KJ Editors Letter
I
JK
t’s about that time when we put our summer clothes back in our closets to come out and stunt for the “hood season.” But it is also a time of Celebration— True Star Magazine is celebrating its “Sweet 16!” In this back-to-school issue, True Star covers numerous issues concerning teens, from gay teens coming out to infidelity to financial awareness. You will also find insight on the insurance-less generation and much more to start the school year with a clear slate. This issue features an exclusive interview with Cali’s own The New Boyz, creators of the dance craze Jerkin’. We also have coverage of Kanye West’s “Loop Dreams” and a look back at the life and music of Michael Jackson. TrueStar staff members have been privileged to a lot of recent opportunities, including visiting the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, doing a segment on “Youth Talk Back” with The International Sunday School Broadcast, and a feature on Channel 7 News! In addition, we are launching a teen hosted and produced radio show with Power 92 for those who want to be in the broadcasting business. True Star staff has worked extremely hard to create the largest media program for Chicago young people by networking with organizations like the Kanye West Foundation, Songz for Peace, JROTC and The International Sunday School Broadcast. We hope that you savor the taste of the mind candy you are about to read. Enjoy!
Adriana “Nani” Rosales Freshman, Wright College
PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRUESTAR MAGAZINE CONTACT US at: Letters to TrueStar • 1130 South Wabash • Suite 302 • Chicago, Il 60605-2717 Letters become the property of TrueStar and may be edited for publication. EMAIL soundoff@truestarmagazine.com
HIT UP TRUESTAR ONLINE FACEBOOK: TRUESTAR MAG - MYSPACE.COM/MYTRUESTAR – TWITTER.COM: TRUESTARMAG
Executive Directors J. Na’Tae Thompson DeAnna McLeary
Creative Staff
Sports Writing Staff
Aaron Ingram
Creative Staff
Michael Mahaffy
Karlee Williams
Simeon High School
Crane High School
Arienna Ampey
Julian High School
Kyle Bailey
Deyonica Shelby
Instructors
Instructors
Antoinette Hubbard
Instructor
Whitney Hawkins
Ramona Little
Polina Zionts
Christy Bonstell
Ashley Jefferson
Rhonda Jackson
Natasha Bardney
Davey Hines
Jack M Silverstein
Avonte Simmons
Jalen Talbert
Kyle Hill
Monique Archer
Angelina Conway
Breanna Hogan
Jaylin McClinton
Ashlee Jordan
Toni Green
Kendra Bogard
Shimanda Corbin
Brienna Lacoste
Kareema Davis
Qi-Ante’ Alexander
Deleska Charleston
Devon Boyson
Kyree Evans
Christopher Roberts
Mariah Anderson
Xavier O’Neal
Demeris Campbell
Brianna Byrd
Erin Ewing
Clifton Moore Jr.
Devon Bussell
Ocie Duncan IV
TiAnna Coats
Simeon Frierson
Daniel Merrick
Ja’Wuan McGee
Markise Wilson
Freshman
Cherell German
Tracie Hall
Dante Orange
Amber Williams
Marquise Johnson
Connection
Anshaunti Hillery
Jasmin Hernandez
Destiney Minor
Jevale Pegues
Bernard Briscoe
Instructors
Art Direction
Darius Hillery
Shakeymah Hill
Devion Johnson
Bria Wells
Marquise Johnson
Thasia Gee
Design and Illustration
Joy Heard
Catrina Hudson
Devon Williams
Corinne Reed
Afua Asantewaa
Mireya Acierto
James Hudson
Dominique Johnson
Devontre Spears
Elizabeth Stevens
LaNaisa Lee
Tenesha Johnson
Dion Boyd
Ryan Patterson
Editorial Staff
Tarji Smedley
Yasmeen Muhammad
Jasmine Morales
Elijah Hudley
Alexandria Jones
Crane High School
Shannon Smith
Kevin Stanfield
Tomira Pryor
James Hutcherson
Daimon Hampton
Instructor
Althea Legaspi
Damitrius Sweet
Shaquita Sturgeon
Kasi Ofem
Kia Weathersby
Veronica Harrison
Marzena Abrahamik
Larry Toliver
Christal Tanksley
Lateshia Wiley
Olashade Popoola
Adonis Wagner
Calresha Temple
Marcel Jackson
Ariel Henderson
Amber Wright
Paig Williams
Markwan Wiley
Brandon Williams
Tashayla Baker
Art Director:
Patrevonte Ozia
Rashaan Meador
Ebony Haynes
Diante Lee
Kendra Bogard
Web Blogging Staff
Sales and
Jeremiah Caldwell
Assistant Art Director:
Morgan Park High School Steven Hall
Marketing Staff
Johnathan Cooley
Joy Heard
Instructors
Tamara Dufresne
South Shore High School
Joshua Turner
Project Manager:
Joi Mitchell
Tiffany Carter
Instructor
Bria Cross
Darius Hillery
Rashaan Meador
Trenton Arnold
Floyd Glinsey
Iketta Ballard
Sania Erwin
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL’S SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES (SLC) FOR THEIR SUPPORT, WITHOUT THEM MUCH OF THE WORK BEING DONE ON BEHALF OF YOUTH WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE.
6 TRUESTAR MAGAZINE
Managing Editor Jack Silverstein Student Editorial Assistants Maya Powe Shannon Smith Dilane Mitchell
Angel D’ Amico Photo Coordinator Mireya Acierto Special Projects Manager Deshaun Adams Philistine Thompson Marketing & Outreach Specialist Kikanza Harris Director Integrated Marketing & Sales Floyd Glinsey Account Executive Carlin Tools Administrative Assistants Cinderalla Walls Janine Hart