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April 2006 New Expression: April/May 2006 (Volume 29, Issue 3) Columbia College Chicago
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Recommended Citation Columbia College Chicago, "New Expression: April/May 2006 (Volume 29, Issue 3)" (2006). New Expression. 207. http://digitalcommons.colum.edu/ycc_newexpressions/207
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Youth Communication Chicago Collection at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in New Expression by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. By Teens. For Teens, About Teens •
Does School Refortn Need _ Reforming (or maybe simplification)lj _j L -
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School violence Student Entrepreneurs Job Corps Pink Line Page7 Page 19 Page 22 Page 10 Editor-In-Chief Megan Daniels, Walter Payton Natalia Santillan, Lane Tech Vincent Dixon, Gwendolyn Brooks • Danielle Eureste, Lane Tech Metro Editor Kaya Flowers, Lane Tech Vincent Dixon, Gwendolyn Brooks Melissa Foley, Lane Tech Whitney Helm, Young Women's Leadership Features Editor Tywanna Lesley, John Hope Devin Ross, Walter Payton My-Phuong Ly Northside College Prep Sophia Lugo, Lane Tech Graphics/LayoutJWebsite Devin Ross, Walter Payton judith Esp1no Natalia Santillan, Lane Tech Charity Taitt, Young Women's Leadership Copy Editor Tywanna Lesley, john Hope Wendell Hutson , Editorial Advisor Philip Costello, Executive Director/Publisher
o D rs Youth Communtcation
President After School Matters Columbia College Chicago Annette Peck, Executive Serv1ce Corp. Alphawood Foundation (Volunteer) Brinson Foundation 619 S. Michigan Avenue ·- William C. Bannerman Foundation Vice-President Francis Beidler Foundation Phone (312) 922-7150 William D. Frost, Canadian Pac1fic Chicago Community Trust Fax (312) 922-7151 Newsprint (Retired) Chicago Reader Chicago Tribune Foundation Secretary Christ Church Benevolence Fund [email protected] Charles Boyce, MAE/johnny Commu City Colleges Chicago nications Coleman Foundation New Expression is printed by the Columbia College Chicago Treasurer Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Russell Pryor, Dolins, Dolins & Sarin Elizabeth Morse Genius sky, LTD Charitable Trust Illinois Arts Council Past President Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family John Marshall, Bowater Newsprint Foundation Kenosha News I Howard Brown Board Members Lake County Press, Inc. Todd Adams, Milwaukee joumal Sentinel Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Giovanna Breu, People Magaz1ne Newspaper Association of Kevin Davy, Shore Bank America Tracey Robinson-English, Ebony Magaz1ne Northern Trust Company Jerry Field, lllino1s lnstrtute ofTechnology Albert Pick, Jr. Fund Layton Olson, Howe & Hutton Polk Bros Foundation Relations Foundation Roosevelt University St. Paul Travelers Insurance United Parcel Service Howard L. Willette Foundation This Month In New Expression April/ May 2006
Cover Story
School Reform? College out of reach for many Chicago teens Page 4
Teens
--=~::....:.,._::..___...,...... _.--.----...... __,.,..,...,...,.,...... ,. ~~ Entertainment Bussiness ------. o4 cover story
...0 0 0 COLLEGE OUT OF REACH FOR N MANY CHICAGO TEENS
L c... cast! I am an amaceur pamter and I enjoy pamong because tt I am soli 1n contact With everyone. In faet. nght before I relaxes me c moved to ChiCago the whole cast came to my gotng away 0 party to WISh me W'CII.After worlong four years together What was It like growing up In California and "' we have developed a close fnendstup so we talk all the do your parents still reside there? "'(1.J orne. GroWing up tn (Oakland) Caltfomaa was cool. I really I... a.. enjoyed 1t. Even though my parents diVOrced when I was X What was your favorite Soul Food scene? SIX. they soli ltve tn Cahform.a along With my older stster My w I really enJOYCd the scenes tnvoivlng me being 1n1ured tn a mother IS a rcored regtstered nurse. my father works as a ~ car accrdcnt because It dealt With my manhood as a hus longshoreman. and my stster IS a correcuonal officer. (1.J band and father. I was unable to work and provide for my z famtly and had to depend on my Wife to work and pay the How long have you been married to your wife, bills whtle I recovered That's a s.wat100 many men would Ivy, who I undentand Is a model? have a hard ume dealing With and my character. Kenny Yes, she 1s a model and we have been mamed for cwo Chadway. was one of them years My Wife, who IS ftaltan. Cherokee and black. has famtly here tn Chteago coo. And because I love her so much I have Who are some of your favorite musicians and an 8x I 0 photo of her by our bed.We also plan on havmg actors? chtldren someday By NE Staff I like ltstentng to Kanyc West and cn1oy watchtng movtes stamng Morgan Freeman. Samuel L Jackson. and of course, How did you guys meet! It wasn't coo long ago rhat 3 1-ycar-old Rockmond Dunbar Denzel Washtngton Well, to make a long story short. I saw her at a party I was was playing "Kenny Chadway" 1n the htt ShowTtme senes hosung tn Mtamt but dtd not get a chance to Introduce Soul Food Now he's moved co Chtago co sef"'le pnson Is there a role you are dying to someda y play? myself A month Iacer I ran Into someone who was With orne 1n Joltet and he anocrpaces bemg there a long orne. I would love co pby Jtmt Hendnx tn a movte somed."l)' I her at the party who helped put me 1n couch With her and thmk hts lrfe and musK career would make a great story the rest ts htstory The new FOX TV show Pnson Break. whtch atrs ac 8 p.m. His musK appeals well co the htppy crowd and that's one on Mondays. reqUired Dunbar co relocate co Chteago from reason why rt's so popular. What was your college days like? Hollywood. But thts ts nothtng new for htm because he I attended Moorehouse College 1n Atbnta and maJOred tn relocated co Toronto when starred m Soul Food only co What do you nonnally watch on TV besides theace~ Unforwnately, I was dtagnosed With ciyslex1a after move back co Los Angeles after the cable senes was can Prison Break? my freshman year and had co transfer to another college tn celled 1n 2004. I watch 24 also on FOX and the Dtscovcry and Htscory Vermont that spectahz.ed tn asstsong students With ciyslexta. (cable) channels I .1m a hvtng example of what a person can do dcsptte On a recent warm day 1n Chtcago, Dunbar spoke candtdly some obstacles. My career cononues co stnve and ciyslex~a co New Express100 about his career. mamage. goals. child In your opinion, what Is the number one prob has not htndered my performance or opporwmoes 1n lrfe. hood, and living 1n the Wmciy Ctty lem facing our country today? We as a country he coo much We need to learn how co be How do you like living in Chicago? How did you land the Prison Break role? more trUthful and honest. People he all the ume co one Chtcago IS a wonderful place co ltve. I have been here I audiooned for the role tn November 2004 but was not another and I cannot stand a liar If people would be honest before so I am no stranger w the are.1 I hvc downtown selected. After FOX went With another actor, CBS offered With themselves first. then they could be honest wtth oth wtth a vtcw of Mtllenntum Park and I am quKkly leamtng me a role on a TV show, but then FOX later offered me ers my way around town We [my wife and I] mtss our church the Prison Break role when thetr first chotec dtd not work back home thou.gh and are searchtng for a home church to out. You wouldn't be referring to President Bush by attend.As fur as places I en1oy here 1n Chtcago. one of them chance when you said this country Is full of ts Gtbson's Stcakhouse.That place can make a mean steak. I How Is the show going so far? liars? also had the opportunity to vtstt R Kelly at hts home m The show IS gotng very well and I expect 1t co become a No. I ltke Prestdent Bush and would not do htm lnJusoce by Olympta Fields [a south suburb of Chtcago] He ts trUly a btg htt for FOX because more and more people seem co bashtng htm 1n an tntervtcw gtfted entercatner and a fun guy to h.1ng out With. be mtercsted 1n what goes on at pnsons.And that's because more famtltes nowadays have at least one or cwo famtly Do you think there are more producer and What Is your favorite vacation spot? members servtng ume. In Pnson Break (whtch 1s filmed tn director opportunities for blacks today as Spatn and Hawau are my cwo most fuvome vacaoon get Joliet) I play C-Note, an tnmate who was dtshonorably dts opposed to I 0 years ago? aways My wtfe and I have v1stced both places before and W'C charged from the mthtary. There are more opportumues for blacks tn Hollywood but really enjoyed our stay.And because I own son1e property there soli needs co be more before the 'playmg field' IS tn Hawatl I go there a lot You relocated from Hollywood to Toronto and equal. I am happy for those black actors that have paved the back to Hollywood when Soul Food was can way for the next generauon, but there IS soli room for Dunb.'lr's televtston credtts tnclude "Earth 2." ABC's ''The celed In 2004, how has It been moving a second Improvement when tt comes to equal and f:ur opportunt Pracuce. "UPN's "Gtrlfnends." and Fox's "Head Cases." time to star In a TV show? oes for blacks 1n entertainment. Halle Berry and Denzel Movtc credtts tnclude "Ktss, Kts~. &111g. Bang," whrch also 1was fine wtth 1t because being an actor IS no dtfferenc Washtngcon are the two most recent examples of what St..'lrs Robert Downey Jr., "Love the Way." •All About You," from betng a professtonal athlete who often relocates every black entertainers are capable of achtevtng when gtven the "Punks" and "Mtsery Loves Comp.1ny" He also made hts so often co play for dtfferenc teams. Besides, I really wanted opportunity to showcase theu talents du cctonal debut tn 2003 wtth the short film. 