truly demonstrated a superior devotion to her studies and extracurricular involvement.

At school, Katie serves as a captain of the varsity competitive cheerleading squad and is also a member of the nationally-ranked Constitution Team. Her peers, coaches, and teachers recognize that she leads by example, with many people finding her enthusiasm and dedication essential to creating a happier environment.

Despite a hefty academic schedule filled with accelerated and AP courses, Katie still finds time to volunteer in her community, frequently babysitting for her neighbors’ children. Even while at a recent Constitution Team barbecue, she looked after a young girl—a testament to her willingness to help others.

Kat i e’s p a r t i c ip at i on i n t h e T h e at re Communications elective as well as the Council for Exceptional Children club shows her passion for helping those with special needs. Rather than taking a study or lounge period or doing something else after school, she chooses to help others. The patience and positive attitude that she spreads through the student body, as well as her helpfulness, make Katie a great asset to the Maine South and local communities. Despite her hectic schedule, Katie always has a smile on her face, no matter the time of day, and she can brighten the day for anyone in the hall.

Next year, she will take her talents to South Bend, Indiana and attend the prestigious University of Notre Dame, with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Next fall, Katie’s warmheartedness, eagerness, and charm will be missed both on the field and in the classroom, but everyone knows she will always be a Hawk at heart.

hen you see Sam walking the halls, it is clear that she is not your average teenager.

At first glance, one can see that she is someone who loves life and always has a smile on her face.

Digging a little deeper, one finds that she loves her cat, is a captain on the girls’ varsity water polo team, and although she won’t admit it, is a great singer.

What sets Sam apart from others is that her speech, how she acts, and the way she carries herself can be attributed to one thing: her faith. Sam’s faith is what gives her the strength and courage to do amazing things. This year, she put her courage to the test by fighting to get Maine South’s Christian organization, H20, recognized as a club. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators alike said it couldn’t be done. This only pushed Sam to work harder, which helped her come out on top. It is never easy to go against the grain in high school, but Sam does it with grace.

Sam is defined by her servant’s heart; she finds fulfillment by putting others before herself. She has spent countless hours volunteering her time at South Park Church. This last spring break you could’ve found Sam in Louisiana rebuilding a family’s house that the hurricane destroyed. Two summers ago, she served at an inner-city church, helping run an annual vacation Bible school. Go back three summers and Sam could be found in Peru, serving kids and families in need.

Now you will find Sam selling t-shirts and bracelets to raise money for a nine-month missions trip this coming fall, where she will form relationships with people all over the world.

It won’t be easy, but she will succeed because she continually practices love and embraces all people.

This abundance of accomplishments is just the start. Sam’s most admirable quality is the way she courageously, but humbly, speaks the truth, holds her ground in the face of opposition, and finds ways to love every person she meets. These are the things that truly make her a hero.

ick any department here at Maine South, whether it’s English, social science, science, math, or fine arts, and you will see one of Renee’s many accomplishments. She is the epitome of being well rounded, and whether it’s early morning chamber rehearsals, or extensive C-Team practices, somehow she makes time for it all.

Let’s start with the English and social science departments. Last year, Renee was nominated for the 2011 NCTE Writing Award for her outstanding writing skills. She is also this year’s Peggy Ross American History Scholar, which she received for her outstanding work in American history.

Nonetheless, despite these remarkable awards, she remains modest and as humble as can be.

Renee is also a part of the Constitution Team. Her dedication and persistence is visible through their achievement of attending nationals in Washington D.C. Although it is a great time commitment, she is able to leave room for her numerous other activities as well.

In the science department, Renee showed her excellence through her participation in the Rube Goldberg competition. Her knowledge and creativity were put to good use as the team built an exceptional machine.

Her creativity is also conveyed through her pursuit of the arts and music. A member of the Art Club, Renee never fails to dazzle her peers with her artistic ability. Ever since the fourth grade, Renee has been engaged in playing the violin. She is a member of the Maine South Orchestra and also perfoms with a string quartet at various occasions and special events. Her passion and drive for excellence is represented through her hard work and persistence in mastering everything from a run up the fingerboard to a glissando.

There never comes a time where Renee simply gives up. She is dedicated to everything she does.

All these qualities help to build her outstanding character, which makes her a definite unsung hero of Maine South. Next year, Renee will attend Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

I

by Dan San Gabino

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W

by Debi Fink

P

by Britta Hoiland

Senior Issue

the class of 2012 O

Keenan McKenzie

by Joshua Timm

utside of Mr. Inserra’s fourth period TBC class, where he is worshipped as a near messiahlike figure, it isn’t always easy to notice Keenan McKenzie.

It’s hard to find athleticism, loyalty, dependability, intelligence, kindness, and humility in a single person, which is precisely why Keenan is such an outstanding individual. He played football and lacrosse for four years, and wrestled for two years.

He has also been snowboarding for 13 years, and even competed in national competitions. In fact, Keenan is part of the reason that a lacrosse program even exists at Maine South.

During his freshman year, he and his friends wrote letters to try and get a lacrosse program at Maine South, and not only did a boys’ lacrosse team form, it opened up the door for girls’ lacrosse as well. Keenan’s commitment to the program and skill led him to become a captain for the boys’ lacrosse team his junior and senior years.

In addition to prowess on the field, Keenan is also an excellent student. He took many accelerated and AP classes and worked for good test scores and a high GPA. As a result of his intelligence and work ethic, Keenan will be attending the University of Chicago next year.

Even more than being smart and athletic, Keenan is, most of all, a good guy. At Maine South, he is an approachable, easygoing, funny young man that draws respect from his peers simply with his character. Never one to brag or boast, he goes about his business quietly but firmly, knowing that what he is doing is right. It’s precisely this humility which makes it hard for people to appreciate Keenan; it’s hard to see what he’s done because he doesn’t do anything for recognition, but rather for personal pride.

Keenan plays guitar, piano, ukelele, and drums. He worked at Klassic Tyre Repair, and has volunteered in a retirement home for four years, as well as a thrift store for a number of years.

Maine South will lose a truly remarkable student when Keenan graduates.

| UNSUNG HEROES

Alex Pantazi

Joey Mack

ehind any great marching band is a great drum major. And while anyone who’s gone to a Maine South football game has seen him work, some may not know who that is. Alex Pantazi uses his music and leadership skills as one of Maine South’s drum majors to inspire the band to be their absolute best.

A l e x u t i l i z e s h i s l ov e o f mu s i c f o r the benefit of all, leading the band through highly-polished half-time shows. Besides serving as Drum Major, Alex plays alto saxophone in wind symphony and jazz band, as well as serving as Tri-M co-president. Music has always been a passion and a talent to Alex. However, he is not confined to classical music as he is also involved in a local ska band.

Though he spends a huge amount of time playing and arranging music, Alex still finds plenty of time for school. A member of NHS, Alex is a strong student who always makes sure to put his education first. Alex is also involved in Maine South’s theater department. He has helped with both the cast and the pit orchestra, playing multiple instruments in “Chicago.”

Besides being incredibly talented musically, Alex has the kind of personality that makes people gravitate to him. He seems to be constantly brimming with optimism and excitement. Alex never makes anyone feel unwanted or disliked in any way, and he makes a constant effort to be friends with everyone. He has such a bright personality and omnipresent smile that you can’t help but feel better while hanging around him.

There’s something to be said for a student so fully devoted in the fine arts that can also pay attention to his or her schoolwork and be an allaround nice person. Alex has all of those attributes and more, and Maine South will be losing a true character when he graduates.

Alex will surely be missed when he takes his skills to Illinois State University where he will continue to commit himself to his music and affect others with his infectious personality.

ot every high school student coaches in the Special Olympics, volunteers at an after school program for autistic children, and is involved in their church’s youth group, but Joey Mack does all of that and much more.

This past year, Joey traveled to southern Illinois with the basketball team he coached to take part in the Special Olympics. In addition, Joey has been a volunteer for years at H.A.V.E. Dreams which is an after-school program for autistic children. There he serves as a social buddy to help the students develop their communication skills.

Joey also works at M-NASR where he helps those with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities by participating in various recreational activities with them.

In what little free time he has left, Joey spends time at the Lincoln Park Homeless Shelter and often partakes in the Saint Paul of the Cross Sunday night dinner program to help feed the homeless and help those in need.

Joey is a natural-born leader as well. He is one of the focal points of the Park Ridge Community Church Youth Group. He has helped lead numerous mission trips and various community outreach programs. This past summer he travelled to Costa Rica’s poorest region, Talamanca, to help the native Bribri Indians.

Besides his numerous efforts in the community, Joey is an all-around amazing individual. He will do anything he possibly can to assist those around him. His optimism and zest for life are contagious to those around him.

Joey is very involved in school. He was a fouryear member of the cross country team, ran track, is a P.E. Leader, and is a member of Botany Club, among other things. In these activities and everything else, Joey shows dedication and passion.

Next year, Joey will bring his friendliness to North Arizona University and pursue a degree in physical therapy. There is no doubt that in college Joey will continue to make a difference in the life of everyone he meets.

B

by Soren Ramsey

N

by Jimmy Loomos

SouthwordS 7

MEMORIES

| May 31, 2012

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Senior Issue

| MEMORIES

SouthwordS 9

MEMORIES

| May 31, 2012

“Beating St. Ignatius for the Regional Girls’ Soccer Championship in overtime.”

-Ali Cottrell

“It’s all one great memory.”

-Alec Pappas “Going to State with cross country.”

-Austen Beaugureau

“The time we did the ‘Stanky Leg’ for our dance in gym.”

-Joey Gagliardi

“The football semi-finals game junior year at Loyola! It was so nerve-wracking and exciting when we came back and won it in the last two minutes.”

-Hayley McDill

“Acting like a dinosaur while playing tennis in Culby’s gym class.”

-Annie Stimson

“Giving Coach Milano a Gatorade shower after winning conference this year” -Lawrence Darlak “Watching Downing show off his awesome dancing ability at the assembly!”

-Jenny Tallen

“Doing the Rube Goldberg in Physics.”

-Ashley Kovalcik

“Winning first place crowd favorite at Bobbapalooza the first time the Copy Chiefs performed.”

-JJ Novak “All of the unforgettably funny Spanish teachers!”

-Claire Doherty

“Narrowly beating rival team Niles West in a swim meet 96-93 on Senior Night this year.”

-Dan San Gabino

“When I finally got interviewed for Southwords.”

-Owen Beale “Doing the Manga “Caravanning to the Messmer skit for football game.” trunk.”

-Caroline Featherstone -Eric Mallon

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Senior Issue

| STAFF COMMENTARIES

Left with a story: Hooves of Glory

Trisha Valko English

If I were to leave you with something, it would be a story; one filled with metaphors, allusions*, and my voice (sans sound effects). And I would want you to make meaning from its storyline and imagery.

