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(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Star Coleman and Nicholas Gordon
Staff Writers
What is bullying?
According to East English Village school psychologist Andrea Lightbourn, “bullying are behaviors that focus on making someone else feel inadequate.”
Bullying includes things such as harassment, physical harm and repeatedly demeaning speech.
“Bullying kills confidence, creates fears and low self-esteem,” Lightbourn said.
Teenage bullying is very common.
EEV Senior Gearramia Coffey said he was bullied in his early teens. He said he was taunted and often called “yellow boy” and “lanky” which referred to the color of his skin and his stature.
“Bullying is a hindrance for the development of youth,” Coffey said. “I persevered and continued being unique, in spite of being bullied.”
Some effects of teenage bullying are physical problems that often results in injuries.
“Bulling can lead to depression, drug use and even suicide,” Lightbourn said.
If someone is being bullied and needs help, there are many advocates and support groups, as well as nationwide campaigns against bullying.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Nia Grantham and Deltroy Hill
Staff Writers
On March 28, East English Village Preparatory Academy participated in a March for Justice. This march displayed solidarity amongst all races and religions to unify for racial, economic and social justice in Detroit.
The March for Justice honored the march in Selma, Ala., that took place 50 years ago. The march began at Chene Park and ended at King High School.
EEV teachers Jacquelyn Jones-Frederick, Sharon Shell and Carolyn Everette worked collaboratively to coordinate the event.
“I was happy that so many of our students and concerned citizens from different churches, book clubs and schools were involved in such a civil activity” Jones-Frederick said.
Escorting the walk were the Detroit Public Schools Police Department and the Detroit Police Department. TV cameras and crews also filmed the historical day.
Despite the bad weather conditions, it did not deter the EEV students and teachers from reaching their goal.
“I was amazed to see the crowd and excited to participate in such a memorable event,” EEV student Tavon Carter said.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Khaliah Blount
Staff Writer
On June 9, Benjamin Carson High School seniors will walk across the stage at the Opera House to receive their diplomas. This will be the school’s first graduation ceremony and at that point the class of 2015 will experience yet another first as they become the first alumni class.
Since walking through the doors for the first time four years ago, the class of 2015 has seen a lot of firsts: first class, first homecoming dance, first end–of-year picnic, first sunrise breakfast, the first day of senior year, first Grammies, first senior pinning ceremony, and the first senior breakfast.
What started in 2011 as 80 students, six teachers and a dream is now 434 students, many more classes, more than 15 teachers. One thing that hasn’t changed much is the makeup of the class – with very few exceptions most of the students have been here for all four years. Seniors remember being the only students in the school and say that this has created an unusual identity for them.
“Over the four years, we’ve become like family,” senior Ukhari Coates said. “It’s going to be very hard to lose that comfort zone.”
There are still a few more firsts to come.
Students plan to gather to watch the sunset on the last day of school, and the first prom will be on June 5.
“As I reflect on the past four years, I recall many successes, enduring lessons, breakthroughs and discoveries,” principal Brenda Belcher said. “I am extremely proud of the Class of 2015 and I will follow their careers with much interest and pride.”
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
I didn’t know journalism could take me this far.
It isn’t just an elective to me, it’s a lifestyle. I fell in love with it when I was 15, and I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for it. Writing is the best way I know how to express myself. It’s taught me how to speak up for myself, put my fears aside; and its shown me that anything is possible.
On top of being the editor in chief of Renaissance’s in house publication, Phoenix Rising, I had the opportunity to write for FreepHigh for my school’s page, The Stentor.
I’d like to thank Carianne Wargowsky, Joy Visconti, Cassandra Spratling and Bobby Hawthorne, for teaching me how to do what I love while expressing myself through my stories.
I realized this was something I wanted to do when I was blessed with the opportunity to work at the Detroit Free Press as a reporter last summer. I figured the best way to live my life is to make a career out of something I love so I’ll never have to work a day in my life.
My goal is to change the world with my words and inspire people with my experiences, and that’s what I plan to do.
