Nov., 2011
Vol. 79, No. 3
T h e S tu d ent Newspaper of Fenwic k Hig h Sc h o o l , 505 W a s h in g t o n B l v d . O a k Pa r k I l l . H om e of the F r i a r s
Spark Notes 1, Literature 0
Poll: students consider online summaries of reading a necessary short cut
By Emily Marzo
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Better yet, buy it, set
it aside, and find a summarized version of it because
as most students at Fenwick would agree, there is not
enough time for reading.
More and more students are relying on summaries
rather than actual reading material assigned by teachers.
The amount and length of assignments have pushed
students into online summaries of reading material and
away from hard copies. Classics have been reduced to
a few short paragraphs and students are willing to make
this compromise.
A recent poll taken by students at Fenwick High
School has revealed more than mere numbers. This
poll uncovered the truth about the disconnect between
technology and good old fashioned reading. The way
reading is assigned has proven to be a factor in a student’s
willingness and effort to read. As one anonymous student
wrote, “If I’m going to spend hours reading and fail a
quiz, then what is the point in reading it at all?”
The poll, titled Spark Notes versus Reading, showed
that 82% of students buy the book and attempt to
comprehend the material. Although students today are
considered to be a part of the age of technology, 76%
of students said that they would rather have a copy of
the book than read it online. The question then becomes
that if students are attempting the material and buying
the books, then why are Spark Notes or other online
short cuts so popular and is it actually a good source of
information?
When asked, 70% of poll takers said that they would
rather not read a novel and would rather read a condensed
summary instead, but here lies the disconnect. 66% of
students polled said that if they were not pressed for time,
then they would choose to read the novel.
As one poll taker noted, “If teachers wanted us to
digest, comprehend, and memorize information, they
should give us more time to do so.”
“If teachers want us to digest,
comprehend, and memorize
information, they should give us
more time to do so.”
Inadequate time seems to be a constant complaint of
reading assignments. As students’ schedules, especially
those of college-prep students, are filled with AP courses,
service projects, sports, family, and work, there seems to
be little time left to get through hefty and difficult reading
assignments. When it comes to test or quiz time, students
are behind in reading and almost all students polled admit
to relying heavily on summarized versions form sources
such as Spark Notes. But though 98% of students turn
to Spark Notes or another source for information when
pressed for time, 80% of those realize that condensed
summaries are poor sources of information. Why then
do students rely on unreliable, untrustworthy sources of
information?
Many students said their attempt on certain
assignments had to do with the class as well as the
teacher. When polled, 74% of students say that the actual
work assigned by the teacher has a direct role in whether
or not they read the material given to them.
An anonymous poll taker wrote, “Teachers should
stop giving busy work assignments. No, I don’t want
to regurgitate quotes on paper just to take up time.”
Although strongly stated, the message is there: students
may not have time to finish the reading, but neither do
they want to spend time on busy work.
Students want to read. Students enjoy reading, even
books for school. In fact, in the poll 88% of students said
they have enjoyed a book that was required for school.
Although only 16% of poll-takers read daily, over 50%
of students read weekly. Students are reading novels and
short stories, just not the ones forced on them by different
departments.
Yes, this is the age of technology. Yes, this is the age
of smart phones, and the internet, but that doesn’t mean
traditional readings will die. Time is the most valuable
thing we have and students have also come to this
realization. This is why Spark Notes and other condensed
versions and summaries available thrive and succeed in
our increasingly changing world.
The Decline of Television
One poll question asked if students believe online sources are reliable for research or homework.
The poll was given to 50 students, sophomores and seniors, on Sept. 9.
By Matt Borse
I can always remember the first
thing I would upon arriving home
from grade school. I’d throw my
backpack on the floor, grab a snack
and head to the TV. And watch what?
The latest news from ESPN?
Not exactly. I’d switch on The
Discovery Channel and watch Wild
Discovery (I know, what a creative
name). The show focused on one
animal every week, going through
every imaginable tidbit that you would
ever want to know.
Looking back on the enthusiasm
with which I anticipated this show
seems a little comical now, but TV
shows like this taught me things that I
would never have learned otherwise.
They were informative, interesting
and intelligent. How I wish I can say
the same for shows nowadays. It’s
hard to pinpoint exactly where the
quality of television puttered out like
a car on its last dregs of gas, but the
shift started around a decade ago with
various reality shows about, well,
nothing.
One that stands out from the
rest was The Simple Life, which
chronicled heiress Paris Hilton’s
excruciatingly difficult task of
performing low-paying jobs. What
was the point of this show? It’s hard
to say, except for the fact that the
audience wanted to see someone with
such wealth be forced to do menial
tasks that normal people do. At least
The Simple Life has some sort of
plot line (and I use that term loosely).
There are other shows, however, that
seem to have no point whatsoever,
chief among them The Jersey Shore.
This “reality” show revolves around a
group of privileged young adults who
spend their days acting like immature
teens instead of the adults that they
are.
All the info that you would never
want to know is on display: The
cast’s party habits, their relationships,
and their talents (or lack thereof).
Article continued on page 5
Inside the November Wick
Around School.................p. 2 Features....................................p.5
- Meet the Caf Staff
-Get to know CEO Jim Marino
Opinion....................................p. 3 Arts /Entertainment ...p. 6
- Kelli O’Laughlin tragedy
-Full Play Review
- Looking to lounge
Diversions...............................p. 7
-Youtube video of the month
Beyond the Moat...........p. 4
- Test your knowledge with Sports.............................................p. 8
- Sully’s Spotlight: Head Boys
Geography Quiz
Basketball Coach John Quinn
Illustration by Matt Stein
Learning about our teachers
Mr. Lamkin grades papers. Wick photo by Liberty Vincent
Mr. Lamkin
By Liberty Vincent
Hailing from Downers Grove amongst the
bales of new teachers at Fenwick this year stands
Mr. Lamkin. About five and a half feet tall with
intelligent bifocals, this man has the appearance of
one contributing much genius to the world. Perhaps
this has to do with the fact that he has long been a
Friar; Lamkin is an alumnus of the class of 1985.
