SteinmetzVolume 80, Number 3, January-February 2015 Star www.steinmetzstar.com Activist youth work for justice By Dalia Mena any students who care about eco- nomic, educational, and racial jus- Mtice are working with Communi- ties United and Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE). About 50 students attended our teach- Carmona Leslie by Photo in on Feb. 6, in which we discussed racial disparities in teen employment. After pizza, ice-breakers, and a presentation, everyone had a chance to share issues they are con- cerned about in their communities. Many of those students joined other youth from across Chicago for a demonstration on Feb. 10 at a mayoral debate at the DuSable Museum. United Jose Sanchez, Communities by Photo Organizations like Communities United Dalia Mena speaks at a press conference on Feb. 10 about racial injustice at the DuSable Museum, prior to a mayoral debate. About 20 Steinmetz students participated in a demonstration. (Top right): Nearly 50 students attended the Feb. 6 teach-in. (Bottom right): Many students door-knocked in the ward for the elected school board referendum petition. and VOYCE not only teach students about issues, they get us involved in trying to work we have slowed it down. Originally, there was worked. There will be a referendum in this To pass these bills, Steinmetz students and for change. a proposal to close 150 schools; 50 ended up ward and in most others in the city during other youth, have been traveling to Springfield Over the past two years, students have closed. We showed that we are not staying the municipal elections on Feb. 24. to lobby our legislators. All the traveling and fought against excessive standardized testing, quiet and we are going to continue to fight Recently, in our work with VOYCE, we trainings that we have gone through have been school closings, charter school expansion, and for our education. It was empowering to see helped push through bill SB2793, which hard, but definitely worth it. We need to show budget cuts. We held many actions around so many students come out and talk about focuses on data transparency with school people that students care about their education the city to spread the message that these were how they felt and not hold back. discipline. Now we are focusing on another and willing to change the law for it. horrible ideas. We participated in press con- We have had success. Students from Stein- bill SB100, which focuses on decreasing the I encourage any student to get involved. ferences and rallies, and testified at board of metz knocked on more than 6,000 doors to amount of harsh discipline for minor infrac- These are our schools and our communities; we education meetings and hearings. gather signatures from voters to get an Elected tions in schools, and implementing restorative need to stand up for the justice we deserve. Although we weren’t able to stop the board, School Board referendum on the ballet. It justice. • Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia polling Decathlon team takes second in Feb. 24 mayor’s race 14th in city By Jalan Veal an elected school board, and pro- motes charter schools. In addition, ost of the school staff many see Emanuel, who has raised members who respond- $30 million for his campaign, as Med to a Star poll said out of touch with real Chicagoans. they will vote for Cook County “Working families are tired Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” of being ignored by politicians Garcia. The second highest vote- in Chicago who only care about getter was Alderman Bob Fioretti. downtown,” CTU vice-president Security guard Richard Hernan- Jesse Sharkey said. “As mayor, we dez and Mayor Rahm Emmanuel expect Chuy to put the focus back each received one vote. on neighborhoods and the diverse Photos courtesy Mr. Davoud Chitsaztehrani Public school employees have people who live within them.” many reasons to vote against the If none of the five candidates mayor. He lengthened the school receives more than 50 percent of day and year without compensat- the vote on Feb. 24, there will be Jesus “Chuy” Garcia ing workers, cut school budgets, a run-off election between the top closed 50 schools, is opposed to Photos courtesy www.substancenews.net two candidates on April 7. • he Academic Decathlon team, “They ranked 14th, which is a the Brainiacs, competed in the great accomplishment,” coach Davoud Tfirst round of citywide competi- Chitsaztehrani said. tion on Jan. 24. The championship finals will be Willie Wilson Ald. Bob Fioretti William ‘Dock’ Walls Mayor Rahm Emanuel held on Feb. 24. WTTW photo • In this Issue Opinion: Pages 2-3 News: Pages 4-5 Valentine’s Day: 6-8 Arts & Entertainment, 8-9 Sports: Pages 10-12 Justyna Szczech Photo by Emily Santiago by Photo Photo by Devion Thompson Devion by Photo Drawing by Patricia Abrigunda Patricia by Drawing by Photo Photo by Jalan Veal Jalan by Photo Steinmetz hosts 36th Ward aldermanic forum; Star endorses in 29th, 38th, 39th Science Fair winners, p. 