Ridgewood Reporter

May 1997

Volume 12, Issue 7

Some members of the Board of Education have been very concerned about the appearance of the student body. They have been investigating the possibilities of dress code changes. They considered ideas including banning shorts or getting uniforms. On May 5, 1997 the Board passed a revised dress code stating that no attire can be shorter than four inches from the middle of the knee. This policy will go into effect for the 1997-98 school year.

The Discipline Committee (composed of parents, staff, and deans) had recommended that the length of attire allowed be changed from the knuckles of the hand to the tip of the longest finger.

Questions have been raised as to how this will affect gym clothes and athletic uniforms. Will this be in affect for all school functions? Students have also raised concerns about having these clothes readily available in stores. The longer shorts, according to one person, have been associated with gang attire. Biggest question heard was why was this change necessary and how will it be enforced? People were caught by surprise by the announcement. There did not seem to be any student input sought. The Ridgewood Reporter attempted to get some answers to these questions.

Superintendent Allen Schau said he hopes it is not necessary to require uniforms or to ban all shorts, since that takes away an opportunity for student expression. He provided a great deal of information about the rule but suggested we talk to the members of the Board who proposed the change.

In a telephone interview, Board member Mrs. Sass said that the board has heard an increasing number of complaints from visitors about students’ appearance. Even if one or two individuals are dressed inappropriately, the impression reflects badly on all students. The Board’s primary concern is providing an atmosphere conducive to learning. Students should concentrate on academics, not their wardrobes.

Mrs. Sass stated that a standard was proposed because the board members thought a set point on the body would be more fair than a proportional rule. Some people have long arms or small hands so judging by that might be difficult or unfair. Proviso schools have already banned shorts. The main township schools are considering a ban on them. Many public schools in Chicago and the rest of the country require uniforms.

Mrs. Sass thought that enforcing the dress code would be done by teachers. Students who don’t meet the dress code would be sent home or required to change into clothes provided by the school.

When asked about the cheerleading uniforms, Mrs. Sass pointed out that they don’t meet the current dress code. Uniforms for sports and gym classes are selected based on their appropriateness for that particular activity and so would not have to mett the 4-inch rule. They would not be permitted to be worn in the classrooms.

Some students are circulating a petition that would be presented to the School Board at its next meeting on June 16. We hope to have a reporter covering that meeting.

Mrs. Sass reported that she, Mrs. Gregorio, and Mrs. Ruccia are the Board members most concerned about the students’ appearance.

Finally the time came for the band and chorus’ long awaited trip to St. Louis. We were pretty excited when we left Ridgewood on May 16. After a six hour bus ride, we arrived at Eureka High School in Eureka, Missouri where we competed against the music groups from other states.

On Saturday, we left our hotel early in the morning for Six Flags over Mid-America, where we spent a very warm day. Later in the afternoon, we attended the Awards Ceremony at Six Flags. The chorus received a rating of Excellent-First Place. There was also much cheering by Ridgewood students when we heard the band’s rating of Good-Second Place. As an added bonus, Ridgewood won the drawing for a fifty dollar gift certificate for music supplies.

On Sunday, we visited the Gateway Arch and were able to take a tram ride to the top for a spectacular view. While there, we also saw an IMAX movie about the "American West. " Although most people were pretty tired when we got back to Ridgewood Sunday, everyone seemed to have had a lot of fun and were happy about our showing.

Music awards and stories were exchanged at the banquet on May 21, 1997. The final performance will be at Graduation on June 2.

This will be my last article for the Reporter. Therefore I would like to mention that I’ve enjoyed writing the music column for the last three years. I will miss being part of the newspaper staff.

Recently, some Ridgewood people visited other schools. They wanted to compare Ridgewood’s cafeteria food to other schools’ food. Participants included students Beth Bundalo, Kristin Keglovitz, Chris Soszynski, teacher Mr. Klaus, Board Member administrators Mr. Berquist and Mr. London.

The School Board will make the final decision at the June 16 Board meeting. This means we may or may not have the same food service next year. One of the factors that prompted the study was the three lunch periods for next year. This will translate into more students eating at one time. An efficient delivery system will be needed.

Art work by 29 Ridgewood students was professioanly framed, judged, and exhibited at the Great Frame-Up store on Higgins in Chicago. The store sponsored an opening reception on April 30. Prizes were awarded to Sylwia Halasik, Mike Klita, Patricia Misek, Ewa Prochowska, and Kathy Szponder. It was part of a national program called "The Creative Self-Expression Show."

Mr. Gates said, "It really encourages people, with the material and the chance to have their work displayed in public." Student artist Tom Kacprzynski said, "It was fun. We got to do something we really enjoy."

FBLA Speeds Into Summer

Nada Bankovic, Mary Jo Chrabasz, Antonella Ciccone, Dina Politis, Chris Soszynski, Robert Stranc, and Thomas Stranc will attend the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California in July.