It would go something like this…

O

n my block, right and wrong were distinct, controlled by grown-up regulations and property lines. I could hear Mrs. Basolo from her porch: “Come here, Trisha. Come fix what you’ve done to my tiger lilies!” Or: “Trisha, stop lighting those matches; I’m telling your mother.”

The neighborhood was also a checkerboard of well-defined regions. Across the street from my house, for example, Mrs. Draggen’s cottage fronted a botanical maze of grape-vine arbors and cinder pathways. Down the way, Mrs. Whitchurch’s rock-encrusted koi pond contained a swirl of fishbacks big enough to pet—which I did—which she warned me not to do—which I did anyway.

Farther off lay regions just past range of the adults’ watchful gaze.

First, came the park with its steel jungle gyms where we doubledared each other into head-bursting, half-hour knee hangs; and a wooden sand box whose javelinsized splinters speared our rumps if we weren’t careful how we sat.

Then came the public golf course which brought plaid-pantsed strangers into our territory. At the edge of my childhood map, on the other side of the golf course, roiled the canal. It was dangerous. And taboo. There is an art to the building up of suspense.

Even more threatening to me than that canal was an invincible hierarchy of children where the big and strong dominated the young and weak. My sister Sally, who was tall and thick, an angry-kid mouth curled into a snarl most of the time, was the highest ranking in this chain of command. “Get me a blueberry popsicle,” she’d lean way over me as though I were a rogue and peasant slave. If I didn’t do what she demanded, she would simply slug me. Hard. Worse than the punches, however, was the loneliness I felt as a result of being too young to play with those in that upper echelon.

One summer day, I dressed in P.F. Flyers that made me feel like I could run faster than lightning, and in red shorts that brightened my day. But*. I was bored, feeling lonely and rebuked*. I traipsed through the alley, from tree trunk to telephone pole, leaning on each for a moment, waiting for something to happen.

But. Out of nowhere, an obese, iridescent fly zagged past me. Normally, this wouldn’t have interested me, but this one was a humongous, flabby devil*. I followed it down the alley into an open, two-car garage. Not just any garage; this was Sally’s makebelieve stable.

I peered inside. At first, the only sound I heard was that fly bouncing off a grime-smudged window. And I watched it try to get out. Slowly, the fly’s sound dissolved into a soft snort which turned into a nicker, then a neigh, and soon the whole stable was filled with the sounds of stamping and chomping. Testing my powers, I squinted real hard, and it all came into view: the tack, the

blankets, the stiff bristled brooms, the immaculately clean, hay-lined stalls.

After looking around to make sure nobody was watching, I stepped across the threshold. And, fast as a finger snap, the horses appeared: majestical rumps, fetlocks and flanks rippled and gleaming from years of Sally’s loving attention. There—among the cream-spotted Appaloosa, the golden-maned Palomino, the roan-rich Tennessee Walker— stood Okonkwo*: Sally’s midnight black Arabian. “He’s got the most perfect chiseled star on his forehead,” she had bragged.

I grabbed Okonkwo’s bridle from the makeshift hook and walked up behind him. “He has a soft mouth,” she’d lecture me from her roost on top of the swingset.

So, I whispered into his attentive ears to calm him, afraid that I’d startle him with the sharp edge of reality I held in my hands. He took the bit* just fine. I lugged his striped woolen blanket off the wooden railing and slung it over his back. And as I did so, his withers twitched with raw energy.

Heeding the impatience in Okonkwo’s stamping hoof, I mounted him neatly. I clucked to steer him out, ducking my head as we cleared the stable door, and turned him into the alley—past Mrs. Draggen’s gardens and Mrs. Basolo’s watchful eye. When we reached the golf course, I eased him into a trot, then a canter.

Then I urged him into a run and his power exploded beneath me.

The wind of that gray summer day blew across my face and into my heart which skittered at the thrill of what I was doing.

Together, we galloped over the paths that paralleled the river churning below us, bottle green and cool. My feet bounced rhythmically in step with Okonkwo’s and he responded to my every command. Sometimes we’d come to a turf-crunching halt to watch a Kingfisher ride the wind above the river’s broiling surface. Some-

times we’d rush along with the raging current. Emboldened, I waved to the golfers who smiled back at me. That morning Okonkwo and I rode farther than I’d ever been before—all the way to the top of a rickety, vaulted footbridge where the water’s eddying thunder clamored underneath. I stood, tiptoes in the stirrups, and drank it all in. Queen of the land, at last.

But. Soon I discovered that Okonkwo was lathered and wet.

“You have to walk him, then curry him, then give him fresh water,” Sally had said. So I reined him back to the stable, back through the golf course, down the alley, ducking as we re-entered the stable door.

“Good boy, Okonkwo,” I cooed. He snorted back.

But. I heard that fly banging against the window.

“Don’t you know you can’t get out from there?” I jeered…

“What are you doing in here?”

Terrified, I turned my head, hands still raised as though to brush Okonkwo. The brilliant square of light at the garage’s open door allowed nothing but the cut-out of an immutable darkness.

“I...I...” Slowly I brought my arms down to my sides and stared into Sally’s silhouette.

I watched her fists clench into squares. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Quickly, I glanced around at the hollow garage looking for salvation. Then, just as Sally started to lunge for me, the fly darted past, heading straight for her head.

She jerked to the left.

I saw my chance.

Shoving Sally a good one as I raced past, I didn’t stop running until I reached the safety of my backyard’s fencepost. My head pounded and my lungs burned as I gulped fresh air, waiting for my red heart* to claim a steady beat.

Sally was way down the alley. She looked a little like that fly—the one I had turned into magic.

And then I smiled.

SouthwordS 11

STAFF COMMENTARIES | May 31, 2012

Keeping the school alive for decades Kathy Tomassi School Nurse

S

everal years ago, on a dreary Monday morning in fall, the health office was packed: with injuries of the weekend warriors (soccer and football players and cross country runners); students complaining of headaches and stomachaches (often from lack of sleep or staying up late doing homework or studying for a test); kids with sore throats, doctor’s notes and PE excuses. Well, you get the picture.

Anyway, this freshman boy is next: he comes in, hops up on the exam table and cheerfully announces he’d like to talk about Lyme disease be-

cause he thinks he just might have it. Okaaaay. And so the questioning begins even as I don my gloves and start searching his head and neck for tics. I bag one little bugger to send with him to the doctor since I have absolutely no idea if it’s a wood tic or a deer tic. And I can’t help thinking sarcastically to myself: you’ve come a long way, baby!

The first half of my nursing career was spent as an ICU (intensive care) nurse. I worked at teaching hospitals – Northwestern, Children’s, and Lutheran General – with victims of gunshot and stab wounds, heart attacks, kids with tracheotomies, and post-op open heart surgery patients. I loved the fast pace, state-of-the-art equipment, and daily challenges. In the 1970s and ‘80s B.C. (before children, that is) school nursing wasn’t even the tiniest blip on my career radar screen. So, as I sit here today reflecting on my career as a nurse, I’m somewhat startled to realize that I’ve spent over 20 years in school nursing. And most of my biggest achievements and fondest memories stem from these years as a school nurse.

So, what’s so great about being a school nurse? It’s different every

day. Sure we give out band-aids, check health records, and write reports. But it’s challenging, too. The slowest day can change in the blink of an eye. And the challenge is to make the correct nursing diagnosis using the most basic of equipment (stethoscope, penlight, thermometer, blood pressure cuff), a health history (the reason why we ask all those pesky questions), and observations based on our education and experience. There are no doctors readily available to verify our assessments and nursing diagnoses – just Mrs. Peggy Kendrick (my good friend and nursing peer) and I. We’ve treated fractures and crush injuries, severe lacerations, burns, eye injuries, dental emergencies, and even animal bites.

We’ve removed splinters, shards of glass, torn contact lenses, and sewing machine needles. We’ve diagnosed everything from appendicitis to strep throat and mono to spontaneous pneumothorax and aspiration of a foreign body (a broken paperclip inhaled into a kid’s airway) without benefit of lab work, x-rays or CAT scans. And we’ve helped students with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes,

Crohn’s disease and cancer manage their illnesses right up until they cross the stage at graduation.

Which brings me to the part of school nursing that is most rewarding for me: watching your progress. As school nurses we are just one small part of an entire team of professionals dedicated to your mental, physical and academic success. And we share the same sense of pride as your teachers and counselors in your personal growth and achievements: seeing the anxious freshman who, as a junior, writes witty and humorous articles for Southwords or takes the stage to sing and dance in the spring musical, or checking the student with autism who can now articulate well enough to pass or fail a vision screening.

I will miss your amazing artwork, the band marching through the halls before home football games, our health office volunteers, bingo at Sober Fun Night, being invited into your classrooms to check out your projects, the music in the halls at Christmas, and recognizing the checker at Jewel or waitress at dinner as a Maine South student.

Thanks for all the incredible memories, Maine South.

brief one year stint at Maine West, I ended up at Maine East for the next four. I arrived at my final destination, Maine South, in the fall of 1976.

I was 30-years-old, married to a beautiful and wonderful wife, teaching U.S. History at a school I loved, and coaching as the boys’ head track coach. I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better than that! About three years, later I realized how wrong I was when my first son, Mike, was born, followed a few years later by Jim, and then Tony, and finally Kyle. Wow, four great sons! Now things really couldn’t get any better.

After several years in Social Science, I transferred to special education where I have been ever

since. As colleagues of mine have come and gone over the years, and were replaced by younger ones, the quality of education at South has never faltered. I have always been very proud to be a Hawk! Over the years, whenever I met new people and they asked me what I did for a living, I was proud to tell them I teach at Maine South. There has not been a single day in my long career here that I have not had a good feeling pulling into the parking lot, getting out of my car, and just being happy to teach here.

I hear students and teachers alike complaining about little things at South. I have been guilty of it myself on many occasions, but you can’t lose site of the bigger picture. Students, you are lucky to be

attending one of the best schools anywhere. Enjoy it!

Five years ago, we were asked to inform the administration if we planned to retire at the conclusion of the current contract. I was one of those who said “yes.” I would be 66 years-old by then, and it would be time. As five years went to four, and then three, it still seemed retirement was a long way off. Then two years and finally one. Six months left, then five, then four, three, two, and one. Even though I know it’s time and I’ll be doing things I’ve wanted to do but have never had the time, it’s still difficult to say goodbye. I’ll miss this place, the people, and the students.

Thanks for the memories, Maine South.

Walking away from a lifetime of teaching

Thomas Castronova Special Education

H

ow does a person look back at what they have been doing for most of their lifetime? I have been teaching for the last 44 years.

