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TRUE STAR Foundation A LEADER IN YOUTH PROGRAMS
Our Purpose TO INSPIRE DREAMS SO THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN FIND THEIR VOICE, CHOOSE THEIR PATH, AND PREPARE FOR LIFE.
TRUE STAR FOUNDATION
Our Mission
The True Star Foundation’s mission is to demonstrate healthy transitions for youth coming into early adulthood by exposing them to real world experiences in the workforce through the development of their own media and being an intricate part of the strategic direction and overall business operations of the organization.
Our Work
True Star is a youth work collaborative that amplifies youth voice through producing content for True Star Magazine, True Star Jr. Magazine, The Park Magazine, True Star Online, True Star Media TV, and True Star Radio.
Our Impact
• True Star has provided on-the-job training for over 3,000 youth since its inception. • The vast majority of True Star students (70 percent) reported that their team-working, oral communication, researching, problem-solving, writing skills, as well as their confidence and ability to do other schoolwork, improved as a result of True Star’s programs. • In 2016, True Star provided 600 work opportunities that paid out $200,000 in stipends and youth pay.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board President Thomas McLeary CEO & President, Endow Inc. Giuseppe Commodaro Managing Director, CME Kathy Chaney Editorial Manager, Ebony Magazine David Douglas Founder & CEO, Yolobe Inc. Sean Harden Non Profit Consultant Leslie Hairston City of Chicago Alderman, 5th Ward Monique Mayo Professor, Columbia College Chicago Mia Nelson Senior Analyst, Baxter David Nichols Partner, Ernst & Young Malcolm Weems Senior Advisor, Dentons LaTonya Wilkens Director of Talent Management, University of Illinois Business School
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CONTENTS EXPOSE’
KEEPIN’ SCORE
6: TEENS REACT TO “PRESIDENT TRUMP,” BY NIA HOWARD, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 7: COLIN KAEPERNICK AND THE FIGHT FOR POC RIGHTS BY FATIMAH SKEETS, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 8: ARE STEREOTYPES NECESSARY? BY RHANIYA DAWSON LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 9: ANIMAL CONFINEMENT, JORDAN BEASLEY, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
26: THE D.WADE AND JIMMY SHOW BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY 27: THE FINAL FOUR WRAP UP BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY
TALKIN’ NERDY 10: VINE IS SHUTTING DOWN BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 11: COMEBACK BOOK SERIES BY ALISHA BUTHER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 12: SNAPCHAT FILTERS BY KAYLA JONES, KENWOOD ACADEMY 13: SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION BY IMANI MUSE, KENWOOD ACADEMY & ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
4EVER YOUNG 14: FRESH FACE RECIPES, BY ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL 15: TOP TEEN ROLE MODELS BY TYLER HAMILTON, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
HOT OFF THE PRESS 16: RAVEN’S BACK! BY ANTWON HOWARD, KENWOOD ACADEMY 17: MOVIES TO CHECK OUT IN THE NEW YEAR BY NIA HOWARD, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 18: TOP HIP-HOP ARTISTS BY IMANI MUSE, KENWOOD ACADEMY 19: TV SHOWS WORTH BINGE-WATCHING BY ANTWON HOWARD, KENWOOD ACADEMY 20: TRUE STAR INTERVIEWS DANTE THE POET BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
FASHION 23: WINTER FASHION
CREATIVE CORNER 28: MEMORY MIXTAPE BY JORDAN DUNN, JONES COLLEGE PREP 29: CATCH COPY KIM (FICTION) BY SHANIYA L. DAWSON, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 30: WHAT MADE THAT SOUND? BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY 31: MY LIFE MATTERS, BY KAYLA JONES, KENWOOD ACADEMY
SCHOOL SPIRIT 32: CANDY AND BUSINESS BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY 33: HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED LINDBLOM? (POEM) BY SHANIYA L. DAWSON, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
DEEPER THAN SKIN 34: PUBERTY, WHY?! BY ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRUE STAR JR. MAGAZINE CONTACT US: LETTERS TO TRUE STAR JR. 1130 SOUTH WABASH, SUITE 302 CHICAGO, IL 60605-2717 EMAIL: TRUESTARJR@TRUESTARMAGAZINE.COM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA MCLEARY & J. NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR MARTI PARHAM EDITORIAL INSTRUCTOR NYKEYA WOODS WEB CONTENT & MARKETING MANAGER JOI MITCHELL WEB CONTENT ASSISTANT HENRY COLLINS ART DIRECTION DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PROMOTIONS MANAGER DESHAUN ADAMS
TRUESTARIS.COM TO DONATE TO TRUE STAR FOUNDATION, VISIT TRUESTARFOUNDATION.ORG
CONTRIBUTORS Kenwood Academy
Imani Muse
v Barnard Dylan Hunter
Dru Thigpen
Antwon Howard
Jayla Johnson
Asha Martin
Kayla Jones
Kamren Cale
Lindblom Math & Scince Academy
Nia Howard
Shaniya Dawson
Rhaniya Dawson
Fatimah Skeets
Makayla Idelburg
Jordan Beasley
Kellar Middle School
Alisha Butler
Jones College Prep
Jordan Dunn
Tyler Hamilton
EXPOSE’
President...Trump
BY NIA HOWARD, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
N
ot many people are happy about the presidential election’s results. Election Day was tension-filled for Americans, as the entire country stayed up until midnight to find out who would become the 45th president. When Donald J. Trump was announced the winner, social media, including Instagram, was filled with memes, reaction videos and mockery about the election.