1997-98 officers are President Maggie Georgiou, Activities Vice-president Vicki Mraibie. Membership Vice-president Anna Kritikakos, Finance Vice-president Margie Kucmierz, Secretaries Marie Weeks and Joanna Wieczorek, Reporter Dina Politis, Historian Chris Soszynski, Parliamentarian Shawn Aguilar, and Treasurer Joanna Szyndlar. The new officers have already begun planning for next year. On May 30, FBLA will hold a farewell party for the Seniors.

Varsity Baseball Wins Conference

By Mike Batch and Brian Cowsky

Despite being young and inexperienced, Ridgewood’s Varsity Baseball Team had a great year. With only three seniors starting, the team exceeded even coach Frerking’s expectations. Picked by the Sun-Times to finish last, they finished 12-9 to win the conference, including big wins over Riverside-Brookfield and Westmont, the top teams in the conference. The pitching staff, led by Mike Batch, Vince Fanelli, Renzo Berardi, Bill Peterhansen and Eric Hjelm, will all be back next year. Hopefully Tony Crudele can return from injury to help guide the staff.

The Rebels finished 25-12 overall. The senior leadership provided by Brandon Wiley, Dom Persico, John Koutselas and Brian Cowsky helped the younger guys to get comfortable and settle in playing varsity baseball. With almost the whole lineup returning next year, the Rebels will be a force to be reckoned with.

Boys Varsity track did well at conference, led by Mike Bujalka's six-foot high jump for an all-conference 3rd and the 3200 meter relay's (Andrew Carnegie, Brian Floral, Tony Raimondi, and Danny Swibel) third place. Boys' Sectional was May 24 in Lisle. Mike Bujalka tied for second place in high jump.

--Information provided by Dan Swibel and Ryan Rodriguez

Class of ’98 Elects Officers

By Scott Shudy

Juniors voted in their homerooms to select officers for next year. They are Jim Persico, President; Sue Shrake, Vice-President; Jenny Helms, Treasurer; Kathleen Conneely Secretary; Deanne Guagenti, Jennie Igaravidez, Fiona Murray, Kelly Peters, and Dee Della Ray, Representatives.

The Junior Class earned $562 at their car wash May 17. Twenty-seven juniors turned out to scrub vehicles. Future car wash dates are June 21 and August 16 10-3.

J-V Baseball Finishes Season

By Lou Mezzano

Coach Glogowski and the sophomore baseball team ended their season last Friday at Glenbard South. The team might not have had the best record, but they fought hard to the keep the scores close. Last Saturday, the men took the field to face the closest loss all year. Despite having only nine players the Rebels fought 7 innings to take a heartbreaker 7-9.

"If it were not for supreme pitching by Tony Guagenti, the game would have not been as close," said Louie Mezzano. "I would like to take time to give thanks to the players who came to every game to make us a team. Our first baseman Frank "the Tank" Cascella, who gave it all to get on base; Tony "the Team" Guagenti, "Sweet swinging" Joe Caringella, who overcame his arm weakness, "Slone the bone" Chris Sloniec, "Bookie" Joe Bukowski, Joe "Burgerking" Elliot who tried to keep our spirits up, Tom "Jerbel" Jermal, who got the hits in times of need, Melan "My Boy" Mitic who pitched 90% of our games, and last but not the least Mike "Eye on the ball" Dicillo who never gave up. These players have shown me what it takes to wear the proud Rebel jersey."

Lady Rebels Finish Off Strong

By Scott Shudy

Ridgewood finished regular season play by winning three of its last four games. Ridgewood beat Elmwood Park 21-11 and 16-12. Jennene Fields was five for six in the 21-11 decision to lead the Rebels. Also, Erin Conley hit four for five, and Martha Olson, Stephanie Malmi, Becky Nielsen, and Angela Karcinski each had three hits. On May 17, the Rebels split a double header against Walther Lutheran 16-4 and 8-7.

The prior week Ridgewood fell 20-5 to Riverside-Brookfield, 6-3 to Fenton, 6-0 to Glenbard South, and 17-1 and 11-2 to Lemont. Ridgewood opened with a 3-0 lead against Fenton, with Angela Karcinski producing all three RBI's.

The Lady Rebels beat St. Benedict 22-12 in the first Regional game but lost 14-0 to Westmont to finish the season.

Coach Donna Sokolowski hopes the young Rebels’ tough encounters pay off in the future. "We’re a young, inexperienced team, but I can see all this will pay off in the next couple of years," Sokolowski said.

Some baseball teams have a lot of skill, some have a lot of luck, and some have a lot of heart. This year’s sophomore team had a lot of heart and skill, but not much luck. Injuries and bad weather killed us this year. We started the season off well, beating Westmont, but the rest was downhill. The thing that destroyed us was the fact that we started out with 22 players and ended the season with 10, but the important thing is that for the most part we had fun.

The Ridgewood Reporter Staff

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