SteinmetzVolume 78, Number 3, January 2013 Star Students and staff help those in need More giving acts inside, Responding to tragedy pages 10-11 Doing something, anything to show Sandy Hook we care By Serlecia Jones veryone responded to the Sandy Hook school massacre with sadness, and many Fundraiser for Leukemia and Efelt helpless wondering what they could do. Lymphoma Society “I felt devastated,” freshman Savannah Lugo said. “I want to have everyone buy a balloon and set them free at a certain time.” Gina Szulkowski’s Art 1 class responded by making cards and writing messages to make the people of Newtown feel better. It was a painful thing to some of the students, but in the end it helped because they did something productive and creative. Serving the children with books Ms. Szulkowski said that “our school and Art I students Jayline Mitias and Norma Carrillo made sympathy cards to send to the and the joy of reading families of the shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut. More cards on Page 10. their school have something similar — the school color.” “It’s awful what happened,” senior Jesse Fa- With 20 of the victims being children it jardo said. “I felt bad because I have a nephew 20 children among the dead was a devastating moment. that is the same age as them.” • By Koya Scott n the morning of Friday, December 14, 2012, 20-year old Adam Lanza went on Oa killing rampage in Newtown, CT. First he shot his mother, Nancy Lanza, multiple times in the head, then he blasted his way into Sandy Blood Drive Hook elementary school, killing 20 innocent chil- dren and 6 staff members with a high-power rifle. The massacre might even have been worse, Governor Dannel Malloy said. Lanza shot himself as first responders entered the building. He had “lots of ammo” on him when he died, enough to carry out significant additional carnage, a law enforcement official said. “We surmise that it was during the second classroom episode that he heard responders com- Locks of love BY NATHALIE ORTIZ NATHALIE BY ing and apparently at that, decided to take his Susana Garcia and Kassandra Garcia post condolences written by students and staff. own life,” Malloy said on ABC’s “This Week.” By Nathalie Ortiz dolences and prayers on paper candles, which Continued on Page 10 were displayed in the hall. Many wrote names any little angels will never open their of their own family members or friends who eyes again; they won’t get a chance passed away. Students also signed a poster Mto open their gifts under the trees. pledging peace. Illinois State Scholars: Their parents are devastated and hurt by the Many thanks to all who helped. fact they’ve lost their gifts. A child is the most • precious thing to a parent. ‘Best and brightest’ “This tragedy hit all of us hard,” librarian 10 students Bernie Eshoo said. advance to Submitted by She helped coordinate a school-wide re- Tamara Jabour, sponse. Students and staff wrote their con- regional science counselor fair, Page 4 e have eight WIllinois Steinmetz grad, Star benefactor State Scholars for the Class of Hugh Hefner weds Crystal Harris 2013. The state determines Illi- layboy editor-in-chief and Steinmetz nois State Schol- graduate (1944) Hugh Hefner married ars based on PCrystal Harris on New Years Eve. results from the Since his last visit to Steinmetz in 2010, PSAE and the Mr. Hefner has donated $30,000, and pledged students GPA. another $20,000, to the Star for equipment Even though and printing. there is no mon- “I know how important a regularly pub- etary award, this lished school paper can be for all the students,” honor is given he wrote in a January 2011 letter. to the best and ROMANENKO REBECCA BY When he was a student, Mr. Hefner re- the brightest stu- Top row: Judy Czahor, Jennifer Czahor, Saul Zamora ported stories for the Star and yearbook (and dents throughout Bottom row: Iriz Ilumin, Nohemi Colin, Fanny Reyes was also involved in drama, student council, the state. Not pictured: Jorge Orduno, Brandon Steppan choir and track). When he visited in 2010 he Being an Illinois State Scholar looks ous scholarships. When you see these Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris visited told students that he loved his high school days. Steinmetz in October, 2010. great on a resume, college application students, please congratulate and “high “This is where the dreams began,” he said.• BUTLER DATRIN BY and can help when applying for vari- five” them!