The Park Summer 2014

SUMMER 2014

Getting to Know

DLow

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Jahlil Okafor Cliff Alexander Miles Reynolds & Tyler Ulis

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SOCIAL MEDIA Safety Tips

WELCOME LETTER

You are holding the very first edition of The Park magazine. On behalf of the Chicago Park District, I want to thank all of The Park staff, the industry professionals who worked with us and the True Star Foundation for their hard work on this publication.

Chicago is a unique and vibrant city with lots of fun and exciting opportunities for our teens. The Park magazine will highlight the good in our city and lead discussions on how to continue to improve the lives of teens in Chicago. You will get a behind the scenes look at the wide range of activities the Chicago Park District has to offer from performing arts to sports and the best summer jobs in the city. In addition, we want to provide meaningful community service opportunities required for high school graduation.

It is our mission to ensure you know of all the safe, fun and exciting things you can do in the parks. We look forward to getting your feedback and learning how we can create a teen experience that you’ll always remember.

Sincerely, Vaughn Bryant Chief Program Officer

CONTENTS SOUND OFF – NEWS / LIFESTYLE

6: Gang Banging by Kenya Wright, Voise Academy, Tilton Park 7: What is Violence? by Kiara Austin, North Lawndale College Prep, Franklin Park 8: Protect Yourself by Da’Quan Hampton, Little Black Pearl, Tuley Park 9: Youth Abductions by Jamila Jenkins, Northlawndale College Prep, Franklin Park 10: Social Media Safety Tips by Kiara Austin, North Lawndale College Prep, Franklin Park 11: Treating a Cold/Sinus Infection by Jada Simmons, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park

WELL-SPOKEN - CREATIVE WRITING

12: A Life in the Pen by Steven Short, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Don Nash Park 13: Wear The Crown by Tashira Ard, Collins HS, Altgeld Park 14: Get With This or That by Ta’Nasha Scott, Michele Clark HS, Franklin Park 15: Music by Steven Short, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Don Nash Park 15: Black Boy Fly by Steven Short, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Don Nash Park

STATUS UPDATE – ENTERTAINMENT

16 Getting to Know DLow by Yvonne Stevenson, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park 18: Spenzo: Ready For The Next Level by Tashira Ard, Collins Academy, Altgeld Park

FASHION MADNESS – FASHION

19: Designer or Nah? By Kiara Springfield, Michele Clark HS, Franklin Park 20-23: Fashion Pages

THE LOCKER ROOM – SPORTS

24: How Players Get Their Game On by Ashanti Wright, Roswell B. Mason, Fosco Park 25: The Blackhawks: Chicago’s New Pride by Chris Galloway, Kipp Ascend Charter School, Tilton Park 26 & 27: Minutes with Jahlil Okafor, Tyler Ulis, Cliff Alexander and Miles Reynolds

CODE SWITCH - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 28: Tips For Getting A Job by Yvonne Stevenson, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park 29: 5 Points To Help You Prioritize by Corinthian Collins, Payton College Prep, Augusta Park

PARK PROGRAMS

30: Kuumba Lynx by Steven Short, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Don Nash Park 31: TRACE by Jada Simmons, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park 32: ElevArte by Yvonne Stevenson, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park 33: Life as a Summer Lifeguard by Jada Simmons, CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park and DeAnna Randolf, Little Black Pearl, Tuley Park 34: Park Calendar of Events

PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PARK MAGAZINE CONTACT US: INFO@TRUESTARMAGAZINE.COM CHICAGOPARKDISTRICT.COM

TRUE STAR STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA MCLEARY & NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR MARTI PARHAM EDITORIAL COORDINATOR DEYSI CUEVAS, ASHLEY HILL AND JESSICA VACCO ART DIRECTION DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PHOTOGRAPHER DESHAUN “TRIG” ADAMS

CONTRIBUTORS

Central Region Student Editor: Ashanti Wright: Roswell B. Mason: Fosco Park Jamila Jenkins: North Lawndale College Prep: Franklin Park Ta’Nasha Scott: Michele Clark: Franklin Park Corinthian Collins: Walter Payton College Prep: Augusta Park Kiara Springfield: Michele Clark: Franklin Park Kiara Austin: North Lawndale College Prep: Franklin Park Kenya Wright: Voise Academy, Tilton Park Kodi Bouie: Al Raby: Franklin Park Tashira Ard: Collins Academy, Altgeld Park Chris Galloway: Kipp Ascend Charter School, Tilton Park Kaela Stovall: Tilton School, Tilton Park Da’Quan Hampton: Tilton Park

South Region Student Editor - Steven Short: Chicago Bulls College Prep, Don Nash Park Jada Simmons: CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park Deanna Randolf: Little Black Pearl, Tuley Park Tyra Panion: Gary Comer College Prep, Tuley Park Yvonne Stevenson: CICS Ralph Ellison HS, Dawes Park

STUDENT EDITORS

Ashanti Wright ROSWELL B. MASON: FOSCO PARK

Steven Short

CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP, DON NASH PARK

Special Thanks Mayor Rahm Emanuel Superintendent Michael Kelly Board President Bryan Traubert Board of Commissioners Chicago Park District Teen Committee Michael Scott Jr. Sabrina Stewart

SOUND OFF – NEWS / LIFESTYLE

GANG Banging

BY KENYA WRIGHT, VOICE ACADEMY, TILTON PARK

I

t seems like Chicago is full of funerals, but not a lot of graduations. Think about that. Even knowing this, people still take to the streets to gang bang. So, why is that? From what I know, people gang bang because they say they are going through something that they think no one else feels…that is until they go to the streets.

respect can be earned in better ways, and that gang life respect isn’t really respect at all.