'The Grc.1t thts role, and as an actor, you have to be prepared to do Commtsston," for ShowTime . Hts follow-up dtrcctJng proJ· what ts necessary co get the role. Besides acting, have any other aspirations ccc IS an tndependent feature. 'Wrath of the Medus:~." cur Speaking of Soul Food, do you still taJk to the you'd like to fulfill? rently tn pre-producuon o6 metro BUDGET WOES COULD AFFECT -- ACTIVITIES I... 0.. <( By NE Staff c 0 "' their school communi "'Q) t ies," said Vaughn. I... An expected funding shortfall at the C hicago 0.. Public Schools (CPS), the nation's third largest X UJ public school district with nearly 427,000 stu According to CPS offi dents, could mean extra-curriculum activities cials, the formula used to ~ Q) such as school newspapers, yearbook and even determine how much z athletics would be eliminated or reduced to money each school avoid a projected deficit of $328 million for receives each year is the next school year. based on a number of factors. They include total "Right now, we're in a holding pattern and student enrollment; num waiting to see what the state plans to do," said ber of special education Mike Vaughn, communications director for the students; number of Chicago Public Schools. "Our fiscal year ends minority students, etc. June 30 so we wi ll have to make a decision by then as to what cuts are needed." This year's crunch is the result of several factors: a He adds that principals at each individual teacher salary hike; an school makes the final determination as to expected enrollment what cuts to make at their school. drop of up to 7,000 stu dents, which could yield a "Each school is given so much money to oper $20 million drop in rev ate each year. The money covers such things as enue, and a $20 million salaries for teachers, staff and activities," increase in debt service. Vaughn said. "So if a principal receives 20 per cent less funding next school year, they would But the CPS may have to State records show CPS receives roughly $ 1 I 0 have to decide how to make up for the short dig deeper to prevent further interruptions in million each year in school capital funding out age, which could mclude eliminating positions the classroom because come next school year of $SOO million in total statewide. such as those covering extra-curriculum." new teacher pension costs wil l triple overnight, to nearly $70 million. CPS has proposed a $S.043 bill ion budget for Parents are disturbed by this news because FY2006. Originally CPS projected a $274 mil they fear the schools cannot afford to have CPS projections indicate even a patchwork of lion deficit. In the proposed budget, that deficit other programs cut since many of them are non-classroom remedies -- including $7S mil is addressed through $1 14 million in reduced already operating on "thin ice." lion in new anticipated state and federal funds, expenditures, more than $ 140 million in and the cutting of I SO non-teaching jobs -- will increased revenues, and transfer of $20 million "I can't believe that schools may be forced to leave CPS with an $83 million budget hole. from reserves to the operating budget. This make more cuts when they are already bone budget includes an increase in the property dry when it comes t having books, materials For that reason, CPS is considering eliminating tax levy to the maximum amount allowed and enough staff," said Maizelle Pruitt, 3S. who 200 special education teachers and aides; 40 to under the law. I 1-year-old son attends Countee Cullen 60 reading specialists involved in a Daley Elementary School on the South Side at I 06SO ordered reading push, and SO to 7S math This pattern of fundi ng for public education S. Eberhart. "Maybe instead of forcing principals teachers and specialists. Potential savings: up to cannot continue if we are going to become an to cut staff and activities the CPS should make $3S mi llion. education state, Daley said. more cuts in salaries and expenses at central headquarters." And for the second year in a row, CPS is "Each year, the Chicago Public Schools system threatening to raise high school class size from has cut spending and better managed its That's exactly what CPS recently did when it 28 to 3 I, a move that could sa resources - to avoid classroom cuts, to mini laid off 1,000 non-tenure teachers for the sec ve $2S million and eliminate 400 teachers. mize property tax hikes and to meet higher ond year in a row citing poor classroom man Arne Duncan. CEO of the Chicago Public accountability standards," Mayor Daley said, in agement as the top reason. Schools, said raising high school class sizes a press release. "But it can't go on like this for would be a last resort. ever. Local taxpayers are being squeezed and "This is a way to empower principals to shape the state needs to do more." metro o1 HAS SCHOOL CLOSINGS INCREASED VIOLENCE? By NE Staff Critics say closmg under performing schools d1d linle to mm down a protected $327 A recent wave of attacks at several h1gh schools could explam why CPS million deficit the Ch1cago Public Schools (CPS) face next school year but d1d plenty co recently allocated an add1t1onal $1 50,000 to boost security mcrease v1olence agamst students In November, a Wells H1gh School tun1or was 1umped and beaten bloody m I... But CPS offic1als d1spute that cla1m and sa1d violence IS down this year by 5 percent. a school hallway by a group of freshmen. The emergency-room b1ll was c... $4,000 <{ "W e spend about $54 mlil1on a year on secunty and add extra resources to schools c throughout the year 1f they are facmg new secunty challenges." sa1d M1ke Vaughn, com In December. a teacher at Hyde Park Career Academy on the South S1de 0 munications director for the Chicago Public Schools. ''V1olent mc1dcnts arc down th1s was punched m the face after he asked a student for identification. "' year by five percent. even 1n many of the schools that are ncar the phased-out h1gh "'Q) schools such as Austin on the West S1de." And 1n February, a parent Jt Clemente H1gh School on the Southwest S1de. I... c... was pummeled by a group of students who were taunting her for be1ng X Vaughn dismisses the notion that the school closmgs have contnbuted to v1olence at plus SIZe w schools or to transfer students from schools that have closed. ~ Th1s 1s the kmd of v1olence that IS troubling Ch1cago's publ1c h1gh schools - Q) "T here is no data to suggest that the phasmg out of h1gh schools has been d1rectly especl:~lly those acceptmg students from areas where fa1lmg schools are z related to mcreased mc1dents at any school We carefully and thoroughly planned all be1ng systematically shut down under Mayor Daley's Rena1ssance 20 I 0 lnl aspects of the phasmg out process. And the fact of the maner 1s, about 75 percent of tlauve the students who lived m the anendance areas of the three phased-out h1gh schools (Austin, Calumet and Englewood) were already choos1ng not to go to those schools Wells, Hyde Park and Clemente are among e1ght h1gh schools that each when they were acceptmg freshmen," he added "They had become schools of last rece1ved more than I SO students from the attendance areas of troubled resort. and students were vot1ng With the1r feet by choosmg to attend other schools schools now tapped for closure and eventual rebirth -- Ausun, Calumet and We have an obligation to those students and those commun1ues to prov1de somethmg Englewood h1gh schools dramatically bener'' PROPOSED CUTS COULD AFFECT SENIORS HEADED FOR COLLEGE By NE Staff IllinOIS recCJVed S2U million br 'JOCaoonal cducaoon 111 2004. ' 'The govcrrrocnt S3ld they want more people ro go ro college If President George W Bush has hiS w.rt flr.dong br 'JOCaoonai the last year for when records were 3Vallablc. as part o( the but a lot o( lods don't go ro college because o( many reason educaoon 111 illlflOCS and across the country will be rcduc.cd dra "Career Tech Educ!oon Funds," br comrnJnlt}' colleges. 