WWW.RECASTCHICAGO.ORG
CONTENTS EXPOSE’
6: STOP CLOSING OUR SCHOOLS! BREAKING DOWN CPS, BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL 7: HELP, I HATE SCHOOL!, BY LATIFA A. BRUESSARD, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 8: WHAT THE REPEAL OF NET NEUTRALITY MEANS FOR YOU, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL 9: TRUMP: NEW AGE SLAVE MASTER, DIVIDE & CONQUER, BY ALEXANDRYA FRYSON, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
TALKIN’ NERDY
10: SHAKESPEARE’S CONTINUED INFLUENCE, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL 11: ARE VIDEO GAMES THE REASON FOR YOUTH VIOLENCE?, BY MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 12: IS YOUTUBE FOR KIDS?, BY BRIANA BARKER, JOHN W. COOK ELEMENTARY, CHICAGO, IL 13: BLACK PANTHER: A COMPLETE NECESSITY, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL
4EVER YOUNG
14: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR IPHONE USERS, BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL 15: MUSIC, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 16: SNEAKERHEADS GO TO SNEAKER CON BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL 17: ARE WE THERE YET? A CURE FOR THE LONG CAR RIDE BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL
HOT OFF THE PRESS
18: MADE IN HIS IMAGE WITH ANAH, BY JAILA MABRY & MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 19: DOROTHY JEAN TILLMAN, NOT YOUR AVERAGE 12-YEAR-OLD, BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 20-21: WHAT A REAL BOSS LOOKS LIKE: ESSYNCE COUTURE BY JAILA MABRY & MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 22: WHAT’S UP WITH JENESYS HARRIS?, BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL 23: NETFLIX SHOWS WORTH BINGING, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
FASHION
24: LIT TEEN DESIGNERS
KEEPIN’ SCORE
30: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A STUDENT ATHLETE, BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 31: ATHLETES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
DEEPER THAN SKIN
32: ECO STYLER GEL: DEADLY OR LETHAL, BY ALEXANDRYA FRYSON, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL 33: STEPS TO TAKE FOR CLEARER SKIN, BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL
CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER
34: THE RAINY DAY, BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 35: WHY IS KPOP SO POPULAR?, BY LATIFA A. BRUESSARD, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 36: DARKNESS IS LIKE A CAVE, BY ARICDELSY AVILA, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL 37: I AM ME, BY MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA SHERMAN & J. NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR MARTI PARHAM EDITORIAL INSTRUCTOR NYKEYA WOODS JAMILAH SHADEED (ATLANTA) WEB CONTENT & MARKETING MANAGER JOI MITCHELL WEB CONTENT ASSISTANT HENRY COLLINS ART DIRECTION DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PROMOTIONS MANAGER DESHAUN ADAMS
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CONTRIBUTORS
Kamren Cale
Aricdelsy Avila
Kenwood Academy Chicago, IL
Kellar Middle School Robbins, IL
Alexandrya Fryson
Kenwood Academy Chicago, IL
Latifa A. Bruessard
Jaila Mabry
Kellar Middle School Robbins, IL
Kellar Middle School Robbins, IL
Mariah Stevens
Kellar Middle School Robbins, IL
Tirria Martin
Jackson Dowell
Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, IL
Makayla Idelburg
Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Chicago, IL
Madison Ramirez
Briana Barker
Bremen Community High School Midlothian, IL
John W. Cook Elementary Chicago, IL
Alisha Butler
Betty H. Fairfax High School, Phoenix, AZ
EXPOSE’
Stop CLOSING OUR Schools! BREAKING DOWN CPS BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
T
he system known as CPS has provided an exceptional education for me for the last nine years. There are great teachers as well, as I’ve experienced a very diverse student body while attending my two schools. However, it seems that students like myself are not the majority, but the minority. This is due to the closures that have affected several children and families throughout the city of Chicago. In February, there was a decision made by the Chicago Board of Education to consolidate four Englewood high schools into one large multi-million dollar project. According to the Chicago Tribune, the board decided to phase out Harper, Hope College Prep and TEAM Englewood high schools allowing the current students to graduate from their schools. They also voted to close Robeson due to low enrollment and the building will be demolished. In the same meeting, the board voted to close National Teachers Academy near the South Loop. This summer, parents from the school filed a lawsuit that said, “the decision to phase out the school’s elementary grades was discriminatory and violates Illinois education and civil rights laws,” the Tribune reported. Over the past couple of years, the CPS system has dramatically changed with the number of school closings. The negative impact they’ve had on kids and families has been hard for teachers, administration, students, and families. In May, 6 TRUE STAR JR.
The University of Chicago released findings from a five-year study of CPS closings. “Staff and students from both closed and welcoming schools reported that the planning process for merging schools was not sufficient, resulting in feeling unprepared for the start of the school year,” the report said. “In addition, interviewees used the word ‘chaotic’ to describe the process of moving schools, saying it was difficult to adequately prepare schools in time to receive students.” In 2012, CPS announced a five-year moratorium on school closures. “The moratorium would provide long-term stability to students, parents and school communities after CPS develops and enacts a comprehensive plan to right-size the District,” CPS said. Five years go, CPS closed 50 schools in one year.
Help, I Hate School!
