Special Edition
January 2019
Sidney Lanier High School’s
The Blue & White Teachers Moonlight for Life’s Extras By Jaliyah Stokes
Inside this issue: Poets Aim to Become YouTube Celebs: E&T Nation attracts 24K subscribers
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Working Teens: Students 4,5 battle school, work, and sleep Doing It Poet Style: 70s Throwback from Head to Toe
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The Royal Tea: ‘Gen Z’ babies 10 Debate the Power of Old v. New Music
Virtual Learning
Motivated students are enrolling in the MPS Virtual School program. Read one student’s story. See page 7.
Mark your calendars with significant dates to remember, page 9
Nearly 16 percent of the nation’s classroom teachers work second job, the National Center for Education Statistics reports. As shocking as it sounds, it is a reality for most teachers who feel underpaid. The matter is no different for the educators at Sidney Lanier High School. Lanier biology teacher Gregory Barnes refer-
ees on the side. Courtesy photo “We should be compensated more for the amount of time that we sacrifice —sometimes “Teachers do not have side jobs for fun,” from our own families for the said Annice Jessie, an English teacher at passion that we have for stuLanier who tutors athletes at Alabama dents,” said Tislam Ellis, activState University. Ellis ities director at Lanier and an adjunct instructor at Troy Uni“We have them to assist with versity. accommodating the cost of living,” added Ms. Jessie, who “Some educators work as much as 100 also serves as an instructor in hours a week,” Mr. Ellis said. “Besides Lanier’s Evening Academy Jessie that, many educators put hundreds of their and an auxiliary coordinator with own money into their lessons and other The Marching Poets. items for students.” For Gregory Barnes, a biology teacher at A teacher’s salary is based upon their Lanier, his moonlighting assists in his level of education and years of efforts to enjoy life outside the experience. When asked if they were mak- classroom. In addition to teaching, he ing enough to accommodate their cost of works as a financial coach with living they all agreed that they were. Primerica Financial Services and as a refHowever, they take on side jobs to indulge eree and umpire with the Alabama High in extra activities. School Athletics Association.
“My job as a teacher pays all my bills, but that’s all that it pays - the bills, no extra,” said Jamecca Hare, who is the choral teacher at Hare LHS and works as a sales associate at White House Black Market, a high-end fashion boutique, and a choir director at Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church. A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute supports Ms. Hare’s claim. EPI reported that public school teachers’ weekly wages in 2016 were 17 percent lower than those of comparable workers — compared with just 1.8 percent lower in 1994.
“Yes, teachers are underpaid, especially if you compare a teacher’s salary with other college educated professions and the amount of education required to get hired,” said Barnes Mr. Barnes when asked about teacher salaries. For the amount of income that a teacher makes, it makes one ponder: Is it really worth it? Vacation time, a reliable paycheck, and the impact that is left upon the students and their lives make it all worthwhile, the educators interviewed agree.
Special Edition
Stocked Restrooms, Good Hygiene Keep Student Illnesses at Bay By Myesha Fowler
One would think a school would provide the safest and cleanest environment, right? Wrong! Too often, the restrooms at Sidney Lanier High School lack soap- and sanitizer-filled dispensers and are sometimes neglected. It’s a Catch 22 situation. Frequently, students take tissue off the rolls and stuff them in the toilets, squeeze all the liquid soap out of dispensers, and tear hand sanitizer dispensers off the wall. In some bathrooms, students have ripped doors off stalls, and marked bathroom walls with graffiti. “We personally did not receive a budget cut for the school,” said Principal Antonio Williams, “but the school district provided all the materials and invested a lot of money into the restrooms.” District leaders earmarked some $1.5 million to remodel and renovate the first-floor bathrooms. Some believe there is reluctance to fix the bathrooms on the other floors because of vandalism. Recently, tissue holders were replaced. Dr. Williams said students can report peers who are being destructive or address that student in a respectful manner. “We should show pride and respect to our schools so that the district will do the things that our school deserves,” the principal added. As it is, the restrooms in The Castle are not porcelain promise lands as they are not consistently stocked with proper sanitation. Or when they are stocked, the items are not cared for. This creates problems. Students tend to get sick because the bathrooms lack soap. This means students can’t wash their hands, touch doors and eventually other students. As a result, illnesses follow. Some parents still send their child to school after their child is sick and they come to school spread germs to others students. Then it’s a domino effect. School Nurse Sara Harris said simple reporting can alleviate such problems. The main office or the custodial staff should be informed when restrooms lack hand sanitizer or soap. Nurse Harris stressed the importance of having soap or hand sanitizer in the bathroom to keep your hands clean and not getting others sick or spread germs.
