The Magazine of Student Opinion
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Going Green, The Inauguration, Skateboarding, News, Advice,
S P R I N G 2 0 0 9
Gaming, Eating Right, Real Talk, AND MORE...
Ebony VS. Oprah She Defends Inner City Kids Telling Oprah That The Desire To Learn Is There!
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If you’re a student in the District of Columbia between the ages of 11 and 18 who has ever wondered what it would be like to create your own news magazine, website, radio or television program, here’s your chance. Join Friendship News Network (FNN)—a student run media enterprise located at Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, DC. Students can join the staffs of FNN Radio, FNN TV, FNN Online and Rated-T Magazine. FNN students have traveled the world from Fiji to China to New York City and have had their stories posted by MTV, The Washington Informer and WAMU to name a few! It’s FREE and open to any student in the District of Columbia! For more information and to download an application visit our website at friendshipnewsnetwork.com, email info@friendshipnewsnetwork.com or call 240-426-7685.
Friendship News Network
News from the Teen Point of View
This could be You!
Photo: Shaquanda Noble
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Table Of Contents
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Rated T 5 6
Letter From the Editor Contributors
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Politics
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The Inauguration: Where Were You? by Shaquanda Noble Obama Me! by Ahmed Davis Testimony To The DC Council by Shaquanda Noble
15 Rated-T Goes Green 15 16 18 20
Rated-T Goes Green by Shaquanda Noble Alternative Fuels by Karlton Chapman The Real Global Warming by Caanan Walker and Karlton Chapman Why I Became A Vegetarian by Anna Morton
Health and Nutrition 21 22 24
Can Someone Pass the Glyceryl Monosterate? by Crystal Bulluck Not Everyone Has The Barbie Smile by Courtney Shakleford Mono: Myths About the Kissing Disease by Courtney Shakleford
Real Talk 28 30 32 31
An Open Letter To Oprah by Ebony Sweeney You Can Fight It by Lakishia Young The Sham of the American Dream by Larry Bradley Short People by LaSharmanique Brooks
Features 25 26 33 34 36 38 39 47
Palace 5 by Ahmed Davis Skateboarding by Ahmed Davis and Darin Davis YuGiOh by Daniel Bulluck Word War 1 by Randyn Fullard and Ceyanne Foye The First FNN Cook-off Calling All Actors by Jackie Roundtree Women of Tin Pan Alley Review by Anna Morton Crossword Puzzle by Courtney Shackleford
40 Book Reviews 40 41
Is It Really Twilight by Jarrell Davis Yeah and It’s Great by Ebony Sweeney
Gaming 42 43 44 45
Resident Evil 4 Review by Karlton Chapman Soul Calibur Review by Maurice Williams Next Generation Electronics by Karlton Chapman Console Warz by Caanan Walker
Photo on this page by Darin Davis, a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Page design by Shaquanda Noble a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Rated-T is the magazine of Friendship News Network (FNN), a media enterprise run by students located at Friendship Public Charter School, 120 Q Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. FNN is free and open to any student ages 11-18 in the District of Columbia. For more information, or to inquire about becoming an advertiser for our next issue, email: info@friendshipnewsnetwork. com. For more information about Friendship News Network, visit our website at www.friendshipnewsnetwork.com. For more information about Friendship Public Charter School, visit our website at www.friendshipschools.org or call 202.281.1700. Rated-T, The Magazine of Student Opinion, expresses the views of individual students and does not necessarily represent the views of Friendship Public Charter School. Copyright © Friendship News Network, April, 2009. For permission to reprint articles, please e-mail info@friendshipnewsnetwork.com.