5 Shout-outs, pages 6-7 Black Creativity Art winners, p. 8 Girls basketball improves, p. 12 2 Star Opinion Editors work to inform and entertain Steinmetz Star Steinmetz College Prep High School 3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641 773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241 www.steinmetzstar.com Email: [email protected] Dalia Mena, Koya Scott, Edmund Dones, Leslie Carmona, Jalan Veal Principal: Mr. Stephen Ngo Photos by Brian Geans Assistant principals: Five seniors have been selected to be editors of the Star: co-editors-in-chief Dalia Mena and Jalan Veal, opinion editor Edmund Mr. Jaime Jaramillo Dones, arts & entertainment and sports editor Koya Scott, and photo editor Leslie Carmona. “These students bring a lot of talent Ms. Cheryl Williams and dedication to the Star,” adviser Sharon Schmidt said. “I’m proud and thankful.” Ms. Ruquiyah Rahman-Aquil Budget director: Mr. Paul Chase All the 36th Ward candidates promise to Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt Co-editors-in-chief: Dalia Mena and Jalan Veal support neighborhood schools ll the candidates Opinion editor: Edmund Dones for 36th Ward Aalderman stated Arts & Entertainment, Sports editor: Koya Scott their opposition to char- ter schools and mayoral Photo editor: Leslie Carmona control of the board of education at the forum Journalism class reporters, Rm. 333, Per. 3 on Feb. 5. See www.stein- Jacara Adams, Alexis Bamber, Rebecca Bernstein, Aaliyah metzstar.com for more Collins, Felisha Cordero, Angel DeJesus, Desiree Erturk, information and a link to Elizabeth Garcia, Kamari Joiner, Joslyn Hermosillo, Marco a video of the event. Hernandez, Matias Kirk, Jennifer Liera, Angelica Lopez, Photo by Emily Santiago • Rosemary McGurn, Gissel Mendoza, Estephani Paredes, Li Nguyen, Jennifer Padilla, Delilah Perez, Maria Purisima, Marisha Reynolds, Teresa Rodriguez, Emily Santiago, Emony Tate, Devion Thompson, Jailene Torres, Tatiana Turcios, Yureli Velazquez, Claudia Vidalon, Jamilah Zayas Newspaper Club reporters: Yadira Abarca, Rayna Albelo, Agape Alfaro, Yeovanni Al- Photo by Emily Santiago by Photo varado, Lesli Avila, Karen Bahena, Maria Barajas, Christian LSC community rep and candidate Gilbert Villegas Senior Justyna Szczech with candidate Omar Aquino; Principal Stephen with LSC student rep Emily Santiago. LSC president Ngo, senior Leslie Carmona and librarian Bernie Eshoo with candidate Baylon, Victoria Boccia, Leslie Carmona, Kimberly De- Jose Quiles with candidate Christopher Vittorio Alonso Zaragoza gante, Edmund Dones, Kimberly Degante, Kala Geralds, Brian Geans, Ahmad Hamdan, Harrison Hardy, Rikeya Hargrove, Alejandro Hernandez, Luz Herrera, Jaharri Jack- Strong candidates in 29th, 37th, 38th wards son, Monica Laddaran, Jemeka Malone, Nayeli Martinez, Gerardo Martinez, Jayline Matias, Dalia Mena, Carmelita Mendez, Destiny Nedohin, Jane Nero, Elizabeth Patino, Jennifer Padilla, Samanthia Ponticelli, Koya Scott, Julissa Tello, Jalan Veal, Marty Vician, Brenda Villegas The Newspaper Clubmeets on Mondays after school in Room 333. The Steinmetz Starwelcomes letters, corrections, com- ments, and articles from all members of the Steinmetz ased on their work last year in fighting the Board of Education’s plan to increase charter schools on the community. northwest side, the Star agrees with the Chicago Teachers Union and enthusiastically endorses Zerlina Smith Bin the 29th against incumbent Deborah Graham, Tara Stamps in the 37th against incumbent Emma Mitts, Printing: Mr. Hugh Hefner’s December 2014 dona- and current 36th Ward alderman Nick Sposato in the 38th (who was forced out of the 36th by redistricting). All tion to the Star covers the costs of printing the paper at the candidates could use volunteers in their campaigns before the Feb. 24 election. • Topweb in Chicago. • ‘Blank Spaces’ FAFSA parody FAFSA es un obstáculo Senior research paper generates buzz Opinión por Elizabeth Garcia By Kamari Joiner y Claudia Vidalon riting a senior research paper can be stressful, esde ahora comienza el camino hacia el fin yet it’s a graduation requirement for every y un nuevo comienzo. Porque? Pues por Wsenior here so you have to face it. Dque muchos ya estan preparandose para la A senior research paper is a 5-page paper on a topic graduación y para empezar a planear su futuro. Pero that interests you. During the paper you will learn a hay un obstáculo para lograr sus metas y sueños. lot of things, like how to cite websites and quote from El tan mencionado FAFSA todos los seniors lo articles. Students beginning the process might want tienen que hacer para poder graduarse. Muchos no to consider advice from those who have completed it. saben como hacerlo, no tienen tiempo para hacerlo, “Take your time, and don’t wait until the last minute Photos courtesyPhotos Claudio Mendrano o simplemente no lo quieren hacer. to start,” senior Aaliyah Collins said. The video features senior Patricia Saavedra, whose hair and makeup were done by Aleida Cajigas.