Osborn: Knights fight to the finish
(02/25/15 7:42pm)
By Aniqua Nichols Staff Writer
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By Aniqua Nichols Staff Writer
By Kayla Cockrel, Cass Tech Staff Writer The Michigan State/Detroit Free Press High School Journalism Program has been shaping the minds of young journalist for more 30 years. Among the many students who made a career in journalism is Erin Hill Perry. Perry graduated from Cass Tech High School and went on to study print journalism at Hampton University. She later earned a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Journalism has not only been Perry’s job, it has been her constant, having committed her life to the pursuit of learning, teaching, writing, editing and directing. She not only participated in the HSJP as a student, she also served as its director from 2006-2012. “This profession keeps me honest, and it forces me to keep an open mind and to be as detailed as possible for the sake of clarity,” Perry said. “Doing these things have served me well in my personal life: what you see is what you get.” Since her days starting the CT Visionary at Cass Tech, she’s made a career out of working and teaching in journalism. If there is one central theme in Perry’s character it is the importance of education coupled with the will to learn and grow every day. “Great ideas can come from anywhere and anyone,” Perry said. “If you aren’t learning something new every day, you aren’t paying attention.” While Perry admits teaching journalism is a source of enjoyment, having spent many years as the director of the HSJP, her new career highlights the freelance side of journalism. It allows Perry the freedom to work on her own time. “Being my own boss and loving what I do blurs the line between work and play.” Perry said, “My extracurricular activities often fall in line with my professional life.” Perry is currently working as a ghostwriter, teaching as an adjunct journalism instructor at Wayne State University, and operating her own editing business. Perry does all of this while also preparing for her life’s next chapter. “I launched my editing service, www.ieditnred.com and now that my husband and I are expecting our first child in a few months, I’m delighted to be responsible for a little boy I don’t even know yet but who has already changed my life,” Perry said. “I’m in a good place.”
Detroit International Academy journalism adviser Christina Bell-Bowers has a unique connection to the High School Journalism Program. Bell-Bowers, who teaches English at DIA, was a student in HSJP at Mumford High student in the early 1990s under teacher Kathryn Seabron. Now she’s in the role of teacher at DIA, guiding her students through the writing and editing process. “When I was in high school, I was shy, and Kathryn Seabron helped me come out of my shell with writing,” Bell-Bowers said. “I always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little kid, but when I went into high school I thought about majoring in journalism,” said Bell-Bowers. “I wrote about soap operas and house women, or housemothers who watch soap operas. I wrote about current events, what was taking place in the school. We stuck to sports, senior class things, senior events.” HSJP was dramatically different when Bell-Bowers was a student. She said the program has changed due to technology. When she was in high school, they had to do a lot of fieldwork to make sure that they could find someone or documentation to back up their stories. “In high school, I was able to do my own layout, and when you get it, and you see it, and you put all that hard work into making sure it was laying evenly, you appreciated that paper more. Now when you get the paper, someone else has done all the work,” said Bell-Bowers. About seven years ago, Bell-Bowers found out the program was still in existence and tried to get in. “I didn’t think I would be back in the program years later,” she said. “Ironically, when I started teaching in DPS and found out it was still around, I tried to get involved and could not reach a contact person.” But three years ago she was able to start the program at DIA. Bell-Bowers’ program at DIA started as a club, but transitioned into a yearlong class at the start of the school year. By Kristian Craig, Douglass Staff Writer
By Jakobi Lundy-Bass Staff Writer
By DeAnna Howard and Ikeya Lake Staff Writers Cass Tech has introduced a new architecture prep program for high school juniors directed by the University Of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning In January, a select group of high school juniors from Cass Tech, Detroit School of the Arts and Western International attended an architecture prep course at the Michigan Research Studio in Detroit. In December, U-M had a grand opening at the Michigan Studio space inviting the students that will be attending the course, the principals from participating high schools and the head of the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at U-M. “I was excited about the program being announced because I knew I will be able to learn more about architecture,” Cass Tech student Shajnin Dristy said. The program will allow students to earn high school credits while learning skills and techniques in the class. The U-M program requires students that students be juniors. The results of completing the program successfully is a full credit of math and a half credit of visual and applied arts. The State of Michigan requires high school graduates to complete four years of math and the U-M architecture program satisfies the requirement for the fourth credit of the first semester. The class lasts from 8-11 a.m., Monday through Friday. “I want as many students as possible to join the program it will really showcase their talent as an artist,” Cass Tech counselor Sylvia Sanders said. Over half of the students admitted to the program have art classes at Cass Tech. “The program gives our students a great opportunity, I wish I could put more interested students in,” Cass Tech principal Lisa Phillips said. CT Visionary staff members Cameron Shakur and Aisha Begum contributed to this report.
