Making Wishes Inauguration Day Welcome to TLC YDC Gets a Makeover! Come True at The O’School Moving on up! New Year.... New Design Page 3 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9 Journalists & Tourists Flock to Hyde Park January 26, 2009 by Alan Living in Kenwood, a neighbor- hood bordering Hyde Park, president-elect has brought with his cam- paign much attention to this otherwise unperturbed area of . With many people interested in getting first-hand in- formation from our president, many jour- nalists, reporters, and just plain curious people have come in from all areas of the world. Nearly every media and news outlet is represented in Hyde Park now, with the eyes of the world watching. With a population of just around 44,700 people, according to the Hyde Park South East Chicago Commission, Hyde Park comprises just a small portion of Chi- cago’s populous. Ranging longitudinally from 51st to 60th street, and latitudinally from Cottage Grove to Stoney Island, Hyde Park is not that large of an area. However, it remains one of the more diverse and influ- ential areas of Chicago. President Barack Obama Once on the forefront for abo- litionists and the Underground Railroad Continued on page 4 “Crazy Cat Ladies” Victims of Circumstance By Alan There are many are both scientific and psy- phenomena in this world chological explanations for that seemingly cannot be such strange behavior. explained. Among them is There is a parasitic the well-known “crazy cat infection that plays quite lady” story of women with a major role in the whole dozens upon dozens of crazy cat lady ordeal. cats who seem to have lost The protozoan, zoonotic their sanity. Many people pathogen toxoplasma gon- regard this as just a fab- dii, has been known to Volume 4 ricated story without any lead to the infection toxo- Cats are Common Hosts for Toxoplasma Gondii Issue 4 real explanation or logic plasmosis. Toxoplasmosis and is communicable from behind it, but recent stud- is quite prevalent among cats to humans. The para- ies have revealed that there mammals, mainly felines, Continued on page 5 2 hot topic hot topic Question: If you could save any endangered species, what would it be and why? Photo Credits Page 1 “Tigers. They are one of my about all of them. I would “R.A.K. (Random Act of Journalists and Tourists Flock to Hyde Park, favorites.” hate myself if Kindness. Enough said.)”- President-Elect Obama - http://baic.house. -Anonymous I saved one species and all Julia gov/images/profiles/obama-barack.jpg the rest become Crazy Cat Ladies: Victims of Circum- “A panda because they are so extinct.”- Michael G. “ALL OF THEM. stance - Department of Natural Resources cute.” ENOUGH SAID!” http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/Yr2007/oct8/ - Eddie “Neverland dwarf rabbits.”- - Matt N. oct8_toxo_pic.html Billy Page 3 “Plants because they are our “I would choose to save the “Gorillas.”- Kayla B. Making Wishes Come True D- Davis- source of elephants because their tusks are getting chopped off for Monthan Air Force Base http://www.dm.af. oxygen.”- Katie “Snow leopards, because mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_media. use as ivory. This is brutal and they are so cute, and they asp?fsID=11140 cruel.” “Bald eagle. It stands for are cats and leopards are my Page 4 America.”- Josh - Tommy mom’s favorite animal.” - Ol- The Fall of a Rising Star - NHL Hockey ivia Puck, Photo by YDC Staff “I would want a panda be- “Pandas because they are Page 6 cause they’re adorable.” “Wolves, because they are cute and very soft.”- Anon- - Anonymous my favorite animals. As much President Obama taking the presidential ymous as they always seem to have a oath, US.Gov “Pandas because they are bad reputation, if you really Page 7 “Bald eagle. It is our Ameri- cool and do kung fu.”- Anon- study them, they’re very much ymous Welcome to TLC - TLC Common Room, can symbol.” like humans, the way their Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School, Photo by - Nick T. pack lives are structured.”- YDC Staff “Polar bears so that devas- Julie Page 8 “I cannot answer because tating TV commercial won’t there are many be on…not really. They are Lauren Berebitsky, Therapist - Photo by YDC animals that are endangered “The red panda because I Staff cute.”- Anonymous can identify myself most with and I care Page 9 them.” - Brooklyn Thanksgiving at the O’School, Turkey - us.gov The student newspaper http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/Yr2007/feb19/ feb19_turkey.jpg of the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School Page 10 Student Work Program: A New Management Team - Cover of the O’School Student Work Editors Staff Writers Program Guide Copy Editor: Natalie Kayla B. Page 11 Photo Editor: Alan Natalie Jesus and Manga: Do They Mix? Involvement Editor: Brooklyn Alan Santa Clara City Library http://www. library.santaclaraca.gov/TeenNet/programs/ Content Editor: Jusitn Justin programs.htm Brooklyn Page 12 Advisors: Skatopia: a Skater’s Paradise Michelle Pegram & Michelle Zarrilli US Department of Defense http:// Jillian Swinford & Geoff Keegstra www.defenselink.mil/photos/newsphoto. www.oschool.org aspx?newsphotoid=228 Volume 4 Issue 4 3

Making Wishes Come True yellow By Kayla B.

George Marijan is a 7 year old child from Buffalo Grove, IL, who was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia. He had a dream to be a police officer. A few weeks later his mom and dad talked to Make- A-Wish, and he got his dream day on October 28, 2008. Make-A-Wish, which used to be Make-A-Wish Me- morial, grants wishes to chil- national/world dren who have terminal medi- cal conditions. Make-A-Wish Disabled Child’s Wish to See Air Force Base Granted by Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes for anything from meeting someone famous they want granted, and the fi- 1980, Chris got his chance to to traveling across the world or nal step is to make their dream have his wish come true and even being in a movie. Accord- come true. was given the chance to meet ing to Jessica Miller, Commu- This process can be challeng- many people in the police nications Manager of Make a ing because most wishes cost force. Chris was put in the hos- nd Wish Foundation, , the money. Make-A-Wish gets pital on May 2 of that year, most requested wish is usually their money from donations, and they decorated his room so related to Disney, including and from Organizations and he could see his uniform and going Disney World or Dis- Corporations. It still costs, on the other stuff that he received ney Land, or taking a Disney average, about five thousand from his day as a police officer. cruise. dollars per wish, explains Ms. Unfortunately, the next day, Make-A-Wish has four steps Miller. Chris Greicious died. to granting a wish. The first The first wish that Ever since Chris Gre- step is to get a referral from Make-A-Wish ever granted icious got his wish granted, a doctor, parent, or child. The was for a little boy named Chris Make-A-Wish Foundation second step is to make sure Greicious, who was 7 years old decided that they liked seeing that the child’s diagnosis is and diagnosed with Leukemia, how a child got a wish granted, life threatening and that they just like George Marijan. Iron- and how it made him feel so could die soon. The next step ically, they both wanted to be happy. The organization is still th is to find out exactly what wish a police officer. On April 29 , growing each and every day. The Fall of a Rising Star By Natalie On October 13th, after colliding into a An autopsy revealed that his cause of teammate, Alexi Cherepanov collapsed in the death was cardiac arrest due to HCM. After 18th minute of the 3rd quarter of a hockey game Alexi’s death, 49 hockey players were tested and died. He was in Russia playing hockey for and 5 players came back positive for heart de- his club, Avangard Omsk. Family, friends and fects. Due to confidentiality the heart defects fans were distraught at the funeral. The hockey are not able to be known. Not all players have league stated they were saddened at the sud- been tested so this number could rise. den death of their player. HCM is the thickening of the heart Continued on page 4 4 The Fall of a Rising Star By Natalie Continued from page 4 walls. It is common in athletes who have been through extend- ed amounts of athletic training or in people who have high blood pressure. One in 500 people and one in 1,000 births have HCM. The symptoms of HCM are shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, feeling light headed, and blacking out. HCM is easily mistaken as sports induced asthma. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, but there are surgical devices that can be put in to help control the symptoms. When some- one has HCM there is the possibility of sudden death but only a one to two percent chance. Cherapanov’s and the other players’ coaches said there is no suspicion of steroids; there is no connection between ste- roids or doping and HCM. The Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy Association, or National Hockey League, Official Puck HCMA, is working on promoting a cure for this disease.