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Letter from the Editors Dear, Readers, Fans and Family of Rated-T, Hello. Welcome to the latest issue of Rated-T. We are Rated T’s new Editor-In-Chiefs, Shaquanda Noble and Maurice Williams. This year we’ve really stepped it up a notch. You might recognize that our graphic standards have changed a lot. We’ve moved away from the kiddy stuff and become more professional. In this issue we’re going green. Now that our magazine is printed with vegetable inks and on recycled paper, we’re sure to shine some light on our environment. We’ve also included tips on how you, our readers can go green. Stories on health issues, politics, and skateboarding are all included. We’ve even completed a gaming section as well as reviews on the bestselling book, Twilight. The stories this time around are both fascinating and entertaining—created by members both new and old. Our new members bring great writing and unique views on many subjects. The stories this time are informative, analytical, and overall well done. Some of the highlights include: Courtney Shackleford’s Mono story which talks about the disease Mononucleosis and dispells its rumors; Lakishia Young’s story informs the reader about different types of abuse and it’s effects; Karlton Chapman’s “What is Next Gen?” talks about what truly is next generation in gaming and game technology; and the cover story, An Open Letter to Oprah by Ebony Sweeney which talks about a quote of Oprah’s and one young lady’s opinion...just to name a few. The magazine could not have been finished if it was not for our talented photographers, writers and graphic design team. Finally, we dedicate this magazine to our ex best tech support, radio and television advisor, Mr. Michael Spikes. Sincerely Yours,
Shaquanda “Shay-Quay” Noble Maurice “Maury” Williams
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Contributors Rated-T Magazine Spring 2009
Editorial Staff
Maurice Williams and Shaquanda Noble, Editors-In-Chief Ahmed Davis, Creative Director, Photographer Anna Morton, Reporter Canaan Walker, Reporter, Commentator Courtney Shackleford, Reporter, Graphic Designer Daniel Bullock, Writer Jalen Ferguson, Writer, production assistance Darin Davis, Photographer, Writer Ebony Sweeney, Writer, Graphic Designer Jacqueline Roundtree, Reporter, Graphic Designer Jarell Davis, Writer
Karim McCaskill, Photographer Karlton Chapman, Writer, Graphic Designer Larry Bradley, Commentator LaSharminique Brooks, Reporter Lakishia Young, Reporter Adonis Miller, model and photographer Phillip Tyler, muse Randyn Fullard, writer, graphic designer Ceyanne Foye, writer, graphic designer Alicia Weston, writer Destiny Parker, writer Dequan Gun, writer
Inauguration Stories:
FNN Cook-off Contributors
Brittany Burr Jennifer Kenner Kenneth Scott Britney Simmons Jamisa Spruill Nigel Webber Chanelle Jackson Mikea Martin
Ashley Lumpkin Karim McCaskill Hassan Pye Lanika Richardson Jamir Smith Myneisha Vaughn Brittany Wilkerson
Rated-T Advisors: Marilyn Kaufman, Director, Friendship News Network, Editorial Instructor Brian Young, Graphic Design Instructor Extraordinaire Student Instructors: Karlton Chapman, Randyn Fullard, Shaquanda Noble, Ahmed Davis, Maurice Williams Principals: Peggy Pendergrass, Woodson Collegiate Academy Ralph Neal, Blow Pierce Junior Academy Publisher: Friendship Public Charter School Chairman: Donald L. Hense Thank You: Michael Spikes, Yolonda Coleman, Carol Knopes, Nzinga Howard, Alicea Placedo; Angela Chapelle, Kim Jones, Christian Schaeffer, Larry Bradshaw, Jo Bedney, Ms. Shakelford and the entire office staff at Friendship Collegiate Academy; Ms. Crowe, Desiree Girelle, Barry Lofton, Eddie Williams, Mr. Bush, Smitty, Rose, the entire cleaning and security staffs at Woodson Collegiate Academy, Khalil Braswell, Mr. Aellio, Anita Proctor, Sharnise Boyd, Linda Wright, Cathy Reeverts, Aretha Latta; Dr. Christopher Shuman, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Christopher Parler, Office of the DC Superintendant of Education, Amy Kelly, Operation Smile, Brian a Sachs, Adele and Bruce Robey, founders, H-Street Theater; Palace 5 Skate Store; Dorothy Gilliam, Lois Page, DC Council Chair, Vincent Gray, DC Ward 7 Council member, Yvette Alexander, EEOC Attorney, Marilyn Peters; Nurse Hall at Collegiate Academy, Lisa Mehri. And a very special thank you to Patricia Brantley, Carol Seifert and Donald Hense whose continued vision and support makes all this possible. Funding and support: Capitol Hill Community Foundation, Prime Movers, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Radio and Television News Directors’ Foundation, Friendship Public Charter School. 6 Spring 2009 Rated-T RatedT FINALSpring09.indd 6
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Editors-In-Chief
Shaquanda “Shay-Quay” Noble Maurice “Maury” Williams
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Where Were YOU? When President Obama was Inaugurated Story and Photos by Shaquanda Noble
On January 20, 2009 history was made. The United States of America elected its first African-American President, Barack Obama. People celebrated all over the country. Those lucky enough were able to attend. It was predicted that the largest population of people attending the Inauguration would be from Washington, DC. However, many teens and adults went on about their daily tasks…
“I was there and the experience was beautiful.”
