Girls Can! Magazine 2016

fun adventure friends forever!

equality for girls

Girl Scouts

Heart of Michigan gshom.org • 800-49-SCOUT www.comvoicesonline.com

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PUBLISHER’S VOICE

Girls Can! The Power of Women Working Together With just a bit of your time We can discover our passion.

Share with us what you know, And we can put it to action. *Words from the Merze Tate Explorers’ theme song, “Power in Unity: Girls Can!”

IT WAS INTERESTING. IT WAS unique. It was a challenge! How can you teach 25 girls about Whirlpool Corporation, and incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Media)? Most importantly, how do you make it fun?

Sara Horvath, senior counselor for Whirlpool Corp. in Benton Harbor, Michigan, decided to give it a try. She enlisted a team of some of the top-ranking women in her company to design a twoday experience that included tours everywhere from the test kitchen to 3-D design workshop. She recruited other top women vice presidents in the corporation to discuss their careers and what inspired them to reach their goals. The team took it even further to include a Smoothie Challenge, where Explorers would compete in a food creation/commercial contest that would be judged by Marc Bitzer (president and COO) and Joe Liotine (president of Whirlpool North America), Kim Thompson (Sr. Dir., Global Branding), and Lynanne Kunkel (VP Human Resources, N.A. Region). Wow!

MULTI-CULTURAL NEWS SOURCE

Volume 05, Issue 03 After two days, the girls not only had an amazing experience, but the women shared parts of their lives that they had never before shared with their peers (like, their first jobs at Rally’s, selling Founders Your Community, Your Voice Arlene & James Washington pumpkins, or baby sitting). The girls learned that everyone starts (2005-2010) somewhere. They also learned that through hard work, determiPublisher nation, and networking opportunities, they too would one day seSeason Press LLC (2010-) cure their dream jobs.

Throughout the entire Travel Writers Academy 2017 experience, girls met women who were CEOs, Ph.D.s, and college students working toward their dreams as they travel the world. The time the women took with the girls was priceless. Their actions proved that with just a bit of their time, together we can help girls find their own passions...and never forget to reach back to inspire the next generation.

See you online!

Sonya Bernard-Hollins- Publisher/ Founder of Merze Tate Explorers www.comvoicesonline.com | FALL 2016 4

Editor-In-Chief Sonya Bernard-Hollins Graphic Design/Cover Photo Fortitude Graphic Design Reporters/Photographers

Sean Hollins

Travel Writers Videographer

Editor- Tirrea Billings

Travel Writers

Community Voices P.O. Box 51042 Kalamazoo, MI 49005 269-365-4019 www.comvoicesonline.com

Travel Writers Academy 2017 Explorers

GOLDEN TOWER GIRLS

The Golden Tower Girls create their awardwinning smoothie at Whirlpool Corp. Aliah Ward (5th grade), Leah Pettis (7th grade), Sasha Hollins (5th grade), and Kendall Ivy (3rd grade).

Read their story on page 6.

WORLD WONDERETTES

The Wonderettes take a journey to cover a festival for kids. From left: Sanaa Olivacce-Shabazz (5th grade), Natasha Mahonie (12th grade), Amaya Lavender (4th grade), Kennedy Hudson (5th grade), and Dorien Watts (9th grade).

Read their story on page 8.

SWAG CHAMPION TRAVELERS

DIVAS FOR TRAVEL

The Divas pose outside of the Motown Museum in Detroit, Michigan. From left: Sierra Ward (8th grade), Sadaya Hamby (5th grade), Zynya Dodd (7th grade), and Zane Gardner (6th grade).

See their story on page 22.

INTERNATIONAL CREW

The International Crew poses with Heather Kaler of Whirlpool. They include: Jerah Jones (5th grade), Layla Wallace (6th grade), Syann Hollins (8th grade), Shadae Hillsman (7th grade), and Lydia Johnson (6th grade). See their story on page 16.

ON THE ROAD REPORTERS

Our Explorers On the Road ventured to clockwise: Zaria Barrow (4th grade) who took a trip to Hawaii; Alayna Kuhn (5th grade) shared of her music competition in Ohio; and Maya Daniels (8th grade) visited Washington D.C. See their stories on pages 18-20.

Traveling with SWAG are: From left: Tayla Dillard (5th grade) and Kymeil Beard (4th grade); Shemaiah Lawler (8th grade), Shi’Terriona Straham (11th grade), Naomi Thorpe (6th grade), and Kynnedi Patterson (4th grade). Read their story on page 24. www.comvoicesonline.com

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By the Golden Tower Girls: Sasha, Kendall, Aliah, and Leah.

The Merze Tate Explorers spent two awesome days at the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, Michigan during our Academy Week July 10-16.

Whirlpool’s headquarters are in Benton Harbor, along with 12 other Whirlpool locations in that area.