1nclud1ng poor prcparaoon 111 h'&h school and a bck of fl.Jrn It maocally 111 part ro 1ncrease fund1ng ro tradroonal bur-year col accord1ng ro scate records Will be very difficult ro provide the 100 of programn11ng br the leges and l.lf1IVCr'SIOCS acaderr11c parts - htgh school work and hreracy - rf fundu'€ IS Bush's budget matcrnl SCitcs hrs adm1nrso-aoon's "Progr-am cut:' Cullen adch. The Bush admonistraoon IS constdcnng cl1111tnaong all federal Assessment R.aong Tool'' rated fcdcraJ 'JOCaoonal cducaoon The cuts would affca: ac:~dcmK: ~dult cducaoon cOUI"SCS such spending on 'JOCationaJ educaoon - $ 1.3 boiiiOI\ first proposed fund,ng"lllCffccuvc because It has produced hale or no Cl/1- as tmK: reaang and wnong c.lasscs. career and college prcpara · 111 rrs 2005 budget proposal ro the US Senate. Roughly the dcnce o( lll'lJ>fU'Cd outcomes for stUdents dcsplt:c decades o( oon. JOb I"Ctr.lJnlng. and programs lcadlf'€ ro h'&h school diplo same amount o( money would go ro lfl'1!Jf'O"C hi&h schools fcdcraJ Investment." mas or GEDs So-ailed commun1ty cdUCioon or ennchrncnt Scnes could use some of that money br 'JOCaoonai educaoon. cbsscs such as basket wc;Mng would not be affected. bcclusc And while opponents prarse any fund1ng 1ncrease for educaoon But rf anyone doubts the value of a 'JOCaoonal educ:loon. Rita by law. they do not rcceM? fcdcr.ll fundmg at'rfV""'t they frown at the nooon of'robbing Peter ro pay Paul." Henderson, a 'JOCaoonal lllStruet.or at Kennedy-King College on Ton~a Shannon. who mmcd her ;lSSOO.lte's dcgrcc from "Basically. he (President Bush) IS t:ai ...._ MYTH oR NoT A MYTH? c 0 By Tywanna Lesley Vl Vl John Hope Q) I... a.. X L.U On August 6, 2007, sections of the our law since the end of the Civil War. And in case after case, the ~ Voting Rights Act are set to expire, Q) courts have said the right to vote z causing some blacks to worry that their right to vote will be terminated. is fundamental. On March 7, peaceful, non-violent However, some sections (five -. marchers, marching for voting rights, through eight), will soon expire. were severely attacked by Alabama In order for those sections to State Troopers, only getting as far as extend past 2007, Congress will the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Days later, have to take action. Nevertheless, Martin Luther King led two more the rest of the Voting Rights Act will marches, the last one to Montgomery, continue to prohibit discrimination in which persuaded President Lyndon voting, even if these special provisions Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act are not renewed. Jackson of 1965. held a Section five requires that certain march and rally Decades later there are rumors circu jurisdictions gain the approval of the to call for Congress to renew the his lating through the Internet and chain U.S. Attorney General before carrying toric act. Americans from all over the letters, claiming that blacks will lose out new voting procedures, to make country attended the event, hoping their voting rights next year. sure that any voting changes made are that Congress and President George According to this "myth," the late not racially discriminatory against any W . Bush will extend the main provi President Ronald Reagan amended the one; Section six authorizes that the sions of the act. Voting Rights Act only for another 25 U.S. Attorney General sends federal Some people are not worried about years, until 2007. examiners to register voters to coun the act at all . They have faith that ties where the local examiner refuses whatever decision is made, every "I think it's unfair that there's an expi to register Afro American voters; American will still have the right to ration date on voting for minorities Section 8 authorizes the U.S. Attorney vote. because minorities are American citi General to send federal observers to zens, just like Caucasians. We all fol monitor elections to make sure that "I'm not worried about the Voting low the constitution. The constitution registered Afro-American voters are Rights Act expiring. This country is applies to us, and we should have the actually permitted to vote and that not going back to a time of not vot right to vote," said Ashley Laye, a jun their votes are being counted. ing," said Safisha Thembeka, a John ior at Lane Tech High School. Hope High School senior. According to the Justice Department, Truthfully, no one should be worried if the special provisions are allowed Thembeka and another teen, Adesuwa about losing their right to vote- not to expire, they can be reinstated by lgbinosun, junior at Lane Tech, feel anytime soon. court order if there is a renewal of that not enough black people vote. discriminatory practices. Thembeka thinks that black people According to the U.S Department of take voting for granted and are not Justice, the Voting Rights Act will not People are very concerned about the appreciative of what our ancestors e xpire; it is a pe rma nent federal law. Voting Rights Act and its expiration went through in order for today's gen In addition, the right to vote, regard and how it will affect the black com eration to have the right to vote. less of race or color, is protected by munity. the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has been part of Last August the Reverend Jesse L. metro o9 MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER'S PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS -- 1... a. By NE Staff <( c The Black Star ProJect. a Chocago-based educaoon 0 VI organoz.aoon, is breakong new ground woth onner-City VI students by encouragong them to stay in school and Q) 1... pursue careers, not JObs. through ots moc1vauonal a. speakers program. X w Ph1llip Jackson, founder and execuuve do rector for The ~ Black Star Pro1ecc (TBSP). saod the program's goalos co Q) show students an alternatiVe to the streets and conun lester Shoe Ids. a convocccd drunk drover, saod he plans z uong theor educaoon beyond high school offers a to sogn up for the program to share woth students the The law also requores schools to be JUdged not only by greater chance co become a successful professoonal. omportance about safe drovong overall test scores but by those of 18 subgroups of students. oncludong black. Hospanoc, lomoted Engl•sh profi "Th1s program w1ll onspore and motivate students to do "I was convocced of drunk drovong on 1997 after my car cocncy, low-oncome, and speCial-ed well in school; expose students to vanous college and crashed onto a tree," he saod "If I had known about a career options; encourage students towards healthy speaker's program loke chos one where I could have And whole students someume perform well on math and positive loves; and to help students co make create served out my communocy servoce work I would have and rcadong to score above average, whoch thos year os v1able lofe plans and make good dec1soons." Jackson saod Jumped on ot." set at <40 percent. of one or two of the subgroups faol to "I care about one thong here and one thong only and meet the same percentage, che school os labeled as fall that"s our ch1ldren. Theor future os at scake here and Shoelds now works as a manager at a Chocago fast-food mg. Once thos occurs the school must offer all students from what I can see public educaoon on thos country os restaurant and said he wants to sh~re hos experoences the opportunoty to transfer to a better school at the crossroads:· woth hogh school students and expose the conse quences behond dronkong and drovong However. now there ~rc more students wanung to And accordong to Jackson, the organoz.ation has the transfer chan there Is space avaobble and that has cre largest mottvaoonal speaking program for students on "Hogh school students dronk and drove all the tome and ated a huge problem for educators the country, and corporations Joke CornEd help fund they need to know what could happen as a result." the program. Shoelds added. "Thos program should be promoted by "It's sort of Joke horong I 00 people when you only have law enforcement officoals as an alternative to communo 40 posotoons avaolable Once you hore them you have co ·'We are also speakong woth the Cocy of Chocago about ty servoce work for offenders who commot none voo· figure out where co put them," saod Rev Brenda lcwos, fundong. The mayor IS passoonate about our cause and lent cromes lmagonc the ompact someone Joke Martha a rcured Ch1cago Publoc Schools teacher. "At a tome efforts to help choldren succeed," Jackson saod "There's Stewart of partlcopaoon on thos progr~m was part of her when teachers arc dealong w1th over crowded class no doubt that more fundong is necessary to achoeve sentence'" rooms, the government throws thos no chold law at some of our goals but we are determoned co moved them and make matters worse" forward" Moving be yond motivat ional s peake rs The Chocago Board of Education os currently wrestlong Bruce Crosby, an educatoon reformer, s:ud It m:lkes no Currently there are I SO speakers in the program all to omplement the "No Child left Behond" federal law sense to label schools as struggling when most of che woth doverse workong backgrounds from lawyers and and "Renaossance 20 I 0" plan, whole more black stu 365 schools odcncof1ed .u faoling by the st.1te actually engoneers to doctors, archotects and even students dents arc soli traolong theor whote counterparts on omprovcd Its test scores An cstomatcd 285,000 stu· Speakers talk about a hose of thongs such as theor JObs, scholastoc achievement. saod Jackson dents at the 365 schoob .1re elogoblc to transfer under preparauon for theor careers. whether college or other the new law. but fewer than SO schools woll be open to traoning os necessary, and most omportancly, about how "There os mil work that needs to be done before we chc new students to prepare co be successful on hfe and any career they can get cxcotcd about any progo css made Children choose today, blacks on partocular. arc bcong lose on the educa He adds that low tests scores and a hogh drop ouc rate tional system whole whote students conconue to strove," have always pbgucd onncr-cocy schools and Chocago os The mouvatlonal program began on 1996 along woth he saod "Parents need to be more onvolved on