A diverse cultural celebration Th The Student Newspaper of Northside College Prep HS November 2011, Volume 12, Number 3 Online at thehoofbeat.com TEDx Youth at Midwest Makes An Impact The festival begins with a flag dance that represents Latin cultures. | CALUM BLACKSHAW by Brendali Rios Northside students Five students from Northside College perform in Latino Prep were chosen to attend the TEDx Youth at Midwest Conference on October 15 at the Club’s annual festival Oriental Theater, located at 24 West Ran- dolph Street. by Calum Blackshaw Invited by Northside’s very own Mr. Jef- The Northside community attended Lati- frey Solin, computer science department, nofest on Friday, Oct. 14, to show enthusiasm Alice Glowacki, Adv. 400, Johnathan Kowler, for Latin society and culture. The festival was Adv. 304, Lawrence Riley, Adv. 401, Linnea arranged by Latino Club, which prepared for Scott, Adv. 406 and Alex Tran, Adv. 200, stu- and organized the event for weeks with spon- dents were given the opportunity listen to sorship from Mr. Michael Sliwicki, world lan- world class speakers at an event that would guage department and social science depart- later be webcasted to thousands. TEDx was ment. Northside has held Latinofest since its created on the basis of the motto “Ideas opening, and Sliwicki has been the sponsor of Worth Spreading.” They dedicate their confer- the event for the past five years. Each year, ences to provide the students with bias free students and their families come to support programming, speeches, presentations and friends and their Latin American heritage. pre-recorded videos to stimulate dialogue “Latinofest is about sharing culture,” Sli- and spark new ideas. They have been doing so wicki said. “It is about sharing the warmth since 1984. and hospitality these countries have to offer These conferences held by TED to natives or non-Latino people. The festival Midwest are a way to give students is about sharing one country’s culture for Ecuadorian dancers in traditional clothing perform their dance. | CALUM BLACKSHAW the tools and connections they need people to learn more about them.” in order topositively affect the world. The festival was delayed for a few min- buffet in the auditorium atrium. Guests en- ` Only about half of the seats avail- utes due to an absence of the Master of Cer- joyed beans and rice, burritos, and other tra- able at The Oriental Theater are open to the emony, but it soon began with the traditional ditional foods assorted by restaurants and student, which means that only 400 guests and flag dance, with the names and banderas of families. People ate and talked about the first their teachers are allowed in. every Spanish speaking country in the world. half of the show over their dishes until they “I hope that the convention grows in ca- Countries on the list included most of South were called back for the second half of the pacity of attendees,” Solin said. “I’m hoping America, as well as Cuba, Mexico, Puerto festival. that we get to go again, and bring 50 instead Rico, and Spain. The second half started with more per- of five people.” The flag dance was followed by the tra- formances from the Ecuadorian dancers, TEDx Midwest dedicates its time to let- ditional Ecuadorian folk dance. The danc- dressed in new garbs and attire. The little boy ting their guests know that they can make ers performed different dances to different had put on a new costume with a mask, danc- a difference. The speakers talk about their songs, and wore vibrant outfits with hats, red ing around the others and leading the group struggles, where they are now, and how they and yellow skirts for the women and ponchos around the stage as they performed. The danc- got there. Speakers included a former Su- for the men. In each dance, the performers ers began moving apart, then bounding back preme Court justice, a television anchorwom- moved together, moving one way to another and forth across the stage and sweeping their an, one of the world’s top futurists and hack- in a single motion to hypnotize the audience. arms and bodies in unison. The dancers then ers, a personal space traveler, and an award Among the dancers was a young boy, dressed formed a circle and paraded around, twirling winning National Geographic photographer. in the same clothes as the other performers. side to side. They finished in a smaller circle Limited to short, carefully prepared talks, As the boy danced, the audience cheered him surrounding the young boy, who performed demonstrations and performances, TEDx on till the end of their performance. alone in the center, ending with an ecstatic presentations are about bringing new ideas After the traditional folk dance, Ms. Ny- audience. to the attendees. thia Martinez, music department, made a A solo performance from Devin Velez, “Coming into