During his high school days, Lamkin participated
on the swimming and diving team as well as the
water polo team. He left the serene world of aquatics
to study the exhilarating fields of aeronautical and
astronautical engineering in college. Lamkin held
occupations in the field of engineering for ten years,
taught at St. Patrick High School on the north side of
Chicago and is now returning to his Fenwick roots
to enlighten the minds of students with his teaching
abilities. His domain in the west wing welcomes
juniors and seniors into the invigorating realm of
physics.
Outside of the classroom, Lamkin devotes time
to helping out with the boys’ and girls’ diving teams
and spearheading the astronomy club. Lamkin can
be found at the Priory late at night or in the Fenwick
parking lot early in the morning with his new
authentic telescope, gazing at the stars, planets and
comets stretching across the solar system.
Lamkin is pleased to say that he has been
enjoying fulfilling his teaching vocation at Fenwick.
He is impressed time and time again with the
professionalism that he observes in the student body.
He admires the proper behavior, positive attitudes,
and constant hard work carried out by today’s young
Friars. Lamkin is happy that he has come full circle,
able to return to the school that built him.
Ms. Morris prepares a lesson. Wick photo by Tom Czajka
Ms. Morris
By Tom Czajka
Ms. Jennifer Morris, a young, charismatic new
teacher has joined the teaching staff in the English
Department. A former Friar, Morris now returns to
Fenwick where she teaches Freshman English. A
graduate of 2006, she attended Marquette University
where she majored in Writing Intensive English
Education and graduated earlier this year.
As Morris returns to Fenwick she continues to
take part in several extracurricular activities as coach
and moderator. When she was a student here, Morris
was an avid tennis player and now joins Mr. Sullivan
as assistant tennis coach. Morris is excited for the
upcoming season, even if she is a little worried that
not enough people will try out. Besides being the
assistant coach, Morris also is the moderator for the
Yearbook this year, a position once filled by Miss
Legel. So far these are the only activities Morris
takes part in, but as a student she was very active in
National Honor Society, S.A.D.D, The Write Place
and a fair share of volunteering.
When asked if she ever expected to be back at
Fenwick she answered “No! Never! But I’m so glad
to that I’m back though!” She also said that had she
been voted as a senior superlative, it would have been
least likely to return to Fenwick. Several students
brought up the fact that she always seems to be in a
great mood and willing to help with any problems in
class.
Despite the attempts that the Fenwick community
will certainly see come May, Morris says that she will
not go to prom with a senior; looks like we’re out of
luck.
On a positive note the Friars would like to
formally welcome Miss Morris as she begins her
career.
Mr. Burnett thinks about a lesson. Wick photo by Sara
Caputo
Mr. Burnett
By Lizzy Sullivan
One of the new additions to the Fenwick faculty
this year is Mr. Burnett. Burnett’s laidback walk and
unassuming posture often cause students to mistake
him for one of their own. Perhaps the reason that
Burnett seems so at ease within the halls of Fenwick
is because he says that Fenwick has not changed very
much since he graduated in 2001. After high school,
he pursued a college career at Northwestern University and now teaches AP World history, Modern
African Studies and Middle Eastern history.
When he was a student, he enjoyed participating
in the Scholastic Bowl and liked to sing. His favorite
class was chemistry, despite his love for history.
Since his sophomore year in high school, Burnett has
been determined to become a teacher and to share his
knowledge; his passion shows through in his teaching. As a teacher, Burnett still enjoys doing many
of the things that he liked to do when he went here,
whether it be coaching the Scholastic Bowl team to
victory or singing karaoke. In his high school years,
Burnett was the first Fenwick student to go all-state
for Scholastic Bowl. Burnett even prides himself on
opening Banua with his vocal skills one year. He
also enjoys playing trivia and European board games.
Several students have noted Burnett’s supposed resemblance to Kenan Thompson from Saturday Night
Live; however, he just laughs it off and calls the
claim “an absolute fabrication.”
While the Fenwick community may not be able
to boast having an SNL cast member teaching its
students, it has been blessed all the more with the
fresh presence of Mr. Burnett, who is glad to be back
and looks forward to enriching the minds of his new
students.
Getting to know the caf staff
By Angela Ribaudo
There are usually three things on a Friar’s mind:
schoolwork, sleep and food. The latter is provided to
Fenwick students by a dedicated team of cafeteria staff
who too often go unnoticed. Taking the time to get to
know those who keep the cafeteria—and subsequently a
Friar’s day—running is a rewarding experience; both for
the students and for the mealtime staff.
Mr. Tim Coon- Coon loves catering to students and
meeting their needs. In his spare time, he enjoys spending
time with his nieces and nephews, whom he calls “little
cherubs”. Whether it be in his job or elsewhere (most
likely outdoors), Coon believes in living each day to the
fullest. He finds bike riding and hiking exhilarating, and
is sure to seek out excitement wherever life takes him.
Joy “Big Momma”- Joy’s love for literally everyone
is ever-apparent in her personality and in her work;
when asked about who she cares about she made sure to
remember the strangers whom she may see on the street.
Joy thinks that the Fenwick faculty members and students
are “fabulous”—she even hopes that her grandchildren
will become Friars when the time comes. Joy finds joy in
listening to music and thinks that working the concession
stand during the busy hour is a rush, deserving of an
“Oh! Boy!”
Arturo “Turo”- Arturo enjoys his job and likes taking
in the school’s surroundings; he thinks that Fenwick
students are very generous and kind. Arturo’s hobbies
include hitting the gym to lift weights and playing
zombie games online. He cares deeply for his family and
friends, boasting that his brother “once ate 19 hotdogs
in 10 minutes.” Arturo also loves listening to music and
going to concerts; he says that Chromeo is one of the best
concerts he has ever attended.
Mrs. Metty- Metty is a familiar face for many; she
has known some of the Friars since their years in Junior
Kindergarten, when she worked with them at their grade
school. Metty is at her happiest when she can cook for
friends when they have parties. While she may be skilled
at cooking, Metty says that “trying to remember what the
kids want on their wraps” is always a struggle. Even so,
Metty says that the students at Fenwick are “respectful
and fun”, and because of that she enjoys working with
the Friars.
“Nan”- Nan finds joy in spending time with her
family and co-workers. She also likes working at
Fenwick because of the students. Of a giving heart
herself, Nan especially relates to the Friars that
participate in charity work, which is a strong moral value
of hers. Nan loves watching movies of all genres and
even plays basketball when the mood strikes her.
Fenwick’s cafeteria staff is a diverse and interesting
group of people that should not be overlooked in a Friar’s
quest to complete the day.
The caf staff takes a break from serving. Wick photo by
Angela Ribaudo
Community feels the loss
of Kelli O’Laughlin
By Bridget Farnan
The cloud of Kelli O’Laughlin’s death has hung over the western suburbs ever since that sad
afternoon. Everywhere you go in Lagrange and Western Springs there is a constant reminder
of the horrible act of violence. The death of Kelli has hit my community hard and has left
people wondering why and how. Why did this happen to this poor young girl? How could
someone do this? These are just two of the many questions that are looming in everyone’s
minds. Unfortunately, there are no answers to these questions.
I don’t know why bad things happen, or I a young innocent girl died, but the one answer I
do know is that God is here with us. Even though we might think it is unfair and want revenge
against the coward who did this act, we must act like Jesus would. Right now, I am praying for
Kelli and her loved ones and I am hoping they are being comforted by God.
Despite the comfort God offers to us, my community is frightened and horrified this could
happen in our town. Kelli’s house is just a few miles away from my house, which leaves me
with a chilling feeling each time I walk in my front door. I will be frank, I am scared. Many
parents refuse to let their children be home alone and every family is locking all their doors.
This has never happened in my community, and this crime is a violent and hateful one that has
torn apart the seams of my once loving and trusting town.
The death of Kelli has opened my eyes by showing me that the community that I have
grown up in has shielded me from all the misery in the world. Now I am aware in how the
world is and what violence can do. Kelli was too young to die. Kelli still had a full life to live.
But we need to remember God is always with us, especially in times of trouble. He is right by
us. I might not know why this had to happen, but I know God is in this place and is helping all
of us through these difficult times.
So if we all could remember Kelli and pray for her and her family in their struggle, I think
we would be doing our part in helping her family and all those who knew her.
Editorial
Illustration by Nicole Stark.
Student lounge in high demand
“If you want to talk, you’re going to have to leave.” I can’t remember how many times that I have
heard this from any number of teachers while socializing in the library. Since my freshman year, I have
been kicked out of the library at least fifty times. Personally, I think that there should be an area designated
for students to hang out and socialize somewhere comfortable unlike the cafeteria. The link used to be a
place where students would congregate after school to socialize, but it has lost much of its popularity in
recent years. What the students need is a type of lounge area with couches and other comfortable seating, a
place where we can hang out without having to worry about getting kicked out for not doing homework or
studying.
The first problem that arises when trying to tackle this issue is space. I think that the link could be
transformed into a decent lounge area, with the right furniture. The link used to be a place where students
would congregate, but now it is just another place for freshmen spot. With comfortable seating, the link could
once again become a hub for social students.
Another possible problem would be supervision. I think that this is not an issue, because many students
used to hang out in the link area in the past without any supervision, and nothing bad happened. If anything,
the workers behind the concession stand would always have a view of the students and would be able to
prevent any wrongdoing.
Also in the link area is the concession stand, which would definitely see an increase in revenue from the
higher population of students in the link area. This obviously would be a good thing for Fenwick, as more
revenue is always welcome.
By creating a place for students to congregate after school, this will give us a reason to stick around after
our last class. This will also increase the popularity of extracurricular clubs, because the students that stay
after school are more likely to wander into a club meeting.
Overall, a student lounge area would be beneficial not only to the students, but also Fenwick as a whole.
Now the only problem is putting this plan into action.
is the monthly, free student newspaper of Fenwick High School,
a Dominican College Prep school, 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park,
IL, 60302. Telephone: 708-386-0127 ex. 251. Fax: 708-386-0294
Email: thewick@my.fenwickfriars.com
Subscriptions and advertising rates available upon request. Letters and submissions are accepted and published at the discretion
of the editors.
The views expressed herein are solely those of the contributors.
Any claims or services advertised herein or works reviewed in this
publication are not supported in any way by Fenwick High School or
its employees.
Managing Editors
Front Page Editor
Around School Editor
Beyond the Moat Editor
Opinion Page Editor
Features Editor
Arts and Ent. Editor
Diversions Editor
Sports Editor Adviser
Sam Muniz, Tom Czajka
Mike Sullivan
Angela Ribaudo
Brian Hopkinson
Montana Birringer
John Hayes
Joe Cederoth
Kerry Murphy
Jack Forde
Mr. Gerard Sullivan
For t his we are t r u ly t han k f u l
By Michael Mahoney
Every year, stores push the Christmas season
earlier and earlier to the point where stores are
sending out their Christmas catalogs the day after
Halloween in the hopes of enticing overenthusiastic
shoppers. They change the coffee flavors to match
the approaching season, start to play Christmas
music on the radio, and begin a count-down to
shopping season Christmas. While most Americans
are swept up in the joy of the season, most overlook
probably the most important holiday of the year:
Thanksgiving.
After a brutal period of establishing a community
in the new world, the Pilgrims set aside one
day of the year to celebrate with their Native
American aides and thank God for their abundant
harvest. This celebration would soon be known
as Thanksgiving. But as the November 24th
approaches, the Fenwick community should think
about what we should be thankful for.
During the holiday it is important to be thankful
for the little things most people overlook. We
should be thankful for our school supplies like
backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, and calculators.
Imagine going throughout the day and not using
these seemingly necessary items; however, we are blessed to live in a society where
these items which increase productivity are abundantly. Thank you God for blessing me
with such a style of life so that I have these essential school items in my life
We should be thankful for the resources Fenwick provides us with. Whether it is
the new language lab, the newly redecorated Write
Place, the devoted Friar mentors, or the resourceful
Fenwick Library, Fenwick enables us to complete
our work and learn to the highest quality. Fenwick,
with the help of the teachers and staff ensures the
highest quality of learning in the best environment
possible. Thank you Fenwick for caring about your
students.