So what can we do?

These streets are gang, drug and violence infested. They are filled with lost hope and others who feel the same way – like there is no way out, no better life. They believe that the streets are the answer to all their problems. It becomes a family to them, but not the kind of loving family they should be striving to have.

We need to start talking about this to our neighbors, friends, family and teachers, and encourage them to talk, too. If people would talk more and help each other through rough times, it might just change their mind about the streets. People are dying in the streets, getting killed just for what they think is respect. It’s a lot of people dying for something so easy. If you show respect you’ll get it back. Plain and simple.

Unfortunately, in Chicago, a lot of people grow up around the gang life and sometimes it’s all they know. They see their brothers, fathers, mothers, uncles and friends using gang affiliations to earn respect. These people sometimes don’t have the resources to point them in the right direction. They have no one telling them that

According to abcnews.com, there are 59 gangs in Chicago, over 100,000 gang members, and the average age for gang factions are the same age as me and you – 16 to 19 years old. If we don’t put an end to this now, no one ever will.

Let’s change this. We NEED to change this. Stop gang banging.

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What Is Violence?

BY KIARA AUSTIN, NORTH LAWNDALE COLLEGE PREP, FRANKLIN PARK

W

hen you hear the word violence what do you think of? Sometimes teens think violence is just guns and gangs. I think everyone should be aware of different types of violence and abuse so that they can recognize it when it’s happening, and hopefully put a stop to it.

Stopping violence and abuse starts with us – with all of us. We need to step up, help recognize it when it’s happening, and encourage peace instead of violence. Below are a few different types of violence and abuse that you, or someone you know may be facing. If you recognize any of these warning signs, please tell someone immediately.

Domestic Violence: Domestic abuse happens within a home. It is violent, aggressive behavior that can include physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal abuse. It is really important to recognize when this is happening, even if it is a mild case.

Bullying: Bullying, whether you think so or not, is a type of abuse. It can contain different forms of violence including: physical, emotional, psychological violence, and mental. This is very common among teenagers and we should all be aware of our words and actions.

“STOPPING VIOLENCE AND ABUSE STARTS WITH US – WITH ALL OF US.” Gang Violence: This is especially important in Chicago, where we hear a lot about gang violence and gang shootings. We need to be aware that this can be happening close to us, or to our friends and family. It’s important to not get involved in gangs. There are so many different gangs in the city who act like they are your “friends,” then they claim war over another group of “gang friends.” It may be hard not to, but do not get involved with these gangs. They are not really your friends.

Dating & Sexual Abuse: Violence in dating can occur verbally or physically. Do not let a boyfriend/girlfriend control your mind, your actions or your life. Recognize when something doesn’t feel right. Sexual abuse can happen not only within a relationship, but with outside people. Only you should be in control of your actions (especially sexually). If someone is forcing you to do something, that is wrong.

I hope this article has helped bring awareness about the different types of abuse and violence. If we all work together, we can make a difference!

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PROTECT Yourself

BY DA’QUAN HAMPTON, LITTLE BLACK PEARL, TULEY PARK

S

ex at a young age isn’t a good idea, but no matter what people say, teens will find a way to do what they want to do. If you do choose sex, choose safe sex. Besides teen pregnancy, there are also other important reasons to stay protected.

One reason this is very important is because a lot of teenagers are getting pregnant at a very young age. According to Chicagonow.com, for every 1,000 teens 15-19, there are about 41.5 births.

A girl can tell you that she is on the pill, and a guy will tell you he loves you just for sex. Think for yourself, and think smart. Don’t rush into the moment, and think over your situation before you do anything.

People think that just because you use protection that you can’t get pregnant or an STD. The only 100 percent foolproof way to not get pregnant is to not have sex at all. Condoms are the only methods that work against pregnancy and some STD’s. It only takes one time to have unprotected sex and get pregnant, or get an STD. Remember that STD’s can also be transferred through oral sex. Always talk with your partner before you have sex, and be honest about your sexual history. If you take the simple steps to protect yourself it will pay off for you and the people you love.

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Last but not least, get tested. If you are sexually active in any way, you should get tested right away. Go to your local clinic and get the tests you need to make sure you’re okay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 19 million new STD infections yearly. Another CDC report says that adolescent girls (ages 15-19) and young women (ages 20-24) are especially hit hard by the diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea. The best way not to get these diseases is to abstain from sex all together.

Remember, use protection, think smart and get tested!

1 IN 2

SEXUALLY ACTIVE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL GET AN

STD

BY THE AGE OF

25

MOST WON’T KNOW IT

Youth Abductions & TIPS TO STAY SAFE

BY JAMILA JENKINS, NORTHLAWNDALE COLLEGE PREP, FRANKLIN PARK

“DID YOU KNOW STATISTICS STATE THAT THE F.B.I. RECEIVES MORE THAN 2,000 MISSING CHILD REPORTS EVERY DAY?”

T

here are many crimes in the world; one of the biggest, yet most overlooked is youth abduction.

