Contributors Dexter Williams Alicia Wade Tiara Marshall Ahmed Davis Shaquanda Noble
Editor-In-Chief Editor-In-Chief Emeritus Editor-In-Chief Emeritus Art Director Associate Art Director
Rated-T Staff Reporters and Feature Writers Tornesha Bradley, Penelope Davis, Shawanda Davis, Ceyanne Foye, Quaniece Frazier, Randyn Fullard, Cheyenne Glenn, DaVaughn Hawkins, India Hay, Kameisha Hodge, Arnasha Jones, Chantell Leak, Paulette Lewis, Tiara Marshall, Flonora Merritt, Shaquanda Noble, Hassan Pye, Jazmin Reed, Brianna Rogers, Nadean Talley, Shalayah Thompson-Bey, John Ugorji, Javae Valentine, Alicia Wade, Alicia Weston, Dexter Williams Story Editors Cheyenne Glenn, Kameisha Hodge, Ahmed Davis, Arnasha Jones Rated-T Photographers Ahmed Davis, Adonis Miller, Shaquanda Noble, Travis Houze, Randyn Fullard Graphic Designers Karlton Chapman, Ceyanne Foye, Randyn Fullard, DaVaughn Hawkins, Travis Houze, Arnasha Jones, Paulette Lewis, Chantell Leak, Tiara Marshall, Flonora Merritt, Shaquanda Noble, John Ugorji, Alicia Wade, Alicia Weston, Dexter Williams Cartoonist Karlton Chapman
Letters From the Editors
Letters from the Editors
A
s the new Editor-In-Chief, it is my pleasure to be part of this great magazine. Our Rated-T staff worked very hard this year to produce a magazine like no other. Our theme, “Do Something or Become Nothing” runs all through the magazine! We chose this theme because we believe that is is important to encourage our peers to get involved in issues such as the upcoming presidential election and the HIV/AIDS epidemic because the survival of humanity and being part of the political process is essential to our well-being. For this edition, we had the opportunity to cover an historic event—the AllAmerican Democratic Presidential Forum at Howard University moderated by Tavis Smiley, a dedicated activist in the African American community. Our articles range from fiction from our middle school students to Advice for Rising Seniors. That’s right! We have a section for all of you who are new seniors in high school this year. We also have lots of great features as well as book and movie reviews that will blow your mind! Last but not least, I would like to thank the Rated-T staff, advisors, mentors and supporters for you hard work and dedication.
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eady for the third series of Rated-T magazine! We did just like Beyonce and we “upgraded.” With a larger staff, we have fresher ideas, great photography that captures those priceless moments, and great graphic design. This time around, we went deeper and took it to a whole ‘nother level, discussing many important topics. Some are very touchy and serious while others are simply good at heart. But the question isn’t necessarily where does this journey begin but can you handle it, because at this very moment you are at the start of a ride that could change your life! Are you prepared? We are about to find out. Before ending let me just say that you as the readers are what makes this all possible. And to the staff, you did a wonderful job and remember you have to go through trials and tribulations to have something to rejoice about in the morning! Keep pressing on because the only thing that can hold you back in this world is, is yourself. Much Love, Joy, and Peace,
Alicia Wade
Editor-In-Chief, Emeritus
Yours in Journalism,
Dexter Williams Editor-In-Chief
Fall 2007 RATED-T
Photos taken by Ahmed Davis at Friendship Collegiete Academy
Special Project Reporters HIV/AIDS Project: Anika Johnson, Kwame Brown, Keith Morgan, Doneisha Smith, Advisor Yolonda Coleman Sierra Leone Project Myesa Holland, Brittany Jones, Dominique Olfus, Diamond Milam, Raphael Beasley (photographer), Advisor Sandi Littlejohn Fiji Project Dionne Holder, Stephen Neal Editorial Advisor and FNN Director: Marilyn Kaufman Graphic Design Advisor: Brian Young Summer Election Advisor: Doranna Tindle Publisher: Friendship Public Charter School Chairman: Donald Hense A very special thanks to Donald Hense, Patricia Brantley and Carol Seifert whose energy, support and vision were instrumental in making Rated-T Magazine and Friendship News Network a reality. Many thanks to: Gail Sivils, Michael Spikes, Adnaan Wasey, Kimberly Campbell, Linda Williams, Ralph Neal, Peggy Pendergrass, Brian Beck, Michael Cordell, Paula Shelton, Jesse Shelton, Yolonda Coleman, Michael Robinson, Anita Proctor, Sandi Littlejohn, Trooper Cooper, Michelle Freeman, Desiree Girelle, Khalil Braswell, Remy Reed, Barry Lofton, Candice Tolliver, Jo Bedney, Arline Williams, Kim Jones, Haroldine Pratt, Angela Fox, Deborah Hay, Cordelia Postell, Dean Brown, Ben Forjoe and the entire maintenance and security staffs at Blow Pierce and Woodson. Special thanks to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, Prime Movers, The Open Society Institute, CEDPA, International Debate Education Association, The Jewish Foundation of Nashville, Claudia Zucker, The UN Foundation, The Brunswick Group, Radio and Television News Director’s Foundation, News Hour Extra, Talea Miller, Victoria Baxter, Aaron Fishbone, Maital Guttman and the Mad About Art Kids, Barry’s Magic Shop, Michael’s, Eleanor Holmes Norton, The Washington Times, Alan Karchmer, Prakesh Patel, ESTO, David Shapiro. Rated-T Magazine is a program of Friendship News Network (FNN), a media enterprise run by the students of Friendship Public Charter School. The program is free and open to any student in the District of Columbia between the ages of 11 and 18. For more information, visit our website at www.friendshipnewsnetwork.com or call 240-426-7685. For more information on Friendship Public Charter School, visit our website at www.friendshipschools.org. Cover Photo: Shaquanda Noble. Cover Design: Ahmed Davis.
Fall 2007 RATED-T