As Friars, we are blessed with opportunities that
most students aren’t blessed with. Not only do
we provide some of the best athletic teams in the
state, but we also excel academically. Our SAT and
ACT scores continue to get higher for our students,
ensuring that they will get into the best possible
college. The name “Fenwick” connotes such a great
status upon all of its students. Thank you Fenwick
for giving me the best possible reputation.
Last, but certainly not least, as Fenwick students
we should be thankful for our parents who send us
to Fenwick. At times they might get on our nerves,
but all they really want is you to be happy. Why else
would they send us to Fenwick? Thanks mom and
dad for everything you do for our sake.
We are truly blessed in our lives although
sometimes we forget. Thanksgiving is a time to take
Illustration by Rashea Minor.
pause and think about what we should be thankful for
in our lives. So take pause amid the turkey, gravy, and approaching Christmas season to
remember what is truly important in your life, what you are truly thankful for this year.
IRAQ: Con
By Alice Haller
With news that the war in Iraq will be over by the end of next year, it
is time to reflect on what the United States did wrong. There was no legitimate
reason the United States should have ever invaded Iraq. Many people believe that
it was for retribution against Al Qaeda for what the terrorist organization did to
our nation on September 11, 2001. But Al Qaeda is a group of radical terrorists,
not an entire country.
There was no link to Al Qaeda and Iraq, therefore invading the oil-rich
Middle Eastern country to bring an end to terrorism was a lie to the American
public. The former dictator of Iraq Saddam Hussein was radically secular, and
the terrorist group is radically religious. Al Qaeda would have nothing to do with
a fallen Muslim even if he were the leader of their country.
The American people were told by their leaders the Hussein had
nuclear weapons and was supplying them to terrorists. The only weapons he had
available were chemical weapons. If he had nuclear weapons, he would not have
given them away because they would too easily be traced back to him.
The real reason the United States invaded Iraq was for economic and
political reasons. Firstly, Iraq and the whole Middle East is abundant with oil. We
use oil for everything from making plastic to running our means of transportation. Oil is one of the few things we absolutely need to keep our modern life the
same, to meet the needs of such a massive population, and to keep politicians in
power. With the world’s oil supply quickly shrinking, there is a rat race to gain
control of the oil-rich territory. The leaders who supported the invasion of Iraq,
such as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, viewed oil as a means to gain power
and money.
The leaders of America in the early half of the twenty-first century did
not care to “bring peace to the Middle East” or to institute a democracy. They
wanted power and did not care about the means they used to get it. In their
attempts to control the Fertile Crescent, our brave soldiers as well as hundreds
of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians lost their lives. We as a country gained
nothing, but because the leaders of our country who brought us into Iraq never
budgeted and left it to Barack Obama to pick up the pieces, our economy suffered and we as a people suffered. The invasion of Iraq was successful only to
those who hate America and what we stand for as a nation.
By Sam Muniz
Iraq Timeline
September 11, 2001
Four U.S. Jetliners are high-jacked and hit the Twin Towers in New York and
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Within days, the President is hearing advice to consider attacking Iraq, although there is no implicating link.
October 11, 2002
The U.S. Congress votes to authorize President George W. Bush to use force
against Iraq
February 6, 2003
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell uses satellite photos and communications intercepts to try to show Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction
March 20, 2003
U.S.-led forces invade Iraq through Kuwait and overthrow Hussein in a
matter of weeks
August 19, 2003
Bombing of United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad
April 30, 2004
President Bush responds to the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal
June 28, 2004
U.S. formally transfers sovereignty to the new Iraqi government
September 7, 2004
U.S. military deaths in Iraq reach the 1,000 mark
January 30, 2005
Free elections held in Iraq
February 22, 2006
Samarra shrine in Iraq is bombed
September 16, 2007
U.S. private contractor involved in civilian shooting
November 17, 2008
Iraqi parliament ratifies an agreement stating that all U.S. troops must leave
Iraq by the end of 2011
June 30, 2009
U.S. troops withdraw from Iraq’s cities
August 31, 2010
President Obama declares end to combat operations in Iraq
October 21, 2011
President Obama announces that all troops will be home by the end of 2011
U.S. soldier in Iraq
photo courtesy of MCT
IRAQ: Pro
By Brian Hopkinson and Sam Muniz
Many people on both sides of the political spectrum believe that going
into Iraq was one of the worst decisions made by former President Bush. There
were some problems, but the initial thought of going into Iraq was not wrong.
America was attacked by terrorists that were traced back to Hussein and
Bin Laden on September 11, 2011. At that time, Hussein was the dictator of Iraq.
One can make the assumption that the terrorists could have been stationed in
Iraq. President Bush was looking out for the defense and protection of the United
States and its citizens.
Once the United States invaded Iraq, it became the center of all media
coverage and all conversation amongst citizens. Initially, the operation in Iraq
was going smoothly and our goal was slowly being accomplished. American
troops captured Hussein, who was eventually executed. America was relieved
but still on edge because Bin Laden’s whereabouts were still unknown and the
threat of another attack was a frightening possibility. After his assassination this
past spring, it was not necessary for troops to remain fighting in the Middle East.
Looking back on the war, Iraq may seem like a poor decision but in
reality, there are many positive residual effects, including the killing of the two
highly dangerous men. Also, after 9/11, our country’s national security has become much stricter, ensuring the protection of our homeland. We also now have
permanent bases established across Iraq, which will prevent any future threats
from the country. So in the end, while there has been much bloodshed, there
have also been several positives to come out of the conflict in Iraq.
By Kevin Eicken
image courtesy of MCT
GEOGRAPHY QUIZ
Easy: Most people should get at least three
1.) What three countries make up Scandinavia?
2.) What rock marks the west end of the
Mediterranean Sea?
3.) What country is Canberra the capitol of?
4.) Where are the Utsukushigahara highlands?
5.) What is the world’s largest desert?
Medium: You’ll probably a couple right
6.) What are the 4 main Japanese islands?
7.) What country is Lake Baikal in?
8.) What is the largest African nation (area)?
9.) What four nations span Asia and Europe?
10.) What country was rated number one
country to live in by Newsweek?
Hard: You’re on brain steroids to get more
than two
11.) What are the three largest cities in the
United Arab Emirates?