Did you know statistics state that the F.B.I. receives more than 2,000 missing child reports every day? That’s 2,000 yesterday, today and tomorrow. According to the criminal law, kidnapping is taking away or transportation of a person against that person’s will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority.

Abductions have become alarmingly high since the use of social media. According to kean.edu, “between 1995 and 2000, approximately 135 children were abducted or molested as a result of Internet contact.” Can you imagine, 14 years later in 2014 how high those numbers have become? There is no foolproof way to protect ourselves from all crime, but we can be cautious of our surroundings and make better choices.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe.

Tips To Staying Safe •Don’t post too much information about yourself on social media (location, age, address, phone number, etc.). These can all be traced whether you know it or not.

•Walk in a crowd of two or more people.

The buddy system is always the best system!

•Don’t go outside at night by yourself in open spaces (alleys, woods, and fields).

•Don’t trust any and everybody. Just because you may know a person doesn’t mean they won’t do something bad to you.

If you feel unsure about a person or situation leave immediately and tell an adult. You may not only be saving yourself, but you can be saving other people by doing the right thing.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Safety Tips

BY KIARA AUSTIN, NORTH LAWNDALE COLLEGE PREP, FRANKLIN PARK

S

ocial Media is a great way to connect with your friends and share stories and pictures, but it’s not always used for good stuff. Anything you post on social media cannot only be traced back to you, but it can have very negative results if you use it the wrong way. Use these easy tips to help you stay out of social media trouble.

1. Keep your personal business off of social media.

5. Think carefully before you post any pictures.

Keep it classy.

7. Don’t meet privately with anybody that you’ve only talked to online.

2. Don’t state your whereabouts. You don’t want people knowing where you are, where you live, or where you go to school.

6. Be responsible.

8. Never give out your passwords.

10. Be mature. Don’t gossip and/or use derogatory names on your posts.

13. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your teachers, parents or boss to see.

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4. Don’t friend or talk to people you do not know.

3. Never put your address, or even cross streets online.

9. Never point out your financial business.

11. Don’t put yourself out there to be known as something you’re NOT.

14. Don’t post family members personal information.

12. Don’t bring your problems to social media.

15. Don’t leave your social media sites open on public computers.

How to Treat a

Cold/Sinus Infection

BY JADA SIMMONS, CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK

O

h No! You woke up with a stuffy nose and a deep cough. Your throat is sore and your voice is starting to disappear. What is this feeling? You have developed a cold. With the seasons changing, germs are constantly in motion looking for new host cells. If you come down with a cold there are a few things you can do to treat it in the comfort of your own home.

• Keep your body hydrated. You can do this by drinking water, teas and juices such as orange, grapefruit and tomato • Take higher doses of vitamin C • Gargle with salt and warm water (to help with an itchy throat) • Take a hot shower • Rest as much as possible A lot of times people confuse having a cold with allergies and sinuses. Although they have many similar symptoms they are completely different. Sinus infections are harder to get rid of. Both problems can cause serious headaches.

According to Dialysis Nurse Renee McCoy,

you can tell the type of headache you have by bending over. “If you feel pressure at the top of your forehead it’s a clear sign of sinus pressure and you may have a sinus infection.”

Oftentimes, sinus problems will cause dizziness when moving around. Sinuses will cause your mucus to go down the back of your throat. It can also cause bad breath and a decrease in your sense of smell. Colds cause sore throats, sneezing and coughing. Instead of post nasal drip, it causes a mucus build up and stuffy nose. Both should be treated as soon as possible.

“An untreated cold can turn into pneumonia,” McCoy says. Pneumonia is the swelling of lungs due to bacterial infection. The lungs may fill with pus and solidify. Pneumonia makes it hard for oxygen to reach your blood, therefore making it dangerous and sometimes even deadly.

Colds may not seem serious, but they can turn out to be a serious problem. If you get a cold, make sure to wash your hands to kill germs. If you are starting to feel as though you are getting sick, plan a trip to your physician immediately.

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WELL-SPOKEN - CREATIVE WRITING

A Life in The Pen

BY STEVEN SHORT, CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP, DON NASH PARK

W

riting, an art like no other, requires time and true commitment to literally paint pictures with your words. A collaboration of imagination and vocabulary is the concoction known as writing. But just like many talents, everyone’s is different. Whether it’s plain words attached to college ruled paper, a college bound student is no better than the ink in his right hook.

So take a punch at writing. It requires time and dedication, but the outcome is often more than exciting. It’s addictive.

To really become a highly developed writer, I recommend studying your favorite authors/ writers to get a sense of where you want to go in your own compositions. Also, keep a pen and paper on you. You never know when the quill inside your ink filled mind will begin to run rapid.

“For me, growing up in school, I tried to take the simple writing tasks or assignments and turn them into something personal to build my interest and throw my full potential to the paper so that my work wouldn’t just end up as a result of an objective, but instead of effort,” says RedEye reporter Mick Swasko.

bring about a spark in your mind,” says Swasko.

“A thing like going over another person’s work, is that extra mile you need just to get your brain working again.”

Writing is a true work of art that not one canvas can capture. There’s a subtle realization that you discover knowing you can never be overly dedicated to what you love. So, be committed and take time to sharpen your skills.

When things like writers block completely interfere with your gold mine of thoughts, here are a few tips to overcome that mental barrier.