The “standard precaution,” the nurse said is to wash hands after every use to avoid spreading germs. As it is, several students visit the nurse office daily with signs and symptoms of a cold, including coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, chest congestion, sore throat, headache, and a stomach ache.
Setting a New Standard Ultimately, students can change their attitudes and behaviors and gain respect for themselves, others and restroom property such as dispensers, sinks, toilets, trash cans and wall surfaces.
The ultimate goal of user standards is to have students "buy in" to the process. Nationally, an average of 43 out of every 100 middle and high school students avoid restrooms and an effort should be made to reach out to them for solutions. They should be made to feel they are part of the solution and not just the problem. Thus, it is important that user standards are part of a school's code of conduct.
The DeKalb County (GA) School System Code of Conduct includes a succinct expectation that could serve for any school system: "All offenses enumerated in this Student Code of Conduct apply to student behavior in school restrooms and locker rooms. Students are expected to help keep restrooms safe and clean. Also, students are expected to report disruptive, unsafe/or unclean conditions in restrooms to an administrator or other staff members." Source: Tom Keating of Project Clean/ Read more at cmmonline.com
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The Blue & White
Poets Gain YouTube Views By Chyna S. Rowell
More than a third of young people want to be a YouTuber, according to a recent survey. Instead of traditional career paths, today’s youth aspire to careers that will give them creativity, fame, and self-expression, The Sun reported in its survey of 1,000 ages 6-17. More and more people of the younger generation are branching out to become the next internet sensation. Even a few Sidney Lanier High School students are getting into this. ‘Artemis Jayy’ In her childhood, Carrington Fraley was a introverted and lacked confidence. The Lanier senior recalled how she would always walk with her head down and never really talked to people. When she did talk to someone, she wouldn’t even look them in the eye. What changed? At the age of 12, she launched a YouTube channel and started making videos under the alias, Artemis Jayy. Her inspiration for the name came from the Disney movie, “Twitches,” and also from another favorite YouTuber, Miles Jaii. Her main reasons for starting a channel is her love of music and seeing that former Viners were doing YouTube videos. Watching their videos, ranging from comedy and story time, gave her the idea to try her luck at it. With the years of making videos, Fraley says that she feels her confidence and communication skills have become better. As of now, she has 50 videos and 42 subscribers on her channel. Her channel mainly consists of song covers and one original song, entitled “The Last Goodbye”. Her goal is to make videos people can relate to. “I want to have it, so that when people are feeling a certain type of way, they can come to my channel and listen to my songs to feel better.”
She plans to further her talents and venture into making her own short movies.
content is to not only make money, but to change some of the negative mindsets that people have. And, Ted says, they will do that by “always focusing on the bad and not the good.” ‘Li June’ Corneil Williams, a.k.a. Li June, is another YouTuber with a passion for music. “My music expresses what I have seen, went and what I’ve been through,” he says. Before Li June started posting videos on YouTube, he relied on Facebook and Instagram formats to boost his fan base. “Not everyone gets on social media,” he explains, “but a majority of people in our generation gets on YouTube to listen to music and that was a good way to help me get my music out there.” With his different “flow,” he’s hoping to become the biggest artist from Montgomery, AL. Other YouTubers, such as NBA Youngboy, Li Baby, and even E&T Nation are Li June’s inspirations. He adds that watching E&T Nation helps him with his own relationship. Chelsea Hall contributed to this report.