their no cxceptoon TBSP and has presented speakers to more chan 72.000 choldo en's educauon We need to Stolrl pr epanng our students at 160 Chocago elementary and hogh schools choldren to enter college before they reach hogh Rcnaossancc 20 I 0 os a pl.ln to om prove the educatoonal school." cho1ccs and opportunmcs for students throughout Jackson adds that the schedule to be a motovauonal Chocago. Under the plan. at least I 00 new schools woll program os flcxoble to fit most volunteers' work sched· The No Chold Left Behond law, created by Congo ess. be created over the next sox yeJrs These new schools ule. allows a parent to transfer chcor kods from a failong woll help to omprovc undco uulozatoon of CPS bu1ldongs, school co a better school lack of hogh school optoons, ovcr·crowdong, and low "Your servoce on thos program oncludcs volunccerong JUSt performance one orne per year, every other month or as often as "The law has good Intent but basocally ot's shoftong the you wosh. Durong a motovatoon session, mocovators problem from one school to anotheo The problem os continue page 22 spend two hours, usually between 9 to I I am., speak not so much the schools but the nudcncs who .1rc not ong 40-minutes a pocce to three classes upper-grade beong educated at home by the parents," saod Jackson elementary classes or 50-monutes for two classes of "It docs not matter how good the school IS, of children high school students," he saod arc noc rcccovong the proper cducauon .lt home, no school woll make a doffcrcncc" 10 metro WE HAVE THE RED, BLUE, ORANGE, AND BROWN LINES, AND SOON PINK WILL BE JOINING. AuthentiC Teen Vo1ce Chtcago·s Teen News Center L a.. <{ Megan Daniels Invitation to become part of c 0 Chicago's future as media: Vl Vl • Learn from media professionals about journalism and how to get into the field • Find your authentic voice in media and make a difference in your By Natalia Santillan community and schools Lane Tech High School • Report community news in New Expression newsmagazine circulated to 200 sites in Chicago with a 46,000 copy distribution The board announced its decision for the new train route in late April. The Pink color code was chosen by elementary school children, apparently making Chicago the first city in the • Meet other teens from Chicago high schools nation to name one of its transits after the color pink. • Charge up your college application and career .study to increase "The nominations we received were so creative and thoughtful; it was difficult to select just one color. However, after much thought. we selected pink for the new route," said Chicago your chances for success Transit Board Chairman, Carole Brown. According to the CTA press release, entries were submitted from throughout the region Journalism training and publication including Carol Stream, Villa Park, Brookfield, Calumet City, Cicero, and Roselle. opportunities for you! Beginning June 25th, the new Pink Line will connect the former 54th/Cermak Blue Line to the Loop by the use of the Paulina Connector, a section of track, located on Ashland, that hasn't Who: Students who want to investigate real issues and practice been used since the 1950's. Currently, the 54th/Cermak branch of the Blue Line serves com journalism principles on news that affects you! muters along Cermak Avenue, turns near Paulina, and joins the Forest Park branch along the Eisenhower Expressway and to the Loop through the Dearborn subway. The Pink Line will run Community news • Sports • Religion & Culture • Crime & Justice • clockwise through the Loop. Arts & Entertainment • Education & Politics • Fashion • Business • Technology The Pink Line will certainly improve the transit service on the West Side to the Loop and will cut waiting times from fifteen minutes to seven and a half minutes. Why: Learn how to report and use journalism techniques and skills· The new 'L' has received much attention and appreciation. Some CTA customers are relieved FREE. Meet professional journalists cod visit newsrooms and grateful that CTA services are improving. What: All City - Meet the Teen Press workshops West Side student. Blue line commuter, Barbara Mossakowski, agrees this will be beneficial to When: Every Wednesday afternoon 4 pm to 6 pm during the her. school year. "I've been downtown a few times and every single time I get to Jefferson (Blue Line) I have to What: Urban Journalism Workshop - lntro & Basics wait fifteen minutes for the train." When: This summer, June 27th to August 1Oth, two days per week. As for the pink color, she said, "They have the Yellow line to Skokie; at least now the Pink Line will make the train feel friendlier. The Brown line, come on! Seriously." Where: Roosevelt University & Columbia College Chicago - south Ashley Pensler, CTA student commuter said, "Less transfer is always better. The bus will be less side of Loop. crowded, and I don't like crowds. They make me nervous." How: Call Wendell Hutson for more information and an application at 312 922 7150 or email at [email protected] metro 11 WHAT'S IT WORTH? TAKING A GOOD LOOK AT PROTESTING L 0... <{ By Ashraf Abbas c Northside College 0 Preparatory High Ill actually understand that those around Ill School C) them m1ght qUite poss1bly feel very L 0... strongly about the War 1n Iraq, for X example? It m1ght JUSt be that these w The first recorded people are there JUSt for the sake of protests date back to the protest JUSt because It looks cool 16th century Europe. or fash1onable . And It's funny too around the t1me when because when you hear about a Martin Luther proposed protest, you always hear the number of h1s ninety-five theses and people who were present before any started the Protestant other p1ece of information "About 2 Reformation Smce then m1ll1on people showed today for so and the world has grown cul so protest," or maybe even turally, economically. and. "Approximately I 5.000 protesters of course, sc1ent1fically. Our abilities have gone vo1ced chc1r opm1on at so and so above and beyond what our predecessors place" I honestly Sit down and ask could've ever predicted 1n that now we are able myself how many of those people were Independence movement and the recent C1vil to launch ourselves into space. to study other there because they believed 1n the cause. and planets, to create small med1cmal m1racles out sometimes It makes all the d1ffercnce. R1ghts movement in Amenca came to be what of what was previously worthless, and even they were because of millions of people taking obliterate each other With one m1ssile. It's true, The past doesn't prove that much bnghter 1t to the streets, I thmk 1t's only fa1r to say that we've done a great many things and have come e1ther. In fact, on September 24, 2005, a group protestmg has 1ts l1m1ts. In the past the world a long way as the dommant species on Earth. of men and women lookmg to make a sexual was 1n 1ts earliest states of development. The question now 1s how much credit do statement marched out Into the streets of Countnes were nsmg to power, some were protests deserve in making all of this come Washmgton D.C w1th picket s1gns that read, fall1ng. and others struggled to stay where they true? "Breasts not Bombs" What were they weanng' were. The people had a huge say 1n all of 1t and You guessed lt. Nothmg These people com got the chance to vo1ce the1r op1n1ons in many Let's first take a look at protests today Recent pletely rook advantage of the anti-war senti ways. one of wh1ch was the protest. There have protests have a lot to do w1th the War 1n Iraq. ment by morph1ng It Into something they them been many times where govern1ng bod1es do immigration laws {the Sensenbrenner Bill), and, selves thought was worthwhile. To see what not heed protests s1mply because of political in some places, fuel pnces. All very worthy top protestmg has turned Into now 1s JUSt enough agendas or obJeCtives that need to be fulfilled. ics and many demand attention. Sure, I'll g1ve to make some people sick. It's sad that only few In such cases. I believe that 1t's up to the people you that. But I wonder. how many people 1n any know how far it's progressed to f1rst rccogn1ze the s1tuat1on and find a log1cal one of those protests actually know what and coordinated way to deal With It And that's Around the world, protests have had and still the case With protests ~ most people often do have a tendency to turn mto somethmg choose the wrong form of protest. wh1ch makes more I don't think It's nght to point out specif the entire act worthless and results 1n time IC examples. but lets try co guess them as we go wasted One could choose to petitiOn some along, shall we' People start a protest, armed thing, to wnte letters to the head m::~cho . Maybe With p1cket s1gns, megaphones, and a whole bun even artiStiC representations. Marching 1sn't cha' heart. Police arc nearby, as they usually arc, always the answer. and that's the ma1n reason to help keep the peace Sooner or latc1. the why some protests either have no effect or protesters get so mto the protest that they feel turn Into somethmg unnecessary. they have to throw one thmg or another JUSt to have thc1r vo1cc heard In two hours flat 1t's I guess 1t will take quite a while for people to understand thc1r m1stakes there arc still m::~ny gone from a pe<~ceful protest to an <~11-out not. fl ag desecration, or