“I definitely love my job, and I feel like I couldn’t have made a better choice pursuing journalism,” says Swasko. “Just the fact that knowing many people can read my works and learn something from it really inspires me to keep going, and I feel that it is also the greatest benefit.”

“Simply just stepping away from it for a while or just talking over it with another colleague can

There’s more to writing then meets the eye; there is a foundation, future and more.

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Wear the

CROWN

BY TASHIRA ARD, COLLINS HS, ALTGELD PARK

T

ake charge and respect yourself. If you act like a lady, people will respect you for you, and not for someone that’s fake. Be yourself, wear the crown and take charge.

Getting Respect People say you have to give respect to get respect, but I say you have to respect yourself first. You should learn to trust yourself, then give respect to others. I think it’s hard for teens to learn to respect themselves. Wearing the crown means respecting yourself. Love that comes with pain is not respecting yourself. For example, bad love is like a disease, it comes with symptoms such as crying, pain and deep feelings of sadness. They say that love comes with a cost.

Every relationship isn’t perfect, but it shouldn’t be hurting or weakening you. Remember that you deserve respect. You should also know when to get out of a bad relationship or friendship.

I asked some of my classmates and teachers what they think “wear the crown” means: Briana: To earn respect in a relationship.

Diamond: To respect yourself and to be loyal to who you are.

Meme: “Wear the crown” is to be yourself.

Don’t follow what you see others do cause one day you will make it and they will still be in the past.

Ms. Brockly: “Wear the crown” means you have a lot of self-confidence. You are bright to follow; a natural leader. At the same time you treat your followers with respect and encourage others to find their own crowns too!

Quan: To be the man and take charge.

Shade: It means that you should be the lady you are, and to respect yourself and act like a woman.

Malik: You have the power to do anything, and that you have to take order of your own [life] and not anyone else.

Martin: “Wear the crown” means to me be in control. It means to be the person of authority; to be superior.

CJ: Don’t let situations get you down; to stay positive and happy.

As you can see teens and adults have the same thinking of what “wear the crown” means. They all expressed practically the same thing which was to take charge, get respect, and have control.

HOW WILL YOU “WEAR THE CROWN?” THE PARK 13

YOU CAN GET WITH THIS OR You Can Get With That

BY TA’NASHA SCOTT, MICHELE CLARK HS, FRANKLIN PARK

H

ave you ever had a problem you needed help with but couldn’t ask your friends or family?

Yep, we all have! Consider me a friend for the day, and talk to me about whatever you feel you need to talk about. I interviewed my classmates, ranging in age from 13-18 about problems they, or others, may be having trouble with. I hope you find my advice helpful.

Question: If you had the chance to choose between your mate or best friend who would you pick?

Advice: You shouldn’t have to choose between your best friend and your mate. You should give both of them the same amount of time, and listen to them both equally. You also have to realize that sometimes your best friend may get jealous because you are now spending more time with your mate, but you have to balance out the time.

If trouble arises, you may not want to spend time with either, because you may need a break away from them both, which is okay as long as you don’t do it to hurt their feelings. The best advice I can give you is to balance out your time with both your best friend and mate so no one will feel left out. Choosing between them shouldn’t be an option.

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Question: What do you do if you’re in an abusive relationship?

Advice: If you’re in an abusive relationship you should tell someone (an adult, friend, or teacher) as soon as possible. You must let someone know because you never know what can happen.

Whether it’s verbal abuse or physical abuse, neither should be taking place. Don’t keep letting the abuse go on because it can lead to more danger for yourself or others eventually. You may even want to try to talk to that person about talking to a counselor or someone to try to find out what’s wrong, because their behavior may stem from something that happened in their life that made them this way.

Please use these hotlines if you feel you, or someone you know, may be in an abusive relationship: National Youth Crisis Line: 1.800.442. HOPE (4673)

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1.866.331.9474

Black Boy Fly

BY STEVEN SHORT, CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP, DON NASH PARK

W

hat do you see when you look at me: My nappy hair, dark skin, piercings, tats, and saggy pants? Or maybe it’s the gun strapped to my waist that you believe I have, the weed you thought I smoked or even the rules you assumed I broke. I see a bright future regardless of lifestyles, because the best writers truly know never to judge a book by its cover.

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?” Tupac Shakur, a young African-American thug, went on to be a man of great reverence worldwide despite the “Thug Life” tatted on his chest, ring in the nostril, and bandanna wrapped around his head. When I see my brothers I see their past, present, and future. What they came from, where they are now, and where they want to be. But they’re too busy being judged on appearance and exterior instead of the content of their true character.

Some of us never lived life on the basketball courts because our shorts were too ragged from trying to shoot dreams instead of hoops or bullets. Artists, clothing designers, entrepreneurs, football players, basketball players, philosophers and politicians are not only what people don’t expect us to shoot for, but it’s what we’re actually aiming at in life.

Some of us want to spit bars but it’s too bad they’re already sitting behind them.

Music

BY STEVEN SHORT, CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP, DON NASH PARK I feel wrapped in the emperor’s new clothes.

Across roads where rows of gold cross at the crossroads of the heavens and a shake from the 7/11 Intertwined with God’s Robes.

Suitable to any mood I find Usable. Whereas I’m hopscotching on rainbows or rain blows across my face at the gates of Hell itself where my sane flows.

I feel it from the oxygen in my blood cells.