• 2 Principal’s Message Happy New Year from Mr. Ngo Steinmetz reetings Stein- Star metz Family, Steinmetz College Prep High School G It’s hard to believe that half of the 3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641 school year is already 773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241 gone. So many great Email: [email protected] things have happened: B96 welcomed us all School website: www.steinmetzac.com back to school, we all (“Steinmetz Newspaper” link) attended the BMX Anti-Smoking show, our varsity football Principal: Mr. Stephen Ngo team performed well in the play-offs, and Assistant principals: we reached Level 2 on Mr. Jaime Jaramillo the CPS performance Principal Stephen Ngo, with B96 radio personality Errick Brown, students and staff on Ms. Cheryl Williams policy. I am person- Tuesday, Sept. 4 , the first day of the 2012-2013 school year Ms. Ruquiyah Rahman-Aquil ally excited to have our varsity boys basketball team play Schurz tinue pushing forward. If we maintain continue providing all students with a Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt High School at the United Center on our Level 2 status this year, we will be off quality education. January 25th. probation. So here’s what we need to do: We believe in you! I can only hope that Co-editors in chief: Jennie Czahor and I hope all of you have enjoyed the Freshmen and Sophomores, do your best the second semester will be as successful Judy Czahor winter vacation by doing things that to pass your classes, Juniors, get prepared as the first semester. On behalf of myself, you enjoy. We are making great progress to take the PSAE, and Seniors, make sure and the entire Steinmetz College Prep ad- Editing Team: Michael Amaya, Moriah academically and in our extra-curricular you fill out your FAFSA and college ap- ministration, have a Happy New Year! Belt, Amanda Gidney, Anthony Guerrero, endeavors. plications. Sincerely, Katarzyna Jalowiec, Celimar Lopez, With that in mind, I want us to con- The faculty and staff at Steinmetz will Stephen J. Ngo, principal • Rebecca Romanenko Journalism class reporters, Room 333 1st period: Michael Amaya, Moriah Belt, Principal’s concerns include student Breonn Bland, Makennzee Curran, Brit- tany Garcia, Jennifer Garcia, Jisel Garcia, Lechele Glispie, Arneshia Harris, Ser- choices and teacher lesson plans lecia Jones, Anthony Lagunas, Elizabeth By Brandon Robinson & Mr. Ngo told us he reviews Martinez, Alejandra Pacheco, Emanuel Anyssa Rodriguez teacher lessons plans for the week, Pazmino, Phillip Quezada, Abraham Roa, giving teachers feedback to make Heiddy Rodas, Anyssa Rodriguez, Alan rincipal Stephen Ngo welcomed their teaching more effective. He Salazar, Andrea Silva, London Vasquez, Star reporters on December 14 to showed us examples of plans sub- Aracely Ventura, Kyle Williams Pshow us part of his duties and re- mitted by teachers (with names sponsibilities. He is very busy so we were omitted) that were effective and 5th period: Steven Abanto, Denzel Brown, fortunate that he was able to pencil us one that was off topic. Taylah Brown, Lexus Castro, La’Keva into his very packed schedule. He said he focuses on helping Duncan, Jonathan Eustaquio, Iriz Gar- First thing in the morning we intro- teachers do a great job in the class cia, Amanda Gidney, Victoria Gonzalez, duced ourselves and met in his office filled so that students can understand Esther Grimaldo, Anthony Guerrero, Joc- with a big couch, big conference table, and grasp the concepts more easily. elyn Laguer, Lathea Lee, Matthew Maggit, large screen to project computer images, Mr. Ngo goes through a lot Dominic Masciopinto, Nakita McCaa, artwork, photos, and stacks of paperwork. of paperwork. Email is a big chal- Ivelise Mercado, Norjoria Pratt, Ricky We had planned to shadow Mr. Ngo lenge; he gets 40-60 messages a day Rico, Brandon Robinson, Govani Rosales, BY NATHALIE ORTIZ NATHALIE BY for the day, but after 30 minutes things which can be hard to keep up with. Daniela Vargas, Esther Velazquez Principal Stephen Ngo fills out a condolence became too hectic and he had to cut it “I don’t let my stress stop me candle for the wall of peace display. short. from doing my my job,” he said 8th period: Selene Acosta, Brenda He told us about his main concerns While Mr. Ngo likes being in- Blanco, Norma Carrillo, Katie Christ, — attendance, making sure the students He talked about student choices. volved in all aspects of the school, he said David Cruz, Judith Czahor, Luis Diaz, are really learning from their teachers, and “When you’re walking into Steinmetz he can’t do it all alone. Jackueline Flores, Estefani Garcia, Julian being hands on with everyone. it’s like a grocery store,” he said. “You have “Being a leader and delegating means Hemingway, Katarzyna Jalowiec, Celimar “The best thing about Steinmetz is our the good food and the bad food and it’s I have to trust the decisions of my admin- Lopez, Luis Lopez, Erik Martinez, Jose students,” he said. all up to you to make that right decision.” istrative team,” Mr.