7PMVNFt*TTVF XXXUISFFTJYUZKPVSOBMJTNPSH December 2014–January 2015

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Minnesota Teens Report Stories & Issues That Matter

The pressure to fit in.

Get into college.

Maintain a relationship.

Juggle jobs, extra-curriculars and high school drama.

It can be a lot to take in at such a young age. What are the best ways for teens to take care of themselves—and perhaps even more difficult, take care of each other? @16 w/ THADDEUS ENSURING YOUNG The newcomer HEALTHY sees a bright future on the horizon for the young FUTURES Q Pages 12–20 Timberwolves. Q Page 10

Illustration by Isabelle Loisel 9ROXPH‡,VVXH

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is ThreeSixty Journalism? ThreeSixty Minnesota high school students, particularly low-income Writers in this issue Sagal Abdirahman, St. Louis Park HS · Lujain Journalism is a youth journalism program of the College and minority teens, at summer camps at the University Al-Khawi, Blaine HS · Selam Berhea, Blaine HS · Badekemi Biladjetan, of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas. The of Minnesota. In 2001, the program moved to the Lincoln International School · Simone Cazares, St. Paul Conservatory nonprofit program is committed to helping Minnesota University of St. Thomas and became a year-round with For Performing Artists · Ellie Colbert, Washburn HS · Tyra Davis-Jenkins, teens tell the stories that matter in their lives and a full-time staff. Coon Rapids HS · Dillan DeGross, FAIR School · Daniela Garcia, Edina HS · Hannah Gordon, Washburn HS · Hafsa Guled, communities. What’s the name ThreeSixty Journalism mean? Minneapolis Community and Technical College · Deborah Honore, What is ThreeSixty’s mission? ThreeSixty’s mission In 2006, the program’s name changed to ThreeSixty University of St. Thomas · Katia Kozachok, Perpich Arts High School · is to bring diverse voices into journalism and related Journalism to reflect the program’s full circle growth and Madie Ley, University of St. Thomas · Shay Radhakrishnan, Math and communication professions by using intense, personal the range of backgrounds among the students we serve. Science Academy · Will Ragatz, Southwest HS · Lana Rubinstein, River instruction in the craft and teaching core principles We are interested in telling stories from all parts of our Falls HS · Maya Shelton-Davies, River Falls HS · Kayla Song, Maple Grove to strengthen the literacy, writing skills and college- community, using a variety of media tools, including HS · Amira Warren, St. Louis Park HS · Danielle Wong, Eastview HS · readiness of Minnesota teens. Our students also practice words, photos, illustrations and video. Mina Yuan, Wayzata HS active citizenship and learn valuable professional skills What is the ThreeSixty scholarship? Each year, Illustrators and photographers in this issue Katie Braman, for future internships and job opportunities. the University of St. Thomas awards one ThreeSixty St. Paul Academy and Summit School · Tyra Davis-Jenkins, Coon Rapids Whom do you serve? ThreeSixty Journalism directly Journalism alum a full-tuition, four-year scholarship HS · Daniela Garcia, Edina HS · Elle Jackson, University of St. Thomas · Isabelle Loisel, Edison HS · Maya Shelton-Davies, River Falls HS · serves more than 100 Minnesota high school students to study communication and journalism. If you’ve Ridwa Yakob, Minnesota Community and Technical College each year via classroom instruction, school partnerships, completed a ThreeSixty program and are accepted to individual coaching, summer journalism camps and St. Thomas, you’re in the pool. To learn more about Special use photos Nancy Musinguzi and Patience Zalanga, our student-led editorial board. About half the students the application process, visit www.threesixtyjournalism. freelance photographers served come from low-income homes and more than org/scholarship. Executive director: Chad Caruthers 60 percent come from communities of color. We serve How can I get involved? To inquire about our Editor: Thomas Rozwadowski thousands more via our print publications and website— magazine or submit ideas, essays, photos and artwork, www.threesixtyjournalism.org. e-mail [email protected]. Students are paid for Design consultant: Diana Boger How did ThreeSixty Journalism start? The their published contributions. For summer camps, the Editorial offices: program began as the Urban Journalism Workshop application process typically begins in March at www. Mail 5057, 2115 Summit Ave in 1971. UJW provided basic journalism training to threesixtyjournalism.org. St. Paul MN 55105 651-962-5282 [email protected] FOR MINNESOTA TEACHERS Copyright 2014 All rights reserved The print version of ThreeSixty Journalism magazine will be published  three times during the 2014-15 school year.

If you would like to receive ThreeSixty free of charge, send the following information ThreeSixty is grateful to the following individuals who donate their time to [email protected]. and expertise to ensure the success of the program:

Name ThreeSixty Journalism Board of Advisors Brian Bellmont, Bellmont Partners Public Relations · Dr. Kristie Bunton, University School of St. Thomas · Mike Burbach, St. Paul Pioneer Press · Sue Campbell, Twin Cities Public Television · David Cazares, Minnesota Public Radio · 4DIPPMQIPOFBOEFYUFOTJPO  /VNCFSPGDPQJFT NJOJNVN Duchesne Drew, Star Tribune · Doug Hennes, University of St. Thomas · Scott Libin, University of Minnesota · Dennis McGrath, Himle Rapp &NBJM and Co. · Sara Pelissero, KARE 11 News · Lida Poletz, Weber Shandwick "EESFTT Ex officio member Dr. Terence Langan, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University of St Thomas $JUZ 4UBUF ;JQ Major financial supporters of ThreeSixty Best Buy To get an individual subscription, e-mail [email protected] for more information. Foundation, Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, Knight Foundation, Otto Bremer Foundation, The Saint Paul Foundation and University of St. Thomas

2 threesixtyjournalism.org MIND, BODY & SOUL

The pressure to fit in. Get into college. Maintain a relationship. Juggle jobs, extra-curriculars, social media profiles … and let’s not even dig into the daily high school drama. Teenagers are stressed—that much is certain. Whether it results in committing suicide at a young age, developing an eating disorder or battling the unseen scourge of depression, high school students aren’t equipped to help themselves. Heck, adults have a hard enough time securing the help they need. For teens, what are the best ways they can take care of themselves—and perhaps more importantly, look out for each other? Several ThreeSixty writers address timely topics related to health and wellness with a collection aimed at educating about everything from creative forms of therapy and the importance of self-advocacy to reporting on depression, suicide, eating disorders and social comparison via Facebook and Instagram. Help exists, and it starts with opening up about how we’re hurting. Q Pages 12-20

Send comments to ThreeSixty Journalism CONTENTS DECEMBER/JANUARY Send your letters to ThreeSixty Journalism at 2115 Summit Ave., Ferguson’s faithful witnesses: From page to the stage: Spoken word poetry 5 Mail 5057, St. Paul, MN. 55105. When two local photographers visited Ferguson, gives Twin Cities youth a powerful platform to You can also like ThreeSixty Mo., they didn’t know what to expect while express individuality and activism. Q Journalism’s Facebook page behind the camera lens. Q² or follow us on Twitter and Heating up the environmental debate: Instagram @ThreeSixtyMN. Starting at the ground level: Caring about the climate comes to Minnesota’s Can Michael Walker help young black males defy doorstep in a big way next year. But do teens Connect with us online the achievement gap in Minneapolis schools? His care about sustainability efforts? Q 26 new title is a start. Q 6 Going for broke: Knowing when to make Overcoming odds: music a full-time career can be a tricky proposition A St. Paul Foundation grant allowed ThreeSixty for talented artists, young and old. Q 27 the chance to work with Harding High School More than a fry cook: students on powerful college essays. Q 7–9 A part-time job at McDonald’s was supposed  @16 with Thaddeus Young: to result in a quick paycheck, but it also taught It’s been a tough start to the NBA season for the responsibility and perspective. Q 28 , but their new power Is college worth the cost?: forward remains optimistic. Q 10–11 A future filled with debt shouldn’t be the only Coming back to your community: option for college-focused teens, yet it seems like Fartun Weli’s goals for her local nonprofit are clear: the only one stressed by adults. Q 29 Somali women need to embrace empowerment Opening up the college playbook: and education. Q 22 Twin Cities-based College Possible gives Name of the game: Graffiti artists often get a bad low-income students a helping hand by coaching rap, but there’s creativity behind the chaos. Q 23 them through high school challenges. Q 30

December 2014 / January 2015 3 ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nancy Musinguzi is a documentary photographer, activist and writer based in Minneapolis. A recent graduate of Rutgers University, she uses her skills in photography Back in Missouri, Musinguzi and to engage young people in conversations Zalanga attended a protest at the Old about social justice, community engage- Chasing truth ment and the power of visual art in media. Courthouse in St. Louis, the historic site where African American slave She works as an artist-in-residence at the with a camera Dred Scott sued for his freedom and nonprofit organization, Youthprise. where all his trials took place. The Patience Zalanga is a student at court affirmed that a black person Minneapolis Community and Technical was not—and never could be—a citi- College, pursuing her associate of arts Two local photographers didn’t know what zen so therefore Scott could not sue. degree. A ThreeSixty alum from Como At the Old Courthouse, protesters Park Senior High, she works at The to expect when they joined the Ferguson fray were holding a mock trial indicting Network for the Development of Children the city, National Guard and police. of African Descent, where she assists high “There were all kinds of people— school students with youth participatory white people, black people, kids, action research. Patience loves engaging “I know how to tell the truth.” babies, mothers and fathers—all people with pictures and hopes to —Nancy Musinguzi Selam people from different types of races. become a journalist. Berhea It literally just looked like another Blaine High Truth. It’s often called objective. Civil Rights movement.” Musinguzi School What can we accept as truth? Do described. began chanting “shut it down” and especially because of the video we take the images of looting and The group later assembled at held signs with “black lives matter” evidence available. A number of rioting from a news network like added. “Someone is gonna capture it City Hall, where Musinguzi was sur- painted on them, the woman stood cities have since held protests: CNN and say that’s it? Or is it in the and pen their own perspective on it. prised to find police officers blocking with both middle fingers raised Boston, New York, Los Angeles, blog that denounces the police of Why not let it be mine?” the entrance. in the air, Musinguzi said. When Atlanta and even Minnesota. America as racist and trigger-happy? “We turn around and there are asked if she really wanted her photo According to the Star Tribune, Nancy Musinguzi and Patience SCENES FROM FERGUSON just 60 to 100 police officers in full taken that way, the woman replied there were around 2,000 to 3,000 Zalanga believe that truth is deter- The first trip they took was from out riot gear,” she said. “I’m talking affirmatively. protesters at the Mall of America mined by what perspective you are November 17 to 23, prior to the about with full ammunition and “Why do we have to convince rotunda on December 20 for a viewing it from. So they decided to grand jury announcement on arms raised”. people that this was a tragedy? That #BlackLivesMatter rally. change their perspective from “look- Michael Brown’s case. Brown, an During Black Friday weekend, this is something to be mad about?” After an emotional two months ing in” to “being in.” 18-year-old African American man, both women were also involved Musinguzi said. on the ground, Musinguzi and Musinguzi, a freelance photog- was shot and killed by a police in the #BlackoutBlackFriday, Zalanga both expressed hope for the rapher based in Minneapolis, and officer named Darren Wilson in #ShutdownChesterfieldMall and MORE MOTIVATION movement to continue. They co-own Zalanga, a fellow photographer and Ferguson. His death sparked protests #ShutdownWestCountyMall move- Since late November, the protests a Tumblr blog called The Faithful student at Minneapolis Community in Ferguson and other communities. ments on social media. that stemmed from Ferguson have Witness (thefaithfulwitnessproject. and Technical College, made two It also opened up a national conver- Their goal was to counter what yet to slow down. The movement tumblr.com), and have since posted trips to Ferguson, Mo. in November. sation on the treatment of African they saw as biased covered on major found more reasons to continue their black and white images to help A friend invited Zalanga, 22, Americans by cops. news networks—or images of looting after Eric Garner was put in a combat what they see as biased because of her interest in social On November 24, Robert and rioting that relied on sensation- chokehold by New York police media accounts. justice, one she credits to her father, McCulloch, the prosecutor of the alism, Musinguzi said. The Ferguson officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner Musinguzi said the name of the a professor of anthropology at Bethel case, announced there would be no protests they saw were positive, both was stopped on suspicion of selling blog refers to “faithful witness to University. When Zalanga posted on grand jury indictment—meaning said. That’s the perspective they single cigarettes. There is video evi- the past,” or that “photography has Facebook that she was going with a that no formal charges would be wanted to capture on camera. dence of the officer putting Garner the power to change the direction group, Musinguzi, 23, asked to join. filed against Wilson. On their way “Ferguson is the end of pain. I in a chokehold (which is prohib- of the present, future and shift “For me I think it’s about being back to Minnesota, Zalanga and would say peace,” Zalanga said. ited by the NYPD) and Garner can attitudes on what we understand as someone who documents some- Musinguzi heard the result on the “Solidarity,” Musinguzi added. be heard saying, “I can’t breathe.” fact and truth.” thing,” Zalanga said. “If you don’t radio. While watching the reactions Yet some of the responses they According to the New York City Through their camera lenses, have people in the movement on a livestream, their group decided heard while at the protests were Medical Examiner’s Office, Garner Musinguzi and Zalanga made a documenting it, then people outside to head back to Ferguson. disheartening. People would say, died due to “compression of the choice to add their voices to the mul- of the movement—who don’t know “I went straight to a military “you’re wasting your time” or just neck,” but asthma, heart disease and tiple narratives influencing younger anything about it—will write their surplus store and bought my whole ignore them. obesity were also said to be factors. generations. own narrative.” crew gasmasks because we were Musinguzi and Zalanga even saw Another lack of indictment “Your silence will not protect “I wanted to be in an environment just prepared for anything,” outright anger from a white woman came on December 3 and spurred you … so you have to speak,” where protesters are,” Musinguzi Musinguzi said. at West County mall. As protesters even harsher public reactions Zalanga said.

 threesixtyjournalism.org MORE PHOTOS Special thanks for Nancy Musinguzi and Patience Zalanga for allowing their photographs to appear in ThreeSixty. To view more of their images, visit thefaithfulwitnessproject. tumblr.com. Warning: Language intended for mature audiences.

December 2014 / January 2015 5 school buildings. Starting at the One statement that I’ve been hearing over and over—not the exact words from each person— ground level but basically the same statement, is that “if we do something, we are called out quicker than other groups in our school. So we have Michael Walker gets a new position one opportunity to mess up, whereas other people have three aimed at a familiar objective or four opportunities to make a mistake. The first time we make a mistake, we get kicked out of the classroom or get a behavior (pun- The achievement gap. It’s a common ishment), and other groups have term in education that refers to the Amira Warren more opportunities for that.” disparity in academic performance St. Louis Park There’s an analogy that people Submitted between groups of students. High School use all the time: That you can lead a A product of Minneapolis Public Schools, Michael Walker knows the challenges For black teens, it means con- horse to water, but you can’t make he faces as director of the Office of Black Male Student Achievement. gratulating them for getting a C in them drink. And some people use their classes—as if that’s all they’re were getting ready to go home from business, that’s exactly what they will some young men that are doing that when talking about education. good enough to do. school. And in Minneapolis public show. So it’s all about our expecta- some positive things out there: That We need to ask two clarifying ques- Michael Walker is seeking to schools, high school students take tions of young people. We, as adults, are going to college, that are being tions, because I look at the water as create solutions to the negative the city bus … so they were going have to make sure that we’re setting scholars, that are taking care of busi- education. Obviously, the horse is labels attached to black students—in to the bus stop, and it was kind of those high expectations and having ness. And that story needs to be told, the young people that we’re work- particular, black males. Increasing windy this day. And it was him and that belief that they can reach those as well. ing with. grade averages. Eliminating two of his friends. They wanted to go high expectations.” I’m a licensed counselor by trade, The first question that makes me the achievement gap. Improving inside the bus shelter to, you know, so I went to school and got my want to get clarity on: Have we made graduation rates. It’s a daunting task, get out of the wind so they could stay Helping young African American men masters in counseling. I was taught ... that horse thirsty? What have we Walker admits. warm. in Minneapolis. Where do you begin? that people have the answers to their done to make them thirsty? If we just But as director of the newly “And there was a white lady that That’s the million-dollar question. own issues or concerns or problems, walk a horse to water and we haven’t formed Office of Black Male Student was sitting inside the bus shelter on Because there’s so many entry points and the key as counselors is to go made them thirsty, they’re not gonna Achievement for Minneapolis Public the other side. And he said, ‘As we into the work that there’s not just out and to ask questions. To pull that drink it because they need it. Schools, Walker is trying to meet walked in, she got up and walked one silver bullet that can solve what’s information out. And once we have The second piece of that is: What those goals. His position starts with out. No bus was coming. But she got going on. If there were a silver bullet, that information out, now we can use does the water look like? Are we “listening and building genuine rela- up and walked out of that space. She everybody would be implementing it. that information to develop a plan to giving them water that’s infested tionships with the students,” some- didn’t say anything to me, but the The first place that I’m starting at overcome whatever their obstacle is with all types of nasty things in thing Walker learned as a former fact that she got up and walked out is the ground level, and when I say at or whatever need they have. there? Water that they don’t want? assistant principal at Roosevelt High of that space made me feel a certain the ground level, I want to get input So if you’re doing that, I’m not School, where he also went to school way.’ from the young men themselves What’s a common experience that gonna drink that, either. I think we as a teen. “No sooner than when he finished to get an idea of what they feel like black students have shared with you? have to look at some of the things Walker has heard plenty of sto- that last statement, another kid they’re struggling with and what it is The underlying message that I’m we’re doing in our system, to say, ries, and one in particular clarifies jumped in and said, ‘When they do they feel like they need. hearing is centered around belief. “OK, what is the curriculum like? Is the expectations set for black males that, it makes me want to give them I also want to make sure that we Low expectations of them in the the curriculum nice? Is the curricu- in everyday settings. what they expect.’ And I didn’t say are taking the time to understand classroom. A lot of them feeling that lum relevant to young people? Does “One (black teen) once told me this to the young men at that time, that not all of our young men are in they are being racially profiled when the curriculum value who they are? that no matter where we go, we are but it brought me to the notion that so-called crisis or at risk. We have it comes to discipline in the What do they bring to the table, and looked at as monsters. Those were his it all goes back to expectations. how will we make them thirsty for exact words. And me being a coun- “If we expect our kids to mis- knowledge? Have we showed them selor (at the time), I had to ask more behave and act a certain way, that’s Do you feel that some students are treated differently in what some possible careers are, think questions,” Walker said. exactly what they want to give. He classrooms than others, purely based on racial or religious and have we put them in a situation spot “So he started to give a story, stated that. If you expect them to do backgrounds? How would you change this? where they can see the different and the story was that one day they something positive and take care of WALKER continued on page 9

6 threesixtyjournalism.org SPECIAL PROJECT

Overcoming odds: A Harding essay project

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

This fall, AVID seniors at Harding High School worked with instructor Cori Paulet and volunteer writing mentors Bob Franklin, Jenean Gilmer, Erin Heisler, Lynda McDonnell, Taya Sazama and Mary Turck to explore their personal stories and polish college application essays. The pilot project between ThreeSixty Journalism and two St. Paul schools on the Eastside—Harding and Johnson (in spring 2015)—is funded by the St. Paul Foundation.

