Contents The fearless Amanda Mitchell
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Write your vision p.3 Movie review: Battleship p.4 News p.6 Make new styles from old clothes p.7
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Four things to do this summer p.12 Romain launches ‘The System’ p.13 Must-watch summer shows p.14
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From the Editor
Write your vision “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”- Robert H Schuller
what course you should take or the path to pursue, you are an individual with your own dreams and ideas for your life. You have a responsibility to yourself to fight for your dreams.
o it! What’s your ultimate goal in life? What do you want to do more than anything else? Are you doing what’s necessary? Life is about setting goals and charting a course to get there. Whether it involves graduating summa cum laude from college, starting your own business or travelling the world, it is important that you establish exactly how you plan to achieve them.
It’s time to write your vision, make plain exactly what you want and how you plan to get there. Look at where you want to be, and then look at where you are presently. Are you on track? If not, do something! Anything. You have to be strategic about your vision. You were created with a purpose and it’s time that you walk purposefully into your destiny.
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Never allow your dreams and aspirations to float aimlessly around; you have control over many aspects of your life and it is time that you assume your position as the person in charge of your destiny. Stop waiting on others to dictate www.ezineslimited.com
Forget the fear, doubt and disbelief that might hinder you from fully embracing your purpose. Go and get it done! Have a great day, Keresa Teen Spirit
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Entertainment
Movie Review by Alana Gardner
Battleship
PG-13
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ey guys! So my week of happiness continues as summer vacation is finally here. Well, it’s here for me anyways, so I can just kick back, relax and have a good time. As I ignore the blistering heat and continue the festivities of my fleeting freedom until summer school begins (yeah, it sucks), I went to see the movie Battleship. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t really looking forward to seeing this movie. Apart from seeing the beautiful Alexander Skarsgård from True Blood on HBO, (the fifth season starts on June 10, which I am very much looking forward to), I felt it was the studio’s desperate attempt to replace Transformers since the successful series ended just last year and I’m sad to say that I was right.
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Battleship tells the story of what happens when scientists send a signal into space looking to contact a distant planet and get more than they were bargaining for when an alien race comes to Earth with evil intent, which could mean the extinction of our race. With a plot like this, there are so many possibilities for this movie to be extraordinary, but sadly, it was so stupid on so many levels that I’m not sure I can fully explain fully what a waste of time it was. There were many aspects to this movie that made it very much like Transformers, where it focused more on the people (the humans) than the extraterrestrials, but unlike Transformers, where the humans’ lives were comedic and entertaining, the humans in Battleship were just stupid and uninteresting.
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A scene from the movie Battleship
Unlike the Transformers series, although they vaguely touched on the lives of the Autobots and Decepticons, when they did, they always left you either laughing in your seat or on the edge of it; this movie did not have that effect. I’m telling you if the Autobots were in that movie, the aliens would have been dead in the first five minutes of it. I’m serious, there are so many flaws in this movie, it’s one where you leave your brain at the door and just have a good time. Not to mention Rihanna’s performance. That girl should stick to singing. She cannot act! Hell, she couldn’t even act when she was playing herself in Bring It On: All or Nothing and that was six years ago. You would think there would be some improvement! Anyway, here’s my advice: if you like big explosions and don’t want to exercise your brain muscles, go watch this movie. But if you’re like me and want good action and a plot so well written that no matter how far in the world of fiction it may go, it can still make sense, please save yourself some brain cells and money and stay home. Battleship is an action-adventure from Hasbro and Universal Studios and directed by Peter Berg, earning itself three out of five stars. Starring Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Asano Tadanobu and Liam Neeson.
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Teen Spirit
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News
US Ambassador Bridgewater and Minister Crawford handover prizes to Kevin Nesbeth and Horace Mills of Trench Town Comprehensive High school. Photographer Donette Zacca looks on.