By Isis Givans and Asia Wilson Staff Writers Now that the world has moved on to 2015, we must take the time out to recognize the legends and icons that were lost in the previous year. These wonderful people suffered unfortunate deaths. There were so many lost in the “Celebrity World” and they all deserve their recognition, but there are only few that are well known that had a national impact. Some of the most recognized faces that have died recently were comedienne Joan Rivers, actor Richard Attenborough, actor Robin Williams, actress Shirley Temple, actor Bob Hoskins, writer/poet Maya Angelou, actress Ruby Dee and wrestler James Brian Hellwig. Cancer has taken a few of our beloved stars: Actress Diem Brown, singer Joanne Borgella, actress Marcia Strassman, actor Meshach Taylor, and sportscaster Stuart Scott. Angelou was known for her brilliant poems and her literature material. Her work was about the American struggles of African American life. The words she spoke were inspiring and she was a singer/dancer in her previous life. She was 82 when she died in May 2014. Her death had an impact on the sophomore Skyler Coulter. “She was very important in poetry to African Americans around the world,” Coulter said. Scott is known for his sportscasting on ESPN. He died last month after a long battle with cancer. Scott delivered an iconic speech at the 2014 ESPY Awards. He was renowned for his sense of humor. “His death was unbelievable,” Sgt. Cumper said. “I believed that he had fully recovered and that he would yet again conquer cancer.” Williams was known for his appearance in many movies such as, “Mrs.Doubtfire,” “Night at the Museum” and “Jumanji. He died by suicide in August 2014. “He was a very hilarious actor and she devastated about his death,” senior Danisha Daniels said.
By Anika Chowdhury Staff Writer
By Katherine Pierce and Sierra Young Staff Writers A petition was started at East English Village by Taylor Ross, which advises Principal Murray to try to get a Subway in our school. The petition is small, but it is the first of many changes that the students wants as a whole. Ross started this petition after school started in September. His said he reason for starting the petition was to stop students from being able to the store and the vocational career tech students that go the store because they don’t eat lunch they have to get on the bus or it would leave them. The number of students that signed the petition was few, but as it continues more and more students are signing it, but until the finally count we do not know the exact number. There has been a spring of new health bills passed by president Barack Obama, which forces the schools to serve a full course meal that is nutritious and healthy. Ross said he guarantees that Subway will follow the new health guidelines because they claim to be a heart-healthy restaurant. Having a Subway in the school would cost money. Money that the school may or may not have. Business management and accounting teacher Junita Moton said she believes the school could not produce enough funds alone. The school might have to get sponsors to help fund the project. Sophomore Micah Pierce said he believes the project would not be able to happen. He believes the idea is irrational and doesn’t make any sense. On the other hand, Taylor believes that having a Subway in the school would bring a lighter atmosphere to the school because students will have healthier eating habits will could result in better behavior. Moton also agrees that the students would benefit from the petition as well. She also would want to have her students work the cash register so they could have a hands on experience actually working and counting money. Assistant principal Alice Galloway said she thinks the idea of a Subway is a good idea. She supports the petition and hopes that it gets approved by the principal.
By DaJuan Webster Staff Writer Douglass Academy chemistry teacher Larry Goodin loves to help people. In fact, he recently made the move from Gary, Ind. to Detroit just so he could work for Detroit Public Schools. But he might not be in DPS for long. He has another career goal. Goodin wants to help people beyond just teaching in a high school. He wants to become a lawyer. “I wanted to make a difference in the city and (be) where I could be the most effective,” Goodin said. But this isn’t the end of his allegiance to help the people that need his help the most. Goodin is in school currently to become a lawyer and start his own law firm. He is not going back to be a “big shot lawyer.” “I am going back to help the people that can’t afford a good lawyer,” Goodin said. Goodin will be graduating law school in the summer of 2016 from Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus.