by a long locked fence. We all had to walk January 20, 2009. Waving flags and proud about ½ mile all the way down Constitution smiling faces welcomed in the Inauguration of Avenue to be “let free”. Some people who president Barack Obama…the biggest celebrawanted to move ahead of the crowd walked tion I have ever seen. Millions of people from on top of the porta-potties. Once freedom all over the country filled the National Mall in was obtained, we all marched towards the Washington, DC. Some people camped out for subway stations in unison. The streets were days to witness this historic event. I stood with Shaquanda Noble filled with all people and no cars. That my cousin near the monument. People covered turned out to be a huge problem. With the in Obama paraphernalia surrounded me. nearby Smithsonian and Archives subway stations closed, every“O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma,” could be heard all the way down Conone headed for stations that were further away—Farragut West, stitution Avenue. I was there and the experience was beautiful. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks when legendary singer AreFoggy Bottom, and Federal Triangle. This made it extremely hard tha Franklin sang, “ My Country Tis’ of Thee.” Everyone was so for us to get home. My cousin and I had to walk all the way the Metro Center, almost another mile, in order to get home. Once in happy and joyful although some little children cried and comthe station the mass of people turned out to be worse than on the plained about being in the cold and on their feet for so long. Everyone felt so united. We sang goodbye to George W. Bush in uni- streets. People were rushing to get home and others were rushing to get to the parade. Patrons filled the platforms and the trains. I had son and screamed in happiness whenever Barack Obama’s face never seen the trains so packed. I don’t know how we finally made appeared on the large jumbotron screen. Once the swearing-in it home and once there I enjoyed a four-hour nap. was complete and President Obama finished his glorious speech, Shaquanda Noble is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy. everyone began to file out heading for the exit only to be greeted 8 Spring 2009 Rated-T RatedT FINALSpring09.indd 8
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“I was stuck on the property of Boys and Girls Town.”
“I had to stay home and watch my new Lhasa Apse Poodle puppy...”
On Inauguration Day I was stuck on the property of Boy and Girls Town. Instead of proudly standing amongst the millions of people who used their voting right to elect the right man for the job, I missed the opportunity of a lifetime. But now, let’s just look at the bright side and be happy. Years ago many people could have only dreamed about this day, but not only did I witness it on TV, I was alive to watch and see our first African American President take the oath of office. “Change”some have said…You Bet! Ahmed Davis is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
I didn’t go to the inauguration because for one, I had to stay home and watch my new Lhasa Apse Poodle puppy and because my mom had to go to work that day to keep a roof over our heads. So, my two friends came over. We talked and watched the inauguration day parade. Then, we played with Siroq (my dog), made some ghetto kool aid called Southside Punch and just hung out. At around 7pm my friends went home. Then my mom came home. We watched the swearing-in ceremony and saw Obama put his hand on the Bible. Also, we watched a ball that celebrities hosted for him, and saw him and the first lady share their first dance. Although thousands of people from around the world attended because this was a chance of a lifetime for them, we Washingtonians didn’t attend because we get to see the White House and special events almost everyday. And it was so crowded that you could only stand in one spot. But it was the best day in history. Jacqueline Roundtree is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Ahmed Davis
“I had to clean up and wash clothes.” Britney Simmons
Unfortunately I didn’t attend the inauguration. But I did watch it and record it on television. On January 20, 2009 I had to clean up and wash clothes. I also had to get ready for school the next day. I helped my parents cook dinner and in the midst of all that I still was able to watch the Inauguration. I wish I could have been there to see it with my own eyes and be part of the crowd that celebrated the inauguration of my new president. Britney Simmons is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