I started in 1968 at St. Malachy, an inner-city Chicago school, as a 22-year-old straight out of Loyola University. That was followed by two years at my Alma Mater, Elmwood Park High School. After a

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Senior Issue

| STAFF COMMENTARIES

Retrum closes chapter at Maine South Scott drives away

Rose Retrum Librarian

M

aine South is a family of readers. Being a Maine South Hawk can mean many different things, but to me, it means I belong to a school where students, faculty, and staff value reading.

You may be wondering why this makes our school so unique. Recent statistics claim that teens are reading less and less. Some studies even suggest many teens no longer read for pleasure. After serving as Maine South’s librarian for the past thirteen years, I know Maine South students and staff must be an exception. There are several contributing factors that make Maine South stand out.

The first: it is the best of times for young adult literature. I came to Maine South shortly after the

“Harry Potter” phenomena. Author J. K. Rowling’s series, filled with wizards and magic, put young adult literature on the map. What followed was a bonanza of books for teens that attracted not only teen readers but also adults who realized how well written and entertaining YA books could be. Following the “Harry Potter” books were the multiple movie contracts, school clubs, and even a Harry Potter theme park. Then, of course, the “Twilight” saga was born.

What could be more entertaining than vampires and romance?

Once again, a young adult series crossed over to be widely read, not only by teens, but also by teachers, parents, and grandparents! Just as the final “Twilight” movie was being released, another young adult series was waiting in the wings to be discovered. Yes, the dystopic series, “Hunger Games,” hit the bookshelves. According to many experts this teen series might prove to be the biggest deal yet. Isn’t it amazing how books for teens have had such an influence on pop culture today.

Another huge factor that makes Maine South such a community of readers is our summer reading program. Although other schools have summer read programs, none spend the kind of time and energy creating a list of exciting reads as Maine South does. It is no accident

that “Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire,” and “Mockingjay” all found their way onto our summer read lists long before they reached national notoriety. The credit for such an awesome list of reads goes to our selection committee comprised of teachers in our building who want to bring you the coolest summer reads out there. Will this year’s summer read list hold another blockbuster?

The last factor that makes Maine South so unique is the willingness of students, faculty and staff to share their passion for reading with each other. On many occasions, through the years, students have stopped in to ask about a book a teacher has recommended to them.

Even more rewarding, perhaps, is when a teacher stops in to check out a book a student recommended to them. Conversations we have with each other about good books that make us laugh or cry, open our minds to new ideas, and give us encouragement or hope are happening all over Maine South. Whether you are reading a hard copy book, a graphic novel, an online article, a Facebook or Twitter post or even a text message, I believe reading is alive and well at Maine South. As Anne Quindlen aptly said, “Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” Happy reading, Maine South.

am all about giving back.

Best Flaw: I’m an emotional person with a lot of passion, which at times people take the wrong way and I over-commit.

Best Accomplishment: Being fortunate to have a wonderful family (my husband, two boys, and daughter). Earning the trust of others to do what I do best (helping students and families with challenges), particularly in difficult moments—that’s a sign of a life lived.

Best Goal: I have a few—Travel with my husband and start a consulting business to continue my passion of helping others.

Best Advice: Have goals and

a path to get there. Live your DREAM! I have. I cannot believe I am at the end of a fabulous career in Special Education at Maine. I am not retiring—I am reinventing myself.

Mann boasts Bests as she lives the dream Helaine Mann Special Education

Best Habit: Recently, in my late ‘50s, I was possessed with a desire to start working out. Even though I’m not the best at it, the feeling grips me, so every opportunity I have, I go to the club. The younger generation here at Maine inspired me.

Best Reason to Be Happy: I’m going to be able to live out a dream with my husband. We are building our dream home in Colorado near Boulder. How fantastic!

Best Route to Joy: Shopping, sleeping later than 4:30am, walking my dog whenever I want and volunteering in the community. I

Dave Scott

Driver’s Education

I

n May of 1979, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin— Eau Claire. Jobs in education were rare due to declining student enrollment. I applied for positions all over the United States; in fact, I had an interview in Wyoming scheduled when District 207 (Maine East) called me about a position.

Taking the Maine East PE/Coaching position is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The past 33 years have been an odyssey. I have had the opportunity to teach at Maine East, ARC, Nipper, and Maine South in PE, SPED, and Driver’s Education. I have coached six different sports at three different schools. In my adventures at Maine, I have become very close with many fellow teachers, coaches, support staff and students, and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.

Some highlights include placing eighth in state as the head girls’ track coach in 1981 at Maine East, coaching Maine West golf and sending down the first two State Qualifiers in school history, winning two IHSA Regionals and an IHSA Sectional in Boys Basketball at Maine South, and sending numerous golfers to the IHSA State meet while serving as head boys’ golf coach at Maine South.

Most importantly, and what I will remember the most, are the incredible relationships I have been fortunate enough to have with staff and students in District 207. I have been very blessed with my career at Maine and wish continued success for the district, its employees, and its students.

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STAFF COMMENTARIES

| May 31, 2012

39 years later, a Hawk through and through

Cathy Glunz Business

A

s I finish my career in education, I am filled with Hawk Pride: pride in the school where I have taught for the past 39 years, pride in the community where I have lived and worked, and pride in the students who have made my job so enjoyable every day. I truly feel blessed.

In 1973, Ollie W. Brown hired me for a oneyear position in the Business department to fill a sabbatical leave. Being a risk taker, I left a tenured position at Tinley Park High School.

The risk paid off, because 39 years later, I am retiring from District 207. I have been fortunate to spend all of that time at Maine South High School. So you could say I am a true HAWK! During my tenure here at Maine South, I have taught both in the Business and English departments. Some of the activities I have been involved with over the years are Freshman Class sponsor, Cheerleading sponsor, Riding Club sponsor, Mentor coordinator, DECA sponsor and Yearbook sponsor. This year marks my 18th as the Eyrie yearbook sponsor. Working with the talent, skill and commitment of the student

yearbook staff is the highlight of every school day. The hard work and dedication of these students is remarkable.

A unique part of my job has been developing and coordinating student placement in the student work program. What fun I have had not only teaching in the classroom but also going out into the community and visiting students on the job. Businesses come and go, but the experience and enthusiasm of young people in their first jobs will never change. I will miss all of it.

My 40 years of involvement with DECA, the student business club, has taken me many places. Through the talents and abilities of our business students at Maine South over the years, many students have qualified for national competition. Sponsoring this group has taken me from California to Florida and many states in between. What a joy to see students participating out of school on a professional level and demonstrating all of the skills they have learned in the classroom.

I will miss all of my students, friends and associates at my home away from home—Maine South High School—beginning with the administration and continuing with the faculty,

support staff and custodians. I have tried to demonstrate purpose, respect, involvement, dignity and empathy during my career at Maine Township. One thing will not change in retirement—I will always be a huge Hawk Fan. Thanks for the memories, and Go Hawks!

A reminder of the importance of teaching Jim Lonergan English

S

ometimes we teachers forget why we went into teaching.

With planning, grading, email, meetings, make-up work, etc., we get burdened with the daily life of "school." Devoting each day to high school kids can make one feel old, but high school kids can keep one young, too. A few weeks ago, I was reminded, in a more dramatic fashion than I could have ever imagined, of why over 35 years ago I decided to work with high school kids. Sure, some of it had to do with curriculum, with helping young people understand the importance of stories in our lives, but it was much more about the energy, the surprises, of high school students.

After graduating from St. Paul of the Cross with a graduating class of about 85 kids, I walked into Maine South, with a student population of nearly 1,000 kids more than we have now, in the fall of 1970. I'm not sure why, but almost immediately, I felt at home. I

14 SouthwordS

was blessed with bright, caring, enthusiastic, energetic, and challenging teachers. I felt I was a somebody, that I mattered, and that my growth mattered. It wasn't until late in my college career that I realized this and how very fortunate I was to have attended Maine South, surrounded by such wonderful people.

When Maine North closed in 1981, with three years of teaching under my belt, I again was so very fortunate to come back "home" to Maine South. I was presented with a reminder of my good fortune a few weeks ago. On the Literature of Chicago field trip, 11 Maine South seniors witnessed the very worst of what a city has to offer: a person who felt so alone, so isolated, so alienated, so much a nobody that his only option was to take his own life by jumping off the Clark St. bridge into the freezing waters of the Chicago River. However, literally within seconds, these same 11 Maine South seniors and I witnessed the very best of what a city, and humanity, has to offer:

dozens of people taking action to save this man's life, to give him hope, to show him that he mattered. These 11 Maine South seniors were the first of those dozens to respond. They were calling 911 before I could even get my phone out of my pocket. While I went for help, they ran to the center of the bridge calling out to this man showing him that he mattered, that he was a somebody. I know it's a cliché, but there have been many times in my teaching career that I have been proud of Maine South students, but never, NEVER, was I more proud of who you are and what Maine South is, than I was during those moments surrounded by those 11 Maine South seniors.

This story does not have the Hollywood happy ending we were all praying for. But this is what life brings to all of us—surprises that we should encourage not cower from. And, as I end my 34-year teaching career, I can't imagine a better teaching life than being here at Maine South. I have always tried to impart what I believe: that our

purpose here on this planet is to make everyone else's life better— not necessarily easier, but better.

We play roles in other people's lives that we can't possibly imagine; therefore, make sure that the roles we play are ones of which we can later be proud.

Those 11 Maine South seniors made a difference in that man's life, and I thank you for the difference you have made in my life, for continuously making me feel like a "somebody," and for your surprises which have kept me young.

Teaching at South a privilege

Senior Issue

| STAFF COMMENTARIES

Grading a great time

Special Ed teacher Mrs. Wulbert selfevaluates her tenure at Maine South Penny Wulbert Special Education

Nan Crossin

Special Education

I

started teaching at Maine South 20 years ago.

Most of my colleagues who are retiring have taught here for a lot longer. However, teaching was not my first career. I worked in the private sector, and I was a police officer before that.

But, teaching has been a great love and a very fulfilling career. I have enjoyed every second of it. I feel privileged to have worked with a wonderful group of students and a fabulous faculty and staff. I will miss all of you.

• I give myself “A” in anonymity, because many people do not know me or what I do.

• I give myself an “A” in having HOPE that I have exercised the mental muscles of my wide variety of students, and pushed them to strengthen and stretch themselves.

• I give myself an “A” in my ability to find humor in the most difficult situations.

• I give myself an “A” in my ability to multi-task, managing ten to fifteen disinterested adolescents.

• I give myself a “D” in separation, because I am having horrible separation anxiety. I will so miss my students, colleagues and friends, who make my life crazy and exciting.

• I give myself an “A” in my hopes for a fun and productive future, with my future twin baby boy grandsons, relaxing, and teaching graduate courses.

Thank you my friends for all the wonderful, interesting years! I will miss you.

had been excluded from their home school in Chicago and sent to this alternative day school.

I worked at this school for 12 years (no TRS credit…ouch) and I developed my “backbone” to work with the E.D. population.