Our group visited Whirlpool to have the experience of learning about the different jobs women have there. What we did there was a first for kids. We took a tour of the Benton Harbor Technology Center and the test kitchen building. Our tour guides took us to meet the people who test the appliances (they made cookies just for us!), and to the 3-D lab where they made special Minions for each of us! We saw how refrigerator doors were tested, and the secret to how refrigerators stay cool.

Women vice presidents came in to talk to us about their careers in finance, marketing, and other jobs. Some of their first jobs, when they were teenagers, were selling pumpkins, working at Rally’s, and baby sitting.

But, the most fun came when we participated in the Whirlpool Smoothie Challenge. This is where we had to come up with your own smoothie recipe while using one of Whirlpools KitchenAid 6

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Go-Go Yo-Go Smoothie 3 banana slices 1 whole kiwi 2 cups of orange juice 1/4 cup of yogurt 2 slices of pineapple 10 raspberries 2 blueberries 3 small pinches of vanilla Jello 6 or more ice cubes.

Golden Tower girls create their smoothie, then pose with their Whirlpool coach, Brittany Birdsall, National Sales Manager.

blenders. We had to give it a unique, fun, and creative name, come up with a pitch for your smoothie and the blender, and create a PowerPoint presentation with help from Whirlpool women. Our leader was Brittany Birdsall, national sales manager. For our pitch to a panel of judges we added a little skit, and a dance routine...and WE WON!

Girls learn how Whirlpool products are tested with real food...and get to taste the results!

Kathleen Wolf, a senior manager of Brand Reputation and Global Interactive Communication, gives girls the Smoothie Challenge rules.

Giving Girls S.T.E.A.M.

Marc Bitzer, President and COO; Joe Liotine, President Whirlpool North America; Kim Thompson, Senior Director, Global Branding and Public Relations; and Lynanne Kunkel, VP Human Resources, North America, serve as judges for the pitch competition.

Tayla’s group completes their pitch with a smile.

Girls are shown how engineers use 3-D printing at Whirlpool; Amaya, Kennedy, and Tayla laugh at refrigerator wall.

Did you know... *Whirlpool builds a washing machine every 3 seconds. *Whirlpool was founded by Louis Upton. *Whirlpool brands include: KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Maytag, and Amana. www.comvoicesonline.com

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Black Arts for K IDS

By World Wonderettes: Natasha, Sanna, Kennedy, Amaya, and Dorien

Captions clockwise from top: Wonderettes pose with organizers and participants of the Black Arts Youth Day event; three attendees pose for the camera; Sanaa interviews Yolonda Lavender, Amaya poses with her grandfather, Kevin Lavender Sr., the pastor of Bible Baptist Church; Natasha poses with one of the event organizers.

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The World Wonderettes pose with Yolonda Lavender after interviewing her about the Black Arts Festival presented by the Black Arts and Cultural Center where Lavender is the executive director.

The World Wonderettes visited the Black Arts and Cultural Center’s (BACC) Kid’s Day event held at Bible Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The church hosted the event in honor of the BACC’s 30th anniversary. Yolonda Lavender began her position as executive director of the BACC in 2015.

More than 400 children from the community attended the event. You could tell that children were really excited to be there. Some of the activities at the festival were face painting, singing, dancing, games, and the relay race.

“The relay was the best!” said Kendall Pettis, a young girl who was at the event.

The Black Arts & Cultural Center was founded in 1986. Their purpose is to help people in the community develop creativity and artistic ability.

They also educate the community about African American heritage, and show how to embrace the culture. Since that is what the BACC is all about they decided to have the Kids Day event to share their mission with youth.

“I absolutely love working with the youth,” said Laqueita Smith, who works for the Douglass Community Center.

This event was very important because it got kids out of the house, who might have just been in the house playing on a game system, texting on their cell phone, or being on social media. The kids there meet new people and had fun.

In a world where there are many things going on that are very scary, it is good to be able to know that when we are together (at events like this) we make each other feel a little better. Special programs and individual people from all around the community were partners with the BACC and Bible Baptist Church because they see the potential in the children in our community.

Thank you to everyone who donated their resources and time for the children in Kalamazoo to have a great experience.

The Black Arts & Cultural Center is located at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Learn more at: blackartskalamazoo.org

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Interviewing New York Times Bestselling Author Ta-nehisi coates

By Kennedy Shelton- Explorer Alumna *The Kalamazoo Community Foundation contacted the Merze Tate Explorers to include one of its reporters in an exclusive student group interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. Kennedy took the challenge. She is a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School (‘16). She will attend Howard University this fall where the author also graduated. In addition, Merze Tate retired as an honored professor of Howard University after teaching there for more than 40 years. Kennedy joined the Merze Tate Explorers (then Travel Club) in 2011 as a student of Media Arts Academy to create a documentary on the life of Merze Tate.