Trench Town Comprehensive High wins photo competition
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rench Town Comprehensive High School emerged the winner of the U.S. Embassy’s ‘50 Years of Democracy in Focus’ High School Photography Competition, with its entry entitled ‘A Nation Aroused’. The awards ceremony was held at the Embassy’s Old Hope Road location on Wednesday May 30th . In attendance were Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Damion Crawford, Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater, and head of the Photography Department at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Donette Zacca, each of whom served as judges. Students and their respective school officials were also in attendance and eagerly awaited the announcement of the winner. The winning entry was determined by the combined decisions of the Embassy’s Facebook fans and the three judges, each with a twenty-five percent weighting. Horace Mills, Art teacher at Trench Town Comprehensive High, expressed his sincere
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gratitude for the prizes won which included a photocopying machine, a touch screen desktop computer with a publishing suite and a professional camera. “These items will go towards strengthening the capacity of the school’s Visual Arts department and will assist students in obtaining the materials needed to fulfill aspects of the CXC Visual Arts syllabus,” Mills said. He also noted that winning the competition serves as a milestone for the institution and will help to raise the morale of students and motivate them to passionately pursue their goals. Penwood High was named first runner up for their photo depicting Jamaica’s history of enslavement to the freedoms now enjoyed by its people. Yallahs High school took the place of second runner up for their entry which portrayed the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Jamaica. Both schools received professional cameras with Penwood High also receiving a full desktop publishing suite. Teen Spirit
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Fashion
Make new styles from old clothes by Kandice Moncrieffe
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o you’re cleaning out your closet and you’ve found many pieces that are outdated, that no longer fit your style or are torn. You want to throw them away, but there’s still something about the item that you love, maybe the patterns and textures of the fabric. There are lots of ways to transform, alter and revamp your old clothes to create a fashionable and trendy wardrobe. Don’t just let that awesome fashion piece go. Recycle your clothes and spice up your style!
Turn your jeans into denim shorts
Recycling clothes can do a lot for your closet and your pocket: you can get that cute crop top or bow tie you’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford, or you just couldn’t get the right print you wanted. You don’t necessarily need to have top-notch sewing skills. All you really need are a good pair of scissors and creativity! Of course, depending on what you plan to make, you might need a sewing machine. Here are a few trendy recycling ideas you can use to spice up your closet on a low budget. Click the links below to take advantage of these great DIY fashion tips.
Make your own stylish vest
Boring tops to crop tops
by Najique Gayle
Give your old shoes a glitter makeover
Old fabric, to floral necklace
T-shirt reconstruction
Bow ties www.ezineslimited.com
Tacky bangles to trendy bracelets
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Cover Story
The fearless
Amanda Mitchell
by Ava Gardner
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here were 16, then 11, then five contestants left towards the final segment of the Miss Universe Jamaica (MUJ) 2012 pageant held on May 12 at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The lucky five were Danisha Scott, eventual winner Chantal Zaky, Racquel Jones, Sherece Cowan, and the fearless beauty Amanda Mitchell. Even though 19-year-old Amanda didn’t win, there’s more to her story. Mitchell was first inspired to enter the MUJ 2012 pageant because of her interest in pushing herself and testing her limits. “I thought this would be a perfect challenge for me. The overall experience is really what intrigued me,” she told Teen Spirit. She was also excited to meet new people, and that she did. Not only did she meet some amazing people along her MUJ journey, countless doors opened up for her as well. “I realised it could be a platform not only for my career, but also to expose some issues I care about,” she said. It was a bit intimidating for Mitchell, being part of the younger set of MUJ contestants, but that didn’t stop her. Some of the girls were in fact much older and as a result, she felt they had more experience, but when she got to know everyone, Mitchell found that they all were very kind and friendly.
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“I’m really going to miss meeting up with my girls every week at the Spanish Court Hotel for grooming and deportment classes,” she said. According to Mitchell, the entire MUJ competition was an overall amazing experience. “We had the best mentors who cared about us and our well being. Also, our grooming coaches were fabulous. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. My sponsors, Caribbean Producers Jamaica, also played a huge role in my development as they showed me a lot of support and made me feel like I was a part of the family,” she explained. Mitchell doesn’t believe that age can limit your goals, but she did agree, however, that still being a high school student put her at a disadvantage. The pageant was right around the time of her Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) exams and it really demanded a lot of her time. She was unable to give it her undivided attention because her education was first priority. Despite this conflict of interests, Micthell has never second guessed entering the MUJ competition. To her, it was a fabulous opportunity and experience and counting all the amazing people that surrounded her, she said she wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Teen Spirit
“I’m really proud of myself for reaching as far as I did and I’m so happy for Chantal. She is such an amazing person.”