sever civil d1sobed1cncc that rely on protests to vo1ce thc1r op1n1on But Now what docs that solve? Agam th1s is only a when that day comes. you can bet that we'll tendency, but a very harmful one at that· one look back at a ma1omy of our protests and that should make people thmk. wonder why we. the human race. never looked for sl1ghtly more affective alcernac1vcs. they're protesting for (or against)? Do they Now, given that events like the earli er 12 metro -./) 0 0 N fiRST MAYORAL CANDIDATE STEPS FORWARD 1... c... <( By Tywanna Lesley c John Hope "The only way you have community policing "We have to work with young people so 0 is if the police are representative of the that they begin to value their lives and the II) II) community in which they serve." lives of other people. We had a rash of mur Q) 1... William Walls was once a top adviser to the ders in Englewood recently by young people c... late Mayor Harold Washington and is Walls also wants to ensure jobs for the peo who are so called, disconnected- no work, X LU preparing to run against Mayor Richard M. ple of Chicago. no school," Walls adds. "We have to stop ~ Daley in the 2007 elections. racial profiling young people and giving them Q) "Fifty percent of our youth between the criminal records, we have to stop criminaliz z According to the Web site ages of 16 and 24 are so called disconnect ing them at an early age, and instead give wallsformayor.com, Walls recently eo-man ed, that means that they are not in school them the opportunity to remain first class aged Joyce Washington's campaign for and do not work, and that is a prescription citizens, who are respected by the systems. Lieutenant Governor, which netted over for disaster, so we want to make sure that They too are tax payers, and deserve the 360,000 votes and served as the National we have a job for every single person, even best that Chicago has to offer." Political Director to the Rev. Jesse L. if it is through a peace core, or job core Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and sub kind of program that is located at base and Wall says that he will use Daley's tenure in mitted nearly 40,000 signatures on nominat allows them to stay at home and provide office to his advantage. ing petitions for the City Clerk Office. He service in their community." "His legacy is very dismal, in 17 years, he's also served as the Illinois primary surrogate established just a disgusting legacy of three for Sen. John Kerry in his 2004 bid for The next important priority for Walls is fold cost over runs at Millennium Park, President. education. He firmly opposes Mayor Daley's unauthorized, undemocratic, destruction of Renaissance 20 I 0 plan and referred to it as Miegs Field, and an administration replete As William Walls speaks, he is calm and col "a diabolical initiative designed to weaken with corruption, so insidious that it would lected with his words, which flow easily and the foundation of public education, and facil be difficult for even a forensic accountant to with little thought. Although people may not itate the privatization of schools." go in and determine how much damage he's have heard much of Walls, now he is dili done to the taxpayers of the city of gently working on organizing his campaign Instead Walls, who attended public schools Chicago, and people are aware of that now. and expects to make his presence known in in Chicago, which includes Horace Mann They see the corruption for what it is." the media shortly. Elementary ( 1971 ). Chicago Vocational High School ( 1975), Tuskegee University, and liT If Walls's chances of winning seem dim, he "We've taken the time to build a real solid Chicago Kent College of Law ( 1986), wants only sees a bright shining light, and says that organization, a coalition if you will, a people to make education a top priority. Walls he is prepared to challenge Daley, and his who are reformers, and who have one com advocates paying for education, not just with determination is truly inspiring and motivat mon interest, and that interest is in electing property taxes but with a mix of state ing. a mayor who will expedite fairness, justice, income taxes. and reform." "As I said earlier, when Harold Washington "We need to have a funding formula for announced his candidacy there were plenty The organization that Walls speaks of is the Cook County that's in line with all others, of nay sayers, who could give you a million Committee for a Better Chicago, which then we have to make a serious commit and one reasons why Harold Washington Walls is the director. It was formed to ment for the education of our young peo couldn't win, but couldn't give you one sin restore democracy, make the government ple. We need every student to make a com gle solitary reason why he could, and they transparent. and give the people political mitment to completing his or her high were completely wrong, we proved them power. school education," Walls said. "Because of wrong," said walls. financial concerns, many students drop out To learn more the Williams Walls, go to his Walls's first priority is safety. Walls states of school, so we must alleviate the concerns Web site at wallsformayor.com. that aside from establishing public safety over finances and make certain that every services, in terms of deployment, response child gets at least a high school diploma. The time, procedures, performance, and policies, job program that I have developed allows he wants to ethnically diversify the entire for that to happen." police and fire departments to reflect Walls also spoke of some social problems Chicago's population. teens exhibit that he would like to address. metro 13 ~ 0 0 HOMELESS SHELTER FOR TEENS N L By NE Staff c.. dispute With family members. < The Ch1cago Coalition for the Homeless estimates "The goal of Independence Place IS to trans1t1on previ c 26,000 teens in Illinois between the ages 14 and 21 0 ous homeless young adults u BASKETBALL PROGRAM OPENS DOORS FOR TEENS I... 0.. <( c By NE Staff 0 Vl A I 0-year-old youth organization on Chicago's Last month 23-year-old Calvin Leonard's mother Park Zoo so parents can conveniently stop by Vl Q) West Side has now grown into men's clothing passed away. Leonard, a T BA student, didn't have a after spending time with their kids at the zoo," I... 0.. business where customers can also get their suit to wear to the funeral so Johnson provided Johnson said.The store is also accessible by the >< shoes shined and a haircut without leaving the him with one for free. Chicago Transit Authority, so that's an extra con UJ building. venience since parking is scarce 111 the area." ~ "He looked real good when I got finished with Q) z Located on the North Side in the Lincoln Park him," Johnson said. "I gave him a suit, tie and Those who work closely with Johnson at the area is "One Stop Suit Shop," 2246 N. Clark St., shirt." store and the TBA said he is a motivator. big where entrepreneur Melvin Johnson, a former brother, father, and friend to anyone who comes police officer for the Chicago Housing Authority Leonard said he will forever be grateful to the in contact with him especially young adults. can be found these days working with kids from TBA and Johnson for every ting they have done the Teenage Basketball Association (TBA). Johnson, for him. "I have known Mel for over five years and he who is founder and executive director of the works hard at whatever he starts. He has played a TBA, said he got the idea to open a men's cloth "His Oohnson) support really means a lot to me," pivotal role in me improving my own life," said ing store after seeing kids from competing basket Leonard adds. "I would recommend any youth Brian Hubbard, an employee at the One Stop ball tournaments dressed up. looking for something positive to do with their Shop. "Mel is the kind of guy who teaches you by life to join the TBA. It has made a world of differ example not by word." "I got tired of seeing kids on opposing teams ence for me." wearing shirts and ties and my kids (from the Teenage Basketball Association TBA) wore jeans and gym shoes," Johnson recalls. And unlike most small businesses, which secure Johnson said he knew when he started the TBA in ''Nice clothes, while materialistic, can give a per loans for startup costs, Johnson funded all startup 1996 that it would eventually become one of son a good sense of security and boost their costs himself. Chicago's leading non-profits for "at-risk'' youths. morale." "It's an investment in the kids. If I don't believe in "In 1996 I had a vision that there had to be a way Tired of selling his men's apparel through the them who will?" he said. "I know God will bless to reach the growing number of troubled youths. "black market," Johnson said he was encouraged me to prosper and be successful." Basketball was the way I chose to reach them and to start a business by two mentors. help keep them out of jail or dead on the streets," He admits though, business has been slow thus far Johnson said. "Dan and Scott Hooson, who are brothers. helped and eventually he will have to secure loans to me get the shop off the ground," he said. "They keep afloat. That is unless he receives charitable And unlike many extra-curriculum activities spon are supplying me with most of the clothes I am donations or corporate sponsorship. sored