Special thanks to AVID teacher Rebecca McQueen, Dr. Lucia Pawlowski, assistant professor of English at the University of St. Thomas, and Dr. Karen Rogers, professor of Special Education and

Staff Gifted Education at St. Thomas. Staff

but my brain and my heart could When it was time for me to to accomplish. I was still only a baby. was giving me the “look.” I couldn’t not. Why? I did not want to accept reveal my secret, I thought that I wasn’t ready to live with another keep up with all the embarrass- Making good the fact that I would soon be a wife, they would deny and disclaim me. family because I felt as if I couldn’t ment and shame. “Life is over for on a miracle daughter-in-law, and most impor- Eventually my family accepted me, be myself. me,” I thought. tantly, a mother. and I had never been happier in my Going to school was difficult I had forgotten that I was car- There are many things that life. The last thing I would want my because I did not want to reveal my rying a miracle within me. When By Mai Jer Thao go through a young mother’s family to do is to disown me as a secret. It was something personal my baby girl Sunshine arrived, head. Being pregnant at 16 years sister and a daughter. between me and my family, but it’s everything changed. I didn’t want The doctor led me into a small and of age was not what I expected. A few weeks after I moved in not easy trying to hide a growing her to grow up in the hands of quiet room. He calmly asked, “Are People judge, people assume, and with my baby’s father and family, belly. I did not want people look- someone who doesn’t see knowl- you sexually active?” people don’t understand. I had it was difficult to adapt. I had new ing at me or see them whispering edge and education as a gift. I knew I hesitated and could only feel my to suffer through the feeling of chores to do, new responsibilities things in each other’s ears about that if I gave up on school, I would heart pounding against my chest. emotional pain and fear running and new rules to learn. At 16, I had me. I remember walking to my bus be giving up on my child. I real- I widened my eyes and stared at all over my body. I was afraid of to call someone else “mom,” which at the end of the school day and ized that I must be mentally and my feet to prevent eye contact. My becoming a mother, a wife, and a felt uncomfortable. I was becoming a an African American girl strolled physically strong in order to be a hands hid under my thighs to keep daughter-in-law. “housewife” and had motherly duties by. I glanced up and saw that she successful mother. me from shaking. I was afraid of I was afraid of what my family As time went by, I grew more what I would hear. would think of me. They are strong confident and had the courage to He paused and patiently waited into education, so they believe that Mai Jer Thao is a Harding senior from a family of go to school. I also had a loving for me to give him an answer. I all the girls in my family should “20 or more” if you count step and half siblings. She family who supported me and still shook my head. He had a confident graduate from college before getting enjoys traditional dancing and singing, believes in does today. Although I may have look and said, “You’re pregnant.” married and having kids. I did not Shamanism and loves art. She is also afraid of butter- struggled through many difficulties, My ears understood the words want them to see me as a different flies. (Yes, butterflies.) I will not let them prevent me from that were coming out of his mouth, person. I haven’t changed. achieving my goals.

December 2014 / January 2015 7 SPECIAL PROJECT

the mailman come by. To my surprise, still works at the same bank with my oldest brother Lee was home early slightly higher pay. That’s not enough Kennedy Xiong is a Harding senior interested in Start of a new “me” from work. He grabbed the mail and to make a good living, especially attending the University of Minnesota once he started looking at it. I remember him when he has bills to pay and provide graduates from high school. He plays tennis, loves By Kennedy Xiong saying, “Look Kennedy, your report for the family. challenges and always strives to “be the best version card! Let’s have a look at what your Lee said in a calm voice, “I realized of myself.” “I’ll do it later. I’m not really feeling it. grades are.” it far too late, Kennedy, but you can I’d rather play video games than do I knew that I was doing badly in still change. If I could go back and homework.” school, and I didn’t want Lee to see redo the choices that I have made, I I started out as a rookie. I didn’t Lee was happy for me. “You keep As the youngest of four children in it. As he looked at my grades, he would.” I showed no emotions, but even know how to hit the ball and doing what you’re doing right now, an immigrant family, I did whatever I frowned. deep inside I was shaking in fear. I hold the racquet. Through my hard Kennedy,” he told me. “I don’t want to wanted and never gave much thought “You need to stop being so lazy, respect Lee as the oldest brother, and work and dedication, by junior year I see you fall back down.” to the consequences. I especially did Kennedy, or you’re going to be like when he told me to change, I did. This was part of the varsity team. Now in I’ve become someone that I this in school. Homework was never me!” he said angrily. “High school is was the start of a new me. my senior year, I am one of three cap- wouldn’t have imagined to be three done. The results? I received terrible where your grades matter. You won’t Focusing on school was like learn- tains. My coach would tell us, “When years ago. It was all because of Lee grades and even failed my Spanish get into a great college without them.” ing a whole new language. I made you step into the court, it’s just you who cared for me. Now I have new class in eighth grade. Thinking back, Lee used himself as an example. myself finish homework assignments and the opponent. Either you fight or goals. I want to be the first in my I’m embarrassed. If I did the work In high school, he slacked off and and studied for all the tests. I received get beat up. This is how life is, and you family to graduate from college. I plain and simple, I would have passed ditched a lot of days. He graduated all A’s my freshman year. Getting good better be ready for it.” This helped me want to show Lee that I learned what the class. with the minimum requirements. grades gave me more confidence, see the importance of my future more he taught me. He made an impact on Everything changed the fall of my He went straight to work and found and the spring of my freshman year, I clearly. I realized that education was my life, and now, with my hard work freshman year. I was sitting on the a job at a bank that paid him $15 an took a big step forward and joined the the only thing that can help me climb and leadership, I plan to make an sofa playing video games when I heard hour. Even now, five years later, he tennis team. up into the world. impact on others.

in circumference and aiming at a myself that I could dribble down the Dribbling toward rim that was about 18 inches in court quickly and shoot three point- Ismael Kamara is a Harding senior originally from diameter, was very intriguing to me. ers. I would just have to work hard to Sierra Leone. He is the eldest of six and can speak a better future Playing that day got me interested get there by watching what the other four languages. A three-sport captain in football, in the flow of . In the people did: How they held the ball, basketball and track, Ismael enjoys anything that summer of 2008, I convinced my dribbled and shot. keeps him active and will be the first in his family By Ismael Kamara mother that basketball was going to When middle school basketball to graduate from high school. be an important aspect of my life. season came around, I tried out. I Up, down, swish. The ball flies I repeatedly asked her to agree to showed that not only did I have the through the net as I watch with let me play. She gazed into my eyes skills, but that I also loved the game. someone the team trusted and community at the same time. Those admiration. As players run up and and was filled with joy at the passion Finally, after four full days of going believed in. All my hard work and judging eyes that watch me while down the court, the squeak-squeak she saw there. She finally gave in, but through conditioning, shooting and determination made me feel like a I am in class asking questions or of their shoes against the floor rings on one condition: I had to continue dribbling drills, the coach told us valuable player. stepping up to lead a group make me in my ear. to focus on my school work and who was on what team. When the This determination to succeed has even more determined to show that Some people become fascinated not let basketball become a distrac- coach said, “Ismael, go the right transferred to other aspects of my life, I am intelligent. I became involved in by a sport. They see how amazing the tion. Feeling as jovial as a kid on side of the court” where most of such as my school work and my every- more school activities, and with my professionals are and they begin to Christmas morning who sees all of the eighth graders were standing, I day life. There was always this percep- determination, I kept fighting to reach imagine themselves in their shoes. the gifts under the tree, I hugged my was so happy I wanted to shout and tion about African American boys, the highest goals possible, such as For me, this sport was basketball. mother graciously. scream right there and then. But I that sports are all that matter to them. becoming a class representative and I didn’t necessarily know the The next day, she took me to the had to keep my cool. To me, education was of equal impor- Homecoming king. fundamentals of basketball when I store to get some basketball shoes, When I got home, all that joy tance, so I was determined to prove Basketball is a great passion of was younger since I was from Africa, shorts, a ball and a water bottle. that was built up inside of me critics wrong. My determination to mine and while there are still more but I was determined to learn the That whole summer, I spent most burst in front of my mom. She become a better shooter in basket- improvements to make as my high game. I was introduced to basket- of my hours dribbling, shooting and was so happy to see me happy that ball transferred to my school work. school involvement comes to an ball during a staff vs. sixth graders working on my skills. While I was at she just laughed. I not only had a I set myself up to be well-rounded, end, I must start looking toward game when I was eleven years old. the recreation center, I realized how major impact on the team’s scoring, to show that African American adulthood. My love of basketball has Running up and down the court, many people were talented at playing rebounding and defensive statistics, boys can love sports, be intelligent showed me that I can do anything dribbling a ball that was 29 inches basketball. Being adamant, I told but more importantly, I became and be involved in their school and KAMARA continued on page 9

8 threesixtyjournalism.org SPECIAL PROJECT

eventually made it. WALKER from page 6 “Another big piece of this is managing expectations. After four to five years in career options in front of them?” Mother’s sacrifice, Thailand, my parents escaped the And that’s … the community … people inside of the school daughter’s debt war and its aftermath and arrived in What expectations do you think the . They didn’t know they have as young men? district, and then also managing my own expectations. This much about anything: Didn’t know I always think of a story about when By Sunny Chang where to go, how to survive, how to I was talking to one of the young is near and dear to my heart. I’m a black male myself, and speak or understand English. Even men over at one of the middle When I gaze into my mother’s eyes, today, my parents still struggle to schools. And a lot of them were so I understand and live the lives of these young people.” I see happiness and my future. She is understand English. Yet even though asking me, “Where do you work at? my world, my star and my universe. my parents weren’t educated like Where’s your building at?” And my My mother and I have been others, they wanted my siblings and building is located on Broadway, inside of that building or who is What are some places you have through many ups and downs, but I me to have a bright future and to be right across the street from inside of that building. And so been looking at? still love her. Through our disagree- successful. They wanted us to pursue Popeye’s Chicken, right in North their reality is that, “Well, those The biggest place is Oakland, Calif. ments, I have learned that everyone our dreams. Minneapolis. The school was also in jobs that I’m gonna be able to get They were the first school district to makes mistakes. But when I think of Over the years, my mother has North Minneapolis. are the cashier or the busboy or create an office specifically for black the difficult and loving decisions she taught me many lessons in order And I said, “Have you ever been the stockperson.” males, and they have been in exis- has made in order to give me a future to help me reach my goals. When I to the Davis Center?” If that’s what your frame of tence for about four years. Before I in America, I love and appreciate was young, she told me, “If you want And he’s like, “No, I don’t even reference is, they’re smart enough got into this position, they came out everything she has done. others to respect you, you must be know what the Davis Center is.” to know that I don’t need a college to Minneapolis and talked to our top Before coming to America, my accountable and be of service to And I said, “Really, it’s the build- education in order to get that job. leadership about the importance of parents escaped from Laos after others.” She modeled this each and ing right across the street from I don’t need that kind of knowl- the office and what were some of the the Vietnam War. For my mother, it every day as she cared for our family Popeye’s Chicken. You’ve never edge because of where I’m going. strategies that they were using to try wasn’t easy. She was pregnant with by cooking and cleaning the house. been in the Davis Center?” Because I see it right here. to impact some of that change. my sister and surrounded by turmoil. She would always put me first if I was “No, I’ve never been in there, Another big piece of this is BOOM! A Thai soldier threw sick: Staying home to look after me but I’ve walked past it like 10 or 12 What does the achievement pro- managing expectations. And that’s a grenade at the Hmong people. and cook my favorite sweet, warm times.” gram that you are building look like? managing the expectations of the “Get on my back!” my father yelled, porridge. So again, me being a counselor, I’m (four) months into the job. I community, managing the expecta- making a run to the Mekong River. Now it is my turn to return the I’ve got to ask a few more questions. haven’t solved anything, and the tions of people inside of the school There were many people who didn’t favor. My mother made me the And so I said, “Have you been inside great thing about it, no one has district, and then also managing my make it across the river because the person I am today, and now I will Popeye’s Chicken?” solved it yet. And it’s not like this own expectations. This is near and currents pushed against them and do my best to take care of her. As I He’s like, “Yeah!” is a field that anyone’s involved in, dear to my heart. I’m a black male the icy cold water chilled them to the see my future reflected in her eyes, I “Have you been inside Cub so it’s gonna take time. We have to myself, and so I understand and live bone, making them weak. My parents envision how my success will inter- Foods right down the street?” remember that. It wasn’t overnight the lives of these young people. were among many of the Hmong who twine with loving and supporting “Yeah!” that we got to this situation. It isn’t sought safety in Thailand, and they her, my dear mother. “Ever been inside Marvin’s overnight that we’re going to fix What direct experience do you think Liquor Store?” the situation. benefits you most in this job? “Yeah!” Right now, I’m just doing all the Before I got into education, I Sunny Chang is a Harding senior who loves shopping, “Taco Bell?” listening phases. I started to come worked for the YMCA, and so I was spending time on the Internet and hanging out with “Yeah!” up with a plan of action … increase working at a nonprofit with young friends. While in high school, she has noticed a And then I asked him a second graduation rates, increase read- men. So I’ve seen it from both sides. personality shift, allowing her to become someone question: “Do you know what jobs ing and math proficiency, increase And when I took on this role, I who is “louder, talks a lot and can be funny.” are in those buildings and in those attendance and decrease both started to see some of the students spaces?” behavior that results in out-of- that I have lost in the past—all those “Yeah, cashier, stock boy, school suspensions and out-of- who have not made it, who are and a person to push the carts class referrals. I’m still developing unfortunately dead, or went away KAMARA from page 8 given up or been given up on. This in …” So they knew all those differ- that plan. to jail. if I am just determined to do it. determination will follow me into ent positions. Some folks have been I still know those students. I still Basketball has taught me to work college if I am admitted. It made me step back and successful in Minneapolis, and know their names. They come with through obstacles and overcome Boom, boom, goes between the think that we have this building there are some places nationally me on this journey every single day. challenges. It made me become legs, then behind the back, a quarter in North Minneapolis, with tons that have done great things, so So that’s kind of what my motiva- an example for my fellow African spin, extends arm, shoots and … of professionals in there, and I’m looking at all of that to see tion is. To not allow that to happen. American boys at school that had swishhhh. the students have no idea what’s what pieces to implement.

December 2014 / January 2015 9 wish. Swish. Swish. Having just finished a hard practice at his new team’s Lifetime Fitness Sfacility inside the Target Center, seven-year NBA veteran Thaddeus Young knocks down jump shots with a broad smile spread across his face. He has plenty of reasons to be in a good mood. After winning only 19 games last year as a member of the , Young joined the Minnesota Timberwolves in August as part of a historic trade that saw the franchise part ways with its disgruntled superstar, , and acquire the past two No. 1 overall draft picks. Young spent his first seven seasons in the NBA with the 76ers, the team that selected him 12th overall in the 2007 draft. He experienced some highs— including two playoff berths—but many more lows. Last year’s 19-win team lost 26 straight games at one point, tied for the longest streak in league his- tory. In his seven years, he also played for five different coaches. Now he’s on a team that has an accomplished coach in Flip Saunders and one of the most talented prospects in recent memory, . The optimism surrounding this young roster is one that hasn’t been present in the Target Center for a decade, and the team’s new 6-foot-8 power forward is thrilled to be part of it. “I was very happy about the situation I was coming into. They were acquir- ing a lot of young guys to try to rebuild the team very quickly, as opposed to Philly where they weren’t trying to do too many things, they were trying to just wing it and keep going at a steady pace,” Young said during an interview in late October. “This organization is trying to get back to the playoffs and trying to do something real big this year.”