Ta- Nehisi Coates visited Kalamazoo as the speaker for Kalamazoo Community Foundation at Miller Auditorium. During his time here I was able to sit with a group of six student journalists and ask him questions about his new book, Between the World and Me. The book is a letter to his son of his life at home in Baltimore. In it, he focuses on the fear he felt growing up as a young black male.

He also is a correspondent for The Atlantic.

“In America, it is traditional to destroy the black body – it is heritage,” he said.

Aside from his childhood, he describes his influences in life, his engagement with history, poetry, and black culture. I asked about some of the first influences in his life, and he replied, “Rappers such as Nas, Raekwon, and Ghostface, influenced me because they were describing the humanity that existed.”

In his book, he reflects on these artists and other civil rights leaders who helped him identify who he was in society. As Coates 10

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Kennedy, top, listens to author Ta-Nehisi Coates during his visit to Kalamazoo as a guest of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Coates, above, listens to student questions. - Photos by Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Below, Kennedy, third from left, poses with youth crew members of the Merze Tate Documentary in 2012.

developed his novel, he introduced new elements. We follow his movement out of Baltimore to Washington D.C., where he awakens to a world as a student at Howard University.

“You knew you were a part of something.”

Coates responded regarding his experience at Howard, a historically black university (HBCU), that he said helped to open his eyes to a diverse setting of black people from all walks of life, and in his words, “Experiencing people in a mass sort of way to get to their humanity.”

What I learned after listening to, and interviewing Ta-Nehisi Coates, has given me confirmation of my plans to experience what he learned at Howard University.

love where you live

We want Kalamazoo County to be one community where every person can reach full potential. Call 269.381.4416 or visit www.kalfound.org to learn how you can be part of our work.

equity | education

Mary Spradling died in 2009.

Today she’s teaching people about the history, experiences and contributions of African Americans.

equity | education

Mary loved Kalamazoo. She was the library’s first black professional librarian, and in 1998 donated a collection of almost 3,000 books, magazines and record albums highlighting the history, experiences and contributions of African Americans to KVCC. Her legacy is a Community Foundation fund created in her honor to maintain and enhance the collection.

We can help you show your love for Kalamazoo and leave a legacy too. Call 269.381.4416 or visit www.kalfound.org to learn how.

www.comvoicesonline.com

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Creative Venture!

We are so thankful for the many businesses, organizations, and people in our community who have provided the girls of the Merze Tate Explorers, with amazing opportunities to discover their passions! In addition, there are so many parents and volunteers who use their resources to help us in so many ways.

A big THANK YOU goes to the Thorpe family who were the hosts for our first official fund raising activity. Dozens of mothers and daughters joined in at Wet Paint and Palette, owned

by Kimberly Thorpe, to create special Mother’s Day wall art. Although each artist followed the instructions of Kimberly, it was evident that their creative juices sent them flowing in ways they never imagined.

Thanks to the mothers, daughter, grandmothers, aunts, and friends, who joined in to create memories and raise funds for the Merze Tate Explorers!

Wet Paint and Palette is located at 117 E. South Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007. Check them out on Facebook!

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WORKING TOGETHER Since 2008, the Merze Tate Explorers (originally Travel Club) has received helped from dozens of organizations dedicated to sharing everything from the arts to science with our girls. What they experience helps them find their passion and learn about the people and places in our community.

Clockwise: Girls participated in the annual Engineering Day for girls at the Air Zoo; Miller Auditorium provided tickets for our girls and their families to see the Alvin Ailey dancers and have an exclusive interview with members of the dance troupe; the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts sponsored our 2016 magazine unveiling where girls had fun taking frame photos with their friends.

Dawn and her family were not alone when it came time to care for their mother in her last illness.

“It’s bigger than just yourself” “Caring — we really felt that. My mother wasn’t sad — she was really thankful—the nurse explained everything.

It gave me someone to call when we needed to — and we needed to. We couldn’t have done it with just us, we couldn’t have.” — Dawn Smith

hospiceswmi.org • 269.345.0273

AFFORDABLE COURSES AND EXCITING TRIPS FOR PASSIONATE LEARNERS

Fall offerings start September through November. Learn more today! wmich.edu/olli | (269) 387-4200

Thanks Hammond Family for Supporting The Travel Writers Academy Since 2013!

1600 Douglas Avenue * Kalamazoo, MI * 49007 * www.hammondroto.com

Where Will We Go? Who Will We Meet?

By the International Crew: Syann Hollins, Shadae Hillsman, Layla Wallace, Lydia Johnson, and Jerah Jones.

The original Travel Club founded

by Merze Tate in 1927 at Crispus Attucks High School. Learn more about Tate and the Travel Club at: www.merzetate.com.

Opposite page: Explorers visit Canada, learn from international student and those who have traveled abroad; girls work and live together in dorms; producer Che Jordan helps girls create a theme song; Whirlpool VP Liz Door talks with Explorers, and Dr. Karika Parker inspires girls to succeed.