by non-profits, the TBA goes one step fur selling until the shop picks up momentum and for ther by assisting students with college expenses that I am eternally grateful." "We're always looking to help people and for peo such as tuition, books and job readiness skills. ple to help us. I expect a generous donor to come The two have their own men's clothing stores in through the door any day with a fi nancial bless The TBA is open to young men and women Naperville and Arlington Heights and have sup ing," Johnson said. "God has told me that every between the ages I 3 to 25 and teaches them plied Johnson's store with such designer suits by thing will be alright and not to worry about how development skills such as discipline, sportsman Brooks Bros., Perry Ellis and Valentino. Other the bills will get paid, so I don't worry anymore." ship, and perseverance. However, all participants Items customers can purchase include ties, dress must maintain a C average in school. shirts, hats, belts, sunglasses and even women Johnson said he can accept a business venture not purses and bags. All major credit cards are accept succeeding but he does not see this as just anoth "Education is first and foremost. Basketball is sec ed as well. er business venture, he sees this an opportunity ond," Johnson said. for his TBA kids. He adds that if the business fails Johnson said he can accommodate almost any size that means he has failed the kids and he is not in The TBA has two teams, the Knights and the Fire, customer including big and small and the disabled. the business of disappointing kids. which compete against Chicago Park District leagues. This also g1ves the players exposure to And instead of hiring experienced sales people "I am a father and I do not like disappointing my college scouts who often attend the games. johnson chose to hire kids from the TBA, who own kids so I am not about to start now," he work on commission and receive one free suit. adds. The TBA offices are located at 1360 N. Sedwick. For more information, please call 3 12-287-9329. "No more jeans and gym shoes when the TBA Finding a good location for the store was critical travels to play in basketball tournaments. My to it having any chance of succeeding. young men our clean cut just like the suburban kids," he adds. "The store is a five-min ute walk from Lincoln Urban Journalism Workshop Application Who: All high , chool students are welcome to apply. What: Journalism program for teens. When: Starting June 27, 2006 for six week . Why: Learn how to report and u e joumalistms technique and skill . How: To apply fill out thi application. Please fax or put in a envelope and drop it in the mail. name: ------Home Address: ------City ______State ______Zip ______Home P~one(_) Cell P~one(_) ______fmail: ------Hig~ Schooi ______Srade in fall' 06 ______Hobbies/Interest------Journalism fxperience~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-- W~y are you interested in this program? ______ W~at do you hope to get out of t~is experience? ______ Send to WendciJ I lulson Youth ommurucution - New Exprcs~tOn Al Col umbra College C'hrcago 61 <) South Wnbnsh Avl·nuc Chicago. IL 60605 w1 c.;poncr(<>) yahoo.com Telephone. (1 12) 922· 7 150 Fa>. ( ~12) 022-7 1'i I • E ntert a I n men t M ovieReview She's The Man page 18 PoetryContestReview Louder than a Bomb Music page 18 entertainment 17 ...c 0 0 MovieReview N She's the Man -- L By Meagan Daniels 0... <{ Walter Payton c 0 "Everybody has a secret... Duke wants Olivia, who likes Sebastian, who is really Viola, whose brother is dating Monique, so she hates Olivia, who's VI VI with Duke to make Sebastian jealous, who is really Viola, who's crushing on Duke, who thinks she's a guy." Q) L 0... X Before you see the new movie, She's The Man, the preceding tagline makes little sense, however, it is completely accurate in relation to the movie. w There are many different characters involved in the movie. making it a complicated plot. The high school setting and the crazy love triangles help ~ Q) to make the movie more realistic to teens. z The new hit comedy, now in theaters, starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum is about a twisted love web that gets more complicated with every moment. The story originates from Shakespeare's 12th Night, which also includes the abnormal love web present in the film. NE Newsmagazine was lucky enough to conduct an intimate interview with some of the actors from the movie, including Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. The members of the cast said that they were excited to perform in a movie that was based on a Shakespearean play. In the movie, Amanda Bynes plays the role of two characters. She plays Viola and her brother Sebastian. Viola is a girl who loves to play the sport of soccer, which is being canceled for the girls at her school, while Sebastian is an adventurous, music-loving character. Amanda Bynes said that playing the role of a boy was a new challenge for her and that she learned a couple new things about a guy's life that she did not know before. The picture has received a rating of 3 out of 5 st ar s. PoetryContestReview Young Chicago Authors Present: The 6th Annual, Louder than a Bomb, poetry contest Charity Taitt Young Women's Leadership Charter School The 6th Annual, Louder than a Bomb, poetry contest, hosted by the Young Chicago Authors, was held at Columbia College and the Hot House during the sec ond weekend of March. This poetry slam is an Olympic style contest that gath~rs the best poets, and young writers. ages 13 - 19, from all around the Chicago area. The contest is open to schools, as well as Individual poets. This year, young poets wrote about various topics, ranging from self-Identity, race relations, gun violence. God. school. and much more. Each year, the poetry slam has a theme that is constant throughout the contest; this year's theme was God. This year, the hosts of LTAB decided to bring something new to the mix. They added an All-Spanish bout, and the MC Olymp1cs The All- Spanish bouts consist ed of teens who were fluent in Spanish. Each poet said their piece and was then awarded points, ranging from 1- 10, by a panel of judge!s. The winner of the Spanish bout was Maria Villeda of Oak Park River Forest High School. The MC Olympics consisted of four rounds. The first round was a wntten rap chat had to be memorized, and the second round was a freestyle battle. In the third round, each remaming competitor pulled a word from a hat and free-styled using that word, and in the fourth and final round, the competitors were each given three words and ten minutes to wme a rap, using, defin1ng, or includ1ng those three words. The winner of the MC Olympics was Che Guevara of Kuumba Lynx. The Louder than a Bomb fin al was held at the Metro. Out of the 44 teams that competed In Louder chan a Bomb, only eight of chose teams and six indiv1dual poets competed for a chance to participate in the national poetry slam. Brave New Voices, in New York. The finals were intense and only a select few made it through. This year's winners are T.F. North High School, and the Chicago All Star Team: Che Guevara (Kuumba Lynx). Jessica "Supreme" Disu (Ch1cago Academy ofThe Arts), Cydney Edwards (Morgan Park), Novanna Venerable (Oak Park River Forest), Adam Gottlieb (Northside College Prep). and Sa mer Alababldi (Maine East). Hope to see you next year at the poetry contest that allows teen voices to be louder than any Bomb. E-Day Youth Entrepreneurship Conference Let's Get "E" Started! • business 19 TEENS MEAN BUSINESS ,_ a.. TEEN ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE <{ c 0 "' "',_C1l a.. X By NE Staff w ~ C1l Rarely d o teenagers mention racing I z cars in their daily conversations about While at North Carolina, Ponder was sports but that's what make Sheldon able to meet NASCAR drivers and "Chip" Ponder different from other owners and learn more about the teenagers. business of race car driving and the challenges he wdl ultimately face Ponder, a 15-year-old sophomore at breaking into the business. But he Chicago's School of Entrepreneurship welcomes challenges because " as if it at South Shore High School on the came easy I wouldn't appreciate it." South Side, is among a growing group of teens setting trends for the next Ponder at an early age accepted generation of teens to follow. You see Christ in his l1fe and today remains Ponder is no ordinary teen. While he committed to his faith by attending likes sports and music like so many serv1ces every Sunday With is mother teens his main focus is set on becom and b1ggest supporter Sis. Valerie ing a National Association for Stock "No it's not about the money because Ponder. Car Racing (NASCAR) owner. He said if you are good at what you do, the he does not want a job when he grad money will follow," he said. "I don't " I am so proud of the young man he uates from college but a career. care if you are a teacher, jan1tor or has become," Valerie Ponder sa1d of secretary. If you are good at what you her son. "It has been a difficult task ''I will work enough jobs from now do, you wdl eventually make the ra1s1ng him as a single parent but until I graduate from college," Ponder money you deserve. God will see to thanks to his father, God almighty, I said. "But after earning a degree I cer