Culture, cultivation, and creativity Black Student Union performs at annual showcase by Regine Sarah Capungan “Break, pound, stone, crumble” chanted Th members of Northside’s Black Student Union (BSU) as the lighting went up on stage. As the group continued to chant, BSU Vice President The Student Newspaper of Northside College Prep HS Ashley Gonzalez, Adv. 209, made her way March 2012, Volume 12, Number 6 to the front of the stage for the first of her Online at thehoofbeat.com many solo recitations. One by one, the rest of the BSU members on stage followed suit and stood in a V-formation. “Our goal is to try to revisit some of the history of African Americans in this country,” BSU Coordinator, Yvonne Smith, math de- Members of the BSU performing on stage. | SARAH CAPUNGAN partment, said. “We want to show how that history has influenced what we are doing with performed by the students, some of which out the performance, the subject matter of students today and how we may remember were originally written by Richard Wright the performance was not limited to struggles that history.” and other well-known black poets. The poems faced in the past. For instance, a humorous That opening sequence was the first part that were not written by those poets were highlight of the performance occurred when of an hour-long showcase on Feb. 29. The written by Whitson herself. members of the BSU quoted phrases from showcase is a yearly tradition intended to “We didn’t write any of the poetry, but “Sh*t White Girls Say To Black Girls,” a popu- recognize Black History Month in February. she (Whitson) drew inspiration from us,” lar YouTube video. In the past years, the showcase has included BSU President, Eghe Obaseki, Adv. 202, said. “It (the showcase) was not just on the fashion shows of traditional African cloth- “We had certain meetings where she asked civil rights movement,” Luis Mesa, Adv. 207, ing, poetry readings, and dance routines. us questions and based on our answers, she said, “it was on problems we’ve been facing This year, poetry recitations that were cho- would write a poem.” today. These are problems that seem to have reographed to West African and House style In the midst of the poetry recitations was not gone away even though slavery has ended dances were the main focus of the showcase. Trinique Townsend’s, Adv. 404, performance and we have gotten all of these rights.” “I think the subject matter (this year) is of the song “Strange Fruit,” which was origi- The stage lights dimmed on the BSU different, but it’s the idea of taking the spo- nally written and performed by Billie Holiday. members as the performance came to an end. ken words and putting movement to that ex- Townsend sang with a clear, powerful voice After the performers took their final bows, pression,” Smith said. “It’s the idea of using as the others onstage chanted quietly in the Obaseki made a speech to address her fellow writings and black poets to explain and show background. seniors on BSU and thanked Ms. Smith and what is important.” “Strange Fruit,” which contains the Ms. Whitson. Smith was accompanied in her leader- phrase “black bodies swinging in the south- “It (the BSU showcase) has been bitter- Ashley Gonzalez, Adv. 209, and Patricia Muhammad, ship by Mrs. Ni’Ja Whitson, the showcase’s ern breeze,” describes lynchings that occurred sweet,” Obaseki said. “I’m glad to be going off Adv. 403, recreate Rosa Parks’ bus incident. | SARAH director and choreographer. She was respon- in the South. While slavery and the Civil to college, but at the same time, I’m going to CAPUNGAN sible for the selection of poems that were Rights Movement were mentioned through- miss this.” Occupy Dance Floor takes over Northside’s auditorium by Brendali Rios At 7:15 p.m., Ms. Martha Mulligan, Math De- partment, greeted the crowd and asked them On Feb. 3, a crowd of people headed to- to take a seat. Without time to spare, Gifted wards Northside College Prep for Occupy Souls and their Queens of Paradise took the Dance Floor, Northside’s annual dance show- stage. The members of Gifted Souls, who case. Parents, friends, and families who at- had two sets in the show, came out on stage tended the event waited eagerly to be seated. wearing what looked to be tribal attire. The People crowded the auditorium entrance, female members of the group were wearing a flowers and balloons in hand, waiting for the mustard-yellow, long sleeved leotards while show to begin. And what a show they got. the males wore orange parachute pants and an adornment of feathers around their neck. The costumes added to the performance they put on to the soundtrack of M.I.A, Snowboy, and Latin Section. Their enthusiasm and smile hyped up the crowd who was eager to see what the show had in store. The performance by Passion, a ballet dance ensemble new to Northside, led by Sarah Doi, Adv. 404, and Tiara Badie, Adv. 407, as well as Michelle Skiba, Adv. 505, with the pieces “All Will Be Well” and “Break Me The Gifted Souls performing at Northside. | BRENDALI RIOS Down” added variety to the show. Their piec- Adv. 306, and of course, the grand finale by crowd. es were accompanied by music by the Gabe Hypnotik, Northside’s very own Hip Hop Jigg Nation showcased the dominance Dixon Band and 30 Seconds to Mars. dance group, led by AJ Tran and Ivan Capi- of females in their dance, ending their piece “Although the show was composed of fali, Adv. 301. with the men being led out on an imaginary mainly hip hop crews, I wanted to showcase Amongst the dance crews that per- leash, with the women leading them. other styles of dance as well and just let peo- formed as a team was Tommy Le, a guest “Hip hop has been a really misunder- ple see the talent that’s right here at North- performer who stood solo and performed stood culture and I just wanted people to see side,” AJ Tran, Adv. 201, Student Coordinator his piece Game Fever. Utilizing famous game what it could be, outside of Hypnotik and all of the event, said about the contemporary theme songs such as a Pokemon/Mario mix the media influences,” Tran said, “I hope the ballet piece. and the Tetris theme song, he singlehandedly shows continue to expand, a lot of the danc- Other appearances by Northside’s dance got the crowd on its feet, cheering him and ers and directors said that they would love teams included a piece by the Black Student his breakdance-like moves on. to come back and perform next year. I really Union, led by member Deja Lindsey, Adv. 406, Dance groups such as Puzzle League, hope they do. I’m graduating this year and it Members from the Gifted Souls group performing at Sabor Latino led by Elizabeth Schwartz, Adv. Kapwa Modern, Jigg Nation, CODA, Hip Hop would be awesome to know that these shows Northside. | BRENDALI RIOS 202, Aisha Torres, Adv. 402, and Victor Perez, Connection HQ also performed, wowing the will live on; better yet, top this year’s.” ONLINE Visit www. thehoofbeat.com for more articles. NCP NEWS Local School Council (LSC) Report Student Council Report by Zobia Chunara Public Comment: by Carly Jackson lowing options they preferred: Co-President of German club, Nicholas -shortening passing periods and ending Meeting: February 21 Goecke, spoke to the LSC about the future of Student Council is discussing what its school a couple minutes later Announcement: The LSC is still seeking the German program. Finance cuts have ne- role in Field Day will be this year. The coun- -starting school five minutes earlier and new candidates; applications are available cessitated a combined class of German 3, 4, cil traditionally co-sponsors the events, pay- ending five minutes later from Mrs. Kato in the counseling office and and AP students. The students have an inter- ing half of the approximately $3500 bill, with -ending school later should be submitted by March 8th. est in continuing to the next level. If the pro- the administration paying the second half. In The poll also asks if the student would Principal’s Report: gram is not continued, other options include total, approximately $2500 is spent on food rather eliminate advisory than choose one of There will be added testing administered self-study and online courses for tutoring. and $1000 on inflatables. the three options. beginning this year in March. They will mea- LSC response: Members are investigating the plausi- Advisory representatives and members sure Northside’s progress three times a year We cannot commit until we know the bility of a student coffee machine. Proposals of Student Council are filling out an online as a “transitional assessment” in English, real cuts (budget and staffing) that are going have included renting a machine for a trial principal evaluation about Mr. Rodgers. reading, math, and science. to take place, so right now just explore op- period and purchasing an automatic-dispense The council will collect ideas from the Northside will participate in the No Child tions that would fit into the current schedule; machine. student body for more projects by creating a Left Behind Program (NCLB), and expects if something was arranged for coursework in On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Student Council suggestion box. approximately 14 NCLB students. 15 stu- another school building during colloquium or hosted a town hall meeting outlining the pro- Students have proposed that student dents were originally admitted to Northside after school, students would have to arrange cess of applying for a grant from the council.