Journalists & Tourists Flock to Hyde Park by Alan Continued from page 1 during times of slavery in the late 1800’s, Caucasians, 11,413 African Americans, tourism which has come up recently. founded by the abolitionist and busi- 3,372 Asians, 1,230 Hispanics or La- Others are unsure about the economic nessman Paul Cornell, and now host- tinos, 21 Other Pacific Islanders, and situation. Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf of ing the world-renowned University of many multiracial residents as well. the Kehilath Anshe Maarav Isaiah Is- Chicago and Sonia Shankman Ortho- While most Hyde Park residents rael Synagogue, one of the oldest Jewish genic School, its importance and history are happy that Obama has been elected, congregations in Chicago, told reporter proves to be quite vast and significant. many are irritated with the heightened and news anchor Jessica Yellin that “… Hyde Park also featured the Columbian security and flood of foreigners, which prices went up. They may go down now Exposition in 1893, otherwise known as has made daily life more difficult for because of all the security that prevents The Chicago World’s Fair, which made Hyde Park natives. With parking scarce you from going to your own house or the Midway Plaisance what it is today. and privacy fleeting, many residents are your own synagogue.” When things will It has been home to many famous and upset about this whole ordeal. Avi Stop- settle down again is unknown. However, interesting people, such as Senators Paul per, a local resident and former soccer Rabbi Wolf will not see the day when Douglas, Barack Obama, Carol Mose- coach at the , said they do settle down again, because he ley Braun, and other movers and shakers in a CNN interview, “There are tons sadly passed away at the age of 84 on of the world, including Marshall Field, of police cars and secret service on ev- December 23rd of 2008. The Jewish For- Enrico Fermi, Elijah Muhammad, Rab- ery street it seems. You have to kind of ward stated that Rabbi Wolf was a “dear bi Arnold Jacob Wolf, and Saul Bellow. navigate through this labyrinth to get to friend” of Obama, and Obama was up- Another interesting fact about where you want to go.” Drew Thomas, set to hear about Wolf ’s death, which Hyde Park is that it is one of the most another Hyde Park local, said that “The happened right across the street from diverse neighborhoods around, with a other day, it was three helicopters just his house in the Rabbi’s Hyde Park syn- very mixed racial demographic only ri- hovering, you know. I didn’t know they agogue. valed by places like Boystown. While could do that. I guess when they start Another question that has risen many north-side areas are mainly white running out of gas, somebody else is go- recently is whether or not the added se- and many south-side areas are mainly ing to take their place.” curity for Obama is really necessary or black, the US Census Bureau of 2008 However, some are happy that busi- just overkill. Sure, it might make him states that Hyde Park boasts 13,689 ness is flourishing with all of the added safer and less likely to become the target Continued on page 6 Volume 4 Issue 4 5

Percentage Of O'School Population That Has Considered Working With “Crazy Cat Ladies” Animals Victims of Circumstance

By Alan Yes Continued from page 1 No site is typically passed through felid amount of pets comes an increased excrement. Even without direct con- chance to become infected with tox- tact with the fecal matter, the Toxo- oplasmosis, so people who tend to plasma Gondii traces found within have large amounts of cats as pets are cat feces can still be passed on to hu- more at risk to develop toxoplasmo- man hosts. sis than others. Percentage Of O'School Population With Pets Dr. Jose G. Montoya,and Professor, The psychological aspect of Based on 22 Responses Dr. O. Leisenfeld estimate that up this theory entails something referred to thirty three percent of the world’s to as “animal hoarding.” The Hu- population is infected with toxoplas- mane Society of The United States, mosis. Many hosts show no symp- HSUS, defines animal hoarding as Yes toms at all, but some of the effects the act of taking in and owning more No of toxoplasmosis can lead to neu- animals than one can care for with roticism, psychosis, schizophrenia, the intention of being kept company cognitive distortions, differences in by them, but without any real regards behavioral patterns, and even death. to their health or well-being. These Pregnant women and their fetuses, people mistreat their animals, usu- and people with compromised im- ally neglecting their basic needs, not Percentage Of Animal Preferences Based on 21 Responses mune systems, such as those with because they don’t care about their HIV or AIDS, are especially at risk animals, but rather because they just to have fatal results from a toxoplas- aren’t able to care for all of them. mosis infection, so it is advised that AnimalPeopleNews.org claims that Dogs pregnant women avoid any and all unmarried or divorced people, mainly Cats contact with cats during their preg- women, are more likely to engage in Both nancy. animal hoarding than anyone else be- Another interesting property of