it." have been able to keep him focused tainly do not want to be doing the on the positives in life." same thing I did when I didn't have a At the tender age of 12 Ponder began degree and that's working a job." watching racing on TV when nothing Ponder also has two older sisters age else was on and eventually developed 32 and 37. Ponder adds that many people are not an interest. From there he started to aware a job and a career are two dif do research about race car driving Looking ahead, Ponder said he sees ferent things. and even went as far as to visit col h1mself graduating from college and leges that offer race car programs. married with children in the next I 0 "A job is something you usually don't years. like and only work to pay bills but a He plans attending the University of career is doing something you love." North Carolina after high school and ''I always set goals for myself and fin has a lready visited the school. ishing college and becoming a family According to NASCAR, drivers can man is among my goals I have set for earn between $5 million to $10 mil "My mother and I went went last year my future," he adds. ''Part of being an lion a year winning races. However, to visit and I like what I saw and entrepreneur IS always thinking about o w ners can earn three t imes that learned about the school," he recalls. solutions and ways to improve things amount, which could explain why "Besides, NASCAR is headquartered around you . If you cannot problem Ponder has his eyes on the owners' in North Carolina, so I would be clos solve then becoming an entrepreneur box rather than the pit crew. er to the shakers of the racing indus may not be for you." try." 20 business 0"' 0 N BUSINESS PROGRAM COULD BENEFIT -- CHICAGO TEENS s.... c.. I <( By Elizabeth Olson c 0 I "These kids come in when they are sophomores The course has made "my students more self- VI STEVE MARIOTII was leading a pleasant life in VI and they know nothing about business," Mrs. reliant and confident about their skills," Mr. QJ New York, running a successful import-export busi s.... ness. when he was mugged in September 1981 on Styner said. "Then they start getting some products Renesca said. One student, Thania Potosme, I 5, c.. in their hands. they start a business and they start started a greeting-card business. Born in Nicaragua, X the Lower East Side by a group of teenage boys. LU getting some money. Then they're hooked." Ms. Potosme said that operating a business helped her learn English. "You have to know your grammar ~ Disappointed by the $10 Mr. Mariotti had in his QJ wallet, the boys slapped and knocked him around. She added, "They begin to see that they need the if you are going to be putting words on cards," she z leaving him feeling fearful. academic skills, like reading and math, to be suc said. It also taught her to honor commitments. cessful." The students also learn skills like writing a "When you have a project, you have to be respon The experience. he added, "got me interested in resume and a cover letter, preparing a presentation sible," she said. figuring out why they would act that way and for and giving it before a group, creating a business While NFTE is aimed at low-income high schools, so little money." After learning that a large percent plan and devising a marketing plan. which typically have a high dropout rate, it is also age of minority students nationally never graduate in school districts where the income levels are from high school. he decided to switch careers to The academy has SO slots and twice as many stu more diversified. see if he could help in some way. He sold his busi dents, who are representative of the area's African Jeannie Bunce, who spent 22 years in marketing, ness, went back to school to get his teaching cre American, Hispanic, Caucasian and Asian popula now teaches a NFTE class at Brien McMahon High dentials and began working in a public high school tions, apply for them. By junior year, Mrs. Styner School in Norwalk, Conn., which has a student in the South Bronx. said, "few of those participating drop out of body with a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. school." The course's popularity has grown steadily. result He found that the students were bored and often ing in four courses to accommodate the more than disrespectful. But he noticed that when he spoke A recent study of the NFTE program by the 120 students who enrolled. about his experience running a business, many of Harvard Graduate School of Education found that "I teach them that whether you are the CEO of them listened. students taking the course had a 32 percent higher I.B.M. or not, you have to make decisions about interest in attending college than their peers who what you buy," Mrs. Bunce said. She said that NFTE Intrigued, Mr. Mariotti wondered if the skills he had did not take it. After taking the course, the study financed trips to one of New York City's wholesale learned as an entrepreneur might interest the stu said, students' interest in getting a job that required districts to help students understand the mechan dents, teach them important skills like math and a higher level of education rose 44 percent. Even ics of pricing items they bought for resale. give them a reason not to drop out of high school. though Tony Renesca, a business teacher at the Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Miami, "It helps to have a real-life example," she said. "It He put together a course on basic business con began teaching the course just a year ago, he said it builds their self-confidence, and lets them know cepts - like writing a business letter. opening a had caught on. He especially liked teaching entre that there are alternatives out there to college or bank account, buying goods in quantity and drawing preneurial skills, he said, because he could draw on the military." up a marketing pl an. his previous experience as a manager of a fast-food restaurant. Beyond financing, the biggest barrier that NFTE has In June 1988. he left his teaching job, and founded encountered are the school requirements under the National Foundation for Teaching Like others teaching NFTE classes. Mr. Renesca the No Child Left Behind law, said J. David Nelson. Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to help high schools attended a four-day course the foundation gives for the foundation's chief operating officer who retired teach business skills to poor minority adolescents. teachers. So far, 3,700 teachers have been certified from I.B.M. Schools are finding that there is little At first, it was slow going even to find financing, but by NFTE. and more than 120,000 students have time for classes beyond science and math. during the 90's, Mr. Mariotti's foundation - based taken a class or attended entrepreneurship camps in New York City and known by its abbreviated run by the foundation. "We have a shelf space problem," Mr. Nelson said, name. NFTE, as in "nifty" - began to introduce its "because there is so much focus on test scores curriculum to high schools nationwide. As of this Mr. Renesca organizes an annual expo to give stu starting in the ninth grade. That means there is no year. its classes are being taught in more than 300 dents a chance to show their parents, classmates room sometimes for teaching entrepreneur skills." high schools, most in lower-income districts, in 45 and teachers their businesses, which have included states. One-third of the funding for the program, a bakery and aT-shirt design company. Students Still, NFTE is pressing on, Mr. Mariotti said, because which enrolled 28,000 students this academic year, often use the Internet to research products that entrepreneurial skills "teach kids, even from the comes from the Goldman Sachs Foundation. interest them, he said. Once they decide the area most dysfunctional families where they feel like fail they would like to pursue, NFTE can make money ures, that they can build a life." Mary M. Styner, a teacher at San Leandro High available for students to buy the product in quanti School. near Oakland, Calif. . has taught NFTE's ty at a wholesale store. Then the student must This article is a reprint from the New York Times course for five of the I 0 years it has been offered learn how to budget. how much to charge for each and was originally published May I, 2006 on its at her school. It is part of the school's Academy for item to turn a profit and how to calculate overall Web site www.nytimes.com Business and Finance, a business program. costs. business 21 -.c 0 0 ALTERNATIVE LEARNING N FOR TEENS -- 0.. c 0 By NE Staff VI VI Q) '- 0.. X w Many teens today have challenges Personal growth Is empha English as a Second Language ~ such as pregnancy, homelessness, sized High School Diploma Q) d rugs, and abuse that often prevent Students are enrolled Into a variety Employability Skills z them from finishing high school. of personal growth sem1nars to help Social Skills them learn the behav1or that wil l Communication Skills And instead of letting the streets, enable them to make It through the Driver's Education criminal justice system or cemetery program. They also acqu1re basic JOb Career Transition Readiness get a hold of them alternatives like readiness and JOb search skills to lay Business Etiquette enrolling in the Job Corps is a viable