Trump has always talked about deportation of illegal immigrants. When he won, thousands of families panicked. Isabella Damaso, who is Mexican, said she hopes Trump actually starts to take other people’s feelings into consideration.
“I refuse to accept [his presidency] because he thinks he can do anything he wants to this country and these people just because he’s a billionaire,” Kennedy Bradley,13, said. “He thinks that the world revolves around him, but it doesn’t, and he’s never even been interested in politics until now. … It just doesn’t make any sense.”
“His declaration had some people worried about deportation because they came to the United States to get a better job and more freedom. Some undocumented immigrants don’t even know that they are undocumented since they came here as infants. When they try getting a job or going to a college, [they] get rejected because they don’t have a social security number,” the 12-year-old said. “It’s scary and hard for these undocumented immigrants going back to a country that they had trouble in. I’m not intimidated by Trump and I’m not afraid of being deported because I am a legal U.S. citizen.”
Fourteen-year-old Kyree Standifer also questioned Trump’s logic. “His policies don’t make any sense, and I’d never stand for him. It’s ridiculous that people actually believe what he says.”
Although this man has been very vulgar, we will stand up for ourselves and make sure that we won’t be drowned out by these comments. And as many from all over the world have said, God bless America.
While illegal immigrants were terrified that he won, teens questioned how a Trump presidency could exist.
6 TRUE STAR JR.
Colin Kaepernick AND THE FIGHT FOR POC Rights BY FATIMAH SKEETS, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY Here is a timeline of protest events at the start of the football season, according to sbnation.com:
August
•14th and 20th—Kaepernick sits during national anthem, goes unnoticed •26th—Gains attention with a photo taken of Kaepernick sitting in background
September
Y
ou’ve heard the name Colin Kaepernick by now. And if you haven’t, well, you’re about to learn about him and his movement for People of Color (POC) rights. Kaepernick is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. You might be thinking, “What does being a professional athlete have to do with his protest?” His fame and occupation have everything to do with his movement. Kaepernick is known for sitting or kneeling during the national anthem during NFL games in order to protest the mistreatment of POCs. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and are getting away with murder,” Kaepernick told reporters last fall.
•1st—Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid take a knee; Seattle Seahawks Jeremy Lane takes a seat •4th—Megan Rapinoe of the National Women’s Soccer League takes knee during anthem •9th—Denver Broncos Linebacker Brandon Marshall takes a knee •11th—Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots stand during 9/11 speech, then lock arms during national anthem •Kaepernick explains his protest: his actions give voice to people without one •12th—Reid and Kaepernick take knee •16th—Garfield High School football team and coaches take knee; 12 high school football players in Sacramento take knee “Perhaps most significantly, protests during the anthem have occurred in at least 52 high schools, 39 colleges, one middle school, and two youth leagues in 35 states across the country and three nations abroad,” according to ThinkProgress.org. Possibly, Kaepernick has as many supporters as he does haters, but it’s up to you to decide what you stand for. TRUE STAR JR. 7
Are Stereotypes Important?
BY RHANIYA DAWSON, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
A
re stereotypes necessary? Do they make you who you are? Do stereotypes help or hurt the world? There are many types of stereotypes that include gender and age. But people often experience racial stereotypes the most. Just to be clear, “a stereotype is a judgment about an individual based on the real or imagined characteristics of a group,” according to facinghistory.org. Several Lindblom Math & Science Academy students have experienced racial stereotypes. Kylie Malone, 13, and her family took a short trip to Michigan. While there Malone said she experienced something she will never forget. “We stopped at a gas station, and there was a white man selling in the gas station. He said, [after] I got some chips and a drink to put it back because he didn’t serve Negroes.” Other African-American students, such as Keilani King and Justin Atoyebi, said they had a similar experience. 8 TRUE STAR JR.
King, 13, said that her friend’s grandfather, who is Mexican, told her friend to stay away from her and her brother because they were Black. Atoyebi, 13, said that he and some friends went into 7-Eleven but they were not let in. “We were told to get out, even though there were others in there,” said Atoyebi. He added that those already in the store were not AfricanAmerican. “And then we were strangely told 7-Eleven was closed,” Atoyebi said. Some racial groups are even associated with certain jobs. For example, most of the time Chinese people are associated with doing nails. Hispanic people are associated with cutting grass or maintenance. Indian people are associated usually with fixing your electronics. “We all hold misleading stereotypes of people that limit us as individuals in that we cheat ourselves out of the benefits different cultures can contribute. We can grow and learn from each culture, whether it be Chinese, Korean or AfricanAmerican,” according to facinghistory.org.
Animal Confinement BY JORDAN BEASLEY, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
M
ost, if not all of us, are used to eating meat, going to zoos and wearing fur and makeup. Have you ever considered that an innocent animal may have suffered for us to have done these things? Often people don’t realize they are contributing to continued animal abuse when buying things as common as leather shoes or a belt. Using animals for entertainment, such as circuses or animal “encounters” is part of animal abuse. In circuses, animals, including elephants, bears, monkeys, lions and tigers are taken from natural habitats and beaten with sharp objects, shocked with electric prods and sometimes starved to make them perform unnatural tricks. These animals live their lives defecating, sleeping and eating in small trailers where they have no opportunities for socialization, nourishment or exercise, according to peta.org. This causes animals to eventually lose their minds, which is why elephants have trampled trainers to death or lions have mauled handlers. Pacing big cats and swaying elephants are signs that the animal is stressed. (Next time you’re at the circus, look for these indicators!) Alany Hernandez, 13, has gone to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. “When they dress up the elephants and things like that, I think it’s wrong,” said Hernandez. “I think if you’re gonna use animals in the circus you should let them have some type of freedom.” Although many circuses have gone animal free, circuses, including UniverSoul Circus, still exploit animals. By supporting circuses like these, you are supporting animal abuse.