12.) What is the farthest west region of Russia in Europe called?
13.) What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
14.) What four seas besides the Mediterranean border Italy?
15.) What African country recently divided
into north and south?
Evil: You probably cheated if you can get
this
16.) List the 12 South American countries by
population, largest to smallest.
Answers on page 5
Television on the downturn
(continued from Front Page)
But reality TV isn’t just relegated to MTV and E! No, it has infiltrated even the supposed
“intellectual” stations, including the Discovery Channel, the History Channel and others. On the average
week night there is a slim chance that anything to do with “history” will be on the History Channel. Instead,
it’s more likely that a reality show about a specific profession will be airing. Two of the most boring (if
somewhat comical) shows are Ax Men and Swamp People. The former show follows a team of loggers
trying to meet their daily quota for timber, while the latter focuses on several Cajun alligator hunters.
Although these shows do have an initial appeal (who even knew alligator hunting was legal?), it quickly
wears off after the fourth or so episode. One can only stand watching men fell trees for so long. I will,
however, concede that the “specials” that air on these channels are quite interesting. One phenomenal
program that recently appeared on PBS was Ken Burns’ “Prohibition” documentary, which not only talked
of the 20th century prohibition movement but also earlier, lesser known temperance movements. Another
exception to the rule was History Channel’s “World War II in HD” series. But unfortunately, these programs
are few and far between.
So who’s to blame for the declining quality of most television programs? It would be easy to say the
stations themselves and that’s part of the problem, but most of the blame is carried on the shoulders of their
audience. In other words, us. Like any other business, television stations are out to make as much money
as they can no matter what the cost (be it showing graphic violence, swearing, or sex). Television stations
simply respond to what consumers want, and evidently consumer tastes have changed from informative
shows to purely “entertaining” shows. Of course, this is broadly speaking. Shows like Modern Family, The
Walking Dead, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and others are funny, intelligent, and entertaining. Hopefully
more will follow in their footsteps.
Geography Quiz Answers:
(see Beyond The Moat)
1.) Finland, Sweden, Norway
2.) Gibralter
3.) Australia
4.) Japan
5.) Sahara
6.) Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku
7.) Russia
8.) Algeria
9.) Russia, Turkey, Kazahkstan, Azerbaijan
10.) Finland
11.) Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
12.) Kaliningrad
13.) Colombo
14.) Ionian, Ligurian, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian
15.) Sudan
16.) Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru,
Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay,
Uruguay, Guyana, Suriname
Photo compliments of Carlee Jaslowksi
Remember September? Live the Fourth at the upcoming Holiday Fourth Day Gathering!
Alumnus of the Month: Mr. Jim Marino, ‘68
“Stand by your commitments, stay true to what you believe in and always
remember your family comes first.”
By: John Hayes
Many things have changed since the
spring of 1968, when Mr. Jim Marino
graduated from Fenwick. However, some
things have stayed the same, as Mr. Finnell
and Mr. Thallemer have continued teaching at
505 Washington Boulevard to this very day.
Mr. Marino still credits Mr. Finnell with
the title of being the best math teacher Mr.
Marino has ever studied under, including his
professors in college and graduate school.
He also recognizes the benefits of
Fenwick’s commitment to developing public
speaking skills in all of its students, as he
deems his speech class with Father Motl to
have been tremendously helpful with the
many presentations Mr. Marino has given
over the years as a prominent leader in the
business world.
After a lengthy, successful career as the
CEO of Alberto Culver, Mr. Marino recently
retired to spend more time with his family
and to devote more energy to his commitment
to non-profit work, including his position on
the Fenwick Board of Trustees.
As a lifelong Friar, Mr. Marino has his
fair share of favorite Fenwick memories, but
watching his three children Kelly ’00, Dan
’03, and Caitlin ’07 graduate from his alma
mater will always remain as Mr. Marino’s
greatest moment as an alumnus.
Looking back on his own high school
experience, Mr. Marino fondly remembers
the tremendous success of Fenwick
athletics, as the Class of 1968 brought home
Catholic League and City Championships
in basketball, in addition to Catholic League
championships in hockey, swimming, and
golf.
As a senior, Mr. Marino led one of Fenwick’s
famous football pep rallies, and inspired the
team to a comeback victory over Weber High
School.
However, the retired CEO of Alberto-Culver
is most thankful for the ways in which Fenwick
prepared him for college and for a successful
career in the business world. Mr. Marino credits
Fenwick with giving him “a sense of confidence”
that was a critical aspect of maintaining a strong
start to his college education and early career
choices.
He stated, “I was able to gain the necessary
leadership skills at Fenwick that served as a
foundation for establishing my career.”
When asked what advice he would give to
members of the current senior class who may be
concerned with a bleak job market, Mr. Marino
noted that “there are no shortcuts to success in
business,” and that “prospective employers are
looking for… a great work ethic, the curiosity
for continuous learning and most importantly a
positive “can do” attitude.”
He also maintains that someone who “puts
the team above themselves will always be
recognized,” because any successful corporation
stresses the value of teamwork.
However, Mr. Marino’s life is not defined
by his successful career; he has provided the
Fenwick community with the example of a
loving father, a loyal alumnus, and a man
dedicated to service.
In giving a note of advice to all Friars, our
Alumnus of the Month concluded with, “At the
end of the day it’s really about always doing
the right thing in the right way. Stand by your
commitments, stay true to what you believe in
and always remember your family comes first.”
Mr. Marino as a junior in the 1967 Fenwick yearbook
BFG’s Fall Plays bring tears, laughs
By Kate Milleker and the Wick Staff
This year’s fall Blackfriars Guild production came in the form of two one-act comedies, The Long Christmas Dinner and Black Comedy. They provided a welcome change
and totally different feel from last year’s production, the daunting anti-McCarthyism
drama “The Crucible”. With the production once again being directed by Mr. Schoeph,
the legendary Mr. Roger Finnell was relegated to the role of “producer”, although his
influence was still definitely felt.
The Long Christmas Dinner was written by noted modern playwright Thorton Wilder.