this event, I didn’t really performance of her own. She played a song “Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan,” followed think of myself as a “science person,” Scott entitled, “No me queda mas,” in remem- Mesa’s. As he sang with the stage spotlights said. “But after watching presentations by brance of the Latin pop idol Selena who was beaming upon him, fans in the crowd cheered Veronica Schwartz, Adv. 203, dances in a ethnic people like Dean Kamen, I began thinking, murdered in her 20s. It was Ms. Martinez’s and waved their cellphones with excitement costume. | CALUM BLACKSHAW hey, maybe I could actually get into this.” favorite song, and the audience was amazed for his performance. The last performance of the festival was Anyone can access the presentations and dazzled by her performance. At the end, Following Velez’s performance came by Sabor Latino, a Northside dance group from the commodity of their own home at the whole audience broke into applause and the group Quebradores, a dance troop with that performed a mix of bachata and salsa of www.ted.com. cheers for Selena and Martinez. paired performers. As the men and women suave and serene partners’ dancing. Their hot “I hope that attending this conference Martinez’s performance was followed danced, their moves met with the rhythm of style and technique thrilled the audience for changed their lives,” Solin said. “I wanted all by a performance by Veronica Schwartz, the music. The women were spun, thrown, a wave of rejoice. Latino Club were the last on students to walk away from the event feeling Adv. 203, who performed a traditional dance caught, and juggled in acrobatic acts that stage, with thanks to everyone there for com- like they are ready to jump in and do some- with mariachi musical accompaniment. Fol- stunned the audience. A near miss here and ing to see the spectacular performances of thing great. As one presenter put it, ‘live be- lowing Schwartz’s dance was a song sung there sent shock through the crowd, but each Latinofest 2011. yond fear.’” by outsider performer Liz Lam, entitled successful performance was received with ap- “Buenaventurada.”Latino Club organized a plause and shouts of excitement. 2 NCP News • November 2011 • The Hoof Beat ONLINE Visit www.thehoofbeat.com for a NCP NEWS review of a recent college fair. Northside and democracy NCP in photos: club tryouts with help from Chicago Public Schools and Students learn civics the Chicago Board of Elections. Some of through participation these students are part of Mikva Club, and some are not. The students will register vot- at Mikva Challenge ers, check identification, and answer ques- tions about ballots. by Carly Jackson Aside from working in elections and Northside is one of 95 Chicago high campaigns, students can also make policy schools participating in the Mikva Challenge, recommendations by getting involved in one a program giving students opportunities to of four Mikva Challenge Youth Policy Coun- campaign, judge elections and bring their cils, which help officials to prepare policies voices to politics. The club is sponsored by that affect youth in a positive way. The coun- Mr. Michael Good, social sciences depart- cils include Youth Safety, Teen Health, Out of ment. School Time and Education. “I have a group [that is] working on a “I helped with the Teen Health Council, local judge campaign,” Good said. “Students which looked at using Chicago Public Schools find a campaign they want to work for and curriculum to help students eat more health- most students are based locally, calling people fully,” Mr. Good said. “The students that I to campaign, sending pamphlets or knocking have seen are tremendously excited about on doors and handing out signs.” their efficacy to make real change... it is not “I got involved with Mikva Challenge just something in a textbook.” because I had heard that it provided the best For example, the Youth Safety Council opportunities politically,” June Murphy, Adv. writes recommendations directly to govern- 204, president of Northside’s Mikva Club, ment agencies. Past recommendations have Students prepare to try out for Isang Hakbang, a traditional Filipino dance. | MARIA FLORES said. “I worked over 100 hours for the Rahm led the Chicago Transit Authority to move Emanuel [for Mayor of Chicago] campaign bus stops from areas disputed by rival gangs. and I got to go in the section reserved for On Martin Luther King Jr. day in 2011, stu- staffers during the victory party.” dents from Youth Policy Councils questioned Until February 2012, Mikva Club will be Chicago mayoral candidates about education focusing on the presidential election. It will reform, public safety and more issues in a mostly campaign for Republican candidates forum televised on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight.