January 2012
Kids helping kids to reach for the stars!
DRAMA QUEEN of the MONTH
Imani Lane, Age 12
January 2012
Kids helping kids to reach for the stars!
Starring U Kid’s Grand Opening • Our Gift to You - Free 30 minute theatre workshop beginning promptly at 7:00 PM. • Pre-Register for a 6 week session and receive 10% off the regular price. • Light Refreshments & Live Performances
Drama Queen Imani writes about receiving the “Drama Queen of the Month award, her unique experiences performing with Starring U Kid! and shares her thoughts on bullying.
I’m Just Saying Nakya & Jamira give a recap of their performance and share their opinions about people who bully in part 2 of “I’m Just Saying!”
Writing Staff
Friends Against Bullying
Danielle Moton, Editor in Chief Imani Lane, Writer Jamira Lane. Writer Jermahni Lane, Photographer Keiona Roberts, Reporter Nakya Waldron, Writer
This edition’s FABulous Feature is Kathleen Godwin, Founder of Arts YOUniverse. Keiona Roberts speaks to Ms. Kathleen on why she started Arts YOUniverse and her thoughts on bullying. This surely is an interview you won’t want to miss.
Our Next FABulous Feature DiverCity in Christ, Inc.
Mia Warren, Founder DiverCity in Christ is a non profit organization, uniting a coalition of laborers serving one another in love. Meet Ms. Mia Warren, the Founder of DiverCity in Christ, in an amazing interview with Imani Lane in the April 2012 edition of Kid Star Magazine.
January 2012
Shop Til’ You Drop Dying for Sneakers Editorial by Danielle Moton, Imani Lane, Jermahni Lane & Keiona Roberts Have you seen the new Nike Retro Air Jordan’s? Maybe you have even asked your parents to buy you the $180 pair of sneakers. People across America have been wearing Air Jordan’s for decades. However, in recent days, people have been getting hurt over these sneakers. In Seattle, the police had to pepper spray crowds who were fighting over these sneakers. Also, there were rumors circulating that the kid in the photo above was killed over these sneakers. Although this boy never really died and the story turned out to be fake, does it excuse people’s bad behavior? Near Atlanta, a mob of customers took down the doors of a store that had not opened yet because they wanted these sneakers. This sounds a lot like the Black Friday stampede at a Walmart in Valley Stream, New York where an employee was trampled to death by a mob of impatient customers? We are very happy that no one actually died. However, we are angry when people behave badly and place material things over people’s lives. In this article, some of the Kid Star writers share their feelings on the “value of things” versus the “value of lives.” This doesn’t make any sense. Are we fighting over shoes? Really? You’d rather risk taking a person’s life for a pair of sneakers? That’s just messed up! We need to put a stop to this mayhem. People are actually spending $180 for one pair of Jordan’s. That money could probably buy some kid like 15 pairs of shoes. I am so disappointed that people are getting hurt and lives are being lost over things like sneakers. They should be ashamed of themselves. I wonder why Michael Jordan keeps making shoes that are so expensive. This is foolish and ridiculous. All of this over sneakers? So what they are nice shoes. Does it mean we have to rob people over them? I know the story was a fake, but everybody believed it because things like this have happened before. It is not nice to treat other’s like this.
I think this is ridiculous. There is no way people should be fighting over a pair of sneakers. Who cares if a celebrity makes them. They’re not worth a person’s life! They’re not worth going to jail or getting pepper sprayed in the face. Now the people that got arrested, what happened to them? They went to jail and they still didn’t get the sneakers.
January 2012 riend’s gainst ullying
Arts
niverse
Keiona Robert’s interview with Arts YOUniverse founder, Kathleen Godwin. Keiona: So what is Arts Youniverse? Ms. Kathleen: Arts Youniverse is a place where anyone can go to participate in any one of the fine arts that they wish. And best of all, it’s all together in one place. Keiona: And for kids who don’t know, where is Arts Youniverse? Ms. Kathleen: Arts YOUniverse is located in downtown Wilkes Barre, near the square. Our address is 47 North franklin Street. Wilkes Barre, PA 18701 Keiona: Ok cool. Have you always been interested in the arts? Ms. Kathleen: I’d have to say yes. I grew up as one of three sisters who sang and danced together professionally. We would perform all over New York and New Jersey. Keiona: Awesome. What’s your favorite hobby? Ms. Kathleen: I like to play string instruments and I like to do things like weave and knit and crochet. Keiona: What’s your favorite thing to do in theatre? Ms. Kathleen: Act! I want to be on stage. I read my first play when I was 10 years old and I read it by accident. I loved structure of a play where there’s a character’s name and their lines underneath, and I thought that was just fascinating. You find great joy on stage. It’s a way to communicate with a large number of people all in a group at once. Keiona: Cool.: What’s your favorite city? Ms. Kathleen: New York City! Keiona: Mine too! I’ve only been there twice. Ms. Kathleen: It’s FABulous! Keiona: What’s your favorite place to vacation? Ms. Kathleen: Uh, let me see. Whatever it is, it must be near the ocean. I like the ocean a lot. So it doesn’t have to be a warm ocean but um, a coastline. I like the Jersey shore, I like North Carolina and I love Maine. I’d like anywhere there’s an ocean. Keiona: I’ve never been to any of those places before. Ms. Kathleen: Oh it’s FABulous! Someday you will.
