YOUTH MUSIC FASHION URBAN CULTURE BLOG
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMER 2015
26
22
12
37
SPORTS ISSUE
FASHION
THRU DA WIRE
8 CHI-TOWN’S FINEST IN SPORTS
26 WE LOVE SUMMER FASHION & FUN
42 CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY: THE PLACE
9 MORGAN PK: DWANE CAMPBELL /
32 A MANICURE NIGHTMARE
TO GO FOR PR
ETHAN DIRKSEN
33 WHY IS NATURAL HAIR A SECURITY
43 SIZZLING SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS
10 MORGAN PK & SIMEON: MARCUS
THREAT?
UNDER THE RADAR
LOVETT) / DION EARLS 11 WHITNEY YOUNG: KENNEDY HAYES / MCKINLEY NELSON 12 THE ONES TO WATCH: KEZO BROWN & CHASE ADAMS
REAL TALK
44 ACE DA VINCI
34 ANNOYING SOCIAL MEDIA USERS
44 DJ RAINN
35 CUTE OR TRASHY 36 THE KOREAN TAKEOVER
YOUNG LUV
37 MOVIES WE LOVE
45 7 HOT DATE TIPS FOR SUMMER
15 BOGAN & LINCOLN PK: NE-KYA
TECHNOLOGY
TEEN BIZ
REAVES / NATALIA BADGER
38 KHYRIE ALLEYNE DEBUTS SELFIEFAZE
46 CRACKING THE CODE
13 OGDEN: NICHYRIA BYRD / MAYA LILLY 14 KENWOOD: SLOANE WILLIAMS / JACK LOY
16 T.F. SOUTH & MT CARMEL: MADALIN
46 CELL PHONES IN GLOBAL ECONOMY
GIVING BACK
TILTGES / MARQUISE PEGGS 17 HALES FRANCISCAN:
47 BIANCA PERRY & BBANDS 47 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
39 KAOS FOUNDATION
MILTON WORDLOW 18 THE OTHER CAREERS IN SPORTS 19 THE IRVIN LEGACY CONTINUES 20 SPORTS JOURNALISM 101: ADVICE FROM THE PROS 22 CHARLES MATTHEWS: TURNING
39 LADIES OF VIRTUE 40 CHICAGO BOYS HEALTH FAIR
INSIDE & OUT
40 RED CLAY DANCE COMPANY
48 WHAT’S YOUR CONCESSION
41 THE HISTORY OF THE BUD BILLIKEN
STAND PICK?
PARADE
49 UNDERSTANDING AN ACL INJURY
STRUGGLES INTO SUCCESS
50 DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE: MENTHOL IS
23 DJ WILLIAMS: PLAN “A” ALL THE WAY
DANGEROUS
24 LUWANE PIPKINS MAKES HISTORY FOR BOGAN 25 PICTURE PERFECT TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
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True Star Magazine is produced by Chicago area youth through apprenticeship programs to celebrate the voice of today’s young people.
EDITOR’S LETTER TAYLOR MIGGINS FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK
Executive Directors J. Na-Tae’ Thompson & DeAnna McLeary-Sherman Managing Editor Marti Parham Art Direction Design and Illustration Angel D’Amico-Bauer Copy Editor Alicia Haywood Promotions Manager DeShaun Adams Special Projects Manager Philistine Thompson Web Content Manager Joi Mitchell
Summer is a time for warm weather, vacations, bright colors, and unforgettable memories. It’s also the time for True Star’s annual Sports Issue. Chicago is a city full of talent, and the category of sports is one of our talents that definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. This issue will highlight some of the city’s best teen athletes in a broad variety of sports including Marcus LoVett, Ne’Kya Reaves, Kezo Brown and Chase Adams. For sports lovers with future goals, there are profiles on careers in sports that don’t require you to be an athlete. And if you’re not into sports, there are others things in this issue that might spark your interest. Our fashion section, beginning on page 26, displays some of the popular summer trends, as well as a story about the dramatic side of professional manicures, and an eye-opening article about the challenges of having natural hair. In the Real Talk section you’ll find articles about annoying social media users, the recent Korean Pop takeover in America, and classic movies we love. Our Tech section introduces you to entrepreneur Khyrie Alleyne – creator of SelfieFaze – and in Giving Back there are profiles on organizations meant to provide different activities for youth. This is great for teens looking to do something over the summer. If you’re interested in the field of public relations check out the Chicago State University article on page 42. On the next page get a preview of the summer blockbusters coming to theaters near you. Our Under the Radar section highlights Windy City producer/MC Ace da Vinci, and DJ Rainn. The Young Luv page gives tips on hot dates for the summer that are pleasing to your pockets. Make sure you check out our Inside & Out section to learn about ACL injuries and the myths about menthol and cigarettes. We hope you like this issue, and please be sure to have a great summer! PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRUE STAR MAGAZINE Letters to True Star • 1130 South Wabash • Suite 302 • Chicago, Il 60605-2717 Letters become the property of True Star and may be edited for publication. EMAIL soundoff@truestarmagazine.com
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WWW.TRUESTARIS.COM 6 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
Web Content Assistant Henry Collins Marketing Assistant Daneisha Goodman Street Team Dashika Adams Tiara Bradley Kayla Edwards Allen Jackson Damerius Johnson Jaylen Jones Ricky Powell Deandre McCottry Teron McGhee Deandre McMillen Amarie Ramsey Jason Redd Tonyae Tolliver Editorial – Morgan Park Instructor: Marti Parham Assistant: Christine Goggins Andrea Alcantar Leonia Blockmon Coriana Brown Jalisa Brown Davora Buchanan Kayla Edwards Jessica Jackson Kayla King Kyra King Lyric Knowles Jameah Lawson Triniti Maye Taylor Miggins Kiah Nason BreNae Scott Makela Vaughn Kayla White Editorial – TF North Instructor: Alicia Haywood Morgan Colvin Michael Johnson Damika Jones Ciera King Jessie Williams-King T. Chayil McMullan Skye Simmons Brianna Trice Cyara Ward Freelance Editorial Instructor: Alicia Haywood Christopher Brown Jocelyn Cain
Andria Childress Kayla Crittle Kaylynn Harris Lillian Holden Shreese Richardson Tyrese Staches Mina Waight Digital Media – South Shore Int. College Prep Instructor – Shelby Brown Zoe Blackburn Tamara Carter Tamia Dodson Donneshia Dunning Camron Griffin Bianca Henderson Lawanda Hollis Brianna Jordan Deja Lewis Micah Loudermilk Imani Manson Tyrone Tolliver Olivia Tunstall Akalynn Upshaw Editorial – TF South Instructor – Evan Moore Nahshon Kelly Jr. Precious Saffold Ericka Mitchell Antaisia Farmer Courtney Shepherd Radio Broadcasting Chicago State Instructors – Trey Da Choclit Joc & Bionce Foxx Hezekiah Demari Basemore Darius Brown Jasmine Brown Jade Evans Morgan Hall Khiya Harris Reginald Kidd Mychael Kimbrough Julian King Jasmine Reynolds Holiday Riley Omri Robinson Eric Wilson Karmin Wright
CONTRIBUTORS 1. SHOULD PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES BE HELD TO A HIGHER MORAL STANDARD THAN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN? 2. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO STAY ACTIVE THIS SUMMER? 3. DID MRS. OBAMA’S “LET’S MOVE” CAMPAIGN HAVE ANY EFFECT ON YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW? 4. DO YOU THINK COLLEGE ATHLETES SHOULD BE PAID FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR SCHOOLS? 5. SHOULD IT BE MANDATORY FOR ATHLETES TO COMPLETE FOUR YEARS OF COLLEGE BEFORE BEING DRAFTED?
STEPHANIE BOOKER
SOPHOMORE GWENDOLYN BROOKS COLLEGE PREP GRAPHIC DESIGN 1. I think athletes should be held to a higher moral standard than the average citizen. They have fantastic physical abilities, but often do not have the necessary, let alone basic, knowledge needed for a productive life outside of athletics. Some athletes do not have good morals. For example, many spend their money on unnecessary luxuries. 2. Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign affected me personally because I learned facts regarding the importance of nutrition and daily exercise. 3. College athletes should be paid for their contribution to their schools, because they are representing their schools in a positive way, and they may even attract attention to the schools. 4. It should be mandatory for athletes to complete four years of college before being drafted because a college education is essential for an individual’s success. Athletes still need to learn the basics of financing and to grasp the core subjects. 5. This summer I will stay active by regularly walking to my classes and work sites around the University of Illinois campus. I will also make an effort to go to the recreation center that I am offered a pass to attend regularly.
TONYAE TOLLIVER
SOPHOMORE AURORA UNIVERSITY STREET TEAM 1. No, they should not be held to a higher moral standard than average citizens. People want famous people to be like them, so having someone with the same morals is a positive thing. It makes them more relatable. 2. Yes, the Mrs. Obama campaign did have an effect on me. During my years of high school, I was eating healthier, becoming more active after school, and participating in different activities that involved moving. 3. Yes, I do believe college athletes should be paid for their contributions to schools. They are bringing in a lot of revenue and to not be able to partake in where the money is being spent is not fair. 4. No, I think they should continue with their education while being drafted because they will have a back-up after their years in the league or if they don’t make it. 5. To stay active this summer I plan on walking more instead of driving/taking the bus. I will be spending a couple of days out of the week at the gym and joining a sports team.
KAYLA CRITTLE SOPHOMORE DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE FREELANCE EDITORIAL
1. I do not believe an athlete should be held to a higher moral standard than the average citizen because we are all equal. It does not matter if the person is an athlete. Anyone is capable of doing good or bad. We should all be held to a higher moral standard. 2. I personally have not been affected by the “Let’s Move” campaign because of private school, but I do know CPS students who have experienced a [healthier] change in their lunches and vending machines. 3. College athletes should not be paid for their contribution to the school because that is saying that they are more significant than the other students. Academics and performing arts are equally as important. 4. I think that it is important for an athlete to finish all four years of college. A career-ending injury can never be predicted, but if it does happen, that athlete has nothing to fall upon. I also know that school is tiring for most, but there is nothing more respected in this world than being a wise adult. 5. This summer, I will stay active by spending time outside with my family, friends, and dog, and avoiding too much time indoors.
TRINITI MAYE
FRESHMAN MORGAN PARK SOUTH SIDE EDITORIAL 1. Yes, professional athletes should be held to a higher moral standard, but to a certain degree. They play as role models to the youth and they can donate to those in need. They win championships for the city they play for which brings money to that city, but professional athletes should not be held above the law. 2. Yes, it made me think about the unhealthy food I was eating. Unfortunately, I didn’t stick with eating healthy food. 3. Yes, I do think college athletes should be paid for their contributions because they earn money for the schools. They play and win the games that bring money to schools, so they should get a cut for their efforts. 4. I don’t think it is mandatory for athletes to complete a full four years of college, but I do feel the extra time helps to improve some athletes’ game. 5. This summer I will be going to the tennis court and practicing for the upcoming year. I will also practice for soccer and softball with hopes of making it to the team.
CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIS JUNIOR CICS RALPH ELLISON TRUE STAR RADIO
1. I don’t think that professional athletes should be held to higher standards. No matter who they are they are still human. 2. Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign didn’t have an effect on me. 3. I do believe that college athletes should be paid for their contributions because they are over 18 and college athletics should be different from high school. 4. I do believe it should be mandatory for college athletes to complete four years because if you have your degree, and you sustain an injury and can’t play anymore, you have a back-up plan. 5. I will stay active this summer by working on the air with True Star Radio and playing baseball.
SPORTS ISSUE
I T S E IN
F S ’ N W TO
I H C INLEY
BY MCK
S T R O P S N
H NG HIG U O Y Y ITNE
L
SCHOO
OR, WH
, SENI NELSON
THE ANNUAL TRUE STAR SPORTS EDITION IS BACK! EVERY YEAR OUR TEEN STAFFERS PRODUCE AN ISSUE FILLED WITH THE CHICAGO AREA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES IN ALL OF OUR NATION’S SPORTS. IN THIS ISSUE WE ASKED KEY QUESTIONS OF OUR ATHLETES TO GIVE OUR READERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY LEARN ABOUT EACH ATHLETE’S SUCCESS, BUT ALSO GET TO KNOW EACH OF THEM ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. TRUE STAR CONTINUES TO BRING YOU THE HOTTEST SPORTS FIGURES AND HOTTEST STORIES. TWO OF OUR PAST SPORTS ISSUE COVER STORIES SHOWCASED LOCAL TALENTS WHO HAVE GONE ON TO THE NBA. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE ATHLETES ON THESE PAGES, BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE – YOU CAN SAY YOU READ ABOUT THEM IN TRUE STAR.
8 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
DUANE CAMPB SPORT: BOWLING &
BASEBALL (CLOSING
ELL, JR.