Animals can also be exploited in roadside zoos, which you may see one in small towns. These zoos have wild animals forced to live in cages with deplorable and filthy conditions. Some roadside zoos also breed animals, and some tiger cubs are snatched from their mothers and forced to pose with people, according to humanesociety.org. Most roadside zoos lack veterinary care but promote themselves as a sanctuary. “It’s terrible,” said Corrie Barnes, 13. “We shouldn’t be putting animals in cages for the pleasure of humans.” Keep in mind that there are places, such as SeaWorld, that secretly abuse animals for profit. People also participate in animal cruelty whenever they condone dog fighting and support puppy mills, two practices that torture dogs. Next time you want to purchase a puppy, ask where it came from. TRUE STAR JR. 9
TALKING NERDY
VINE IS Shut
Down?
BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
H
ave you heard that the six-second loop video sharing app Vine has shut down? The reason is because Vine’s top Viners have left the app for other social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. That means our all-time favorite Viners, such as King Bach, Jerry Purpdrank, Thomas Sanders and The Gabbie Show won’t be accessible with the touch of a button. And to answer your question, yes, you can go die in a corner now. “We’re transitioning the Vine app to a pareddown Vine Camera. With this camera app, you’ll still be able to make six-second looping videos and either post them directly to Twitter or save them to your phone,” the Vine team posted. Vine debuted in 2013, but it was purchased by Twitter in 2012.
What are fans doing? Most fans are writing reviews about trying to use the app and explaining how Vine has changed their lives. They are also expressing how wrong it would be to shut it down so carelessly. They are 10 TRUE STAR JR.
making protest Vines and trying to rally as many people as they can. Some people, like Cameron Dallas, Nash Grier and Brittany Furlan, have landed acting gigs from their video posts. While some may miss the site, there are some who don’t question the decision to shut down. “They might as well shut down because Vine died a year ago,” said Eghonghon Eromosele. “It used to be the big trend, but it couldn’t hold its own against YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etcetera. So, instead of wasting money keeping Vine up, they should close it. I personally don’t use social media, so it doesn’t affect me. I’m unbiased. I think this would be the best option.” In the end, no matter what we try to do, Vine is still shutting down. But we will still be able to enjoy our favorite vines through YouTube— ironically—and the Vine website.
R.I.P Vine
*inserts: “In the arms of the angel.”*
Don’t Call it A Comeback! (BUT IT IS) BY ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
R
emember Percy Jackson and the Olympians series? Well, Rick Riordan is back in Percy Jackson’s world to write the Trials of Apollo series. His first book, Book One, The Hidden Oracle, was released last summer.
Thirteen-year-old Asleigh Heenan is a huge Percy Jackson fan and has already read the book. “I loved it soooo much, but I was bummed that Percy and Annabeth weren’t in it that much,” said Heenan. “Of course I would recommend this book, but not to someone young because it does have gay/bi stuff. Some parents might not want their kids reading it.” Here’s a summary: How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the God Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his 4,000-year-old deity, he must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to gain Zeus’s favor.
Also Riordan has started a new Norse mythology series and already has the second book out. It is called Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor. Nearly half a billion Harry Potter books had been sold worldwide, five years after J.K. Rowling wrote the last one in the series. In July, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was released. There were mixed reviews because this latest Harry Potter story is actually a script. “I understand the sad feelings. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has a completely different vibe. Aside from being a play, it’s also a more mature, character-driven, less magical story,” Emily May posted at goodreads.com. “It does not feel like an eighth Harry Potter book at all; there’s a real disconnect between this play and the other seven novels.” TRUE STAR JR. 11
Snapchat’s NEW LENSES
BY KAYLA JONES, KENWOOD ACADEMY
H
ow many times have you seen flower crowns, enlarged eyes or animal ears on photos over the past year and a half? The original filters— doggy face and rainbows that come out your mouth—have been turned into 26 different filters, or lenses, as Snapchat calls them. Snapchat has a filter for every season, holiday and even your birthday. No matter how long you’ve had Snapchat, the filters will never get old. Snapchat recently released new photo filters. The new filters sound like fun, and one of the coolest upgrades is being able to layer filters. This means you can have a Flower Power Crown and be Under the Sea or on a magazine cover. There is also three-way face swap. But have you ever wondered what the most popular filter is on Snapchat? How people keep up with them? Will the doggy filter ever be forgotten? According to trustedreviews. 12 TRUE STAR JR.
com, there are several popular filters, including Friend Face Swap, Butterfly, Frown and the Perky-Eared Dog. Thirteen-year-old Melissa Adjenai said, “the doggy filter” is one of her favorites. “I also like the reindeer that changes your voice.” Morgan Jones is a “doggy filter” fan, too. But she also enjoys using the Reindeer filter. “They make me look better and make my snaps more entertaining,” the 12-year-old said. According the Allure.com, the filter “erases imperfections. The filter slightly elongates and chisels your face—especially, the bottom half, from your cheeks down to your chin.” And the dog nose is so big it “covers any blemishes or pores not only on your nose but also in the space about an inch below it.”