cause they often are socially isolative Toxoplasmosis is that, according to and tend to seek out the companion- the National Center for Biotech- ship of animals in order to avoid feel- nology Information, (NCBI), it can ing lonely. There is not much research alter the behavior of its host. It has about the animal hoarder psyche, but entirely to blame. It is hard to deter- even been known to make mice and what has been concluded thus far is mine just what exactly comes first – rats seek out cats, making them more that most animal hoarders have so- the mental illness or toxoplasmosis, likely to be eaten. This is beneficial cial development problems and of- and it varies from case to case. One to the parasite; once the rodent host ten times have mental illnesses, but might wonder if mentally unstable is eaten, the infection can spread nothing specific can be tied to them. people tend to hoard animals, or if throughout the cat, and eventually Even before acquiring toxo- hoarding animals makes people men- pass on to greater life forms, allow- plasmosis, many of these people are tally unstable. Perhaps it’s a combi- ing for the pathogen to thrive. It is already mentally ill or unstable, which nation of both. The question can’t be still not known why this function ex- is what leads them to hoard animals. answered with such limited data on ists or how it works. However, what Toxoplasmosis just contributes more this subject, because awareness of the is known is that with an increased to their poor condition and is not condition is relatively new. 6 Inauguration Day at The O’School by Justin On January 20, 2009, the day after Dr. Martin genuinely hopeful for the new administration. Luther King’s birthday, America was anxiously await- The performers at the inauguration were ab- ing the inauguration of its first black president. Even solutely inspiring. Aretha Franklin totally nailed My the students at the Orthogenic School were waiting for Country Tis of Thee, and an orchestra piece that was Barack Obama to take his oath composed by John Williams, and make his inaugural speech. who has composed music for For some people who did not Star Wars, Jaws, and the Olym- vote for him, this was a sad day, pic Games, was really good as but everyone can agree that well. The Orchestra consisted this was a historic day; the day of Venezuelan pianist Gabri- that we have a black president. ela Montero, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Many members of the Or- violinist Itzhak Perlman, and thogenic School community clarinetist Anthony McGill. In gathered in the art room to addition to the artistic perfor- watch the ceremony. There was mances, the pastor, Risk War- a lot of discussion among the ren led a very inspiring prayer. students and staff during the Obama was very modest inauguration coverage. I heard about his address. He hit on the someone mention the dangers President Obama taking the presidential oath on January 20, 2009 important issues our country that he mght face during his faces such as war, foreign af- speech, and, in fact, Obama fairs and the current economic was wearing bullet-proof clothing. A lot of people were crisis. This was a good day for Americans everywhere, talking about their own political views, and regardless and a day those of us able to share at the O’School, of their opinion of our new president, there was excite- streaming issues and all, will likely not forget. ment and interest in the air. Most of the people seemed Journalists & Tourists Flock to Hyde Park by Alan Continued from page 6 of terrorist attacks, but it has definitely live in the immediate area where all of made up of diverse individuals, and they made life for the nearby residents much the security-checks take place and be- are proud that one of their own has ris- more inconvenient. Secret Service con- cause they support Obama. When asked en up and become the president of the stantly stop people around the area to about how Obama being president-elect United States. I personally am excited make sure they’re locals and not assas- affects David’s everyday life, he replied that with a Chicago president that Chi- sins, terrorists, journalists, reporters, or “Not at all, in any way. I know they cago will have a good chance of getting other unwanted peoples; though with closed off some streets and stuff, but I’m the 2016 Olympics.” good intentions in mind. It has had at not really over there [near Obama].” He This is a rare opportunity for least a somewhat negative impact on the also said he does not have to show his Hyde Park, being host to president-elect community. ID to get through security checkpoints Barack Obama, the first African-Amer- Not everyone thinks that this is a bad or anything. ican president of the United States. This situation though. For example, resi- Coach Frank Burns of the Or- formerly discreet neighborhood has dents David Hyatt and Frank Burns thogenic School said that “It gives the now made its niche in American, and don’t seem to mind the added security community a sense of pride because perhaps even national, history. in the area, probably because they don’t Hyde Park is a very eclectic community Volume 4 Issue 4 7 Welcome to TLC yellow By Kayla B. community news