PITCHER & OUTFIELD ER) SCHOOL: MORGAN PARK GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: BENEDICT COLLEGE
BY DAVORA BUCHANAN, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL Why did you pick baseball and bowling as sports to participate in? I was 4 when I picked baseball. Dirt and running was a fascination of mine at the time, and to see it as a sport was even better. My father is a bowler and I went with him to bowling. Then I found myself taking interest in it. Describe the best game you have ever had. It was when I was 13 in East Moline, Illinois, and played baseball for Jackie Robinson West. The bases were loaded and I came up to a bat and hit a 360-ft. grand slam. What makes you a unique athlete? My ability to play any position in baseball makes me unique. I don’t let anything frustrate me or get me down. I am able to keep my emotions controlled both when it’s going bad and going good. What would be the best advice given to you and by whom? “You’re only as strong as your mind,” by my late Uncle Henry and “Exercise your mind and you’re the strongest man alive.” What is your pre-game ritual? A quick conversation with my late Uncle Henry and to start on a piece of gum.
ETHAN DIRKSEN
NIS SPORT: TEN PARK SCHOOL: MORGAN GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: GRINNELL COLLEGE BY TRINITI MAYE, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL Who’s athletic style do you mimic and why? Definitely Roger Federer. He plays the game so well and the reason he’s been able to play for so long is because of how he plays. I like his style compared to other players too. What makes you a unique athlete? I would think it is how quickly I can learn to pick up a new concept and that occasionally I’ll try to pull off shots that I don’t regularly practice. Has there ever been a time you felt like giving up? Around last year I was doing pretty poorly in school and because of that, it was affecting my tennis as well. I had no motivation to do anything and I wasn’t satisfied with anything. It didn’t look good for me, and I wanted to give up because nothing was going my way. But eventually I got my stuff together, stopped slacking and pulled through it all. What is your plan B if you decide not to pursue a tennis career? I want to major in computer science, so probably something in that field. What advice would you offer someone who looks up to you? Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate improvement, or if you think you’ll never get something right. It takes a lot of patience and trial and error to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Practice is the only way to perfect it. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 9
T T E V O CUS L
MAR
ARD) (POINT GU L L A B T E SK SPORT: BA GAN PARK SCHOOL: MOR GRADUATION: 2015 RSITY COLLEGE BOUND: ST. JOHNS UNIVE
BY KYRA KING, JUNIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL Who is your favorite player of all time? Allen Iverson. I liked the way he played and how much energy he brought on the floor and how he looked like he was having fun on the court. And I liked his style. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given and from whom? The best advice I was ever given was from Coach Nick Irvin, and he told me “be yourself out there on the court.” What is your ultimate career goal? To make it to the NBA and help out my family. But if that doesn’t work, my plan B is to become a coach or a trainer and help kids to follow their dreams. What would you say is a mantra you live by? Go hard or go home. What’s been the best game of your athletic career so far? I was a freshman and it was the sixth game of the season. I scored 57 points and was 20 for 26 that night.
SPORT: BASEBALL (MIDDLE
INFIELDER) & FOOTBALL (R
UNNING BACK) SCHOOL: SIMEON CAREER ACADEM Y GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
DION EARLS, JR.
BY KAYLA WHITE, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL When did you choose the sports that you play? My father got me started in sports at an early age. I started football at the age of 4 with the Chicago Cardinals. Later I went to the Ogden Park Vikings and finished my grammar school days with the Windy City Dolphins. I started my baseball career with Jackie Robinson West and won back-to-back state championships and fell just short of going to the Little League World Series. Is there anything special about the number you wear? Usually I wear number 20 for Barry Sanders, but I had got 32 this year because of uniform problems. In college I am considering wearing number 2 for Demarius Reed or 20 for Barry Sanders. In baseball, number 3 for religious reasons (for the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost). What do you plan on majoring in college? I am still deciding [if I want to major in] physical therapy, sports broadcasting, counseling psychologist, or theater. Do you believe you have any weaknesses? If so, how do you make up for them? All my life I have been considered undersized. I love when people doubt me. It just fuels my determination and motivation. When I wasn’t receiving the credit I deserved it felt like I wasn’t doing enough. My father told me that I’m going to have to give it my all if I want this with no outside distractions. So I bought into his system, and if it weren’t for him I would’ve just been a quitter. I ended up making All-State [in football] and finishing my last high school season on a good note. What advice would you offer someone who looks up to you? I would tell them that hard work pays off and respect goes a long way. 10 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
KENNEDY HAY
ES
SPORT: GOLF SCHOOL: WHITNEY YOUNG GRADUATION: 2018 COLLEGE BOUND: UNDECLARED BY KAYLYNN HARRIS, SENIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL What do you love about golfing? I love how peaceful and calm the sport is. It really relaxes me, especially being outdoors. I just love the game itself. My mom put me in a program when I was 7 or 8 and I’ve just stuck with it since then. Who is your No. 1 supporter? My mom is definitely my No.1 supporter, and my brother, he golfs as well. They really encourage me to do better and support me at as many games as possible. Do you have any rituals before or after tournaments? Before tournaments I get an orange Gatorade and a pack of peanut M&M’s. Is golfing something you will continue to do for the rest of your life or pass on to your children? Yes, because I enjoy playing so much and I strongly believe more African-Americans should become involved in golfing since it is so few of us being represented. Do you plan on having a career in golfing? If the opportunity presents itself then yes I’d take it. But, I’m not planning on it.
N O S L E NLEY N
MCKI
ARD) (POINT GU
SKETBALL A B : T R O P S ITNEY YOUNG SCHOOL: WH GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: XAVIER UNIVERSITY
BY CYARA WARD, JUNIOR, T.F. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL What sports do you play? I started off playing basketball and baseball (T-ball) around the age of 3. As I got older, I dropped baseball and picked up tennis. Once I got to high school though, I just let tennis go to focus on basketball. What are your weaknesses and how do you make up for them? My height definitely, but I just try to use my weakness to my advantage. Since I’m the smallest, I want to be the fastest and dribble the lowest so no one can get the ball from me.
Tell us about a time you felt like giving up? I’ve actually experienced that often during my junior and senior years of high school basketball, but quitting is taking the easy way out. Pushing through and persevering was a challenge and I accepted it. What do you plan on majoring in at college? Sports management. Who would you put on your All-Star team? That’s a hard one. I’m a huge Derrick Rose fan so he’s a no-brainer. LeBron obviously, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, James Harden. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 11
THE ONES TO WATCH BY JALISA BROWN, SENIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL & KAYLA CRITTLE, SOPHOMORE, DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE
I
It usually takes years to make a name in basketball, but two freshmen guards are making an early spark. From being scouted at a very young age to playing on the varsity level, Marquis “Kezo” Brown, of Simeon Career Academy, and Chase Adams, of Marion Catholic, have turned the saying “age is nothing but a number” into reality. While most young, talented individuals take advantage of their fame, it is everpresent that the athletes view their talents as a privilege rather than a right. When asked how it felt to get so much recognition at such a young age, both players say that the experience is “humbling,” but at the same time, they know they still have more to prove. Brown’s goal is to remain on track. “You never know what your future holds. I’m remaining focused and humbled. I try to make sure I appreciate the current moments.” Adams appreciates the recognition and sees the challenge ahead of him. “It’s a great honor,” he says. “I have peers within the city who are extremely talented, so I know that these four years will be challenging, but I look forward to it.” As for his freshman year, Brown says there have been obstacles when it came to playing against some of the best players in the nation. “I had to play against Jalen Brunson, Marcus LoVett, Luwane Pipkins...the best of the best. But, I took on the challenge, my coaches believed in me, and it was a great experience for me.” Freshman year has been a learning experience for Adams as well. “It gave me a lot of experience on the varsity level. It wasn’t my best year with basketball, but I needed it.” Both athletes have a great deal of drive pushing them to perform at their best. As a smaller player, Adams is sometimes overlooked, but he doesn’t care about that. “Many people believe that being undersized is an automatic disadvantage,” says Adams. “I’ve learned [to] just laugh at it. When I was [younger] I used to get extremely mad, but I learned to channel it, and just go into the game with it. … My size results in both offensive and defensive advantages [because] of my speed… and my ability to get after the ball.” According to Brown, his drive for the game comes from his father and the loss of his grandparents. “My father … played basketball at a high level… and he just tells me to keep working hard,” he explains. “I’m motivated by the 12 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
“EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE COURT I GO MY HARDEST.” - KEZO BROWN deaths of my grandmother and grandfather. I play the game in remembrance of them.” Brown hopes for basketball success to help his family leave the Englewood area. “Every time I step on the court I go my hardest,” he says. “[I just want to move] my family out of the hood, out of [the Englewood] area, out of Chicago; basically ‘cause I want them to live better and never [work again].” The two guards have the same goal of making it to the state championship and being in the McDonald’s All American Games. Their long-term goal is to make it into the NBA. Although Adams and Brown’s ambitions are the same, their thoughts on the past differ. Earlier this year, Adams had to deal with the death of his older brother Drake, and he says that if he could change that he would. When asked how his brother’s death affected him, Adams says, “It pushed me, because at the same time, I had to remember everything that he would tell me. I’m not on my own because I have my dad, but sometimes I felt like I was lost. I know that a lot of stuff he would tell me is in the back of my mind, so I just have to dig and find it.” Adams lives by his brother’s words: “It’s bigger than basketball.” He wears Drake’s name on his wrist in remembrance of him and for support. Brown had a different response to the past, he says, “everything happens for a reason, and he leaves “everything in God’s hands.” However, his team’s failure to win city or advance to the state championship has motived him for 2016. Because of the loss, he vows to train harder for next season. Even though these two basketball prodigies are freshmen, they are favored to have great high school careers filled with high expectations, reaching their goals, and many more accomplishments.
“MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT BEING UNDERSIZED IS AN AUTOMATIC DISADVANTAGE. “I’VE LEARNED [TO] JUST LAUGH AT IT.” - CHASE ADAMS
LE JUMP)
D R Y B A I R Y H IC
N
T
HIT (OUTSIDE L L A B Y E , VOLL T GUARD) IN O P ( L L SKETBA L OF CHICAGO O O H C S L A N SPORT: BA IO EN INTERNAT SCHOOL: OGD GRADUATION: 2015 IS: EDWARDSVILLE COLLEGE BOUND: SOUTHERN ILLINO BY MINA WAIGHT, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL How did you get involved in the sports that you do? I got involved in track because during my freshman year in high school everybody was doing it so I just decided to do it. I got involved in basketball in grammar school (5th grade) and I got involved with volleyball my freshman year in high school as well.
0&
FIELD (10
How do you balance academics and sports? Well, I try to get a lot of my schoolwork done right after school or during school whenever I can. My lunch period is almost an hour so whatever work or studying I have to do, I try to do it there. Or, after practice I’ll have a couple of hours to do some work. What is your ultimate career goal? My ultimate career goal is to make it to the 2020 Olympics for the triple jump. Besides that, I want to create my own business. Not really sure what kind of business yet though.
Of the three sports, which one do you like the best? I like track the best because even though you are running against others it’s not just about being in first place. It’s about being better than the last time you were on the track and that motivates me to push myself and be better.
SPORT: BASKETBALL (SHOO TING GUARD/SMALL FORW ARD) SCHOOL: OGDEN INTERNATIONAL SCH OOL OF CHICAGO GRADUATION: 2017 COLLEGE BOUND: UNDECLARED
RACK & ER) AND T
TRIP Y, LONG & A L E R 0 0 2
What makes you a unique athlete? I really do have a positive attitude and I really do try to push people to do their best and try hard in everything that they do. Also, I take criticism and turn it into something else because, you know, everybody can’t take criticism. So, when someone criticizes me, I turn it into a goal to do better or perfect it.
MAYA LILLY
BY BRIANA TRICE, JUNIOR, T.F. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL What do you do during basketball’s off season? For me there is no off season. I have a travel team. My school season goes until about February and my travel team training starts up right at the end of high school season. So I never really stop playing. It’s my activity. Could you tell us more about your travel team? It’s an AAU team called Flow Basketball Academy. We go to different parts of the state and sometimes out of state. This year, we’re going to Ohio for a tournament. It’s a huge exposure league for colleges and stuff. At the games for my travel team, there are college coaches in attendance. A lot of my teammates, including myself, are trying to get recruited. At one tournament, there are over 400 coaches coming to watch us. Over 400 teams play in the tournament from different parts of the state. How far do you want to go in your basketball career? Definitely a goal of mine is to make it to the highest possible level. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I have to go to the WNBA, but there are also leagues overseas like in Europe and Asia. A lot of the WNBA players are recruited by those leagues before they go [to the WNBA]. I can just play overseas after college and I think I would be really happy with it. Do you have a college in mind that you want to attend? My dream school is the University of Notre Dame. Not only do they have a really good basketball program, but they also have one of the premier academic programs. I know there are a lot of options there for me to study. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 13
SLOANE WILLIAMS
NIS SPORT: TEN D ACADEMY SCHOOL: KENWOO GRADUATION: 2018 COLLEGE BOUND: UNDECLARED
BY MINA WAIGHT, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Describe the best game of your career. My best win would have to be the finals of the USTA Midwest Level 4 Tournament at Deer Lake Athletic Club in Clarkston, Michigan, playing against Victoria Chang. Three sets were played and the tension was extremely high. The score was 1-6, 6-3, 13-11. The tiebreaker was the most nerve-wrecking set, but the majority of the rallies were just back and forth all around the court. Each time she won a point, I won the next, then she won the one after that, and so on. In the end, it was me that came out on top, with my fourth tournament win in a row. The winning streak definitely didn’t stop there, but that was one of the most difficult matches I’ve played since participating in tournaments again. What college do you plan to attend? I haven’t really looked into colleges yet, but I plan on looking into them sophomore year in high school. I would like to major in something involving either literature, law, or art. Tell us about a time when you felt like giving up. When I was 12, I didn’t understand why my friends always went places and had fun and I never could. I thought tennis was a burden, and I only wanted to be like other girls. My parents talked to me about it and I realized you have to make sacrifices sometimes to get better, and for things you love. What are your weaknesses and how do you make up for them? My weakness is my backhand, but I make up for it by coming into the net and volleying. What’s the best advice your coach ever gave you? I always get priceless advice from each of my coaches, but I never reveal it to anyone.