The Social Media
ADDICTION: IS IT HEALTHY?
BY IMANI P. MUSE, KENWOOD ACADEMY & ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
H
ow easy is it to become addicted to Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter? Access to social media is just a tap on your phone. And be honest, do you ever really put down your phone? Yeah, there was that one time you cracked the screen, but you still managed to hit up your Facebook or other favorite social media page. It’s the strong and captivating mental satisfaction that comes from checking the Twitter and Snapchat feed or seeing what’s new on Instagram. But even though, approximately nine out of 10 people with access to the Internet around the world use social media daily, is it really healthy? Many young people are very much in tune with their social media accounts and spend about 20 hours per week online, according to The Telegraph. Professionals recommend only about two hours of television per day, but most individuals have exceeded that number with online social interactions. According to the 2015 Pew Research Center’s report on Teens, Social Media and Technology,
24 percent of teens go online constantly. “Nearly three-quarters of teens have or have access to a smartphone and 30 percent have a basic phone,” the report stated. Mona Frasier admits she is addicted to Instagram. She said she is always checking out LGBTQ Fandoms and anything Percy Jackson. “I knew I was addicted when I didn’t get off the site to go to bed,” the 11-year-old said. “Instagram is great! I have met so many friends on [the site].” Apps such as Twitter, Instagram, and especially Facebook, are not just great ways to stay up-todate with the newest Rihanna or Drake trends or the latest challenge. These social media outlets also make people aware of more worldly issues, such as presidential elections, international affairs and ways to get involved in your community through public and environmental service. Applications like these also are helpful because they aid businesses in getting started and promote great causes. TRUE STAR JR. 13
4EVER YOUNG
Fresh FACE RECIPES BY ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
W
ho doesn’t love a fresh, pimple-free face? But let’s be honest; the chances of that happening for a teen or pre-teen is slim. We are going through puberty. Our hormones are all over the place, and we may be guaranteed to have whiteheads, blackheads and red acne bumps. Yuck! While we can’t really control the hormones, we can do our best to make sure our face is fresh and clean. Here is a recipe to create a facial wash.
Chamomile Acne Face Wash
Ingredients:
Here is something you may have not tried yet on your face: charcoal. Use activated charcoal, not the charcoal you would use to barbecue. Activated charcoal helps to draw out impurities in your skin. When you go looking for charcoal, try to get charcoal made from coconut.
1/4 cup organic chamomile tea (Use filtered or distilled water to brew the tea. Chamomile can help to calm skin that is acne prone.) 1/4 cup Castile soap (You could also use tea tree or lavender Castile soap as well. Tea tree Castile soap is antibacterial and can help with breakouts.) 1/2 tsp organic sweet almond oil 3-4 drops vitamin E oil
Charcoal Acne Face Mask
Add the ingredients to a plastic container and shake.
TIP: Put coconut oil on your clean face to help fade acne scars, even on oily skin.
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Ingredients: 2 tsp water 2 capsules activated charcoal 1/2 tsp bentonite clay Mix ingredients until pasty in a nonmetallic bowl with a plastic or wood spoon.
Top ROLE MODELS FOR Teens BY TYLER HAMILTON, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
L
ooking for some inspiration? Following a good leader can lead to good decisions. Check out these teens.
Zendaya
At 20 years old, Zendaya is best known for starring in Disney’s “K.C. Undercover”. But the actress also sings and dances and became a model for CoverGirl last year. Check out her site zendaya.com. Instagram and Twitter @zendaya.
Gabby Douglas
You have heard her name and maybe even watched her reality show and movie.The 21-year-old is the first African-American in history to become the individual all-around champion during the 2012 London Summer Olympics. She also is the first U.S. gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-around and team. Check out gabrielledouglas.com; Instagram @gabbycvdouglas.
Yara Shahidi
Taking a look at the 16-year-old’s Twitter feed, you realize she’s not afraid to voice her opinion about politics and inequality. Best known for playing Zoey on ABC’s “black-ish”, Shahidi created Yara’s Club, a program to mentor girls in New York City. Visit Snapchat SlimShahidi;,Twitter @YaraShahidi; Instagram @yarashahidi.
Simone Biles
Biles was the first female African-American all-around world champion during the 2016 Rio de Janiero Summer Olympics. The 19-year-old also won gold medals for vault and floor performances. Go to Twitter @simone_biles; Snapchat @simonebiles.
Malala Yousafzai In 2014, Yousafzai was the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner at age 17. Yousafzai, known mainly for human rights advocacy for education and for women in Pakistan, was shot for her beliefs. Check out malala.org/malalas-story.
Laurie Hernandez
Hernandez is only the third Latina to compete in the U.S. Summer Olympics. She competed on “Dancing with the Stars” last season. And the 16-year-old wrote the book I Got This: Gold and Beyond, hoping to inspire others. Check out Twitter @ lzhernandez02; Instagram @lauriehernandez_.
Amandla Stenberg
Most may know the 18-year-old from her video, “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows,” about cultural appropriation, or as Rue from The Hunger Games. She also created a comic series called Niobe: She is Life. She is also a youth ambassador for No Kid Hungry. Check out amandlastenberg.com. TRUE STAR JR. 15
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Raven’s BACK!