Tips for New YouTubers
‘E&T Nation’ The “E” is for Ethel Lane and the “T” is Ted Mitchell, both seniors at Lanier. “Nation” is the people, or the viewers of their YouTube channel, E&T Nation. This duo quickly gained popularity in this past few months with a channel of 51 videos and nearly 25,000 subscribers. Ethel first started the channel, but soon changed the name when Ted joined her. They mainly create “challenge” and “prank” videos, but plan to do more segment videos and involving more people. The purpose for their channel Page 3
Brand yourself early on: Attractive channel art can drastically increase the chances that a viewer will check out your other videos and subscribe
Create a regular schedule: To start, aim to release one video per week, and tell your subscribers when to expect new content! Remind fans on social media.
Strive for originality and be yourself
Be patient about income
Teen Toggles School and Work By Tisheanna Pendleton
Ever been so tired from work, but continue to get up each morning for school?
Well, that’s my life. Working and going to school is stressful! I work because my parents are struggling and I want to help where I can. I work to make sure I have clean clothes and those daily essentials. Mainly, I work to help myself to make sure I am straight as a fully developed teenager.
Strategies to Balance School & Work Talk about your schedule with your family. Balancing school and work is easier with their support. Start slowly, if possible; don't commit to wor king a lot of hours immediately. Avoid time conflicts by planning your class and wor k schedules as far ahead as possible. Use your time efficiently. For example, if your job has a lot of downtime and your boss has no objection, use slow periods to do schoolwork. Source: The College Board
Working daily until 9:30 PM seems early, but waiting an additional 30 minutes for a ride eventually turns into an hour. Time passes and it starts getting late. By the time I’m finally picked up and going home, it’s probably around 10:15 pm. When I finally get home and walk in the door, I can’t just go right to sleep, because I have to prepare for school the next day. Then I have to brush my teeth and take a 20-minute shower. By the time I’ve finished my bedtime routine, it is almost 11 pm. Now, the time has come to lie down and get comfortable. As any typical teenager would, I check my text messages after a long day. So by the time I’m actually asleep, the time is around midnight. Yes, I am tired.
I’m a full-time student at Sidney Lanier High School. After a night of working, getting up in the morning is one of the hardest things to do. I have an alarm set for 6:08 AM and another alarm set for 6:32. First, I get up, brush my teeth, and wash my face. Next, I get dressed in my school uniform and comb my hair. Finally, I put on my shoes and head for the door. All the while I’m basically sleep walking. Once I arrive at school, I’m here and ready to complete any work that I have to do. Yes, I am still tired, but I have gained more energy since I’ve been walking and moving around. The hard part is actually getting up, but I do it every day. I am so happy when I get an off-day or when the weekend comes around. Working and going to school is hard and stressful, but anyone can do it!
#gwrtw Takes Lanier Senior on a Self Journey Alyssa Grant, a senior at Lanier, was among 100 young ladies selected for the Girls Who Rule the World, a mentor camp operated by the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation. “I realized I was not loving myself because I was listening to what people had to say about me and thought I needed a relationship to make me happy,” Miss Grant writes. “In reality, though, the only person that can make me happy is me, myself, and I.” Please read about her experience on page 9.
Newsletter Title
Teen Workers Wrestle Wages, Sleep Time and Studies By Makaylah Harris and Kendon Knight
When you find yourself needing money and your parents tend to say no, your only option is to get a job.
Most high school students start off making minimum wage.
“Having a job means I sacrifice a lot, I mean I can’t go to parties or spend time with my friends or even go to the gym.”
But the real question is does having a job as a high school student affect your performance at school or social life? Ke’Asia Hall, a junior at Lanier, has worked as much as a 12-hour day at Chappy’s located in Baptist South.
