Cass Tech's Cyars: 'I don’t want to allow my autism to limit myself and my possibilities'
(04/28/15 12:01pm)
By Kayla Cockrel Staff Writer
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By Kayla Cockrel Staff Writer
By Dervon Thompson and Abriana Walton Staff Writers
By Nathan Lymon Staff Writer
By DeVaughn Humphries Staff Writer Detroit Public Schools were closed for three days this month after a record-breaking storm on Feb. 1 left over a foot of snow. DPS lost a day to the weather in January, too, and now people are wondering if students will have to make up days at the end of the year. State Rep. Phil Potvin has introduced a bill in the Michigan House of Representatives to add three more days to the six days schools are allowed to cancel without having to make them up. ”It’s a fair number the way the snow has been coming in not only in northern Michigan but throughout the state,” Potvin said in an interview with MichiganRadio.org. That’s good news for Cody. Last year Detroit canceled seven times for the weather, but Cody and a many other schools were closed three times for power outages. The district added three days to the calendar in June. DIT English Aurelia Turner doesn’t think schools should have to make up days when the problem is a lack of city services. “I don’t think we need to have more days,” Turner said, “but we need to better manage the snow days we already have.” On the afternoon of the second snow day, reports from the city said the streets were plowed in a three-block radius of every school, but the next day DPS COO Mark Schrupp released a statement explaining why schools would be closed again on Wednesday. “The district’s decision to close schools tomorrow is based on the continued unsafe walking conditions (particularly impassable sidewalks) created by the recent historic snowfall,” Schrupp said. Sophomore Kianna Harris lives very close to the Cody campus, but she said the streets and sidewalks were still a mess when schools were finally open. “Leaving our driveway we were stuck in the middle of the street for about 20 minutes because the streets weren’t plowed, and neighbors were dumping their snow in front of other people’s driveways,” Harris said. Cody DIT sophomore Dominique Brown had to walk in the street to get to school on Feb 5. “It took an extra 10 minutes to get to school and I was late,” Brown said, “but I just didn’t want to miss any more school.”
By Terrell Brown Staff Writer It’s lunch time at Douglass, but where’s the meat? Four years ago, the Frederick Douglass lunch program started to have something called Meatless Monday, and now every Detroit Public School participates. DPS was the first district in the nation to have Meatless Mondays, according to DPS nutrition director Betti Wiggins. Wiggins and the DPS Office of School Nutrition are housed on the Douglass campus. Every Monday at lunch, no meat options are served. Instead, students can eat meat alternatives like grilled cheese, beans and yogurt. It all started because of first lady Michelle Obama. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website, “the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act [was] championed by the First Lady and signed by President Obama.” The act requires that a meat or meat alternative be offered at each meal. Though Meatless Monday meets mandatory provisions for protein, the growing young men at Douglass are not all happy about it. “I don’t like Meatless Mondays. That’s why every time it’s Monday, I bring my own lunch,” said Douglass junior Christian Baker. “I really wish they would get rid of Meatless Mondays for good.” Some students have mixed feelings, like Douglass junior Kamar Graves. “It’s very healthy and good. I look forward to Meatless Mondays,” he said at first. Then, “I really think Meatless Mondays isn’t that good, maybe because I don’t really like the stuff they give you that don’t have meat. The chili they have still seems like it has no meat.” The dissatisfaction with the chili may be because it doesn’t have any meat, just beans. The program is designed to acclimate students to lower fat, lower sodium protein sources, like beans. “It’s a very good opportunity to introduce a healthy entree to kids that’s not necessarily a meat protein, but delivers the same nutritional value,” Wiggins said. Since the inception of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, students across the country have been tweeting at #ThanksMichelleObama and posting shots of school meals with their comments, mostly negative or sarcastic. “Had a yummy lunch today, guys. Salami and mold,” tweeted @my_neeshaa this month. “Can you say, ‘cat food for lunch’? #ThanksMichelleObama Wish your spoiled children could eat this,” tweeted @trivolutiongame this year. “Yeah for school lunch? Meatless Mondays. What is this crap?” tweeted @conservRachel at the beginning of the school year.