BY ANTWON HOWARD, KENWOOD ACADEMY
T
en years after we last saw Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné Pearman), she’s planning to come back. Raven announced plans last year for a spinoff to Disney’s wildly successfully “That’s So Raven”. Although a teen on the previous show, this time Raven will be a single divorced mother of two preteens on the show.
Fourteen-year-old Bre Winters likes the idea of a spinoff, but she has a lot of love for the first series. “Nothing can replace the original ‘That’s So Raven’. The second could be better quality, like greater TV quality and better jokes. But the original will probably always be the best,” Winters said.
We all know Raven had the ability to predict the future. That was the fun part—seeing her and her best friends Chelsea and Eddie get out of crazy situations and Raven already knew what would happen. This time around, one of Raven’s children—Nia and Booker— inherits the ability to see the future.
Darya Nelson, 13, is also excited to see the new show because she liked the original. “I want to see the differences in the two shows, and I want to see how they are the same,” said Nelson, who would watch the show with her younger sister.
Thirteen-year-old Kennedy Bickham is excited to see the new show. “I think the sequel of ‘That’s So Raven’ will be great because it will have all the same characters, and I believe that it will truly be amazing and a great way for Disney Channel to get back some more Black comedy,” Bickman said. 16 TRUE STAR JR.
Here’s a little more info about Raven’s children: Booker is a smart and sweet mama’s-boy. He is very naive and is in no rush to grow up. Nia is very self-confident and has a bold spirit. She’s just started middle school, and she will not back down when she has her mind set on something, which will land her in predicaments at times. Just like her mother, she will get the power to see visions of the future.
12 Movies TO LOOK
FORWARD TO IN 2017 BY NIA HOWARD, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
T
his year, some awesome movies will be premiering on the silver screen. Here are 12 supercool movies to scout out:
1.The Fate of the Furious
4. The Divergent Series: Ascendant
9. War of the Planet of the Apes
The adventure continues as Tris and Four travel outside the wall and uncover secrets. Release Date: June 9
The entire world’s being overrun by apes and other primates, and a war is ensuing. Find out what happens in the third installment of the longawaited film. Release Date: July 14
Even after we lost the man who stole our hearts with those blue eyes and bright smile, we honor him and his legacy with the Fast and Furious franchise. Number eight is full of cars and adventure. Release Date: April 14
5. World War Z 2
2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
After so many adventures with BumbleBee, the autobots and Optimus Prime, will this be the end? Release Date: June 23
Get ready for another wild ride with Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, Drax and the popular Rocket the Raccoon. Release Date: May 5
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales In this fifth installment of the PoC franchise, so many battles will be fought, and the result could possibly be the loss of a beloved character. Release Date: May 26
In a world where zombies consume humans every day, there’s only one thing to do: Fight back! Release Date: June 9
6. Transformers: The Last Knight
7. Despicable Me 3 Gru and the Minions are back, and they are gonna cause a lot of trouble. Release Date: June 30
8. Spider-Man: Homecoming Spider-Man has a whole new look...and a new cast. Release Date: July 4
10. Thor: Ragnarok In this third epic movie starring the jaw-droppingly handsome Chris Hemsworth, be ready for the best battle of the fall! Release Date: November 3
11. Star Wars: Episode 8 - The Last Jedi George Lucas’ megafranchise is back with a movie sure to break the box office. Release Date: December 15
12. Pitch Perfect 3 The Barden Bellas are back in this snarky and sophisticated film—and just in time for the holidays. Release Date: December 22
TRUE STAR JR. 17
Top Hip-Hop ARTISTS I
BY IMANI P. MUSE, KENWOOD ACADEMY
n the world of hip-hop, artists come and go, but here are seven entertainers who are making their presence known.
Drake
Aubrey “Drake” Graham is a Canadian actor turned rapper that made his mark on the hip-hop industry. Once signed by Lil Wayne with Young Money Records, Drake ended up being named one of the biggest and fastest growing rappers by Complex magazine.
21 Savage
Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph is an American rapper from Atlanta, Ga. He received recognition after releasing “Free Guwop,” since then the 21 Savage has been working with Metro Boomin on his album, Savage Mode. Now, 21 Savage ranks in the top 10 rappers according to Complex magazine.
Nikki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj was born in Trinidad, but was raised in South Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. and has made a huge name for herself musically. Minaj has received 10 Grammy
nominations throughout her career, won six American Music Awards, 11 BET Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and was the recipient of Billboard’s Women in Music 2011 Rising Star award.
18 TRUE STAR JR.
Lil Uzi Vert
Symere Woods is a hip-hop rapper from Philadelphia. After he dropped his single “Money Longer,” people took a liking to his unique sound and daring style.
Chance the Rapper
Chicago’s Chancelor Jonathan Bennett is more than a rapper, but also an influential figure in the city’s community. His kind heart and his love of giving landed the threetime Grammy winner the 7th spot on the “Forbes 30 Under 30” music list in January of 2015.
Post Malone
From Grapevine, Tex., Austin Richard Post started playing music in a band as a young child but did not gain attention until February 2015 with his single “White Iverson.” His mixture between pop and hip-hop music has made him differ from the competition.
Kendrick Lamar
From Compton, Calif., Kendrick Lamar Duckworth has dazzled the world with his insightful lyrics and powerful background with songs like “Alright” and “Poetic Justice”. In 2013, MTV deemed Lamar as the No. 1 Hottest MC in the Game, and Time magazine named him as one of 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.