The idea for the Merze Tate Explorers (originally Merze Tate Travel Club) originated from the idea a woman had more than 80 years ago. The woman was Merze Tate, and she had just graduated from Western Michigan University in 1927.

She had her first teaching job at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Ind., and she started a Travel Club.

(who died in 1996) Hollins loves to travel.

The main purpose of the travel club is to inspire young girls to travel, write, and report about the latest news. It is also to let us experience things that most people don’t get to see until they’re older, like meeting the CEO and COOs of companies.

The Explorers is very important because it teaches young ladies about college life; like how to cooperate with your roommates.

The native of Blanchard, Michigan, took It is also important because it lets girls her students to different places around travel to places they have never been the country. She took both boys and girls before so they can discover new things. In so she could teach them about places addition,the Explorers teaches girls about they usually wouldn’t be able to go, to like hard work and not to let anything get in the Washington D.C. and Niagara Falls. In way of your goals. Girls learn where the order to be in her travel club her students continents and oceans are in the world, had to have a 4.0 grade point average. where the states are on the map of the She set a high standard for her students so United States, and where landmarks are they could eventually change the world. located around the world.

In 2008, Sonya Hollins founded the travel club after learning about Tate. She learned that Tate and her, had both graduated from Western Michigan University (only Tate in 1927, and Hollins in 1993). And like Tate 16

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We get a chance to stay in the dorms at Kalamazoo College, usually for a whole week. It also allows girls to work hard and learn a lot while they are traveling and having fun.

Today’s travel club, now called the Explorers, during a trip to Canada and a Journey Behind the Falls.

During the Travel Writers Academy this summer, we learned about the many famous musicians who started at Motown during our visit to Detroit. We also learned about Whirlpool Corporation and the women leaders who help make the company successful when we visited their headquarters located in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

While in Canada, we learned about their money and some facts about Niagara Falls.

Finally, we learned from motivational speaker Dr. Karika Parker, that no matter what our skin color is, and no matter where we grew up, we can be successful.

In conclusion, the Merze Tate Explorers is a great program for girls who want to travel and love to write. We went to so many fun places, and learned so much in one week. We can’t wait to see where the Explorers are going, and who we will meet next year!

www.comvoicesonline.com

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Aloha: My Family Vacation to Hawaii

By Zaria Barrow My family goes on a vacation every year. This year, it was decided we would visit Hawaii. For most of us, it was our first time to Hawaii. My grandparents thought this would be a wonderful way to celebrate 50 years of marriage, and my Gigi’s (aunt’s) 50th birthday. It is so much fun being with my family.

The first part of the trip was the most

challenging. We had to ride on two planes, for a total of ten hours to get from Detroit, MI to Honolulu, HI. The plane flew 40,000 feet up in the sky and went as fast as 500 mph! I really do not like to fly, so having to get on two planes was a lot. I figured out how to keep myself busy though. I had plenty of snacks, games, and movies to make the time fly by. When we got to Honolulu, we stayed near Waikiki Beach The water was so pretty but a little scary, too.

We took a cruise ship to the different Hawaiian islands. The waves looked so big when the cruise ship sailed at night. When it was time to go to sleep, I would close the curtains and balcony door so I could not see or hear the waves.

This trip was amazing because I learned so much about the culture. I learned how to open a coconut, how to make a flower lei and Kukui Nut lei, and I learned about many traditions at a Luau. The Luau was one of the most exciting things I done on the trip. There were hula and fire dancers, traditional Hawaiian music, clothes and foods. My favorite part of the Luau was watching the fire dancer dance with fire on each end of a stick. It looked very dangerous and I got to meet the fire dancer at the end of the show.

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Another exciting thing I did was attend an art class. I painted a picture of what Hawaii means to me. I really like doing arts and crafts. Lastly, I enjoyed swimming every day...and some days all day! I met many friends at the pool.

Hawaii is a beautiful place with so much culture. I would recommend this place to visit because it was fun, pretty, and it is probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most people.

The American Guild of Music’s National Competition

at Kalahari Resort

By Alayna Kuhn

In July, I participated in the American Guild of Music’s (AGM) national competition at Kalahari Resort in Ohio. I competed in the vocal category, and the vocal self-accompanied category playing the guitar. I went on my trip with my Mom, my Dad, and my little sister, Nya. My music teacher, Michelle Shrewsbury, came to support me and three other students from her music studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Alayna, second row right, celebrates with music teacher and friends, winning third place in the instrumental/ vocal category of the national competition. Below, she and younger sister, Nya, pose with the competition’s choir director, Lorelei Eccleston.

The most challenging part about my trip was right before I went on stage to perform. I had to work up the courage to believe that I would do a great job. I also had to try my best to believe in myself. But most of all, I learned to focus on the performance and have fun.

