SUMMER 2013
OVER THE COUNTER
DRUGS SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
POPULARITY
OF JAPANESE
MUSIC
LETTER FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Dreamers and Leaders, I am in awe of you and how you live DREAMS every day. I am so excited about our second issue of Too Turned up. Our scholars have worked hard to make this a great edition. After reviewing the first issue I am so excited to see your second edition. This amazing edition of Too Turned up is evidence of how you live DREAMS every day. I see how you consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic, think critically, and go beyond the Z. I would like to express my gratitude to True Star for developing our scholars as innovative leaders. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Elev8 team for their continued support of quality program to educate the whole child. Special shout out to our scholars for being great contributors, graphic designers and art directors. Sincerely, Ms. Porter
CONTENTS CURRENT EVENTS
6: NORTH KOREA THREATENS TO BOMB AMERICA BY KIERA MYLES 7: OVER THE COUNTER DRUG ABUSE BY ALSTON PHILLIPS 8: WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE DEATH OF MOVIE CRITIC ROGER EBERT? BY ROME MCENTEE
MUSIC
9: JAPANESE MUSIC’S POPULARITY IN AMERICA BY TARIQ HADNOTT
FOR THE FAMILY
10: DRAMA WITH YOUR MAMA BY KEIIRA JENNINGS 11: CURRENT SLANG BY MARTELL IRVIN 12: SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
FASHION
13: SUMMER NIGHTS OUT BY JAEL COLEMAN & AISAT OLADOKUN 14-17: SUMMER FASHION
CREATIVE CORNER
18: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES BY CIERRA NELSON 19: MUSIC IS MY LIFE BY JABRI YOUNG 20: CHICAGO’S POEM BY DESTINY JACKSON
TECHNOLOGY
21: NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES BY EUGENE CARTER AND BRANDON JOHNSON 22: NARUTO ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 3 REVIEW & NEW FEATURES BY EZRA RAYBURN 23: IPOD GENERATIONS BY BILLY T. JACKSON JR.
PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE CONTACT US: TRUESTARJR@TRUESTARMAGAZINE.COM TRUESTARIS.COM TO DONATE TO TRUE STAR FOUNDATION, VISIT TRUESTARFOUNDATION.ORG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA MCLEARY & NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR EDGAR MOLINA EDITORIAL COORDINATOR SERENA BOLDEN ART DIRECTION DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PHOTO COORDINATOR DESHAUN ADAMS
CONTRIBUTORS
Joi Alderson Eugene Carter Jael Coleman Mikeria Collins Tariq Hadnott Martell Irvin Billy Jackson Jr. Destiny Jackson Rome Jefferson-McEntee Keiira Jennings
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Brandon Johnson Aaron McClendon Jr. Kiera Myles Cierra Nelson Aisat Oladokun Alston Phillips Rodney Porter II Ezra Rayburn Dyamond Smith Jabri Young
THANK YOU! The graduating class of 2013 would like to send a special thanks to all the 8th grade teachers and especially Ms. Porter for making it a great year.
Ms. Karamol Ms. Herlihy Ms. Eppenbaugh Ms. Berry Ms. Scullark Mr. Roche Ms. Azemopoulos
Mr. Evers Ms. Roderick Mr. Duffey Ms. Ray Ms. Garrison Ms. Hunter Mr. Moore Mr. Nicholson
ART BY ALSTON PHILLIPS PERSPECTIVES 5
CURRENT EVENTS
North Korea
THREATENS TO
BOMB America BY KIERA MYLES
E
veryone should know about North Korea’s threat to bomb America. Their leader’s name is Kim Jong Un, the son of Kim Il Sung, according to biography.com. In North Korea, everyone is taught to love him like a God. Some people even refer to him as the sun. A long time ago, North Korea was basically put on punishment by America. They put sanctions on them, which limits the countries they can trade with throughout the world and hurts their economy. Ever since then they have threatened to bomb America. Luckily, their bombs are not expected to be able to hit the U.S. mainland. Obama says that he doesn’t even believe North Korea has any nuclear weapons, according to nytimes.com. 6 PERSPECTIVES
Many people believe that they’re only sending out threats to scare us. We also have China, Japan and South Korea on our side. The reason South Korea is on our side is because they don’t like North Korea. After World War II, they fought from 1950-1953 in the Korean War. They both wanted to claim all of Korea for themselves. Since the leader of North Korea is very unpredictable, the U.S. decided to launch B-2 stealth bombers to the Korean Peninsula, reports the nytimes. This was all to send a message that we defend our country and the allies in the region.
OTC Drug Abuse
BY ALSTON PHILLIPS
O
ver-the-counter drugs (OTC) are an available resource to the public without the need for a doctor’s prescription; the problem with this is that they can be easily abused. People have been known to abuse headache medicine, cough syrup, and several other over-the-counter drugs.
One out every 11 teens has abused some sort of OTC drug, reports www.justice.gov. The most common drug abused is cough and cold medicine. Parents must always monitor what teens are taking to treat common sicknesses to make sure they don’t accidentally or purposefully abuse these drugs.