TV Shows WORTH Binge -WATCHING BY ANTWON HOWARD, KENWOOD ACADEMY
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ooking for a new story to binge-watch on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon or On Demand? Maybe you’ve heard about a show but aren’t sure if it’s worth checking out. Here’s a list of some shows to watch when you have free and just want to sit on your butt.
1. Gotham
girl on his doorstep. Ben along, with his brother Danny and friend Tucker, have crazy adventures as they all raise Emma.
4. The Fosters
Stef is married with a kid when she meets Lena. Shortly after meeting, Stef divorces her husband and then later marries Lena. In the process, the This is different version of the Batman story. In it, Detective Jim Gordon takes on corruption in Gotham City. Check out Bruce Wayne when he was a young boy, Catwoman before she became a woman and other infamous villains.
couple adopts twins from a mother who is on drugs and fosters two other teens who have lost their parents.
5. Beyond
2. The Flash
Crime-scene investigator Berry Allen’s dedication to learn the truth about his mother’s death drives him to follow up on every new scientific advancement and urban legend. During an experiment, Allen is struck by lightning and develops super speed.
3. Baby Daddy
In this comedy, three men are raising a baby and only one of them is the father. Ben discovered he was a father when an ex-girlfriend leaves a baby
FreeForm’s latest sci-fi drama follows Holden, a 20-something-year-old, who wakes up with abilities after being in a coma for a decade. Holden lands himself in the middle of a conspiracy and is being chased by a man in a yellow coat. What Holden really wants to know is why he was in a coma in the first place. TRUE STAR JR. 19
‘TRUE STAR’ INTERVIEWS
DANTE THE Poet BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
A
t a young age, Dante Brown, aka Dante The Poet, was destined for Hollywood. The 16-year-old Chicago native said people would randomly and constantly ask his mother if they had seen him on TV. He hadn’t been discovered yet. Then one day, “this lady came up to my mom and asked her the same question, and my mom again said no. The lady then replied with, ‘Well, I can help you with that.’” That was 14 years ago. Now he is starring in FOX’s new action/drama series “Lethal Weapon”. And yes, it’s based on the film franchise of the same name. “Being on ‘Lethal Weapon’ is a once-in-alifetime experience. It’s like every actor’s dream because the fan base is so big, and the movies were so good. I’m glad I’m [along] for the ride,” Brown said. “It’s exciting to be a part of such history with Damon Wayans being the comedy genius that he is.” Brown plays Robert Murtaugh Jr., RJ, a “very intelligent kid who wants to explore the world and step out of his boundaries.” Brown said
20 TRUE STAR JR.
that the show’s writers have something in store for “the straight-laced, Princeton-bound” RJ. “RJ’s getting turnt, so stay tuned,” Brown said. His family is a huge part of his success. Brown’s mother is his acting coach, and he compares RJ to his brother, actor Dusan Brown, because they have similar personality traits. He said, “I think about what my little brother would do.” Just like any other young, hungry actor, Brown wants more. He has started developing an animated series he hopes will be picked up by a streaming network. He also wants to star in a drama or action movie. He knows that if he doesn’t plan ahead, then things will fall out of place. He said he plans to own real estate in Chicago, a clothing line and wants to create music, “which hopefully will make it on the Top 10 hip-hop/rap [charts].” With the success of “Lethal Weapon”, Brown said he has been invited to more celebrity events. He is recognized by more people and has become a Fresh Empire Ambassador, “which is so turnt. Showing teens that we can get lit and turnt, even in a tobacco-free environment. So all in all, life is amazing,” he said.
“BEING ON ‘LETHAL WEAPON’ IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. IT’S LIKE EVERY ACTOR’S DREAM BECAUSE THE FAN BASE IS SO BIG...”
INSTAGRAM + SOUNDCLOUD: @DANTETHEPOET TWITTER: @DANTEBROWN FACEBOOK: DANTE BROWN AKA DANTE THE POET IMDB.ME/DANTEBROWN WWW.DANTEBROWN.NET
TRUE STAR JR. 21
Winter FASHION Photographer: DeShaun “Trig” Adams for He Shoots Lyfe
Ayipey
Myriah Starr & Jahkil
Inka
Myriah Starr 22 TRUE STAR JR.
India’s Shoes India
Madi TRUE STAR JR. 23
Matthew
Twon
Inka
Makayla
Ayipey
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Madi, Matthew & Myriah Starr
Myriah Starr
Madi
TRUE STAR JR. 25
KEEPIN’ SCORE
The Jimmy & D.Wade Show
BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY
W
ho expected the Chicago Bulls to land NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade after trading the former MVP Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks? It seemed like things were getting better for the Bulls. But then we also lost Joakim Noah to the Knicks. Even though they may have replaced some positions, the trades may have not made any difference. They are not getting the outstanding results and great stats that the old players provided for the team. The Bulls also signed veteran player Rajon Rondo to help round out their front court. There were also some games were it seemed like the Bulls should have won. There were questions about Fred Hoiberg’s coaching. Two seasons ago, the Bulls had a better record. At True Star Jr. press time, the Bulls are 29-32. Despite the ho-hum season so far, some fans like the trade. Coach Maleek, 32, defends the reason for the trade. “The trade that was made was a good 26 TRUE STAR JR.
idea for leadership reasons. Both Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have both won a championship with their old teams,” Maleek said. Wade won with The Heat and Rondo with the Boston Celtics. Alexander Fair likes the trade as well. He said the team is better. “Derrick Rose was an unnecessary resource for the Bulls,” Fair said. “Rose was injured so much, and it was affecting the team so badly that they could not play very well.” Kameron Goins said the reason Wade signed with the Bulls was for the money. “D.Wade won’t really bring anything to the table. He won’t help the Bulls in a big way,” Goins said. “I really don’t understand why he traded Derrick Rose anyway.” The good news is that Butler has started to channel his inner Michael Jordan, and he was voted to the NBA All-Star team.