• I came to Maine South in August of 1986. Maine South is like a small city compared to where I was raised: Merna, Illinois. A small farming community with a population of about 55!

• There have been six department chairs in my tenure at South.

• I have been fortunate to work in an environment which was supportive of my talents…I think!

• I have “swung the pendulum” of educational ideas for 38 years…AND HAVE SURVIVED. You will too.

• Things I will definitely miss: the camaraderie of fellow faculty and staff. I appreciate all of the support I received with my bout with breast cancer in 2002.

• Things I won’t miss: CPDU’s, Recertification, PLCs, IEPs, Aspen, Contact Sheets and I have decided to do this brief farewell in bullet Staffings.

• One last thought…why did I choose this points: • I began my teaching career in 1974 at Oak picture? I will get to spend my retirement years Therapeutic Day School in Chicago. Students with Phil Pollacci!

“Taking flight” Becki Pollaci

Special Education

S

ounds romantic, doesn’t it? Now that I have your attention, I will make this short and sweet, since I know you are all busy (those of you that are even taking the time to read this).

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STAFF COMMENTARIES

| May 31, 2012

6,120 days of making a real difference in students’ lives

Christine Kohls Special Education

W

hen I started here, I was 25.

6,120 school days later, it is apparent that much has changed.

I have seen education and special education come together in recognizing multiple intelligences, teaching to different learning styles, and providing a variety of ways for

students to demonstrate what they know. Accommodations like additional time for tests, and taking tests in an alternate environment are understood; that those accommodations are rights, not privileges, is understood. I have had the opportunity to be in a variety of classes and witness how instruction has changed by implementing knowledge about how we learn. One factor that still challenges us is how to motivate students to complete their work and not give up.

One of my first years teaching, I had a student who, every day, would push his desk up to the chalkboard and write “My life in school is hell.” For so many students, that is reality. As a Special Education teacher, I have been responsible for addressing the emotional needs of my students, while trying to help them meet the demands of school.

‘A timeless journey’ Jerrold Nelson

Mathematics Teacher

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about school. Almost every day, I am asked “Why can’t I just stay here all day?” and “Do I have to go to class?” I can say that as a parent and a teacher, the affective piece of what we do is so critical to many students. Just being approachable, smiling, demonstrating small acts of kindness—these things can make the difference between a student trying and giving up.

Over the years, I have seen so much more compassion and understanding in our mainstream teachers. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD—when I started here, all of these were suspiciously foreign sounding “excuses” for not performing well in class. I think our teachers today understand that on any given day, some students just are not able to meet or exceed expectations. Yet teachers keep reaching out, trying to connect, help, inspire, motivate. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity, every day, to make a difference.

Benz adapts to change Carol Benz

Special Education

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M

athematics teacher and Coach for the Maine Township High School District 207 for 45 years and played point guard for the NU Wildcats.

Student-taught at Maine East and was hired the following year to teach mathematics and coach basketball at Maine East for three years.

With the increasing student district population, Maine North (“The Breakfast Club” site) was built. I taught Mathematics and was the head basketball coach and freshman baseball coach there until Maine North closed 10 years later.

Maine South for the next 32 years as a mathematics teacher, head basketball coach (5 years), assistant basketball coach for (18 years), and sophomore and freshman baseball coach for (32 years).

The biggest challenges I have faced are helping these students reconcile their past experiences in school (and the accompanying negative residue) and finding a way to complete the work and pass the tests, so they can get on with their lives. Sometimes it feels like I am dragging them uphill, and they have their heels dug in.

When asked exactly what a resource teacher does, I talk about helping with assignments, reading tests, and helping to compose and edit papers—but the truth is that a lot of what I do is a combination of coaching/personal training for school. I review/ explain assignments; I work time management, organization, goal setting, and motivation. And then there’s the applied psychology part, where I become the human version of anxiety-reducing medication.

I offer advice on dealing with situations at home that prevent kids from concentrating or caring

Traveling hundreds of thousands of miles in yellow school buses, engaging thousands of students in the classroom (miss you, seniors), molding hundreds of student athletes on the court and diamond, and having Maine Township and Maine South as a wonderful family (my wife, included), has been a timeless journey.

Thanks, to all. Looking forward to traveling, sailing, and golf.

hy now…why me?

Why Maine South?

These were questions that I had after learning that I would be transferring to Maine South after 30 years at Maine East. I was content at Maine East and felt uprooted.

The answers came slowly, and the move wasn’t without difficulties, but in my final self-evaluation, I realized that there were many lessons yet to learn. These lessons were to be learned from new students of varying challenges as well as their broad range of strengths. Because of the move, I have become a stronger teacher.

Maine South is truly a special place When I attended college the field of Special Education was in its infancy—1974-1978—and college professors were still finding their way in the field. The teaching years

after college were a bit unsteady and unpredictable, yet always interesting.

We were constantly adapting. Paper grade books were our tools; computers didn’t come into the picture until the ‘80s. Learning. Changing. Becoming. Being a teacher allows one to become a lifetime learner and I am looking forward to the gift of time to continue to learn, change, become.

Senior Issue

| STAFF COMMENTARIES

Don’t let college take the kid out of you

Jimmy Loomos

Editor-in-Chief ust over four years ago I faced the monumental task of choosing where to attend high school—St. Ignatius or Maine South. As a naïve little eighth grader, that school in the city sounded pretty neat. I figured it’d be something new; a cool thing to hold over my sister’s head. Then I visited it. I didn’t like it. The rooms were old and the dress code made me cringe. So, I decided to become a Hawk.

My decision making may have been a tad faulty, but I could not be happier with the outcome. My four years at Maine South have been some of the greatest of my life. I have been blessed with amazing teachers, fascinating peers, and countless opportunities. It is with complete confidence that I say my high school experience could not have been replicated anywhere else.

A few months ago I sat down with the mother of a prospective student who was mulling over the same decision I had made a few years earlier.

She asked me what I liked about the school. I began to rattle off a laundry

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list of activities, classes, and people.

She asked me if I felt Maine South had prepared me for the next step in my life. I responded that it indeed had. She asked me why I’d recommend the school.

I rambled on for a while about all that Maine South had done for me and explained why Maine South is the one—the only—choice.

When I finished I realized what an esteemed institution our school is and how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to attend Maine South for four years.

I have always been the kid who has been ready for college since he was a freshman—ask any kid in any of my classes. But, now that it’s here, it is difficult to not feel scared along with the excitement. For the first time I’ll be off on my own. No dad

to have drop off my gym uniform or mom to make lunch for me. Heck, I learned how to do laundry just last week. Even more frightening is the fact that I’ll be leaving Maine South.

I won’t be at a place where people know my name and always look out for my well-being. I won’t have a counselor’s office to run into when I need advice. How will I sneak around the halls without a pass if there is no hall to sneak around in?

It’s weird t o think that something I’ve waited years for is finally here, but now that it is, I’m not ready to go. I’ll miss the little things like singing “Call Me Maybe” during an AP test, getting

overly competitive with my freshmen in gym class, and feeling like a big shot for driving to school. I guess the truth is I’ll just miss being a kid.

Graduating high school symbolizes the end of childhood and the beginning of something new. From now on there is no set path to success. It’s our job to write our own stories and grow into the people we aspire to become. There is no guide to landing a six-figure job or equation for becoming a company’s CEO. We just have to be ourselves and use what we’ve learned to take us somewhere. And, that’s once again where Maine South comes in.

Besides learning calculus and European history, Maine South has taught me to be a better individual.

I have developed life skills that could only have been acquired by wandering the A-Wing or sitting in the cafeteria. High school has not just made me a student, but it has made me an individual. Maine South has equipped me with all I will need in the future, and for that I thank everyone who has influenced my life these past four years—every teacher, every student, everybody. Thank you.

South and to Southwords, will do well to express all the knowledge and experiences I have gained from my time here as a Hawk—even if I did procrastinate all weekend before beginning.

Along with this now perfected art of procrastination comes the knowledge that at school, as well as in life, there is not always time to put things off, to shove them aside and come back to them later.

High school is only a small portion of our lives; it is a very meaningful portion, but nonetheless, only a fraction of what is to come. It sure doesn’t feel that way when you’re staying up till one a.m. to finish a math assignment, or when you’re stressing over upcoming finals, and I know that at the start of freshman year, I felt like I would never make it across that stage as a senior. I’m dis-

covering now though, that these four years have flown by without so much as a blink.

Even though I did put off a lot of things during my four years, I have also managed to accomplish a lot and meet a lot of great people along the way. Joining volleyball, basketball, and softball my freshman year gave me the immediate feeling of being part of this school. Other activities such as Class Council, Hawk Pride, and Spanish Club allowed me to get to know many new people throughout the years. Clubs and organizations like South Stars, Model United Nations, Rube Goldberg, and Southwords have granted me many life-changing experiences, like attending the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Ranch in Colorado, and introducing me to some of my closest friends— those exceptional few people who I would not have made it through high school without.

When I look back on my high school years, I am not going to remember every test or bad grade I stressed over, every day of school I worried about missing, or every class

lecture I struggled to stay awake for. I’m going to look back on these four years and remember the most important experiences I have had and how much has changed within me from the time I walked through those A-wing doors the first day of school freshman year, to the final time I’ll walk out as a Maine South graduate.

While the final hour of high school is upon us, I know where I will be and what I will be doing up until that last minute. I’ll be sitting on that stage, in front of all my smiling friends and family, wishing I could somehow put off the end of the graduation ceremony, the end of high school, much like I did my projects and assignments. But this won’t be like my schoolwork, in which another one is assigned when the previous is turned in. Once high school is over, there is no coming back.

Only as I walk across that stage on June 3, 2012, will I finally accept the fact, that after four-years of (mostly) hard-work, I am leaving this place, a place I am truly glad to call home, behind.

Three words used to define high school experience Nicole Johnson

Sports Editor f there is one thing I have perfected during my four-year career at Maine South, it is the art of procrastination. I have always, without fail, been able to find some task more pressing to deal with than homework or studying.

Whether it be rearranging my colored pencil collection or training my dog Kobe to Zumba, I have always found something more enjoyable and more important than completing my schoolwork. It was an easy task to master. After all, the papers I would crank out at two a.m. ended up being some of my best work. Even now, while racing to beat the deadline, I know that this commentary, my final farewell to Maine

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SouthwordS 17

SENIOR COMMENTARIES

| May 31, 2012

High schooler’s fairy tale four years Charlie Vinopal

Editor-in-Chief s I was looking back at some old Southwords issues to find some inspiration for my senior commentary, I ran across my own sister’s commentary from a couple of years ago. In it she describes how her fairy-tale high school career would have gone. I’ll skip most of the details, but it involves a stress-free four years as well as romantic involvement with a “dashing, British exchange student who was loosely affiliated with the royal family.” After reading her final commentary, I got to thinking: if my high school career were a fairy tale, how would it have gone? Maybe my standards are just substantially lower than those of my perfectionist sister, but after a little thought, I realized that my four years at Maine South have been about as close to a fairy tale as I could have gotten. While I didn’t have to fight off any dragons or find a princess’ missing glass slipper, I found magic in this school in many other ways.

As the protagonist in this tale, I like to think of my freshman self as a

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sort of underdog. I was incredibly frightened by the idea of high school going into that f i rs t ye ar at Maine South. I desperately wanted to fit in, and, to me, the only way I could do so was to play a sport. So the summer before my freshman year, I went to the soccer camp at South. Soon, I realized that my 10:07 mile would not afford me the opportunity to play a varsity sport, and that summer ended up being pretty miserable for me.

When I got to school that year, I decided that I had to get involved with something at the risk of fading in to high school loser-dom. That is when the fairy tale that is my high school career really began.

I experienced great growth in my four years at South that has instilled

in me confidence that I will take with me wherever I go. I never would have thought, as I struggled through that soccer camp freshman year, that I could someday have the confidence to get up in front of an audience and dance in just my boxers with Trunk, or any number of things that I did during my time at Maine South.

Of course, what is a fairy tale without characters? Maine South has had plenty of them that helped me get to where I am today. I commend the staff at South for doing a wonderful job of getting my fellow students and me ready for the next chapter in our lives.

I’ll try to keep the list short, but I’d like to personally thank a couple of those teachers who played wonderful supporting roles in this high schooler’s fairy tale. To Mr. Matter—I apologize for being such

a brat my sophomore year; you truly are a wonderful musician and good teacher. To Mrs. Torosian—thank you for disregarding my still sub-par mile time and allowing me to be a junior leader. To Mr. Lonergan—thank you for helping me see the true beauty of both the literature of Chicago and the city itself. I don’t know what you are going to do now that your time at Maine South is up, but I’m sure you’re going to do it well and I wish you the best. Finally, thank you to Mr. Stathakis for somehow making the hellish paste-up weeks bearable.

So, this is it. I’m sitting at my computer trying to think of a poignant exodus to my fairy tale high school career. Finally, after four years of being entirely too talkative, I really can’t think of anything to truly wrap up what high school meant to me. My time at Maine South was really just a hair short of pure magic, so much so that it has almost left me speechless.

It was perfectly imperfect and now I simply cannot wait to see what the next chapter holds.

And we all lived happily ever after.

The end.

endgame. All of us will eventually walk across the stage to receive a diploma—actually, we get an empty booklet, since our diplomas are held until after the ceremony—that says we’ve accomplished something, whatever that is. Seniors have gone through the depths of high school hell. We’ve experienced all there is, and that’s why there’s the whole idea of seniority. Underclassmen: get off your high horses until then. verb: unclog This year was the first time I ever unclogged a toilet. I’ve always thought it to be a task so disgusting that it must be left for a man to do (yes, gender roles exist). To clarify, the toilet was clogged due to my younger cousin being captivated by watching cotton balls expand in water. Regardless of the cause, I was very reluctant as I pulled out a dusty plunger from the storage room in my basement. The whole thing took about 15 seconds.

It was not at all as bad as expected.

Maybe it wasn’t a tough clog, but I can cross it off my bucket list. Never fear clogged toilets, my friends. adjective: tongueless To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I could write about for this

word. I searched Google to find an animal that has no tongue. So here, allow me to introduce you to the firebellied toad. It is named accordingly to the red and yellow color of its back. Technically, it has a tongue, but it is completely attached to the floor of its mouth. Since this toad doesn’t have an extendable tongue, it eats strictly insects and larvae. It doesn’t have many predators since it tastes repulsive. Also, fun fact: its mating call sounds like a dog’s bark. Keep your dog on a tight leash. adverb: unselfconsciously I spent a majority of high school worrying about what people thought about me, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. Needless to say, I was fairly selfconscious, always trying to stay in the back, not drawing attention to myself, not taking any risks. Well, what a waste of time that was. It wasn’t until probably the middle of my junior year that I decided I didn’t care

about any of that stuff. I realized that the judgments about me that I believed circulated everyone’s minds were far too exaggerated in my mind.

That’s not to say that people don’t judge me. I’m sure every time I come to school wearing crew socks and sandals, more than a few people scoff at my poor fashion choice. But what do I care? It’s comfortable. So, here’s a lesson: stop caring. Be confident in who you are and enjoy it. I guarantee if you were to do something silly and unconventional, like say, wearing a clown costume to school, you won’t lose all of your friends.

S o, t h at’s it .

I had a word quota to fill and I’ve filled it. Maybe I taught you something.

Or maybe you were just looking to widen y o u r vocabulary.

Regardless, my job is done.

Hawk out.

Grammatical lesson in surviving high school Nicole Shammo

Entertainment Editor ’ve been aware of the fact that I have had to write a commentary for quite some time now. I’ve expressed my eagerness to be able to tell my life story, or rant about freshmen, or teach a valuable lesson. I even spent a substantial amount of time in the shower coming up with the most ingenious ideas to fill this space.

Well, let me tell you: this stinks.

It’s not that I forgot to write down my ideas—I did. But I realize they were things that no one besides my close friends would read. Actually, they probably wouldn’t read it either.

Plan B was to stare at the computer screen until something remarkable hit me. Nope, that never happened.

Consequently, I figured I would try filling my space and have some fun with it. Below, I have a few randomly selected words (courtesy of a random word generator). With each word, I wrote whatever came to mind. And, since I was being spontaneous, I used a few different parts of speech—just to keep things fresh. noun: endgame Well, this is relevant. High school is a long process. Graduation is the

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18 SouthwordS

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

As graduation day nears, the memories fade

Erin Martell Sports Editor

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et’s face it: thirty years from now, high school will be nothing but a distant memory. That scares me. I want to remember the details of each sport, each summer, every class, every friend. But that’s impossible.

Freshman year is already beginning to fade. I don’t remember my schedule, or everyone who was in my classes; I’m even forgetting the shenanigans my friends and I got into. However, I do remember liking freshman year. I thought it was exciting to be the youngest, to be in a new environment, to have older kids to look up to. That year was fun. And though I’ve enjoyed every year at South for different reasons, school became more and more of a routine aggravation as time went on.

So freshmen, don’t get too excited the year’s almost over: being older is overrated.

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t hate junior and senior year. It’s just that

junior year meant ACTs, grades that really matter, difficult athletic decisions, and thinking about college.

And even that seemed OK when faced with the prospect of senioritis right?

Wrong.

For everyone who thinks senior year is a joke: it isn’t. For me, the beginning of the year meant applying to schools, volleyball 18 hours a week, and trying to combat the early onset of senioritis. Granted, there are some perks to being seniors. For one, teachers seem to adopt an “Eh, I’ll let it slide” attitude, especially towards the end of the year. Late assignments, tardies and

phone use becomes more and more tolerated as seniors who have been accepted to college begin to mentally check out. Teachers understand that getting into college makes high school feel insignificant in comparison. Still, the ease up doesn’t come until second semester. So listen up, underclassmen: senior year is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be.

That being said, it’s hard for me to imagine saying goodbye to a lifestyle I’ve had for the past four years, filled with soccer, volleyball and friends I’ve known my whole life. It seems surreal that I will be leaving people I’ve grown up with, and it’s just as weird to know I may never again see familiar faces

in the hallway, or never again see some of the amazing teachers I’ve had at Maine South. It’s also hard to imagine not playing a school sport.

I’ve gotten so used to daily practice during the year and camps over the summer that ample free time in college will come as a shock. And even if I do decide to play a club sport, it won’t be the same. So to all the athletes, put everything into practice, meets, and games while you can. It doesn’t last forever.

I’m going to miss high school, but I’m also excited for college. Because who are we kidding? By senior year, kids are ready to be on their own, ready to make their own decisions.

Graduation means a whole new world of possibilities and unknowns; it’s hard to know what to expect for our future. We can only rely on the values, habits and friendships we developed in high school to carry us forward. So to all the students who love high school, hate it, or just don’t really care, be prepared: graduation is bittersweet.

she was or who she wanted to be.

After four short years, however, the friends I’ve made and lost, clubs I’ve joined, and hardships I have overcome have completely transformed me. With all of the things that take up every second of our day, it’s so easy to overlook each experience; each opportunity to transform ourselves into something better. Without these journals, I would have never seen just how much of an impact each relationship or embarrassing moment had on my life and my time here. I wrote down things because they were important to me at the time, and I’m grateful to be able to remember each little thing.

At this time two years ago, I wrote about how dead-set I was on going into journalism. I had just been named Features Editor for Southwords, gotten a job as a student reporter for The Mash, and done ample research on the Missouri School

of Journalism. I thought I had it all figured out; I loved journalism, I was good at it, and I would be able to make money (hopefully) doing it. Despite all of that, however, I am now three months away from starting my first day towards my degree in international business at Illinois State University.

Although these 700 words are going to be my last connection to journalism, I love reading about my first trip inside the Tribune Tower or reliving my first paste-up for Southwords.

Even though those experiences are and forever will be behind me, they will forever be lifechanging moments which molded the way I see things today.

The greatest thing about a journal is that it is completely yours. No one can tell you what to write, how to write it, or how often. I am the

only one who will know just how I felt when I saw my nieces for the first time or how I felt when my grandpa died. It’s nice to tell other people how you feel, but sometimes it’s even nicer to be able to keep that to yourself.

Sure, writing in a journal is ridiculously nerdy. But if I’ve learned one thing in high school, it’s how simple it can be for one to lose who they really are or who they are meant to be.

I chose to write everything down on paper because that worked for me.

Looking back on what I would have done a month prior to a certain event helped me maintain a sense of myself, to not stray too far away from who I was towards who everyone else was.

High school has been pretty great.

It definitely had its awful and unforgiving moments, but I don’t regret a single one. I’m nervous to move on from it, but I know it will always be a part of who I am. More importantly, I know that whenever I have any doubts about my abilities while in college, grad school, or even in my career, I know that I can look back at my past to see just how much I have grown. Most importantly, however, I will always be able to make the choice to keep writing.

Learning from past to prepare for future

Ally Stevens Features Editor

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or the past four years, I’ve stuck to the exact same schedule. I’ve woken up at the same time, gone to the same place, and seen the same people. And this August, I will start with a schedule that is both entirely the same, yet completely the opposite. I’m not going to tell you to cherish the four years you have at Maine South or how great that last week of high school is; that is something everyone has to decide on his or her own time. I can, however, give you some advice as to how you can reach that decision.

For as long as I can remember, I have written in a journal. I have an entire shelf in my room dedicated to them. And inside those furry green books and 99-cent spirals lay my entire life; my good days, bad days, and all those in-between. Last month, while attempting to clean my room, I came across this shelf and decided to read what little me had written. What I read was both hilarious and amazing. To see how much I had changed since 2008 was crazy, yet reassuring.

When I started high school, I was this little girl who had no idea who

SouthwordS 19

SENIOR COMMENTARIES

| May 31, 2012

Life lessons learned from high school Josie Fioretto

Photography Editor used to think senior year would never come. Now that it is almost over, I look back at the valuable lessons I have learned from some of Maine South’s greats.

Lessons one and two came from my freshman year.

Lesson one: “In life you gotta hang in there; even if you don’t want to.”

That came from my English 1 teacher, Mrs. HigginsSpoleti. Not only would she teach me how to enjoy reading, but she would also give little nuggets of advice on the side. She would always have something to add while passing out p ap e r s or i n between her lectures about “Lord of the Flies.” It was some of the best advice I received

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during my years at Maine South. “You can’t judge people by how they act because you don’t know what is going on outside of school,” she would say.

Lessons like these, I have taken with me throughout my high school years and plan to take with me to college and the future.

Lesson two: every freshman has to take some version of biology. I took Accelerated Biology with Ms. Liakakos. From the first day, I knew she really enjoyed her job. She made learning about things like transcription and translation fun, inspiring an interest in science. It wasn’t until we had our cancer unit that I realized I really wanted to have a career in the sciences. I thought the

topic was interesting, and when one of Ms. Liakakos’ friends came to talk to us about his research he had been doing on cancer, it convinced me to go on to AP Biology and hopefully major in biology/pre-med.

Lesson three: different can be good.

Photography was the “cool” elective to take as an eighth grader, and I was one of the “cool” kids. I didn’t continue photography as a freshman, but I did take it for the next three years.

Throughout those three years, Ms. Moore was my teacher. She broadened my horizons by teaching new and different photography techniques. She gave challenging assignments both in and outside of class.

I learned a lot from her. Sometimes, your print turns out differently from what you had intended, and it turns out to be a good thing.

The experimental assignments were always the tricky ones and they never turned out the way I’d hoped, but Ms. Moore convinced me that they were good. As in life, you sometimes have to adapt and accept the unexpected events which come your way.

Lesson four: put your passion

out there. This lesson came from my sophomore year. My English 2 teacher and Southwords adviser, Mr. Stathakis, had us do an icebreaker activity on the first day of class. We played charades, and our partners acted out what our favorite activities were for the class to guess. Mine was photography. My partner pretended to take a picture while the class guessed.

After the class got the right answer, Mr. Stathakis interjected by saying I should join Southwords. I never considered it before, but I’m glad I listened to him. I got my first assignment, football, and came out with some half-decent shots. Before that, I’d considered photography a hobby and thought I was just O.K. at it. However, after three years, I am the photography editor for the newspaper and even have my own dark room at home.

My four years at Maine South turned out the way they were because of the teachers I met. For all of those underclassmen out there, my advice to you is simple: listen to your teachers.

You never know what you might learn.

story much cooler. Actually touching the afterlife would have been a great plot development. But things don't work out like they do in books and movies.

I'm not lame enough to say that life is like a “choose your own adventure” book though, so I'm fine with saying that things just happen. They don't always add up—in fact, they almost never do—but to know that nothing is set is simply fantastic. And I'm not speaking of God or religion, as I'm not one to comment on anybody's faith (even though, technically, I am a licensed minister). I'm speaking of life and happiness.

A wise man named Barney Stinson once said, “whenever I start feeling sad, I just stop being sad and be

awesome instead.” And that's exactly how I live my life. Sure, things are going to be bad. But we act much more powerless than we actually are. You can put chemicals inside you to make you feel a certain way. And if you can take a pill to be happy or sad, you can just choose to be one or the other. Sure, cathartic wallowing is fun for a while, but a childlike giddiness is much better. If you're not happy, pretend to be. I'm serious.

Fake smiles, force out laughs, and put on the facade of having a good time, and you'll eventually trick yourself. You'll forget about that Holden Caulfield fan fiction you were going to post on your blog, and actually have a good time.

Should you feel that there's something in the way of your happiness, change it. It's really easy to change yourself into a happy person—you just have to try. If you absolutely can't change something that's causing you to be unhappy, just fake it, and, if only for a little while, things will be better. Deciding what mood you're in sounds ridiculous, but it works. We can't control what the world throws on our lap, but just like an awful Christmas gift from grandma, we can absolutely pick it up and pretend that it's awesome anyway, even if we know there's no receipt.

Since I almost died, I decided that I didn’t have enough time to not be awesome. I stopped getting upset, stopped hating people, became good friends with my former arch nemesis, learned to play the banjo in 6 months, started to sing, got good grades, lost 70 pounds in five months, and started being nice to strangers for no reason. I did all that stuff because I chose to. None of it was hard—I just had to try. And it's pretty amazing how awesome you can be if you just decide that you are.

The importance of being awesome Josh Timm

Entertainment Editor

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always thought there was something to be admired about the sarcastic, dry, witty, cynical writer who cut people and ideas down with scathing words. To see the world with the utmost clarity, without a rosy tint, to reject the ugliness of humanity. I thought it was great. But then I almost died.

An artery in my throat burst, blood started pouring from the back of my throat, and I had to go into emergency surgery. The last thing I thought before going under anesthesia was how badly I wanted to be unconscious because I was so light-headed and sick from swallowing and also losing so much blood.

I ended up losing four pints of the crimson elixir in total, but obviously survived. After that ordeal, I felt that I should have had an epiphany or something—you know, the kind you see in movies. Upon waking in the ICU, though, the first question I asked was if I had flatlined. They said no, and I was visibly disappointed, because that would have made this

20 SouthwordS

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Live now, tomorrow’s a day away Sarah Tarabey News Editor

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will be the first to admit it: most of my high school experience has revolved around academics. Maine South has introduced to me myriad branches of thought, personalities and lifestyles galore, a little bit o’ this and that. And as a result, I have pulled a hefty share of all-nighters; I have racked up enough frequent flyer miles from trips to the coffee maker to travel to Fiji and back for free. While I do not regret a single moment, I am insatiably curious and thus need to question and explore and analyze senior year has taught me how very easy it is to get caught up in a mindset devoted to test scores, grades, and the looming college application: in essence, to be mired in the future. At that point, one must step back and reevaluate.

Henry Miller was spot-on: “Everything was for tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. The present was only a bridge and on this bridge they are still groaning, as the world groans, and not one idiot ever thinks of blowing up the bridge.” When one is so focused on what is to come, the value of the now is inevitably sapped.

Life is dulled of a vital sheen.

Thus, if I must urge something, it is this: take high school day by day.

Actually experience it. Sure, good grades are ideal, but it is more essential to get something out of a class or an extracurricular. A belief, an argument, a desire for more. Performing mechanically or routinely, simply drifting through protocol to appease the mandates of expectation, will only suffice for so long. Locate your strengths and passions—“Il faut cultiver notre jardin,” as Voltaire wrote—and use them, expand them, share them. It will help.

Indeed, the days most m e m or ab l e for me in high school were those during which I really connected with an experience, linking in equal parts the intellectual-theoretical and present life. Playing “Which philosopher is hotter?” in AP Euro; sassing Mr. Downing to no end in Accelerated Physics; obsessively tweaking photo and text alignment during paste-up for Southwords; roaming through Washington, D.C. with Constitution Team and grabbing a sticker

which read “Get Baked” from a cupcake shop in Georgetown. The little quirks and ironies that occur within the frame of daily custom: those are what shall elicit smirks in hindsight, provoking at times the overpowering pierce of nostalgia.

What’s more, when one begins to think and see in a manner true to oneself, pieces of unconventional wisdom saunter into one’s vicinity. A few of my own such realizations: 1. Although most poetry is relatively incomprehensible, it makes sense to some being o u t there and thus holds value.

2. Coincidences do not exist.

All encounters are part of the hero’s journey. (Look up Joseph Campbell.

He will find a way to randomly pop up thereafter.)

3. Karma. Bites. Back. Often in a wholly altered form. Be ready.

4. The Buddhist method: when

on the verge of speaking negatively about someone, think of excrement in your mouth.

5. It is when one’s world shatters, when all that could go wrong has indeed gone wrong—when one no longer understands why or how or what—that reality is clearest.

6. Their insights may be jarring, offensive, or straight up quirky, but true friends tell it like it is.

7. Courtesy of T.S. Eliot: “There will be time, there will be time.”

8. Courtesy of a rather candid friend: “Don’t try to figure people out. You won’t get very far.”

9. Those that know better, do better. Thank you, Oprah.

10. No one knows best, so ride your waves and never look back.

Wow. My commentary, which originated as a scathing exposé, evolved then to a sarcastic jab to a whole bunch of life fluff to…whatever this is. It took quite the rampant introspection to form said conclusion, which could even be a metaphor for the high school experience at large. But now I am just being my usual “everything is either symbolic or a metaphor” self. So, before I digress any further, I salute thee, Maine South. I am coasting through existence in the hopes that life will make sense at some point, sometime far, far into the future.

you’ll remember everything when you wake up at six.

Even if you’re totally in love with a girl (or guy), do not—I repeat, do not—hang out with them on Sundays or weekdays. Your grades will drop precipitously. Trust me.

Most of all, don’t bank on anything making up for crappy grades when it comes time to fill out the Common App and show your dream schools what you’re made of. I was lucky enough to gain acceptance to some pretty decent schools, but my GPA prevented me from having the sorts of options I wanted but hadn’t worked enough to earn—I’m talking about you, Notre Dame and Georgetown. I hate pithy aphorisms, but this

one seems too appropriate to waste: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

“But, wait!” you say, desperate for more positive recollections. “Tell us what we should do!”

Ah. Good point.

Join every activity you could possibly be interested in, and do it early. Use your freshman and sophomore years as a time to experiment with extracurriculars. Finding something you’re truly passionate about is crucial, especially if you’d like to attend a top-notch school in a few years, and you might even fall into something you’d like to spend your life doing. I found this whole writing thing and immersed myself in it; I now write for two online publications about two of my

own passions, hip-hop and fashion, and rhetoric—writing—will make up half of my double major next year at Illinois.

Play a sport. Hell, play intramural handball with all of the thugs in pinnies and mid-calf Nikes. Get bloodied. Work out and, as the kids these days like to say, get big.

Tell a girl (or guy) at school you like about your feelings; by this, I don’t mean going the circuitous route and employing various methods to try to gauge his or her interest. Just tell them, straight up. Oddly enough, it tends to work out, and you won’t leave school knowing you left something unfinished.

Lastly, contribute something to Southwords, even if it’s just a picture, or a quip, or a “Varsity Voice.” It’s a permanent reminder that you actually attended school here, and it’ll make your mother proud.

I’m pretty sure mine is.