TLC Common Room, Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School

This year there have been many independent outings, and they have the op- students making their way up to the Tran- tion to go home every weekend. sitional Living Center, TLC. Casey, Ryan, TLC students have expectations that David, Nick A, Ethan, Derrick, Kayla V, they must follow to stay in TLC. They must Kaitlin, and Felicia are all current members go to school and have a job in the school of TLC. Getting to TLC isn’t a small task or or in the community. TLC students are to short process. If a student wants to move up attend all meals, unless a TLC staff says to TLC, they have to meet certain require- otherwise. TLC students cannot use any ments. physical or verbal aggression. Before a TLC Students who wish to go to TLC will student leaves the building, they must notify be given an application to fill out. Some of their staff. Even TLC still needs to complete the questions include things like, what do chores every week. Their rooms are required you believe would be the most beneficial to be clean, and they also must wash their and realistic life plan for you once you have own laundry. graduated from the Orthogenic School? Some reasons that students move up After the application is filled out and turned to TLC include, “[learning] skills that the in, the student will have interviews with the dorm could not provide,” says Ethan, and “I TLC staff. wanted my own independence,” says Kaitlin. In the Minstrels Dorm, students must Some of the Positives about living in TLC be in their areas at 9:45 and the lights go are having your own room, having less su- out at 10:00. TLC is a little different. TLC pervision, and gaining independence. TLC students must return to the school by 9pm, is a great place when you are ready to gain must be in TLC by 10 pm, and by 11pm more independence, and get going on a good must be in their rooms. TLC has a lot more path for the future. privileges. They have automatic alone time, 8 Staff Profile: Lauren Berebitsky By Natalie Lauren is a thera- ing all day.” As for movies, pist at the Orthogenic she says, “I don’t get to see School. She runs group movies as much as I’d like.” and individual therapy and Her favorite movie from is in charge of the interns. the past year or so is Juno. Lauren laughs and makes “I also really liked the Dark funny comments, and she Knight. Heath Ledger was always tries to make light of really good but creepy.” She situations. She has her seri- also watches University of ous moments too, but only Michigan football, even when needed. though they aren’t doing As a kid, she had well, and loves trying new cats and played field hockey restaurants in town. Her and soccer. She is also think- favorite type of food is Ital- ing of getting a kitten or ian and Japanese. puppy now. Lauren moved Her favorite mu- around a lot. She was born seum is the Field Museum, in Ohio and moved to San and her favorite exhibit Francisco, Philadelphia, and was Body Worlds. “It was then Ann Arbor for college. amazing and so interest- Lauren Berebitsky, Therapist She now lives in Chicago, ing.” Lauren also loves to and likes Chicago the best travel to gain cultural ex- ing forward to spending a a therapist. because it’s easy and it’s periences. At one point, week with my whole fam- Kaitlin referred to close to her family. she backpacked around ily - nephews, niece, every- her as “a great therapist, Lauren went to Europe. “A favorite part of one.” very helpful, caring, fun to University of Michigan for my month-long backpack- Diana Ross is her talk to and knows how to her undergraduate degree, ing trip to Europe during favorite music artist, but do her job well.” and then the Illinois School college was visiting Cinque she does like other music. “She is a great group of Psychology for her mas- Terre, which are five small “I like all different kinds – I therapist, she is extremely ters and doctorate. She said towns on the Italian Coast, like some hip hop/rap like funny and good to talk to,” “I don’t think I would want and eating the best seafood Kanye West, some alterna- said Natalie. to go back to college again, ever there.” She goes on to tive like Keane, and popular “She does a very but I loved my time in Ann say, “During that and other stuff like Justin Timber- good job at communicat- Arbor during those four trips, I also loved visiting lake.” ing with teachers and tell- years. My favorite course cities with so much history Her favorite mem- ing them what is going on,” in college was an experi- and culture like Florence ory at the Orthogenic said Meagan. Courtney ential one where I got the and Prague.” School is the time when Dr. adds, “Lauren is a great per- opportunity to mentor two This summer she is Roth dressed up as Santa son to work with.” students at a local high going on a cruise to Alaska. even though he is Jewish Lauren is a great school.” “I am most excited to see and the talent show is her therapist, fun to talk to and In her spare time, and explore a part of the favorite event at the Ortho- very understanding. She is Lauren enjoys watching country that I’ve never seen. genic School. Lauren’s fa- very good at her job