“It's Like Something Is Missing”
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Colorism, a it Lan Local police station closing, Geeks Pg. 22 vis e, s Pg Pg. 3 different racism, galore, b . IN THE HEAR T u 2 4 C Pg. 12 OF THE WARRIOR January 2012 Lane Technical College Prep High School Volume 44/Issue 2/Page 1 “It’s like something is missing” Brittany Coffee | 1993-2011 that did not stand out. she would be there,” Smith said. By Agnieszka Chrzanowska “She was different; she did her own thing,” Her friends described her as talkative, & Mary Presley said Nike Omogiate, Class of 2011. “Her opinionated, goofy, outgoing, and humble. hair was always colorful and she didn’t care “At times I thought I wasn’t as pretty [as “I had never been so wide awake during what people thought of her.” Coffee] and [she] would tell me all the things first period,” said Carnesha Smith, Div. 275, Omogiate and Coffee spent most of their she loved about me,” Omoregie said. who spoke with passion and energy when time together during Middle Eastern prac- Outside of school Coffee was undoubtedly talking about time she spent with Brittany tices. Coffee never failed to paint a smile on the center of amusement and laughter, but Coffee, Class of 2011. the faces of fellow club members. during school she was focused. “That’s who she was,” Smith said. “[Coffee] “If she wasn’t a part of Middle Eastern, I “She was driven, respectful, ambitious and was the type of person that had you laughing wouldn’t have had as much fun as I did. Ev- sweet. She was very quiet. The type of stu- every time she was around.” ery time she was there dent you would like to Coffee fell ill during her fall semester at I was always [having a have,” said Mr. Gagliano, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale good time]. I love her “She was an English teacher of (SIUC). She was sent to the hospital on Dec. so much,” Omogiate Coffee’s. 11, 2011 and was diagnosed with pneumo- said. different; she did Math teacher Mr. Elias nia. In addition, her potassium levels were Coffee used Twitter also appreciated her pres- low causing the illness to spread from her left as a means of commu- her own thing. ence in class. lung to the rest of her body. On the morning nication in and outside “She was the motivator of Dec. 13, 2011 Coffee passed away. of the hospital. As her Her hair was on her side of the room, “She was always a little sick. She would final day was approach- encouraging other stu- take a couple of [sick] days out of the year, ing, Coffee’s tweets be- dents to finish their work. but it wasn’t anything this serious,” said Do- came more severe. always colorful She was the one that had minique Omoregie, Class of 2011. “I was at “On Twitter I didn’t guts to ask questions. the hospital visiting her and the doctors said think her tweets were and she didn’t At first not that many she was in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). that serious until they people talked, but as the They let me give her a kiss goodnight. She called and said she care what people year went by she brought was unresponsive and had a lot of tubes died,” said Omogiate. people out of their shells. [connected to] her [body]. I gave the hos- The last tweet she thought of her,” She brought the class to pital my number and the next morning her posted read, “[It is] life,” Elias said. mom and the hospital called me and said she more serious. If you - Nike Omogiate, Coffee’s funeral took was gone.” believe in prayer please place on Dec. 17, 2011 Omoregie was one of Coffee’s best friends pray for me. I’m very, at New Greater St. John and her roommate at SIUC. Their friend- very ill....” Class of 2011 Church in Chicago. ship started five years ago at Lane, which Omoregie had a hard “Her funeral was very gave Omoregie plenty of time to make many time coping with the emotional,” said Maddy memories with Coffee. news. Sopeña, Class of 2011. “There were a lot of “I took her home from school everyday. “It didn’t click until the next couple of people who miss her there. The church was I would be tired but Brittany was always days. I [still] feel like I’m waiting on her to packed.” screaming and singing along to the radio,” call. I keep bouncing out of my sleep think- The speeches made by family, pastors, and Omoregie said. “When she was sleepy she ing she is there. It’s like something is miss- friends helped bring some closure for loved would rub my ear and when she had a head- ing,” Omoregie said. ones in attendance. ache she would rub her head against mine Coffee’s friends considered her to be a won- “Some [speeches] made you laugh and [pretending like] she was giving me her derful friend who could always be counted some kept you crying,” Sopeña said. “Most headache,” laughed Omoregie. on and was always available for moral sup- importantly, she touched the lives of a lot of From her colorful style to her undeniable port. people in the 18 years she was alive... a lot presence, there was nothing about Brittany “She always kept her word when she said of people.” Brittany Coffee displays her trademark flair in style and attitude. Chicago Teachers Union explores idea of work strike longer hours without extra pay, or choose to go on of the PPLC’s proposal, go to http://www.lanetech. some even live in dangerous neighborhoods with By Isaac Ceh strike. org/pplc/lsd.php). gang related activity,” said Ms. Smith a special edu- Just before the winter break Lane’s Faculty took an In a newsletter placed in all Lane teachers’ mail- cation teacher and CTU representative for Lane. Will the 2012-2013 school year see a re-enactment opinion survey asking teachers whether they would boxes on the morning of Dec. 17, the school’s CTU The CTU considers the a strike a real possibility. of the CPS teachers strike of 1987? Lane Tech’s fac- be willing to go on strike if the Chicago Teachers delegates disputed the idea that the extension of next It even made a deal with a local bank allowing CPS ulty is showing strong opposition to the proposal Union (CTU) chose to do so. A staggering 92.4 % year’s school day and year was “a done deal.” It read: teachers to open a savings account that will earn a for an extended school day and school year without teachers at Lane indicated they were indeed willing While Mayor Emmanuel and CEO Brizard say the .25 percent quarterly interest rate - a better rate than the compensation of additional pay. A new law gives to strike if a reasonable negotiation could not be longer school day non-negotiable, it in fact is negotia- most banks offer for a short term plan. The CTU is CPS the authority to lengthen the elementary school made regarding the new school day. ble... everything is negotiable. They want us to work encouraging teachers to set aside money in the event day by 90 minutes, and the high school day by 46. Many believe the only way to avoid a strike is to 29% longer over the course of the school year. The CTU of a strike since they would not be receiving pay- A CPS press release on Jan. 12 announced that raise teacher pay. Still, the school’s administration is wants a 29% raise. Let’s negotiate. checks during that time. CPS is following through on plans for extending the already planning for the longer school day CPS has Also, the PPLC needs to be careful not to present the “If the longer school day does take place, hopefully school day and year. Part of the announcement reads mandated for next year by asking the PPLC (Profes- longer day schedule as if it is a done deal when it is far there will be an expansion of art, music, and other as follows: sional Personnel Leadership Committee) to propose from being a done deal. cultural diverse activities that are designed to benefit With the move to a 7.5-hour day, students will re- a schedule that fits the perameters outlined by CPS. “If there is a longer school day I would like to the students,” Smith said. ceive the additional time they need in core subjects such Next year’s proposed district wide start/stop time see a study hall added to the schedule for the Lane The urgency of redesigning the school system by as math, reading and science, get needed individual of 8:00am - 3:30pm would be accommodated by students, so kids that are struggling can get tutoring newly elected mayor Rahm Emanuel has interrupted instruction to ensure they don’t fall behind, and have the PPLC’s current proposal by getting rid of Di- during the school day,” said math teacher Mr. Toh. the flow of the current system, sparking resentment the opportunity for exposure to enrichment opportuni- vision and adding a 50-minute enrichment period An extended school day would not only affect from the teachers of CPS. ties that were not formerly available. The District also between periods two and three. Enrichment cours- students, but faculty, extra curricular activities, and “[Emanuel’s] still green. He needs to listen and intends to move to a calendar of 180 instructional days, es would be offered over five or ten week periods.