There my blood sells life to the melodic addiction feign known as my cerebrum, an epidemic to the mental state, an euphoria manifested by the soul and lifestyle in a simple tune that has no need of LSD or Ecs-tasy but best to be known as a trip drug taken through the Earlobes.

I pop in my Dr. Dre beats and bump those beats by dre on either sides of my ears today.

The art of lyrics and sound infuse it.

Let me ask you again. What do you see when you look at me: my nappy hair, dark skin, piercings, tats and saggy pants? Or maybe it’s the dreams and future I do have.

What do you get?

The Wonderful World of Music.

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STATUS UPDATE – ENTERTAINMENT

Getting to Know

DLow

BY YVONNE STEVENSON, CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK

I

f you don’t know who DLow is you must be living under a rock. He is the Atlantic Records recording artist who is the mastermind who created a new dance craze from a collection of dances that were already popular among the masses. He calls this infectious dance the “DLow Shuffle.”

A: Yeah, yeah. I got the DLow Shuffle Part 2 on the way. Just look for it.

I am a huge DLow fan because of his awesome dance skills. After getting the opportunity to do this interview my perception of him actually changed for the better because I got to learn more about his mission. He wants people to not only see him as the DLow Shuffle guy, but as a genuine artist. Read on to find more about his inspiration and his plans for the future.

A: I didn’t really write the song. I was actually in the studio and it just popped up in my head. I had a microphone and I just told them to play the beat and whatever I recorded, keep it, and we’re going to see if it sounds right to see if I have to go in and retake it.

Q: How did you come up with the DLow Shuffle?

A: The whole thing behind the DLow Shuffle was [creating] something new and something positive for Chicago; something [where] everybody can come together and have fun and be so happy and be energetic together. The inspiration behind it was my life situation and where I came from and I didn’t want that for anybody else or for them to experience the stuff that I had been through, so I just decided to do something to put a smile on their faces.

Q: Have you come up with any other dances other than this one?

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Q: Did you experience any problems while trying to find the right words when writing the song?

Q: Has anyone ever told you that you were not going to make it?

A: Yeah, yeah, I got that a lot. But that’s what made me push for greatness.

Q: What are your plans to further your career?

A: To be an artist. Everyone sees me as the DLow Shuffle guy, but I’m really an artist. I [have] songs, I [have] dances, I [have] stuff I’m investing in; the whole 360. My plans are to create more music that will impact people just as the Shuffle.

Be on the lookout for the DLow Shuffle Part 2. I’m sure it will make you move your feet just as much as the original dance.

“THE WHOLE THING BEHIND THE DLOW SHUFFLE WAS [CREATING] SOMETHING NEW AND SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR CHICAGO; SOMETHING [WHERE] EVERYBODY CAN COME TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN AND BE SO HAPPY AND BE ENERGETIC TOGETHER”

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Spenzo:

READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL

BY TASHIRA ARD, COLLINS ACADEMY, ALTGELD PARK

“Y

ou get out what you put in… work hard, have hope and faith,” says Spenzo, a young rapper from the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago. Spenzo has certainly done that, stemming from a YouTube sensation to releasing hit songs that are making their rounds and helping him make his mark. He’s putting in the hard work, keeping his faith and working hard to get to the next level.

“YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN…WORK HARD, HAVE HOPE AND FAITH,”

Spenzo isn’t just concerned with his music, he’s making sure to spread awareness about the violence happening in his beloved city. He says a lot of his music and passion stems from things he’s experienced already. Spenzo got his start in music at a young age, but it wasn’t until he was a little bit older when it became his passion. Spenzo grew up in a house full of music. He tells us his mom was in gospel music, and his pops was into ghetto house music.

“Growing up in a house with two parents who love music, you have no choice but to love it too. As I grew, I started to get passionate about music. That’s when I started to upload videos on YouTube,” he says.

Using the YouTube platform has really helped Spenzo get his music out there and put the songs to his name. Hopefully teens will take this message of using social media for the right reasons, and put their talents and passions out there to help make their dreams come true.

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Spenzo is armed with all of the right tools to take his career to extreme levels, and give hope to Chicago that there is still good out there. We hope to hear plenty more from him and can’t wait to see what his next project will be!

FASHION MADNESS – FASHION

Designer or Nah?

TRUE RELIGION SKINNY JEANS

$188

BY KIARA SPRINGFIELD, MICHELE CLARK HS, FRANKLIN PARK

A

ll you hear where I’m from is “Rocks, Trues & Robins.” Designer this and designer that.

Are those the only designers round? NOPE. We have many other designer clothes, and some aren’t even that expensive, but those seem to go unrecognized. Is that what we’re looking for? The things that cost more? I don’t think that should be our mentality.

Fashion is very important to teenagers. It helps them express themselves when they feel they don’t have a voice. However, teenagers have grown to care only about the way they look and the type of clothes they wear. We all wear different things though, so why is one thing better than the other?

Some people wear things like Rock & Revival, True Religion, Robin jeans, Levis and Burberry, which is fine, but we can’t all afford that. My point is, everything we wear doesn’t have to be expensive. Just because you wear something expensive doesn’t mean you’re rich. While you’re probably struggling, you have all this designer on when you could be doing way better with your money. It doesn’t hurt to be simple sometimes. Why is it that you feel you can’t just put on a pair of Levi’s with a plain shirt? It’s doesn’t get you anywhere to dress more expensive. The worst part is sometimes the money to get these clothes isn’t even coming out of your pockets!