The most exciting thing that I did during the AGM competition was interview Lorelei Eccleston. She was the awesome choir director of the convention choir that I was a part of. She started singing in church when she was 9 years old. Her father was also a singer. Her favorite performance was in 2010 when she sang with Randi Crawford in Zimbabwe, Africa. To be able to perform with a Grammy-Award Winning artist in a place as beautiful as Zimbabwe, was an amazing experience for her.

One of the best things about going to AGM at Kalahari was the Kalahari Waterpark. I went down five water slides during my stay. My favorite slide was this big roller coaster slide with conveyor belts that sent you up and down!

I also loved going to the Lazy River, the wave pool, the outdoor pools, and the indoor arcade.

Even though this was not my first time going to Kalahari, it was my first time going with friends.

It was fun being able to experience Kalahari with a big group. I don’t remember Kalahari being so fun!

Ms. Eccleston gave me a lot of advice. She told me that our voices are our instruments and that each person has a unique voice and not to compare are “instruments” to others. She said that I should not worry too much about competing with other students, but that I should have fun and work hard to challenge myself.

I would 100% recommend anyone who can, to go to Kalahari. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever been to and one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.

Overall, it was a really fun experience... and I was fortunate enough to win the third-place trophy for my guitar/vocal performance of the song, “Do Lord”. www.comvoicesonline.com

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Seeing the Sites of Our Nation’s Capital

By Maya Daniels

On my recent trip to Washington D.C., I learned many things about history by visiting historic buildings and monuments. One of the several places I visited was Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is on land that once belonged to George Washington’s step-grandson, who later gave it to his daughter. After she and her family vacated the house, the land was used for various purposes including a safe haven for slaves seeking freedom. Today, more than four million people visit the cemetery annually to come and remember those who served.

While there, I visited the burial sites of President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, and his brothers Senators Robert F. and Edward Kennedy. I also visited the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and was able to witness the changing of the guards ceremony of elite soldiers selected specifically for that honor.

I also visited George Washington (once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first American President) estate in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. In the past, 317 enslaved men women and children worked to keep the household functioning and the farm profitable.

Next, I went to tour the Pentagon, which was super cool, and the Pentagon Memorial, which was sad. Some things I found interesting about the Pentagon was that you can’t use cell phones, take pictures, or record video in the building. To make a call you need to use the office phones.

While at the Pentagon, I interviewed my aunt, who is Col. Jennifer D. Wesley, a Senior Strategist for the Army. She helps plan logistical operations worldwide (like medical, transportation, fuel, and maintenance) and supports allied countries in need with resources. She was stationed in Miesau, Germany for three years. She did training missions in Korea, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico, and fought in Desert Storm in Iraq in 1991.

She was introduced to the officer training program as a sophomore in college and later joined ROTC where she discovered she excels at leadership. That’s when she decided to join the army full time. I asked her what advice she had for girls interested in joining the Army. She said, “get a quality education and have courage to conquer your fears.”

And the last places I visited were the National Mall, which is not really a mall it is where all the monuments are located. I went to the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, along with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Korean War memorials.

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10 Things I Learned in Washington D.C.

By Maya Daniels

I learned that...

1. George Washington never lived in D.C. The White House was completed a year after he died, and the second U.S. President, John Adams, was the first to live there.

2. The statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square was partially made from British cannons taken in the War of 1812.

Merze Tate Explorers Sponsors History Day State Finals winners

Best Entry in Use of Arts/Music Award

Each student/group received $100!

3. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with more than 162 million objects in its collection.

4.

5.

Senior Award Exploring the African American Culture: The Harlem Renaissance. Ian Jones (King H.S.), Glen Reid and Joshua Wright (Cass Tech. H.S.), and Doncarlus Scott (Madison Heights H.S.).

Instead of chiseling the “F” in “future,” the letter “E” was mistakenly carved into Lincoln’s second inaugural address on the north wall of the Lincoln Memorial. Look closely and you can still see the typo.

You can play reporter for a day at the NBC News Interactive Newsroom at the Newseum.

6. The cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin were a gift from the mayor of Tokyo.

7.

Junior Award Motown: Breaking the Color Barrier Through Music.

Annie Betts, Gus Crothers, and Elliot Russell, all of Kazoo School.

The Statue of Freedom is the bronze statue on the top of the U.S. Capitol Dome. It looks small from is more than 19 feet tall and weighs nearly 15,000 pounds.

8. The only president buried in D.C. is Woodrow Wilson, who is entombed at the Washington National Cathedral.

9.

George Washington was supposed to be buried at the U.S. Capitol but his will stated that he wanted to be buried at his home, Mount Vernon, just outside of D.C. in Virginia.

Youth Award Expanding the Boundaries of Dance: Katherine Dunham.

Courtney Wright of Spain ElementaryMiddle School.