Micthell is still very grateful she made it to the top five. “Just being on the stage alone was extremely nerve-wracking, so being the youngest contestant in the top five never really crossed my mind,” she admitted. She also wasn’t surprised that she didn’t win. “I think everybody deserved the positions they received. It was a great bunch of girls this year. I’m really proud of myself for reaching as far as I did and I’m so happy for Chantal. She is such an amazing person.” The possibility exists for Mitchell to run again, but she said it’s unknown what plans God has for her, so right now she’s taking it one step at a time. “It isn’t completely etched out of my things to do list,” she said. What she does know is that she must finish her exams at the Immaculate Conception High School and come August, she will be continuing her studies at the University of Technology, where she will start the Architecture programme, under their Faculty of the Bulit Environment. In between these times, she has a lot of scheduled photo shoots and modelling gigs and encouraged us to look out for her. www.ezineslimited.com
In the future, Mitchell would like to be either an interior designer or event planner. She feels MUJ has helped her in her career pursuit in that, throughout the competition, she has met some great people and has made some good connections that will surely help in the future. Mitchell also hopes her journey will help inspire other girls to enter the MUJ pageant. “Considering I entered quite young, I really just want to send the message that nothing is ever out of reach,” she said.
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Summer tips
Four things to do this summer by Micheal Farquharson
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or many, the concept of a productive summer is one that baffles the mind – blasphemy, even. For years, we have been ingrained with the concept of summer being the time for relaxation and lyming. Many reading this article may currently be contemplating the parties they will attend, the things they will try, the places they will go, all in the name of a good time. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing bad with having fun during the summer. After all, a whole school year’s worth of work is over and it is natural that you will be a little expectant of your summer liberation. However, here are some new things you can consider doing this summer:
Volunteer work
This has its own benefits. Volunteering opens your mind to many life experiences and situations. If nothing else, it allows you to place yourself and your life into perspective, so you can make changes where needed.
Develop a hobby
something interesting, or it could be a hidden talent you never knew you had that manifests itself out of your boredom. They say necessity is the mother of invention, so go ahead, invent something.
Get a summer job
Money. Need I say more? Your first summer job is the stepping stone you need into the world of work and the money you make will be the first form and sign of independence. Mark you, the pay will more than likely be small, but it’s a start.
Learn a new language
It may seem like an impossible mountain to climb, but it isn’t. Software like Rosetta Stone exists, so all you need to do is have the will. Having another language gives you a leg up on everyone, especially in the working world. So don’t look at it as learning in a drab way; think more along the lines of the success you can gain in the future.
Now as cliché as this may sound, getting a hobby for the summer is actually a brilliant idea. It may be as simple as collecting
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Highlights
Romain launches ‘The System’ Romain Virgo launched his sophomore album, The System, at Emancipation Park last week, with stars and fans coming out to show their support for the young star. Check out these scenes that were captured by our photographers Javaughn Whyte and Davion Lyon.
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TV guide
Must-watch summer shows by Dervin Osbourne
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or many college students, it’s already summer and for high school students, summer is just a few weeks away. Four (or two) long months at home can become boring and with some of our favourite series coming to an end, it’s important to find new shows to keep our excitement level high this summer. I’ve come up with a list of shows that are guaranteed to keep you entertained.
happen to Scott and Crystal? Our Monday nights are back guys. Make sure to check out the two-night premiere on Sunday June 3 and Monday June 4.
Keeping up with the Kardashians Everyone’s favourite TV family, the Kardashians, are back for another season and just in time for summer. Over the past month after Kim and Kris’ divorce, a lot has been happening and we’re all going to see it unfold. Don’t you just love that? Is Khloe really a Kardashian? How did Kourtney react to finding out that she’s pregnant and who isn’t waiting to see the dynamic between new power couple Kim and Kanye? Keeping up with the Kardashians airs Sunday nights on E!
Jane by Design Jane by Design was introduced to us late last year and kept our Tuesday nights interesting. The fashion-concentrated show soon became one of ABC Family’s hit series; I guess that’s why they’re bringing it back. Jane by Design is about a teenage girl trying to juggle school and working with one of the world’s best fashion designers. The summer season returns to us on Tuesday June 5. Question: Who will Jane choose?
Teen Wolf Last year, we got addicted to the MTV drama Teen Wolf and it’s back to keep our holiday sizzling - as if we need anymore heat! Teen Wolf is a supernatural drama series that follows Scott McCall, a high school student and social outcast who gets bitten by a werewolf while wandering in the woods. Last year’s cliffhanger left us begging for more. Who’s the new Alfa? What’s going to
Pretty Little Liars “Got a secret, can you keep it? Swear this one you’ll save. Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave.” You know the lyrics right? I thought the show would end after finding out who ‘A’ is, but I was clearly wrong because Pretty Little Liars returns to us on June 5 at 9pm. Perfect! We can watch Pretty Little Liars and stay for Jane by Design.
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