BY MINA WAIGHT, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL How did you get involved in the sports that you do? I technically started mixed martial arts before I legally could, but I found it to be my secret talent. I got involved through my brother who has done a variety of sports, generally involving hurting another person.
JACK LOY
SPORT: MIXED MAR TIAL ARTS SCHOOL: KENWOOD ACAD EMY GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
What do you plan on majoring in? I’m planning to major in psychology and becoming a doctor. Ironic since I’m really good at hurting people right now. What is your ultimate career? My ultimate goal is to have a big house, big family and at least two cars. In the worst-case scenario, my plan B would be a big house, big family and one minivan. Who is your biggest supporter? My No. 1 supporter is myself. I’ve never had close ties to family. My family doesn’t back my “sport” but they don’t oppose it either. My friends are around, but generally they don’t exactly cheer for me. I’ve been on my own mostly when it comes to support, but I like it that way and I think I’m better on my own. What advice would you give someone who looks up to you? I would tell them a person’s most useful strength isn’t a head full of knowledge, but a loving heart, an ear ready to listen, and a strong hand ready to help. 14 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
BY LEONIA BLOCKMON, JUNIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH
NE’KYA REAVE SPORT: BASKETBALL
SCHOOL What’s the best game you’ve ever played in your career? When I went downstate this year we played in the final four. I hit three really big shots. Even though we lost, it was still a really good moment for me. There were so many people who said that we were not going to get there. I was just happy we got down there to show everybody who we were.
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(SHOOTING GUARD) SCHOOL: BOGAN GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE
Since you’re a senior, what advice do you offer your remaining teammates? I tell them all the time about teamwork. That’s the big thing. They should just have good teamwork and chemistry. That’s the reason why we got downstate this year, and if they just continue working together and not try to do everything for themselves, then it should be no problem for them to go downstate and achieve anything. What are you planning to major in? Kinesiology. What is your ultimate career goal? I would want to be an athletic trainer professionally for the big league. What’s the best advice your coach ever gave you? To work hard. Even though I’m not much of a scorer, I score, but there was always somebody scoring more than me, and at one point in time I was like, “I’m not scoring. I’m not scoring.” My coach said, “No, but you work hard.” That’s how I got accepted into the colleges that I’ve gotten into so far. That [advice] just helped me with a lot of things.
NATALIA BADGER
(MIDFIELD) R E C C O S : T SPOR RK SCHOOL: LINCOLN PA GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
BY KAYLEN KING, SENIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL What makes you a unique athlete? I am a very good defender, meaning I don’t let the ball get too close to the goal when they try to score. I’m also a good leader. I was the team captain for two years. I like to take charge. What do you do during your off season? During my off season I like to box and play chamber music. What is your ultimate career goal? I want to be a doctor in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army. Describe the best game of your career. It was about a year ago in a game against Chicago Bulls College Prep. My coach took me off goalie and put me in the midfield. I made my first goal ever, and I made two more goals that game. Who’s athletic style do you like enough to mimic? Hope Solo who plays on the National Women’s Soccer team. She’s the goalie and plays really rough. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 15
MARQUISE PE
GGS
BY LYRIC KNOWLES, JUNIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL What do you do during your off season? I don’t really have an off season. Football ends in November and track starts in January, so I’m in season pretty much all year around. The month of December I’m either resting or doing little workouts.
SPORT: FOOTBALL (C ORNERBACK) SCHOOL: MOUNT CARMEL GRADUATION: 2015 COLLEGE BOUND: YALE UNIVERSITY
Does your jersey number have any significance for you? In high school I wore number six because that was what I was given as a sophomore and I wanted to keep it all three years of varsity. Since no one else wore it, I wanted to make a big name associated with a unique number. Who is your biggest supporter? My mom because she has been by my side longer than anyone. She believed in me when I did not believe in myself. She does not miss games and tries not to miss track meets. Tell us about a time when you felt like giving up. Freshman year my coach didn’t let me play that much. I wanted to quit football but my mom and one of my coaches persuaded me to try to attend one of the varsity workouts that winter and from then the sky was the limit. I showed that I was legit by being able to compete and hang with the older guys. What’s the best advice your coach ever gave you? The best advice a coach gave me was to lead by example and to not let anyone outwork me. Your performance is based off your work ethic and when it’s time it will show.
MADALIN TILTGES
WLING SPORT: BO SOUTH SCHOOL: T.F.. GRADUATION: 2016 COLLEGE BOUND: UNDECLARED
BY NAHSHON KELLY JR., JUNIOR, T.F. SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL Do you see bowling as your main focus or just for fun? I see bowling as a big part of my life. I wouldn’t say it’s the most important because school is the most important thing in my life right now and graduating, going to college, and getting a career, but it’s a major part of my life. As the bowling team’s captain, what are some things that you do? You get to show the team what they can do and you have to be respectful towards other teammates. You have to show them leadership, respect, and sportsmanship. Once you learn sportsmanship, respect and treating others the right way, you can take that on later in your life, not just when you’re playing the sport. Describe the best game of your career. It actually happened in February. I bowled a 300, which was 12 strikes in a row. It was exciting. What are you planning to major in college? I want to be a teacher. I might go into special education, but I’m undecided at the moment. What’s the best advice your coach ever gave you? Follow your dreams, and if you want something you have to work for it because it’s not just going to happen. 16 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
N O T L I M
W O L D WOR
RD) OINT GUA P ( L L A B T SKE SPORT: BA AN ES FRANCISC SCHOOL: HAL GRADUATION: 2017 COLLEGE BOUND: UNDECLARED BY DAMIKA JONES, JUNIOR, T.F. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL Describe the best game of your career? As a sophomore I had the opportunity to play on our varsity team. We played a game for the super sectional championship versus Uplift [Community High School]. We were down and my coach put me in the game. I was able to put us up by one. Although we lost the game, the level of intensity was a good feeling. What do you like to do outside of sports? I love writing short stories based on my life experiences or even someone else’s. I learn more about myself through writing. I’m able to put myself in the shoes of others and learn how it would be difficult to handle certain situations.
What is your ultimate career goal? My top career goal is to become a communication engineer or maybe I’ll pursue a career in writing for companies like ESPN, BET, or for magazines. What are your weaknesses and how do you make up for them? That’s easy. I’m not vocal enough. I had to learn that as a point guard you have to keep your team involved during the game, which means talk the floor. So now I huddle my team at center court for a quick chat. What local team makes you go harder during competition? St. Rita makes me go hard. I think even before I played in the Chicago Catholic League we were rivals. So of course, someone wants the bragging rights.
CONGRATULATIONS! TRUE STAR WOULD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT YEAR TO PAST-FEATURED ATHLETES WHO HAVE GRACED OUR PAGES AND GONE ON TO FIND SUCCESS.
JAHLIL OKAFOR - 2015 NBA Draft… USBWA 2015 National Freshman of the Year… Named 2015 ACC Player of the Year by the conference coaches… WON 2015 NCAA Championship at Duke.
JABARI PARKER - NO. 2 Overall Selection in the 2014 NBA Draft… Power Forward for Milwaukee Bucks.
JEWELL LOYD - NO.1 in WNBA Draft… 2015 ESPNW National Player of the Year & ESPNW Midseason National Player of the Year… Left Notre Dame to declare early for the 2015 WNBA Draft… Drafted to Seattle Storm.
DARIUS DAY – Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 23rd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft. CLIFF ALEXANDER - Completed freshman season at the University of Kansas for the Jayhawks on their 2014-2015 team. Declared himself eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft.
TYLER ULIS – NCAA 2015 Final Four at Kentucky. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 17
THE OTHER CAREERS IN SPORTS NOT EVERYONE HAS THE NATURAL ABILITY TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IF YOU LACK THE SKILLS BUT ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT SPORTS, THERE IS STILL A WAY TO MAKE THE ATHLETIC INDUSTRY A PART OF YOUR FUTURE. THE FOLLOWING OCCUPATIONS ARE PRIME EXAMPLES OF WAYS TO INVOLVE SPORTS IN YOUR LIFE AND EARN A LIVING.
James Capers NBA REFEREE
BY MCKINLEY NELSON, SENIOR WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL
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here are many ways to make it to the NBA. Players are just the focal point. People tend to forget about the individuals who even make the game possible, the referees. James Capers, veteran NBA referee and Chicago native, says, “Making it to the NBA as a referee takes just as much skill as it would take to play in the NBA.” After years of high-school basketball officiating, the NBA scouts recruited Capers.
Jason Campbell
ENTREPRENEUR, FOUNDER OF BRAND B SPORTS BY KAYLA CRITTLE, SOPHOMORE, DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE
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place to offer athletes more than exercise and physical therapy may sound unrealistic, but that place is, in fact, real and has been for three years. Brand B Sports is a brand and image management company for professional athletes founded by Jason Campbell.
Campbell created the company because of his love for sports and mentoring. While working for Swish Dreams Education and Sports Foundation, Campbell says that he took pleasure “When you first get called into the professional field, they put you in the NBA in giving advice to the athletes, which he later realized influenced them greatly. Development League,” says Capers. “From there, you just have to show them you’re Campbell says, “I used to talk to the pro athletes about consultation. That had an capable of being on the big stage.” Capers is currently in his 20th season in the impact on them, and as a result, I pivoted from Swish Dreams to Brand B Sports.” NBA. Prior to this year, he has officiated 1,110 regular season games, 67 Playoff Campbell also gives a lot of credit to his former college, Florida A&M University, games and three NBA Finals games during his career. which he says has a great business program. Brand B is offered worldwide exclusively for professional athletes. The company offers services like image Officiating, especially at a professional level, isn’t as simple as blowing a whistle. management, media training, and financial advisement. And although Brand Capers, a Hales Franciscan and NIU graduate, says, “We train in the off season just B only caters to professional athletes, Campbell says he mentors many college as players do.” athletes on his own accord. For aspiring referees, Capers believes education is important. “It’s not mandatory you have a degree to be an NBA ref, but these days you need a degree with anything you do. It certainly wouldn’t hurt anything to have one.” When asked about his most controversial call, Capers says, “I’ll never forget this. I was officiating a Golden State game and I called something on Monta Ellis. There was a big reaction from the crowd and a bunch of other people. I have watched that play over and over and still to today, I think I made the right call.”
As far as future endeavors for Brand B, Campbell is looking towards expanding and offering services to any athlete who needs it. He says the ultimate goal of Brand B Sports is to get the sports arena to look at the status quo. He says, “Athletes are the CEO of their brand and should take ownership.” Campbell’s advice for youth looking to pursue a career in marketing is, “your skills will set you apart from everyone else, and networking is paramount.” Whether or not you choose to find a profession in marketing or business, this advice can be used as a mantra for all career paths. Visit brandbsports.com to learn more.
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The Irvin Legacy CONTINUES BY JALISA BROWN, SENIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
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he late great “Godfather” of Chicago basketball, McGlother “Mac” Irvin, Sr., is known for creating one of the most prominent athletic club programs in the country – the AAU, which he started in 1992. Irvin died in 2011 but left behind a sports legacy. Now the AAU team, which is named Mac Irvin Fire, is run by his children. Mike Irvin is the Fire’s CEO and “Mac” Irvin, Jr. runs the Lady Fire. All of Irvin Sr.’s children work with sports in some aspect, but mostly in the field of basketball. Nick Irvin is the head basketball coach at Morgan Park High School. Lance Irvin is now an assistant coach at Morgan Park, and was an assistant coach at Division I Southern Illinois University. Byron Irvin was a first round pick in the NBA and is now a sports agent with clients such as Jimmy Butler, Dwight Howard, and Shawn Marion. Daughter, Cindy Irvin, works in the athletic department of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. All of the Irvin children helped with the AAU program at one point, and most still do.
The Family Legacy
Irvin Sr. helped many kids develop skills to succeed in life. He told the young people around him that they had to stay in school and be exceptional, because even if they were good in basketball it was still a “one in 1000 chance” they would make it to the pros. That’s the message Irvin Sr. left behind and his own children work at instilling that message year-round when helping youth. According to Mike Irvin, “It’s just all about the kids.” He says everything they do, such as “trying to help kids and helping out in the community,” is for the empowerment of youth. He adds, “[Helping the] kids go on and do something in life” is part of their family legacy.
“EVERY YEAR WE THROW A DIABETES TOURNAMENT IN HONOR OF MY FATHER, SO THAT WAY HE WON’T BE FORGOTTEN.” - CINDY IRVIN
Nick Irvin believes that his father is the legacy. “My father,” he says, “paved the way for everything we’re doing right now, and everything we are accomplishing in life.”