Although some people need them for serious reasons, many people use them only for their side effects. BETWEEN 2005 AND 2007,
THE ABUSE OF OVER-THECOUNTER DRUGS JUMPED FROM 4.7 MILLION TO 6.9 MILLION, according to ehow.com.
Some reasons people abuse OTC drugs are for recreational reasons but some teens even unknowingly take the wrong amount. In any case, teens and young people should never take it upon themselves to use OTC drugs; always consult a parent and follow the directions provided. PERSPECTIVES 7
What Happened to CAUSE THE DEATH OF MOVIE CRITIC
Roger Ebert?
BY ROME MCENTEE
R
oger Ebert was a film critic for the Chicago Sun Times and the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, as well as author of 20 published novels, according to nytimes.com. Everyone has bumps in the road, but the road was really bumpy for Roger Ebert. In 2002, Roger Ebert was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands. During this test and trial, Roger Ebert still remained faithful and continued working up until it was time for surgery (radiation), even though he only had a 50 percent chance to survive. 8 PERSPECTIVES
The surgeons had to remove cancerous tissues but a week after the procedure was done, an artery ruptured near the wound where the surgery was done, according to huffingtonpost. com. “He was unable to eat, drink or talk, for a short period of time,� said his doctors. Due to that situation, he had to live with that problem for the rest of his life. This year, 2013, Roger Ebert was diagnosed with another cancer issue and later died in the arms of his wife, Chaz Ebert on April 4th , 2013, according to cnn.com. May he rest in peace.
MUSIC
Japanese Music’s
POPULARITY in America BY TARIQ HADNOTT
T
here are several problems with the music industry in Japan. The language barrier is a problem, to begin with, according to japan-zone. com. Not many Japanese artists feel comfortable singing in English. Also they have such a strong following in other places in Asia, they find it easier to stick with their traditional followers. There have been a few bright spots over the years, but they are few and far between. Bands with musical talent like Southern All Stars, Chage, Aska or Dreams Come True turnout records with some songs that stay with you, but nothing that could break through in the U.S. or Europe.
According to Japantoday.com, “in the 90s other bands like Shonen Knife, Pizzicato Five, Cibo Matto and Buffalo Daughter had a cult following abroad but little commercial success.” If you think you might be able to overcome the language barriers and be open to a whole new form of pop music, check out some of the bands mentioned to get a new sound in your ears! PERSPECTIVES 9
FOR THE FAMILY
DRAMA
With Yo Mama! BY KEIIRA JENNINGS
D
oes your mother always think she’s right? Are you two always clashing? If so, that means you’re having Drama with Yo Mama! Mother and teenage daughters around the world have this problem. This problem is very natural; it can mean you and your mother are exactly alike and don’t know it and you two both think you’re always RIGHT! Some teenage girls like me would say the reason is “my mom thinks she knows everything, always nagging, and she NEVER listens to me.” These are all the reasons teenage girls think they have Mama Drama. 10 PERSPECTIVES
The case is very different from the mother’s perspective. Most would say “I don’t want her to go through what I went through, but she doesn’t listen when I try to tell her what’s right. I nag only for her own good and she will thank me later.” Regardless of the situation, you and your mother need to learn how to communicate with one another. There are ways mothers and teenage daughters should talk to each other and one way to start is with love and respect. Both mothers and daughters can learn how to listen better and compromise with one another.
Current Slang BY MARTELL IRVIN
E
VER WONDER WHAT PRE-TEENS ARE TALKING ABOUT WHEN THEY TALK THESE DAYS? HERE IS A LIST OF THE CURRENT SLANG AND WHAT THEY MEAN.
Yoor = Yes Valid = Acceptable
y
! r o o
Noor = No Opp = An enemy Fufu (fugazzi) = Fake
Peon = A goofy person Swerve = Move around PERSPECTIVES 11
SAFETY TIPS 1. Watch your surroundings 2. Watch for large crowds 3. Don’t hang out late at night 4. Don’t hang out with the wrong crowd
TIPS FOR THE 6TH AND 7TH GRADERS FOR NEXT YEAR 1. Keep the talking to a minimum 2. Stay away from kids always surrounded by drama 3. Prepare for hard work!
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FASHION
Summer Nights out THESE LOOKS ARE FROM FOREVER 21, GOJANE, AND CONVERSE
BY JAEL COLEMAN AND AISAT OLADOKUN
O
n those summer nights out you want to have options. These three looks are perfect whether you are hanging out with your girls or on a fun group date. These looks can be matched up with any of these shoes depending on what look you are going for. The flowing skirt can be matched with the heels, the sandals or for a more toned down look the turquouise Chucks. The crop top and shorts can be matched with any of these shoes and the tank and jean shorts would be great with the combat boots.
