UAMS Messengers

UAMS MESSENGERs Friday, December 20, 2019 Volume 4 Issue 3 What’s in a KC Street Name? Middle School By Nylah Thompson In the beginning of 2019, a long standing Kansas happy the street is back to normal. Life at UAMS City street, The Paseo, was changed to Dr. Martin Luther Saniyyah Gilliam, a middle school student at Univer- King Jr. Drive. This change was met with a lot of back- sity Academy, said, “I felt like it was disrespectful but By Caleb Truelove lash. also a waste of time for Originally, the city them to change it, then As the semester is winding down and it gets colder, council wanted to change it back.” students are starting to get ready for the end of the first change the street name According to an article semester. Here‟s what a normal school day is like for a because of Dr. King‟s in Time magazine, some typical University Academy Middle School student. legacy of fighting for Kansas City residents said First, students wake up, brush their teeth, get racial justice. They removing King‟s name and dressed and get ready to go. Once they arrive at school, wanted to stand for changing the street back to students go to breakfast or the library or auditorium for racial equality and the The Paseo would send a until 7:20 a.m. Then when the bell rings, all the stu- unity of Kansas City negative image of Kansas dents go to their classes to learn and hang out with their communities, and they City to the rest of the world friends. Finally, they go to advisory, which is their final thought by changing the and could hurt businesses. class where they can work on any homework they may name to a big African Mr. Dominic Greenlee, have. After that, the day is over and they do whatever activities they have after school. American influencer‟s The Paseo’s street signs were taken down when the street a math teacher at UA, said Eighth grader Le‟Tavion East summarized a nor- name, they might take name was originally changed, but now they’re being put he does not think changing mal school steps toward accom- back up around Kansas City. the street name back to The plishing that goal. Paseo will hurt KC‟s im- day in his Many Kansas City residents, however, did not like age. He also thinks it will only affect people who live in own this change. They opposed the name change because they the city and not so much any outsiders. words. He felt the city council did not follow proper procedures Time magazine also said, “Many supporters of the said, “I when making this decision. Some residents who lived on Martin Luther King name suggested the opponents are come The Paseo said they were not even notified about the racist, saying Save The Paseo is a mostly white group through, proposal. and that many of its members don‟t live on the street.” go to The Paseo also has its own history—it‟s not just a Mr. Greenlee disagreed. breakfast, random street name. The Paseo was the city's first boule- “I wouldn‟t say it was racist. I actually feel like it kick it vard, which was completed in 1899. was the opposite, which is kind of the issue, because race with my UA students have daily routines during Coach Nyree Young, a teacher at University Acad- was not considered. I feel like in changing the name they friends their hours at school and home. emy and a resident of Kansas City, said, “I was very dis- didn't think about who it would affect,” he said. and go to turbed … because we have our own rich heritage here. Others, however, said the allegations of the protest- class. And Paseo has been an iconic street for the African American ers being racist is false and that they have much respect then school ends. I go to the restroom and get on my community. So to change it, it is like changing Kansas for King and hope the city finds another way to honor phone sometimes.” City's history.” him. East also said one pro of school is that you get to Just about a month after the name change, a group Mr. Greenlee, Gilliam and Coach Young all agreed go to class and learn and also get to hang out with called Save The Paseo gathered enough signatures to be that Kansas City should find another way to honor King friends. able to vote to restore the original street name. On Nov. and show love for him. A favorite time of the day can be different for 5, a vote to change the street back to The Paseo passed. “I'm pretty sure there is a school named after him. If many people. For instance, Yves Rowlsey, an eighth Seventy percent of Kansas City voters voted for Dr. Mar- not, we can build a park, a statue, a memorial or some- grader, said her favorite part of the day is lunchtime tin Luther King Jr.‟s name to be dropped from the street. thing like that,” Gilliam said. because she likes to eat and talk to her friends, while Many people still have mixed emotions about this Some of the street signs still have Dr. King‟s name East‟s favorite part of the day is basketball practice situation. Some residents feel like King‟s name should on them. Next time you are driving down The Paseo, after school because that is his favorite sport. have stayed up out of respect for him, while others are check to see what name is there! As a middle schooler, students tend to get a lot of homework. So, many have developed homework routines. East said, “I do my homework in advisory so I don‟t have to do it when I get home. It goes most im- Disney Plus Starts Streaming portant homework, then least important.” By Samaya Bell Other students aren‟t always as diligent about their homework routines, such as Rowsley, she said. Disney‟s new streaming service, Disney Plus, is out Plus already has more than 10 million subscribers. After the regular school day, students at UA are and now ready to use. It was released Nov. 12. There are many different reasons why people sign up offered many extracurricular activity options including Users can take advantage of a seven day free trial, for this new service. Eighth grade teacher Ms. Jacqueline band, debate, choir, basketball, track and field, baseball then it costs $7 a month. The devices that it supports in- Filardo said Mr. Greenlee‟s brother signed up, and they and Science Olympiad. If they want to participate in clude Android, all pay so they can watch everything they watched when these activities, though, students have to make sure they Apple, Google they were younger. don‟t have any U‟s or 1‟s. A U is a citizenship grade Chromecast, Seventh grader Jamiyah Allen said she signed up that is determined by behavior and homework habits in PlayStation 4, because she heard everyone talking about it and wanted class, and a 1 is a grade that shows students aren‟t mas- Xbox One, LG to see what it was about. tering certain academic material. TVs, Samsung If Disney Plus sounds perfect so far, sorry to tell The way students keep their grades up is by staying TVs and Ama- you, it‟s not. Ms. Filardo said it runs very slowly. Allen up to date with homework and everything. East said he zon Fire de- said when she goes to watch a series, it doesn't always balances sports and school is by making sure to com- vices. have all the episodes she wants to watch. plete homework. The Digital If you are wondering what you should watch, Ms. “You know, good grades are key to playing sports. Trends website Filardo said she recommends shows like “Boys Meet I try to get my work done before I do my sports, and also said it World,” “Lizzie McGuire,” “Even Stevens,” “That's So sports come second,” he said. won‟t include Raven” and “Double Team.” Rowsley said, “I don‟t stress over [balancing anything rated R Allen said, “I recommend „Frozen,‟ because that's school and sports]. Don‟t think too much about it. Just like my favorite movie, and „The Suite Life on Deck.‟” try hard, you know.” “Deadpool,” for Allen also said she‟s excited to watch “That's So Students also participate in things at school such as example. If the Raven” and other shows that came out before her genera- dances and even concerts. Many students enjoy these of the show/ tion. things. East said his favorite part of the school year last Bottom: The home page of the Dis- movie rating is There are additional shows on the way, too. Some of year was the dance. The spring dance is put on by the ney Plus app looks like this. PG-13, then it these include the “Star Wars” series, “Falcon and the NJHS, or National Junior Honor Society. He said he will be trans- Winter Soldier,” “Hawkeye,” “Loki,” “WandaVision,” enjoyed the cool music and decorations at the dance ferred to Hulu, according to various reports. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” “Ms. and how he was able to dance with his friends. According to CNET, one way Disney Plus differs Marvel,” “She-Hulk” and “Moon Knight.” This is the life of a UA Middle School student.

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