BY LATIYFA A. BRUESSARD, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
E
veryone knows what school is and everyone also gets fed up with it. Some kids may even describe school as a prison that never ends. Spending six to seven hours walking to various classrooms, and then coming home and having to do more work? Please. Once you’re finished with it all, half of the day is over! Freshmen Daniel Allen said that school can be frustrating for him. Allen said he struggles with keeping up with the work. “Can we not discuss school,” the 14-year-old said. “It makes me want to pull my hair out.” Allen is not alone. According to a study by The Education Digest, ninth grade can be a very tough year for most students because freshmen are adjusting to new freedom and responsibilities. “Many students for the first time have to earn passing grades in core courses, and these core courses are typically some of the toughest and most rigorous academic classes a student must take in high school,” a report by ERIC (Education Resources Inforamtion Center) said. “Ninth
graders have the lowest grade point average, the most missed classes, the majority of failing grades, and more misbehavior referrals than any other high school grade level.” But there may be other reasons students don’t like school. High school sophomore Shankari Lakshminarayanan, 15, said she thinks school is awful because the people at school tease her. “When I think of school, I think of torture,” she said. Lakshminarayanan is not the only one being teased. According to differentlikeme.com, “66 percent of youth are teased at least once a month.” And in recent years, various reports said the number of teens who self-harm has increased due to bullying. But last month self-harm claimed a fourth grader. It was reported that a 9-year-old Colorado boy alleged committed suicide because he was teased at school for coming out as gay. It's absolutely disgusting how calling someone fat, ugly, worthless and stupid is taken as a joke in school. These are just a few reason why students dislike school so much. TRUE STAR JR. 7
What The Repeal of
NET NEUTRALITY Means For You BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
M
aybe you have heard the phrase net neutrality and you were left scratching your head. Or maybe you are one of the thousands of teens concerned about net neutrality. Aurora Christian freshman, Maria Lambert, is one of the teens following the proposed repeal. “Same speed service is the best service,” said the 14-year-old. Lambert said she thinks that the repeal of net neutrality will stop people from reaching some sites if they have a certain provider. In 2015, the Obama Administration implemented net neutrality to keep the Internet fair and open for users. Internet service providers, or ISP’s were banned from slowing down the transfer of data on a website because of the type of content, as long as it was legal. Net neutrality also prohibited providers from offering companies “fast lanes”—paying a premium price to have users reach their sites first. Furthermore, providers couldn’t favor their content over a competitor. For example, this means that Comcast, which owns NBC, couldn’t direct users to their website over Netflix. Ajit Pai became the chairman of the Federal 8 TRUE STAR JR.
Communications Commission (FCC) the following year. Pai began to repeal the regulations of net neutrality because he felt that they were restrictive and didn’t allow for innovation within the Internet. On December 14, 2017, the FCC voted to repeal the net neutrality rules which were officially repealed on June 18th. ISPs can now charge an Internet service, like YouTube, a fee to allow consumers to access their service faster than Netflix. Supporters say that Internet service providers will begin to sell the Internet in bundles, like cable packages. This could cause Internet prices to increase and some may not be able to afford it. With the Internet being an everyday necessity, this could potentially upset people’s everyday lives. Tech companies have joined the fight to preserve net neutrality. Twenty-nine states have pending legislation that would require ISPs to follow the net neutrality rules. Montana and New York governors have signed executive orders that restore the original net neutrality rules. California has taken the lead and set very strict regulations that go even further than the original rules did. Only time will tell how the future of the Internet will affect us all.
Trump NEW AGE SLAVE MASTER
Divide & CONQUER
BY ALEXANDRYA FRYSON, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
“D
ACA is dead because the Democrats didn’t care or act, and now everyone wants to get onto the DACA bandwagon…” - Donald J. Trump. This tweet by Trump in April is not only cynical, emotionless and insensitive, but it shows his level of ignorance, and on a larger humanity scale. Here is why the: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was formed through executive order by President Barack Obama. Its sole mission was to help young immigrants who were brought to this country as children stay in the country. DACA is the epitome of the American way and this country is the melting pot race, religion and culture and must be about being welcoming and open. While DACA is an important issue, the current administration has another immigration controversy on its plate. This summer, it was reported that 2,654 migrant children were separated from their parents as they attempted to enter the country at the Southern U.S. border. Some people were seeking asylum, which is legal.
According to the Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Videgaray, Mexico does not promote “illegal migration,” but it “cannot remain indifferent in the face of something that clearly represents a violation of human rights.” Just think what would you do if you were in a foreign country without your family. Where is the humanity? According to the Business Insider, “All five living first ladies have now openly criticized the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy.” There had also been outrage across the country as Americans learned that children were being held in chain cages like animals. As a result, Trump signed an executive order that would end family separations. Currently, nearly 500 children are still reportedly separated from their parents. According to the Huffington Post, a judge ruled that the administration is 100 percent responsible for reuniting families. The deadline was July 26th.
TRUE STAR JR. 9
TALKING NERDY
Shakespeare's CONTINUED INFLUENCE BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
W
illiam Shakespeare’s legacy has long outlived him. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift is based off the plot of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Swift wanted to make her song have a happy ending instead of a tragedy. There are multiple references like discussing ball gowns when Romeo is first spotted, and in Romeo and Juliet the two first meet at a party. Shakespeare was an English playwright born in 1564. He wrote over 30 plays including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. Victoria Trevino is a huge Shakespeare fan and loves the language in her favorite play, Macbeth. Trevino added that she thinks that Shakespeare’s background in an acting troupe influenced his writing style. And while some think that Shakespeare exaggerates, the 14-yearold is amazed by the power of Shakespeare’s vocabulary. “I just think his mind was in a different place than everyone else with a lot of creativity when it comes to his skills as a wordsmith,” the freshman said. Very few know that Disney’s The Lion King is based off the plot of Hamlet. In both plots, Hamlet and Simba are princes who have their fathers murdered by their uncles who have their own evil agendas. In the movie, Nightmare 10 TRUE STAR JR.