By Damon Hogan Staff Writer Five Benjamin Carson students spent two days over the holiday break sharpening their building skills as part of the STEM Genius program, which offers K through 12 students opportunities to work on hands-on projects. Benjamin Carson students used team work and technical talents to build a motorized Ferris wheel out of Legos complete with moving parts — one of many STEM projects. Students Suma Taher, Neika Murray, Tayebah Chowdury, Mahbuba Miah, and Justin Mason are part of the JROTC program which partners with the Michigan STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Genius program to provide students opportunities with project-based learning. The STEM participants wanted to show fellow Benjamin Carson students something they were doing, to try to draw their attention to what STEM is about and to encourage more students to join them. “The Ferris wheel helped us understand that nothing can be done without teamwork,” Taher said. “All of the members of the STEM Genius program contributed in helping each other by working at our stations and coming together to make one great product." STEM Students meet regularly on Saturdays during the school year and are looking forward to the next competition in April. On April 18, each participating DPS school will gather at Western International High School and compete in challenges involving stability with underwater robotics and controlling air drones through obstacles.
By Diamond White Staff Writer
By Ricardo Murray Staff Writer The seniors at Loyola High School always have something on their plates, but that never stops them from serving and giving back to the community. Along with school, sports, work and other school and extracurricular activities, every Tuesday seniors have Christian Service. Each Tuesday, every senior goes to a different place and does community service. The seniors are assigned to places like the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Cass Community Social Service, tutoring younger kids, or at Gesu schools. The seniors usually serve for two hours each Tuesday. Service days start in early September and end in late May. The program is currently run by Theology teacher James Ryder. “This is a great opportunity for senior students to see how the homeless live, and it also helps boost the pride within themselves and gives them empathy towards the homeless and younger children,” said Ryder, who has been running the program for three years. Christian Service days started 40 years ago. The purpose was to have Loyola students develop the habit of serving and giving back to others, and developing them into ‘men for others’ (the motto for all Jesuit schools) before they go off to college. When the school year ends, every senior has to reflect on the year and write an essay about their experience. Also, the student who has done the most service work will get an award at graduation. Loyola High school has five goals for their graduates know as Grad at Grad, which are: religious, intellectually competent, open to growth, loving, and committed to doing justice. However, the goal most emphasized through Christian Service days is committed to doing justice.
By Sharneisha Morris Staff Writer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Intelligence plus character-that is the true goal of education.” In honor of his dedication to the Civil Rights Movement, people all over celebrate King, during the month of January. WSU held their annual tribute in honor of King on Jan. 16 at the Max M. Fisher Building. Every year, schools, administrators, and special guests from all over the Detroit area gather together to celebrate King’s legacy. Festivities included a poetry reading, singing performances, and acknowledgment of activists in the community. “I really enjoyed the poetry slam,” said senior Trisha Dunn. “It painted the picture of the black stereotype perfectly.” But the real highlight of the event were the keynote speakers. This year’s speakers were the authors of the urban bestseller, “The Pact,” Rameck Hunt, George Jenkins and Sampson Davis. They are three close friends who fought the obstacles of street life in Newark, N.J., making a pact to become successful. But this did not prove to be easy, with negative influences around and few positive role models. The odds were against them. After years of dedication, friendship, and hard work, these men now proudly wear the title of “doctor.” “I just feel that if I can be as focused and have a group of friends like they did,” says sophomore David Nathan. “ I can make a difference in my life, maybe in the lives of others too.”
By Nathan Lymon Staff Writer On Jan. 30, Douglass science teacher Mala Mirchandani held a memorial service for her pet bearded dragon, Rachel. A bearded dragon is a kind of reptile. Mirchandani and the students of the school miss Rachel very much. “Most of the kids were really nice and gentle with her, and although some of them were really scared of her, they began to really love her,” Mirchandani said. “Rachel was really a part of the family to us,”said Thorton Cain, a Douglass sophomore. Rachel has been around since Mirchandani’s days at Cass Tech, which was more than three years ago. “When I was at Cass, I used to use her for detention. If a kid was naughty in class, then they would have to stay to clean up her poop and give her a bath,” Mirchandani said. Some of the students at Douglass will remember her as a great friend. “I’ve had kids that were closer to her than others,” Mirchandani said. “I really believe that they will remember her as a pet with great value.” Mirchandani kept the memorial service upbeat with music, food and a slideshow. Still, some attendees were melancholic. “We had our lil’ times when we took pictures and all that,” said Cain.
