Here's your second Big Show diary entry, written by senior Andrea Park. Big Show, the annual showcase of student-written and -directed comedy skits, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the North Attic Playhouse. Look for the two remaining entries by Anna Cangellaris and Anna Gooler this weekend.

When Sierra Marcum saw an ad in The News-Gazette for its Readers Writing Contest, she chose to submit a story about her experiences in Limerick, Ireland, in a tiny parking garage in a gigantic van. Little did she think that such a frustrating experience would get her story published and win her a $150 gift certificate. For a closer look at one of Uni's most talented writers, read on.

Starting today the Gargoyle will present a series of diary entries by four members of this year's Big Show. The annual showcase of student-written and -directed comedy skits is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the North Attic Playhouse. Senior Carl Zielinski starts off the diary today; look for other entries later this week by Andrea Park, Anna Cangellaris, and Anna Gooler.

Daniel McNamara is not your usual Uni senior guy. He doesn't play basketball or get excited when "Soulja' Boy" gets played in the lounge. Since he's so quiet, many people don't get the privilege of getting to know his interesting quirks and genuine good-dude personality. So here's your chance to meet Daniel McNamara through the first "Senior Q&A," which will be a part of a series of Q&A's with members of the Uni High Class of 2008.

When it comes to prom night, there are so many things to consider: dinner, photos, and post-prom. The night could require a significant amount of money, money that you may or may not have. But your options are always open. Let staff reporter Rachel Skoza be your guide as she walks you through the expensive and cheap components of prom night.

With prom less than three weeks away, everyone has thought about whom to ask, where to go to dinner, and what to do after the dance is over. But unlike the majority of the male population, girls have another thing on their minds: the dress. Juniors Lizzy Warner, Deborah Ladd, and Lauren Piester debate the pros and cons of one of the many significant parts of the dress: the length.

Anna Cangellaris and Michelle Gao bring you a final farewell to the spring play, Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." Haven't had your fill of Uni theater yet? Not to worry; Big Show is just around the corner.

The Class of 2011's Allerton field trip took place April 17 and 18 under the direction of health education teacher Andi Phillips and numerous parent and faculty volunteers. The students spent two days of climbing, falling, running, yelling, doing geometry, and building boats out of cardboard at Allerton Park and the adjacent 4-H Memorial Camp. Check out the photos taken by freshman Ian McInerney and Gargoyle staffer Lauren Piester.

It's easy to become isolated from the rest of the University of Illinois campus when you spend so much time here at Uni. But there's a rich menu of campus activities and events to choose from if you want to be adventurous. Jie Han found that out Saturday when she spent the evening at the U of I's Fete Fantastique Francophone.

"I know a couple girls who are seriously considering wearing jeans to prom," writes Lauren Piester, "and a guy or two who at least momentarily thought about wearing a dress. I know a ton of girls who have asked guys to prom. I know a lot of girls who are going with other girls. I know people who are going without dates. Basically, I know more people breaking the 'traditional' laws of prom than people who are following them. So I thought it would benefit to have a different view on the idea of prom dates."

The deadline to RSVP for this year's prom is just a week away. Don't have a date yet? Get to it! Not quite sure how to handle the possible complications? Elaine Gu has all the advice you'll need. "In my opinion, when it comes to prom, things should be done the 'traditional' way," she writes. "That means guys should do the asking, because chivalry is not dead. So for all you single, eligible young men out there looking for a prom date, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to ask a girl to the big dance."

Senior Eunice How spent a week in Guatemala last month working with Mission Impact, a U.S.-based Christian organization devoted to helping the poor of that country. Check inside for Eunice's account of her experiences in Guatemala, "a beautiful country that opened my heart and broke it at the same time."

This is the concluding installment of our 2008 spring play diary. Last week the Gargoyle presented a series of diary entries by five members of this year’s spring play, Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." Our diary began with Michelle Gao, and today she brings us full circle, reflecting on her final performance as a Uni High thespian.

So it finally arrived — opening night for the cast and crew of Uni High's spring play, "Much Ado About Nothing." For newcomer Carl Zielinski, this meant that his days of being able to make mistakes with impunity — or near impunity — were over.

Finished! All those rehearsals, all those hours of practice. Tonight is the opening performance of Uni High's spring play, Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." Cast member Anna Gooler continues our behind-the-scenes look at the play with reflections on the final dress rehearsal.