10. The statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square was the first equestrian statue made in the U.S.

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Motown Music

By the Divas for Travel: Sierra, Kynnedi Patterson, ZyNya Dodd, Zane Gardner, and Sadaya Hamby

Motown music. It’s what many of our parents and grandparents grew up listening to. It was the music they heard on Saturday morning while cleaning the house. Our tour guide Cecilia, shared the history of Motown music with us during our recent visit to where it all began, Hitsville U.S.A., the Motown Museum in Detroit, Michigan. After our visit, we (the younger generation) felt as if we had been adopted into the music legacy of greatness...it had become our music too.

This record label journey was all started by Berry Gordy, whose contagious rhythms were formed from using the steady beats of the car assembly line he once worked at. When he realized that he had a passion for making music, he needed money to start a label. On January 12, 1959, he started his company when he petitioned his family for a loan of $800 with 16% interest. In seven years, the $800 investment turned into $20 million dollars!

While we were in the museum, we saw many important parts of history. Atiba Ward, one of the chaperoning parents, noticed a candy machine with candy from decades ago. The candy bars were ripped and torn, and the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup wasn’t even sitting up straight. There was also a cigarette machine in the studio. Back then, it was very common to have one in most offices.

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Above: Sanna poses in front of the historic plaque about Motown. Left: the Explorers pose in front of Hitsville U.S.A., Motown Museum, with (left)Teresa Brown, COO, and (kneeling right), Shanel Adams, Public Relations Coordinator.

Another interesting part of the tour was the acoustics hole that led up to the attic. It is located in the middle of what is now an exhibit area.

Originally, this was where one of the other studios used to be. The artist would sing into the hole while someone was recording the sound at the top. The point of this was to project the unique “Motown Sound.”

Many of us were challenged to sing into the hole to get an idea of the sound. Some of us felt shy, and that there was no way we could follow in the steps of the great singers who had once performed there. However, one of the Explorers, Sanna, took the challenge by singing a song by Adele. She did an outstanding job! Whether it was her voice, or her bravery, she definitely outdid all of us.

During the tour, we learned that the house where the studio was located, also had an apartment where Mr. Gordy lived with his wife and kids. We then went down the stairs into Studio A. That is where the best-of-the-best recorded their music.

Those such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and even Michael Jackson, had recorded there.

Michael Jackson was part of his family’s singing group, The Jackson 5, when they were discovered.

After much success, Michael continued to support Motown. Over the years he donated one of his famous white gloves, a black hat, and more than $125,000. All those items (except the money) were displayed in a glass case in the main room of the museum.

Lastly, as we wrapped up our tour, we had a visit from a surprised guest. Teresa Brown, the Chief Operating Officer of the Motown Museum, came in to meet us. She was joined by Shanel Adams, the social media and public relations coordinator.

We interviewed them about their careers, and most importantly, asked who their favorite Motown artists were. They both stated that Marvin Gaye was their favorite Motown artist.

Brown also told us that she has met many famous artists like Beyonce, and that Motown still has a label.

Overall, this was a great experience for us. For many of us, this was the closest we had ever been to these Motown artists we hear so much about.

The feeling and experience itself was just beyond breathtaking.

FLASHBACK 2009: Tori Zackery, Kayla Evans, and Remya Phillips pose at Kalamazoo Valley Museum exhibit on Velvelettes.

First Travel Club road trip to Detroit in 2009! www.comvoicesonline.com

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Niagara Falls

By the Swag Champion Travelers: Shi-Terriona Straham, Shemaiah Lawler, Tayla Dillard, Naomi Thorpe, and Kymeil Beard.

Shi’Terriona goes over the falls in a barrel in this fun photo backdrop.

Niagara Falls is a popular landmark located between Ontario, Canada and Buffalo, New York. Niagara Falls contains three falls called, Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and also the Bridal Veil Falls, because of its shape. The biggest of those falls is the Horseshoe Falls. The smallest is the Bridal Veil Falls. We were able to personally view all three.

Explorers pose with captain of the Hornblower Cruise after experiencing Niagara Falls up close. Below, parent Cherise Ward (third from left), keeps queasy Explorers company.

“About 500 waterfalls in the world are higher than Niagra, but many carry only a small amount of the water. It is the impressive combination of extraordinary width and a massive volume of water that makes Niagra so aweinspiring,” according to an information panel located in the tunnels of the Jouney Under the Falls attraction.

It was “created” 12,000 years Not only is Niagra Falls a ago by a melting glacier falling beautiful place to visit, but it (stated a cup that was purchased is also important because it is from the souvenir shop). a potential source of power, or According to our tour guide, electricity.

Dan, the falls are, “2,200 feet wide, and 280 feet deep”. He Do not wait until the summer said it uses about “37.5 gallons to go to Niagra Falls, or even of water per minute”. There has any specific season, because only been one person, Roger (according to facts on an Woodward, to successfully informational display) “The go over the Falls. Woodward beauty of the Falls in winter was only 7 years old when he is unforgettable–the magical accomplished this unforgettable wonderland. Every season historical feat, and the amusing offers new things to discover at thing is that he did not Niagara Falls.” intentionally go across the Falls.