Keeping The Legacy Alive
The Fire AAU team and what they stand for is known by some of the best basketball players to ever play in the NBA. The greatness of what this organization did and continues to do could have passed with their father, Irvin Sr., but his children didn’t allow that. “We continue to develop athletes through the AAU program,” Byron Irvin says. “[We also] continue to help the kids basketball- and educational-wise.” Cindy Irvin helps keep the legacy alive by keeping her father’s name in the public eye through a tournament that helps youth realize the health risk of diabetes. “Every year we throw a diabetes tournament in honor of my father, so that way he won’t be forgotten,” she said. “ [We do diabetes screenings] to keep his name alive and help educate our people.” Nick Irvin says that he makes sure that his dad’s memory lives on by “doing the right thing” and “helping kids get into college.”
Mentoring The Next Generation
“Ain’t no since in hitting the road unless you get your books” is what Irvin Sr. told the youth he worked with. He believed that education would lead to the greatest success of all and the true gift was in knowledge. The Irvin family is dedicated to motivating youth to succeed in life through sports and mentoring. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming involved with the Fire’s AAU teams visit macirvin.com. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 19
Sports Journalism 101:
ADVICE FROM THE PROS BY MINA WAIGHT, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
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s you grow older, you come to learn that there are a few things that bring people together - free stuff, food and sports. There’s nothing like kicking your feet up and relaxing while watching a nice sporting event and occasionally contributing to social media conversation. No one ever wants to be the one who missed out on the big game, but more often than not, life happens. And when it does, there’s always a dependable journalist to bring you up to speed. However, it’s not always an easy task to successfully deliver accurate and original sports related content. In fact, sports journalists work just as hard, if not twice as hard, to get people to read their pieces and see them as actual reporters rather than “glorified fans” who only know about sports. It’s important to remember that a sports writer is just as much of a journalist as any other. Contrary to popular belief, sports writing requires actual thinking skills. Chicago’s very own, Robert “Scoop” Jackson, says you can get inspiration from anywhere – especially if you do your research. The writer just has to be able to think up a follow-up story or spin-off that is newsworthy. 20 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
Jackson has been writing for 25 years and is the author of the book Sole Provider: Thirty Years of Nike Basketball and the co-author of Slam Kicks: Basketball Sneakers that Changed the Game. As a graduate student at Howard University, he voiced his opinions through a column featured in the student newspaper. From there, other publications began syndicating his stories for their own uses and kick-started his career in the media industry. Since that day, Jackson has been an active contributor in mass media who has inspired several people to strive to become well-established, influential, and original contentcreating writers themselves. “Funny thing is that sports is not what I had/have the most passion writing about. At the core I still am (or see myself as) a culture/politics/music writer. That’s always where my focus and foundation rests when it comes to writing,” says Jackson. “I just happen to love sports, in particular basketball, and I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the role it has played in our lives and existence as Black people in this country. So my passion to write about sports
“...NOT WANTING/PUSHING ONESELF TO BE JUST A ‘SPORTS JOURNALIST’ WILL PROBABLY BENEFIT FUTURE JOURNALISTS MORE THAN ANYTHING. IT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE BEYOND SPORTS TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR WORK AND STORYTELLING.” - ROBERT “SCOOP” JACKSON
“I’m not a typical sportswriter,” says Moore. “I like to intertwine so many things into my sports writing. These days, we’re inundated with so much, a writer ought to be finding ways to stand out.” It’s this attitude that kept his career going for the past seven years, and landed his pieces in The Nation, The Chicago RedEye, the Chicago Tribune, and many more. He keeps the things that he knows about in mind as well as his goal to educate the public so that when he is writing about sports the reader is learning something. For those of you interested in pursing a career as a sports journalist, Jackson leaves you with some advice.
“YOU HAVE TO READ. ...YOU’LL NEVER BE A GOOD WRITER IF YOU DON’T READ.” - BRYAN CRAWFORD comes from knowing that for us, it’s never been just a game. It’s been part of our emancipation, our so-called freedom. So I’ve always looked at writing about sports as my contribution to storytelling, which is vital to our history. And I also understand that sports has given my writing a much larger platform and audience than music, culture or politics ever would have allowed.” Years later, Jackson is known as one of the legends of sports journalism and can be credited as the inspiration to hundreds of blossoming careers, including the career of journalist Bryan Crawford.
“To me there really are [not any important things a journalist should know to train properly for a job],” says Jackson. “Just the basic foundation of all careers: put in the work, enjoy the process and let the end results take care of themselves. I will say this though, not wanting/pushing oneself to be just a ‘sports journalist’ will probably benefit future journalists more than anything. It allows them to have knowledge beyond sports to incorporate into their work and storytelling. It will make them more well-rounded and versatile and marketable for other opportunities that open up as their careers grow...To me, that’s as important as anything.”
“I LIKE TO INTERTWINE SO MANY THINGS INTO MY SPORTS WRITING. THESE DAYS, WE’RE INUNDATED WITH SO MUCH, A WRITER OUGHT TO BE FINDING WAYS TO STAND OUT.” - EVAN MOORE
Crawford began his career after attending Jackson State University as an English major before switching to sports journalism. His intention was to write for SLAM magazine because of Jackson, his love for basketball, and strong subject expertise, but he was rejected by the publication. The second time around, Crawford was made an offer that’s gotten him where he wants to be. To date, he has bylines in several media outlets, including Rolling Stone, NBC Chicago, Chicago RedEye and Hoop magazine. Fortunately for Crawford, he always loved writing, and writing about sports never felt like a job to him. Unfortunately, he notes that there is a lot of competition in the field. Thanks to the Internet and other media outlets, there are lots of writers’ opinions waiting to be heard. To make his writing stand out more Crawford began reading more. “You have to read. ...You’ll never be a good writer if you don’t read. It’s really about taking those topics and bringing a new angle/perspective. It’s just a desire in me to not sound like the next person.” Chicago based freelance journalist Evan Moore has had similar encounters with seeking individuality when it comes to creating content. Moore says the hardest part of being a sports journalist is getting people to hear you out. So as a way to broaden his relatability with his audience, politics, religion, pop culture, television and movies have become common topics for him to engage in with his writing. By taking advantage of his good memory and interest in other topics, he is able to appeal to more people and better establish himself as a writer. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 21
CHARLES MATTHEWS: Turning Struggles Into Success BY MCKINLEY NELSON, SENIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL
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o whom much is given, much is expected. Charles Matthews (“CMatt”) is one of the nation’s most elite players. He’s a Jordan Brand Classic All-American, Kentucky recruit, CCL MVP, Illinois Mr. Basketball runner-up, and more. Yet he’s faced the adversity of not living up to the potential of other people’s expectations. A favorite since elementary
“I’M GLAD I WENT THROUGH SLUMPS. IT MADE ME MUCH BETTER AND STRONGER BECAUSE I HAD TO FIGHT BACK RATHER THAN JUST WALK THE RED CARPET.” - CHARLES MATTHEWS
school, and a four-year St. Rita varsity basketball team starter, Matthews used the negativity as a drive to finish his high school career (senior season) with a bang. “I was getting so much hype early on and I started playing for all of the wrong reasons,” he says. “Once the adversity hit, I started fresh all over again and just dominated.”
The 6-foot-6 point guard averaged 22 points a game this year and he had several 30+-point games. This season’s stats are substantially greater than his previous years. Though he believes he could’ve tweaked small things along his journey, Matthews says if he could start his sports career all over again, he wouldn’t do things much differently. “I’m glad I went through slumps. It made me much better and stronger because I had to fight back rather than just walk the red carpet.” Like most skilled high school players, Matthews has dreams of being in the NBA, which played a huge role in his college decision. “I chose Kentucky because I really liked the coaches there and I felt they could get me to the NBA quicker.” Matthews had a really strong recruitment, with offers from all over. Kentucky was still the clear choice. Kentucky’s team has been to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons and produced seven NBA players in this past season. Choosing the school was a no brainer in terms of fulfilling his goals. Matthews doesn’t necessarily want to be a one-anddone player, but the sooner the better is what he has in mind. Many only see his “game face,” but don’t get to know him outside of basketball. Off the court Matthews is just like any other teen, minus the partying. He’s just as silly as the rest of us. “I have a laughing problem. Like people will be dead serious and I would just burst out laughing,” he says. CMatt’s mom, Nicole Matthews, is “easily” his biggest inspiration. “My mom works extremely hard for me and my brothers and sacrifices her well-being for us.” Matthews, the middle child of three brothers (siblings: Jordan and Dominique), always aspired to be better than his older brother Dominique. The in-house competition only fueled Matthews to work that much harder, and up to this point, it has definitely paid off. 22 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
DJ WILLIAMS: Plan “A” All The Way BY MINA WAIGHT, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
“I JUST WANT TO BE FINANCIALLY COMFORTABLE AND ACHIEVE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING I HAVE ON MY LIST AS FAR AS MAKING IT TO THE NBA, WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, GET ACCOLADES, HALL OF FAME, AND TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY – EVERYTHING.” - DJ WILLIAMS
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he 18-year-old gentle giant, otherwise known as DJ Williams, is on the road to great things. Although not very vocal, standing at 6’7” with 202 pounds of raw power, the graduating senior from Simeon Career Academy is preparing to take the next big step in his life. Born on March 20th, 1997, Williams was brought up in a family of athletes that paved the way for him to follow in their footsteps. That lead to his current position as one of the top recruits in the state. “For now, I just play basketball, but growing up I played pretty much every sport. I was pretty good at football and baseball. I just stuck with basketball and fell in love with the sport. I got involved because of my family. My parents played basketball growing up in high school, my two sisters went to college and played basketball, and it was only right for me to play basketball.” Around his 6th or 7th grade year, Williams steered his focus solely to basketball when he realized his passion lied on the basketball court. “Why keep playing [other sports] when I can dedicate my time to something I love – basketball,” says Williams recalling his epiphany. Since then, Williams has busied himself with workouts and basketball practice five to six days out of the week, leaving Sundays as a “chill” day or the one day that he can truly indulge in the normal teenage pleasantries. By following this schedule, Williams was able to build himself as a better athlete and get through the tough moments, like his junior year, as well as, the amazing highlights of his career. “I would say [the best game of my career so far] was when we went to Dubai. Me and my high school team got a chance to go for a championship game against Hunnington Prep – the top ranking team in the country. I ended up scoring 34 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and we actually won too. We kind of went in as the underdogs but came out with a victory and I got MVP of the tournament.” As of now, Williams is set to walk across the stage with his fellow classmates and proceed with his plans to attend the University of Illinois as an undeclared major. “I’m going to University of Illinois, mainly because of Coach Groce. He’s an amazing guy and I like his high energy. You know, it’s close to home. My parents can come watch me play every home game [and] I’m excited to be reunited with [some old players].” Williams says his sole desire is to, “just be successful in life. I just want to be financially comfortable and achieve pretty much everything I have on my list as far as making it to the NBA, win championships, get accolades, hall of fame, and take care of my family – everything. To me, I look at a plan B as a distraction. I’m just so dedicated so, I don’t really think about a plan B.” TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 23
LUWANE PIPKINS Makes History For Bogan BY ANDRIA CHILDRESS, JUNIOR, COLUMBIA COLLEGE
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rowing up in this day and age can be difficult. Some youth may find it hard to stand out. Some may find it hard to be themselves. And some may just simply find it hard to take it day by day. With so many people trying to be different, and with so many trying to be famous, you rarely see young people trying to make a difference and make history. Well, that’s not the case for high school senior basketball player Luwane Pipkins. In February of this year, Pipkins and his fellow teammates made Chicago basketball history, by leading Bogan High School to its first ever basketball city championship. Before they brought home the trophy, as Pipkins explains it, no one really paid much attention to Bogan. He says, “I’d never felt that feeling. Before the game I was so pumped and ready to finally play for a city championship. During the game, after every second I could taste victory. After the game I couldn’t believe that we finally made history and shocked the world.” Now in his last year at Bogan, Pipkins has been playing basketball since the 6th grade. While he likes to mimic Russell Westbrook’s playing style, the point guard says his dad is the one who pushes him to be great not only on the court but in the classroom as well. And just like his dad and all of the other basketball players in his family, Pipkins wears the number two on his jersey. He felt that it was only right to continue the tradition. Although it’s clear that basketball is Pipkins’ first love when it comes to sports, he also plays football and says he would love to play baseball if he could. A typical game day for Pipkins begins with listening to Lil Jon’s “Turn Down For What.” He explains, “It gets me pumped for the game and I also like to dance before the game.” He finds himself in more of a competitive spirit when his team faces the Simeon Wolverines because everyone looks at Bogan as the underdog so he has to bring his A game. When he’s not on the court, Pipkins enjoys paintball competition with his friends, and just overall fun like any other teen. He dreams of playing pro ball, but also aspires to be an architect. This fall, he will be attending the University of Massachusetts. Pipkins says some of the best advice he ever received from his coach was to just go out and give it his all. And in spite of the championship win, Pipkins found himself wanting to quit because of some locker room problems. But he realized that he couldn’t let his team down. His own advice for any young player would be just have fun, take everything personal, and play every game like it’s your last. “Remember,” Pipkins adds, “if you’re not first, you’re last.” 24 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
THE MANTRA THAT PIPKINS LIVES BY IS: “IF YOU’RE NOT FIRST, YOU’RE LAST.”