“I went to work at Giant.” Chanelle Patterson
On the day of the Inauguration I went to work at Giant. I had to be at work at 3:00pm but didn’t get to work until 4:00pm because of the large crowds on the train. It usually takes me forty-five minutes but it took me an hour to get to work that day on the route from the Anacostia station to the Silver Spring station. I really wanted to go to the swearing-in ceremony because January 20, 2009 will be a day in American history to remember and I also wanted to go so that when I get older and have kids I can tell them I was there to witness history. I also didn’t want to go to work because I knew it would be slow. Not a lot of customers would be going grocery shopping on Inauguration Day. I was also a little upset because when I got to work, my boss said I could go home early. I could have gone to the Inauguration if I had known I was going to leave work early. After I left work at 7:30 I went home in time to watch one of the balls our new president and first lady was attending. In conclusion I felt very good about that day because it was an important day in American history. by Chanelle Patterson, a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Jacqueline Roundtree
“I didn’t go mostly because I am lazy” Jalen Ferguson
Good morning, Washington D.C. What a turn out it was on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. I’d like to ask how many of you, my fellow readers, went. I know I didn’t go mostly because I am lazy and did not feel like it. Many people probably did not go for other reasons—like they didn’t feel like going out in the cold, or walking or many other reasons. But there were many people from all over this country who did attend this historic event. All of us who live in Washington and didn’t go set the bar low, like very low. Where was the support from D.C. for this once-in-a lifetime event? Jalen Ferguson is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy
“I just watched it at home” Jenifer Kenner
On inauguration day, I wanted to go see Obama speak but it was too cold. So I just watched it at home. Before the inauguration, I made some food with my mother. During the inauguration we watched it and then I called my grandmother when I talk to her and she started to cry. When I asked her why she was crying, she said that history was being made. Jenifer Kenner is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy (continued on the next page) Spring 2009 Rated-T
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“... laid up in a hospital room...” Britany Burr
The biggest moment in black history, in over 20 years, took place on Tuesday January 19, 2009. Millions gathered on the National Mall to experience history-in-the-making as President elect Barack Obama was sworn in to office in Washington DC. People cheered, cried and partied until the wee hours of the morning. And where was I?... laid up in a hospital room, ‘sleep, that’s where. I missed the biggest event that would probably happen in my lifetime, and I will never be able to reclaim that moment. I saw the reruns of the parade and all the interviews on TV once I got out of the hospital, but it didn’t feel the same. So I just nod and smile as everyone else recollects different events from the day. Secretly, I envy those who were able to be a part of history while I just slept through it. Brittany Burr is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
“I planned on going to the inauguration, but unfortunately I didn’t go.” Larry Bradley
I planned on going to the inauguration, but unfortunately I did not go. There were several reasons why. One reason was because it was going to be crowded and I did not want to deal with it. The second reason I did not go was because I felt my parents were playing a guilt trip on me and I was severely annoyed. I ended up giving them my ticket. During the inauguration I stayed in the house and cleaned up my room. I also played the guitar and Hero 3 with my little sis. The last thing I did during the election was clean all of the dishes. Larry Bradley is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
“I spent my weekend at a friend’s house.”