Unfortunately, after a prom- ising start to the season, the Will Ragatz Timberwolves have been decimated Southwest by injuries. Young is second on the High School team in scoring but also missed some time after the death of his mother, Lula Hall, to cancer. eighth NBA season, Young chat- For Young, playing basketball ted with ThreeSixty about his high wasn’t a given—even as the son school days, his new team, and of former NBA draft pick, Felton becoming old enough to serve as a Young. However, at Mitchell High “mentor” on the young Wolves. School in Memphis, he used a com- bination of natural athletic ability You were a really good player in and hard work to become one of the high school, won a lot of awards and best players in the country. The 2006 were a top five recruit. What was it Tennessee Gatorade Player of the like getting national attention at a 16 Year and one of the top recruits in young age? his class, Young began his profes- It was great. You get a chance to get a @ sional career after a lone season at feel for some of the things that go on . like they do in the NBA. Lots of people There’s a lot more to Young than know you. They tend to flock to you the typical NBA player, too. He was and ask for autographs and stuff like a 4.0 student in high school. He’s a that. It was a great feeling having a husband and has two young sons. great fan base in high school. He even started a foundation to help at-risk kids. What were the best and worst parts

David Sherman Shortly before the start of his of the recruiting process?

10 threesixtyjournalism.org The worst part is, you change your The Young file number five or ten times and they somehow get your number and call Profession: Minnesota Timberwolves power forward you and call you and call you. Now the rules have changed slightly, but it Age: 26 was a great experience because you High school: Mitchell High School, Memphis have college coaches calling you and College: Georgia Tech so many people want you to come to Career highlights: Averaged a career-high 17.9 points and six rebounds their school and be part of their pro- during the 2013-14 season with the 76ers. Named to the NBA T-Mobile gram. It makes you happy and very All-Rookie Second Team in 2007-08. In high school, was a McDonald’s enthused about going to college. All-American, three-time All-State selection and member of National Honors Society. Why did you end up choosing Georgia Tech over schools like North Find ‘em: On Twitter @yungsmoove21 Carolina and Kentucky (who were both recruiting him)? I think it was a great situation for me, youngest player in the league during you think?” and we’re going back and they were known for one-and-dones your rookie year to now being one forth about things. I’m just spitting and were a great academic school. of the more veteran guys going into down my wisdom to ‘em and just The education part was real big for your eighth year. What’s that like? letting them know: This is how it’s me because I was a 4.0 student in high It’s a huge change. It’s crazy, because gonna be, this is what you should school. Also, the coaches welcomed I look at some of the young guys now expect, this is what you need to do, me in and I felt like it was a family and I’m like, “Was that how I was this is what you shouldn’t do … atmosphere. And I had a relationship when I first came in?” But now you’re with one of the players already on the much wiser, you have more experi- What are some of the reasons for team, as far us playing against each ence and you know certain things your success in basketball? other, playing with each other and just that get you by on the court that they My character and my ability to go being around each other. don’t know. out there and guard multiple posi- tions and be very active and pesky on Do you think the fact that your dad Is there stuff that you know now that defense. was drafted in the NBA put a little Bernstein Andrew you wish someone would’ve told you added pressure on you to be a suc- It’s hard to believe that 26 qualifies you as a veteran in the NBA, but Thaddeus Young when you were a rookie? Are you prepared for the Minnesota cessful basketball player? Was that has a lot of mentoring ahead of him while playing with so many exciting rookies. Yeah, plenty of things. (Laughs). winter weather? something your parents expected? I just wish I had certain guid- No. I’ve heard it gets pretty crazy. No, not at all. Actually, before I and stuff like that. It was a different scoring, of course, and I think this ance as far as just helping me out. It got pretty bad in Philly, but not played basketball, I was a football ballgame when I reached my senior team can make the transition to get Sometimes when you come into the like what I’ve been hearing (about player. I played football for prob- year. back to the playoffs. league, a lot of guys are looking at Minnesota). I’ve heard it’s gonna be ably three or four years. I broke my you as taking their position and stuff like negative 20, negative 30, but I collarbone and that was the end of You mentioned being a 4.0 student in How did your first seven years in like that, so they don’t really wanna hope it doesn’t get there. (Laughs). football. Basketball, I just kind of high school. What were some of the Philly contribute to your development help guide you. My second year, I really got into it when I was 14 or 15 things you were thinking about doing as a player? think I had it more than anything, Can you talk a little about the Young years old and got really, really good if basketball didn’t work out? I’ve been through the ups and where I was on a team with Reggie for Youth foundation and why you in a few years, and just stuck with it. I actually wanted to be a really good downs, seen a lot of different players, Evans and guys like that, and they started that? financial advisor and work for one seen a lot of different coaches, been were helping me get by and showing Basically, it was just to help at-risk Around what age did you realize that of those big companies that does a through a lot of different GMs, two me how to figure out things. kids. We go from clothing kids, to you had what it took to make it to the lot of financial planning and helping different ownership groups—so I’ve prom dress drives for young ladies, NBA? people get their life in order. seen a lot of change. It’s helped me Do you feel like now you can be to feeding kids, to ACT prep courses, I’d probably say when I started seeing adapt to change in my career and a mentor to young guys like Zach SAT prep courses, Big Brother-Little my name on draft boards coming out Can you talk a little bit about why change in the team structure. So that (LaVine), Andrew (Wiggins) and Brother programs, so we do a lot of of high school—11th and 12th grade. you’re excited for this season? was big in helping me, coming here Anthony (Bennett)? different things. We’ve hired tutors But more senior year, people started We’re young, we’re athletic, we with this (latest) change. Yeah, definitely. Whenever they to help the kids within our AAU pro- talking to me, agents started trying have a good mixture of young guys come to me, they wanna talk to me gram improve their grades to qualify to get into contact with my parents and veteran guys. We have a lot of You’ve gone from being the second and pick my brain and ask “what do for college and stuff like that.

December 2014 / January 2015 11 health & wellness

“In a traditional talk therapy Coping through session, you have two players—the client and the therapist. In art therapy, it is like there is a third party creative intensity invited to the session, and often times that third party can be quite revealing,” DeCamillis said. “Different individuals need dif- Expressing pain by creating art ferent forms of experiences to access their inner selves. The goal is the can help with the healing process same—to help that person grow … and find meaning of themselves and their life experiences.” So, how do teens—who are Staff While walking through the Adler Erin Rafferty-Bugher, a field experience coordinator at the Adler Graduate School notorious for stubborn, tight-lipped Graduate School, you’ll find an Danielle Wong in Richfield, grew up appreciating creative approaches to problem solving. behavior—respond to therapy from impressive array of artwork hanging Eastview DeCamillis and Rafferty-Bugher? from the walls, sitting on tables, and High School After her father’s death, Allison DeCamillis believes that teens even hanging from the ceilings. DeCamillis began the therapeutic respond well to art and other cre- But one painting stands out from process of expressing her feelings ative outlets because they have the the rest. to appreciate art, and to experience through art. opportunity to “be with” emotions It’s an intricate assortment of art, and to do art,” Rafferty-Bugher “My father had died when I was and experience. While working shapes and colors that all seem to said. five and it wasn’t until I was a teen at a pediatric hospital in the bone lead back to the center of the paint- that I knew the emotional impact marrow unit, DeCamillis found ing. A circle. ART AS HEALING his loss had on my life ... I had an AP herself helping the “tough” patients, “This is a mandala ... It really According to the American Art art teacher who encouraged me to typically teens. focuses on wholeness,” said Erin Therapy Association, art therapy is a explore this loss through a series of “Art allowed these teens the

Rafferty-Bugher, an art therapist with nonverbal form of therapy that uses artworks,” she said. Staff space to explore what they just didn’t the University of Minnesota Amplatz art and other creative mediums for “I remember reworking a pencil Art therapy students display masks that seem to have words for. We explored Children’s Hospital and field expe- healing and life-enhancement. image of my father’s face and how express behaviors they want to model. anger, sadness, rage, humility, shame, rience coordinator at the Adler “Utilizing the art helps—actually tears would flow each time I erased fear, hope, joy, and even death,” she Graduate School in Richfield. it connects—both sides of the brain,” his features. That same teacher “I’m completely open in my prac- said. “Through the art, we were able After taking just one introductory Rafferty-Bugher said. “It engages introduced me to the concept of art tice to work with people in any cre- to sit together in these really hard course, Rafferty-Bugher fell in love all parts of the brain depending on therapy.” ative capacity,” she said. “Typically, and often dark places and emotions, with the idea of using art to heal, and the different medias that you use ... Now, DeCamillis is the program yes, I’ll use the visual art mediums, but the art somehow supported the immediately took as many classes different parts of the brain can be director at Gilda’s Club Twin Cities, but I have sandboxes in my studio, intensity of these experiences.” as she could to get her master’s in utilized at different times.” an organization designed to help I have music in my studio, and we Depression and anxiety are Art Therapy at the School of the Art On an even more detailed level, people with cancer—and family/ have yoga mats, too. Whatever it common trends Rafferty-Bugher sees Institute of Chicago. Now, she works creating artwork can help connect friends they’re associated with—cope takes.” among her adolescent patients. Some as an art therapist with various orga- new neural pathways within the and heal. of the most severe cases she has nizations, including Adler. brain. This helps integrate emo- Known nationwide for its signa- OPEN EXPLORATION worked on consist of teens that have Adler provides masters level tions, thoughts, experiences and ture red door, Gilda’s Club functions It’s a unique approach that isn’t histories of trauma—or their depres- programs, post-degree licensing sensations. as a place where kids, teens and aligned with the scene we often see sion was so critical, they became options and certificate programs to “The opportunity for people to adults alike can find the support in movies or on TV: A psycholo- suicidal. train future human services profes- use art helps connect them to some they need to get through the day. gist facing a young patient while “Some (cases were) not as severe, sionals. Students take part in highly experiences that might have been Programs don’t just center on art asking, “How do you feel?” A but still as important to take care of, condensed training programs while … tucked back in there, because of therapy, but also incorporate yoga, psychologist rarely faces a teen and hopefully prevent some of those receiving hands-on experience some painful things that have gone other expressive arts and even nutri- and gives them a piano or painting extreme cases,” Rafferty-Bugher working among the metropolitan on,” Rafferty-Bugher said. “It gives tion programs to help keep patients easel. Then again, Beethoven and said. “Kids and adolescents have a community. a place for that to be externalized healthy and engaged. Picasso may never have discovered hard time expressing their feelings “My dad raised us with this cre- ... and it can either be talked about For Rafferty-Bugher, art is only music and art as creative outlets verbally, (even) knowing how they’re ative way of parenting, and we always or managed, giving that person an one piece of the puzzle when it had they not been drawn to their feeling, and then to ask them to talk had that heavy influence in our lives opportunity to heal.” comes to helping patients heal. healing qualities. ART THERAPY continued on page 13

12 threesixtyjournalism.org health & wellness

ART THERAPY from page 12 strengths—many of which I didn’t my disability—and how I need to about their feelings with words is Don’t let a disability know I had. Now that I was diag- counter problems with my strengths. very challenging.” nosed, I could stop focusing on what If I get stuck on an assignment I’m I couldn’t do and use my newfound working on, it’s not because I can’t CREATIVE COMFORTS get you down strengths to my advantage. do it. I need to find a different way to For Clare Judge, an eighth grader One of those strengths I’ve dis- look at it so the problem or question at St. Therese Catholic School, covered is writing. Since being diag- eventually makes sense to me. singing, dancing and acting are nosed, writing has become a passion I am a student who has faced the only ways she can relieve Accepting a new challenge can lead to of mine. For the past three years, adversity and I intend to continue to stress and anxiety. I’ve been writing for ThreeSixty excel in life. My future goals are to go “I feel like when you write stuff major mental breakthroughs Journalism, where I get to use my to college and become a journalist. down on a piece of paper, people strengths by working with concrete However, the struggle continues as I don’t really get to feel your emo- information and write using facts apply for colleges and try to convince tions,” Judge said. “I’ve never been and information obtained through admissions counselors that I am good at writing, so doing all the It was 3 a.m. Instead of sleeping, I sat interviews. And as an introvert, more than my ACT score, a test that Simone Cazares stuff that I do, like dancing and awake on the couch trying to finish St. Paul writing also gives me the chance to reflects my disability more than it singing and theatre ... (it’s) really the homework I had been working Conservatory think about what I want to say—in shows my ability. That doesn’t mean the only way.” on since 4 o’clock that afternoon. For Performing my own time and without inter- I can’t succeed, though. With proper Added Rafferty-Bugher: It’s late, and of course, I was tired. Artists ruption. At ThreeSixty, I’ve recently accommodations for my unique “That’s the beauty of art and It was hard to stay awake, but I con- been promoted to Senior Reporter, learning style at school—extra time music and all those creative forms tinued to push through, determined burnout—but could not understand the highest rank in the program. In and modified tests, namely—I’ve of expression. It’s a safe way to to get the work done. why their once motivated student addition, I have even won awards been more successful. put those feelings on a paper, The next morning, I turned in the would not go to school. Unaware of for my work from the Minnesota using markers or pens or crayons homework only to get low scores on all the time I was putting into my Newspaper Association. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF or clay and paint. And you can say everything. work, they also believed I should be Getting those accommodations this is how I feel. This is it.” “You’re not trying,” my teachers trying harder. But they knew some- ACCEPTING ADVERSITY wasn’t so easy, though. As a student And don’t worry: Your skill in told me. thing else was wrong. They decided It just goes to show that people with a learning disability, I’ve those mediums isn’t important. Up until that point, I had been to get me evaluated for a learning with learning disabilities can learned the importance of self- A common misconception about getting by in school and managed disability. accomplish great things. I am advocacy. It’s not easy, but in order creative therapy is that an artistic to get good grades. However, as I The process of being diagnosed merely one example. to get the accommodations you’re background is necessary for it to advanced in school, the work only was long and hard. I spent the day Unfortunately though, many still entitled to, you have to speak up work effectively. seemed to get harder and harder. with a neuropsychologist where assume that people with disabilities for yourself. “I think my most successful Over time, the English assignments I struggled to arrange blocks into will never succeed. Some people Sure, it still upsets me that my experiences have been with the I used to breeze through took me nonsensical patterns, categorize make fun of students with disabili- teachers simply assumed that I kids that have actually stated, ‘I all night to finish. As the readings pictures and attempt to memorize ties in class and seldom give them a wasn’t trying, that they couldn’t hate art. I’m a sports person,’” became more difficult, I had trouble lists of words. In the end, I was chance to showcase their strengths. spot the signs of a learning dis- Rafferty-Bugher said. “The thera- deciphering the complex concepts diagnosed with a nonverbal learning But that shouldn’t be the case. ability, or at least help me get the peutic relationship is first. And underlying the material. Eventually disability, which causes difficulties Having a learning disability resources I needed to succeed. And then it’s finding those gifts within it got to the point where I couldn’t with problem solving and reading doesn’t mean you’re incapable of I definitely think they could be each person that, ‘Yeah, you know keep up any more. comprehension in people who are, doing something: It just means you trying harder to help students who what, maybe I am a little cre- I felt like a failure. All of my as it turns out, exceptional in verbal may have to do it differently than are really struggling. ative’... Anyone can do it.” friends were doing well in school communication. others. It’s about learning how to But there’s also a lot I could “I like to think that conduct- without having to put in much effort. Finding out that I had a learn- focus on your strengths rather than have done. I could have reached ing an art therapy session is Why couldn’t I be like them? ing disability changed everything. battle your weaknesses. out to my teachers, told them I often like creating a piece of art. It gave me an explanation for many That’s a lesson I’ve learned to was struggling and that I needed I create in response to what is HITTING BOTTOM of the things I struggled with all my keep in mind every day. For me, it help. Self-advocacy is a hard skill to shared in the session. It is much Frustrated and exhausted, I finally life, but also pointed out a lot of my means that I have to be aware of learn, though. In fact, it’s some- like sculpting—you build, you gave up, refusing to go to school. thing I’m still working on today. take away, you add a bit more,” If all the work I put in seemed to But I’m getting there. DeCamillis added. amount to nothing, then why should Have you ever struggled to ask for help from an adult or peer? And these days, instead of staying “Art and life are full of I even try at all? think How did you recognize the warning signs, and what can be up all night to get my work done, I done to include other people without feeling embarrassed metaphors. So is the therapeutic My parents noticed my sudden spot sleep soundly knowing that despite about your difficulty? process.” change in behavior—a total my disability I can do anything.