Before Christmas, Hamlet’s famous soliloquy “To be or not to be” is referenced in “Jack’s Lament.” Not everyone is a fan of Shakespeare. Freshman Ella Kunkel said she thinks that Shakespeare’s style of writing is too old fashioned and difficult to understand. “When kids, including me, hear something [that] was written by him, we immediately are kind of prejudiced against it without even trying to understanding it,” the 14-year-old said. The freshman admitted that she does enjoy Shakespeare's plots, but dislikes his wording as it can become boring. At first glance, Shakespeare’s work doesn’t even seem like it’s English, however; it’s actually just an early form of the English we use today. Speaking of modern-day English, Shakespeare had a great influence on it. During his lifetime, Shakespeare created over 2,000 new words and phrases, including juiced and bedroom. So even if you’re not a fan of Shakespeare, you kinda have to admit that he has influenced our society in more ways than many of us realize.
Are Video Games THE
REASON FOR YOUTH Violence?
BY MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
R
ecent statistics show that 91 percent of kids play videos games, and 90 percent of popular videos portray violence. Many parents argue that violent video games are the cause of school shootings, bullying, and cruelty towards young children. They also argue that video games teach children that violence is the right way to solve a problem, because players get rewards for attacks. Eighth grader Gavin Jeronimo has a PlayStation 4 and loves to play “Overwatch” and “Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.” Jeronimo said he plays two hours on weekdays and five hours on weekends with his best friends Gerardo, Anthony, and Oscar. “I play video games all the time,” the 13-year-old said, “and I’m pretty sure video games aren’t made to hurt people.” Jeronimo may be right, but some children as young as age 2 are playing games meant for adults, according to a study by NPD Group. Many games include graphic acts of violence. Against people and animals being killed. Others include sexual violence, drug use, and criminal behavior. Unfortunately, many children spend hours each day viewing these images and studies suggest that the images affect the brain.
Research by Dr. Jordan Grafman of the National Institute of Health “indicates that, ‘continued exposure to violent videos will make an adolescent less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence, and more likely to commit aggressive acts.’” After 17 people were killed at a Florida high school, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin (R), blamed video game exposure. “There are video games that, yes, are listed for mature audiences, but kids play them and everybody knows it, and there's nothing to prevent the child from playing them. They have desensitized people to the value of human life, to the dignity of women, to the dignity of human decency,” Bevin said. “We're training our society to kill." Parkland shooting survivor Samuel Zeif disagreed that video games cause violence. “My friends and I have been playing video games our whole life and never have we ever felt driven or provoked by those actions in those games to do something as horrible as this. It's a video game,” Zeif told CNN. “Something happens, you restart. We know that’s not how life is.”
TRUE STAR JR. 11
IS YouTube For Kids? BY BRIANA BARKER, JOHN W. COOK ELEMENTARY, CHICAGO, IL
Y
ouTube is an American video-sharing website for ages of 13 and up. But some parents, family members and teachers think some children cannot handle the freedom of watching what they want on YouTube. According to CNBC, “In recent months parents and psychotherapists have reported that perpetrators have manipulated content from well-known beloved children's franchises, such as Entertainment One's "Peppa Pig," Nickelodeon's "PAW Patrol" and Disney's Frozen and Mickey Mouse, and inserted inappropriate and disturbing content involving popular characters” on YouTube. Can Children Handle YouTube? There are some YouTube channels with inappropriate content like horror-related, gore or age-inappropriate videos. YouTube’s “popularity among children has surged. Now mental health experts warn that YouTube is a growing source of anxiety and inappropriate sexual behavior among kids under the age of 13, and parents and educators need to get involved,” according to CNBC. Parental Controls Parental Controls is a feature which lets parents control what children watch. Web browsers and phones can be placed in restricted mode. “Restricted Mode attempts to filter YouTube search results so that the mature content is weeded out. It also prevents children from viewing material that has been flagged as 12 TRUE STAR JR.
inappropriate by the YouTube community or has been marked for mature audiences only by the content's creator,” said Lifewire.com. Google, who owns YouTube, has said protecting children’s viewing is important. “Because YouTube is not for children, we’ve invested significantly in the creation of the YouTube Kids app to offer an alternative specifically designed for children,” a YouTube spokesperson said. Tween/Young Teenager Interest As you are growing up, your interests change. One minute you may be all about music, but you may become interested in other videos on YouTube. The options are endless. If you are interested in cooking, check out Rosanna Pansino’s YouTube channel. Pansino bakes crazy and tasty cakes, and she shows you how to do it step-by-step. The best part is that it’s kid friendly.
Black Panther: A COMPLETE
NECESSITY
BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
T
here aren’t a lot of movies with AfricanAmerican casts. There also isn’t a lot of diversity in Hollywood. Up until the release of Marvel’s Black Panther there weren’t mainstream AfricanAmerican superheroes. Black Panther was a chance for African-Americans to see themselves on the big screen and in the media. People everyone could finally see themselves as a superhero. Children saw T’Challa, Killmonger, Nakia, Okoye, Shuri and other Wakandians and were finally able to say “That’s me!” or “I’m that one!” Chicagoan Nia Jackson thought the movie was awesome. “I did like the movie because it was entertaining and I never thought there was a Black hero,” the 14-year-old said. The North Grand Culinary Arts freshman said that having a Black hero made her feel like she can conquer anything that she tries to do. Jackson said she believes that we need more African-American superheroes and representation in Hollywood. Everybody is saying that Black Panther was a complete masterpiece. People everywhere were
saying “Wakanda forever!” once they left the theaters. Currently, the film presides as the third highest grossing movie of all time in the U.S. and has been nominated for and won several awards, including both MTV and BET awards. It was an action-packed movie and writer/director Ryan Coogler did an amazing job. Black Panther proved to African-Americans everywhere that they could be superheroes. Hollywood got a little bit of melanin and that pop of color has shown African-Americans that they can do anything. The movie provided a sense of pride for African-American viewers. They could feel like they were the ones on the screen, like their stories were being told. There were also strong women in the motion picture which showed that African-American girls could be heroes. Nakia and Okoye were great warriors, but Shuri showed her intelligence was her weapon. This shows young girls that they can be strong and smart and still be heroes. Black Panther was so much more than a movie, it was an inspiration. TRUE STAR JR. 13
4EVER YOUNG
Tips & Tricks FOR
iPHONE USERS BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL
E
veryone has a smartphone, and you’re either #TeamiPhone or #TeamAndroid. But chances are you are an iPhone user. It’s estimated that more than 80 percent have the Apple mobile device. And while your phone was meant to make calls, it’s designed to do so much more. Here are some tips to make you get the most out of your phone—making videos, taking photos, listening to music, and taking notes.