“It’s non-stop working and I already work long hours,” Ke’Asia said. “I just don’t have the energy for school.” She’s even given up her YouTube channel, where she has nearly 200 subscribers. Jermaine Jones, a Lanier senior and cook at McDonald’s
can relate. “Having a job means I sacrifice a lot,” he said. “I mean I can’t go to parties or spend time with my friends or even go to the gym.”
found that students who worked more than 20 hours a week were less engaged in school and had “increased problem behavior.”
Psychologists believe students who work too many hours suffer far worse consequences than a few missed classes or a couple of bad grades.
Lack of enough sleep is the main reason for the tiredness, experts say, because overworked students do not have enough time for sleep.
Fatigue is a common occurrence for students who work for more than 20 hours per week.
Jasmine Jackson, an LHS junior and cashier at McDonald’s works 34-plus hours a week. On the week days, she typically clocks in for a 4-10 shift. During weekdays she’s usually sleepy and noticed a drop in her grades.
Senior Amani Johnson, who typically works at Zaxby’s from 4 to 10, says he amasses 34-plus hours, but loses sleep hours points in his schoolwork. “I know what I’m capable of in the classroom, but I be too sleepy to do work,” he says.
“I can’t miss work despite all the chaos, and no matter how sleepy I am, I can’t go to sleep at work,” says Jasmine, “so I go to sleep during school.”
In a recent study, it was
~ Jermaine Jones
READ MORE … Teachers, Students Chasing Checks Moonlighting teachers, page 1 One student juggles work and school, page 5
Ke’Asia Hall Page 5
Amani Johnson
Jasmine Jackson
Poet Style Vibes the 70s By Briana Mays
The Poets are fashionably trending from head to toe. In the halls of The Castle, heads are turning with bold colors. Guys and girls are sporting different hues of color — mostly shades of red — in their hair. Even the retro Vans have made a comeback along with variations of the Nike Air Max sneakers. And the button-front schoolgirl skirts of yesteryears are trending. When it comes to hair color, fashion experts say trends don’t really change, they shift — which is the perfect way to describe the breakout looks we're seeing here. Now the colors seem brighter, bolder and spicier. Looking toward the foot, we’re spying a throwback to the Vans which originally came out in 1966. These kicks are known to be not only comfortable, but also easy to wear. The Checkerboard Vans seem to be the most popular. The Nike Air Max, which debuted in the late 80s, now have interesting features, including a design of palm trees swaying in the winds with a backdrop of a Florida sunset. These shoes also has a hidden lacing system bubble that run along the entire shoe, providing comfort and undeniable style. Many of Lanier’s Queens are rocking the button front skirts, either A-line or above the knee. With buttons that vertically line the middle of the skirt, this 70s-inspired trend is considered a super-easy way to work this retro vibe into the school wardrobe. For 2019, The Blue & W hite will be watching fashion influencers.
Photos by Christian Lowery, Kenn Isaac and Ke’Shaun Thompson
The Blue & White
Virtual High School Bucks Tradition for Motivated Students By Kejoco Dorsey
Quintravis Rogers never has to worry about waking up at the crack of dawn or chase a school bus. His classes are at home. Rogers is among nearly 25 Sidney Lanier High School students enrolled in the Alabama Virtual Academy (AVA), a 4-year-old homeschool program that is accredited, tuition free and online for public school students in grades K-12. Students enrolled are offered the same opportunities as those in a the brick-and-mortar Sidney Lanier High. This program has honors and AP courses, field trips, extracurricular activities, community service and clubs. Just like traditional schools, students work on a deadline. They learn with instructors who are certified. Students are also given extra assistance, if needed. The difference: students are given individual work time. “Virtual school is better for [me] because I have more time to focus on my life — like for example, work on my career path,” Rogers said. “It is also better because it’s self paced.” AVA has witnessed much growth. Last year, the academy ended with 2,000 students. Enrollments numbers are expected to increase as district leaders expect to gain another 500 to 1,000 students. “The Montgomery Public Schools Virtual School program is an alternative for motivated students who may not be successful in the traditional brick-and-mortar school environment,” AVA Principal Steve Blair said.