This fall I’ll be a freshman at Bowling Green State University majoring in journalism as a member of the university’s President’s Leadership Academy, 2015 Cohort.
I’d like to thank the Detroit Free Press for helping me find my passion, this has been such a life changing experience. I’m forever grateful.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Edward Shivers and Jackeitha Roberson
Staff Writers
There was a surprise announcement about the valedictorians during April’s Senior Pinning ceremony: At graduation, there will be four seniors sharing the top-of-the-class spotlight.
They are Camera Edgar, Shaila Moore, Nayeem Latif and Vicenta Vargas.
These students were asked to provide some farewell advice for the underclassmen. The group has the typical academic advice about working hard and organizing your time, but they also have practical advice they wish they had been given along the way.
Some has to do with money. Generally, the wisdom is to save your money because senior year is expensive with senior dues, events, and college deposits and application fees.
Other advice is about one’s approach to life that can go even beyond school.
“The best attitude to have through high school is optimism,” Latif said.
“Drama is not your friend,” Edgar said.
Some advice is about how to survive senior year.
“Don’t exert useless energy, you will regret all the precious time you wasted on things you don’t remember,” Latif said. “Work smarter, not harder.”
“Apply to colleges early,” Moore said. “Have some work done before you start your senior year.”
At the end of the day, they advise to not give up.
“It’s never too late to turn your life around,” Vargas said. “All it takes is a desire to be more than who you are.”
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Angel Wallace and Robert Belew
Staff Writers
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
Today's younger generations are all about their tech-savvy gadgets. From smartphones to tablets, technology plays such a large role in their lives that it omits their childhood. The more technology being used means less interactions the children are having with one another or things around them.
“I find it funny when I see someone younger than me with their own iPhone. What do they need that for?” said Terrance Sutton, senior at Diploma Success.
The influence of technology on today’s youth aren’t allowing them the chance to be kids.
"I really think the use of technology at a young age is preparing the children for what the future holds, although some children may overuse technology causing them to miss out on things like going to the park or playing with others,” Breonna Lyons said.
Instead of spending time playing outside with neighborhood kids it’s more likely to find them on social networks or with their eyes glued to a TV screen. According to mediapost.com, one in three adults say technology is destroying family life, and half believe that allowing a child unrestricted access to the Internet is a form of child abuse. There is also a general sense that families simply don’t enjoy as much bonding time together anymore.
“I kind of feel sorry for them, you only get one childhood,” Sutton said.
Marcus Anderson, a senior at King, said "Yeah, I think they do, they spend too much time on their phones rather than actually doing something."
Some people may argue saying that exposing their child to technology early is a good way to prepare them for the future. This will enable them to get a grip of things now so they won’t have to deal with the hassle of learning it later.
In my opinion, children should have a limit when it comes to the consumption of tech-savvy gadgets. It seems like kids are overdosing on the use of mechanics, so much so that it interferes with interactions of others, but if parents were to supervise and minimize their child's use than that could resolve the over usage of these gadgets.
“The only reason people feel like its ruining the children’s childhood is because they weren’t born in this era of technology. We can’t expect things to be the same forever,” said parent Doris Diane.
In retrospect, who’s to say what a childhood should consist of. For all we know they could have the greatest childhood ever. The world will continue to advance and change from what was known to be a custom.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Marquise Webber and Rayshean Jones
Staff Writers
Henry Ford System’s Cooking Matters came to Pershing to teach students how to cook. The student sare taught about healthy foods 6-8 weeks per semester .
The school believed this noncredit class was necessary as an elective because it gave students a unique and fun activity and taught them about healthy foods.
“What I saw at Pershing was a lack of activities. Students weren’t interested in what electives offered,” said Jamal Williams, Cooking Matters instructor.
This class is more than just a fun activity to some students at Pershing. The class made senior students Jasmine Thomas and Demetrius Anthony become more interested in culinary arts.
“Yes, I want to go into the service and cook and go to school for culinary arts,” Thomas said.
“I was planning on going to college for culinary arts,” Anthony said.
In the class, the students started making delicious dishes that included black bean quesadillas and alfredo pasta.