3Is your iPhone loading slower
than it did when you first started using the phone? The memory on phone may need to be erased, and it may be a simple fix. “From time to time you should power off your device completely, which clears out the memory,” according to MacWorld.
3To save your phone's battery,
enable low power mode. But when charging your phone make sure this mode is off, because then it will make your phone charge slower.
3When in a meeting and your
phone keeps buzzing, put it on do not disturb. This sends all your phone calls to voicemails and you will still get your notifications. The good news is that your phone won’t keep causing a distraction. 14 TRUE STAR JR.
3If you like listening to music but
doze off when you do so, you can set a timer for your music. Hongkiat.com said to: “tap on Clock > Timer > When Timer Ends. Scroll down and tap Stop Playing. Then, set a timer (say 30 mins) and tap Start.”
3Early in the morning your eyes
are sensitive to a lot of light, so turn on your night shift. This dims your phone screen.
3When playing games, and ads
keep popping up, turn on airplane mode and ads will stop going through. Express.co.uk.com reported, on the calculator app, instead of pressing clear “Simply swipe left or right on the calculator display panel to delete the last entered digit.”
3If you go to your settings, then
to your control center, you can customize your controls. You can add things such as your flashlight, screen record and calculator.
Music THE GOOD,
THE BAD and the Ugly
BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
I
t is well known that many people of our generation listen to rap music and sometimes, the things that our artists say, reach the audiences very well. Sometimes a little too well. When rappers start lyricizing about doing drugs, quitting school, breaking the law, and more, listeners tend to think that this is cool and the way to live. If Future said he’s going to “pop a molly” teens might try to go and buy some drugs as a way of looking up to him (Molly is also known as ecstasy. The drug has several adverse effects with paranoia, rapid heartbeat and addiction being among them.). We may be bopping our heads to these songs for a while, but things go downhill when someone gets hurt. Certain songs promote drug usage, killing and even suicide. Data at Addictions.com suggests that the number of songs with drug references has increased, but there was a drop. However, “drug use is still mentioned far more frequently in music today than the years before MTV.” But you must consider the good music influences as well. Some rappers and singers talk about life struggles and trying to resolve all the
violence that’s happening currently. Music has always been an outlet to talk about society’s ills and ways to overcome them. In 1971, Marvin Gaye released What’s Going On? The album talked about poverty, discrimination, global warming and more. In the 1980s, the hip hop community came together for the Stop the Violence Movement. Several East Coast rappers recorded a song called, “Self Destruction,” to highlight violence. In 1990, West Coast rappers collaborated on a similar project and produced, “We’re All in the Same Gang.” “Hip hop emerged as a reaction to the gang culture and violence...and daily experiences of poverty, racism, exclusion, crime, violence and neglect. It necessarily embodies and values resilience, understanding, community, and social justice,” according to theconversation.com. Rappers like Logic lyricize about positive things and try to make a difference through their music. Chance the Rapper advocates for poorer communities and so does Drake. So, this may be a very controversial topic but not all rap music is toxic some artists have deeper meaning intertwined with all that they do. TRUE STAR JR. 15
Sneakerheads GO TO SNEAKER CON
BY KAMREN CALE KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
H
ave you ever had the feeling, wondering when the next Jordan shoe is going to come out? How it feels to get a fresh new pair of crisp white Nike Air Force 1’s? Being able to claim your shoe and brag to your friends telling everybody that you got that shoe game? Having the feeling that you can buy a new pair of shoes just so that it could match the new outfit that you recently bought? Then you’re like Complex’s Matt Welty who is a sneakerhead. He shared his experience about going to his first sneaker convention. “Once inside, I realized we were in for an eventful afternoon,” said Welty. “There was a long line to get to the ATM machine, like something you’d see in a Las Vegas Casino. There were legions of people holding sneakers they were trying to unload.” Kids these days have realized how easy it is to resell sneakers, to upgrade your style while making some extra cash. The art has evolved with a combination of social media, the desire 16 TRUE STAR JR.
to look good, and a want to explore the world of entrepreneurship. “I have been coming to Sneaker Con for a couple of years, and I think that it is consistently great every year,” said Croesus Muhammad, 14. All the true sneakerheads in Chicago knew this summer there was a yearly sneaker event held at the Schaumburg Convention Center called Sneaker Con. Sneaker Con features a variety of content about any type of sneaker or streetwear that you could think of. Plus there were plenty of well-known YouTubers like Jacques Slade or Braleezy, and also Yeezy Busta who attended Sneaker Con. During the event a basketball game was showcased with many other basketball activities. Sneaker Con allows you to buy and sell shoes and other types of accessories. This perk comes with the access to free shoe cleans and legit shoe checks. After all this great access, you might think that it is super expensive, but it’s not, people there are willing to bargain, so when you go make sure to be prepared.