Who Are You PICKING TO MAKE TO
The Final Four?
BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY
N
CAA’s March Madness is right around the corner. If you are a basketball fan, this is a great time to see several days of upsets, Cinderella teams and players who will be headed to the NBA. The college players all want to play in the Final Four, March 14 through 18. But which team is going to make it? Every couple of weeks, espn.com has been predicting different teams. Here is a list of teams that may make it to the Final Four this year.
• Syracuse Orange has made it
• Oklahoma Sooners have made it to the Final Four four times since 2002. Oklahoma has had 30 appearances in the NCAA tournament and has never won a championship. •The North Carolina Tarheels made it to the Final Four five times between 2000 and 2016, In 2009, they have won five NCAA titles, and the team has been the number one seed 15 times.
it to the Final Four twice in the past 10 years. In 2016, they defeated UNC to become
Everyone has a prediction. In November, ncaa. com predicted that the Arizona Wildcats may make to the Final Four this year. “If you get enough spins at the wheel, you’re bound to strike at some point. Arizona has very good teams every year, but the Wildcats have yet to escape the Elite Eight under Miller. For starters, Arizona has ridiculous depth at the guard position,” according to the site.
the tournament champs. In 2015, Villanova celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1985 championship.
Guess we’ll just have to wait to see how the Madness ends.
to the Final Four twice in the past five years and in 2003 they were NCAA Tournament Champions. They had to defeat Oklahoma State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas in the championship game.
• Villanova Wildcats have made
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CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER
Memory Mixtape BY JORDAN DUNN, JONES COLLEGE PREP
Some Sunday afternoons to pray Jordan avoid the goons to play Cartoon Network cartoons all day Cousin committed a crime, courtrooms they say Kanye West’s Late Registration When eight and riding in my momma’s car on 71st I was seven almost saw heaven In my first shootout It’s OK because it’s a new day Since a kid I liked Lupe, comic books, common crooks, loose squares low and Afro hair Hide and Seek, Tooth fairy too broke to give me money for my teeth An activist mom, my dad is Haitian Fourth of July let’s celebrate this nation While my ancestors in the field slavin’ Black power Rap louder Don’t believe the hype I’m not a stereotype I’m eccentric? Odd? Afrocentric! A god! 67th, 68th, 69th, 77th Paxton, Oglesby, Crandon Dragon Ball Z Nintendo Wii I’m Dope a poet more than the pope
28 TRUE STAR JR.
Catch Copy Kim BY SHANIYA L. DAWSON LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
“A
h!” I heard a scream coming from one of the “Catch Me If You Can” TV sets. “YeonA! Yoo YeonA!” I heard somebody screaming my name. “What?! What happened?!” I said. I saw a guy with a sock in his mouth. His legs and feet were in the air, tied together and he was lying dead on the ground. An actual human being! When I looked up, I saw written on the wall in blood, “Catch Me If You Can, Yoo YeonA!” Right then and there is when I realized that somebody decided to recreate a murder scene from the new TV show that I produce of called “Catch Me If You Can.” But, the worst thing about it is that he or she directed it to me. But WHY? This recreated scene is the first murder encounter for the main characters with the killer.
“What?” I asked her. “There is already an article about this incident!” she said. “People are calling this killer Copy Kim because he is copying from the show and nobody knows his name, so they used a common last name: Kim.” I looked at the article then walked to a police officer to ask what was going on. “Well, it looks like the Copy Kim left you a letter,” he said. This letter read, “Dear Yoo YeonA. You have 42 hours to figure out what happened to him. If you don’t, things will get worse. This will continue until you can catch me. If you can’t catch me, sucks to be you and the people who die. Sincerely, Anonymous.”
“YeonA! YeonA!”
“What are you going to do?” asked MinKyung. “I guess I’ll have to figure out who it is—and fast—or this will continue,” I said.
I turned around to look through the sea of police officers to see writer Lee MinKyung running toward me.
I am the producer of this show, so I should know what’s going to happen next. This should be easy. Right? TRUE STAR JR. 29
What Made That SOUND? BY MAKAYLA IDELBURG, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
“D
rip, Drip.” That’s the leaky faucet in my bathroom. I have to remember to get that fixed. “Whoosh, Whoosh!” That’s the wind from my open window. It helps me sleep at night. “Creak, Creak!” That’s the sound my floor boards make when someone is walking on it, which is weird since I’m in bed. From under my door, I see the light come on in my mom’s room. So she probably came home from work early. I hear more creaking sounds, and I just think she is moving around in her room. Well maybe not, because I now see a shadow under my door and the light in my mom’s room goes out. I can’t see it anymore since it’s now pitch black, but I can feel a presence, and it’s starting to give me a really bad feeling. I pull the covers over my head, phone in hand, and call 911, or at least try to. The call doesn’t go through because of our stupid Wi-Fi! As I’m thinking of something else to do, my bedroom 30 TRUE STAR JR.
door slams open. I freeze. Someone’s watching me, I can feel it. But then, it just disappears, and I sit there terrified and confused because I know something was watching me, but I don’t know what. A couple hours later, I hear my front door open and keys jangling. Mom is the first thing I think. I jump out of bed and run downstairs. When I tell her the story, she says that no one was in the house because nothing was out of place, and the front door was still locked. And then I realize that I never heard the front door open, so what made that sound?