Don’t do everything I did in high school Adam Smith Copy Editor

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t’s 12:09 AM on the Monday this article is due, and this situation is feeling awfully familiar.

I’m a procrastinator. I’ll readily admit it. Maybe it’s just some deepseated tendency to self-sabotage (in which case I really should try to schedule an appointment with a therapist), or maybe I just love the claustrophobia that pressure tends to induce, but I tend to wait until the very last minute to finish something up. It’s a terrible habit.

So, if there’s any advice I can give to you sophomores-, juniors-, and seniors-to-be as my parting gift, it’d be this: don’t do everything I did in high school.

Don’t write multi-page papers for AP English the period before.

Don’t cram for math tests until three in the morning and expect

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SENIOR COMMENTARIES

| May 31, 2012

Adrian Adamiec Photography Editor

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riting this is difficult, because it was a choice between forcing myself to produce something meaningful, or watching several episodes of “Avatar The Last Airbender: The Legend of Korra” online, on the night before my “Senior Commentary” deadline. I suppose a handful of people will skim this baby, though, so why not share the sagely wisdom one would expect from an individual with such impressive (read: developing) facial hair.

My shtick is sort of personal, very all-over-the-place, but ultimately genuine, and I hope that’s what ends up sticking. I’d like to start my sermon with a metaphor, (which is also where I start losing people...) so consider, for a moment, the human body and the changes it goes through from infant to teen.

Crushing all expectations of any minds in the gutter, I’d like to focus on the face, more precisely our eyes, which enter the world relatively close to their final size. I find that appropriate—babies are supposed to absorb, imitate, and explore this environment (often by attempting to eat it), but aren’t completely free to do so, considering the ever-watchful parent and his/her decision to initially censor parts of everyday life (I still wonder sometimes about the taste of that “grape juice” that made Uncle Steve so happy). By the time we understand lying, death, and the amazingly versatile F-word, our peepers usually ain’t a long-shot from full-grown... and that’s not the only convenient parallel.

Did you know your nose keeps growing throughout your entire life? A lot of people take that the wrong way, especially as they progress through adulthood. As far as I can tell, it’s supposed to be convenient; Mother Nature is rewarding your tenure on Terra-firma by making it easier to breathe. Instead, many see the bigger, longer feature as opportunity to gradually, more intensely look down at others. The same is true for ears, which start small and adorable, but enlarge with

22 SouthwordS

our “understanding” of the sounds/ concepts around us... or maybe to help combat old-age deafness.

Should people listen more than they speak? You decide.

One way or another, I’ve got a bone to pick with society. We leave high-school to do grown-up things, like taxes and buying white-out— seriously, 18+ with proof of ID—but what we become so often is jaded, materialistic, and wrinkly (sadly, we only have cream for the last one).

And that’s the point of this little commentary. I’m not even asking anyone to write down motivational nuggets along the lines of “You survived that party—now make today count.” or “Remember: shower before Tuesday” (you know who you are). I just want to address that dreams have been made true only by people willing to give it all they’ve got; those who decide on living gratefully—not just during holidays—who can turn heads and hearts with their dedication. As a budding earthling, I promise to keep my eyes wide open (all the better to see life with), my ears clean (all the better to hear life with), and any possible rogue nose-hairs trimmed (all the better for making friends) during my journey.

Yeah, I was really hoping for a stronger conclusion, but hopefully I don’t sound quite as clichéd as the average Hallmark Card. Please, as you tackle this awesome future, try to be open-minded, regardless of the circumstances. Because we can never have too much of that. Don’t like something? Save the complaints for when you can’t do another thing for the issue (which is likely never… understand what I’m getting at?) Ask before you argue.

Changing yourself works so much better than forcing change on others, as does finding what you’ll love to do in life and then remembering Nike’s slogan.

There you go, the moral of every fairy tale your grandma ever read you condensed into two paragraphs; take some of it seriously, though.

Please. Pretty, pretty PLEASE (also, I will practice what I preach, you have my word)…

Now, if you’ll kindly excuse me, I have a TV show to catch-up on.

Senior Issue

| SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Stuck, not static: It’s time to move on Caroline Murphy

News Editor igh school is our holding cell; regardless of how successful we are, our progress is inescapably confined. How well things are going, how much progress we’ve made, how much promise we show—these are all irrelevant. We are stuck for these four years, for better or for worse, whether we need the time or not.

But this doesn’t mean that we must be resigned to being miserable or static. The fact that we are required to attend does not mean that we need to imprison our dreams and our development for the length of our sentence.

High school is commonly depicted as a place in which those who peak fail later and those who falter succeed later—but I reject the notion that only one period of our lives can be extraordinary, or that the best years of our lives have to exist within a prescribed bracket. Any given time can be what we need it to be in our lives, and high school never had to be a throwaway for me or for any

H

of this information. When these factors are considered, it is easy to ruminate pessimistically on what the point of it all actually was. Because in spite of any insane justifications for the usefulness of specific material that can be rendered— and I’ve heard a lot, including that one algebraic concept was useful because an echo room at a Japanese museum uses it—the reality is that most of it will not be applicable, at least for me— although I did gain critical thinking, research, and speaking skills.

While high school did imbue us with some basic competence, I shall spare you from clichéd ramblings about how its true value lies in that it taught us who we are, and how to be adults ready to conquer the world.

The realities are that (1) we are always developing and learning more about who we are, and that (2) the purpose of high school was merely to make us rudimentarily prepared for college life (or just life)—anything beyond that, it sadly failed at. In spite of its limitations, high school served a purpose in my life. I can write coherently in something resembling the English language and I can interact with my peers in a way that is not destructive.

And so, I leave high school without any great revelations. I will not reflect sentimentally about how it flew by in the blink of an eye, nor will I angrily condemn it for trapping me for eternity. High school has been a pleasantly boring purgatory for me.

I’ve enjoyed most of my peers, my classes, and my teachers—but it is definitely time to move on.

has become so familiar to us that and the company of the people that our teachers are like guardinhabit this school. ians—or at least those There is one crazy aunts and unday in particucles that we enjoy lar during my the company of at high school family parties. career that Never again resonates would we be able with me. to go to the famI think it’s ily parties that are because it average days at was simply school—I would spontaneno longer hear ous, and I Mrs. Valko’s inwas with teresting lectures, great people. laugh at Mr. MariIt was a night in no’s jokes, or chat with the May of my Ms. Rizzi in the math junior year, and I lab. You could imagine was walking in the why I would not want to annual Maine South leave, then. Whenever a fashion show (who certain someone says, without does that?). On that fail, every day, “There are x days same night, I would run of school left! Isn’t that crazy?” I between the auditorium and the can’t help but shrug my shoulders cafeteria to catch a friend at and tilt my head. her poetry slam. To think The days I most enjoyed that a school known for were not days that required a few things in particular a countdown, but those days in had so many opportunities which I could simply enjoy myself like these to entertain and motivate

students was wonderful, and the fact that I got to be a part of these opportunities, even if just for a night, proved to me what a fantastic school Maine South really is. While “fun” isn’t something most students would associate with school, that night proved the average train of thought wrong.

Relish every day you have here.

Roam the halls; meet everyone you see—it will make class time a little more bearable. I’m the type of kid that came to school on Senior Ditch Day (thanks, Mom) and I still don’t regret it—trying to get that last bit of South in before I was gone for good.

I guess I am ready, though— ready to move on. Maine South has prepared me well. Sure, I can take the Wronskian of a homogeneous function, I could have a lengthy conversation about federalism and its implications, and I could teach you at what point a regulated monopoly would need a subsidy. Does any of that matter?

The relationships that I’ve built and the people that I’ve met at Maine South are the only proof I’d need to warrant getting a diploma.

of us; it had its own merits and its own place. Too often my thoughts were defined by the idea that I was simply waiting for my life to start, waiting for when I could move far away to a new city for school, for when I could pursue what I really want to pursue, whatever that was.

My impassioned arguments as to why I will never use Av o g a d r o’s number in any way in any lifetime outside chemistry class do still hold true (as do my rants about why we shouldn’t read Shakespeare, or why magnetic fields are useless to me).

And regardless of its debatable merit, I’ve already forgotten a hefty portion

Don’t count down the days, cherish them

Austin Bryniarski Managing Editor

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or the duration of my senior year, I’ve lived in countdowns.

Whether it was our next competition for Constitution Team or the date my college decision would come out or when an issue of Southwords was due, every seemingly meaningful event had a post-it with a number on it or a Firefox bookmark to an “online countdown.” Graduation, however, was so far in the future that it had escaped me to ever create a countdown. Less than two weeks before the big day, I wasn’t sure I could say that I was ready to leave.

Just the other day I was looking for inspiration for the cover of this issue, so I decided to look at photos from last year’s graduation. In the limited number that showed up online, none really spoke to me… until I came across one picture in particular. It was of Mrs. Valko—my English teacher, also retiring this year—helping someone fasten a gown and adjust a cap, as if she was this person’s mother.

And then it hit me. Maine South

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FEMALE ATHLETES

| May 31, 2012

Maine South’s 2011-2012 Austen Beaugureau Cross Country

Austen Beaugureau has been a varsity letter winner on the cross country team for four years. She has been an All-Conference selection for all four years, and she has been captain of the team for the past two seasons.

For three of Austen’s four years in the program, the team qualified for the state meet, and part of this is a direct result of Austen’s leadership. Prior to Austen’s freshman year, the team had only qualified for the state meet once.

“She will be missed as a runner and as a leader,” says Coach Jeff Downing.

Next year Austen will be attending the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.

Meredith Machon Golf

Meredith Machon is a three-year varsity member and two-year captain.

Meredith posted a career-high 9-hole average of 45.5 this past season. She shot a career-best of 81 at the 12-team Hersey invite, earning a second place finish. Meredith was also selected for All-Conference this past season and her career scoring average ranks 12th in program history. According to Coach Hamann, “We will remember Meredith for her strong leadership qualities and positive outlook on herself, her teammates, and the game itself.” Next fall Meredith will be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Cassie Doody Badminton

Cassie Doody has been a two-year varsity member. On the Maine South team, she is the number-one ranked singles player and a member of the number-one doubles team. In addition to being named a team captain, Cassie earned a first-place medal at the Rolling Meadows invite and qualified for Sectionals in the doubles category.

“Both on and off the court, Cassie has been an invaluable player for the badminton team, working her hardest on the court and supporting her teammates off the court,” comments Coach Muir-Wilson. Cassie will be attending Drake University in the fall.

24 SouthwordS

Sarah Arana Swimming

Ashley Kovalcik Cheerleading

Sarah Arana is a four-year member of the varsity team. She was named a captain this past season. Sarah competed in the 100-meter butterfly, the 100-meter breaststroke, and the individual medley. Sarah was a member of the sectional team all four years. “Sarah gave her absolute best in both practice and meets. I believe this attitude and these actions definitely have a positive effect on the people around her,” comments Coach Kura. “It is clear she cared about her teammates. Sarah was always in the middle of organizing the team events and helping the team.” Sarah will be attending Auburn University.