The Niagra Falls offspring falls Across Niagra Falls is a bridge into the Niagra River, which is called the Rainbow Bridge that made up of Lake Erie and Lake connects the United States Ontario. and Canada. The United States www.comvoicesonline.com 24 | FALL 2016

and Canada have shared the peaceful boarder for 200 years.

We drove under the bridge and it was really a beautiful sight.

The U.S. and Canada joined to build conservation (bathtubs), generators, turbines, and power plants in 1950. And it flows between 15-20 mph.

Today, there are several parts to Niagara Falls and all sorts of entertainments that goes along with it. There are boat tours, helicopter tours, and plenty of souvenir shops. We were able to go on the boat tour and get up close and personal with the Falls. We also went on a bus tour around the Falls and had time to shop at the souvenir shops.

Our guide told us that, the building located in the gorge across from the viewing platform is a Powerhouse that was built by the Ontario Power Company between 1900 and 1905. The facility was decommissioned in 1999.

There is such a significant amount of water flowing through the falls that scientists believe will not be gone, or dried up for more than 50,000 years.

There are so many different things that you can do at Niagara Falls and so many different sights to see. Everyone should at least consider visiting it one day soon.

Photos: Crossing into Canada gave many Explorers their first international travel experience; the bridge connecting Canada and New York; Explorers hold Canadian money; the Journey Under the Falls was amazing; Naomi poses by the Whirlpool rapids that flow into Lake Ontario; a group photo moment, Sanna and Sasha have fun at gift shop. www.comvoicesonline.com

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Who You Gonna’ Call?

KDPS!

By Zaria Barrow

Explorers pose with women of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety; Explorers learn about Arthur Washington, Kalamazoo’s first African American city commissioner; Sonya Hollins poses with Cpt. Stacey Randolph.

On Saturday, June 25, 2016, the Travel Writers Academy Explorers had an opportunity to visit the Kalamazoo Public Safety Training Center. Thanks to Cpt. Stacey Randolph, we got an eye-opening experience that we will never forget.

I learned that police officers can also be fire fighters at the same time! (How can someone wear many “hats” at the same time?

Uhmmm!)

I immediately had interest in the patrol car and fire truck.

You ever wondered how many gallons of water a fire truck can hold? How many people do you need to hold a water hose?

Well, a fire truck can hold 750 gallons of water in its water tanks, and it takes two people to hold a water hose.

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Also, a police officer has to have a camera in the back of the patrol car so they can see what the person is doing in the back seat.

One of the activities we were able to do was sit in the back seat of the patrol car. It was not comfortable at all! As I sat in the back of the patrol car, I noticed that the seats were not soft and there was a divider sliding glass window. The glass window protects the police officer when a suspect is sitting in the back seat. When sitting in the back seat, I was able to know what a suspect would see. I could clearly see the front inside of the car. I noticed there was a large shot gun and a computer. (I wonder can the police officer play Minecraft in a traffic jam? Uhmmm!)

www.comvoicesonline.com

Another activity we did during the tour was met different types of workers at the police station. We met Officer Andrea Townsend who volunteered to go through Taser training. During police training most of the men and women have to get pepper sprayed and tased. Officer Townsend stated she likes people to respect and be nice to her, that way in return she gives respect and will be nice to the people.

We met a Crime Lab Instructor Terry Thomas. He told us a secret! If there was blood on a wall and someone painted over the bloody wall, the police can still scrap the wall to get evidence off the wall. The evidence is sent to a government lab to find out whose blood it is. If it is a match to another crime, it can help the police.

Another way to find out who was at a scene of a crime is finger prints! Upon arrival at the police station, they have workers who take your finger prints when you go to jail.

Finger prints leave a path.

They take your finger prints to match up to any other finger prints you might have left at a crime scene.

Lastly, when someone calls 911 they talk with a dispatcher who is responsible for a total of six lines! I think that is a lot to handle for one person but they are trained to help with any emergency.

The most important lesson I learned is to please call 9-1-1 for help!

Explorers get a behind-thescene look at the women of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety...and have some new careers to consider for their own futures!

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: s g n li l i B a Tirre

a v i D Video

Tirrea Billings came on board as production assistant for the 2017 Travel Writers Academy. She taught students how to assemble a video camera, mic, and other accessories, and she put them to the test during a Saturday workshop at Public Media Network. Downtown merchants allowed the girls to interview them to get practice.

T

irrea Billings was someone I had to know, according to Olga Bonfiglio, an area writer. She had interviewed Billings for a news story just before she learned about the Merze Tate Explorers and said Billings would be a perfect match, and role model to our girls.