December 2014 / January 2015 13 health & wellness

people of all different ages and gen- Not just a ders, not only teenage girls. Clifton said eating disorders follow the bio-psycho-social model— teen problem that is, biologically, some might have a “generic predisposition to develop one” or “if mom and dad struggled with an eating disorder, that might The truth about eating disorders is that make you develop one.” On the other hand, Clifton said they can affect anyone—even guys that eating disorders can also develop in perfectionists as a psychological defense mechanism when they feel Illustration by Isabelle Loisel isolated and alone, often alienating Ten minutes of reading a fashion students about the truth surrounding Kessler, a sophomore at Wayzata them further. magazine is all that it takes for some- Mina Yuan eating disorders. High School. “I, personally, have never had an one to feel worse about his or her Wayzata “One of the most important “It’s easier to imagine a girl eating disorder, but I am friends with own body. High School things we are trying to do is break having an eating disorder. Stress is many that have, and I never know With such a sobering statistic in down stereotypes surrounding eating present throughout life, but it is seen much about what they go through mind, Keri Clifton isn’t surprised that disorders,” Clifton said. “Often when more in teens due to schoolwork, because they never open up to people eating disorders in the United States misconceptions about these increas- you think of someone with an eating peer pressure, concern over appear- about it,” said Kenzie Mertz, a stu- are on the rise. ingly common diseases still exist. disorder, you’re thinking of someone ance, social status, wealth, and much dent at the University of Minnesota. According to Clifton, community Clifton has worked for the Emily who is young, thin, white, female and more,” he said. “From what I see however, they are outreach coordinator for the Emily Program, an eating disorder treat- in a well-off family.” never happy.” Program, more than 50 percent of ment program based in St. Paul, It’s an image that instantly springs CAUSE AND EFFECT Finally, societal causes of eating Americans know someone suffer- for five and a half years. Her job is to mind because “generally, girls are The truth is that due to their com- disorders manifest themselves in ing from an eating disorder. Yet to educate middle and high school portrayed as more stressed,” said Nick plexity, eating disorders impact everyday American culture. The joy of educating others

By Mina Yuan self,” Nollenberg said. “I didn’t know this as the size of my thighs was a visible flaw that Wayzata High School a child, but as an adult I’ve come to realize had been pointed out, I was going to elimi- that her behavior (was) typical of people with nate it.” Joy Nollenberg, founder of the Joy Project Borderline Personality Disorder.” Nollenberg’s anorexia developed to the in Minneapolis, can vouch for the lack of Nollenberg’s mother rapidly fluctuated point that she was only consuming between awareness surrounding eating disorders. In between the “good mom” who loved and 100 and 400 calories per day, until the doc- February 2006, Nollenberg founded the non- bonded with her daughter, and the “bad tors on her college cheer team informed profit program following her own struggles mom” who hit and ridiculed Nollenberg her that she would die if she did not receive with anorexia. when she was not behaving “properly.” treatment. A star student in school, as well as a Nollenberg learned to fret over every flaw, “I literally had no choice,” she said. “I just ballet dancer, cheerleader and figure skater, physical or otherwise, hoping to keep her couldn’t survive and be eating-disordered Nollenberg outwardly seemed successful and mother happy. anymore.” satisfied with her teenage life. Yet behind “I learned that acceptance is fleeting,” Unfortunately for Nollenberg, her insur- Joy Nollenberg her cheerful image was a teenage girl with a Nollenberg said. “Acceptance only resulted ance company did not cover treatment for mother Nollenberg referred to as “the per- in you letting your guard down and showing eating disorders. No matter where she went, everyone had abandoned me. I was alone,” sonification of Dr. Jekyll (and) Mr. Hyde.” your vulnerabilities, which would only be no one would offer her help. Kicked out by Nollenberg said. “Personally, I think the single biggest used against you later when the other person her roommates and no longer attending work “And then, the ‘me’ in me got good and factor in the development of my eating was upset with you. So yes, I absolutely or classes, Nollenberg decided to take things pissed. I mean really, really, really pissed. disorder was how my mother’s extremely learned that survival required elimination of into her own hands. I thought of all the other people in the erratic behavior influenced my sense of every potential visible flaw. And, by God, if “I guess I felt like, at that point in my life, world who just went about their daily lives

 threesixtyjournalism.org “In our culture, there’s that which is difficult to do if you are too and variety of their food intake, is the care when they need it, because they blogs are popular because they are stereotypical female, there’s that thin or too heavy,” Kessler said. “I most common eating disorder. Yet think, ‘Oh, I’m not that. I’m not that seen as a form of community. stereotypical chiseled six-pack male, sometimes feel too thin, no matter while anorexia has the highest mortal- sick, so I should be fine,’” she said “It has been my experience at the and those images make an impact on how much I try to eat. Though I’ve ity rate, it is actually the least common Joy Project that people who gravitate us,” Clifton said. “We consume (those gotten over this, I have tried in the past eating disorder in the United States, THINSPIRATION BACKLASH towards (thinspiration) forums as images) all day and every day.” to eat more to appear more ‘normal.’” according to the Emily Program. Yet the spread of eating disorders is a means for connection are often Mertz has also noticed how ideal According to the Emily Program, “Anorexia is the most visible not only perpetuated by the public’s people who are alone and scared,” bodies vary across different cultures, about 10 percent of people diagnosed eating disorder when someone is misconceptions, but also the culture Nollenberg said. making it even more difficult for with eating disorders are male, and quite chronic and thin, so it’s an easy of the 21st century. “They feel misunderstood by people to feel comfortable in their the number is probably higher since image to latch onto in terms of the Thinspiration blogs, which people around them who don’t own skin. males often do not seek treatment. devastating impact it could have on combine the words “thin” and have eating disorders. The Internet “I went to Nicaragua for six weeks Those are the stigmas Clifton works someone’s body,” Clifton said. “inspiration,” often post pictures of provides a means of connection for a few years ago, and the people there hard at breaking down. “I think we’re looking for a quick slim people that bloggers emulate, them to reach out to people who thought I looked too thin and sickly,” “As a male, it seems more unusual visual—‘Oh, that’s what that looks sometimes for healthy weight loss, understand what it’s like to have an she said. “My body type is average or … to have an eating disorder,” Kessler like’—when in reality, there just isn’t and sometimes not. Some thinspi- eating disorder.” semi-curvy, so I believe I would be said. “If I had an eating disorder, I one.” ration bloggers state that they are With all the images, all the mis- considered a plus size in society, in the would have trouble discussing it with The most common eating disor- pro-ana or pro-mia—code names for conceptions, all the stereotypes—it’s U.S., because I’m definitely bigger than someone because feeling insecure is der is binge-eating disorder, in which anorexia and bulimia. Commonly why education about early identifica- a size four… But people (in Nicaragua) always somewhat of a touchy subject.” a person loses control over their found on pro-ana and pro-mia blogs tion and fostering a healthy, support- thought I wasn’t big enough.” As for the thin part of the “young, diet and often becomes obese as a are images of frighteningly thin “role ive environment remains essential, thin, white, female” stereotype, result, showing that victims of eating models” and reminders to control Nollenberg said. GENDER STEREOTYPES Clifton said that not all people disorders are not always emaciated, food intake. “Most loved ones want to jump in Perception of the perfect body differs suffering from eating disorders are Clifton said. Joy Nollenberg, founder of the Joy and ‘fix’ the person, or they want to in varying countries, but gender is “extremely” thin. “You can’t always tell when a Project, a nonprofit eating disorder take control of the eating disordered just as important as cultural factors. A common misconception is that person has an eating disorder just awareness organization, acknowl- person’s food intake. These are well- “Boys are portrayed (by the media) anorexia, an eating disorder in which by looking at them. That stereotype edged that thinspiration is generally intentioned ideas, but they’re not as playing sports and being athletic, people severely restrict the amount makes (people) less likely to access negative, but added that “thinspo” particularly useful,” she said.

restoring weight. But it is only after a person remember feeling such tremendous anxiety “The goal of the Joy Project is to fill in the has endured the withdrawal process that they that I found myself turning all my lights off, gaps caused by inadequate access to eating can truly start to do the hard work of recov- huddling in a corner with my arms around disorder treatment, and create a dialogue ery. After detox from drugs, a person might my knees, rocking myself in an attempt to between researchers, treatment profession- without a care in the world, doing whatever then begin an intensive rehab program where comfort myself.” als and those affected by eating disorders in the hell they wanted like it was no big deal. their mental health is the focus. But that’s Desperate to end the cycles, Nollenberg order to foster a better understanding of how And I thought, ‘Well, nobody ever bothered when an eating-disordered person is often joined a research study on binge eating in to help people not only recover, but remain to ask me if they were ‘allowed’ to exist. dropped to a lower level of care. That’s also which she was given a self-help book, which recovered,” she said. Nobody ever asked me if they were allowed where they are most likely to relapse.” helped her to regularize meal times and sizes. Through the Joy Project, Nollenberg set to make mistakes, to take up space, to step In Nollenberg’s case, relapses of her As her body learned how to readjust to larger up weekly support groups, shared her his- on my toes, or to just be. And then I figured, restrictive behavior alternated with vicious amounts of food, Nollenberg found herself tory with anorexia and binge-eating disorder well, if they don’t need permission, then cycles of binge eating and guilt as she con- feeling ravenous and gaining weight rapidly. in a compilation of stories about recovery neither do I.” vinced herself that she needed to eat more With the aid of months of recovery and called “You Are Not Alone, Volume 2,” and Nollenberg found a job at a day care in order to recover. Some days, she would the support of her boyfriend, Nollenberg talked to members of Congress to increase center and started to increase her caloric eat peanut butter by the jar, and others she learned to enjoy all aspects of life, including eating disorder and mental health aware- intake. She moved into her own apartment would furiously exercise to compensate for food. Her weight gain slowed and gradually ness, especially regarding misconceptions in downtown Minneapolis. Yet her struggles her binges. reversed as her metabolism recovered. about victims. with anorexia were long from over. “My moods were insane. The mood swings However, while recovery had worked “Until recently, the field has viewed eating “The best analogy here would be to the made me feel like I was losing my mind,” out well for Nollenberg, she knew that this disordered individuals as being ‘crazy’ or (as process of drug or alcohol addiction,” she Nollenberg said. “Sometimes when I started was not the case for many other people with having) ‘flawed brains,’” Nollenberg said. “My said. “The first step is to go through physical eating, I’d get … high. Like literally, ecstati- eating disorders whose insurance companies hope is that the conversation about eating withdrawals from the drug—that’s similar cally high. But after eating, I’d flip to the other did not cover treatment. In response, she disorders will change and expand to cover the to restoring regular eating behaviors (or) end of the spectrum. One particular night, I founded the Joy Project. full spectrum of eating disorders.”

December 2014 / January 2015 15 health & wellness

“There is never Raising flags, one thing that leads saving lives somebody to suicide.” friends, family members and a com- munity to support them physically, Factors that contribute to teen suicide emotionally and spiritually. “Many kids are bullied and do not are often complex, connection-based commit suicide. It may be a piece of it, but not the whole explanation. There are other pieces beneath the layers … Bullying is often just the “Honestly, when we found out the straw that broke the camel’s back,” news, it was a complete shock.” Lujain Heinen said. Blaine High School student Al-Khawi Blaine High Hayley Pierce-Ramsdell fell into ACTIVE BYSTANDERS School despair when her close high school But if it really is just about bullying, friend, someone she considered a there are organizations in the Twin “family relative,” committed suicide TOUGH TEEN YEARS Cities that advocate specifically for in early 2013. Heinen said there are two kinds of bullying and harassment prevention “It was legitimately heart-break- factors that affect a child’s develop- at schools. Outside of her work as ing, and that’s something I do not say ment: Risk and protective factors. a social worker, Burk assists Green very lightly,” Pierce-Ramsdell said. While risk factors—being a victim Dot, an organization that provides of physical or sexual abuse, coming training to schools like Blaine Nobody who knew Pierce- Illustration by Isabelle Loisel Ramsdell’s friend at Blaine from a broken family and the use of High School—Burk’s alma mater. expected he would be one to end drugs and alcohol—may contribute a sense of belonging, whether that where, intrinsically, teens start to Prevention is aimed at teaching com- his life. There were no warning to a child’s sense of unhappiness, is to our family, school, community, think ‘something is wrong with me.’” munities how to be active bystand- signs, no obvious reasons to his protective factors help children lead religion, sports team, etc.,” said “One in ten high school students ers, she said. closest peers. happy, meaningful lives. Carrie Burk, an Anoka County social will think about suicide sometime After Burk’s 12-year-old brother “He was always the happiest “Protective factors for youth are worker. “And if a teen’s sense of during their four-year career,” committed suicide following several person in the room,” she said. “He feeling connected, having a support belonging is hindered by a problem Heinen said. So during the teen bullying incidents on a school bus, would be the kind of person (who) system, feeling liked at school. There within their identified ‘group,’ that is years, more than ever, they need AWARENESS continued on page 20 would light up the entire room is something about social connected- for you.” ness,” Heinen said. Warning signs But that did not stop the The American Academy of Child 17-year-old from becoming one of Psychiatry released a study show- Everyone plays a role in suicide prevention—which is If you are concerned that someone is at risk for suicide: the thousands of American teens to ing that children who feel a sense of why the Minnesota Department of Health encourages t"TLUIFNJGUIFZBSFUIJOLJOHBCPVULJMMJOHUIFN- commit suicide every year. Despite belonging are less likely to commit everyone to know the warning signs of suicide. selves (this will not put the idea in their head or suicide and bullying prevention suicide than those who do not. t5BMLJOHBCPVUXBOUJOHUPEJF make it more likely that they will attempt suicide) efforts aimed at raising awareness, According to the organization, “for t-PPLJOHGPSBXBZUPLJMMPOFTFMG t4UBZXJUIUIFQFSTPO EPOPUMFBWFUIFNBMPOF Minnesota high school students are some teenagers, divorce, the forma- t5BMLJOHBCPVUGFFMJOHIPQFMFTTPSIBWJOHOPQVSQPTF t3FNPWFBOZmSFBSNT BMDPIPM ESVHTPSTIBSQ still committing suicide. But fellow tion of a new family with step-par- t5BMLJOHBCPVUGFFMJOHUSBQQFEPSJOVOCFBSBCMFQBJO objects that could be used in a suicide attempt teens never hear the reasons why. ents and step-siblings, or moving to t5BMLJOHBCPVUCFJOHBCVSEFOUPPUIFST t$BMMUIF/BUJPOBM4VJDJEF1SFWFOUJPO-JGFMJOFBU “There is never one thing that a new community can be very unset- t*ODSFBTJOHUIFVTFPGBMDPIPMPSESVHT 1-800-273-TALK (8255) leads somebody to suicide,” said tling and can intensify self-doubts … t"DUJOHBOYJPVT BHJUBUFEPSSFDLMFTTMZ t5BLFUIFQFSTPOUPBOFNFSHFODZSPPNPSTFFL Melissa Heinen, suicide prevention suicide may appear to be a solution t4MFFQJOHUPPMJUUMFPSUPPNVDI help from a medical or mental health professional coordinator with the Minnesota to their problems and stress.” t8JUIESBXJOHPSGFFMJOHJTPMBUFE Department of Health. “People talk “A disconnect that a teen may t4IPXJOHSBHFPSUBMLJOHBCPVUTFFLJOHSFWFOHF For more information and other helpful resources, visit a lot about bullying as a contribut- feel from any group they feel a sense t%JTQMBZJOHFYUSFNFNPPETXJOHT http://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/suicide/. ing factor … It is more complex of belonging to certainly can lead than that.” to thoughts of suicide. We all have

16 threesixtyjournalism.org health & wellness

support I’ve received from my Into the darkness family members. I have learned to communicate more effectively with others. My doctors told me to inform others The soul-crushing sadness of depression about when my sickness flares up so they can help. is impossible to escape alone Best of all, most of my family members and friends have treated me the same—with much needed empathy and help. I was so afraid Living with depression is similar of being judged, yet the complete Hafsa Guled to taking a walk through an opposite has happened. Honestly, it

Minnesota Photo illustration by Ridwa Yakob empty and abandoned forest Community has been so amazing. during winter. and Technical believed that most mental illnesses “Pretending to be happy The trees stand lonely, naked College could easily be controlled. DEPRESSION SURVIVOR without their green and bountiful It wasn’t cultural either, but every day also makes you That said, taking care of my body is leaves. Everything about the empty stereotypical among the masses. an ongoing process. forest screams desperation and ALWAYS PRETENDING Classmates at school or co-workers feel fake. You constantly It’s true what they say about the heavy sadness. The trees sag as if Functioning while depressed is also thought it was a choice whether human body being a temple—and their very limbs have given up on almost impossible. Things I loved, someone wanted to have a panic wonder if people can the physical and mental being of existing any longer. like writing or listening to music, attack in public. your body should always be in sync. Winter has swallowed up all just reminded me of times when I It’s why I felt more comfortable see through it.” If a mechanic tells you that the signs of life. was happy and made my depression hiding my sickness. And that, of brakes in your car are not working This is a pretty accurate descrip- worse. course, led to negative effects for my properly, you do not hesitate to get tion of how I felt during my depres- I also found it difficult to inter- health and overall well-being. corrections on a paper would send that fixed. The same should hold sion episodes. It is not unlike coming act and socialize. When you’re me on a downward spiral. true for your brain whether you across a burned-out building, ashes depressed, you have difficulty NO LONGER IN CONTROL My depression was gradual, but suffer from depression, anxiety or scattered everywhere. communicating with those you love Dealing with depression alone is a it did not seem to be triggered by bipolar disorder. I was no longer in control of about your feelings and conditions. long journey. But what makes it that something specific. It was genuinely Having depression is also normal. my own body. It was as if someone All the ambition and excitement you much worse is being a teenager who confusing to not know the source of I know that now. Many people had taken the fun, bubbly Hafsa ever had about your future is drained is trying to juggle school, work and a my sadness. struggle with it. Robin Williams was and sucked out all the things I liked out of your body. social life while hiding your sickness. I speak from the deepest, saddest one of the most beloved comedians about my personality. In its place Pretending to be happy every The peak of my depression part of my heart when I say that no of our time, yet was struggling with was a saddened shell. day also makes you feel fake. You came during sophomore year in one should ever have to deal with personal demons his whole life. I had all the classic symptoms, constantly wonder if people can high school as I began taking col- depression alone. Depression height- I am living proof that you can but I still wasn’t aware of my condi- see through it. Eventually, your face lege classes. I was about 16 and my ens feelings of loneliness, and I often overcome your sickness with the tion. The first time I experienced aches with the strain of that plastic normal school related nerves were felt like I had no one in my corner. right tools. But it is important to depression was in early 2010 when smile on your face anytime someone slowly amplified. I always wanted people to wake know that you cannot do it alone. I was around 13. It was my eighth asks how you’re doing. Giving them Depression can come at any up and truly see what I was going You should not feel ashamed to ask grade year, and I remember having the true and real answer would just time—and, ultimately, that’s what is through. But sadly, most people are for help. many sleepless nights—and gener- scare them away. hardest to explain to those who have not mind readers. If not for my depression, I would ally feeling overwhelmed by the Personally, I developed a bad never experienced it. Even when you I hope and pray that as time be devoid of the passion that is pres- smallest things. habit of lying to my friends and have a million reasons to be happy, passes, fewer stigmas against mental ent in my writing. I also would not Simple tasks like getting out of family when they asked how I was. the self-loathing creeps up on you. illness exist. I have recently begun have the same drive and motivation bed every morning were extremely I blame the way I was raised about So here I was, excited to start therapy and taking medication for to overcome what I know can drag hard. I had trouble sleeping at night; mental health. I was influenced by college classes when I found myself my illness. It has helped a tremen- me down. my face saddled with dark, heavy the adults in my life and how they reacting to inconsequential things dous amount. Most importantly, I no longer bags under my eyes. These periods viewed depression. like my bus coming late or saying But the biggest takeaway is that hold stigmas against people who lasted for two weeks to six months Whenever we heard about some- something awkward. I would begin visits to the clinic and pills haven’t have mental issues. I am proud to at times. And every time, it felt like one we knew who “lost it,” everyone’s shaking and freaking out if a profes- been the most successful part of say I am a depression survivor. And the soul-crushing sadness would reaction was inclined toward disgust. sor gave me anything less than a B helping me get better. It has been the I plan on keeping it that way for the never end. I always got the feeling that they on an assignment. Seeing the red positive mindset I now have, and the rest of my life.