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Summertime
Fine PHOTOGRAPHY BY DESHAUN ADAMS
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CREATIVE CORNER
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
BY CIERRA NELSON
A GAME I WOULD NEVER PLAY A WORD I WOULD NEVER SAY A TRIP THAT I WOULD NEVER TAKE A PIE I WOULD NEVER BAKE A LETTER I WOULD NEVER SEND A WHOLE I WILL NEVER MEND A SHIRT I WILL NEVER WEAR A PAIN I WOULD NEVER BEAR A GIFT I WOULD NEVER GIVE A LIFE I WOULD NEVER LIVE A TEAR I WOULD NEVER CRY A PLANE I WOULD NEVER FLY A PROMISE I WOULD NEVER MAKE A CHOICE I WILL EVER TAKE IT’S ALL OVER NOW; I HAD NO FUN WATCHING THINGS I COULD HAVE DONE 18 PERSPECTIVES
MUSIC IS MY LIFE BY JABRI YOUNG
Music to my ears is like the quench to my thirst The pillow to my bed The gas to my car that I only dream about The comb to my head when I awake The shoestring to my Nike’s The ink to my pen The needle to my thread The lance to my glasses At the end of the day MUSIC IS MY LIFE. PERSPECTIVES 19
Chicago’s Poem BY DESTINY JACKSON
The only thing that makes Chicago different from most cities is the people and the crimes The people are the ones who walk down the road and end up dead The crimes is what comes on the news with 6 people dead throughout the whole day Chicago is the place where you can go out all day, but now have to come in at a certain time because of the mayor Chicago used to be the place where everybody, even babies, could go out and enjoy themselves but now parents have to worry if they can take their child home Sometimes when you think of Chicago you think it’s a bad place to be If you ever visit Chicago, you’ll see that it’s not as bad as it seems It’s just the way the “people" portray it to be
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TECHNOLOGY
Next Generation
CONSOLES BY EUGENE CARTER AND BRANDON JOHNSON
T
he new generation gaming consoles have been rumored about for months now and no one knows exactly what to expect from them. There are many other companies just breaking into the gaming industry, along with the regular Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. The “new guys” have had to rely on multiple ways to raise money for their own projects. These new companies are rumored to be making their own games, along with their own consoles in the beginning.
PlayStation 4
Sony’s new console called the PlayStation 4 will help to drastically change the gaming industry with new graphics that make the games more life-like. The new DUALSHOCK 4 controller has a more comfortable design than the previous generations and incorporates a touchpad to invent even more ways to play games. Everything about this console is a new idea. It is rumored to be released around 2014 for gamers everywhere.
The Next X-box
Microsoft’s new console, Xbox One, was recently revealed on IGN.com. According to abcnews.go.com, it will be sporting an 8-core AMD processor, have a 500GB hard drive, 8GB of RAM and a blu-ray drive like the PS3. Gaming site Kotaku also reported that the new Xbox will have an integrated 1080p Kinect sensor, which was previously sold separately with the Xbox 360. The verge.com also reported that the new Xbox will have advanced voice functionality, which means turning on and shutting off could simply be a matter of speaking those commands.
Other Consoles
There are a number of other companies that are trying to break into the gaming industry as well. Unlike all the rest, OUYA has garnered a large amount of support from online fundraising campaigns. They are a new developer and are just now breaking into the gaming industry. The console is available for pre-order at ouya.tv/ and will cost $99. The costs of Microsoft’s and Sony’s new consoles aren’t known yet, but they will most likely be around $300 to $400. Gamers everywhere are just hoping the cost of the consoles, new games and accessories don’t drown them in debt. PERSPECTIVES 21
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 pics in word doc
Review & New Features! BY EZRA RAUBURN
BE WARNED: THIS ARTICLE REVIEW IS SORT OF A SPOILER, SO IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW DO NOT READ THIS.. With the new and extremely improved storyline, new characters and improved graphics, this game is easily better than the old versions of the Naruto series. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 has a very complex storyline, with many new Heroes and tough enemies. There are also enemies from the original series and Naruto Shippuden, as well as the introduction of the new concept of Resurrected. 22 PERSPECTIVES
The Story of The Reanimation Jutsu Reanimation Jutsu is no illusion. Reanimation Jutsu brings people/ninjas that are dead back to the real world and they are unable to defeat them unless you can weaken the enemy and seal them in a Reanimation Scroll. The new Naruto game map contains an arrow that tells you the exact location of where to go, even during secret missions. Needless to say, you should definitely give this game a try. You can find it at GameStop, WalMart, or Play N’ Trade.
iPod Touch 5
BY BILLY T. JACKSON JR.
A
pple has taken the wraps off a new iPod Touch, which has been released in both black and white. The new iPod Touch has HD video playback, a gyroscope and FaceTime all encased in its ultra-thin design, according to maclife.com. It has brilliant new designs, a 4-inch retina display, which means more screens, more music, messages, and websites. It also has an amazing iSight camera with 5-megapixels that shoots 1808p HD video. All together, iOS 6 has 200 new features to make things you do every day even easier. Facebook integration makes everything more likeable and everything that makes Apple products so great. PERSPECTIVES 23
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