My LIFE Matters BY KAYLA JONES, KENWOOD ACADEMY
Imagine having to wake up to black walls To gunshots and police sirens Having to hear people marching saying “Black Lives Matter” “Blue Lives Matter” “Southern Lives Matter” But what about My Life Matters What about when people get attached to guns like When you get attached to grandma’s cookies that you just Can’t stop eating but this time we just can’t stop shooting When will the bullets run out? When will we stop pulling the trigger? When will the bullets stop flying? Because they’re not supposed to fly; they’re not supposed To be able to survive when we stop painting pictures On the street that spells out violence in red But there is something called a dream that’s where I jump on clouds like fireworks on the Fourth of July Holding hands not known for killing This is where the bullets don’t survive This is the place where I can actually close My eyes This is the place I get to live life freely 5 I got to go 4 I don’t want to go 3 My Life Matters 2 Bullets don’t deserve to fly 1 We’re the ones who are supposed to survive BOOM! It’s all over but just imagine that My Life Matters
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SCHOOL SPIRIT
Candy Equals Business
BY KAMREN CALE, KENWOOD ACADEMY
I
f you didn’t know, students are making some serious cash at school. It’s not what you think. They have to be sneaky, so that they don’t get caught. If they do, they can have serious consequences, such as getting suspended from school. So what are they doing? Selling candy. But why would students selling candy really be a problem? Why would it warrant suspension? Kenwood Academy Academic Center Assistant Principal Corinne O’Connell says it is against CPS rules for students to sell candy not used for fundraising purposes. “If you are raising money for a business or something, you will have to go through a lot of paperwork,” O’Connell said. “Even if you do have your own business, you still can’t sell.” 32 TRUE STAR JR.
Carter Baker said that he would hate to see some kid get suspended for selling. “I really like that kids are selling candy in school. It makes it easier, instead of having to walk to the corner store or go to the gas station,” Baker said. He also observed that students selling candy have cheaper prices than what you find inside stores. Students who have found a way to fill a demand in the school may have a mindset for becoming entrepreneurs. “Teaching your children to seek out opportunities and take action on them will directly contribute to their level of future success,” according inc.com. The article also said students with a business mindset can increase their communication skills because face-to-face interaction teaches the art of networking to a generation often glued to cellphones.
Have You EXPERIENCED LINDBLOM?
BY SHANIYA L. DAWSON, LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
H
ave you ever been to Lindblom and experienced so many things at once? The hallways filled with the yelling and gibberish of children
People’s instruments rattling in cases as they are on their way to practice or home Have you ever smelled the various meals from the lunchroom Or the food trucks outside the school that I will never trust The chlorine-filled pool that smells like you are relaxing at a resort Or the greenhouse filled with luscious green plants and fish as they go on their way Making you feel like you are in a jungle filled with wonder Have you ever tasted all types of pizza Or the chocolate milk that sometimes tastes expired Have you ever seen vending machines filled with healthy and delicious food Classrooms filled with what seems like hundreds of students Or bathrooms filled with sinks that don’t work and people who don’t want to go to class Have you ever felt that you were accepted for who you are Or instead possibly rejected for who you are Or the stress of midterms and finals creeping up on you Or a sense of peacefulness and quiet when it rains outside This is Lindblom If you can’t take it, you can’t make it TRUE STAR JR. 33
DEEPER THAN SKIN
Puberty Why ?!?!
BY ALISHA BUTLER, KELLAR MIDDLE SCHOOL
D
on’t you just hate when puberty happens? When that first pimple pops up, or when your growth spurt starts? Or when you start growing hair in different places? Gross, right? Sometimes don’t you feel like puberty is taking over? Every person on the planet has gone through or will go through some of these same changes. You’re not alone. “When your body reaches a certain age, your brain releases a special hormone that starts the changes of puberty,” according to kidshealth. org. For girls and boys, puberty happens at different ages. Puberty may starts as young as 7 years old with girls and between 9 and 15 for boys. Thirteen-year-old Demarius Cashaw was not excited when puberty started. “I was scared because I thought I was going to be a kid forever. Some of the changes I went through were my voice started to change and my hair started to grow,” Cashaw said. “If you’re going through puberty and you’re scared, just talk to your parents because you might need help.” 34 TRUE STAR JR.
As a boy goes through puberty, he may “grow four inches in 12 months, and by the time his height is complete, he may have added 13 to 14 inches and 40 pounds in three to four years,” according to healthychildren.org. Body hair grows in places it wasn’t before. When speaking, a boy’s voice may “crack” because vocal chords are becoming larger. Voices eventually become deeper. Girls’ voices may also change during puberty, and they also experience their menstrual cycle, which can last until they are nearly 60. Alexis Parades, 13, has learned to be prepared for her cycle by carrying extra pads and tampons. She has also found a solution for her monthly break outs. “When I go through my cycle, I have some pimples,” Parades said. “If my pimples don’t go away, I wash my face then use Clean & Clear in the morning.” Don’t be scared of puberty—it’s gonna happen whether you like it or not. So if you want to know more, ask someone you trust.
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