December 2014 / January 2015 17 health & wellness health & wellness

students that use mental illness No laughing matter as an excuse. Kiara’s struggles Keeping kids close are negated. “It just really invalidates me. It’s really invalidating when people “Harmless” jokes about mental illness say, “I’m so depressed. I can’t do Clinical resources in school give class. I just need to take a break,” to and depression cut deep for many teachers. Then when I actually need students free, convenient access that, or when I need to be able to leave and go talk to a counselor or whatever because of what’s going Editor’s note: ThreeSixty on, teachers don’t trust that (my) Kristie Anderson will be the first Journalism has changed the names Dillan DeGross experience is real. They just think to admit that students probably Ellie Colbert of teen sources in this story for FAIR School I’m being dramatic or playing it up think of it as “the sex clinic.” But as Washburn privacy reasons. Minneapolis it as something bigger than it is,” nurse practitioner at Minneapolis High School she said. Washburn Clinic—one of several Nobody likes being the butt of a Teenagers don’t have enough school based clinics offered at all joke or have a snide comment made that teenagers don’t fully grasp familiarity to know how to handle Minneapolis public high schools— about them, but teens with mental what marks they leave on their people that are different than them, she also knows that a teen’s embar- Hannah illness so often are without the victims. It’s why the Crisis service Kiara said. She feels that if her peers rassment quickly turns to relief Gordon Washburn perpetrator even knowing. provides teens with an option to were more empathetic, students like once they experience the on-site High School Daniel, a sophomore from connect with an adult in a way that her—who aren’t forthcoming about benefits. Minneapolis, has been diagnosed they’re comfortable and used to. their personal problems or can’t “Once they get in, they see it’s a with a form of autism called “When teens bully, ostracize control their behavior in public— lot more than (what they thought),” reproductive health, the most Asperger Syndrome. Throughout and directly threaten peers who are wouldn’t feel so trapped. Anderson said. “It’s a nice space, so widely used resources at the clinic Daniel’s life, he has endured jeers already feeling that they have no “Just try to understand where I think people get kind of comfort- are for mental health—yet it’s not from fellow teens. With each insult, voice, power or help, it can lead to people are coming from. They’re able in here.” something most students are aware his self-esteem and courage has (a) feeling that they have no hope not necessarily going to say it Indeed, when the clinic first of, said Washburn student Emma been slowly chipped away. and no options to change their life,” straight to you, like, ‘I have anxiety started out, it was built to provide Stotts. Now when someone tells him Weber said. or I have depression.’ But just try to pregnancy prevention and safer sex “We’re really lucky, as students to “shut up” in class or the captains Kiara, a sophomore from St. care for your classmates. If it seems education, Anderson said. It has of Minneapolis public schools, to in physical education argue over Paul, is diagnosed with bipolar like something’s off, tune into that, now grown to be one of the most be able to have access to therapy which one ends up with him on a disorder (type two) and struggles trust your gut, and try to be there,” comprehensive school-based clin- and other mental health resources team, he stays silent. When he does with depression. Kiara said. ics in the country. for free,” said Stotts, who has used work up the courage to say some- The most common misconcep- Weber advises that teens tap In addition to reproductive the mental health resources on site. thing, all he gets is more mockery. tion about bipolar disorder is that into their perceptive powers, resources, the Washburn clinic “I think that the therapists there are “They usually don’t understand you’ll be perfectly fine one second, because oftentimes, they’re much offers sports physicals, acute and really great. I think having therapy what I’m saying. They just laugh,” and in an instant, you’ll slip into better at spotting those “on the chronic care, immunization, nutri- is really important for a lot of kids, Daniel said. madness. Kiara doesn’t tell anyone edge” than adults. However, they tion, mental health counseling and but it’s hard to get to. And if you do It usually takes another student except her close friends because don’t have the capacity to know health education outreach. find it, it’s really expensive.” to stop the onslaught, otherwise it she doesn’t want to be labeled as how to help. But that’s not enough for Yet there’s a “huge difference” continues for the whole period. someone who has no control over “The biggest misconception is Anderson. between mental health and mental “If one person is being picked her emotions. that they can’t do anything to help “In my perfect world, we’d have illness, Anderson said, which is a on and nobody stands up, then they “I don’t usually tell people I’m a peer themselves. That’s not true. (dental care) and we’d have vision potential reason for some of the keep on being picked on. They just bipolar because … they just assume Teens can offer to talk with a peer and service for kids with visual roadblocks teens face in seek- keep picking on them. If you aren’t you’re crazy and you can’t control about their depression, try to just needs,” she said. ing help. Coming to the clinic getting backlash and just laughs, your emotions,” Kiara said. listen, and offer to stay with them For now, it does plenty. Jennie for mental health reasons can why would you stop?” Daniel said. She also believes that other stu- until they feel safe. They can offer Markworth, a full-time psycholo- include school stress, dealing with Laura Weber, manager of Crisis dents at her St. Paul school pretend to talk with a parent or school gist at the clinic, treats students unhealthy relationships, bullying, Connection, a nonprofit agency in that they have depression to get out counselor with the peer so they’re most commonly for “stress and eating disorders, family issues or Richfield that provides 24/7 tele- of class. When Kiara needs to take not alone. They can give peer coun- anxiety, relationship issues, depression and anxiety. phone support and text messaging a break, her teachers don’t believe seling information and suggest they depression, ADHD and trying to “There are those where it is a for Minnesota residents, believes her due to the sheer number of get help,” Weber said. stay on top of school stuff.” After RESOURCES continued on page 19

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RESOURCES from page 18 My heart started beating so fast, mental illness situation, way bigger Too much like I was having a heart attack. I than a high school can provide for. leaned into her and said tearfully, What I mean by that is that some “Hey, I am here to hang out with students need real intensive services left unsaid you. I want to laugh like before.” that a licensed psychologist seeing She was not moving in her bed. patients on an hourly basis just can’t I couldn’t process what was hap- provide,” Anderson said. pening. We were best friends! Why For Anderson, the most beneficial Shrouded in mystery, the death of did this happen? I started laughing part of the clinic is access for the and sobbing at the same time while students. “Kids can come in during a close friend leaves a lasting void shaking her to wake up. I kept think- school. Parents don’t need to take off ing, “We have lots of things to do!”

work,” she said. Illustration by Daniela Garcia There was no reaction from me Added Markworth: “I think that when four men brusquely put her being able to have a private space in It was a day I won’t ever forget. absent. I decided to visit her at in the coffin. I felt numb. This was Badekemi school is huge. You don’t get pulled The day I met a girl so polite and Biladjetan home, where I found her on the a bad dream. That’s when I found a out of school. You’re not gone for a friendly, so full of life, I knew that Lincoln floor in her bedroom. I thought she picture of us under her pillow with few hours, and for kids whose home we would be friends forever. International was sick, but she just shrugged it off the words, “Friend forever, always life is stressful, their parents don’t But if only I knew that happiness School as being tardy in the morning. She has been and always will be. I am have to be part of it.” would turn to sadness one day, I didn’t feel like going to school. going to miss you.” Resources are also free for stu- would not have become that close felt bad about never meeting her We spent the rest of the day She was going somewhere far. dents. The clinics are funded by the to her. mother. I was glad she opened up, together, talking about our futures Minnesota Health Department, with It was in tenth grade in my native but everything changed about our and how she wanted to have a great COPING WITH LOSS extra grant funding helping to sup- country. Togo, that I met her. Aicha relationship after she shared those family and work in a hospital. She I still don’t know how Aicha died. port the hiring of clinical staff. was black with short hair. She was personal details. also wanted to meet her mother Before her death, I had heard Chloe Engel, a senior at beautiful, wearing a red dress, and I never knew how recent her who lived in Europe. rumors that she might have AIDS, Southwest High School, appreciates walked toward me as though she was father had died because she would That’s when she said, “I don’t but I don’t believe that. We were too that the clinic at her school is safe the coolest girl ever. I couldn’t stop start to cry whenever I mentioned know how much longer I would be honest with each other. There are and confidential. Access to clinics staring at her. She was perfect to me. it, so I didn’t pursue it further. She here with you.” When I asked her if so many versions of her death, I still in school gives students a sense of Our conversations were silly also started acting weird around something was wrong, she replied, don’t know what to think. I believe independence and maturity that and crazy. I couldn’t stop laughing me. There would be moments when “No, I could travel somewhere far,” that it wasn’t natural, and that’s the allows them to easily connect with around her. We’d talk about style, Aicha was harsh and distant, almost with a laugh. reason she avoided me. I think she and open up to the experienced staff, and she would never be shy to share like she was trying to tell me some- Even as she was laughing I was wanted to protect me from what she she said. her opinion. One of our rituals was thing, but wanted to protect me not convinced it was the truth. knew was about to happen. “I’ve gotten pretty close with our going to the mountains three days from what I didn’t know instead. Not having those answers about nurse,” Engel said. “She always asks a week. We used to do talent shows About two years ago, my phone ‘A BAD DREAM’ her death makes me feel weak and how I’m doing and feeling.” and other crazy stuff like wearing rang in the middle of the night. It A week later, everything got weird guilty, like I was careless and didn’t “I think what the students don’t different pairs of shoes together. was Aicha. I was surprised to hear again. Aicha didn’t want to see me, try hard enough to figure out what realize, but come to appreciate, is Once, when she found out I did her calling so late. Maybe she was answer my messages or take my was wrong. I was too scared to hurt that the people in this clinic are something bad at home, she took bored? She started telling me how calls. For two weeks, I tried to get her feelings if I asked about rumors, dedicated to adolescent health care my lunch money as punishment. great our relationship was. It seemed in touch with her. But even when or her father, or her mother. When and are experts in that care, and that We had our disagreements, but we odd, so I asked her if something I went to her house and knew she I look back, I feel like she expected we really understand teen issues,” always found a way to be cool about was wrong. She laughed and said, was home, Aicha wouldn’t come to me to ask her those questions. But I Anderson added. it afterwards. “Nothing’s wrong. I missed you.” see me. never did. For Greta White, a senior at We spent so much time together, I trusted her, so I didn’t push, but Finally, I decided to visit her Aicha is gone, leaving me alone Washburn, that’s all a teenager that our friendship felt more special. after she hung up, I felt a wave of after school again. As I got closer to in this sinful world forever. I grieve needs sometimes. We were like sisters. She became apprehension. I thought something the house, I started to hear people for her. I grieve that I can never be “It’s nice that they offer that in part of me. bad had happened, maybe related crying. I ran into the house—filled that happy again in friendship. school, like if you wanted to talk to to her father or mother, but she was with so many different people I I try to be open with others someone if you’re stressed,” she said. SIGNS OF TROUBLE too scared to tell me. I just know had never met, crying—and into and have a connection, but now “I think (my parents) would love it. It took awhile, but she eventually that we had never hidden things the bedroom. She was laid out on I am careful about having another I’m sure they don’t know anything opened up about her father, who from each other. the bed wearing a white dress with friend like her. I am too scared about it, but I think they’d like it.” was ill and passed away. She also The next day at school, she was white socks and white gloves. to lose again.

December 2014 / January 2015 19 health & wellness

that’s starting to hurt their self- Comparison esteem, as well … unrealistic body types, unrealistic portrayals of mas- culinity and femininity, that’s all out overload there,” she said. JUST LIKE EVERYONE But it appears to be a small price to pay. Not only does the need to be Social media can connect us, but it also Katie Braman Scrolling through social media: Navodhya Samarakoon (top) views her Facebook up-to-date on the latest happenings has a deeper psychological effect account while Christine Lam looks at Snapchat. keep teens online, but so does the need to be “cool and popular.” their own self worth by comparing though Johnson believes that girls Venkat said he believes that teens themselves to others. tend to be affected more by what model their lives after the people With nearly every high school stu- Social media, more than ever, they see. they see online, and quitting their dent owning a smartphone or access- Kayla Song allows for comparison overload. (Boys) “obviously get upset over accounts would leave them unable to ing various social media accounts, Maple Grove “Instagram and Pinterest and the same things that we do, but I follow the lives of the socially accept- the need for popularity and followers High School Facebook really kind of provoke (the always feel like with the way society able users everyone likes. can be overwhelming. As a result, theory), even more so than just regu- is set up, it’s portrayed that girls have “I think it is mostly due to the fact favorites, retweets, likes and reblogs larly, because you get to see so many more issues with it or get affected by they so badly want to fit in,” he said. have become sources of happiness person’s account and seeing that different people across the globe who it more,” she said. And not all of that is necessar- and self-esteem for teens. they have twice as many followers you can compare yourself to,” Thiel- Sairam Venkat, a senior at Maple ily negative, added Laura Michael, a There’s another side to consider, or hundreds more friends. It’s also Stern said. Grove Senior High, agreed. However, senior at St. Paul Central. too. Can social media accounts and common for teens to see photos or he believes it’s because males are “I think while (social media) online profiles have emotional and status updates of others and feel left PRESENTING OUR BEST more conditioned to hide how social creates self-esteem problems, it also psychological effects that strike teens out of activities, accomplishments or Is it a phenomenon contributing to media affects them. gives teens validation and can build deeper than they may think? relationships. teen self-esteem? Thiel-Stern said “Guys are pretty good at masking their self-esteem when a lot of people “When I was in middle school, I Shayla Thiel-Stern, a journal- that Instagram and Facebook often their feelings to not let other people like their posts and also because all made my first Twitter, but I always ism professor at the University of give skewed, selective perspectives know how they feel. Because guys of their friends do it,” she said. felt really weird about what I was Minnesota and author of “From of what is actually happening in are portrayed as macho figures in As research on social media and going to post and what people would the Dance Hall to Facebook,” began users’ lives. After all, it’s common society, why would they want to let self-esteem continues to develop, think about me or the post,” said studying digital media from 2000 to for people to only present their “best people know how they feel (about one absolute remains. No matter Kylie Johnson, a senior at Wayzata 2004 when there was an outbreak of self” online. social media)?” he said. what, high school students can’t High School. instant messaging among adolescent “They’re not going to show people Venkat’s perspective fits the seem to quit their online lives, Thiel- “So I almost never posted girls. While conducting research for the scars and the warts and the cakes common line of thinking. After all, Stern said. anything and ended up making her book, she came across a concept that you bake that don’t turn out,” it was once believed that the extent “I think the main thing that draws and deleting like, three different called the Social Comparison Theory. Thiel-Stern said. of social media’s effect on males people in is that it’s where every- accounts, because I was just super Though the theory was first Because there are profiles in the and females were extremely differ- body is at. You know, you want to be self-conscious about what people revealed in 1954 by social psycholo- digital world that are too perfect to ent. However, the influence of social where your friends are,” Thiel-Stern thought of it.” gist Leon Festinger, the idea behind be true, there is high potential for media sites on both genders is start- said. “If you’re not on it, you might Johnson admitted that feelings of it is still prevalent today. Festinger teens to be discouraged and stressed ing to balance out, Thiel-Stern said. be missing out on something. If you inferiority and loneliness can come concluded that when given the about being just as flawless. This “Guys are starting to compare opt out, you might miss out.” from merely looking at another opportunity, humans will evaluate goes for both teenage girls and boys, themselves physically to others and

AWARENESS from page 16 So what are the warning signs And if somebody tells you he or just helping that person find the “We need to work together rather Burk vowed to fight for victims who that can allow teens to be active she is depressed or is considering solution, which is the professional,” than continuously compete against couldn’t speak for themselves. bystanders? suicide, Heinen advises to “take it Heinen said. each other,” she said, referring to the “I am a believer in ‘it takes one “If you notice a change in behav- seriously.” At the same time, teenag- “Your job is not to become their potential for high school drama to person to change a life’ … No family ior in a friend, isolation, change ers should not get carried away with counselor. Just be their friend.” create enemies instead of friends. should ever have a story like this. in appearance ... losing interest in their help. As a teenager who continues to “It makes it harder to get through It’s a complete nightmare that you things they used to care about … “You are not the solution to deal with grief, Pierce-Ramsdell’s (life) without having other people on cannot wake up from,” Burk said. please tell an adult,” Burk said. someone else’s problems. You are advice for her peers is simple. your side.”