VS FOREVER 21 SKINNY JEANS

$19.80 It could all be so simple if we stopped worrying about what others think of our clothes! Find your style, get comfortable, and I guarantee you’ll like what you wear no matter what the price. We don’t have to dress to impress each other every day.

When you wear these expensive clothes, you go all out, and for what? You just sit in your designer clothes for nothing. Instead of wasting your money on a $100+ pair of jeans and a $60 shirt, you can go grab something simple and save your money for something more important. You’d be surprised by how much money you can save, and what you can buy with it. If you have confidence, you can pull off any look you want, designer or nah!

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InstaSummer STYLE

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THE LOCKER ROOM – SPORTS

HOW PLAYERS GET THEIR Game On

BY ASHANTI WRIGHT, ROSWELL B. MASON, FOSCO PARK

H

ave you ever wondered why some athletes are more motivated than others?

Motivation can come from something as simple as your beliefs, whether it’s religion, or just something you strongly believe in. These beliefs help you rise to a higher power and give you the encouragement to strive for the best. Golden State Warrior point guard Stephen Curry does just this with his beliefs in religion – he is a devout Christian (someone who holds fast to the Christian faith, in word, deed and in the totality of their lifestyle). Curry has written various bible verses on his footwear. This simple act has helped motivate him on and off the court.

Another type of motivation comes from setting goals for yourself like making two 3-pointers, running five miles in a race, or getting straight A’s. San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a great example of this. He was a very weird but cool kid. He wrote a note to 24 THE PARK

himself saying what he would do in the future and it actually came true, exactly like he wrote in the note. He had set a goal when he was younger and had put in the hard work to achieve that goal. He motivated himself by setting goals and sticking to them.

Finally, one of the most important types of motivation is passion. Your passion for something is probably the main reason you do it, and you have to stay true to that. Jahlil Okafor of Chicago’s Whitney Young High School has this type of motivation. He is motivated because of his love for the sport and desire to become the best.

He is also motivated by making the money to buy some of his family members things they have always wanted as a thanks for raising him to be the man he is today, even without his mother.

To be successful, remember to set goals, stay true to yourself, and put your passion into everything you do!

The Blackhawks: CHICAGO’S NEW PRIDE

BY CHRIS GALLOWAY, KIPP ASCEND CHARTER SCHOOL

“IT’S THE BLACKHAWKS’ TURN TO SET THE STANDARDS HIGH AGAIN.”

D

o you realize we live in a world championship city? Whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, or hockey, there is a sense of pride that comes with that honor. Chicago has always been a great sports city, and now it’s time for the Blackhawks to shine.

It’s exciting to see how sports can help bring people together for the good. The Bulls, Sox, Cubs, and Bears won championships a long time ago, so Chicago has been craving a championship. Thanks to the Blackhawks, we got one, and are hopefully on our way to more. It’s exciting for them to be Chicago’s best team.

When you turn on the news you hear all these bad things going on in the city such as killings, shootings and other violence, but when you hear about the Blackhawks people get excited.

They are the only Chicago team that made it to the finals four years straight. In 2013, the Blackhawks set an NHL record of earning at least one point in their first 24 games, something that brought so much excitement and pride to our city.

You always hear about the Cubs not winning since 1905. The last time the Bulls won a championship was in 1998. The last time the White Sox won a championship was in 2005.

The last time the Bears won a championship was in 1986. Look at all these Chicago teams; they’ve won, but haven’t won in a while. It’s the Blackhawks’ turn to set the standards high again. The Blackhawks won a championship in 2010 and 2013. They may not have won in 2014, but they left fans with a lot of anticipation for next season. One reason the Bears, Cubs, Sox and Bulls keep losing is because all their players are old, or have existing injuries. The Blackhawks’ players are still in their 20’s, with many younger than 26.

People are becoming Blackhawks fans even if they don’t live in Chicago. I like seeing the pride that the Blackhawks bring to our city, and hopefully they’ll win another championship next year!

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ASK The Athletes I

n the world of high school basketball, Chicago has its fair share of talented athletes who are on the rise. The Park asked two questions to four of the Windy City’s top hoopers to learn more about who they are and how they think. Take a look at what they had to say.

Cliff Alexander CURIE METROPOLITAN HIGH SCHOOL

What’s your favorite high school memory?

“Playing against the No. 1 team in the country. We were down four, came back and won the game!”

What are your thoughts on the Chiraq movement?

“I mean, this is my city, I was born and raised here. I don’t condone the violence, but it is what it is; can’t do much about it. It’s either play basketball or gang bang, I chose to play basketball.”

Jahlil Okafor WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL

What’s your favorite high school memory?

“Winning the state championship this year in Peoria.”

What are your thoughts on the Chiraq movement?

“I don’t really like the word Chiraq. It kind of seems like we’re supporting the violence that’s going on. So, I like to refer to [the city] as ChiTown or Chicago. I think Chiraq is just people embracing the violence, which is something I don’t want to do. I pretty much do what I do on the court, try to be a good influence and shed some good spotlight on the city of Chicago.”

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Miles Reynolds WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL

What’s your favorite high

school memory?

“My most memorable moment of high school would be last year – my junior year. We went to the city championship against Morgan Park. It was a hard fought game and we were losing the whole way through until the final seconds when I hit a 3-pointer to tie the game. It went into overtime and we prevailed. We beat a really good Morgan Park team to win our first city championship in 15 years.”