Bonfiglio was right! Billings came on as the production assistant for the Explorers’ summer journalism academy. Not only did Billings bring her experience as a documentary film student at Western Michigan University, she

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brought fun! The girls not only worked well with her, but partied together on the Detroit Princess cruise taken by the academy before heading to Niagara Falls. Billings’ talent in filmmaking led to an honorable mention in the 2016 Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts. She will produce a short film on the Travel Writers that will debut at a fund-raising banquet for the organization in August.

TATE-STONE TRAVEL WRITERS ACADEMY 2017 APPLICATION FOR AUDITION Audition Interviews Saturday, March 18, 2017 Applicants will beTRAVEL scheduled for interviews once application is TATE-STONE WRITERS ACADEMY complete and all necessary forms are turned in.

2017 APPLICATION FOR AUDITION Desired Position: __________Jr. Explorer(4-5th grade in Fall 2017)Audition Interviews Saturday, March 18, 2017 Day camp

Applicants will be __________Explorer scheduled for interviews (6th-10thonce gradeapplication in Fall 2017)is complete and all necessary forms are turned in. grade in Fall __________Ambassador Leader (11th-12th

Desired Team: Desired Position:

__________Reporter (writing focus) __________Jr. Explorer(4-5th grade in Fall 2017)__________Photojournalist (photography focus) Day camp __________Videographer (video filming) __________Explorer (6th-10th gradeediting, in Fall 2017) __________Ambassador Leaderapplication (11th-12th grade Send completed to: in Fall For more Name: information visit: Student ______________________________Age:_____Birthdate:_________________ Desired Team: __________Reporter (writing focus) Merze Tate Explorers - P.O. Box 51042 merzetate.com, or call 269-359-7895 __________Photojournalist (photography focus) Kalamazoo, MI 49005 __________Videographer (video editing, filming) Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________________

Student Name: ______________________________Age:_____Birthdate:_________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________________ City: ____________________State:__________________Zip:__________ Address: ____________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Cell Phone: ______________E-mail________________________________ City: ____________________State:__________________Zip:__________ Student Cell Phone: _____________________E-mail________________________________ Parent/Guardian Cell Phone: ______________E-mail________________________________ Current School: _________________________City___________________, State:_________ Student Cell Phone: _____________________E-mail________________________________ Current Grade: ________ Grade Point Average (middle and high school students) Current School: _________________________City___________________, State:_________ Teacher’s name: (4th-5th graders only) ___________________________________________ Current Grade: ________ Grade Point Average (middle and high school students) List of activities you participate in both inside and outside of school: ______________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Teacher’s name: (4th-5th graders only) ___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ List of activities you participate in both inside and outside of school: ______________________ Along with this application, please attach: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____250 word typed essay on, why you want to be a part of this program (please include what _____________________________________________________________________________ you want to learn and what you can offer.) *100 words typed for future 4-5th graders. _____________________________________________________________________________ Along with this application, please attach: ____Transcript of classes lastwhy report _____250 word typed essayoron, you card want to be a part of this program (please include what you want to learn and what you can offer.) *100 words typed for future 4-5th graders. ____Letter of recommendation from a teacher, organization or program leader. *Unless discussed, applications missing ____Transcript of classes or last report cardany of the requested information will not be considered. ____Letter of recommendation from a teacher, organization or program leader. *Unless discussed, applications missing any of the requested information will not be considered. www.comvoicesonline.com

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The 4th Annual Travel Writers Academy would not have been possible without you!

Other contributors include: Pamela Chapman Wanda Wright Dorothy Young Jayda Craig Jeff Palmer John Davis Bruce Johnson Ann Agens Judy Jolliffe Justine Franklin Janice Brown Mary Harper Yolanda Wiggins Deborah Gant Ahrea Norton Joy Markin Deborah Watson Stucki Family The Pettis Family Fonda Turner-Cavin Wright Coating Shirley Cates Priscilla Blair Joy Veltkamp Mrs. Darwin Stewart Eliz Gayle Witt Lara Malek Marta Kwiatkowski Christine Wheeler LaToya Kuhn Marilyn Maurer Rachel LaLonde Cathleen Staples

Jaye Johnson Fredrick Johnson Sandra Williams Diane Bernard Cathleen Staples Belinda Tate Mabel Johnson

Kalamazoo Public Schools

are reaching higher! over the last 5 years te ra on ti ua ad gr g  Risin high , middle school and  Rising elementaryhievement school student ac of students taking r be m nu e th le ub  More than do ent courses in the last 8 years Advance Placem r ee college tuition fo ply) fr e: is m ro P oo az  The Kalam ce requirements ap sidency & attendan (re s te ua ad gr S KP udents have been or st S P K 0 20 4, an th mise  More The Kalamazoo Pro are beneficiaries of ts ately 2,400 studen im ox pr ap of th w ro G in the last 10 years

For enrollment or more information please contact Kalamazoo Public Schools at

269.337.0161

! s k n a Th HAROLD & GRACE

UPJOHN FOUNDATION FOR BELIEVING GIRLS CAN!