and she T.V. shows like Lost, Project I’ve heard that it’s so beau- vorite part about the school adds a lot to the Orthogenic Runway and Friday Night tiful there.” Aside from is the courtyard. She has School community. Lights. “TV is a good way seeing new places, Lauren been a therapist at the Or- for me to relax and do some- also likes to spend time thogenic School for almost thing mindless after work- with family. “I’m also look- three years and loves being Volume 4 Issue 4 9 YDC Gets a Makeover! By Michelle Pegram If you are a loyal reader of were happy to keep the old mast- the Yellow Door Chronicles, you will head and focus on other issues that notice some changes in our layout arose. this issue. In an attempt to mod- We are now using Adobe ernize and streamline our newspa- InDesign. First we had to learn the per, as well as match layout elements program, which was no easy task, to other Orthogenic School publi- while also concentrating on good cations, the YDC team enlisted the content, and then we were able to design services of Ryan K to give us start thinking about new layout and a makeover. design ideas. We knew all along There are several reasons for that we wanted a fresher, more in- the new look. First of all, the origi- teresting look to our paper. If the nal masthead was done by the very Tribune can make a change, so can first YDC staff when we were work- the YDC. ing within the very limited program, We hope you enjoy the new Printshop. The Program did not al- look as well as continue to enjoy the low for a great deal of design, and content of our school paper. The since there was such a large learning YDC staff thanks Ryan for his hard curve for producing the paper, we work and seriously cool design. Thanksgiving at The O’School By Justin On November 27, 2008, the students of the O’school to let the students have fun. They also would see a movie. This year went to the Mighty Fine Grill. What is unique about the Or- was the same. The students dressed nicely and went out eat. thagenic School is that we have many traditions for the holidays. This year the outing was to the Mighty Fine Grill, which is a Every year, students who don’t go home for Thanksgiving go to a buffet at the Water Tower Mall in the back of the food place. The very nice restaurant and to see the lights downtown. The staff tries Mighty fine Grill had your typical Thanksgiving fixings such as turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce; the works. The staff and Michelle Z originally planned for the stu- dents to go Michigan Avenue, see the Christmas lights, and go see a movie at the movie theater. The staff was anticipating that the students would have an awesome time. Sadly, not all of this happened according the students were here on Thanksgiving. There are three main reasons why the Thanksgiving outing didn’t fully unfold. One was the lack of com- mutation between the staff and Michelle.Z, two was a time factor, and three was the lack of funding they had to go towards the out- ing. Each student had different opinion about the food. Kyle liked the food. He said, “They had pretty decent Mac and cheese and Pineapple cured ham.” He also liked the beef sirloin dipped in red wine sauce. A certain female student thought the food was average, while Nick.A gave the food 7 out of 10. The people at the Mighty Fine Grill were very welcom- ing and pleasant to be around. The students were not too excited to go on the outing and you can’t blame them. They would rather be at home during Thanksgiving. Kyle was not really that thrilled about going on the outing, but he still enjoyed the food. Nick.A said, “Yeah. I had fun.” Some other students thought differently. Turkey, most recognized symbol of Thanksgiving 10 Student Work Program: A New Management Team By: Brooklyn For several years, Yolanda has been in charge of the Stu- what the job expectations are, and it tells when the training will dent Work Program at the O’School, but this year the program is be held. Then the student attends a job training session sothat under new management. Yolanda has chosen a partner to assist they can learn what the behavioral and academic expectations are her with her duties in managing the Student Work Program, and for them to do their job correctly as well as learning what they are the O’School welcomed this person with open arms. In fact, the expected to do in their job. students here were well acquainted with Yolanda’s assistant because The expectations of the student workers are vocational, she is none other than Michelle Z, who has been in charge of the behavioral, and academic. “You have to come to work on time and Fine Arts department for years. be working instead of shirking your duties while at work. Also the The Student Work Program has undergone many chang- only reason why you should ever call in sick is if you’re actually es over this past year. One of the major changes is that one can sick and contagious,” said Kayla B., one of the student workers. In only apply for a student job four times a year instead of applying addition, you need to be managing yourself appropriately in the anytime. This avoids the confusion and hectic nature of continuous classroom, dormitory and