“I couldn’t get a ticket and didn’t want to go out in the cold.” Maurice Williams
January 20, 2009 was a day of national importance and one man’s acceptance as the leader of the United States. I didn’t experience the inauguration personally because I couldn’t get a ticket and didn’t want to go out in the cold. That day I spent my time with my mom and brother on a shopping trip to get some new shoes. But I got the full feel of the inaugural and some of the bad effects too. My story went like this: After getting to the Foot Locker on 8th and H Street, we were told us that the store had closed early. So we were forced to move on to a nearby Shoe City. At the Shoe City we bought four pairs of shoes, a jacket, and some socks. After leaving the store my family and I went to Union Station to pick up a DVD and catch a ride home. While there, we ran into a crowd of people who were heading to the inauguration. The crowd was massive and almost overbearing. Screaming and shouts of “Move forward people we gotta go!!!” could be heard in the back of my ear. Once we finally got into Union Station, we found that the store we wanted to go to was closed. So we decided to go and get some food from McDonalds. We sat with a nice old lady who was willing to share her table with us. After some laughs and upset moods, we.and went to exit the building. But as soon as we tried to leave, the police stopped us for 20 minutes. We finally left, caught a cab home, prepared for the next day and went to bed. Maurice Williams is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
“I stayed home” Mikea Martin
On Inauguration day I stayed home during the ceremony. Then I went outside for a little while. Then I took my cousin home. Then I went back in the house and got ready for school. Mikea Mcwitn is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Kalrton Chapman
January 20, 2009 so I wake up, right? I get up after a dream about something other that I forgot in an instant. I find myself in a house that isn’t mine, only to quickly remember that I spent my weekend at a friend’s house. The situation goes from me waking up to how can we waste time? Ideas kick out during a brainstorming session and it ultimately leads to us riding around on the bus. Honestly the inauguration was the last thing on our minds! The day ends at homes with us not going anywhere, and just watching our new president on television. Karlton Chapman is a sixteen-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy 10 Spring 2009 Rated-T RatedT FINALSpring09.indd 10
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“I wasn’t able to go to the event.” Canaan Walker
My inauguration tale is one to be looked at very seriously. I wasn’t able to go to the event. I received a letter several months before the event from the People to People organization inviting me to attend the swearing-in of the president. I was positively psyched for the inauguration month after month my grandparents and I told everyone that we knew (this was freaking big, I mean, my grandmother and my uncle combined paid over $2,500 dollars for me to go) about it. Then, sometime back in December, we got wind of the fact that I would be on the same platform as Obama, or even near the swearing in. (As a rectification for their mistake, People to People said that we would be standing at the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King made his “I Have a Dream” speech.) In an outrage, my grandmother sent an irate e-mail to People to People explaining to them that she wanted her money back for the inconvience. Then next few weeks passed with no response from People to People. Then about a week before the inauguration had to go the hospital for surgery. Canaan Walker is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy
“ I was at home watching Obama deliver his short and wonderful speech.” Kenneth Scott
On the day of the inauguration I was at home watching Obama deliver his short and wonderful speech. I was happy because I finally saw my first black president. The only reason I didn’t go to the inauguration was because there was too much traffic. Kenneth Scott is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy
“I stayed home and watched what happened.” Nigel Webber
During the inauguration I stayed home and watched what happened. That whole day I watched and later I watched the Inaugural Ball. While watching it I played my Xbox while talking about it with some friends of mine also made dinner and began to get ready for school the next day. The reason why I watched everything from home and didn’t go was because I just didn’t feel like dealing with a lot of people that morning and because none of my friends went. Nigel Webber is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy
“I looked at the show on television from start to finish.” Jamisa Spruill
On Inauguration Day I looked at the show on television from start to finish. The first thing I remember was the president didn’t look nervous at all his presentation. I seen all the old presidents, vice presidents secretaries of state, etc. While watching the show the preacher was very interesting and stayed on point. When Obama was swearing to the oath he got the words mixed up because he knew it was the jury who made him confused. When the Inauguration presentation was over the president walked president Bush back to his helicopter and he was on his way back to Texas. As the helicopter was leaving, I looked out my window and seen it I thought it was coming my way it went the other way because my intentions was to wave. As looking at the parade I seen Obama walking on Pennsylvania Ave first to get his site for enjoying the show. The parade was nice but I think more Washingtonians should have been in the parade. The Ball was nice I loved Beyocne, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Jamisa Sprull is a student at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Obama
Me! Photo essay by Ahmed Davis
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O
ctober 22, 2008. Obama fans of all sorts with excitement and joy on their faces overcrowded Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia to show their dedication and support for Senator Barack Obama. Anticipation grew among the fans and supporters while they waited for him to arrive. Then, Senator Obama walked onto the stage and gracefully took the applause of his fans while greeting them with a cheerful “thank you”. He talked about how he will create green job for millions of people. He talked about tax cuts and how
he will decrease taxes for the middle class and boost the economy by creating jobs that will help us decrease our dependency on oil. He then made a joke asking the audience to “ raise your hands if you make less than 250,000 a year.” Almost all hands flew up into the air and he then stated that his tax cut benefits 95% of all Americans. He continued to discuss his agenda, then waved to the cheering crowd, walked off the stage shaking the hands of his supporters as he left. Ahmed Davis is a 17-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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ADULTS they really do care
Five DC students express their concerns and give testimony.