Ashley Kovalcik is a three-year varsity member, and she was named a Maine South Scholar Athlete. During her junior and senior years, Ashley was team captain and earned AllConference and the IHSA Individual Achievement Award. Ashley is also a three-time CSL Conference Champion, State Qualifier, and IHSA Team Academic Award winner. “Ashley has been one of the best competitive cheerleaders in the history of the Maine South cheer program,” says Coach Coy. Ashley will be attending Southern Illinois University in the fall where she is planning a career in physical therapy.

Allison Canilao Lacrosse

Allison Canilao is a defensive varsity player on the lacrosse team.

She was voted Senior MVP on the team. “She had many interceptions and was always able to read the passes and plays. She is truly a smart field player and a huge asset to our team with her loving spirit and wonderful aggressiveness,” says Coach Miller.

“Allison was always there to support her teammates. She would bring them up even when we were having a rough game.” Next year, Allison will be attending Oakton Community College, with hopes of coaching her own team in the future.

Alison Cottrell Soccer

Alison Cottrell has been a threeyear varsity member on the soccer team, starting all three years. As a junior, Alison was the secondleading scorer on the team, and as a senior, she leads the team in points with more than ten goals and seven assists this season. Alison was also a two-year captain and a two-time All-Conference player. “Alison is a tireless worker on the field and never quits on a play or in a game,” says Coach Crawford. “She is the ultimate competitor.” Alison will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year.

Senior Issue

| FEMALE ATHLETES

Senior Female Athletes Lauren Krone Tennis

Michelle Maher Basketball

Allegra Miller Gymnastics

Lauren Krone has been a member of the varsity team for three years.

This season, she was named AllConference. “Lauren’s positive attitude and her unselfishness have set a high standard for the younger players on the team,” says Coach Bondi. “Her intense, but quiet determination on the court also serves to make her a role model for other members of the team. She was always willing to play a position that would be advantageous for the team as a whole. The girls would say that she had a lot of team spirit.”

Lauren will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next year.

Michelle Maher has been a fouryear varsity point guard. In the last season, Michelle scored 350 points, with an average of nearly 11 points per game, adding to her career total of 1,161 points, the fourth best in Maine South History. With 63 three-point baskets in a single season and 147 in her career, Michelle also set records as the third best three-point shooter of all time. She is a three-time recipient of All-Conference honors and a three time member of the all-tournament team for the State Farm Classic.

Michelle will continue her basketball career on a full scholarship at Western Illinois University.

Allegra Miller, a four-year team member, was named an AllConference athlete this season. At the conference meet, Allegra placed third on beam and seventh place on vault. “Allegra is one of the most spirited and motivating members of the team,” says Coach Robinson.

“She came back strong this year and led her teammates with the example of determination and perseverance.

Allegra is committed to her team and the sport, always setting high goals for herself and working hard to reach them.” Allegra will attend Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, next fall.

Kaitlyn Mullarkey Softball

Lindsey Alpert Track & Field

April Simpson Water Polo

Kaitlyn Mullarkey is a two-year varsity member who plays as a center fielder and first baseman. Kaitlyn has a .569 batting average and a 1.254 on base percentage, in addition to having the most at bats of any senior player on the team. “She is flawless in the field and helped save some other players from fielding errors,” says Coach Pasier. “She is vocal and gets the job done. The athletes in the program look up to her and want to work hard to one day be as good.”

Kaitlyn will be attending Illinois Wesleyan University, where she will play basketball.

As a four-year participant on the track team, and three-year varsity letter winner, Lindsey Alpert has been an intricate part of the girls’ track team. She served as a team captain her senior year. According to Coach Downing, “She is a great leader who cares about her teammates and is always willing to assist the coaching staff.” This season, Lindsey was an All-Conference selection. Throughout her career, she always gave her full effort and worked hard to improve her skills and grow as an athlete. Lindsey will be attending Illinois Wesleyan University.

Captain April Simpson is a twoyear varsity member. As a goalie, April has a total of 275 saves this season.

She qualified for All-Conference the past two seasons and All-Sectional last season. She was named a CSL All-Scholar athlete. “April is a great leader, and she used her experience and talent to lead the girls’ polo team to a second place finish in the CSL tournament,” comments Coach Gershon. “She motivated her teammates to push through when we were down and to never give up.”

April will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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MALE ATHLETES

| May 31, 2012

Maine South’s 2011-2012 Paul Preston Football

Luke Wlodarski Golf

Brian Kowalski Soccer

Paul Preston has been a running back and kick returner for two and a half seasons. Paul had a career total of 41 touchdowns, 2,231 rushing yards with an average of 9.1 yards a carry, and 1,148 all-purpose yards.

He helped lead his team to two state and three CSL South championships.

He achieved All-Conference and was voted MVP for both his outstanding athletic contribution and his character.

“Pauly expressed the indomitable spirit of the Hawks with his play, because he hardly ever said a word, and his smile said it all,” say Coach Inserra. Paul will continue his football career at Winona State University.

Luke Wlodarski has been a member of the varsity golf team for three years. As a captain, he led the team to a third-place conference finish. Luke received All-Conference and Scholar Athlete for the Central Suburban League as well as becoming a Sectional Qualifier. He is known for his skills, leadership and willingness to improve both on and off the course.

“Hopefully Hawks in the future will have some of Luke’s qualities,” comments Coach Scott. “He was the team leader in just about every statistic.” Luke will continue to play golf in college next year at California Lutheran University.

Brian Kowalski, a defensive midfielder and two-year varsity member, was named a captain for the past season. He was honored with the Maine South Sportsmanship Award for the last three years. Brian was also selected as a Special Mention Player on the Chicago Fire All-State All-Academic Team. According to Coach States, “His constant pursuit of excellence on the field, in the classroom, and within the community provided a fine example for his teammates.” Brian will continue to play club soccer at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, where he is studying electrical engineering.

Pat Aloisio Baseball

Jack Peters Lacrosse

David Grecu Tennis

Patrick Aloisio, a pitcher and second baseman, is a two-year varsity member. As a senior, Pat helped lead the team to a 28-4 record with a 9-0 pitching record. He has a 1.53 ERA and one save. He was named a CSL All-Conference player. “Pat acts in a quiet and focused manner,” says Coach Milano. “Teammates respect his consistency, talent, and determination. Pat continues to excel in the classroom and on the diamond.

He sets a positive example for peers and future players to emulate.” Pat will continue to play baseball at Oakton Community College.

26 SouthwordS

Jack Peters has been a boys’ varsity lacrosse starter for the past three years. “He has been the difference in every game we’ve played,” says Coach Nakis. “In those games we won, they were on account of his ability to keep the ball out of the net. In the games we lost, Jack was able to keep the margin to a minimum. Jack has always maintained a long-term vision for our young lacrosse program. His dedication to the sport as well as his value for other players has been inspiring to his teammates.” Jack will continue to play lacrosse next year at Augustana College.

David Grecu is a four-year participant in the boys’ tennis program at Maine South with two years on the varsity team. During his senior year, David played the number-one singles position and on the number-one doubles team. This season, David qualified for Sectionals as a member of the doubles team. “He is a leader by example with his work ethic and commitment to the team,” says Coach Young. “He is an excellent example of what a student-athlete at Maine South should strive to be.”

David will be attending the University of San Francisco next year.

Senior Issue

| MALE ATHLETES

Senior Male Athletes Nick Calabrese Basketball

Michael Zadlo Swimming

Tony Mastrolonardo Wrestling

Nick Calabrese has been a twoyear varsity starter and captain. He averaged over six points, four assists, two steals, and three rebounds per game. In addition, Nick shot greater than 40% from the field, 33% from the three-point arc, and 62% from the free-throw line. In his two-year career as a varsity starter, Nick contributed to 40 wins and a Regional Championship.

This year alone, he helped the Hawks achieve their second best three-year win total in school history with 68 wins. Nick was selected to the Maine West All-Tournament Team and Bugle Newspaper Honorable Mention Team. Nick will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall to study business.

Michael Zadlo is a four-year member of the varsity swimming team. Named a captain, he is a distance freestyle swimmer and a member of the relay team. Michael was a member of the Sectional swim team for all four years. “Michael will be remembered as a swimmer that, no matter the situation, always competed at the highest level and never made any excuses,” says Coach Kura. “His work ethic, dedication, and perseverance defined what I hope Maine South swimming is all about. He always expected more from himself and pushed himself to be the best swimmer and teammate he could be.” Michael will attend Tulane University next fall.

C ap t a i n A nt h o ny “ To ny ” Mastrolonardo is a three-year varsity member with over 30 wins this past season. He is both a twotime IHSA Sectional Qualifier and IHSA Regional Placewinner. In addition, Tony has been chosen as a Pioneer Press All-Area Athlete and a three-time CSL Insider Athlete of the Week. “His unselfishness, his work ethic, his passion for the sport and his dedication to the team are exemplary,” says Coach Fallico. “‘Mastro,’ as he is fondly called, is a person who exudes all that Maine South wrestling is...he is a good man and a true competitor.” Tony hopes to stay local and help the team train and improve next season.

Michal Filipczak Track & Field

Scotty Adamczyk Volleyball

Michael Dobben Water Polo

Michal Filipczak has competed at the varsity level in track for three years. He has received All-Conference honors for the past two seasons, and he qualified for state in the 4x400 meter relay. Michal was awarded second place in Class 3A IHSA 800 meter. Michal currently holds the second-fastest time on Maine South’s all-time 800 meter list. “He will certainly be thought of as one of the best track athletes Maine South has ever seen,” comments Coach Sutschek. This year, Michal had the top state qualifying time in the 800.

Michal has signed to compete in track at Duke University next year.

Scotty Adamczyk, a four-year varsity member, was named AllConference and All-Tournament at two invitationals. Scotty has helped his team earn a second- and third-place state finish. He switched positions for his final season. “This has been a giant leap for him at this point,” comments Coach Granell. “He has not only made a smooth transition, but he has made a statement as one of the best in the conference at his position. He is well-respected not only for his skills, but for his attitude and sportsmanship.” Scotty will attend Carthage College next year where he will continue to play.

Mike Dobben is a two-year varsity member and one of three seniors who has participated in all four years of the program at Maine South. This season, Mike has played in every game and in almost every quarter. He holds the team high of 8 blocks of potential goals along with 19 assists and 16 goals. Mike also has a +3.03 turnover ratio for the season, the highest of any varsity player. “Mike has been a role model insofar as instructing players what they need to do to get better and improve in the game,” says Coach Deger. Next year Mike will attend the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he hopes to continue to play.

SouthwordS 27

SENIOR ATHLETES

| May 31, 2012