Are We There Yet? A CURE FOR THE
Long CAR RIDE
BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL
Y
ou’re on your way to a water park, or maybe just to a relative’s house which may be far. You’re excited, and happy to go, but know that you’ll be in the car for a while. Don’t worry. These suggestions will help keep the long ride interesting.
Socialize
Use this time to commuicate with the people you are in the car with. You could talk to each other about life’s challenges, tell stories of each other’s experiences, or maybe even play games. Some games that you could play are “Would You Rather,” “I Spy,” or even “20 Questions.” Blog. tripbase.com also gives 55 examples of games to play. Some are old fashioned and other games may require a few supplies.
TV Shows, Movies, or Videos You could watch videos on YouTube from your favorite YouTubers. You could even find a new show to binge watch on the way to where you’re
going or a movie (or movies). You could also bring snacks to eat while you are watching your videos. Wikihow said to “make sure you’ve got everything you need for your trip, including snacks, pillows and comfy clothes.”
Music
You could make a playlist of your favorite artists and songs and play them while you are in the car. You could put in headphones and listen to what you like, or you may make a playlist to play in the car for everyone to hear. This could give you a chance to explore new music and hear what other’s like to listen to. Listening to a song everyone knows and likes in the car, will keep positivity flowing while you all sing along. Noguiltmoms.com also suggested listening to an audio version of a book. These suggestions could help you get to know more about the people you are riding with, and even create and opportunity to share a couple of laughs with each other. TRUE STAR JR. 17
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Anah Ambuchi
Tackles Bullying In BY JAILA MABRY AND MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
B
ullying happens way too often in this country, and sometimes the person who is bullied may feel like they don’t have anywhere to turn. Eleven-year-old Anah Ambuchi was one of those kids who got bullied. She decided to be proactive for others and created Made In His Image, a short film about bullying and why it should end. Ambuchi said she was very excited to finish her script and begin filming and was flattered by those who wanted to be involved. “I was so surprised that people from different states really wanted to be a part of this project.” Despite dancing since she was age 5 and acting since she was 6, Ambuchi said she had some insecurities. And the insecurities began in fourth grade. Ambuchi said she was bullied based on colorism. Students who had lighter skin called her hurtful names. Sometimes Ambuchi even cried during the school day. But opening up to her mom after a few months really helped her cope with everything. Ambuchi gained a new perspective when she was introduced to the book Dark Girls by her acting coach Jossie Harris Thacker with Kids W.A.Y Acting Academy. The book, written by Bill Duke and later made into a documentary, helped Ambuchi realize that there were other people in the world going through the same thing. Knowing 18 TRUE STAR JR.
IG @AAMBUCHI
MADE IN HIS IMAGE
*Fast Facts* Loves Instagram Loves hanging out with family and friends Wants to try sewing The ability to write is her best gift Hates when people purposely annoy her
there were others who encountered colorism helped her cope. She started to write her script about bullying and eventually she was able to meet Duke, thanks to Thacker. “It was truly a blessing and an honor. He wrote the book that fully inspired me to write my script,” she said. Besides writing scripts, dancing and acting, Ambuchi is also a model. In the near future she plans to direct more films with inspiring messages. Right now she loves creating stories and acting. “I really loved people loving the story and connecting,” she said. “I really just enjoyed everything that I do.” Ambuchi lives by a motto: “Her dreams are valid” This means that a woman’s dreams matter just as much as a man’s, and they will come true.
IG DOROTHY_JEANIUS
Dorothy Jean ‘DJ’ Tillman: SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE 12-YEAR-OLD BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
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FB DOROTHYJEANIUS
orothy "DJ" Tillman is a 12-year-old college graduate. She has just graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College in Albany, NY. She successfully completed her Associates degree in Psychology in August of 2016 at College of Lake County where she was enrolled as a college freshman. She also took classes at Stanford University Continuing Studies.
“From as early as 8 months Dorothy began to put words into sentences,” said her mother Jimalita Tillman. She was walking before the age of 1 and reading before 2. Also, Tillman was kept on the accelerated path with input from her parents that helped her journey to genius. Some love school. However, Tillman’s attitude towards school had changed because she would have more fun on the weekends and do mini field trips like going to the museum with her mother. She needed more of a challenge. “It didn’t feel right,” Tillman said. “I wasn’t having as much fun as I was having any other day.” She got the challenge she needed. But being a tween college student caused a lot of struggles and stress. “I would have many course hours, but they wouldn’t be what I needed to graduate,” Tillman said. This was stressful for her and delayed her initial graduation intended for 2017.
One of her biggest obstacles was confiding in someone. There were not a lot of people her age who would understand what she was going through. But for her, the fellow students and teachers were loving and accepting. Tillman said she also learned how to deal with the stress. “I painted, did photography, sewed, and watched YouTube.” Tillman said her faith was another reason she could deal with the stress. “I couldn’t [be] anything that I am without God. Everything that I do I know is for a reason. Like the reason I didn’t graduate last year, I know there was a reason. God has a plan for me,” she said. Tillman has been accepted to John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering as well as Unity College for their graduate studies program. She wants to one day be a social media influencer and perform on Broadway. TRUE STAR JR. 19
WWW.DOROTHYJEANIUS.COM
Tillman is very intelligent.
Living Life
LIKE ESSYNCE BY JAILA MABRY AND MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
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ow many teens do you know who have written books and their books have become part of the teaching curriculum? Sixteen-year-old Essynce Moore is the first African-American teen author whose book series is now mandatory reading for several schools on the East Coast. She is what you call a teenprenuer.
and spa. She started designing clothes at the tender age of 6. Her main vision is to show teens that it’s good to be different and that you should express yourself. Fashion is how Moore said she expresses herself and there’s no limit to what she can do. However, with starting her own line, Moore was afraid of failure.