What are your thoughts on the Chiraq movement?

“You hear a lot of rappers using it and saying, ‘Don’t come around here, and if you come around here acting crazy, you will pay the consequences.’ I don’t really like how they’re using the word. I don’t support the word. I’m perfectly fine with the word Chicago.”

Tyler Ulis

MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

What’s your favorite high school memory?

“The most memorable moment of high school was a game against Brother Rice. We were tied up in overtime; I got the ball, and dribbled the clock down. There were 10 seconds left...I got to the lane, did a little spin move, shot a fade away and won the game for us. The crowd rushed the stands.”

What are your thoughts on the Chiraq movement?

“It’s a lot of good, it’s a lot of bad. I try to stay away from the bad with the violence and killings and just focus on basketball. I stay in the suburbs, so there’s not much going on out there, but I try to focus on the good.”

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CODE SWITCH - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

THE 5 STAGES TO GETTING

A JOB

BY YVONNE STEVENSON CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK

Y

ou know the type of summer job you want, but do you know what the proper steps are to getting the job in order to make an impression on your potential employer?

STEP ONE: THE RESUME A resume is one of the most important parts to getting the job. Always make sure that your resume has all the jobs you have previously worked, your level of education and special skills. Carlos Valentin, employment specialist for Insituto del Progreso Latino, states that you should create an employment portfolio. “This is a folder that includes at least three copies of a well written resume, a cover letter, two references – one personal and one professional – containing no less than three and no more than five references.”

STEP TWO: WORK ATTIRE Once you get the interview do not wear jeans, gym shoes, or t-shirts. “Dress to impress,” states Valentin. “This means professional attire. It is recommended to dress modestly, not showing too much skin. Suits are preferred for both men and women, preferably in the tones of grays, blacks and navy blues.”

STEP THREE: BE ON TIME Valentin suggests arriving at least a half-hour before the interview starts so that you are not stressed out about being late. “This gives you 28 THE PARK

plenty of time to look for parking and go to the restroom to make sure one’s appearance is adequate.”

STEP FOUR: THE INTERVIEW Be expected to answer questions such as: What other jobs have you had? What influenced you to pick this job? The employer will be looking for you to answer the questions thoroughly and effectively.

Be mindful of your body language during an interview. “Sit up straight, no slouching, maintain eye contact and smile,” Valentin said.

STEP FIVE: AFTER THE INTERVIEW Be polite, shake their hand and thank the interviewer once the interview is over. Don’t be afraid to ask what the next step is to complete the process. Ask who contacts who and within what time frame. Be sure to send a “thank you” email to the interviewer too.

This is really all you need to know in order to be remembered and to have a great interview. Just follow these five simple steps and you will be on your way to getting the job you want.

5 Points To Help You Prioritize

BY CORINTHIAN COLLINS, PAYTON COLLEGE PREP, AUGUSTA PARK

•SET GOALS Make sure that you know exactly what you want and need to do.

H

ave you ever had so much to do that you just felt overwhelmed? We all feel that way once in a while, but we shouldn’t let it get the best of us. It may not seem like it sometimes, but there are ways to minimize those overwhelming moments.

Being able to prioritize is one of the greatest life skills that you could possibly have. It’s extremely important for you to learn these skills if you would like to consider yourself a “well rounded” person. Being able to balance your personal life, school, and any other thing that you have going in your life is great. Never allow yourself to stress because although you may not want it to, stressing will affect every aspect of your life. Being able to prioritize is not only good for teenagers, but adults as well. Balancing college, children, and your social life can be hard. Here are my five simple steps to help you prioritize:

•LIST IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE Find out which tasks are most important, and put them at the top of your list.

•ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS Make sure that you take away anything that won’t contribute to achieving the goals that you listed.

•DON’T PANIC OR STRESS Take everything one thing at a time. It’s okay to take a break once in a while in order to avoid panic. Turn on some music, or grab a snack instead of stressing.

•FOLLOW THROUGH Make sure that you’re making a plan that you will follow through with. Don’t make a plan that’s too hard to follow, but don’t make a plan that’s so easy you’ll forget.

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PARK PROGRAMS

Get to know Kuumba Lynx

BY STEVEN SHORT, CHICAGO BULLS COLLEGE PREP, DON NASH PARK

R

oses are red and violets are blue. People see red while others turn blue. Living in the murder capital, what do we know other than to shoot? To change the future is to invest in our youth.

Remember those kids in school who always had such a way with words. Whether it was poetry, rap, spoken word or whatever, they just had that extra gene of creativity that expressed itself through writing. There are now organizations in place to add to the development of that gift of creative speech.

Kuumba Lynx (KL), an organization with a mission of working to provide access to programs that preserve, promote and present urban arts and culture, as stated on their website, gives those children with special interest in literature that foundation needed to excel in the field of writing they have chosen. Mainly focusing on self-empowerment through historical acknowledgement in hip-hop and urban arts, Kuumba Lynx influences its youth to positively express themselves in words or motions they find suitable, while at the same time giving them public display opportunities that many may not have.

KL likes to emphasize the more important principles of hip-hop to mentally prepare the youth for the world as well. “…..The hip-hop, movement upholds such principles as knowledge, wisdom, resistance, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, peace, unity, love and respect.