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 25
We
Summer Fashion & Fun
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he school year is finally coming to an end. This means that soon you’ll have plenty of time to chillax with those whose company you enjoy the most. Of course, when hanging out with your crew, your gear must always be on point. The following pages will give you some suggestions on how to keep your style in check this summer. * All Fits & Accessories are from H &M Creative Director: Joi Mitchell Assistant Creative Director: Daneisha Goodman Styling: Dana “Dutch” Davis Make Up: Deanna Beach of Beauty Boulevard Hair: Diamond Beach of Beauty Boulevard Photographer: Shelby Brown Location: Truth
#PrettyHurts On Asia Green: Nautical Themed Polo T-shirt / Checkered Capri Pants 26 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
#SummerSwagUnlocked
On Justin Boyd: Blue & White Checkered Button-front Shirt / Flat-front Electric Blue Khakis / Graphic Sneakers (Model’s Own) On Torey Cooper: Polka dot Polo T-shirt / Flat-front Navy Blue Khakis / Adidas Sneakers & Accessories (Model’s Own) On Tevion Lanier: Light Blue Chambray Button-front Shirt / Lightweight Navy Sweater / Navy Jeans / Chuck Taylors (Model’s Own) TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 27
On Braylynn Brown: Blue & White Short Sleeve, Floral Print, Straight-cut Dress / Lightweight Denim Jacket On Sapphire Snow: Navy & White Striped Fitted Knee-Length FineKnit Dress
#SassyChic
#StyleSlayer On Imani Harris: Electric Blue V-neck Jersey Dress With An Opening at Back and Metal Decoration at Waist-Front / Accessories (Model’s Own)
PHOTO BY CHRIS “THOUGHT POET” BROWN
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#TheBougieKickback
#YaaaassssGawwwwd 30 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
On Torey: Black & White Checkered Button-front Shirt / Black Vest / Distressed Denim On Justin: Grey Blazer / Black & White Graphic T-shirt / Black Flat-front Khakis On Tevion: Black & White Graphic Button-front Shirt with Bowtie / Black Slacks
#SummerWithMyWoes
#YouCantSitWithUs
On Sapphire: Short Sleeve Coral Peek-A-Boo Jumpsuit with Cut-Out Shoulder On Imani: Electric Blue V-neck Jersey Dress with an Opening at Back and Metal Decoration at Waist-front / Accessories (Model’s Own) On Braylynn: Graphic Teal, White & Black Mini Dress On Asia: Decorative Cut-out Evening Dress / Gloves (Model’s Own) On Leiah Garcia: Teal Fitted Sleeveless Dress
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 31
FASHION
A Manicure Nightmare BY ANTAISIA FARMER, SOPHOMORE, T.F. SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
NAIL FUNGUS IS A FUNGAL INFECTION GROWING IN OR AROUND THE FINGER/ TOE NAILS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE GRADUAL DESTRUCTION OF THE NAIL PLATE.
D
oesn’t every girl love getting her nails done? I know I do. But these days
you have to watch to make sure nail technicians are doing what they are supposed to do. If you don’t, you may find yourself in a bad situation and end up with problems like I did. After getting my nails done a few times, one of my fingers turned dark green. The next time I went for another appointment the nail technician asked if my fingers hurt. When I told him no and asked why, he said I should take the acrylic off and not get them done. I was sad to hear this because I loved treating myself to getting my nails done. My hopes of walking out with a new color on were gone. Before we left the shop I was told that I had nail fungus. According to the National Institute of Health, nail fungus is a fungal infection growing in or around the finger/toe nails, which can lead to the gradual destruction of the nail plate. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon thing to have happen after visiting a nail shop. One of the main reasons for the spread of infection is that the tools used on your nails by the technicians are not properly cleaned. If the client before you goes to the bathroom and doesn’t wash her hands, she could be carrying around germs – one of them being E. coli, which is found in feces. Those germs transfer over to the tools and on to the next client, which could be you. 32 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
If, by chance, you do get an infection, try healing it yourself early on by using apple cider vinegar (ACV), which stops the fungus from spreading and kills the bacteria. This home remedy requires you to soak the infected area in a solution mixed with half ACV and half water for about 20 minutes several times a day. Be sure to dry the area well afterwards. If the infection is not clearing up within a couple of days, you should see a doctor right away. The next time you get your nails done at a salon, pay attention to the cleanliness of the facility. If you get there early enough for your appointment, keep a close eye on the nail technicians to see how they care for their individual workstations and how they work on their clients. Wellbuzz.com suggests that you look for a UV Tool Sterilizer somewhere in the facility to assure that they are using clean tools. However, if you really want to be safe, the website suggests that you bring your own tools with you to the salon. This way you get the expert service you desire without the fear of catching an unwanted infection. If you feel as though the salon you have been going to could do better in the cleanliness department, start doing your research. Ask family and friends to recommend salons and technicians. This way you have a better chance of avoiding your own manicure nightmare.
Why is Natural Hair A Security Threat? BY LILLIAN HOLDEN, FRESHMAN, MALCOLM X COLLEGE
N
atural hair has made a comeback in the Black community. Black women, children and teenagers are embracing their natural hair textures and are rocking a range of styles from ‘fros to twists to dreads. Just like any other women, natural women are on the go, and it’s crazy to think that the way you style your hair can make you a target of intense airport security. Recent accounts of the Transit Security Administration (TSA) targeting naturals for pat-downs makes me wonder what exactly the TSA believes Black women could be hiding in their hair. Are these pat-downs truly protocol or are they based on bias? The stigma of being Black is way too evident in our society. Black features have been devalued and a target of oppression in the eyes of the law for decades. The recent murders of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, and Eric Garner--among others--show the blatant prejudice toward black bodies. So it’s no surprise to hear that Black hair has become a target for investigation for traveling women of color. But a Black woman’s hair is her crown. Who would want a stranger disrupting her royalty? Novella Coleman, staff attorney for the ACLU (@ACLU_Novella), decided to file a complaint with the TSA after she was pulled aside for a search of her locks while her Caucasian and Latina colleagues proceeded through airport security without question. Coleman said when she asked for the reason for the search, she was given a “variety of explanations” by TSA agents. Soon she discovered that this was not an uncommon practice. Black women with natural hairstyles were being singled out in airports across the country. This was about racial profiling. One TSA agent was quoted saying, “I’m just doing what the machine says. When the machine can’t read through your hair, we have to.” According to TSA.gov, “TSA currently uses millimeter wave AIT (Advanced Imaging Technology) to safely screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing without physical contact to help TSA keep the traveling public safe.” These scanners are way too powerful to not be able to read natural hair. Coleman bringing awareness to this issue has led the TSA to reevaluate its training and procedures. As reported by Maria Del Russo for Refinery29.com, “Coleman and the ACLU reached an agreement with the TSA, and the administration will begin anti-discrimination training in Los Angeles with a special emphasis on the Black female traveler.” Natural hair is an identifier of the lost culture in the Black community and it’s an attempt to feel a step closer to self-acceptance. Let’s hope TSA’s revamped training program brings an end to searches that are uncalled for and spreads that acceptance through airport security checkpoints nationwide. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 33
REAL TALK
THE MOST Annoying SOCIAL MEDIA USERS BY TAYLOR MIGGINS, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
S
ocial media is one of the innovating aspects of technology. Everyone has their own unique way of posting, but how much can be too much? There are different types of social media users who take things overboard. Maybe you know one of these users, or maybe one of these users describes you. Whatever the case, here are some of the most annoying social media users.
The Over-sharer
“BRB... going to the bathroom!!!”
This is one of the most common social media users. They post pretty much every aspect of their lives, including personal things that people don’t care to know. The average person might be surprised by some of the stuff that’s shared, such as “I’m going to the bathroom to…” Geez, talk about TMI.
The Commentator
This person comments frequently on posts. They definitely don’t care about giving their two cents and share their opinions freely. This often offends other people and starts conflict.
Selfie
The Flexor
SELFIE
There are people out there who pretend to be someone they’re not. It doesn’t always mean impersonating someone, which most social networks prohibit. This user comes off as cocky or prideful to others and often lies.
The Royal Selfie
Selfies, selfies, and more selfies. This user constantly posts selfies with and without captions, sharing pics of outfits, facial expressions and more. They definitely go overboard with picture-posting.
Selfie Selfie
The Post-stealer
Have you ever seen an original post of yours get stolen? This is the work of the post-stealer. This type of user just takes other people’s posts without giving credit to the person who originally posted the picture or phrase. Most people solve this problem by adding their username somewhere in the post with a photo-editing app.
The Constant Poster
Bob likes...
This person knows how to flood a timeline. They’re all down your newsfeed. You’ll see random things coming from them in your feed, some things seeming pointless.
The Beefer
This person stays surrounded by drama. It looks as if they get into it with everyone. You’ll see them arguing with other people through your feed, or and they may have even gotten into it with you. If you recognize yourself or a friend as one of these users, you may want to take into consideration how you use social media from now on. 34 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
Bob shared... Bob commented on...
Cute or Trashy:
What Are You Posting On Social Media? BY MORGAN COLVIN, JUNIOR, T.F. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
A
re your photos on social media cute or trashy? Are you considering posting pictures of your body on social media and exposing yourself to find acceptance and love? Before you do it, ask yourself this: Is it worth it? Life isn’t about if you can twerk or how many guys comment on your status. Posting provocative photos and videos could end up in billions of newsfeeds. Why subject yourself to a measly “sexy” or “that’s hot” when you can just post a picture of your smile and get a “beautiful” or “stunning” instead? Girls get the guys who want one thing confused with the guys who actually like them. Somehow, females get the two mixed up. It’s about showing your full potential and being yourself. It’s no secret that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have made a huge impact on society. According to eMarketer, the number of social network users around the world rose from 1.47 billion in 2012 to 1.73 billion this year. That’s an 18 percent increase. Quiana Jones, a student at T.F. North High School, states, “I get on Snapchat and Kik on a daily basis.” Another T.F. North student, who asked to remain anonymous, says that seeking acceptance via social media has had an impact on how she sees herself. She admits, “I wasn’t happy with myself... I wished I were prettier. But as I got older I realized that I have to love myself before anyone else. So people’s opinions do not matter to me anymore.” No status should be able to control how you feel about yourself.
Instead of waiting for others to accept you, you need to be sure that you can accept yourself. Wendy Bivins, who teaches psychology at T.F. North, explains, “Self-acceptance is a psychological attitude. Self-acceptance means accepting the self, offering proper value to the self-worth. Being social creatures, we are to a great extent psychosomatically curved towards social appraisal. No wonder, we look for public acceptance and appreciation in order to gratify our social existence.” One thing is for certain – the people on social media can be cruel. Words hurt people and the examples are not hard to find. According to reports, KayO Redd, younger brother of Waka Floka Flame, allegedly committed suicide due to what some believe to have been online bullying. Unfortunately, the numbers of suicides from negative online comments have not stopped growing. The late poet Maya Angelou expressed, “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Our home is social media – a place where some feel safe and others, not so much. One person might find your posted videos and photos cute but someone else might find it trashy. Don’t disrespect yourself like that. Don’t expose yourself to the world. You don’t have to shake your butt to have people like you. Being a good person with a great personality is all you need. Be yourself and stop worrying about what others have to say. If you don’t show respect for yourself then who will? TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 35
PHOTOGRAPHER ARION DAVIS / STYLISTS DECISION MAKING FOR FASHION BUSINESS COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
“BEING SOCIAL CREATURES, WE ARE TO A GREAT EXTENT PSYCHOSOMATICALLY CURVED TOWARDS SOCIAL APPRAISAL. NO WONDER, WE LOOK FOR PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND APPRECIATION IN ORDER TO GRATIFY OUR SOCIAL EXISTENCE.”