“I have a very high standard for myself,” Moore said, “and I’m always pushing myself.” She wrote her first book, 6th Grade Middle School Chronicles: Where NO Secrets Are Kept, for fun. Two more books followed in the series—7th Grade Middle School Chronicles: Oh Essynce, If Only You Could See The Future... and 8th Grade Middle School Chronicles: The Year That Changed Everything... She now wants to convey the message that you are not alone through her books. Moore said her real life experiences are what make the stories interesting and different.
Now, Moore is a jack of all trades. She’s interested in her various activities because she can express her self in different ways. She loves each of her activities individually, “Fashion designing allows me to remember where I came from because that’s where I started. I get to be creative, I don’t take many risks, but when it comes to fashion I can and I love to.” She is an actress as well. Moore said, “Every time I play a different character, I learn something new about myself.”
Moore said that she learned some valuable lessons while publishing her books. “Always be true to yourself, because once you publish a book it’s no longer just your story anymore. It’s your story impacted on the world.” While she’s made a name for herself through her three books, Moore also has a mobile boutique 20 TRUE STAR JR.
Also listed on her resume is the title motivational speaker. Moore said she wants people to know that it is okay to be different and to always stay true to yourself. Moore believes that age shouldn’t put a limit on what you are capable of doing. She wants her peers to be educated about the world in general. “If you put out positive energy that’s what you’ll receive; same thing with negative,” she said.
IG @ESSYNCECOUTURELLC
*Fun Facts* 3Green belt in karate 3 Loves animals 3 Loves shopping 3 Enjoys using Pinterest 3 Very open minded 3 Hates when people are
negative and don’t want to become positive
PHOTOGRAPHER: HOLLYWOOD HEADSHOTS
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WHAT'S UP WITH Jenesys Harris? BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
E
ver want to know what it’s like to live the life of an exceptional kid? Meet Jenesys Harris , a young author, public speaker and businesswoman. Harris released a book called THINK is a Powerful Word... A 10-year-old's View of the Mind, which is about Harris’ own thoughts and experiences during her 10 years of life. Now 11, Harris is business owner of “Pizzazzed Plus,” a sweet treat boutique. She took over the business when her mother decided to pursue other interests. Harris is also working on her second book. “I’ve always kept writing and the thought of having something that I did myself out in the public pushed me to release my first book,” Harris said. Because she has so many achievements at such a young age, Harris was given the title child prodigy. “To me child prodigy means someone who’s doing an amazing thing at such a young age, is working hard to get their name out there, and doing something amazing to inspire others. It feels good to have this title because it’s nice to know that people know my name and might have read my book,” Harris said. Harris has so many things going on in her life including juggling school, a business, and writing but somehow she makes it work. “There is a lot of stress sometimes, especially when there are orders from my business, because on the weekends I don’t get to hang out as much since I’m working. During the school year my mom will help me out a little bit, which gives me time to 22 TRUE STAR JR.
do my homework and chores, but then I have to work,” she said. In the future, Harris said she is undecided on whether she should continue her business or not simply because she wants to focus on writing. She plans to continue writing and maybe get back into acting, which she has taken a break from.
Netflix Shows WORTH BINGING BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
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chool has started back up again and this means stress. We all need to relax and what better way than binge watching some TV? Fortunately, Netflix is here so, here are some shows for you to binge.
“Arrow” Billionaire Oliver Queen returns home to Starling City after being stranded on an island for five years. Presumed dead by his family and friends, Oliver returns a changed man. During the daytime, Oliver pretends to be his former carefree self. At night, Oliver takes on the alter ego of the Arrow and brings criminals to justice to restore his city to its former greatness. With action, adventure, comedy, and drama this show will have you hooked!
“Gossip Girl” The lives of a group of teenagers who live on the Upper East Side in Manhattan are followed by a mysterious blogger named Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl is a ruthless blogger who exposes the secrets of the privileged prep school teens. There is tons of romance and drama on the Upper East Side for both you and Gossip Girl to discover.
“Alexa and Katie” Imagine that you’re entering your freshman
year of high school and you’re battling cancer. Sounds hard, right? Well, this is the life of Alexa. Luckily, she has her best friend Katie by her side to help fight through whatever is thrown her way. You will totally enjoy Alexa and Katie taking on both cancer and high school.
“The Office” The Office is a mock documentary following the work day lives of the staff of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Michael Scott is the quirky boss to Jim, Dwight, Pam, Stanley, Phyllis, Oscar, Angela, Kevin, Creed, Meredith, Kelly, and Toby who make up the office staff. Each has their own unique humorous personality and will have you crying from laughter.
“Girl Meets World” A spinoff of the hit show “Boy Meets World” follows the lives of Corey and Topanga’s daughter, Riley, who is trying to take on the world. Each day brings a new adventure for Riley and her best friends Maya Hart, Lucas Friar, and Farkle Minkus. They navigate life and school, learning lessons along the way. Now that you have five shows to choose from you may as well start binging. TRUE STAR JR. 23
s n o i h s a F b a f K www. kfashions11.wixsite.com @ Kfabfashions @ Kfabfashions
About: Kfab Fashions is all about self-expression. We love being different and standing out from the crowd. It's what makes us the dope girls we are.
Founder: Kayla Perkins
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s e i h p Tro www.trophiesbynaeem.com TrophiesbyNaeem @TrophiesbyNaeem
About: Trophies is a line designed to celebrate greatness. "At the end of the day, we are all winners so don't wait to be great," says Jackson. Trophies promotes standing tall,having a voice, striving for success NOW.