The DC City Council Listens to Teens Shaquanda Noble gives testimony to the DC City Council.
Story and design by Shaquanda Noble Photos by Darin Davis On Saturday, March 14, 2009 I, Shaquanda Noble read a testimony to the DC City Council about my program Friendship News Network. The hearing was lead by Chairman Vincent Gray. As I sat there and explained everything we do in our program and how our magazine is run, I noticed that the Council members actually were interested in what I had to say. They seemed eager to learn more and they asked a lot of questions. Many other teens were there to testify and discuss issues they cared about with the council members. Three teens were there from and organization called The Young Women’s Project. There concern dealt with how teens in foster care have their resources cut off when they reach a certain age. They want to start a center dedicated to helping teens that “age-out” find jobs, homes, and still have access to the help they may need. Krista Ross, a student who attends Shepard Elementary testified about how the breakfast cereals served in DC Public Schools are not nutritious. Chairman Gray agreed to help fix these problems. Watching how the council members reacted to these issues and showed interest made me realize that there are some adults out there that really do care. Many of us teenagers are too lazy to look for help when we need it. We believe that no one’s on our side and we’re all alone against the world when in all actuality help and support is sitting right under our noses. Even if I didn’t have a serious issue to talk to the council members about, they were still there to listen. They actually have the power to help teens make some drastic and much needed changes. They are willing to help but we need to express to them what we need help with and what affects us. If we want our voices to be heard, these Youth Hearings are held on the second Saturday of every month at 10:00am in the Council Chamber room 500. The Hearings are aired on Channel 13. To sign up contact Aretha Latta at alatta@ dccouncil.us or at (202) 724-8196. Shaquanda Noble is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Darin Davis is a 17-year-old junior at Friendship Coolegiate Academy.
Chairman Vincent Gray listens as teens express their concerns to the council members.
Chairman Gray commends the Friendship Collegiate Acadeny Girls Basketball Team.
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rated-t goes green
and so can you! by Shaquanda Noble
This year, Rated-T is officially going green. This magazine is printed on recycled paper and printed with vegetable inks, but, no, you cannot eat it. All over the world families and organizations are realizing how we can save the environment by doing a few simple tasks. Things we use everyday and throw away can be used to create something else. Many resources are being wasted such as the most important resource to our survival—water. One drop of water per second coming out of your faucet can waste up to 2,700 gallons per year. So what can be done? Reducing water and electricity use can be a big help with utility bills as well as helping the environment. There are tons of things that can be recycled—paper and cardboard, metals, glass, batteries, computers, light bulbs, styrofoam cups and plates, plastic, newspaper, steel, and aluminum. The biggest problem is that people are unaware of how much they abuse our resources and don’t know how to recycle, reduce and reuse. Recycling is an easy way to save energy and it decreases the amount of trash that goes into landfills. Last year 54 billion cans were recycled in the US, Check plumbing and faucets for leaks. which saved 15 million barrels of oil. Replace older toilets with new, low-volume toilets. If we all used canvas bags instead of standard Purchase Energy Star labeled washing machines, and other appliances. plastic grocery bags we could cut down on the Take quick showers. amount of plastic bags that enter landfills or even end Use low-pressure showerheads. up being stuck in trees. Paper makes up the biggest Turn off the water while washing or brushing your teeth. percentage when it comes to garbage. And most of Water your yard and plants in the early or late part this paper comes from mail. of the day to reduce evaporation. Reusing can help us save energy and money. We can sell old cars and electronics or donate clothing to shelters. Water bottles and plastic bags can be reused. Use compact florescent light bulbs. So, If we all pitch in we’ll be on our way to cleaning Unplug computers, cell phone chargers, and other up the environment and saving money. electronics when they’re not being used. Air-dry dishes. Shaquanda Noble is a 16 year old junior at Wash full loads of dishes and clothes. Friendship Collegiate Academy. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater. Try purchasing Energy Star products.