20 threesixtyjournalism.org share. But when I looked at the food I was embarrassed by how my I didn’t notice the underlying Simmering steaming in the pot, I was dismayed. race was portrayed, and I didn’t disgust in her voice, but I did notice My mom had cooked Indonesian want to fit the stereotype. It didn’t the slight shift of her lunch tray. curry with yellow turmeric rice. help that I was publicly humiliated Away from me. acceptance This is one of my favorite dishes, for eating my “chinky” food up until My need to reject being Chinese but for anyone unaccustomed to middle school. reached its peak in middle school. Indonesian culture, they would be One memory from elementary I used to swap meals with another shocked by the neon-yellow rice and school stands out. For the first day of student for her school lunch so I Embarrassment over cultural cuisine the curry that looked as if a cow had third grade, my mom had packed a wouldn’t be seen eating “chinky” regurgitated it. simple meal of fried rice, but added food. Not only did I lose part of isn’t always easy to swallow For the longest time, I’ve had a a bit too much fish sauce—not that it myself by rejecting who I was, but fear of people judging the food I eat. mattered to my seven year-old self. I also suffered through cold turkey Ever since I began school, I When I opened the top of my sandwiches, goopy pasta and pizza brought lunch from home. My meals lunch thermos, I smelled a tasty dripping with grease while someone In any gathering of Asian people, usually consisted of the standard blend that reminded me of home. else enjoyed my mom’s still-warm there will always be food. Danielle Wong white rice with stir fry vegetables, But the other kids who were unac- and savory cooking. This past summer, I was selected Eastview High fried noodles or fried rice—and that customed to the smell of pure As I entered high school, I simply to play Fredericka from Stephen School was my problem. Chinese food and some extra fish stopped caring what people thought Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” They are stereotypical Chinese sauce recoiled. about the food I ate. I still encoun- with Mu Performing Arts, a nation- meals, and that bothered me. I had I remember my own best friend, tered situations where I was called ally recognized Asian theatre com- I shared food, I brought something seen plenty cartoons of short, black- who used to pay little attention to out for eating “very Asian food,” but pany in the Twin Cities. I knew everyone would enjoy: Egg haired people with lines for eyes and the food I ate ever since we became it never bothered me as much as it At Mu, the diverse culture of each rolls. chopsticks in their hair, slurping up friends in first grade, turn to me with did in my middle school years. actor is portrayed through the shar- Soon enough, I was asking my noodles and saying something in an incredulous-almost-accusatory But to my horror, as I sat in the ing of cultural foods. The first time mom to prepare another dish to stunted English. look. “What is that?” CUISINE continued on page 22

three, my family and I soon real- English at home, only Somali. While they will never see me as purely Holding onto ized that we needed to learn English continuing to hold onto every bit American, I’m actually more than in order to succeed. After going to of Somali in us, it was very difficult happy to not be with the majority. school for a few years, my mother to balance American culture with My family and I have adapted— your heritage started to be filled with fear. Fear Somali culture. and continue to adapt—to American because when her kids came home Everything just seemed to be culture. It’s who surrounds us in from school every day, we knew a so different with Americans. In a our everyday lives. But in the end, little more English and a little less Somali household, it’s not OK to I’m glad to have Somali culture and Somali traditions keep family roots intact Somali. Fear because it was harder walk in with your shoes. While that blood running through my veins. for us to hold onto our culture while might also tie into religion, it is seen I will always be proud to carry my while chasing the American dream getting used to another. as very disrespectful. However, it’s beautiful people with me. My siblings and I came to slowly normal to do so in an American I plan to continue being open notice her fear. We saw it, too. house. When eating, it’s also normal minded about American culture after We didn’t want to lose our for Somalis to eat with their hands, I graduate high school in June 2015. My mother came to America for culture, language and the amazing specifically your right hand. If I I have come to realize that both sides one reason and one reason only. The Sagal history behind our names. We didn’t dare do that at a local all-American of my life are beyond important to “American Dream.” Abdirahman want to lose the music we heard my restaurant or in an American house, me. I greatly appreciate my Somali St. Louis Park What she didn’t know was the mom sing while cooking every day. I will be stared at like an animal. people and traditions while continu- High School land we held onto might be sacrificed The folk tales that taught us lessons, These differences are frustrating ing to learn about American ones. for that dream. such as not to pick up trash from the and hard to balance, but I somehow My family and I strive for that She came from Somalia, which I were born in Bonn, Germany. ground and to not talk about others seem to manage. It is the hardest at original dream, the dream we came was going through a civil war at the She wanted us to have the best behind their backs. school because people don’t often here for. I look at every difficulty I time. My mom fled to Europe in life, filled with opportunities she And most importantly, the only see me as American. I am not a white face as a source of strength to carry 1992 while pregnant with my eldest never had. The only place to do that way we communicated: Through girl who shows her long blonde me through my life as a Somali. brother. Soon after, my two older was America. our language. Soon after, my mother hair, who wears leggings and North As an American. siblings, Zamzam and Abdinaim, and Coming here when I was only started a house rule: No speaking Face clothing to school. Although As a Somali-American.

December 2014 / January 2015 21 as a teenager and being pressured by Coming back to so many different parts of adoles- cence, it’s difficult to remember your culture. It’s much easier to blend in your community and be part of the melting pot. It’s the message that stuck with me the most since I can also identify with balancing two different lives. It A nonprofit aimed at Somali women creates an identity crisis, and person- ally, was something I also struggled Submitted with in high school. pushes for empowerment, education Fartun Weli is careful not to scold teenagers into embracing their Somali roots. I spent most of my childhood She believes that “knowing your language” will help them find better jobs. in the suburbs and faced a lot of education throughout the com- the final minute. And then Uncle identity issues. Part of me wanted Walking through the Sabathani munity. As Isuroon’s website states, Ali, who had a red beard (a sign of to show my hair and listen to Hilary Hafsa Guled Community Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota “culturally competent care improves tradition and wariness of Western Duff just like the other neighbor- a long, winding hallway greets me. Community access to health care services by culture), he called me over and hood kids, but I felt held back by my The lighting is dim and the walls are and Technical understanding patient behavior and said, ‘You did a good job,’ Weli said, cultural restraints. I felt embarrassed bare. Women of color stand in front College addressing disparities associated laughing. by my mom’s broken English and the of different doorways and little kids with sociocultural factors.” “That was a huge breakthrough strong smelling foods we ate. run around without mothers. present mother, her life turned out a Weli and several volunteers also for us.” But as I grew older, I began cher- Behind a door with no signage lot more hopeful than others. worked hard to eliminate the vicious They also had to win over Somali ishing the very things that made me lies the office of Isuroon. The Twin Weli credits her mother for cycle of poverty and joblessness in men. As an organization that reaches different from my peers. I felt more Cities organization, founded by instilling a deep need to give back the Somali community by making out to women who may not have comfortable in my skin after learn- Fartun Weli, stands for advocacy to the community as an advocate. sure the people they helped were any other place to turn or someone ing that speaking another language and community outreach in Somali Her mother also emphasized the self-reliant. There was some resis- they can trust with their issues, Weli is actually an asset—not a negative communities. importance of education in order to tance, though. also didn’t want Isuroon to seem thing. My hijab became a symbol of Specifically, Weli is motivated to be successful. “We had a lot of complaints about anti-male. pride to me. provide Somali women with emo- “There was a God, there was school systems, especially nurses, “At the beginning, men were put When Weli tells me, tells Somail tional support and health resources a Prophet, and then there was a about sexual education for Somali off by the women’s rights issues, but teens—“Don’t lose your language. to help ensure their success. teacher,” Weli said with pride. youth—teaching young kids about as we proved ourselves that no, men It’s your identity”—she isn’t scolding “We just want to make sure that After obtaining a masters degree sexual health, “ Weli said. were important—that they’re part us. Instead, she wants us to be true the struggle of first immigrant, in public health, Weli pushed hard She also received some flak from of the emotional support of keeping to our roots, to take advantage of first generation Somali women is to make change upon arriving in the Somali elders who were wary of the families together—now they under- opportunities that will reward young, addressed and that they have every Twin Cities. She started her own organization. That led to her biggest stand,” Weli said. successful Somalis who are bilingual opportunity to succeed,” Weli said. nonprofit organization, Isuroon, in breakthrough while working on sex and can give back to the community. “That will also mean that the second 2010 to address cultural issues within education initiatives. INTERNAL STRUGGLES Talking with Weli gave me insight generation will succeed.” the East African community. “Long story short, it was the final As for what she’s learned about on the great things that are being Among her ambitious goals: day of the report I had been working youth while at Isuroon, Weli keeps done in my community, all right ADDRESSING A NEED Creating relationships between on, and I sat down with the elders her advice to Somali teens simple. under my nose. I am proud to say, Weli, originally from Somalia, Somali mothers and teachers in because I wanted to bring them in. “You have to come back to your as a Somali woman myself, that our struggled financially while growing schools, pushing for sex educa- I shared the report, and I was just community,” she said. community needs voices like hers. up. But thanks to an involved and tion forums and spreading health holding my breath, because it was Growing up in the United States

CUISINE from page 21 everything that makes me who I this fear once and for all, I mustered from shocked, to confused, to embarrassed about in the first place. makeup room of the theatre, I found am, including the food I love to eat up my courage and put the rice and ecstatic. After all, my Chinese food is a myself debating whether I should at home. I hadn’t ever accepted the curry on the table. Yet one after another, the 12 part of being Chinese. No one had bring my mom’s food out at all. I was fact that as a Chinese girl, yes, I ate I sat on a nearby couch, and adults came up to me and expressed the right to look down upon me for going through the same struggle I Chinese food. despite holding a fascinating John how much they loved my mom’s being me. thought I had gotten over. Partially because I wanted to Grisham book in my hands, I tensely cooking. I felt a wave of relief rush That day, I went home with more Then I realized, to truly accept prove something to myself, and par- watched my castmates hover and through me with each compli- than empty containers. I left with a myself means being proud of tially because I wanted to get rid of take small tastes. Their faces ranged ment. I never had anything to be heart full of pride to be who I am.

22 threesixtyjournalism.org “The Way I Work”

can. If I just want to showcase my Name of the game skill level, I can do that, as well. The act, by nature, is the expression and doesn’t require any real artistic merit or clarity. It’s like music. Sometimes Outlaw artists are drawn to graffiti culture the simplest songs are the ones that people enjoy the most. because of its creativity, duality What is the graffiti scene like in Minnesota? The graffiti scene in Minnesota is Isabelle Loisel Some people might need convinc- rather small but growing larger every ing that the words “graffiti” and “art” Selam Berhea day. I now give lectures and teach belong together in the same sen- Blaine High classes, where when I first moved tence. But whether seen as a volatile School here, that idea was unheard of. I form of expression or vandalism, know of about 2,000 artists that have there are underground artists who attempted it in the state. Most don’t pride themselves on being able to looking at. last long and move onto other art create something so visually striking Also, I would go to work with my forms or cities. A lot of them just within a city’s landscape. dad, who owned a construction com- can’t handle the unneeded stress For our latest career profile, pany. We would travel all over the that being a graffiti artist or outlaw ThreeSixty writer Selam Berhea place, and I would see it along the brings. It just gets to be too much e-mailed JoJo—one of the Midwest’s freeway and in the neighborhoods he and they stop altogether to live an most influential graffiti artists— was working in. I was just so blown easier life. about his work as a muralist, mentor away by the bright colors and cool There is a lot of graffiti being and youth program curator in the designs. After awhile, I began to done here by the lesser amount of Twin Cities. Because of his graffiti experiment with it myself and even artists practicing the art form. Ten art, JoJo has earned multiple gallery sought out any and all information percent of the artists probably con- showings and has been featured in about it that I could find at local Katie Braman tribute to 90 percent of the art being Graffiti in northeast Minneapolis (top) and underneath the Ford Bridge in more than 100 magazines and books. libraries. done. There probably isn’t a bridge St. Paul (bottom) demonstrate different levels of artistic expression. He also lectures at schools on the I still enjoy everything that I had in Minnesota that hasn’t had some history and culture of the art form mentioned above, but also the com- it takes longer, but you earn more name up and known as much as sort of the art done on it at one time. while working with local businesses plexities that it takes to create a piece respect. possible—whether for large-scale There is also a good freight train to build positive relationships about of work. I enjoy people seeing it and I don’t personally think graffiti art murals or even small tags. Each one painting scene here, too. graffiti culture. having an opinion about it—either helps me express myself more clearly, has it reasons and contains a certain Intermedia Arts in Uptown is the Due to the nature of his work, good or bad … I love being able to but it does help me express myself. amount of freedom and power. If I only space that is legal for artists to JoJo keeps his real name secret and create something big and bright and The name of the game is to get your want to express myself politically, I create freely. There is no city spon- also can’t share photos of his art for colorful for people to enjoy. sored, legal free parks or mural walls fear of identification. for artists. What techniques are utilized? How Career advice How did you get started in graffiti does that help you express yourself What have artists here accom- art? What do you enjoy about it? with more clarity? This is the fifth installment of “The Way I Work,” a regular ThreeSixty plished? Why are they drawn to it? I got started in graffiti art at the ripe The majority of the techniques are feature aimed at providing insight into unique and interesting career Everyone is drawn to it for (his or old age of 12 or 13. I used to see it all pretty simple—spray paint, caps fields. Intrigued by this career path? JoJo, a muralist, lecturer and cura- her) own reasons. One of the main the time traveling around L.A. and and the ability to control the spray. tor of The G.A.M.E. (Graffiti Art Mentorship and Education), offers the reasons people do it is to let people Orange County, Calif. I used to be In graffiti art culture, stencils and following advice to teenagers: know that they exist. They are doing a skateboarder, and when skating, projected images, etc., are looked “Being able to express oneself freely has its own rewards. I don’t something that others don’t attempt my group of friends and I would down upon and are only considered think it is necessarily important to understand why (graffiti art) is cre- to do and kind of living a “road less find it at a lot of the local ditches OK when doing large-scale work ated and how you can benefit from it, as it is to just appreciate and enjoy traveled” lifestyle. It’s unique and fun and street spots we would frequent. for money. Otherwise, those tools it for what it is while you’re looking at it. It can take you many places in and can be rewarding at times. This We all just kind of picked it up and are considered toys (for beginners.) this world. I’ve been able to travel and meet people all over the world fuels the artist’s desires and needs really enjoyed it, without any true A true pro or master doesn’t need just based off the fact that we enjoy the culture and artwork.” and even might provide them with understanding for it or what we were crutches to paint well. Sometimes GRAFFITI continued on page 31