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Founder: Jahkil Naeem
Jackson 11
s r e t h g pe Dau
Do
@Thedopedaughters @Daughtersdope
Founders:
Toni Ivory 15
La'Jada Stew art 17
The Dope Daughters
About: Dope Daughters is all about self-expression. We love being different and standing out from the crowd. It's what makes us the dope girls we are.
CUSTOM
Appare
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SPL ASH P d AINT Appare
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BUSINES
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h c r e M Ivory www.ivorymerch.com @ivorymerch @ivory_merch Ivory Merch
About: IvoryMerch is an urban clothing line providing quality apparel for reasonable prices. Founded by high schoolers out of Chicago with the intent of promoting Black entrepreneurship, along with Black self-investment; all while aspiring to be positive role models and youth-revolutionaries.
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Founders: Naji,17 Jordan,16 Jason,17 Marquise, 17
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KEEPIN’ SCORE
A Day IN THE LIFE OF A Student Athlete
BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
J
uggling school life and sports life can be exhausting. All the student athletes in the world get that. Being a student athlete takes a lot of work. You must stay focused in class, do homework and keep good grades, make it to other extracurricular activies, and still have to be at practices and games for your sports. Being a student athlete myself, I have firsthand experience in this department. For all you that are struggling being a student athlete, here are some tips to keep you on the top of things:
Make a detailed schedule Creating a schedule will help fit in time for everything you need to do. Breakingmuscle.com suggested that you “use a big desk calendar for school and sports. Write down all due dates for schoolwork, projects and papers. Write down all sports practices and games. Every week revisit your calendar and make corrections.” You can have a certain study time and a way to be able to go to practices, games and clubs. It really is a big help. 30 TRUE STAR JR.
Take time to relax It is very easy to get caught up in stress. Trying to maintain and do everything can take a lot of energy and really scramble your brain, so whenever you have some leisure time use it to enjoy yourself. Keep in mind you need adequate sleep to be a successful student athlete. According to CollegeXpress.com, “You should also strive to get a full night’s sleep whenever possible. With all of the running around you will be doing as a student athlete, you should get plenty of rest.” Also try taking a warm bath, which can help your muscles, or watch a movie. Whatever you do, just relax, or stress will consume and overtake your life.
Stay Positive Even though it seems somewhat cheesy, staying positive will help. Having a negative outlook will pour over into your activities and daily life. You may then start to get more stressed and lose control over what needs to be taken care of. Following these steps are just a few ways for an athlete to succeed in sports and school.
Athletes AND THEIR IMPORTANCE BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AURORA, IL
O
lympic gold medalist gymnast Simone Biles partnered with Mattress Firm Foster Kids to give foster kids and their families necessities, like clothes and school supplies. Born to a drug addicted mother, Biles was placed in foster care when she was 3 years old. She has experience what it’s like to be in a foster home, and helps kids in the same situation. Mya Stewart loves Biles and enjoys watching her gymnastic routine. The freshman said she admires Biles’ perseverance. “She knew her talent at a young age and proved that age and race don’t have an influence on your abilities,” the 14-yearold said. Biles isn’t the only Olympic winner giving back to the community. Michael Phelps is best known as a gold medalist swimmer, however, most are unaware of his struggle with depression. Phelps has talked to others about his mental health and has found that it’s a coping measure. Phelps is outspoken about his struggle with depression and is an advocate for mental health. In addition to working with the community, athletes have shown their support and protested against racial injustice and police brutality. In 2014, NBA players Lebron James, Derrick Rose and the entire Los Angeles Lakers basketball team wore warm up T-shirts that said “I Can’t Breathe.” This statement had become popular after Eric Garner, a 43-year-old AfricanAmerican man, lost his life to police brutality in New York. Garner pleaded for his life,
repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe,” and unfortunately he died. Protesting for others may come easy for some athletes, but tennis champion Venus Williams had to battle the oldest tennis tournament in the world. Like many women, Williams encountered the gender pay gap at The Championships, Wimbledon. For a long time they didn’t award their female and male competition winners fairly. According to the Wimbledon website, in 1997, the men’s singles winner won $475,000 while the women’s singles winner won $428,000. In 1997, Williams fought to push the board members to pay male and female winners the same. Ten years later, Williams was successful, and men and women winners in both singles and doubles earned the same amount, with singles winning $801,000 and doubles winning $255,000. The athletes who demonstrate their talents and abilites away from their sport, prove just how important they are to society in an entirely different way. TRUE STAR JR. 31
DEEPER THAN SKIN
IS Eco Styler Gel
BAD FOR YOUR Health?
BY ALEXANDRYA FRYSON, KENWOOD ACADEMY, CHICAGO, IL
D
o you use Eco Styler Gel to slick your hair down? Is it your go-to product? Have you heard the controversy about this product? Well chances are you may be putting your health in jeapardy. The chemical Triethanolamine (TEA) is causing controversy; it is a reactant of ethylene oxide, and ammonia. “TEA can indeed contain nitrosamines which are known to be carcinogenic. However, the cosmetic grade TEA we use has previously been analyzed and there was no detectable nitrosamine across several batches,” according to Ecocoinc.com, the makers of Eco Styler Gel. However, according to a natural hair website, Naturaveda.com, “TEA, combines two highly toxic chemicals, neither of which would be recommended for skin care use… small doses of TEA are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) for use in cosmetics and personal care products intended for 32 TRUE STAR JR.
discontinuous use, meaning that it should be washed off briefly after application.” If you are familiar with YouTube hair videos, there were several uploads about people claiming Eco Styler Gel was CANCELLED. “If these ingredients, especially TEA, can be found in several hair and skin care products we use daily, what difference does it make if you stop using Eco-Styler Gels? If we follow the #CancelEcoStylerGel move, surely there are other brands that can afford to go for a similar ingredients list,” Toluwa posted on xonecole. com. “Arguably, the only way to ensure we are not exposing ourselves to these chemicals is by getting your DIY on…” After hearing all this information, as well as opinions from real people, why would you ever take a chance on a clearly faulty product for your crown? Your health should be preserved at all costs.