By Kristian Craig Staff Writer JROTC units all over the world, not only at Douglass, have a 5K Run coming up April 25. The run is going to take place around the world. It’s for JROTC students, their high schools, the community,and JROTC alumni. The run is to commemorate the 99th year of Army JROTC, and the 49th year for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps JROTC Programs. This event will kick off the 100th year anniversary for 2016. The event is also an effort to set a Guinness World Record. “We're breaking the record for ‘most participants in a 5K run (multi-location).’ All we need is 101,247 runners to break the current record,” according to www.jrotc5krun.com on Feb. 12. Douglass sophomore Tyre Woods thinks there will be a lot of people that sign up to do the 5K run. “I think the 5K run is a good idea because you get to run and get good exercise in the process,” said Woods. “The College Options Foundation came up with the idea to do the 5K,” said First Sergeant Laverne Rush. The College Options Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education, especially those of military families and JROTC participants, according to the foundation’s website. Rush said the College Options Foundation funds many different things for the JROTC, so they are doing this so they can raise money for JROTC.
By Tristan Shaver and Monique Freeman Staff Writers In another first for Benjamin Carson High School, the members of the first graduating class are beginning to receive acceptance letters from colleges. As of early February, 75% have been accepted to college and the letters keep coming. Many students are also getting impressive scholarship offers. A number of students have total offers over $100,000. Several students have been offered full scholarships to Alma College. Senior Vicenta Vargas will be attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on a full tuition scholarship. “I am so proud of myself for being admitted to such an amazing university. I cannot believe that I am one step further in accomplishing all my dreams and goals,” Vargas said. While most of Benjamin Carson’s seniors are making plans for going to college, five students have very different plans — they will be joining the armed services and postponing college studies until after their military training. Ricardo Gelzaines, Jasmine Grant, Tyray Burnett, Robert Moore, and Angel Jones are making plans to go into various branches of the military. Because they have completed three years of JROTC in high school, they will be advanced to the rank of E-3 which will put them 12 to 18 months ahead of anyone without JROTC experience. They will already know how to do basic military movements which also helps them get into leadership positions. Petty Officer Douglas Williams has taught them for three years. “I’m very proud of them because they made their decision on their own,” Williams said. “I never tell a student they should join the military. I tell them they should look at their options and decide which route is best for them. “I have no doubt in my mind that they will go very far in the military because of the way they show leadership in class. I believe they made up their mind last year about joining the military because they all stepped up and were chosen to be on the staff here at Benjamin Carson.”
By Alayzjia Harris Staff Writer Is inappropriate when someone walks into a club with their favorite five-inch platform heels to party, then wake up Sunday morning, dressing in a suit, only to slip their foot into those same high heels going to worship at their favorite religious institution? Isn’t there a certain type of heel for every occasion? Some may think it’s quite disrespectful to go to church in platform heels. Aside from platform heels, stilettos aren’t exactly appropriate for church, either. Or are they? For some reason people look past the fact that the appropriate attire isn’t always worn. Maybe the saying “Come as you are” is misunderstood. According to substitute teacher Tiffany Blandford, “[a] more classic black heel appropriate for church” is the one with the strap around the ankle and pointy mid-heel is. Senior Karessa Murray, on the other hand, said she feels shoes don’t determine who you are, someone may have no choice but to wear that type of shoe. “It shouldn’t matter,” Murray said. Senior Marissa Flatt agrees with Branford. She says “I see more old people in the [that] type of shoe,” Flatt said. Junior Deanna Baldwin said “really tall and extra clubish heels” are stripper heels and should not be worn in church. But when high school students attend dances and parties, should they be prohibited from wearing these types of high heels to school events? What image does it portray for that young lady? “There is a certain type of high heel for every occasion,” freshman Yvonne Wright said.
[media-credit id=2 align="alignleft" width="267"][/media-credit] By Narcess Gates Staff Writer How would the world differ without respect? I think respect is the act of showing someone that you value their feelings and thoughts. Respect is a universal value that each person desires not only to embody, but also to receive. I feel like respect is not just what you say, but also the way you act. Showing people that you take their feelings and thoughts into consideration are ways to earn respect. I feel like consideration is a careful thought, typically given over a period of time. It is a way to let other people know that you respect them. When you show consideration towards others, it is a way to build up your respect to that person and yourself. If you demonstrate respect toward others, then others will respect you and your opinions. If you don’t show respect, other people won’t respect you. Respect begins with self-respect and then extends to the respect of others. Self-respect occurs only when you listen to yourself and place your opinions and feelings before others. I believe the more you value yourself, the more you are of self-worth. If you do not value your emotions or outlook, then who will. The issue of authority and respect has been and will be an ongoing issue between youngsters and their elderly. Respecting others is important in life, especially regarding friendship.
By Jasmine Jones Staff Writer
By Christopher Turner Staff Writer