December 2014 / January 2015 23 revolving things like ISIS, terrorism, From page etc.,” Camara said. “Not everyone can like my poetry and I know that.” to the stage Guante, a slam poet who’s been recognized nationally, also works as an educator and activist in Minneapolis. With TruArtSpeaks, he also goes into Spoken word poetry gives youth a potent local public schools to teach poetry workshops and promote the impor- TruArtSpeaks platform to express individuality Isha Camara, a 15-year-old spoken word poet from Minneapolis, has performed tance of spoken word and rap. as part of Minnesota’s prestigious Brave New Voices. The Twin Cities, in particular, has a reputation for fostering a strong spoken word scene—dating back to Each Thursday night, performers local Beat poets influencing the area shuffle into the Golden Thyme Coffee Katia Kozachok and the concentration of talented, Cafe around 6 p.m. They chat with Perpich Arts vibrant young artists sharing their the baristas, the small cafe in Saint High School work today. Local spoken word Paul a second home. They buy a venues of prominence, in addition to drink, notebooks in hand. They’ve Golden Thyme, include Soap Boxing been waiting all week for this. The teenage boy nods and heads Poetry Slam, Slam MN Poetry Slam, This is a chance for their voices to back to his seat as Jones walks to the Voices Merging and SteppingStone be heard. front, introducing the next performer Theatre Youth Open Mic. At six, Tish Jones, the Soul Sounds of the night. “One of the best things about Open Mic emcee, posts the sign-up In between performances, she spoken word as both a practice and sheet in the small back room where asks the crowd about events in their as a community is that it’s demo- the open mic is held each week. lives, what they’ve been thinking cratic. If you have something to say, She plays music on the speakers as about. The audience starts a discus- you have a platform, whether that be teenagers congregate, slowly filling in sion about the events in Ferguson and an open mic, or YouTube, or some- the rows of folding chairs. While Soul street harassment. Over the course of thing else. There aren’t a lot of spaces Sounds is mostly young adults, it’s the evening, nearly everyone present in U.S. culture where people—espe- multicultural and multigenerational. has participated—whether in discus- cially young people and people who It’s not uncommon for middle-aged sion, feedback, performing their hold misrepresented identities—can men to offer advice after a teenager work, or all of the above. have a big platform to say whatever performs a heartfelt piece about the they want to say,” Guante said. struggles he’s been going through. A CHANCE TO BE HEARD “I think of spoken word, in a very Jones introduces each writer to Soul Sounds is an incredibly strong, real sense, as new media, as inde- Hoainam Tran the stage with enthusiasm, smatter- warm community. While the choco- Guante, a nationally recognized slam poet, also spends time educating Twin pendent media, as popular media, ings of applause multiplying as the late muffins are good, that’s not what Cities youth about the importance of spoken word and rap. as alternative media. We’re having night goes on. Each performer has keeps everyone coming back. conversations about real issues, and the opportunity to get feedback from Jones is a spoken word artist that’s filtering into the larger culture.” the audience, and most do. Everyone who emcees Soul Sounds with invested. It is not a selfish space. They Rey Jesuit High School to compete Added Jones: “Youth are the who chooses to get feedback gets another well-known Minnesota poet, respect one another. Those things nationally with the best teenage poets architects of the future. The words, a thoughtful critique from Jones Desdamona. Jones is also the founder are rare,” said Jones, who created across the country. images, values and ideas that shape herself. of TruArtSpeaks, a local nonprofit TruArtSpeaks in 2007 after she was a She’s no stranger to speaking their consciousness will impact Standing in the back of the small based on supporting youth and creat- nationally commended spoken word her mind, though as a young, black, everyone. They, too, are witnesses. room, Jones raises her hand. ing safe spaces for community voices poet and felt the need to give back to Muslim woman, there are plenty of And they, too, deserve a platform to “Hey, here’s your goal for next to be heard through and local communities. people who don’t want to listen. be heard.” week. I saw that you revised the spoken word. Isha Camara, a 15-year-old “Once I was told that what I poem from last week, which is good. “The people at Soul Sounds spoken word poet from Minneapolis, do wasn’t poetry but ranting. And EMBRACING ACTIVISM Don’t touch that. Instead, practice Open Mic care. They care about was selected for Minnesota’s Brave because I’m Muslim, I’ve gotten Performance poetry is vulnerable in and come back next week focusing on the space, about one another and New Voices team last year. That called slurs and what not, mostly a way that written word isn’t, Guante your performance.” about the issues that surface. They’re allowed the sophomore at Cristo when I speak out about topics SPOKEN WORD continued on page 25

 threesixtyjournalism.org SPOKEN WORD from page 24 said. Poetry—written to be Heating up the performed in front of people—is often deeply personal, revealing an even more difficult journey. climate cause Those who step on stage and take the mic into their own hands find it rewarding, both for the finality Maya Shelton-Davies Climate change activists gather to hear music and voice their opinions about the it can provide while overcoming Caring about the climate comes to need for legislative action at the People’s Climate March in New York City. issues, and for the audience mem- bers whom it can impact. Minnesota in a big way next year “One woman came to me and of her peers don’t view climate bottle in order to avoid plastic, every said I gave her closure. Just think- change and environmental issues as step taken is a step forward. ing that everyone who came and pressing problems. “The biggest problem is the lack heard me speak left with some- When it comes to the younger “It is easy for people not to care of education,” Delmain said. “Lack thing they didn’t come in with ... generation, it’s difficult to avoid the Maya about climate change. It doesn’t feel of education shows itself when kids that’s what’s good,” Camara said. thought of how much responsibility Shelton-Davies as urgent as a job, schoolwork, or don’t know which foods are healthy, River Falls “I think there aren’t a lot of for the planet they will inherit. even (other) social issues,” she said. or even what climate change really is High School spaces where people can have Jim Dorsey, a Minneapolis attor- “Basically, with everything that we or what it entails. However, educat- deeper conversations about issues ney, doesn’t mince words: (Climate have to juggle nowadays, putting ing the younger generation on these and ideas that we all struggle with. change) “will be the defining issue of itself to be a leader in sustainability.” serious thought into the environ- environmental problems will make With spoken word, you can talk their lives.” “Club de Madrid gives me the ment may take a back seat.” huge steps into fixing our planet.” about whatever you want to It’s why next October there will be opportunity to show off Minnesota For Olivia Nofzinger, a high Dorsey said the emphasis on talk about, however you want more going on than the typical chang- and the Twin Cities to the interna- school senior and PSEO student at recent events is important because to talk about it, and then you ing of the seasons in Minneapolis. tional community,” he said. the University of Minnesota, the “when you talk to climate scientists, can have a platform to express Minnesota is slotted to host a major issue hits home because of “flooding they’ll tell you that they know about those thoughts and actually be conference—from October 25–28 MARCHING FOR CHANGE and the dying out of wildlife.” carbon, they know about problems validated for them. It’s such a at the Minneapolis Convention Why the focus on climate change? “There are a lot of young people with the ocean, they know about simple thing, but it’s increasingly Center and University of Minnesota As Dorsey noted, and the recent working on the (climate change) deforestation, and that they know rare,” Guante added. campus—with a focus on sustainabil- People’s Climate March in New York issue. If things continue the way about the depletion of resources. “We have to build with one ity and climate change. City demonstrated, it’s become a that they are, the main crisis of our What they don’t know, and what they another, sharing thoughts, ideas, Dorsey is behind “Minnesota priority cause for mobilization and lives, like wars occurring over water, want to better understand, is how techniques … Also, because the 2015: Democracy in a Sustainable potential legislative action. will be because of climate change they can get democratic govern- platform lends itself so well to Future,” which is being coordi- The September climate march— and what we’re doing to the planet,” ments to respond to the challenge.” discussing social justice issues, nated with Club de Madrid and organized by 350.org, an environ- Nofzinger said. Minneapolis will be at the fore- there’s a community activism Partnership for Change. Club de mental organization founded by front of attempting to spark initia- element that often (though not Madrid is an organization com- writer and activist Bill McKibben, SHOULD WE CARE? tives, Dorsey said, while formulating always) accompanies the poetry posed of former heads of state from along with the partnership of various Although the dialogue is chang- the “Minnesota Compact” at its itself.” democratic countries or countries other organizations—drew approxi- ing with recent events, there are 2015 conference. Groups affiliated Among the heavy topics that have gone through democratic mately 400,000 people to the streets still plenty of adults and teens who with Club de Madrid are meeting all Camara has already written about: change since 1975. of New York City. The purpose for don’t view environmental issues as over the world to bring ideas to the Racism, harassment, war, educa- Each time Club de Madrid gath- the large-scale event was to draw dire. This is primarily due to the table next year. Those reports and tion and religion. Spoken word ers, the group takes on a general attention to climate action, making thought that it’s either too late to solutions will then be compiled into provides a platform to go deeper theme for the summit. This year, it the largest mobilization march for change anything, global warming a template—a building they with issues—and present them in they met in Florence, Italy to discuss the environment in history, accord- isn’t man-made, or that by the time can take back to their communities, a powerful way—that teens can’t democracy and human rights. In ing to the New York Times. the environment is in shambles, they Dorsey said. so easily ignore. Minneapolis, the theme will be Espoir Delmain, a junior at Great won’t be around. “I view the Minnesota Compact “I just like writing about democracy and sustainability. River School in St. Paul, attended Advocates like Delmain, however, as a chance to re-engage,” he said, what’s important,” Camara said. Because Minnesota is a leader the New York City march because believe that they personally can “It’ll be important to be paying atten- “By using this with the youth and in the areas of water quality, food “being part of something so huge lower their individual impact on the tion. These environmental issues, our communities, it’s so much crops and healthcare, by hosting and important was just something I environment. Whether it’s by setting honestly, won’t affect my life at all. easier to relate and understand the “MN2015” conference, Dorsey couldn’t say no to.” up a composting system, driving less, But who it will affect is this younger each other.” believes that “Minnesota will show However, she realizes that some or even carrying a personal water generation. Your generation.”

December 2014 / January 2015 25 Changing the charitable model

Being disruptive can be a good thing— at least in philanthropic circles

Traditionally, the act of philanthropic giving has been categorized as char- Deborah ity done by the wealthy or someone Honore University of from a well-established organization.

St. Thoma Bruce Silcox photography You have to be older. You have to One of the ways to disrupt philanthropy is to “imagine, create and innovate” new charitable models. be financially secure. You have to be important. in attendance—among them The suggests—giving money directly to monetary perspective, but also from missions and causes go viral.” Kate Khaled, engagement and Bush Foundation, Wells Fargo, those in need and not to middleman a service perspective.” The concept of disruptive phi- development manager of Charities Cargill, Medica and nonprofits like organizations. Breaking down those Jeremy Wang, board chair of lanthropy could be part of a culture Review Council in St. Paul, is striving Lifetrack Resources, Springboard social norms and expectations should the Mid-Continent Oceanographic change that’s already in motion. to change this stereotype through for the Arts and Metro Meals on be appealing to young donors, said Institute, agreed with Hussain’s senti- Movements like the ALS Ice Bucket “disruptive philanthropy.” Wheels—creative approaches to Nausheena Hussain, fund develop- ment. He also believes that disruptive Challenge, Love Your Melon, St. Jude By playing the role of big building relationships marked the ment and marketing director at philanthropy means more engage- Up ‘til Dawn and YouTube videos brother, Charities Review Council all-day event. Michael Faye’s keynote CAIR (Council of American-Islamic ment, not just dollars. showing random acts of kindness upholds and maintains standards for address also helped unravel the Relations) Minnesota. “Go out and find a nonprofit that toward the homeless are broadening charities in the Twin Cities. At its status quo of philanthropy and push “I think the younger generation is does work that you believe in. And the idea of who can “give” to their annual forum earlier this fall at the the audience to actively think about really great at putting in the time vol- learn a lot about it,” Wang said. community. University of St. Thomas, the Council how—and what—they give. unteering and showing up at events, “I think there’s more to giving Heather Lund, development man- introduced disruptive philanthropy as Faye, co-founder and chair of coordinating events,” Hussain said. and engaging in philanthropy than ager at Bridging, recalled working “a transformative event or moment, GiveDirectly, focuses on exactly “So their giving already goes beyond just signing a check or handing over on a Build It Bash project where kids an act of giving and relationship what his organizational title (looking at philanthropy) from a your credit card number. It’s about decorated forts as a fundraiser. It was building that is a departure from the really understanding an organization “active, enjoyable and fun,” Lund said, status quo.” and their mission and what they’re and helped young people learn more It’s a concept that could ring true trying to do. And exploring nonprofit about the organization. for young people while influenc- careers. Young people, especially, That’s the first step, Lund said. ing their investment in the future of need to think about that.” The next move is for the philan- philanthropy. Hussain recommended that young thropic community to push for “It may not be something com- people get involved where they’re more youth representation on fortable or something sanctioned or comfortable. One obvious choice: boards and in advisory positions, to something that supports institutions, Social media. facilitate more diversity in orga- but it’s a necessary shift that needs “Where would you want to nizations, and to reward “disrup- to take place in order to improve the donate to? … Raise awareness of tive” models that young people are system of philanthropy,” Khaled said. these causes,” Hussain said. “Not just already skilled at. “Philanthropy itself is an act of donating, but helping (by) tweeting “Kids communicate with each giving. Putting those two together is it out. Talk about where you’ve been other with ease as opposed to when a catalytic event or collaboration that on your Facebook, Instagram and I was young,” Lund said. “So they shifts the way people do giving.” Twitter. can do more … They can really get

With roughly 330 guests from the Bruce Silcox photography “I mean, they’re (youth) so big on together as a group and support a Twin Cities philanthropic community Michael Faye of GiveDirectly believes in pushing the status quo. social media. Let things go viral. Let cause or do something.”

26 threesixtyjournalism.org “If we’re making enough money Going for broke to eat, that sounds great,” said guitar- ist Dallas Erdahl.

DEFINING SUCCESS Knowing when to make music a full-time With both Grimes, 21, and Erdahl, 22, following degrees in engineer- career can be a tricky proposition ing at the University of Minnesota, they’re not too worried if they don’t start working right away. Submitted “The education that we’re getting Local indie-pop group Whosah has its eyes on the music prize after college ends Musicians hear the warnings all is in demand enough that we can put this summer at the University of Minnesota. the time—“You have to make it Madie Ley off getting a job for awhile and still BIG in the music industry to University of be able to get a job, so we’re kind of be successful.” St. Thomas STRIKING A BALANCE safe,” said Grimes, his knuck- But people had been quietly Bischoff has been playing music les against a wooden table. breaking that rule for awhile when since she was three years old. The band has developed from popular hip hop artist Macklemore productions at the Orpheum Theater Formed in 2012, Web of Sunsets has playing shows in old school cafete- released the song “Jimmy Iovine” in Minneapolis. been featured on 89.3 The Current rias and Battle of the Bands competi- in 2012. But not all musicians are as and in Pitchfork, and according to tions to gigs like the Minneapolis The rebellious tone in lucky as Sorenson. In today’s music Bischoff, “money aside, it’s as close as Aquatennial, opening for folk rock Macklemore’s ode to big-name scene, more people are choosing a I’ve ever come to a dream job.” artist Mat Kearney, and collaborating record labels stems from the inter- financially-safe route: Work a job to Despite her success with Web with singer/songwriter Josh Clutter. actions he’s had with them. His pay the bills and pursue their passion of Sunsets—the touring band has “We’ve always had eyes bigger fictional story about being given an for music in their down time. These recorded an EP and an album— than our stomachs,” Erdahl admitted. offer by Iovine rings true to the pres- individuals are questioning some Bischoff hasn’t convinced herself to That said, Grimes realizes that the sure felt by all musicians trying to of the biggest stereotypes faced by go all-in. Her qualms mainly focus Originally from the outskirts of big-name record label pipe dream is make a living. musicians: “The industry is unpre- on the financial aspects of touring the north metro, three-part indie a thing of the past. “But if I get signed, my luck dictable,” “Music is just a hobby,” and recording music. pop band Whosah has big dreams. “It’s not like a movie scene where is destined/My future depends “Pursuing music is only for young “It’s rare to make a full-time After forming in 2010, the band of a guy walks in and says, ‘I hear you in on ink,” he spits, verbalizing the people.” living playing music in a band, but if three brothers—“two by blood and your garage. You’re good. I want you fears of unsigned musicians. Sara Bischoff of Minneapolis that were ever a possibility, I would one by blonde hair”—has juggled to be on the radio.’ That scene doesn’t Macklemore and his partner Ryan belongs to two bands—Web of commit in a heartbeat,” she said. music with family life, high school, really exist, and that’s depressing Lewis independently released three Sunsets and Heavy Deeds—and “What you do to pay your bills part-time jobs, and most recently, sometimes,” he said. EPs and two albums—culminat- works as a freelance writer and doesn’t have to be your identity, college to arrive at a major goal for Becoming successful in the music ing in four total Grammy awards designer. She actively tours and sometimes it’s even better that summer 2015. industry doesn’t have to involve a and millions of album sales. They and records music with Web of way so money isn’t controlling “Right now, the plan (for) record label or a world tour—it’s defied the system. Sunsets, and fiercely contests those your creative projects. In the same summer is to still pursue the careers different for everyone, based on what Dean Sorenson, a professor at stereotypes. breath, things don’t have to be so our classmates are pursuing, but makes sense for the group and the the University of Minnesota School “It’s strange that people associate compartmentalized, like you’re just tell anyone that offers us a job level of commitment you’re ready to of Music, calls Macklemore’s path being in a band with being young or living a double life or something—I that we’re going to start in the fall, make. “creating your own luck,” a tactic he unsettled, or that it’s wrapped up in don’t think that’s healthy either. instead of in the summer,” said Macklemore decided he didn’t firmly believes in. After his parents wanting to be famous. I think that Everyone can find their own bal- frontman and lead vocalist Spencer need a huge label to support him. expressed concern about devoting should be challenged,” Bischoff said. ance with it.” Grimes. “Then we’re going to try Sorenson decided not to heed his his life to music, Sorenson worked as “I own my own business, I pay While Bischoff works to create a just playing all over the place and parents’ warnings. Bischoff is com- hard as possible to be successful in my bills, I have a house and a dog symbiotic balance of work and play, pulling all of our contacts from the fortable with her creative output. the industry. and a relationship, and I play music. musicians on the other end of the last couple of years and trying to just Whosah is ready to push theirs as far “As it turned out, opportuni- I have no ambitions of fame. It’s spectrum aim to play until they can’t push it really hard.” as possible. ties came my way that allowed me completely satisfying to just make make a living. If they arrive at a place where Bottom line: While the dream of to do what I do,” said Sorenson, albums and play smaller shows. It’s Enter: The starving artists. (Or, music is enough to support them, “making it big” in music may not be who has performed profession- also not a phase or a side project— more realistically, people who are Whosah will commit full-time an attainable opportunity for every- ally (on trombone) alongside talent it’s a huge part of my life and identity comfortable taking financial risks to writing music and performing one, that doesn’t mean it’s the only like Idina Menzel and for major in a long-term, permanent way.” until they get what they want.) shows. road to prosperity.

December 2014 / January 2015 27 More than a fry cook

Getting a fast food job taught responsibility —and even changed perspectives

If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be working at Lana McDonald’s in the future, I would Rubinstein River Falls have laughed out loud. High School Wikimedia Commons And yet, after more than two Life behind the McDonald’s counter doesn’t sound glamorous, but it teaches teens responsibility. years of working at the McDonald’s in my hometown of River Falls, GAINING PERSPECTIVE And it bothered me. I’m not sure if I can say the working. I’m not a slacker and I Wis., I’ve discovered that the job I worked that day for about three Working in a place like same. As a teenager working at try my best. I’ve also been work- allowed me to develop a strong sense hours and I was mentally and physi- McDonald’s forces me to think McDonald’s, I’ve received the ing there for more than two years, of responsibility while exploring cally exhausted by the time I went quickly, act quickly and smile while occasional comment of, “Really? You which when I tell adults that, seems important tasks I wouldn’t have ever home. There was so much informa- doing it. But it’s a stressful environ- work there? Why?” I used to answer to impress them. Two years to keep learned to do. tion. Rules and regulations were ment. Managers talking loudly, apologetically, saying, “Yeah … I any job these days is a long time. As a teenager living in a small swirling around in my mind and customers looking annoyed, beeping don’t know why I work there.” But I think that’s something to be town, I was lucky to get a job at all. I I was seeing McChickens floating alarms and blinking lights—it can now, even though it may not be the proud of. was one of the first of my friends to before my eyes. often be too much. best job, I can say to my peers who Above all, I’ve learned that I get a job when I started working at But I had done it. I had survived Since McDonald’s is known for laugh, “At least I have a job.” don’t want to work at McDonald’s McDonald’s at 15—the earliest they my first day. And it’s only been uphill being fast with its service, when in the future. I like my co-workers, hire. I hated it at first. from there. someone messes up, it’s not a good LOOKING AHEAD I like most of the managers, and we I thought that I would never Now, after working there for two thing. I’ve had my fair share of “Keep busy!” like to joke around. But the work learn how to work the computers, years, it’s a breeze. I can take orders customers getting angry, managers That’s a common refrain that all isn’t fulfilling. man the fry station or take orders like nobody’s business. I’m a pro at being disappointed, and I’ve even managers say at McDonald’s. An I’m going off to college soon in the back window while paying the fry station. What once looked cried at work a couple of times. employee should never be standing and I’ll be leaving McDonald’s. I’m out the customers. I was over- difficult has become the easiest thing But I’m only a teenager. For still. There’s an unspoken rule that as lucky to be young with opportuni- whelmed, confused and more than in the world for me. some, this is their primary source of soon as an employee has downtime, ties in front of me. After college, a little scared. But it’s not all that great and nice. income. they grab a rag, wash a dish, wipe who knows what my options for jobs On my first day there, I literally Hypocrisy isn’t a good look on Take adult employee Carolynn down a counter—they do something might be? That’s when I start to think stood in a corner for five minutes— anyone, but to prove my point, I Lucas. She enjoys working there and to occupy their hands. about my fellow employees, the ones unable to move—because I was must use it. I become offended when is treated well by her co-workers and And yet for all the hard work, the who are older. convinced that one of the employees people constantly judge McDonald’s. managers. stereotypes remain. Carolynn enjoys her job, but would trample me in their haste to Even though I did it when I was “People are great. They make When you think of an employee there are plenty of adult employ- carry out duties. My mind was racing younger, it still bothers me when working fun,” she said. Carolynn gen- at McDonald’s, you probably don’t ees who might not have any other with thoughts like, “Will I ever learn others look down on a fast food job. uinely enjoys working at McDonald’s, think “successful business person option. McDonald’s might be the to do this?” and “How do they keep Just a month ago in my eco- and despite the very rare bad days, material.” Most people think only job they can get, and they work track of everything?” nomics class, my teacher said, she loves that it’s her job. “lazy,” “teenager,” “slacker” and hard at it. I must have looked terrified “Economics is all about choices. When asked if she’s ever felt criti- “unmotivated.” Will I miss smelling like French because I received a lot of sympathy, Like, for example, would you rather cized for working at McDonald’s, the Sorry, but I’m a hardworking fries when I leave River Falls? No. and some even said, “First day, huh?” work at Apple or at McDonald’s?” answer came quickly. girl who is very motivated. The But what I’ve learned at McDonald’s I could only nod. The entire class laughed, and one kid “No. The job is fun and people only reason I got a job so young is will stick with me. And that’s what even said, “Is that even a question?” don’t judge me.” because I was motivated to start important.

28 threesixtyjournalism.org Commentary

for half a year before he finally got Is college really hired in his own field. UNATTRACTIVE OPTIONS worth the cost? Not to mention, the things that I love and are good at are all shrinking fields. Journalism is changing a lot, to the point where future journalists are A future filled with debt shouldn’t be expected to do the job of more than one person—eliminating jobs that Staff were previously done by specialists. the only option for focused teens Students at the University of St. Thomas scan over material and study for exams I have to reasonably think about my during finals week on the St. Paul campus. major, and I don’t think I can study since I’m a year away from graduat- whatever I want to. I have to settle Back in late November, The Atlantic ing high school. Buying Chipotle two somewhere when I can expect to Shay began linking articles noting the Radhakrishnan times a month shouldn’t make me be paid, like the growing IT field. statistics of Millennials on Tumblr. Math and feel guilty. But I can’t help but think Once again, this isn’t a phenomenon Millennials, or Generation Y, include Science about how it adds up over time. And limited to myself. My other friends anyone born post-1982 up to 2004. Academy then I begin worrying about all the have their own passions that they Many people around this age range debt I know I’ll have to pay back— feel compelled to set aside. make up the demographic of Tumblr. and then subsequently created one of you know, since the average college The average age of retirement The article stated that Millennials the worst in American history. graduate leaves campus owing about Staff has increased, which is hilariously Look familiar, teens? College were less likely to buy homes and So to The Atlantic, let me break it $26,600, according to Forbes. the fault of the Baby Boomers and application season is in full swing. cars after college, which for some down for you. Why aren’t Millennials Back in 2004, the average debt Generation X—the same people who bizarre reason, perplexed the hung up on buying houses? Cars? was $18,650. Hamilton Place criticize Gen Y for doing nothing. poster. They wanted to know why Most of them probably can’t Strategies predicts that in ten years to see who’s better than you and by What am I supposed to do? All of Millennials, after graduating and afford to. Why? What are all those the average student debt will be how much. Especially in the final you are still working! getting a “real job,” aren’t going after people blowing their money on? equal to the median yearly salary a years of high school, that disparity And yet banks still expect us to houses and cars. College tuition. graduate will earn. between you and the next person start paying them within six months Upon further research, it turns And I’m not the only one who seems to be much more significant. of graduation. “Grace period,” they out that because Millennials are COLLEGE CONCERNS (quite reasonably) worries about Ultimately, I’d love to know where say. I’m not feeling very “graced.” less likely to take out loans and Our society almost universally fails paying student loans. Today’s teen is that $13,626 (tuition alone for the Sadly, some people fail to realize pursue the “American Dream,” we’re to recognize that not everyone forced to grow up in the face of mas- University of Minnesota) per student that going to a private college with a called the “Peter Pan” generation. should be—or even can be—going to sive college tuition and the expecta- is going every year. Does it really cost yearly rate of $40,000 a year isn’t very Millennials, as a whole, have bigger college. Not all jobs should require tion that college is the only answer. that much to provide an education? intelligent to do for someone with a gaps between so-called rites of adult- college degrees. Trade schools are All my friends are stressing Will anyone come and enlighten dream degree in philosophy. hood than previous generations. still an option! But all I’m hearing themselves out over doing well in me as to why we are shackled with Inflation is still going at its healthy Peter Pan indeed. It’s not like from public high school teachers is school and volunteering so that thousands in student loan debt rate of one to two percent a year, but there are extenuating circumstances. that everyone should be aiming to they can collect as many scholar- whereas some so-called “socialist” the minimum wage isn’t going up to It’s just because we don’t want to go to college right after graduation. ships as possible. I don’t particularly countries will pay their students to account for that gap. So even if I get grow up. Nobody talks about other options. enjoy the concept of competing with go to school? a job at McDonald’s, it will take me Baby Boomers and Generation According to the Organization my friends for desperately needed This is the kind of thing that ages to pay any debt back. X refer to Millennials as the “me” for Economic Co-operation and money this early in my life. But it’s discourages people from wanting to And these people have the generation. We’re lazy and useless! Development, nearly half (46 not like I have a lot of options—it’s further their education. Yes, getting audacity to say, “Oh, just get a better We’ll never leave our houses! All we percent) of the people that enter a either cut their throat or pay in full. a good job is important. Learning job.” That’s not exactly an option! do is mooch off our parents and take domestic college manage to gradu- It’s also stressful for people who things is very important. But I can’t Besides, who’s going to get you fries selfies all day! ate within six years. But not all of are good at a few things, but aren’t help but wonder if it’s really worth it, at midnight if no one is running the “When I graduated from college, the people that drop out are leaving the best at everything. I feel like I’m if there’s a chance that I won’t even graveyard shift? I started with nothing and within a because academia isn’t for them. dragging my heels as I get older, be able to pay it back since it’s pos- So please don’t ask why we’re not few years had already bought a house Instead, the cost of going to a college because as much as I’m excited to see sible I won’t be hired once I graduate. buying houses. You probably already and blah blah blah.” in the United States is outrageously where I’m going, I don’t know a thing A college graduate friend of mine, know. But they also fail to recognize that expensive. about what I’m going to do. With who came out of the University of they grew up in an amazing economy And it’s already affecting my life scholarships and class ranks, it’s easy Michigan, worked at Home Depot

December 2014 / January 2015 29 program is doing its part to close the opportunities that would be good for have 23 high schools where we have Opening up the achievement gap and help Minnesota them. We help them start to create a students, and we have more than create the next generation of talented “top five” list of schools they might be 4,000 students who are in college at college graduates. interested in. Then we spend senior 300 universities. I spend most of my college playbook year with those students working time thinking about our program- Who does College Possible aim with that top five list and help them ming to support our students— to serve? start applying for colleges. making sure that we are reaching Our mission is to make college Our goal is to have all of our stu- as many students as possible in the Twin Cities-based College Possible gives admission a success. And make it dents apply to at least five different Twin Cities. I also spend a lot of possible for low-income students. schools, and support them in that time raising dollars and awareness low-income students a helping hand So we start working with students, process. We also work with every for our program, so it takes a lot of and we actually do some college prep student to complete the FAFSA, to resources to make a big program talks with underclassmen, ninth secure their financial aid that they like this happen. So I spend much of and tenth grade students ... It’s a need to go to college. We also help my time out in the community, talk- College applications are a handful. very light touch we do early on with them identify private scholarship ing to media and groups, and our They can be especially difficult for Daniela Garcia students. Then we recruit students opportunities that our students can elected officials. I tell them about students who don’t have trusted adults Edina High to be in our program, spring of their apply for. College Possible and educate them guiding them through the process. School sophomore year. It’s typically stu- on college applications and success. Luckily there is College Possible, a dents who are low income or qualify What are the requirements for a stu- Then I work with corporations and nonprofit organization aimed at help- for free and reduced price lunch, that dent to be in College Possible? individual donors to ask them to ing high school students understand over 300 hours in our program. We have a GPA of 2.0 or greater. In order to apply for the program, support us financially so that we can how to get into college. offer the program every day after They have to want to go to col- they need to be income eligible and support more students. As executive director of College school, we ask students to come lege and are willing to invest their GPA eligible. Students should have Possible, Sara Dziuk believes in a in twice a week to attend our after time as a student that’s preparing recommendations from teachers or Where do your coaches come from? diverse future. She oversees the Twin school sessions. They last about two to go to college and be successful. guidance counselors. Parents need to We have coaches that are Cities-based program and its 23 area hours each,” Dziuk said. Then we admit students into our sign a permission slip and the student AmeriCorps members, recent college high schools that pair low-income “Students have a coach every step program and spend all of junior goes through an interview with us, as graduates. They are passionate. They students of color with “coaches”— of the way. Through their whole pro- year with them, really focused on well as completes an application. are realistic. They are the smart- recent college graduates who give a cess they have a coach, one in high increasing their ACT scores and their est people I know, And they are year of service through AmeriCorps school and then one in college—no college entrance exam scores. We What is your role at College ready to change the world. The first and are “ready to change the world.” matter where they go to school.” also expose our students to campus Possible? thing they are doing, oftentimes, is “Over the course of those two Could College Possible work visits and get them thinking about My job is to oversee everything spending a year in service. They’re years in high school, students spend for you? Dziuk explains how the summer enrichment programs and that College Possible is doing. We full-time volunteers and they are

My reflection: Blazing a trail to college When I attended my first College Possible session in the eleventh Tyra grade, I had no idea what to expect Davis-Jenkins Coon Rapids for the forthcoming year. ACT prep High School and college info sessions twice- a-week for two hours, honestly, sounded terrible. their college readiness plan however I always liked to challenge myself they pleased. I never resented them as a student, have taken AP and because of this. I was merely jealous honors classes, and was an athlete that they had options to explore, that the majority of the year. It was hard they could learn about colleges or to see myself committing to a two- the ACT however they wanted, in

Photos by Tyra Davis-Jenkins Photos by Tyra hour session two days a week while their own time. College Possible coaches, alum and current students gather for an event at Augsburg College to share advice. my peers were at home, going about But then I had to remind myself

30 threesixtyjournalism.org coaches for our students, What happens to students How do you measure success? so we pair that coach with who are in the program We are very result-focused as an students, either in a high and don’t follow through? organization. With our juniors, we school to work with 40 high When a student joins strive to try and increase their ACT school students or we have College Possible, we are scores. In our history, students have coaches for our college stu- making a commitment increased their ACT scores by 22 dents. Our college coaches to see them through col- percent—which shows that they are a typically work with 200 stu- Sara Dziuk lege admission and col- much more competitive candidate for dents, perhaps in a number lege success. Whether college than they were at the begin- of different universities or colleges that student likes it or not, we are ning of the year. In our history, 98 where we have students attend. determined to see them through. percent of our students have earned So their coach will track them admission to college. Currently, a What are the various partnerships down in the lunch room, or before College Possible student is 10 times College Possible has with different school, or between classes to more likely to graduate from college

colleges? remind them that we want to see than their low-income peers. Isabelle Loisel Some colleges host our students them in session. Coaches remind A Northeast Minneapolis wall showcases the “stylized language” of graffiti. on college visits, so they are really them that we want to be working What are your hopes for College excited to have College Possible with them through the process. Possible in the future? GRAFFITI from page 23 it for gang marking of turf … which students come to their campus and Ninety-eight percent of the stu- I hope to see even more students somewhat of an edge in their per- couldn’t be further from the truth. start to picture themselves on that dents in our program earn admission become successful. We want to see spectives of the world we all share. campus. We have about 30 college to college. We see all of our students more and more of our students Some artists have accomplished What is the culture of graffiti as partners who want our students through college, and if there is ever a persist in graduating from college, a lot in the culture—from being an art form? Why is it important to to explore their campus. We also stop along their way that they did not because it’s more about just earn- a gallery artist to making a living recognize this culture? have some deeper partners who earn admission right away, or they’re ing admission to college. We want teaching the styles and the tech- The culture is atypical by nature. work with colleges that either really in college for a semester and they more of our students to graduate. niques of the culture. Others have People often confuse the letters as want a lot of students to attend, need to leave for financial academic And then for them to be here, in the been featured in magazines and scary messages, but I assure them or we have a lot of current stu- or personal reasons, we will continue Twin Cities, working or volunteer- books and even on the news and in that it is nothing more then a styl- dents attending and want to make to support that student. There have ing and giving back. We want to see the paper. The motive behind it is ized language of writing, like callig- sure those students are supported been many times over the years future generations change because to always be getting your name out raphy. That is why we call ourselves and successful. So those partners where a student is struggling, so our of the education our students are there—good or bad, and sometimes “writers.” We use letters as the main have many students on campus, coach begins calling them. Until receiving today. both at the same time. focal point for the artwork. for example Augsburg College or that student is ready to re-enroll, the It is important to recognize University of Minnesota. coach will help them do that. What negative perceptions are you this culture because, like all things trying to break down? man-made and created, it is unique The media and local, state and unto itself. It’s young and interest- national governments often vil- ing. It is as basic and crude as cave lainize the artists. There is a real paintings, and as complex and energy and effort put forth in intricate as the things that created why I applied to this program: peers—and especially my College would be to study in Chicago and trying to stop them from express- our universe. It is ugly and beauti- To gain knowledge about ACT Possible coach, Kelley Redmond. pursue a major in film. ing themselves and gaining public ful and challenges us as thinkers on strategy and the college application I have made awesome memories College Possible has provided acceptance. They have contributed many levels. It is freedom at its best process. Knowledge that I needed. with all of them and appreciate all me with a wide variety of skills that to this fear of chaos and lawlessness and criminal by nature. Whether Both of my parents never went to of their support. go far beyond ACT strategy and through propaganda and criminal- you love it or hate it, it exists. a post-secondary institution after So far this year, I have applied filling out applications. I’ve learned izing of them. high school. Ultimately, I would be to St. Cloud State, Minnesota State how to talk professionally on the I try to showcase the quality How can youth benefit from this art a trailblazer in my family. University Moorhead, University phone, properly write e-mails and aspects of the art and teach people form? Now that I’m a senior, I look of Hartford, DePaul University, construct a resume. I’ve developed not to fear it, but to champion it. I guess just from experiencing back and realize that there’s no Columbia College in Chicago and a greater appreciation for the attri- Graffiti art is, after all, “American” something new and different or by way I would’ve gotten through the Loyola University. I have received butes that pay off in life, such as by nature and encompasses all the creating it. You have to work hard ACT or fall college application acceptance letters from St. Cloud hard work and determination. great qualities this country was to build the skills to do it. It takes season without the support and State and Columbia College I already know that these skills founded on. Freedom to express many years to even become half- encouragement of my other CP already, and ultimately, my dream will benefit me for the rest of my life. one’s opinions through speech is way decent at it, and technically, one of them. People often mistake you may never fully master it.

December 2014 / January 2015 31 Thank You event sponsors for making ThreeSixty Journalism’s 2014 Widening the Circle benefit dinner a success!

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