Steps to Take FOR
CLEARER SKIN
BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLOTHIAN, IL
Cleanse
D
uring puberty, your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes, and it’s usually evident because of acne. Some people may have clear skin and never break out, but others may be the complete opposite. To help keep clear skin there a few things that are suggested.
Moisterize
First, you will need to cleanse your skin. Pick a cleanser based on your skin type which could be oily, dry, or combination skin. Onhealth.com said, “Use cleansers that are specially formulated for your skin type to boost the chances of a clear complexion.” If you use the right cleanser for your skin type, there is a greater chance of you getting clear skin and maintaining it. The website seventeen.com said to create a regime by washing your face up to twice a day. “Hairstyling products get absorbed by your pillowcase then transfer to your skin—if it's not cleared away in the A.M., it'll clog your pores,” the site said. Skin needs moisture. Moisturize your face after washing it to make sure your face isn’t dry. It is also a good idea to moisturize before applying makeup on your skin. You should also exfoliate your face a few times each week. Vitamedica.com said, “One of the primary causes of acne is the buildup of dead skin cells that clog pores.” This is why you should exfoliate to remove dead skin, and exfoliating
Exfoliate will also make your face smoother. Be careful as to not exfoliate too much, because it may cause damage to your skin. There are many things to avoid that can help reduce acne. Don’t pop pimples because after popping them, you can get scars. Avoid touching your face because it can cause acne due to bacteria on your hands. You can also use facemasks, like peel-offs or wash-offs, to help with acne. Also drinking lots of water, and eating a balanced diet with fruit and vegetables can help. TRUE STAR JR. 33
CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER
The Rainy Day BY JAILA MABRY, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
“Drip-drop drip-drop” The storm goes I stare out of the window Only to see true nothingness Seems like the break of day will forever cease to exist As the drippity droppity proceeds A rainy day, not so bad I guess you could say That is until, I have to walk home in the rain But that is irrelevant now As the morning bells ring Ugh! First period And the rain isn’t giving up on things A real shocker, as I stand by my locker Watching the rain, like tears from the sky The blue-gray clouds now disappear As I prepare to face my worst fear The great big test, lying on my desk Mocking me, on this rainy day
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WHY IS KPOP SO POPULAR? BY LATIYFA A. BRUESSARD, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
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ou know you cannot say anything bad about Beyoncé without BeyHive coming for you. The same applies to Nicki Minaj and the Barbies and Justin Bieber and the Beliebers. You can add the BTS Army to that list after more than 300 million tweets were sent about them. BTS is the first Kpop, Korean pop, group to break into the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Kpop is one of the world's most popular categories of music. The genre, influenced by hip hop, pop, country, jazz, rock, and Latin (just to name a few), has become international among teenagers and young adults interested in the music industry and fashion. But why has it become a global phenomenon? Shankari Lakshminarayanan, 15, has been a long-time fan of Kpop, specifically the popular boy band EXO. “Kpop has actually ruined my life because I'm always up at night waiting for new music videos,” said Lakshminarayanan. “There's just too many groups to keep up with.” One of the things that helps Kpop artists reach so many people is singing their songs in different languages. For example, EXO is made up of two groups —Exo-K performing in Korean and Exo-M performing in Mandarin—that came together to perform in Korean, Mandarin and Japanese. And their music is a melting pot utilizing electronic dance, house, trap and synth-pop sounds. In addition, Kpop group members, who may be Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and even American and Spanish mixed singers, are solo
and duo singers. The song “Lo Siento” by Super Junior, features Dominican American female singer Leslie Grace, is sung in Korean, Spanish and English. People love Kpop for several reasons including the catchy songs, their personalities, and trendiness. Lifehack.org loved the Kpop dance moves. “Choreography is another area where Kpop artists completely dominate. Groups not only sing and dance, they perform routines so complicated and challenging, they would usually require truly professional dancers,” Lifehack.org said. HelloKpop.com added that listening to the songs and watching the videos is great. “If you look into almost all Korean and KPop music lyrics and music videos, one would realize that it is using a method which we often call as storytelling. Here’s why, instead of just the music, the listeners would be able to discover a story that arouses interest.” TRUE STAR JR. 35
Darkness Is Like A Cave BY ARICDELSY AVILA, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
Darkness is like a cave Sadness is a friend Confusion feels like death As death feels like an empty room But not as worse than an empty person in an open room Don’t open that room, you didn’t come in too soon While flowers bloom, I’ll be in my room Crying my tears away while you’re just feeling Okay, but hey hope you find another one
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I AM ME BY MARIAH STEVENS, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL, ROBBINS, IL
“I AM THE TWO MOST POWERFUL WORDS, FOR WHAT YOU PUT AFTER THEM SHAPES YOUR REALITY.” -Unknown
I am NOT what you think I am, It may seem to you that I have no potential, That I am shy and weak when you look at me, That I have the most imperfect hair and body, But I bet you didn't know that… I AM Stronger than you'll ever be, I AM a Straight A Student, I AM Confident in the things I do, I AM NOT going to let your words bring me down, Because I AM ME
“I AM not what YOU think I AM, YOU are what YOU think I AM.” -Unknown
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cdmi
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