The Korean
TAKEOVER BY COURTNEY SHEPHERD, SENIOR, T.F. SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
T
he Korean lifestyle has taken the world by storm with its culture, beauty, music and trends. A musical genre from Asia, now known as K-Pop, is an abbreviation for Korean pop music. With their young looks, style, and thought-consuming beats, the boy bands and girl groups of Korea are slowly making their way to the States and Europe. A few notable examples are the popular groups “Girls’ Generation,” “Super Junior,” “EXO,” “SHINee,”and 2NE1. Monica Lester, a fan from T.F. South High School, says that the Internet helped her discover K-Pop. “I saw a few pictures of some people and I wanted to know more,” Lester says. “I also loved the sound of their music.” Her favorite group is SHINee, and her introduction to K-Pop helped her discover Asian culture as a whole. “I think others see me as weird,” Lester acknowledges, “while my friends see me as unique.” It shows that K-Pop isn’t for everyone and if someone ever wants to try K-Pop, Lester also advises that, “they need to find the right group that satisfies their taste in music.” One of the biggest K-Pop events in America is KCON, an annual K-Pop convention that now takes place in Southern California, New York, and Japan. Fans from all over come together to see their favorite stars perform. The influence of K-Pop is now seen on American television, as the ABC show “The Bachelor” sent the crew to South Korea to perform with 2NE1. The influence of Asian culture is becoming more prominent and more popular in everyday life. It is not just music that is a major trend, the food and culture can also be very interesting. Most Korean foods are healthy and filling. In traditional Korean diners, there are usually many side dishes that come with meals. Some of these sides or banchan, include kimchi, sukjunamul (marinated mung bean sprouts), and japchae (stir fried glass noodles). There is also the famous Korean barbecue, usually served raw and cooked the way the customer likes it. There are many variations of these foods served in places all over America. Additionally, there are many buffets that specialize in Asian food. The culture in Korea is still rooted in its origins. Most of the dramas in the country, based on romances and wars against fighting families and clans, come from Korea’s ancient times and dynasties. On traditional holidays, younger children and older people wear garments called Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing from the establishing days of Korea. The modern meaning of Hanbok refers to the type worn in the Joseon period. Other influences in the world that originate from Korea include Taekwondo, technology giants Samsung and LG, Korean dramas and TV, and robotics technology. South Korea is rapidly growing as a hub for people young and old alike. With its mix of old and new traditions, technology growth, and international fame, Korea is going to be one of the new destinations for airlines around the world. 36 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
MOVIES WE T
LOVE
BY KAYLYNN HARRIS, SENIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL
hroughout history there have been hundreds of classic movies giving each
generation its own blockbuster hits. From Casablanca all the way to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a stream of endless quotes exist that stick with us long after the movie is over. For our generation, a few movies have also stolen our hearts and become our all-time favorites. A True Star poll of approximately 50 teens, shows some pretty surprising results of what movies our generation considers to be favorites on the big screen. Teens were asked to name their faves in categories such as horror, sci-fi, action, drama, romance, comedy and animation. Here’s a list of the top two movies picked for each category, the year of release, how much it grossed worldwide and the lines people remember most.
HORROR
DRAMA
1. The Great Gatsby (2013) $351 million Memorable Quote: “Old Sport.” - Jay Gatsby
2.The Notebook (2004) $116 million Memorable Quote: “We die.” - Noah
ROMANCE
1. Twilight Series (2008-2012) $1.3 billion
1. Insidious (2010 & 2013) $259 million
Memorable Quote: “You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?” – Bella
2. The Purge (2013) $89 million
Memorable Quote: “Okay? Okay.”- Augustus Waters & Hazel Grace
Memorable Quote: “Into the further you go.” - Elise Memorable Quote: “Decriminalised Murder. An outlet for American Rage.” - Newscaster
SCI-FI
1. X-Men (2000-14) $1.3 billion
Memorable Quote: “You want society to accept you, but you can’t even accept yourself.” - Magneto
2. Hunger Games (2012-2014) $684 million
Memorable Quote: “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” - President Snow
ACTION
1.Transformers (2007-2014) $1.3 billion
Memorable Quote: “At the end of the day, one shall stand, one shall fall.” – Optimus Prime
2. Fast & Furious (2001-2015) $1 billion
Memorable Quote: “So if you don’t drift to win, what do you drift for?”- Sean
2. The Fault In The Stars (2014) $237 million
COMEDY
1. Superbad (2007) $170 million
Memorable Quote: “Wait… you changed your name to… McLovin?”- Evan
2. 21 Jump Street (2012) $202 million
Memorable Quote: “Okay, now chemistry is the one with the shapes and stuff, right?”- Schmidt
ANIMATION 1. Frozen (2013) $1.2 billion
Memorable Quote: “Some people are worth melting for.” - Olaf
2. Monsters, Inc. (2001 & 2013) $1.3 billion
Memorable Quote: “Kids these days...they just don’t get scared like they used too.”- Henry J. Waternoose Source: boxofficemojo.com TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 37
TECH
Khyrie Alleyne
TAKES SELF-EXPRESSION TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH SelfieFaze BY TRINITI MAYE, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
R
egular old emojis may soon become a thing of the past thanks to “AnYCoNs.” Created by Khyrie Alleyne, “AnYCoNs” allows users to take pictures of anything they want and send them in a chat. The pictures can be sent with a regular message or an audio message. Tennis champs Serena and Venus Williams have already expressed their love for the app to their followers on Twitter.
The Creator
Khyrie Alleyne, 24, is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, published writer, success coach, and community service activist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Alleyne spent most of his days outside playing tennis and volunteering in his community. Although he enjoyed the outdoors, he knew the importance of education. He graduated from high school at 16 and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations and public policy.
“My goal is not to convince people that AnYCoNs are better than emojis, as emojis are both welcomed and used on SelfieFaze,” says Alleyne. He adds that what he would like to do is “simply provide a fun, innovative, platform of limitless self-expression, screaming to users and the world, ‘express yourself anyway’ with AnYCoNs.”
Making it happen The Idea
The idea for “AnYCoNs” was always in the making because, according to Alleyne, “I’m known to use photos instead of emoticons when messaging family and friends because I have and will always believe this to be the true way to express yourself anyway!” On one occasion, while he was sick, he sent an expressive picture to a close friend and they replied saying “gross, ugh...yuck.” While explaining why he sent a picture instead of using the sick emoticon the idea for “AnYCoNs” hit him, and soon the idea for “SelfieFaze” was born.
SelfieFaze
“SelfieFaze” is an app that allows its users to communicate in a fun new way by using custom emojis called “AnYCoNs.” They are created by using an in-app function that will allow you to crop any photo. The photo can be taken on the spot, or it can be taken from your photo gallery. While in the chat, the user has the option to add SWaGG, a written message, and/or ViBE, an audio message, to their photos. 38 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
To fund his creation, Alleyne used a variety of sources. “I used money from waiting tables as a restaurant server, funds from my graduate school scholarship, lastly, I am so grateful that I was able to secure financial investments from close family members and friends.” To get the word out to the public about his product Alleyne uses social media, personal, professional and signage promotions.
Helpful Advice
To those of you with an idea and a dream, Alleyne offers this advice: “Be sure to detail your vision…whether hand-written or typed, and be sure to have it embedded in your mind. Most importantly, motivate the entrepreneur in you! Take your dream, make it reality and then transform it into a business to share and profit with others. Along this process, many obstacles will arise making you want to give up and give in, but you have to believe anyway! Learn more about Alleyne and SelfieFaze by visiting khyriealleyne.com.
GIVING BACK
K.A.O.S Empowers Chicago Youth BY TAYLOR MIGGINS, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
F
ounded in 2010, the K.A.O.S. Sports Foundation (Keeping Adolescents Off The Street) is an organization that provides sports programs for youth. The foundation delivers a nurturing environment for youth in different sports programs. Along with sports training, youth who participate in the programs also receive mentoring and tutoring. According to the KAOS Foundation website, the powerful combination of sports training, mentoring, and tutoring “…will develop confidence and a stronger sense of sufficiency, thus improving the quality of life for the individual, their families and communities.” KAOS is dedicated to promoting self-awareness in youth as well as empowering the mind and body. The foundation offers baseball, basketball, cheerleading, girls’ softball, and football for ages 4-17. There is also an adult men’s basketball league as well. While the most popular sport the foundation offers is football, there is a cultivating environment provided for all of its participants, according to KAOS Foundation founder, Ty Young. Young says he created KAOS because there weren’t any sports or youth programs in his area. “Most kids had to go out to the suburbs to play baseball and football and those types of sports,” he explains. One of his future plans for the KAOS Foundation is “…to grow larger in Chicago and have multiple locations.” The advice that Young offers for adolescents who think the streets are their only chance for survival is this: “There is more to see than what is in your neighborhood.”
To sign up to be a part of the KAOS Foundation, youth can register online at the KAOS website, kaos-sports.org. The registration fees vary depending on what sport you select.
Ladies of Virtue HONORS
ITS OWN
BY JOCELYN CAIN, JUNIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
L
adies of Virtue’s (LOV) mission is to instill virtuous characteristics in young women, ages 10 to 18, while preparing them for college, a career, and adulthood. The welcoming environment they create, allows every girl to feel they can be themselves and realize their potential. The young women also learn project management skills, lead projects and present workshops in their communities based on topics that they are passionate about. LOV awards a special prize to honor excellence and commitment among the group that goes above and beyond to benefit their community. This year, four ladies from the “How to be a Successful Teenager” group won first place in LOV’s Project Management Leadership Program. Three of the young ladies, Alex, Deja, and Cheyenne have been participants of LOV for three years. Destinee joined in 2014. Throughout their presentation, they wanted to impact girls in 4th through 8th grade. During inspirational workshops, they uplifted the confidence of over 40 girls and showed them despite stereotypes, all of the girls can achieve anything they put their minds to. The young ladies discussed different aspects on how to better their futures, which included confidence, goal setting, and relationships. They held two workshops at LEARN South Chicago and Cambridge School of Chicago. The group also created a social media campaign.
Marketing manager, Destinee Bronson, said she really enjoys her time being a part of LOV. “LOV is like a sisterhood outside of your family. The environment makes everyone feel comfortable because they don’t judge you at all. They helped me a lot with service learning hours and LOV placed me in a summer internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. My advice to any young girls who need help is to talk to people and get to know everyone.” Throughout their participation in their workshops and traveling to different schools, Cheyenne Harmon says, “I wanted to show girls how to become successful, have better study habits, communicate with adults and help with their confidence.” These skills have helped over 200 girls and will go on to help more in the future. For more information on LOV visit LOVChicago.org. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 39
Chicago Boys’ Health Fair
HELPS YOUNG MEN CONNECT PHYSICALLY & EMOTIONALLY BY ANDRIA CHILDRESS, JUNIOR, COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
T
he ultimate goal for the Chicago Boys’ Health Fair was to “improve the spirit of boys of color.” P.O.W.E.R. (Producing Optimistic Men through Emotional Wealth, Education and community Responsibility), one of the organizations that volunteered at the event, aimed for this health fair to help boys from urban communities learn more about themselves, not only physically but mentally as well. With so many young men afraid to show emotions and express how they feel, other than expressing anger, this health fair was created to ensure young men that it’s okay to have feelings. During the free event, which took place at King College Prep, breakout sessions focused on the meaning of masculinity. This particular session explored how masculinity is perceived in urban culture and how it has negatively impacted society. Emphasis was also placed on how to show emotions. Kendall Straughter, founder of the event, referred to ways younger children who may be getting made fun of in a classroom, will automatically turn their emotion into anger. Rather than feeling sad or hurt, they want to fight. Another focal point during the event was getting young men to make great choices and build integrity. As a result the young men from P.O.W.E.R made it their mission to show other young men, who may have similar backgrounds, that it’s okay to express how you
are feeling. They want to be able to connect with those who may not have had a father figure and show them that there are different opportunities out there. In five or ten years the young men of P.O.W.E.R. want to be able to save other young men who are in a place they used to be. For more information about the event visit Facebook and search for Chicago Boys’ Health Fair.
Red Clay Dance Company
PROVIDES YOUTH WITH THE RIGHT MOVES BY TRINITI MAYE, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
D
ance gives people a chance to express themselves without having to use words. Many people view it as more than just a hobby but a chance to give back to the community. One dance company that shares these views is the Red Clay Dance Company here in Chicago. Vershawn Ward, who started dancing when she was 9, is the founder and executive artistic director of the Red Clay Dance Company. In addition, she is a choreographer, performer, and dance scholar. Ward, a MFA graduate of the Tisch School of Dance at New York University, is the first recipient of a BFA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has been seen at festivals all over the world, including in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Senegal, and Uganda. Red Clay Dance Company offers programs to help the youth gain self-confidence as well as learn the proper techniques to be a flawless dancer. “[Youth] have a direct connection to the field of dance because all of our teaching artists are working dance professionals,” explains Ward. “We also focus on empowering our students to advocate for themselves while building confidence and artistic excellence.” The dance company hosts an annual concert to celebrate the teens who have given their blood, sweat, and tears to making the best dance presentation possible 40 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
– “Dance4Peace.” A new addition to the concert is the Community Hug Awards, which recognizes community members using their gift in the Arts to provide opportunities for youth to develop their artistic voices. Youth as young as age 3 have two opportunities (January and August) to join the year-round programs of the academy. Teens enrolled in high school (ages 14-18) can only join the Youth Ensemble through After School Matters in the fall, winter, and summer. Contact Tiffany Wade, the director of community programs, for more information at (773) 624-8411.
The History of the
BUD BILLIKEN PARADE & PICNIC BY KAYLA CRITTLE, SOPHOMORE, DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE
I
recently had the opportunity to speak with the president/director of the Chicago Defender Charities, Colonel Eugene Scott. We spoke about the interesting history of the Bud Billiken Parade – the second largest parade in the United States – and what Chicago youth can do to keep the legacy going. The Chicago Defender Charities is an organization that seeks to help the AfricanAmerican community. Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder/creator of the historic newspaper The Chicago Defender, is also the founder of the charity. In 1921, Abbott started a children’s section of the newspaper called Defender Jr. This section was edited by Robert Watkins, who was known as Bud Billiken. According to Chinese legend, Billiken is also the guardian angel of little children. The name stuck, and in 1929 Abbott expanded the Bud Billiken concept to include a parade with the purpose of providing underprivileged youth a chance to be in the limelight. The parade includes students and teachers, from Chicago Public Schools (CPS), who are molding the African-American community. That tradition has been honored ever since. Today, the Bud Billiken Parade offers students back-to-school necessities such as shots, backpacks, and haircuts.