January 2012 January 2012 DRAMA QUEEN COMMENTS
Hello, my name is Imani Ariel Lane. I am 12 years old. My birthday is May 21, 1999. My favorite color is purple, mostly because it brings out the light in the objects surroundings it. My favorite animal is all kinds of monkeys, because they are cute and cuddly. This Christmas I received a huge monkey. I go to Wyoming Valley West middle school. I’m in 7th grade. My favorite subject is math because it’s easy. Also my math teacher is very nice so that helps me to Danielle has After school, I have a learn better. “Ms. hobby and its taught me a lot. Most called the BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. My of all, she taught me mom works there. The BOYS AND the consequences of GIRLS CLUB is an after school program were we do BULLYING and how it home work, eat dinner, and we get to have fun after can be damaging to our work is others.” completed. My experience with Starring U Kid has been super fun and really exciting. Ms. Danielle has taught me a lot. Most of all, she has taught me the consequences of BULLYING and how it can damaging to others. I learned about that while rehearsing and performing. So I am very excited about being the Starring U Kid “DRAMA QUEEN” of the month.
January 2012 Grand Opening
Join us in celebrating our move into our new home. We are so happy to become a permanent resident of Arts YOUniverse. We are now located 47 N. Franklin Street on the ground floor. Submit your story or poetic Please join us on February 4th, 2012 from 6 PM - 8 PM expression on the following for light refreshments and live performances. You may also topics: register for our 6 week session beginning February 7th and “Stamping Out Bullying” save 10% off regular prices. And just for coming, we are offering you free 30 minute workshop, but you must preregister for it on our website: If selected, Kid Star Magazine will publish your story in our www.starringukid.com/about/contact. Please be sure to next edition. Your submission type “pre-register” in the subject line of the contact form. should be typed and contain between 500 - 800 words. Jamira Lane Nakya Waldron Age 8 Age 9 All valid submissions are written by kids ages 8-17. Please include your full name, age, email and phone number. When I was in school, I was I noticed that we got better Please be sure to email all getting bullied by this kid and and better with our lines. We submissions to: Nakya witnessed it. Nakya
Kid
Star Contest
stories@starringukid.com Or Mail to: KidStar Magazine PO Box 2703 Wilkes barre, Pa 18703
have done a good work of art. Jamira and I think that the kids from Starring u Kid did a great job and so did Ms. Danielle.
said, “Do not bully my friend!” The teacher came over and the kid was sent to the Principal. Thanks Nakya!
“I’m Just Saying”
January 2012 Keiona: Someday. Ms. Kathleen, What’s your favorite movie? Ms. Kathleen: That’s a hard one because I don’t go to the movies very much anymore. I do enjoy documentaries and dramas more than comedies. Keiona: Oh, ok. And what’s your favorite food? Ms. Kathleen: Let me think. I like soups and vegetables but I don’t eat a lot of sweets. I like salty foods. I love black licorice by the way, that’s a secret love. Keiona: I love licorice too. Ms. Kathleen, how do you feel about people who bully? Ms. Kathleen: I think they’re cowards and in a way I feel sorry for them. I have a lot of anger at first because it’s disappointing. I am disappointed in people who bully. Keiona: Have you ever been bullied? Ms. Kathleen: Yes. I have. (pause) I was in school. I was in grade school when that happened. Keiona: If you could say anything to a kid who is being bullied , what would that be? Ms. Kathleen: Well, I’d would say, “take the high road.” Be who you are! Know that you are stronger than the bully. Keiona: I agree. Ms. Kathleen: I think bullying is something you have to learn to deal with. Those same things that make you angry and hurt, can also help you to learn how to defend yourself verbally or otherwise . Keiona: Who is your biggest inspiration? Ms. Kathleen: (Pause) Let me think? (Pause) Probably children in general, because they are so close to their imagination and the older I get, the more I try to be like them. I like Meryl Streep. I think she is a FABulous actress. Keiona: That’s interesting. What do you enjoy most about your job? Ms. Kathleen: My happiest moments are when I am somewhere in Arts YOUniverse and above me, I can hear feet tapping, and somewhere else I can hear someone singing, and another playing a musical instrument and I can hear someone on stage acting. I like to hear it all going on at once and I am proud that I have helped to make that happen. So I am really happy when it’s noisy all around me. Keiona: That’s cool. Now, can you tell us something few people know about you? Ms. Kathleen: Well now if I tell you, then everyone will know now won’t they. (Laughter) Keiona: (Laughter) Yep! Ms. Kathleen:(John, what are very few things people know about me?) Hang on, I’ll ask an expert. (Pause) Um, I’m getting some help here. (Pause) I don’t dye my hair. oh let me see… (Come on john, help me out.) See, I think people know everything about me. (Give me a hint) OH! I actually live very privately in the middle of the woods. That’s something some people may not know. Keiona: (Laughter) That’s scary! Ms. Kathleen: Yeah, I don’t live so deep in the woods that I have to leave crumbs every day. Keiona: (Giggling) ok. Um, any final thoughts you would like to add? Ms. Kathleen: Yes. I applaud you all for what you are doing. I think you are FABulous and I am so proud to have Starring U Kid at Arts YOUniverse. Keiona: Oh thank you. Thank you so much for speaking with me. Ms. Kathleen: You’re welcome. Also, I am dropping off some costumes that I hope Starring U Kid can use, ok. Keiona: Ok! Yay! Thank you! That will help us so much! Ms. Kathleen: Ok Thank You, Keiona. Bye Bye. Keiona: Bye!
January 2012 Educational Theatre Workshops Grand Opening Saturday, February 4th, 2012 6pm - 8pm 10% off with this coupon Light Refreshments
Live Performances
Twinkling Star Group: Ages 8-10
Pre-Registration 6 week Session $50 $45 with coupon Twinkling Stars:Tuesday *6:30-7:45 PM Shining Star Group: Ages 11-14
Shining Stars: Friday*6:30-7:45 PM Shooting Stars:Wednesday*6:30-7:45 PM
Shooting Star Group: Ages 14-17
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