Here are a few tips on how we can save our environment and save money too: Water:
Electricity:
NOW YOU’RE READY TO GO GREEN! Spring 2009 Rated-T
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alternative energy is here if you’re sick of gas and gas prices, this one’s for you!
Story by Karlton Chapman. Graphic design by Shaquanda Noble
Alternative Fuel Choices Biomass Geothermal Alcohol Methane Hydrogen Solar Energy Wind Power
Now that the United States has fallen in this recession and money is tight, we need all the money we can get. But the problem is that with little money, we can’t pay big prices for the things we need to get by. Case in point, the outrageous gas prices that car owners have to pay. As we’ve heard from our president who wants to kick our oil problem, alternate fuels are on the way. So, here’s some info on alternative energy sources and which one’s will be most efficient. There’s actually many alternative energy sources to choose from right now. There is biomass, which is energy made from biological material (corn, algae oil, sugarcane, hemp, etc.); geothermal, which is simply energy from the planet itself (heat, geysers, etc.); alcohol fuels, which can be used in internal combustion engines like flexible fuel cars with some upgrades; hydrogen, which is a familiar alternative fuel substitute for natural gas and
such. And of course, there’s solar energy and wind power. As for which one is most efficient… well, let’s layout the facts and decide from there. Alternative fuels are also not easy to come by. They either have to be produced or grown. While very efficient, biomass has a long growing time, which is too long to be seen as a potential alternative fuel anytime soon. I’ve heard that biomass may actually not be good for the environment or the economy because agricultural waste leads to groundwater pollution and it could also drive up costs for food at the grocery store as land for food becomes more scarce. Geothermal is very expensive to access because it’s underground and usually sought after to provide heating and cooling for homes using constant temperatures that exist underground. Alcohol fuel is no newbie to the scene and has been right next to old man oil. But there really is no real difference, seeing as how alcohol doesn’t better
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This futuristic-looking car, called the Aptera, runs on electricity.
Source: Aptera
our planet either. Now what we have left is solar, electric and wind. Wind power will soon be very cheap and efficient, with very high potential. And it almost seems perfect! And solar energy has nearly endless possibilities. Solar energy has a type of energy generator for just about anything that needs energy, unlike wind, which is limited to electricity. Wind won’t be pushing your cars anytime soon like solar cars! Speaking of solar cars… A solar car, or any solar vehicle for that matter, is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy collected through solar panels on the top (usually the roof) of the vehicle. Solar cars, virtually all of the ones being produced now are made for racing. This author speculates, that they’re are being tested through the racing itself to replace old gas-guzzlers. Another interesting fuel for cars is a fuel we know all too well, electric fuel, or more specifically, an electric motor. The motor
uses electricity (You know, from being plugged into an electric outlet), to produce mechanical energy which powers the vehicle. This fuel is a no brainer for fuel efficiency, and there is a very cool car being released in ’09 that utilizes it. The Aptera, Greek for “wingless” is “a high-efficiency passenger vehicle”. It’s a plug-in hybrid (A vehicle with batteries that can be charged by plugging it in a electric power source) and set to be priced around $20,000 to $40,000. Cool huh? With all these alternatives fuels, going green is a no brainer. Electric, wind, solar, even methane gas from human and animal waste are fuels. You know you need the money. So now with all the info you need, when you get that driver’s liscense at 16, why not make your car go green. Karlton Chapman and Shaquanda Noble are 16-year-old juniors at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Spring 2009 Rated-T
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The Real Global Warming
As The World turns (freezes, melts, breaks, quakes and shakes) by Karlton Chapman and Canaan Walker photography by Darin Davis
Global warming is really nothing more than the speculation of what weather is to come for the global environment. Climate change is based on the certain and definite forecast for a host of impending conditions to come about.