Commercialization and mainstreaming, hip-hop too often works against the very roots of its original form by sending messages of superfluous wealth, misogyny, and violence: Detaching it 30 THE PARK

from its true essence.” KL does not brainwash the youth with images of frivolous spending, street smarts, and sexual themes, but it is to empower their minds with education beyond the classroom while they’re still easily influenced.

KL programs include art residencies and workshops, the KL Professional Dance Ensemble and the KL Performance Ensemble. For more information on Kuumba Lynx and its programs you can visit www.kuumbalynx.org.

TRACE:

HELPING TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY

BY TYRA PANION, GARY COMER COLLEGE PREP, DAWES PARK & JADA SIMMONS, CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK

T

RACE is a young creative activist group whose mission is to exercise their ability and shared experiences to create change within their local and wider communities. TRACE , which stands for Teens Re-imagining Art Community and Environment, is a job focused teen leadership program run by the Cultural Arts and Nature Department of the Chicago Park District.

Kimeco Roberson, program facilitator for the Chicago Park District and the mastermind behind TRACE says, “Trace makes a statement about the cause of change in the neighborhood in a positive way.”

“TRACE MAKES A STATEMENT ABOUT THE CAUSE OF CHANGE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN A POSITIVE WAY.”

TRACE provides study neighborhood issues at specific parks each summer and “TRACERS” are encouraged to use different forms of creative methods to express themselves, such as poems, spoken word and video. At the end of the summer, TRACERS are able to present what they’ve learned and put together during a festival. According to Roberson, TRACERS, “attend workshops to develop skills in certain art forms, and meet with local artists, kids and community leaders who concentrate on environmental and neighborhood concerns in their work.”

TRACE does accept applications for teens ages 15-19 interested in the program, but you have to do it early in the year. According to Kimeco, you

better your chances by “going to Chicago Park District website sometime in May and early April to apply [for] the summer [program].”

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The Art of

ElevArte

BY YVONNE STEVENSON, CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK

A

t ElevArte, art is considered a language, something universal that everyone can understand. ElevArte is also a safe space. “By safe spaces we mean youth feel comfortable expressing themselves. A space where youth feel they can truly be who they are through whatever form of art that they want to create,” stated Lizette Garza, Special Events and Youth Coordinator at ElevArte Community Studio. ElevArte is used to help manifest the possibilities of children becoming artists and a place for students to express themselves in a positive manner.

ElevArte has a lot of different programs for the youth based on what they like such as out-of-school time workshops, in-school time art residencies, and public engagement events. Professional artists teach all arts education programs and youth learn artistic and professional skills that are strengthened by their Each One/Reach One Mentoring initiative.

ElevArte’s in-school time residencies in visual and theater arts integrate core curriculum in science and language arts. Public engagement events provide opportunities to showcase ancient and contemporary cultural traditions and occur annually, including Dia de Muertos, in November and the We Are Hip-Hop Youth Peace Festival, an event that this summer takes place on August 9th.

Art is for everyone and getting people from different communities involved in the program is not always easy, but for ElevArte, no is not an option. By using word of mouth, ElevArte spreads the news of each and every program 32 THE PARK

with the hope that people will take action. “We go to different schools, we do recruiting,” states Garza. “It’s really just word of mouth. We do programming at other schools so that the students are able to hear about it and they want to be tied to it as well.”

When going a little deeper into the subject, it becomes clear that Garza is passionate about the organization and the students involved and that she believes ElevArte has a bright future ahead. “The future of ElevArte is, in theory, going to be a wonderful experience because children and teens will be able to use what they have acquired throughout the program to teach other youth.”

LIFE AS A

Summer Lifeguard

BY JADA SIMMONS, CICS RALPH ELLISON HS, DAWES PARK & DEANNA RANDOLF, LITTLE BLACK PEARL, TULEY PARK

S

itting in the hot sun all day surrounded by water may sound boring to you but to others, it’s life. Lifeguards save lives all the time. When you’re at the pool, you may not see the lifeguard in action or you may not be paying attention, but they do a lot of work in order to keep the pool safe.

Some of the expectations to being a lifeguard include being able to administer first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a lifesaving technique. They’re trained to respond quickly to emergencies. Lifeguards do this by remaining alert and using all senses while guarding. They are also in charge of making sure no one is running on the deck.

This is important because the deck is wet and if someone is running, they might slip and hurt themselves. Lifeguards are also in charge of cleaning the pool, cleaning the bathroom, and in some cases, running the food booth.

According to Ann Cordes, assistant manager of Beaches and Pools, “The lifeguard’s primary responsibility is to maintain the safety of all the people in the water.” Cordes has been a lifeguard for over 30 years and states that the

job comes with a lot of responsibility because “people are expecting you to help them.”

To become a lifeguard, you must pass the American Red Cross swim test. Some of the prerequisites include swimming 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing, treading water for two minutes using only your legs and completing a timed event within one minute and 40 seconds.

Cordes stated that rules are important for the safety of the patrons and that there are consequences to breaking the rules. “We try to explain the rules so they’ll understand why we have the rules in place. If they’re still breaking the rules we would probably ask you to leave as a last resort. We try to work with [attendees] to avoid that last resort.”

If you want to become a summer lifeguard, “you have to work hard, pass the test and stay in shape so that you can perform your duties a little bit easier. Just know that all those tests you have to take are worth it in the long run because the job is very rewarding,” Cordes said.

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