“I learned how to make chicken tacos,” said Thomas.
Besides the cooking, students learned the importance of eating healthy food and about what goes into the food they consume. The students did not take this class as often as they took the other elective classes (which is every day).
This class will be available next fall. Students that are interested can see Jamal Williams for more information.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Arianna Smith
Staff Writer
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Ronald Johnson
Staff Writer
The Douglass basketball team has come up with an idea to help fund raise for equipment to improve the team’s shooting accuracy.
Head coach Pierre Brooks said the Shoot-A-Way shooting machine costs about $4,000, and the team has already reached half that goal.
“We have been petitioning local businesses, also asking different sports teams to send donations,” said Brooks. “I believe that it is a good investment.”
Brooks said it will help a lot of players with their shot, and the arc on their shot, as well as giving a lot of repetition in shooting a basketball from different places on the court.
“[We] not only work on getting up shots, we work every day on ball handling, your passing, and also your defense. It’s a lot of opportunities here not only from an academic standpoint, but as a student athlete as well,” Brooks said.
Brooks said he pushes his athletes to go to different camps and to play AAU summer league to help them enhance their skill level.
Sophomore point guard Jenard Smith said he believes this will help him get a lot more shots up when the season comes next fall.
“I want to become more than just a persistent shooter. I want to be a deadly shooter,” said Smith. “This machine will help me out a lot.”
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Kristian Craig
Staff Writer
Douglass had their senior penning March 27 at The Gazebo in Warren. The pinning was about two and a half hours long.
The pinning was unique because all seniors had to kiss their mothers on the cheek.
At the pinning, Douglass had the Director of Boys to Men Wesley Ganson and Morehouse College President of Alumnus Franklin Wilkerson speak in front of all the seniors.
“Franklin Wilkerson gave all of us seniors a message which was if you fall you pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep on running,” said Douglass senior Brent Sims.
Sims said he enjoyed his time at the pinning because his mom and his friend were their.
Douglass senior Kaleb Oates said he thinks the senior pinning was tremendous success and he thinks that the parents the students and the staff had a wonderful time.
“The speaker was very encouraging mentioning the 10 facts for success that will help you in life,” said Oates.
Douglass senior Jalen Warlick said that the pinning was very organized and the breakfast was good.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
Diagnostic staffers share their favorite memories of the last four years.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Munthaha Mumin
Staff Writer
Detroit International Academy for Young Women held its fourth annual Black Girls Rock assembly in late February.
The Black Girls Rock assembly celebrates the underrepresented women of color, particularly African American women, who have made history and become successful. They have inspired the new generation for black girls and made them believe that if they try, they can accomplish anything.
The idea of celebrating black girls as a whole came from the 4-H members and DIA social studies teacher Sharea Ayers. Their idea was to show everyone that black girls have a lot more power and significance in the world than others think and that it is something very important to celebrate, especially in all-girls school where most of the students are women of color.
“I think that black women are represented in society negatively,” Ayers said.
This year, Black Girls Rock came up with a new idea. They included a performance of singing and dancing that consisted of students from the third grade all the way to the 12th grade. The colors that were incorporated in the celebration were purple, gold, and black, all of which represent feminine strength. There were even many awards and prizes given out, recognizing fellow students and teachers for their different contributions to the school and the community as a whole.
For the past three years there have been different speakers that shared their life experience and knowledge with the students of DIA. This year, the speaker was Detroit radio personality Tracey McCaskill. She gave sound advice regarding the importance of friendship between fellow women and self-esteem.
“Black Girls Rock taught me to empower women and that colored women should help each other and not be enemies,” senior Jessica Hogan said.
“The program encourages black women to do better in their community and in life,” eighth grader Christine Bank said.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Gregory Scott
Staff Writer
When Cody DIT sophomore Samuel Bessiake passed the McDonald’s on Joy Rd. at the Southfield Fwy. last month, he glanced at the sign expecting to see an ad for the dollar menu. He did not expect to see his name in lights.
Bessiake was the second student to be recognized. Freshman Tavon Hale, March’s Student of the Month, was the first student to have his on the sign. Both students were recognized for their academics and for displaying the school’s values of commitment, purpose and respect.
“It’s nice that someone is actually noticing my progress,” Hale said.
STEaM Coordinator Chad Segrist worked with McDonald’s store manager Lisa LeGrone in February to start a program of recognizing outstanding students by displaying a student’s name on their sign for an entire month.
“It gives a local business the opportunity to work closely with students in our efforts to create and transform the community,” Segrist said.
LeGrone said this program ties in well with the “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign McDonald’s is having right now.
“We were putting up loving messages, and I thought Student of the Month would be a great message to put back into the community to let them know what youth are trying to do over here in our area,” LeGrone said.
Segrist and LeGrone have also created a Behavior and Expectations Program to appreciate students’ efforts by rewarding students weekly with a five-dollar gift card good at any participating McDonald’s.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
Being accepted to Morehouse College is thus far my greatest accomplishment, but I have to say I’m pretty terrified of starting my first year of college in Georgia, far away from all my family.
No matter how excited I get about leaving for college I find myself struck with getting homesick. Moving away from home for the first time and adjusting to a college work load will both be totally new to me. Also setting up brand new daily routines might take a toll on me.
I’m starting to understand that things are going to be more real. I’ll be responsible for waking myself up every morning, washing my clothes, cleaning and even feeding myself.
I’ll have be more responsible and dependable now that I’m going to college. I have to deal with the fact that there won’t always be a teacher that’s going to go through their assignments with me on a one on one basis.
Sometimes, I ask myself “do I have the necessary skills I need to go to college?” Although I’m an outstanding student think I might lack the necessary social skills and confidence needed to be a successful all around college student.
That’s the cycle of thoughts that go through my head. But I know I will be alright. Right? I have to deal with the fact that I’m not a kid anymore, and will no longer be treated like one.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
You put your trash on the curb in the morning and you wait all day. Hours roll by, then days, and you pull your trash back in frustration. Another week without your trash being picked up and you are livid. Where do you complain? Who will make things better?
Just know you are not alone.
It happens often on my block in Cody Rouge. There have been plenty of times when my dad has to pull the trash back up the driveway still full. It’s really a problem for my family because we have a lot of trash. When the trash collector doesn’t come, the trash gets all over. The wind blows it all the way down the block.
We have a nice neighborhood. People take pride in their lawns. Poor Mr. Terry must be 90 years old, and his lawn and garden are perfect. It’s terrible to see him bending over to pick up notebooks from our house, Pampers next door, and kitty litter and dog stuff from across the street.
My neighbor, Shatyn Byrd, said it’s even a problem when the trash collector does come.
“When the trash man does come, he leaves trash everywhere on the street and the whole neighborhood has to come out and clean their yard,” Byrd said.
Detroit City Council voted last year to privatize class collection in Detroit. It wasn’t to save money; it was to improve the service. According to a story on mlive.com, Detroit’s chief operating officer Gary Brown said after the privatization about 165 city workers now pick up garbage. If that is the truth why isn't everyone's trash being picked up?
I love the idea of Detroit improving, but some neighborhoods are getting left out. It is frustrating putting out our garbage on time and it not being picked up on time. We do our part, but it seems city council isn't holding up their end of the bargain.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Diamond White
Staff Writer
East English Village sophomore Bryant Brewer is a striving for working hard for the Detroit Compact scholarship.
In order to receive the scholarship. Brewer must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average throughout his four years of high school and receive a 21 or higher on the ACT. Brewer has a 3.2 GPA and wants to maintain that for the next two years.
Math is Brewer’s favorite subject.
“Math is very simple and comes easy to me,” Brewer said.
Christopher Chinchilla is Brewer’s favorite teacher at EEV. Although, Chinchilla teaches history, Brewer said he enjoys Chinchilla’s teaching style and his relaxed attitude.
“Brewer is a hard working dedicated young man, who is goal orientated and extremely competitive with his peers,” Chinchilla said.
Brewer said he hopes to major in marketing in college. He hasn’t yet decided what college he will attends; however, he is confident his career in marketing will be successful.
Brewer said that he is very persuasive and “can just about sell anything.” Brewer said he would like to create and market one of his very own inventions.
Brewer is also a linebacker on the football team and plays small forward on the basketball team.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Amir Brown
Staff Writer
King senior Paris Dimick decided to take a chance and apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS) to cover the expenses for her college of choice. A friend of hers told her about the scholarship in the ninth grade and has been working toward it ever since.
“I applied because I can’t afford college and this is a great opportunity to receive funds so I took the time to fill out the application,” she said. “The application review was hard work, but I got through it.”
Each year, according to the Gates Millennium Scholarship website, the GMS program enables 5,000 students to attend from 800 of the most selective private and and public schools in the country, including Ivy League colleges, flagship state universities, UNCF member institutions and other minority-serving institutions.
“I was shocked and in disbelief that I had actually won,” said Dimick. “Everyone had encouraged me to apply but to literally win was a great thrill.”
Dimick has decided to attend Spelman College to study biology on the pre-med track.
“I’m grateful for having my teacher Ms. Monique Guest, an alumni of Spelman College, constantly encourage me to attend Spelman,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By DaJuan Webster
Staff Writer
Can you smell what the Class of 2015 is cookin’?
Douglass seniors, undaunted by the 37 degree temperature, boarded a bus to Belle Isle for the annual Senior Barbeque on April 24.
“I think it was a fantastic success, despite the frigid cold. I loved parading around Mr. Collins around the grill for warmth,” said Amanda Morris, Douglass teacher and senior sponsor.
The students, however, were focused on the food and games.
“The food was good, and we had fun playing roof tips and basketball, even though we lost,” said Douglass senior Kaleel Morris.
Seniors played three games of basketball, five games of roof tips, and a 3- minute game of catch while waiting for the burgers, hotdogs, and chicken to be served. Some students were given the option to bring their own food to put on the grill.
“I’m a steak man. I brought my own groceries to make sure I was well fed,” said Douglass senior Kaleb Oates.
(05/13/15 3:00pm)
By Jonathan Enyinnah
Douglass Orator Staff Writer
In the mid-1980s, journalism classes in Detroit were disappearing and kids were losing interest in the news. Jerome Tilis, then president of the Free Press, wanted to do something about it.
At lunch one day in 1985 with then-Detroit Public Schools superintendent Arthur Jefferson, the idea for the High School Journalism Program was born. Then-Free Press managing editor Neal Shine was also on board.
“I was at lunch with Superintendent Jefferson, and we were talking about how we find it sad that kids aren’t interested in reading newspapers, so we decided to start the journalism program to get kids interested in newspapers and, in general, reading,” said Tilis, who was president of the Free Press from 1985-1989.
“Journalism is one of the underpinnings of our society; without that, we would be in trouble. The world needs newspaper, the general media to keep up with the world,” Tilis said.
Tilis said he hoped the program would become one that would draw students and develop a love of journalism in them. He said he hoped journalism would be “... the class that you can’t wait to be in.”
To create a program that would endure 30 years, Tilis recruited help from others to finance the program.
“Companies like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler were excited to fund and help us to direct the project,” said Tilis.
Ford began supporting HSJP in 1987 and continues to this day, providing a grant to help run the program and annually awarding the top student in the program with a $24,000 college scholarship.
Tilis said he believes journalism is still a viable profession for today’s young people to consider. A student who is interested in journalism should be one who is curious, wants their interests addressed, and “can’t wait to get to that job.”
“My expectations for current and future journalists: tell the truth, push forward the facts, and let the people decide, don’t mix your opinions with the hard facts,,” Tilis said. “If you want to write an editorial, you can state your personal opinions, but when it comes to journalists, always state the facts, inform the people, inform the public, let them decide and come to their own conclusions.”
After working at the Free Press, Tilis went on to serve as Knight-Ridder’s chairman of sales and vice president of marketing. Tilis is currently retired and living in Florida.
“Right now, I have the best job I ever had, I am a grandfather, and I enjoy every bit of it,” said Tilis.