IN 1929 ROBERT SENGSTACKE ABBOTT EXPANDED THE BUD BILLIKEN CONCEPT TO INCLUDE A PARADE WITH THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH A CHANCE TO BE IN THE LIMELIGHT.
Over the years, the Bud Billiken Parade has been filled with many great memories and surprises. According to Colonel Scott, two of the greatest memories from the historic event include the participation of President Truman and then-Senator Barack Obama. Those are just two examples of the many influential supporters of the Bud Billiken Parade. Every year the White House sends a representative and there is always a special performer. Past participants include Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Tyler Perry and more. The parade takes place every second Saturday in August. It proceeds south on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive from Oakwood Boulevard to 51st Street. It continues on Ellsworth Drive through Washington Park to 55th Street, where it disbands. It is broadcast live on ABC7 Chicago as picnics and other events in the park are held throughout the day. The parade, produced by The Chicago Defender Charities, is under leadership of Executive Director Marc A. Sengstacke, Ph.D. According to Sengstacke, “The Bud Billiken Parade is a historic event with a positive impact across generations and across the country. It is the desire of the community, our responsibility, and our intent, to preserve the benefits of this great institution for many generations to come.” With the ongoing violence in Chicago, it is important that the kids keep the tradition of the Bud Billiken Parade going. As a pre-back-to-school highlight, it has brought the Black community together for years, promoted positive energy through education, and gives teens a chance to showcase their wide array of talents. In order to keep this legacy going, Colonel Scott adds, “Remember the importance of education. The youth have to complete the milestones of getting an education.” See you at the parade! TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 41
THRU DA WIRE
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY:
THE PLACE TO GO FOR PR BY TAYLOR MIGGINS, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK
“VIRTUALLY EVERY FIELD USES PR TACTICS FROM POLITICS TO ENTERTAINMENT AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, YOU CAN FIND WORK IN PR.” - MARILYN OLSON
T
he public relations (PR) industry is a growing business, drawing more people
every year. Chicago State University (CSU) offers a minor and concentration in public relations from the CMAT program, which stands for Communication, Media Arts and Theatre. With CSU having tuition that is one of the lowest in the state and conveniently located on the City’s South Side, the university is proving that it is one to seriously take into consideration, especially for students interested in the public relations field. Marilyn Olson, a PR professor at CSU, shares her experience in getting into the field. “I really came to teaching after a long career in newspapers.” Olson explains. “As I was working in newspapers, I became interested in PR and eventually my newspaper work evolved into PR.” Before Olson came to CSU, there wasn’t any form of public relations offered at the university. “I have taught at CSU since 1992,” she says. Their PR program has developed extensive internship contacts and students spend valuable time working in the field. The contacts that students get could possibly lead to employment thanks to the skills and experience gained. Most of CSU’s students attend on some kind of financial aid, which is one less thing for some students to worry about. Workstudy opportunities are available as well. The U.S. Dept. of Labor predicted an increase of about 30 percent in job openings for the next few years. More companies and non-profits need public relations in 42 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
order to keep their business or organization with a good reputation and clear the air from any controversy that is in the media. Being in Chicago State’s PR program could help students get a better understanding of this, and will help them improve in other areas in relation to PR, including writing. The most exciting thing about the public relations field is that you have endless opportunities to work in whatever special area that interests you. “Virtually EVERY field uses PR tactics-from politics to entertainment- and everything in between, you can find work in PR,” says Olson. “The other attraction with the field is it is NEVER boring. Each day presents a different challenge. It is perfect for people who are bright, articulate, and creative.” According to Olson, “Many [PR graduates] work in corporate settings, some for non-profits (charities, associations, trade organizations), healthcare (drugs companies, doctors, hospitals, insurance companies), government (lobbying, for government agencies, the White House), education, sports and entertainment, travel, and, finally, as freelancers.” If you’re a people person who is good at writing, communicating and being creative then the world of public relations could be for you. To learn more about what the CMAT program at Chicago State University has to offer visit www.csu.edu.
Sizzling Summer
Blockbusters KAYLA WHITE, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
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Trainwreck
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ever since her father drilled into her head that monogamy isn’t realistic, magazine writer Amy (Amy Schumer) has made promiscuity her mission. As much as she enjoys an uninhibited life free of commitment, Amy is really in a rut. She
ho doesn’t love going to the movies in the summer to escape the heat and be entertained at the same time? True Star has put together this list of flicks that offer comedy, adventure, and romance for you to check out in the weeks and months ahead.
MAY 1, 2015
The gang is back and they are ready to protect their country. When Tony Stark goes into another one of his crazy inventions things turn backwards and the “peace keeper” becomes the one disturbing the peace. The Avengers are sent on a mission to stop Ultron from going through his plans of disaster. We suggest you go see it soon. This movie can’t stay in the theaters forever.
JULY 17TH, 2015
comes face-to-face with the man who may be able to make her fall in love and experience a real relationship. This comedy will show you the ups and down of how hard it is to overcome tradition and how beautiful it is to fall in love.
Paper Towns JULY 24TH, 2015
Spy
JUNE 5TH, 2015 Melissa McCarthy stars in this hilarious comedy as a CIA analysts and wannabe agent who has her dream come true when she is asked to go undercover for the agency. They turn her into an old woman who will get the job done. Can you imagine how hilarious that will be? Full of action-packed fun, this movie should definitely be on your “to watch” list.
Madame Bovary JUNE 12TH, 2015
In the mood for a romance? This movie, based off of the novel by Gustave Flaubert published in 1856, takes you on a journey through the life of a confused woman. You will see the life of a young woman who goes through a lot of trials. During these trials she is trying to find true love.
This adaptation of the book Paper Towns by John Green is a must see! Teenagers Margo (Cara Delevingne) and Quentin (Nat Wolff) go through many different escapades to make one another happy. Margo creates a scavenger hunt for Quentin and she wants him to look for her while also giving himself a sense of adventure. Quentin, being the love struck boy he is, goes along with it looking for the love of his life, not noticing that this entire thing was made for him to get out of the “paper towns.”
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend AUGUST 28TH, 2015
The 2000 martial arts mega hit Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is back with its second installment –The Green Legend. The battle between good and evil along with the story of lost love, tradition and redemption is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Source: Rottentomatoes.com &IMDb.com
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 43
UNDER THE RADAR
DJ Rainn
BY CIERA KING, JUNIOR, T. F. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
Ace da Vinci
MUSICAL STYLE:
MUSICAL STYLE:
They say every deejay has their own style. Well, I would describe my sound as party-knockin’.
UNIQUENESS:
My blends and transitions [make me unique]. I have pretty much well-garnished myself to be able to blend just about anything with similarities in beats. I will always mix it up. I specialize in blending songs that most of the people in the world can be conceived to.
GOAL:
I want to do PR for a Fortune 500 company and see my work up in lights. I design all the covers for most of my mixes, make posters and flyers for fraternities and sororities, as well as mixtape covers. I would love to design for a massive company like Apple or Google and have everyone recognize my work.
INFLUENCE:
My love for music was passed down from my grandfather. His love for music and other “crafts” were definitely handed down. Of course his music was the “Dusties,” which I came to love as well. My biggest influences are probably the people. Seeing people turnt from my deejaying is what keeps me going. Watching the crowd enjoy the party or the event, and sing along to the songs I play, keeps me motivated and driven to deejay. Twitter: RainnLaurenPolo audiomack.com/artist/djrainn
BY LILLIAN HOLDEN, FRESHMAN, MALCOLM X COLLEGE
My musical style embodies power. I create the music that inspires you to do more—to be bigger. I am a “music artist,” more than a MC. I like to invite different elements to build an amazing experience with everyone watching and listening. I’m from different areas of Chicago. I feel like I’m a collection of the entire city rolled in one. It gives it a type of worldliness that is hard to pinpoint. A lot of people say “Oh that sounds like it’s from the South Side, or from the West Side,” but I feel like my music isn’t pigeonholed into one area.
UNIQUENESS:
My style is unique because I am undoubtedly me. I feel like every song literally happened, you know? So that’s something I take pride in.
GOAL:
My desires are more for the people. I want to make sure that people around me are good. I remember so many years when we weren’t, when we were broke and we were lost. I want to make sure we never go back to that. One of my ultimate goals is to create jobs. I want to create an outlet for people to use their talent to get money so they won’t have to sacrifice what they really want to do just to work at a low-paying job. It’s so much harder for liberal artists to survive.
INFLUENCE:
Life. I take time out to write about things that I’m going through. I consider a lot of my music to be like an audio journal. My music, it captures my strengths, my weaknesses, love, hate—even though I don’t really hate much. It governs and it embodies everything that I go through at any given time. I guess it’s my honesty that keeps me in tune. Twitter: @MrSmartMouf
44 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
7
YOUNG LUV
HOT DATE TIPS For Summer
BY KAYLYNN HARRIS, SENIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL
S
ummer is here and with it comes the cliché teenage romances many of us find ourselves falling into. Though the relationship may not last forever the memories can. If you ever find yourself wondering how you’ll spend the day with your summer sweetie, don’t worry, there is plenty to do. Here is a list of budget friendly dates that are perfect for a hot summer’s day and will create some amazing memories.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is full of attractions that can make the perfect date. From the Ferris Wheel to the shops and the great lakefront view, it’s hard not to have a memorable time. After the sun sets, it gets even better as Navy Pier hosts the most amazing summer night fireworks shows, which is a picture perfect way to end a date. Rides are under $10 per person.
The Museum
If you’re dating an “I like art” type of person, then a day at the Art Institute of Chicago Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art is an ideal place to share some time. Both museums host a huge selection of art pieces and have FREE or discounted admission days selected every month.
A Picnic
Picnics may be old-fashioned but trust me, girls still yearn for some simple romance. Millennium Park is the best place for a relaxed picnic. Not only is there plenty of grassy area but also, gardens, art work, fountains and the possibility of catching an interesting street performance. This date can be perfect, especially if it is spontaneous. The cost of food is up to you.
The Zoo
Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is open to the public, as so is the Lincoln Park Conservatory located just a few blocks away. No matter who you are, a trip to the zoo is always fun. This date is simple and is sure to guarantee a day well spent. Admission is FREE.
Big & Little’s
This city has a long list of great restaurants and eateries, many of them with very reasonable prices. On the North Side, Big & Little’s is home to the best selection of burgers, tacos and much more. With a chill vibe, great prices, various Groupon deals and amazing food, this restaurant is a go-to spot for a bite to eat with your bae. Approximate Price: Just over $10 per person.
Original Rainbow Cone
Summer without ice cream just isn’t summer at all. Original Rainbow Cone is located on the southeast side of Chicago and is known to have the best ice cream, shakes, sundaes and banana splits in town. These treats would make for a pretty sweet date. Approximate Price: Under $10 per person.
The Skydeck
If you and your significant other want to try something a little more daring, for about $20 each you two can visit the Willis (Sears) Tower Skydeck. Standing on a transparent glass floor balcony 1,353 feet above the city, you get the greatest view of Chicago imaginable. This is a unique, super fun date anyone could enjoy. This is just a handful of things to do but, no matter how you choose to spend your summer, as long as it’s with that special someone, any date can be the best date. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 45
TEEN TEEN BIZBIZ
CRACKING THE CODE:
Women, Coding, and a Career BY JULIA HUEBNER, JUNIOR, WALTER PAYTON COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
I Dear True Star readers, As we gear up for the warmer months ahead, I want you to start thinking about smart money management with the paychecks you will bring home from your summer jobs. If you work hard, you deserve to have some of that money saved up for bigger purchases down the line! Now is the perfect time to build the financial habits that will help you succeed in college and your career. Not sure where to start? Here are a few easy things you can do: - Open a bank account: A bank account gives you a safe way to keep and save your money. My office has made it super easy for you to find a free or low-cost bank account. Check out www.bankonchicago.org to find a bank that’s close to you and meets your needs. - Sign up for direct deposit: Did you know that using check cashers can cost you $65 a month? By signing up for direct deposit, your employer will automatically deposit your paycheck in your bank account, saving you the hassle (and cost) of having to cash your check. Learn more at www.plan2achieve.org. - Create a budget and save: Think ahead about the expenses and goals that you might have in the future. I also recommend starting an emergency fund, so that you’re prepared for anything that comes your way. Visit www. practicalmoneyskills.com for helpful budgeting calculators to help get you started. These steps are easy to do and will help you get the most out of your paycheck, setting you up for a future of financial success. Interested in learning more about my office or a future in finance? You can always reach me at city. treasurer@cityofchicago.org. Enjoy your summer!
Kurt Summers Chicago City Treasurer
The financial education information in the Teen Biz section is provided in partnership with the Economic Awareness Council, On the Money Magazine and the City Treasurer of Chicago and is sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. 46 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
n a room of 25 engineers, only three are women, according to Girls Who Code. Ibid noted that this striking discrepancy is visible in the general workplace, where women will only occupy 25 percent of technical or computing jobs.Kathryn Exline, co-leader at Girl Develop It, comments, “We are all trying to fight the stereotype that working in technology is unattainable and boring.” She also reasons that the prime contributors to this stereotype include, “Poor recruiting efforts, lack of support once enrolled in math and science programs, and personal reasons that stem from expectations and stereotypes that have been projected on women since they were younger.”
She found herself asking, “Is this really the group for me?”