the foundation for the1r successful Information Technology alternative for teens today. completion of the program, gradua Diversity Training tion and ultimate long-term attach The Pau l Simon Chicago Job Corps ment to the workforce Vocational Training located at 3348 S. Kedzie Ave . offers Union Programs a wide variety of programs teens The actual Career Preparation Bricklaying can select to study. For more Infor Penod (CPP) IS the student's f1rst Carpentry mation, please call 773-890 -3 I 00 or 60 days on center However, based Painting send an e-mail inquiry to admis- on each student's 1nd1vidual and spe Business Technologies sion s@ch i cagoj obcorps .o rg. Cific needs , goals and poss1ble barn Microsoft MOUS ers to success, the serv1ces students Health Occupations Upon enrollment teens can expect rece1ve 1n CPP will be cuscom1zed Nursing Assistant--State cer the follow1ng from Job Corps: for every student tification Pharmacy Technician--State license Career Preparation Career Transition Information Technology Career Preparation IS the f1rst of Job Corps serv1ces do not end when HTML the Career Development Serv1ces a student leaves the program. The1r Java Script System periods that a student expe success after they leave 1s even Computer Service Technician riences once enrolled. The emphas1s more Important than their success is to determine educational, voca 1n the program; after all our m1ss1on Comptia A+ tional , service and social needs. IS to help our students become Network Cable Installer During Career Preparation: employable There are Career C-Tech (Copper and Fiber Trans1t1on Spec1al1sts located Optics) Students are made to feel throughout the country to ass1st Manufacturing Technology welcome and familiar with students With their transitional NIMS Certification the center needs (hous1ng, childcare, trans portation, etc) Students adjust to the pro gram Career Development Staff learn about the student During the Career Development and students self-discover Period , students learn the academic through a variety of assess a nd vocational skills they will need ments to become successfully employed. We offer a wid e range of programs: A Personal Career Development Plan Is designed Academic Education to be the road map through Remedial English and Math the program GED Preparation Spanish GED preparation 22 business jOBS PROVIDE BUSINESS MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER'S PROGRAM FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS STUDENTS ... continue from page 9 I... Another 1ssue TBSP plans to focus on this year is the c.. voucher program, an idea that began Circulating more <{ than four years ago, and has since rece1ved m1x reac By Miriam Martinez c tions from educators, parents and poht1c1ans as they 0 Contributing Writer decide how to improve public education. "' Jackson said vouchers are good but not the answer. "'Q) I... He said before we g1ve up on public education and c.. As summer approaches, many youth program forming relationships in send children to private or charter schools, we need X place. Local businesses will offer sum L.U begin their search for employment. to see what can be done to improve public education mer employment opportunities to ~ first. Q) For some youth, this may be another youth, but will also provide a useful z summer spent with nothing to do and meaningful experience for obtain Other organizations like the Rainbow/PUSH Coalit1on because of the lack of employment ing future job and occupations. This is and the Chicago Urban League is also working on ways to improve public education particularly in poor opportunities available in Chicago. not just helping the youth but the areas with a large mass of minonties. But Jackson sa1d For the past couple of months, as businesses as well. If businesses show while they all have the same goal, which is to improve members of the Mikva Challenge they are hiring local youth this will education for children, TBSP is not only interested m Youth Advocacy Club, we have been give the public a positive image of savmg black children but children of all races. researching the issue of youth that business, benefiting both youth what he has to work with. employment. One of our main con and local businesses. "We are unlike any other organization because we cerns is the lack of employment are more concerned about solving the problem opportunities for youth in Illinois, We hope that government and busi rather than scratching the surface," he said. "We plan particularly in Chicago. ness leaders will hold a summit on to begin by getting more parents involved. They are this important issue immediately and the key to solving this big gap in education among our children." Last year in Chicago alone, there were work to dramatically increase the approximately 44,000 eligible youth number of jobs available to youth. A Anytime there's problems within the school system that applied to the Summer KidStart job sets young people on the right critics often blame leadership but Jackson said he sup program, but only 12,000 were track in life and teaches them impor ports Arne Duncan, CEO for Chicago Public Schools, employed. Jobs are important to tant skills and values. If we make the and adds that Duncan is doing a good 1ob considenng what he has to work with. young people not just as a monetary investment now in employing youth, it gain but also because they provide will pay off later with productive Supporters of Duncan contend that he was handed a positive experiences and keep teens workers and citizens. school system in disarray after Paul Vallas, former off of the streets. This shortage of Chicago Public Schools CEO resigned in 2002 to run jobs in KidStart left approximately The Mikva Youth Advocacy Club brings for governor. 32,000 youth vulnerable to joining youth from throughout Chicago to New leadership is just one part to improving school gangs. becoming pregnant and selling advocate on issues important to them. conditions, said Jackson, who adds that more money is and/or using drugs. Meanwhile, the also needed. Illinois Department of Corrections The Mikva Challenge is named for for spends $70,827 per juvenile in one mer White House Counsel Abner And although the state is still struggling with a budget year while it would only cost approxi Mikva and his wife Zoe. Founded in deficit. the state continues to spend money building prisons rather than increase funding for public educa mately $2,000 to employ one youth 1997, the Mikva Challenge is devoted tion. over the summer. to developing the next generation of civic leaders by providing young peo As a result, colleges are raising tuition making it more W e ask the business community and ple opportunities to actively partici difficult for many inner-city students to attend, wh1le state and local government to pate in the political process, thereby services and programs ac public schools are being scaled back. increase the number of job opportuni nurturing effective, informed citizens, ties available for youth in Chicago. advocates, and political participants. "They (state offic1als) know what the outcome will be One of the ways to this is clearly by for children who do not continue the1r education or increasing state funding for local gov get lost in the system trying to finish it," Jackson said. ernment programs such as KidStart, "It's cheaper to send a child to a state college than to house them in a state prison but I guess they don't Gallery 37 and After School Matters. realize that." We suggest the implementation of the For more information on The Black Star ProJeCt. call " First Step" program, an educational 312-842-3527 or log onto their Web site at www.the blackstarproJect.org. Congratulations briefs 23 -o to the 2005-2006 City 0 horoscope 0 Championship Winners! N Whitney Helm w •V en Wd!,, Girls Cross Country-Lane Tech Aquarius )Gnuory l()-.n Febuary 8• L Boys Cross Country-Lane Tech Now os the tJme to focus. get all of your aft.urs on c.. order Beong organozed woll help you on the long.run <{ Girls Golf-Lane Tech c Pisces Febuary 19th M:w 1 lOtil 0 Don't focus on the negatJves; enJoy the pos10ve VI VI Football-Morgan Park thmgs In life. Q) L c.. X Soccer-Boys-Lane Technical Anes MJttf' liSl Apn 9·h w Fond the! tJme for you; let yourself go. Softball- 16inch- Lane Tech Taurus Aprd 20th May 20th Reahze that you can't always get what you want: Swim-Girls- Lane Tech learn to let th1ngs go. Tennis-Girls-Morgan Park Gemini t. :.y list ]t..~l It! Now " the tome to ake a nsk. l.Jye lofe wothout Volleyball-Girls- Whitney Young regrets Boys Baseball-Simeon Cancer june lZnd )!."> lnd Back oW. G1Ye the people around you breathong room; get to know yourself dunng thiS tJme and so that you won't g.ve those around you an ear ache from all of JOIN KUUMBA LYNX AS WE CELE BRATE your problems' l OY EARS OF ARTS AND ACTIVISM Frtday May 19th 7 11 pm Leo Jy i Augusr l2nd Annovtrsary Kick Off- all ag~J party! n Ah•rn.li Saturday May 20th 1Oam 5pm Virgo } lrd Sep ber 2lrrd Ann1vtorsary Cel@'bratlon Break out of your shell, explore someth1ng new • Wor~•OJ~dnoart e•hr 1 hy Kuumb.l Lynx on J Conne Kuamha I ynw' .to AIU P.Htfltl !hrth rh~ ( h (•HJO P.trk Oi•lf <1 < l~fl·nd ()f rl' rr1t 1hh pWJe( I 1'- sr)(Jfl1-0ftd by llrOCJ•'\ All (OUtl(ll, t ,_1.1'rb1Jf:'fl(y. and (.ny ~tl) I may2006 MON