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Quintravis Rogers has classes at home and online. / Kejoco Dorsey
While AVA may not be for everybody, this program would be a considerable opportunity for students who have health issues that results in a lot of absences. Some may argue that middle and high school students should enjoy their years. It just depends on the individual student. AVA students also have access to Dual Enrollment, whereby they can enroll in a college or university and earn credits. The enrollment period for middle and high school students is at the beginning of each semester. Elementary students are enrolled in early February. “The greatest impact on this program is parental communication and involvement,” Mr. Blair said. “Even though the students are not physically going to school, parents still need to be a part of the education process.”
Volume 1, Issue 1
People Are Talking About … “Well done! Very impressed! Maybe we can come together and get funding to provide some support for your students.” ~ Commissioner Doug Singleton
“Very impressive production ... Jay Rock-King and his review of cafeteria taco salad is a star and so is Chyna Rowell. Congratulations on such great work!” ~ Michael Briddell, dir ector of public information and external affairs, city of Montgomery
“This looks great … The stories are really taking a life of their own. I like seeing the students making it their production and I think their efforts are clearly visible.” ~ Drew Woods, WCOV
“This is so awesome! Congratulations on a successful year!!” ~ Dr. Quebe Bradford, student achievement coordinator, MPS
“Hooray! Your school is filled with so many talented writers!” ~ Phadra Carson Foster, MPS par ent and English professor
“You should be PROUD! With the way the media is being attacked, it is so important that they continue to exercise their right to free speech/ press. I hope they TRULY understand the MAGNITUDE of what they are learning to do.” ~ Kenya Petrice Whiting, MPS educator
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The Blue & White
My Experience with ‘Girls Who Rule the World’ Camp By Alyssa Grant
The haunting experiences started when I was 5. I was bullied about my hair, my skin, the way I spoke, and the thought that anyone would ever love me. That state of mind lowered my self of esteem. I couldn’t see myself for who I really was. Over the summer, I came across a Facebook ad, entitled “Girls Who Rule the World,” a mentor project ran by the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation. GWRTW was to select 100 girls across the nation. GWRTW is designed to enhance the development of young girls and provide a forum to expose them to the benefits and importance of positive self-image, responsible conduct and respect for self and others through educational achievement, cultural enrichment and mentoring
Me and Mrs. Harvey
I thought, “Will this camp give me the knowledge to love who I am?”
I applied and was selected to participate in this fall camp. When I went to the camp, it gave me the confidence I didn’t know I had for a very long time. I learned to stay strong no matter what people say or do to make me feel bad about myself . I’ve reached my center, accepting that I am not perfect. Yet, I have to make the best of myself that I can offer.
“I thought ‘Will this camp give me the knowledge to love who I am?’ … It gave me the confidence I didn’t know I had for a long time. ” Workshops covered those issues that girls like myself go through: hair, skin, body, life, and relationships. I realized I was not loving myself because I was listening to what people had to say about me and thought I needed a relationship to make me happy. In reality, though, the only person that can make me happy is me, myself, and I. GWRTW also helps young ladies by donating money for scholarships so they can live their dream lives. I felt so happy that she provided me with new opportunities for me and that made me want to go harder for my dreams. After all of those experiences, I wish I could go back and learn more from them, you just don’t know I don’t want to miss out.
King Holiday: Jan. 21 Public Hearing on Charter School @ Bellingrath MS: Feb 21 at 6 PM End of 3rd Nine Weeks: March 15 Spring Break: March 18-22 Day of Service: April 19 Last Day for Students: May 23 LHS Graduation @ ASU Acadome: May 19 at 2 PM
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The Blue & White
Is There a Music Gap Among ‘Generation Z’? By Javonde Robinson
People tend to bash people like City Girls, NBA Youngboy, Cardi B. and Lil Baby. All these artist have the same thing in common, they give their Music is the key to unlock the inside of my ears, therefore I choose to listen to modern day Hip-Hop and R&B.