Charnae Sanders graduated from Communication & Media Arts High School in 2012, but her reputation as a stellar student and the memory of her bright smile remains in the minds of many teachers, staff and students. Sanders, now a student at Central Michigan, participated in the High School Journalism Program at CMA and was a summer apprentice for the Detroit Free Press in 2012. “(The HSJP) gave me a platform on journalism, it definitely set it off, and it introduced me to different journalism skills, and taught me things I couldn’t learn in the classroom,” Sanders said. As a freshman at CMU, she jumped right into journalism, working her way up to senior reporter for the school newspaper and then managing editor of the school magazine. “I also worked in broadcasting for sports intro; this is the field I want to head in,” said Sanders, who attends CMU on the Lem Tucker Journalism Scholarship. Tucker was NBC’s first African-American TV network reporters in the 1960s and the first black student body president at CMU. Sanders also is someone willing to help current HSJP program participants—offering advice and speaking to Detroit Free Press summer apprentices in 2013 and 2014. Mentoring students is how she plans to continue to give back to her community and the field of journalism. “I’d love to talk to aspiring journalists,” Sanders said. “I want to work with students and tell them that they can follow their dreams and never forget where I came from.” By Dajae Everette, CMA Staff Writer
By Angelica Euseary, Renaissance Staff Writer Bowdeya Tweh is a man of many things: Renaissance High School Class of 2003 and Wayne State University Class of 2007 alumnus, dad, husband, sports fan. But he’s also a journalist. Not just any writer, but a development and design reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s funny,” he said. “I remember growing up, being interested in writing. Writing was going to be like a side career. It wasn’t until college when I generally believed I could be a journalist.” Journalism for Tweh started off as an elective, and he had no idea it would grow into his passion and career. He joined newspaper as a sophomore and had the opportunity to go to the Detroit Free Press as part of the High School Journalism Program. By his senior year, he was the editor in chief of Renaissance’s in0house publication, The Stentor. After graduating from high school, Tweh participated in the Detroit Free Press apprenticeship in the summer 2003. “The apprenticeship gave perfect preparation,” said Tweh. “I had responsibilities: writing, editing, and learning from some of the best journalists in the country. He came back to the Free Press as a Chips Quinn intern on the metro desk in summer 2007, and then as a part-time reporter on the metro desk from October 2007 to April 2008. “The program has done so much for me,” Tweh said. “I’m happy to know there’s a new generation who can benefit from what I did. Knowing that makes me happy.” For Tweh, being a journalist is a huge responsibility that he holds in his community. “You need people who are willing to tell you what’s going on, make a difference, and challenge authority,” Tweh said. “Seeing that in acting was the biggest lesson I learned from the program. It taught me to take my job seriously, and always do my best.” “Being a part of the Detroit Free Press High School Journalism Program feels great because of the experiences I’ve had,” said Tweh. “The program gave me friends, mentors, and future employers. I don’t know where I’d be without that.”
By Rayshean Jones Staff Writer
By Icis Shufford Staff Writer
By Kwanza Davis Staff Writer The Math Core Program at Pershing is enriching ninth graders and eleventh graders in the math reasoning skills to go on to higher mathematics. The program got started by giving students the option of being in a college ready classroom, which is called Emerging Scholars Program (ESP). “It (ESP) started because they wanted to give students the option of being in a university classroom,” said one of the ESP instructors Joseph Radcliff. “The math class is for students who are willing to work hard, have good attendance, and high standards.” The only type of students who are eligible for attending the program are students with good attendance, willing to work hard, and who have high standards. About 50 students are enrolled in the program. “I like the program because it helps for algebra, and makes up for all things you missed,” said ninth grader Tyrue Everett. Radcliff teaches his class chess to provide students with a interactive activity to learn about problem solving and critical thinking. “We started teaching and doing chess,” said Radcliff. “Chess requires critical thinking and problem solving. Math also requires critical thing and problem solving.” Before going into schools the Math Core Program started as a six week year summer program at Wayne State University for middle school and high school students in Detroit. “It (ESP) can benefit me in the future because, I can be anything in the future,” said ninth grader Trevon King. “You can do a lot in math. With math I can become anything in life.”
By Daisha Posey Staff Writer
By Ryan Thomas Staff Writer Many sports analysts announce games in the same way, never had their own style that separated them from one another. But Stuart Scott, an analyst for ESPN since 1993, created his own style in the way he announced sport games. He wasn’t just another sports analyst that would say the same thing as anyone else. He made the game more entertaining by the way he announced it and showed his enthusiasm. Scott died from cancer on Jan. 4; he was 49. Though he wasn’t one of the first African-Americans to become a sports analysts, he still left a major impact as an African-American analyst on sports journalism. “Stuart Scott was an amazing sportscaster,” freshman Myron Tate said. “I remember when he spoke during a game he always said funny phrases.” One of the many ways Scott showed his own styles was by blending hip-hop with sports. During his broadcast Scott would use many catchphrases such as “Boo-Yah!” and “He must be the bus driver cuz he was takin’ him to school.” He would use this style in order to attract young audiences to listening to him. After Scott began to have his own style other announcers began to do the same thing. “When you die, that does not mean you lose to cancer,” said Scott, when accepting the 2014 Jimmy V Perseverance award. “You can beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So live, live, fight like hell. And when you get too tired, (lie) down, rest and let someone else fight for you.” “It’s always sad when someone dies,” freshman Ernest Dixon said. “He truly was a great sportscaster.”