at home. applications. The process of applying for a job begins with an in- Basically in the realm of academics, you can’t have many missing formational meeting and then progresses to the actual application assignments or be on the watch list when you are a student worker. itself. Once the application is turned in, Yolanda and Michelle Z. The behavioral expectations are the same if you have ever been in conference with each other, and work with the specific supervisors Student Council, Junior Achievement, or Community Service. You to set up interview times for the students who are ready. can’t be disrespectful to your staff or your peers, you can’t show up After that, an interview takes place. During the interview, stu- to work late or shirk your duties while you’re on the job, you can’t dents are questioned about their qualifications and previous job be a danger to yourself or others, and you have to be attending experiences they may have had. The students also are instructed to your classes as well as making progress in the dormitory in order to dress the part when arriving for their interviews, and they are told obtain and keep your job as a student worker. that the most important part of the interview is just to relax and Unlike the minimum wage in the real world, the mini- give honest answers to the questions. mum wage at the O’School is $3.50 per hour. The maximum hour- Following interviews, students will receive a letter stating wheth- ly wage that a student worker can earn is $5.00 per hour. A student er or not they have been hired. In the letter it explains in detail worker earns a pay raise by first keeping their job for at least six months. After they do that, they are eligible for a pay raise of $.10 at maximum. Every three months after their initial pay raise, they are eligible for yet another pay raise. Time cards add expectations to the mix. According to the Student Work Program Handbook, there are nine expectations that apply to time cards alone. The first one is that all time cards have to be signed by the student’s supervisor, and the second one is that it has to be completed with hours clearly written and totaled. Trainings are provided on how to manage the cards prior to the student’s start date. If your time card is not turned in on time, you will lose one hour of pay and will have to wait until the next pay period to receive your pay. Another important change in the Student Work Program is that students have the power to propose new jobs for the pro- gram. The way to go about this is to photocopy and fill out page 13 in the Student Work Program Handbook, turn it in to Michelle Z. or Yolanda. They will review the proposal with the O’School Staff and then let you know if it is a possibility. New positions will only be considered or added during the four application periods. “I think that the new changes to the Student Work Pro- gram make the program more organized and more helpful. For example, I work in the kitchen, and once we had a job training specifically for kitchen workers that allowed us to ask questions and explained in detail what we’re required to do,” Kayla B. said. “In my own words, the Student Work Program is to help people start to experience what happens when they graduate.”

Volume 4 Issue 4 11

Jesus And Manga: Do They Mix? yellow By Brooklyn loved the world that He gave His one and If you are really desperate to have only Son that whosoever believes in Him God involved in your life, then you should will not perish but have eternal life.” Basi- start reading anime and manga immediately. cally Christians believe that if you believe in My home church is in Normal, Illinois, and God and his son, Jesus Christ, you will go to in our Lutheran congregation a lot of things heaven when you die. Christians also believe are talked about. Everything from shoe that God is omniscient, all-powerful, and all- opinion-editorial shopping to movies to philosophical ideas knowing, meaning that he has power over about life and death are discussed behind the life, death, and everything in between. pulpit. When movies like The Golden Com- There is even a church, called The Chris- pass come out, the congregation goes to our tian Church of Anime Inc., that is dedicated pastor to see if it would be their best reli- to honoring the Christianity of anime. It’s gious interest to go see the film and if it’s located in South Carolina, and it’s a nonde- against their religion then protest groups will nominational, non-profit organization that be formed. It was in this church, surprisingly, uses anime to witness about the Christian that I learned about anime and manga. faith to nonbelievers. The pastors there not Anime is the most popular form of only have to study the Christian doctrines, art in Japan, and manga are the actual Japa- but they also have to be avid followers of nese comic books that are sold at local book- the anime and manga scene. They know of stores everywhere. My pastors and youth pretty much every series out there, but they minister had introduced anime to our youth can also recite Bible verses that support their group and then asked us what we thought beliefs. According to their website, there are about it. They made it pretty