Cathleen Gui, a senior at Walter Payton Prep, recognizes the roots of these issues. She says that the vast majority of students in her Honors Computer Science class are male. An AVID Math Team member, Gui states, “By [my] senior year, almost all the girls had left the team.”
Coding is a versatile tool used in career fields such as finance, fashion, biotechnology, and limitless other professions, as observed by Exline.
The answer is, “Yes!” Seda Memik, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University, comments, “If STEM and coding are of interest to a student, then he or she should follow this intrinsic motivation. It is really shocking to me that in this day and age, there is still a large gender imbalance,” says Memki. “I always wished there were more girls [in my classes]... [but] I just moved on.” What’s Memki’s advice to female college freshmen? “It’s absolutely okay if you haven’t coded a single line in high school.” These skills are taught to students regardless of prior knowledge.
“Don’t let all the boys get all those high paying computer technology jobs!” Memik urges.
Cell Phones IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY BY HILARY PHAM, JUNIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL
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hat’s in your pocket? When I asked a high school student, she responded with, “My wallet,” which was quickly followed by, “Oh, and my cell phone.” In recent years, usage of cell phones and other handheld devices has significantly increased. Pew Internet Research statistics show that about 87 percent of high school students own cell phones and 98 percent of college students also own cell phones. Although these statistics could be influenced by the advancements in technology, the globalization of trade has allowed markets to expand, especially in the world of electronics. Within the last three years, the value of imports from technologically based countries has increased by 10.23 percent, according to the 2014 Census Bureau. These countries, including China, South Korea, and Japan, are some of the world’s leading manufacturers of cell phones. The United States’ expanding foreign policy, the recent agreements to eliminate tariffs on technological goods, and the overall advancements in technology have caused phones to be readily available in the consumer market. CNBC found that
these changes have allowed phones to be produced and shipped for under $200 per phone. When asked his opinion on the matter, banker Jeffrey Gray, agreed that, “International relations help the business world continue to turn.” The recent changes and agreements in foreign policy will allow for increased trade between countries and lead to the creation of more jobs. The growing roles of cell phones and their impact on our daily lives are clues to the future. Based on the last few years, trends seem to point to a continued increase in hand-held technology and an expanded view of the world. This allows for faster, less expensive and more effective processes to produce and transport cell phones. Next time you look in your pocket, think about where your phone came from and what it took to get it there.
BIANCA PERRY SHARES THE IDEA BY STEPHANIE DUNNING, SENIOR, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
Behind BBands
T
he BBands business was created by Bianca Perry, a student currently attending DePaul University. After being fed up with generic headbands that lacked fashion and function, Perry started the BBands company to produce her own colorful, no-slip, one-size-fits-all headband design. What makes the BBands even more unique are the inspirational messages that come with each style. Making her vision happen did not come easily and without strategic planning. When asking Perry about her first steps to becoming an entrepreneur, she discussed how she created a list for what needed to get done to produce her product. Her list included obtaining supplies and branding her product. That meant that she needed to get logo tags and branded boxes. Once the list of her strategic tasks was made, she added them to a calendar. Perry stated, “When the time of day came where I had things to do, I did those things.” Eventually, she and her partner launched the BBands website (www.shopbbands.com) and the hair accessory business took off. Challenges are something every entrepreneur, including Perry, has to face. Perry explained that the biggest challenge for her was just making the vision happen and getting her brand out to the public. The next steps for BBands were for Perry and her partner to turn the website into an online, customized headband company. This move would allow Perry and her partner to be able to make headbands for athletic teams and other potential clients, not just locally, but all across the globe.
MORE THAN A VOLUNTEER:
Perry’s goals for advertising and expanding her company, which is mainly promoted through social media, are to learn more about influencing her target audience. The BBands business has been launched, and Perry is ready to take it to the next level. You can find BBands at the website mentioned above and on Facebook or Instagram. We would like to thank the Coleman Foundation for their support of entrepreneurship education.
Social Entrepreneur
BY TILEA CARTER, JUNIOR, MARINE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
H
ave you ever had an idea that could change the world for the better? If so, then you may want to consider becoming a social entrepreneur. Social entrepreneurs are not your typical entrepreneurs. They help solve major issues by creating innovative solutions that impact society on a wider scale. Social entrepreneurship is regaining popularity. The enrollment in social enterprise courses at Harvard Business School significantly increased from 71 courses in 1995 to 600 courses in 2010. Institutions offering Master’s of Business Administration degree programs across the nation have offered more social entrepreneurship courses to meet the increasing demand for relevant coursework. Dave Hanson, founder and brand director of Lights Give Heat, suggests that social entrepreneurs “Don’t shy away from big dreams. As much as they sound dumb, they work.” These dreams can work to create positive change. For example, Donors Choose is a non-profit organization that helps low-income schools gather funding for projects such as field trips, art supplies, books, and more. According to the Donors Choose website, all of the public schools in America have at least one teacher who has posted a project on the site and over 69 percent of those projects are fully funded.
Social entrepreneurship provides funding and jobs for the community, which lowers poverty, hunger, and social inequality, and improves education. Nate Nasralla, who works with the marketing of charities and social entrepreneurship ventures, said, “Any business that can be built in a way to further the work of non-profits will not only serve the community, but I truly believe [will] double the bottom line with long-term business success.” Social entrepreneurs can change the world by continuing to connect the areas of social change and business. They leave an everlasting impact on people, their lives, and their communities. If you want to leave a mark on the world, consider becoming a social entrepreneur!
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 47
INSIDE & OUT
What’s Your
CONCESSION STAND PICK?
CORIANA BROWN, FRESHMAN, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
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hether it’s the Sox or the Cubs, supporting your favorite MLB team is
still considered one of America’s greatest pastimes. Even non-baseball fans might find themselves in the stadium this summer taking in a few games. Of course while you’re there for three-plus hours, chances are you’ll work up an appetite. This is when concession stands come in handy. Concession stands are easy to find in any sports arena and they play a very big and important role in taking in the full experience of a traditional game. All across the country, sports stadiums have their favorite local dishes, but in Texas where the Rangers play, the concessions have made national news. The Texas Rangers have decided to add more tasty, unique treats to their list of food items available in their stadium. One of the newly added treats is called a Fried S’mOreo. A Fried S’mOreo is a deep fried treat that consists of a marshmallow breaded in graham cracker crust that is deep fried, placed between two deep-fried battered Oreos, placed on a skewer, and then drizzled with chocolate sauce. The Texas Rangers are also adding fried corn on the cob, candied bacon, cotton candy bacon and chicken fried bacon on a stick. While these new desserts may sound delicious to some, to others they sound like a plate of clogged arteries with a side of heart attack. Now let’s think about what type of food our local baseball team’s stadium concession stands sell. Although most stadiums sell foods such as the traditional hot dog, pizza, hamburgers, and various types of sandwiches, they still sell the typical unhealthy stadium junk food. Some of the favorites include cotton candy, brownies, ice cream, and soda. Even though these snacks aren’t as over-the-top as a Fried S’mOreo, they’re still not on the healthy side, especially if eaten in large portions. According to the Boston Globe, Fenway Park has been named one of the healthiest ballparks in major league baseball. Some of the items on their menu include veggie pizza, fresh fruit cups, grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey wraps, and yogurt parfaits. The menu at U.S. Cellular Field where the Chicago White Sox play their home games, has taken a step in the healthier direction as well. According to the Sox website, they dedicate a small section of their menu to those sensitive to gluten. For the “veggie lovers” they offer cheese quesadillas, veggie dogs and garden burgers. It may be a while before the Fenway Park healthy food items are a norm in stadiums across the country. Until then, be wise about the foods you choose to put in your body, and try enjoying something from the healthier side of the menu the next time you’re at the concession stand. 48 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
ACCORDING TO THE BOSTON GLOBE, FENWAY PARK HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST BALLPARKS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
UNDERSTANDING AN ACL Injury BY JAMEAH LAWSON, JUNIOR, MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
“COLLISION AND CONTACT SPORTS SUCH AS FOOTBALL, RUGBY, AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HAVE HIGHER ACL RUPTURE RATES.” - DR. GEORGE PRIMUS
I
t happens to the best of them, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Jamal Crawford, and many more players in the NBA and other sports. Tearing an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is considered a major injury in the sports world. Most of these tears, located in the knee area, are caused by noncontact injuries in sports, such as basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and cheerleading. This injury alone can put many players on the sidelines, ending seasons and sometimes careers. There are several ways noncontact ACL injuries occur, including stopping quickly, cutting sharply, and landing and changing direction with both feet planted. Most commonly in court sports, such as basketball, a pop is felt. That pop usually signals that the ACL is torn completely. The anterior cruciate ligament can also be injured by changing direction rapidly, stopping suddenly, slowing down while running, landing incorrectly from a jump, or by direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle. Dr. George Primus, of the Chicago Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery, sheds some light on which sports put athletes out of commission the most with this injury. “Collision and contact sports such as football, rugby, and women’s basketball have higher ACL rupture rates. High impact sports that require a lot of turning and stopping, pivoting and jumping, have high rupture rates, especially in females, such as soccer and basketball. Skiing is one of the most common activities where ACL injuries occur.” A healthy ACL is crucial for many players because it’s one of the main fragments in the knee that is used in sports and involves leg movement – which is basically every sport. According to Primus, “The ACL is the main stabilizer in the knee. It stabilizes the knee to prevent the lower bone (tibia: shin bone) of the knee joint from moving too far in front of the upper bone (femur: thigh bone), as well as stabilizing the knee joint in rotation. There are a lot of nerve fibers in our ACLs that relay where the knee is in space, and gives us a sense of stability. Without the ACL, the knee has varying degrees of looseness, which does not allow athletes to play or function at their top level.”
Primus adds, “ACL tears typically do not heal on their own. In athletes or others that rupture their ACL and require a stable knee for high demand activities, we almost always resort to replacing their torn ACL with a reconstructed ligament. We usually take another ligament from the [athlete] and make it into a new ACL. But occasionally, we also take the ACL graft from a donor, and transplant a new ACL using someone else’s tissue. For an ACL reconstruction to heal, it can take up to three months for the graft to heal to the bone, but will take at least another three months before an athlete is ready to do a lot of their sport related drills.” Before being fully ready to report back to a sport, Primus recommends that the athlete allow seven to nine months for the ACL to heal completely. Famous athletes such as Rose and NFL player Reggie Wayne have both suffered from the injury and quickly recovered. This goes to show that an ACL injury does not have to end your professional or amateur career in sports. Success is still possible no matter what your game may be. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 49
DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE:
Menthol Is Dangerous BY KAYLYNN HARRIS, SENIOR, WHITNEY YOUNG
“DON’T LET THIS FLAVORING FOOL YOU INTO THINKING IT IS SAFER – A MENTHOL CIGARETTE IS STILL A CIGARETTE.” - EMILY ZADIKOFF
W
hat comes to mind when you think of something that kills more people in the United States than AIDS, car accidents, alcohol, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined? How would you feel if you found out that you were being targeted to start this behavior? That something is cigarette smoking. Most adult smokers begin smoking in their younger years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day more than 3,800 teenagers 18 and younger try their first cigarette. In addition, 2,100 youth and young adults become daily cigarette smokers. Even with the known health risks associated with smoking, youth are still being drawn into the addiction through misinformation and targeted marketing. A common untruth heard by young smokers is that menthol cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes. Menthol, which comes from peppermint oil, is used to mask the harsh feel of cigarette smoke and has become part of the attraction for younger users. Cigarettes that contain this additive still have thousands of dangerous chemicals, including nicotine. Menthol cigarettes are owned, manufactured, and marketed by tobacco companies. Emily Zadikoff, Senior Manager of Lung Health Initiatives at Respiratory Health Association, warns teens about the dangers of menthol. “Don’t let this flavoring fool you into thinking it is safer – a menthol cigarette is still a cigarette. In fact, new research shows that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive and harder to 50 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE
quit than other cigarettes. Smoking can cause immediate and long-term damage, and one of the first effects is nicotine addiction. Nicotine is highly addictive, and it works fast. As a teen, your brain is still developing, which can make you more vulnerable to the addictive effects of nicotine. Smoking may stain your teeth, turn your fingers yellow, give you wrinkles and it can stunt your lung growth.” In ads, tobacco companies lead you to believe that smoking is cool and everyone is doing it, when in reality the number of smokers has decreased from just a decade ago. In 1999, it was reported by the CDC that 29 percent of Chicago teens smoked; according to recent reports, as of 2014, that number has fallen to 10 percent. Don’t let tobacco companies manipulate you; most teens are making the decision to be tobacco-free. The truth of the matter is smoking is a major health risk and a potentially fatal addiction. But with all the known diseases and illnesses linked to it, why is tobacco still a multibillion-dollar industry? Tobacco companies spend over 35 million dollars each day to advertise their products. Tobacco companies target menthol cigarette marketing to specific groups including teens, women, racial minorities, LGBT community and people of low socioeconomic status. Menthol cigarette users, especially African-Americans, are less likely to quit smoking than non-menthol cigarette users. Cancer, respiratory failure, gum disease and death aren’t worth a cheap thrill. Our generation has the power to end smoking and become the first tobacco-free generation. So, why not take a stand and do something about it?
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