By Arianna Smith Staff Writer
By Jeanae Gist Staff Writer
By Miracle Chatman Staff Writer
By Ariana Taylor Staff Writer By high school, most students have written countless essay and presentations for Black History Month, and for some teens a redundant feeling is present during February. However, the city of Detroit offers a host of events to enliven and rekindle the meaning of Black History Month. Loads of activities and African-American inspired recipes at the Michigan cafe can be found at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. For a total of 20 days, the museum explores themes of African American history such as northern migration and civil rights roots. The exhibits run today through March 1. The PuppetART Detroit Puppet Theater and Puppet Center on 25 E. Grand River Ave. will host the show “Oh Ananse!” on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. The popular show takes a hip-hop spin on a West African story for kids. For $5 dollars per child and $10 per adult, the audience can hear about a little spider’s journey to spin all the stories in the world. PuppetART offers puppet making after the show for $8. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History continues it’s annual celebration of Black History Month with family activities through Feb. 28. Located at 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, the cost to enter the musenum is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. And now until Feb. 28, the Detroit Institute of Arts, on 5200 Woodward Ave., will not only have a renowned African art collection but families can enjoy activities such as making tambourines, creating snowflakes, or doodle art time for smaller children. The DIA is free of admission for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County.
By Angelica Euseary Staff Writer Journalism comes in many different forms and ways: articles, Twitter, and Facebook, which all just goes to show how much journalism is evolving. Journalism is a significant factor of society and it’s changing our world every day by gender, age and race. And now journalism is important to the black community, now more than ever. As an African-American journalist, I use my First Amendment right as much as possible through my words. And I try my best to give my community the best news and impact society like other black journalists have impacted me, like Marlon Walker from the Detroit Free Press, who went to Renaissance High School. Journalists like him give me hope and show me that my dreams are possible. Being able to write stories is my passion and giving the news to my community is something I love doing. “Black journalism helps give the black community a voice and the opportunity to be able to speak how they really feel about what is going on in society,” senior Jarae McCoy said. African Americans went from not being able to vote, with no rights, to having the freedom of speech and being considered just as equal as other races. With what has been going on with the “Black Lives Matter” movement, journalism for African Americans is prominent because it letting them speak their mind in such a crucial time in America. “Black journalism has inspired me in many ways and has shown me that I can have a voice and give people a voice even as a minority,” said senior Ariana Taylor, editor of the Stentor.
By Bobbie Stinson V Staff Writer
By Aniqua Nichols Staff Writer All across the country the month of February is known as a deliberate time to honor and recognize those who achievements and unselfish acts has made the lives of so many better. While the Osborn Educational Complex may have many that fit into that category, one person in particular who exceeds that description is Frank McGhee. “When he enters the building or a class where students may not be at their best, his mere presence encourages students to self check and improve” said OPrep teacher Dorian Evans. “Mr. McGhee,” as he is acknowledged at Osborn, is the program director at Neighborhood Service Organization, whose hands-on approach makes all that cross his path want to do more and do better. “Professional, cheerful, encouraging and motivating are just a few words that come to mind when one hears his name.” said OPrep teacher Judith D’Abreau. Tamika Merchant, a resource staff at Evergreen, said McGhee is “a professional at all times, and a man of many resources. He totally stands behind the mission and vision of NSO.” Since his arrival in 2002, McGhee, who graduated from Cass Tech, has worked at implementing programs that encourage and motivate youth to do and be their best. McGee has led his students to not only be brave but to also be positive leaders and role models in their community. Just last year, Youth Initiative Program ( Y.I.P) students launched their” Hugs not Bullets” campaign. In the campaign, youths addressed social issues mainly focusing on reducing violence in the community. “We pressed on the hugs not bullets campaign to encourage peers to avoid violence and to also be proud to make a stand against violence,” OPrep senior Britney Dobbins said. In addition to protesting against violence, McGhee also empowered his students to address social issues. In February 2014, students were having a hard time making it to school and home on time because the constant delay on DDOT buses. Instead of just complaining, McGhee helped Y.I.P students design a speech to speak out on the danger and setbacks the delay of buses was causing. After speaking out, Detroit Department of Transportability director Dan Dirks reached out to Osborn students to help tackle their issues. OPrep sophomore and Y.I.P member Valencia Wade said: “After attending the meeting with Mr. Dirks and sharing my horrible bus traveling experiences, I felt like that my voice had finally been heard. His seeing how passionate and involved my peers and I were about social issues, pushed him to help us.” Since then Dirk has committed to put more buses on the street. Mr. McGhee centered with Osborn Y.I.P members
By Bobbie Stinson IV Staff Writer Since October 2014, 13 MST students have given up their lunch hour, two days a week for five months to develop individual and group business plans. Throughout the summer of 2014, Andrea Jackson, Osborn-MST’s college adviser, and Regina Campbell, managing director, place-based entrepreneurship at Detroit’s Tech Town, and a group of Osborn-MST students conducted informal focus groups with businesses and residents. The class taught by Terrance Campbell, deputy director of the YOUR Center, focused on understanding attitudes and beliefs about whether a youth-driven entrepreneurship movement help Osborn transform into a healthier and safer community. After a visit to Tech Town in December, MST class president Imani Hill said: “My experience was great and challenging. I had the pleasure of having a good instructor — Mr. Campbell and good team mates Dejon Johnson and Ariole McNeal. We called ourselves the “O” representing our school Osborn MST High School. “Our business idea was a school spirit store that would sell items for students. By increasing the number of students who would be employed and learn how to run a business,” it was their intent to change the culture. “Reduce violence because students would be more engaged with a student centered and ran business verses negativity.”