clear that they only thirty-eight members of the church so were supportive of it, and after further re- far, but they’re always looking for new people search on the subject I could see why. to join. For starters, the basic beliefs of Christianity Some of the religious messages that are can be told in a nutshell, otherwise known as expressed through anime and manga are John 3:16, which clearly states, “For God so almost identical to Biblical stories. For ex- ample, there is an anime series entitled Neon Genesis Evangelion, and it’s about angels that enter Neo-Tokyo and carry out exactly what is described in Revelations as the end of the world. Another example of a Christian mes- sage in anime shines through in a series en- titled Manga Messiah, which basically tells the story of Jesus Christ from birth to death to resurrection, and then to the end of the world. Sometimes the Christian messages that are used in anime and manga derive from Bibli- cal verses instead of stories. An example of this would be an anime series called Fruits Basket, which follows the character, Tohru Honda, an orphaned girl in high school who is invited to live with two of her classmates. Tohru’s classmates had never met her before the day they invited her to live with them,

Anime Character and on the surface they would be considered Continued on page 12 12 Skatopia: A Skater’s Paradise By Justin Fields Skatopia is a place in Rutland, skateboards from the 1920s and from Ohio, that was built in 1995. Its two the1970s. There is a bowl that is called founders, Brewce Martin and his 10 the ‘King Dong’ that drops in at 13 feet year old son, Brandon, lived on a farm and consists of plywood that is on top in West Virginia. Brandon managed of two intersecting metal bars. There is to get them kicked off their West Vir- the main barn, where everyone hangs ginia farm for building too many skate out, often talking and drinking. ramps, so they had to fulfill their dream Believe or not you can get a mis- somewhere else. demeanor just for trying to get to They moved to a farm in Ohio. Skatopia. The police are strict about They also got a friend, Jim Jones, to who goes there because there is a lot help them build a multi-million dol- of illegal activity and vandalism. As a lar skate park, with the help of the result, you have to be 21 years old to fifty Corporation Instigating Anar- enter, and there is a certain procedure chy, C.I.A, Agents, which make up that you have to follow in Skatopia. Skater their government. This place has been If you are a newcomer you have to do featured in video games such as Tony an hour of work on the farm. Martin police of Skatopia and they make sure Hawk Underground 2 and THUG2, even advises things you should bring that people don’t do anything too stu- and has been featured on TV shows to Skatopia. He strongly advises you pid. In Skatopia they have outlawed such as Viva La Bam. should bring a tent, Dr Pepper, beer, guns; people can just use fireworks, BB Skatopia is consists of sections water, a skateboard, music, and a dona- guns, and shovels. The CIA also help where you can tear it up, or, in other tion to the Museum. They even suggest to raise money for the park by having words, skateboard. There is even a skate- bringing girls. their own clothing company. board museum that contains 15,000 There are some laws, but they are skateboard-related items including very vague. The CIA is kind of like the Jesus And Manga: Do They Mix? By Brooklyn Continued from page 11 strangers. That is important because There are even websites created by God, because anime has a lot of Chris- there is a part in the Bible where God is Christian groups that are set up spe- tian messages in it just waiting to be looking at two groups of people, bless- cifically to protest anime and manga. discovered as well as several Christian ing the ones who gave strangers a place However, there are several churches messages that already exist. I was nev- to stay and condemning those who did around the country that are becoming er able to relate to God until I looked not do that. In Fruits Basket the charac- more lenient towards accepting anime. further into anime and manga, and I ters help Tohru find the right path for In fact, one of these churches is even strongly believe that this connection life and, in the end, find God. Another in Hyde Park, the University Church, can help others. Sometimes when I am example of this is an anime series called the Unitarian Universalist church on struggling in life, I turn to my favorite Angel Sanctuary, which is mainly about 57th Street and Woodlawn. At this UU anime and manga to find the answers. angels. It shows how everyone on earth church, Reverend Nina Grey has been I feel like God speaks to me through lives among the angels who were as- known to include anime in her sermons the stories since it’s one of the only lan- signed to become guardian angels and and in Sunday school lessons that the guages I understand. how the angels disguise themselves on local children attend. the earth. I would encourage you to look Surprisingly there are sev- further into anime and manga if you eral Christians who are against anime. want to have a deeper relationship with