Singing now is more about self than just to make a song. When I listen to artist like K.Michelle, Queen Najia, and Bryson Tiller; they inspire young people by their words and not just the beat behind the lyrics.
It’s the 21st century and I’m not “digging” those old songs people tend to play like it’s throwback Thursday. It’s a new day and almost a new year. My ears can’t take anymore of “Weak” by SWV or “Waterfalls” by TLC. Although these particular songs have different meaning, they have the same melody. Also, artist of today were inspired by past musicians and singers, but people tend to for90s era was a weird era in the music world. There were about 30 get that it's a new era. Yes, we use auto tune and different ways to male & female groups. Those were a lot of problems all at one time deliver music. such as fighting amongst group members and managers and not having enough time to get things done because of other people lives. However the older generation thinks it’s not good, but people don’t know that millennials like to hear new sounds throughout music. Therefore, most of these groups aren’t even together today! We Your ears are on your body to listen, whereas your feet are there to should be independent, everyone does not feel the same when it move to the beat you hear. comes to tone and voice. Whereas in this era of music it’s more internal than external. Today’s music allow to let go and be yourself. Never let the genre or Artists nowadays try to make music based on what’s trending and artist determine what you listen to. Just be free and love what music you love. what is going to reach all ages. While they are making different kinds of music it helps to build a fan base alone not tag along. By Cai’Che Coleman
Music is my life, it’s a reflection what I go through. Music from the past generation and some artists from this generation makes the music genre have some type of substance.
I believe artists of this generation like Nicki Minaj, Summer Walker, H.E.R, 6lack, and Bryson Tiller have true meanings behind their songs and they’re not just talking about money, cars, and women in a derogatory way.
Music has to have some type of meaning that makes me just sit there and just want to think about it and try to break it down. The music from this generation isn’t completely awful is just not my cup of “tea.”
Some students allow certain music influence them in the wrong way and tend to act out at times. For example, a lot of the rap music from this generation always glamorize money, drugs, and hyper sexuality.
A Lot of songs in this generation have no substance and they don’t have a passion for music and they just do music because it’s popular. 6ix9ine, a famous rapper of this generation, literally said that he only does music because it's fun not because its his passion.
‘These days there are so many artists that include sexual scenes in their music videos. The youth believes that they become intimate with whoever they desire, regardless of the number of people, this highly increase the risk of young pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
I honestly feel as if it was somebody's passion to do music, the music will sound even more amazing and people would also enjoy it. The music I listen to actually helps people with anxiety cope better.
But, I also believe that this generation tend to overhype artists who have mediocre talent, like NBA Youngboy, Queen Najia, and Cardi B.
I was raised in a family who only listens to old R&B or hip hop, and I really don’t support these artists because for one because either blues, so growing up around that it made me like it more. As I got they don’t write their own music, have no meaning behind their older, I started to listen to them more and try to figure out what they music, they talk about the same thing in every song. meant.
Special Edition
Royal & Loyal Patrons
Fannie Harris
Dr. Antonio Williams
Roger Burdette
Annie Mathis
Nicholas Dalton
Sharonda Phelps
Rose Penn
Annice Jessie
Cubie Rae Hayes
Dr. Aundria Green
Gregory Barnes
Henry Tellis
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Staff members of Blue & W hite Productions are grateful for our Loyal and Royal Patrons, one of the major key funding sources to offset printing costs, maintenance of digital platform, repair equipment and to operate the school-based mass media outlet, which includes The Blue & W hite student newspaper and POET Vision broadcast. Page 11
Special Edition
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The Blue & White
Sidney Lanier High School 1756 South Court Street Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 555-555-5555 Fax: 555-555-5555
The Blue & White is a student-run newspaper published digitally at least four times annually. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Submitted materials, which must be signed, may be delivered to room 113 or given to any staff member, or placed in the box in front of The Blue & White office (Room 115). Anonymity will be protected, if requested. The staff reserves the right to edit submitted material. Editorial opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper staff or school administration.
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