Telling the story of the Bayard family and their Christmas dinners, it takes place over
90 years without a single set change. The Long Christmas Dinner does not aim to be
humorous, but rather is sentimental, marking the changes in the times, and seeking to be
reminiscent of days gone by. The storyline was a bit difficult to follow, since the change
in the characters personality rather than changes in scenery or the actor’s appearances
marked the passage of time. In a sense, it had no plot, but was rather supposed to “paint
a portrait” onstage of one family’s experiences through time so as to impart an emotional impact; whether or not it did so is very much open to question, although no fault
could possibly be ascribed to the actors or the directing staff for that.
The cast list for this drama changed every night so more students could try their hand
at acting; indeed, of the 40-plus students involved in this year’s fall production, all but
six had their roles in Long Christmas Dinner. While not getting a lot of laughs, and being incredibly difficult to make sense of, the dedication and talent of all those involved
was most obvious and most appreciable.
The second play of the night, “Black Comedy”, was much more humorous (and much
more worth the $10 for a ticket). The whole thing takes place in a 1960’s London flat
inhabited by fledgling artist Brindsley (Matt Birmingham), and just like “A Long Christmas Dinner”, has no set or scene changes. He and his fiancée, Carol Melkett (Katie
Collins), are expecting a visit from her father, Colonel Melkett (Kevin Bugielski), and a
famous art-collecting millionaire, George Bamberger (Joseph Cederoth). To look more
presentable, Brindsley and Carol steal the prized antique furniture of their flamboyant
and presumably homosexual neighbor Harold (Robby Penicook). While preparing for
the guests, they accidentally blow a fuse. Ms. Furnival (Martha McKinley), an elderly
neighbor, is frightened by the power outage and comes to the apartment for security and
company, and proceeds to get absolutely smashed. When Harold returns home early
and comes over, things get tense, since Brindsley must conceal the stolen furniture from
him, and the situation gets even tougher when Brindsley’s mistress Clea (Grace Rasulo)
decides to pay a visit as well; with the arrival of Bamberger imminent and the entirety
of his success on the line, Brindsley is in quite a fix-- the laughs are endless.
Overall, the physical comedy and the situational humor were fantastic, and superb
performances were put on by all of the players. Robby Penicook’s portrayal of the eccentric Harold was truly quotable and memorable, as was Katie Collins’s impersonation
of the winy debutante Carol. While the play was replete with many subtle jokes and
ironies quintessential to witty British humor, and the acting was excellent, the audiences
were all tough crowds and seemed to miss most of the real humor.
Any way that you look at it, this year’s fall production was a success. From the choice
of plays to the directing to the producing to the acting, most every aspect was excellent; coming on the heels of several very successful productions, the Blackfriars truly
seem to be on the upswing—be sure to see their next two shows: “Banua 2012”, and the
musical “Anything Goes”.
Corporate Macdos losing its mojo? Drake excels on
“Take Care”
By Joe Cederoth
I cannot say that I am as yet a man of fine tastes. That
being said, I have nonetheless gotten to the level where I
would consider myself an exceptional average consumer.
While I couldn’t very well provide a reliable critical contrast
of Freddie Gibbs and Yellawolf, or comment upon the subtleties of a finely aged cream soda, I can certainly tell you
why Lady Gaga is so much catchier than any of Rihanna’s
garbage, and I can certainly provide legitimate criticism of
America’s greatest institution: McDonald’s.
McDonald’s head location in Oak Brook, colloquially
deemed “Corporate Macdos”, has long sat as the pinnacle of
fast-food. It has become the my custom to go to Corporate
Macdos over other locations, because somehow, the food always just tastes superior there. It always has a certain crispness and heartiness to it which goes far beyond the norm.
Or, at least it did, until a couple of months ago. Since
early September, Corporate Macdos has been on a steep,
tragic, and heartrending path downward. It all started with
me having to wait more than 5 minutes for a Big Mac (with
no line), and now it’s gotten to the point where the last time
I visited in late October, I had to wait over 10 minutes to receive my food, and the fries weren’t even salted (and again,
there was no line to be seen). The employees there seem
to have adopted some sort of lackadaisical attitude of late,
whereby you are no longer their chief cause of concern.
Whether this is due to their assuming that they can be
less prompt simply because they are at the head location
of their franchise, or for some other, unforeseen reason, I
cannot say. What I can say, however, is that this simply must
stop. There is no subtlety, there are no fine lines—a lack of
decent service at the head location of the world’s largest fast
food retailer is simply unacceptable.
Corporate Macdos, you can keep your poor service and
your cryptic array of secret sauces (“Hot Picante,” anyone?),
I’m not going back until you start acting like you ought to.
Might I request to my fellow Fenwickians that you, too, join
me in my protest? Apart, we have no voice, but together, we
can surely shake the mightiest of Macdos.
By Paolo Arellano
Los Angeles is
where stuff happens;
from big businesses
to rock music to
the latest films,
it’s got it all. Los
Angeles is also the
location of choice
for Jim Thompson’s
“Grifter”, Roy Dillon, in his novel “The
Grifters”. The title
for the work simply
refers to a slang term
a trickster who cheats
people out of their
money (think conartist), but the work
tells about so much
more than just crime.
The novel mainly
deals with four
characters: Roy
Dillon, Lilly Dillon,
Moira Langtry and
Illustration by Katyana Pallafox
Carol Romberg. From
the start, Thompson
rushes the reader into confusion. For instance, Roy Dillon is assaulted with the butt-end of a heavy club, but the
reader has no idea why. It’s suggested that he was caught
by a mobster conning other people, but the question is
never answered. Through this event and others, the reader
is given the distinct and undeniable suspicion that Roy Dillon will have an uneasy life.
Such ambiguity and uncertainty naturally lead the reader
to greater curiosity about Dillon’s life. And eventually,
Roy Dillon describes his past. Within just the first two
chapters, Jim Thompson fills his novel with extraordinary
occurrences. Among
them is how Roy’s
mother, Lilly Dillon,
had him when she
was only sixteen—
and abandoned
him. Through it all,
Thompson makes it
obvious Roy’s distinct distaste hate for
his mother, and the
vivid and convincing
descriptions of the
reasons why would
make even the most
moralistic reader take
Dillon’s side. While
one may sympathize
with Roy, the unique
idea of Thompson’s
novel is that there are
no true protagonists.
Roy Dillon is not the
perfect character who
has any ethics—he’s
a con artist, a guttersnipe who simply
serves as a channel to
“The Grifters” still thrills
the greater story.
The novel is told in third person, again showing the idea
that there are no good guys, and removing the potential for
an unreliable narrator. Without going into further (spoiling)
detail, let it suffice to say that Thompson’s novel is a must
read for those interested in mesmerizing plot twists and intriguingly criminal characters. A unique noire crime novel,
interested readers will be certain to enjoy it; think Quentin
Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, except it’s up to you to do the
imagining.
By Sam Muniz
Throughout his career, Drake has been the model
of consistency. He has a set formula to his music:
rap a few verses here, sing a hook there, and then
bask in the glory. On Take Care, he does not exactly
expand his style in any new ways, but he does finetune it to be the best collection of songs that he has
put together thus far.
While he is not exactly known for his lyrical prowess, on the songs “Under Ground Kings” and “Lord
Knows”, Drake flexes his poetic muscles. At one
point, he briefly switches from his traditional slow,
melodic flow and unleashes a barrage of fast paced
lines in the song “HYFR” (feat. Lil Wayne). This is
not to say that Drake’s lyrical effort is only evident
is these few songs, it very much shows up in his
slower paced songs as well.
The production value of the album is extremely
high and very easy to notice; Drake’s usual producer
40 returns with his signature style of down tempo,
ambient beats. As a whole the guest features were
all well done, with a possible exception for Kendrick Lamar’s part on the “Marvin’s Room/Buried
Alive Interlude” and Andre 3000 on “The Real Her”.
Kendrick’s part on “Marvin’s Room” just seemed
out of place, and Andre’s part in “The Real Her” was
somehow lacking, quite a disappointment from such
a great artist.
But perhaps the area in which Take Care shines
the most is subject matter. Drake keeps his boasting
to himself (for the most part), and instead chooses
to sing and rap about various relatable situations.
He talks about his past romances (good and bad),
lost relationships, heartbreak, and lust. At the end
of the day, Drake is a ladies’ man, and women seem
to be the driving force of all his music. Because of
this, people tend to gravitate towards one extreme
opinion or the other; either hating Drake for “only”
rapping about women and is experiences with them,
or loving him for it. This is a very subjective aspect
of his music, and it really comes down to love or
hate.
As a whole, Take Care is really a snapshot of
what makes Drake who he is as an artist; a lyrical
Lothario, who is confident enough to admit to his
own failings and offer views into his convoluted
mind. Through the album, he shows that he is not
the typical modern day rapper whose verses are
roughly ninety percent meaningless boasts. In the
end, he tends to sing and rap about what he knows
best: women. He cannot be faulted for sticking with
his area of expertise; rather he should be praised
for it. Too many rappers venture out of their realm
of knowledge and try to be something they’re not.
While other rappers are content to fill their songs
with nonsensical boasts, Drake offers a heartfelt
look into the mind of an everyday guy; one who has
loved, lost, and knows how to have a good time.
Because of his frankness, his talent, and the intricate way he weaves them together, Take Care soars
above most modern hip-hop and rap, and succeeds
as a purely listenable album.
YouTube Video of the Month:
Young Brits belt Minaj to Fame
By Martha Murphy
The most viewed video on
YouTube for late October to early
November was “Nicki Minaj sings
“Super Bass” with Sophie Grace on
Ellen.”
Sophie Grace Brownlee and
Rosie McClelland are not your average Nicki Minaj fans. The cousins filmed themselves singing and
dancing to the number three Billboard Hit ‘Super Bass’ released in
May by Nicki Minaj. Once Sophia
Grace, hits the chorus, you might
find yourself saying, “Wow, she is
actually GOOD.” At the young age
of 8, this girl can really sing.
The homemade video went viral
in mid-October, gaining 11 million views of the course of a few
weeks. With increased attention,
the two British cousins landed a segment on the popular
talk-show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” to appear on
the show and recreate their adorable performance. The
two wear wearing matching pink, fluffy dresses and tiaras
as Brownlee took it away with solo of “Super Bass” and
younger cousin Rosie added in her unique and spunky
said, “Within 5 minutes of seeing
this video, I was telling everyone
I knew and was receiving a billion
emails saying, “You have to see
this little girl. She blew me away.”
Nicki asked Sophia to sing the
bridge of “Super Bass” for her, and
immediately Brownlee breaks out
into the most spirited singing you
could ever ask from an 8-year-old.
You might describe it as chills, as
you realize how talented this young
girl is. Later in the show, Ellen
put a wig with a big pink bow on
Sophia, (one of Minaj’s trademark
hairstyles) and Brownlee just
throws her fists up and screams in
her British accent, “I’m the second
Nicki Minaj!” Sophia and Nicki
ended the show by singing a duet
dance moves, but that wasn’t all Ellen had planned for Illustration by Tom Czajka of the song; Brownlee was ecstatic.
them. The chorus of “Super Bass” came on and the stage
Nicki even took the two on a shopping spree. These super
door opened and out walks Nicki Minaj. Screams of
fans could not have asked for a better way to meet their
excitement could be heard from the two girls as she picks idol. This journey of a Superstar is only just beginning.
up Brownlee and gives her biggest fan a well awaited and A few years down the road, you won’t be surprised to see
deserved hug. The cuteness didn’t stop there. The amount Sophia Brownlee making headlines again.
of emotion had the audience grabbing for tissues. Minaj
Recipe a La Friar
Seven Things that we
should be Thankful for
By The Wick Staff
7. Thankful for the Girl’s Cross Country Team. They finally realized
they can compete with other schools.
6. Thankful for Coach DiCanio. You’ve supplied this page and Banua
with tons of jokes yet still managed to be a good sport about it.
5. Thankful for Mr. Finnell just because he’s Mr. Finnell. How many
days till London?
4. Thankful for Senora Megall. Without you we would’ve never known
half the rules at Fenwick.
3. Thankful for surpassing our goal for “Bridge The Gap.” Honestly did
administration thing anyone was going to come in if we didn’t get the
day off?
2. Thankful for Mr. Pendleton. You never fail to entertain us in Eigth
Lunch; whether you’re yelling at underclassmen or making announcments.
1.Thankful that we won’t have to haer about another Prep Bowl championship. Sorry boys, it got kind of old after a while.
Illustration by Emma Gihl
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE WICK STAFF!
Illustration by Mike Mahoney
Cross Country Sprints to
Strong Finish
By Kevin Copp
It was very fitting that the sun was shining on November 5th at the Girls’
State Cross-Country Meet in Peoria, because the Fenwick Girls’ CrossCountry team continued to glimmer. The Friars sprinted to a fifth place
finish in the 2A division, far and away the best conclusion to a Girls’
Cross-Country season in Fenwick history. Fenwick was led by three AllState performers in 16th place finisher Olivia Ryan, 22nd place finisher
Briana Daley, and 25th place finisher Becky Steinmeyer.
Rounding out the top seven were Madeleine Nicholson in 81st,
Anna Schierl in 113th, Megan Cahill in 160th, and Rachel Lombard in
171st.
The Friars came into the season with high expectations regarding their
move to 2A, yet the team raised its goals after early-season success.
“We came in not really knowing quite what would happen,”
Steinmeyer, a junior, said. “At the beginning of the season we were
shooting for top ten at state, but as the season went on and we had a lot of
success, we changed our goal to top five. We definitely achieved our goal.”
A key component to the Friars’ success was the hard work put in
day in and day out by the runners.
“The great thing about our team is that everyone cares so much.
Every practice, every day, all season, we all put in our best and it showed
with our success this year,” Steinmeyer said.
A group of close-knit teammates and coaches was instrumental
to the Friars’ success.
“The close bond with teammates helped us improve. We were
always encouraging each other and each person found a running partner
who they worked well with,” affirmed Daley, a sophomore in her second
year of varsity running. “Our coaches were also the ones who made us do
every ‘little thing’ in practice and never let us slack off,” she added.
The coaches held a special role in Steinmeyer’s mind.
“We’ve got the best coaches a team could ever want, and we
couldn’t have done it without them.”
Coached by Mr. Collins and Mr. Roche, Fenwick had advanced to the state
meet via a sweep of the top five at regionals and by taking four of the top
nine spots at sectionals.
The team had already made school history with their sectional
championship. However, the Friars were not satisfied and achieved a
strong finish at the state meet, led by the trio of All-Staters.
Daley recalled, “I remember looking at the pictures of All-Staters in the
link and telling myself, ‘Before I graduate, I want to be up there and be an
All-Stater.’ It’s a great feeling to have accomplished a goal that you have
worked so hard for.”
Steinmeyer spoke for the entire team when she commented on the final
race of 2011.
“It was an awesome way to finish off the season.”
The Friars should be formidable again next year as they will return all but
two runners from this year’s state finalist. Catholic League champ Olivia
Ryan will return as a sophomore and the Friars will have gained valuable
experience from their run to state this season. Perhaps even a better finish
is expected next year?
“I know that we have the potential to do just as well, if not better than we
did this year,” Steinmeyer says.
Although next season is a long way away, the Girls’ Cross Country team
has plenty of good memories to reflect on.
The State Runners pose with the Coaches after the Meet, looking happy as ever Photo courtesy of Mr. Collins
Boys’ Basketball Cool as
Season Heats up
By Brian Hickey
Coach Quinn leads a group of talented underclassmen along with some strong senior
leadership for the Fenwick basketball squad this year. After many exciting games for the
Friars last season, Fenwick hopes to give students and fans a lot to cheer about with this
squad. Despite losing quality seniors from last year, Senior Captain and starting forward
Sam Ainsworth is confident in his team, “We’re gonna have a great season this year. The
wack is back baby.”
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are all expected to have key roles for Coach Quinn
throughout their tough schedule this season. The 6th man should also make a difference at
home and away games this year as students are pumped up for many great games. Coach
Quinn is confident that there will be a “raucous” crowd for the big games Fenwick has at
home including St. Ignatius on December 2 and OPRF on December 20.
The Friars also play in the famous Proviso West holiday tournament, which is the 2nd
tournament they will play after the LT tournament starting on November 23. St. Joseph
also comes to town on January 27th where the two coaching legends will meet again in
Coach Quinn and Coach Pingatore.
The team hopes to build off of their success from last winter and hope to continue
to have the solid fan support from last season, including the memorable overtime game
against St. Ignatius. The squad travels to play in the Lyons Township tournament the
weekend of Thanksgiving and will face a tough schedule throughout the year. The team
will try to “gel” during the preseason with the return of the football players in order for a
successful year.
Sully’s Spotlight: Head Boys Basketball Coach Mr. John Quinn
Coach Quinn, what are your expectations for this upcoming season?
against St. Ignatius?
-We have a great new assistant Coach in John Bach, he has won a number of NBA
championships and has come to the right place after coaching at Ignatius for 2 years.
- Winning LT would be great, we have done well in the past the last 3 years there and I
hope the team will continue to have success in the tournament. The St. Ignatius game is
always great. The student body really enjoys playing them along with the players. It will
be a great Catholic league matchup and could set the tone for the rest of the year.
Which players will have the biggest impact this year?
-Sam Ainsworth who was an All Catholic League player last year averaging 12 points,
and 10 rebounds a game will lead us into battle. Luke Lattner who averaged 4 points a
game as a sophomore has improved and will have a big impact.
What is the team’s strong attribute?
-We and a very hard working team that plays lock down defense. The team is much
disciplined and we will need to find more offensive go to players as we enter the season.
How important is the first week of the season with the LT tournament and home opener
You always ask your students “What is the Question?” What do you believe is the answer to that question?
-Passion and Commitment Michael, A person has to have both of those qualities.
How many students would you say you talk during passing periods each day?
- My goal each day is 50, sometimes I get more and some days I get less. They are my
people.
The Lowdown on Fenwick Sports
Boys’ Soccer reaches Sectional Finals Hockey Team off to Strong Start, Defeats St. Rita Girls’ Swim Team Advances to State Multiple football players named all conference