I’m sure you’ve noticed right? That was a particularly hot summer in ’08, wasn’t it? Oh, and have you noticed how cold it was, that following November? And the funny thing is: still no snow. I know, weird right? But by now you’ve probably guessed where I’m heading, and you guessed wrong. I’m not typing this because I want you to know global warming is coming. It’s already here! And, it’s not called global warming. It’s called climate change! So, ya’ boy, the Rurouni MC, Karlton is here to inform you about how your future is forming around this here…issue. Now, in order to give you the hard-hitting journalism that Rated-T is known for, we need to get the best evidence possible. So Rated-T reporter, Canaan Walker, went to NASA to interview Dr. Christopher Shuman. The interview with Dr. Christopher Shuman, an associate research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, was informative to say the least. We learned a few things regarding climate change and how the world will be affected in the future. Using his Greenland research project as a catalyst for this story, Shuman gives us insight into the changes to come depending on determining factors like rising sea levels. He dispelled a few assumptions about climate change…it’s not the same thing as global warming. Global warming is a result of the world warming up because of increased greenhouse gases from man-made and natural causes. There’s dramatic speculation regarding disasters to come in the future such as entire countries being submerged underwater. But the theory of climate change offers real conclusive evidence about these events. Although most of the information on climate change for the immediate future remains somewhat vague, Dr. Shuman did his part in not pulling any punches regarding how the world will fare.
The Genesis of Climate Change Beginning with the most important fact, climate change is not the same thing as global warming. This is an increasingly common public opinion about the process that has not until recent years, taken precedence in world affairs. The actual difference between the two is that global warming is really nothing more than the speculation of weather to come for the global environment. Climate change is based on the certain and definite forecast for a host of impending conditions to come. From Dr. Shuman’s work on the “Greenland Ice Sheet Project II”, it was discovered that the many glaciers that once covered North America have melted away over the last 18,000 years. The ice sheets actually had been pushing up places like Long Island in New York or Cape Cod off of the Massachusetts coastline down to Pennsylvania. “Sea level was dramatically lower than it is today. In the space of 18,000 years, climate has changed dramatically. What we’re seeing today, the reason that the press and the public are so aware of climate change right now is that we’re continuing to see changes and possibly accelerating changes due to the activities of humankind.” said Shuman. These are indicators, or rather direct statements confirming predicted conditions such as entire countries being submerged underwater because of the rising sea levels as well as the lowering pH of the world’s water supply (which makes it more acidic) due to the rising CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. Prolonged droughts across the globe are also likely to become as real as they are in California and Australia.
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“What we believe we’re seeing is acceleration of changes that would be occurring naturally, and that is due to the actions of mankind.” Masters of (our) Fate When I asked if there were any effective countermeasures to prepare us for such events, Shuman replied, “We are not sure about that. What we do know is that it is hard to make strong changes in the way six billion people live. That’s what we know from the political standpoint. What the climate system is doing is giving us signs of changes now and suggestions of changes to come. How we as the human population of this earth react to that, what we do is outside the hands of science.” I’ve avoided calling the aforementioned events “disasters” because Shuman goes on to say that climate change is a “real phenomenon”. I say this because humanity has played a part in the harbinger of the crazy cocktail mix of natural and man-made phenomena that bring about climate change. This is partly due to the
increase of CO2 (and other greenhouse gases). “What we believe we’re seeing is acceleration to changes that would be occurring naturally, and that is due to the actions of mankind,” said Shuman in an effort to answer the question of whether or not climate change is a man-made disaster. Regardless of whether or not we already have a contingency plan ready, Dr. Shuman has also stated that because of the adaptability of humanity, we, while remaining mindful and cautious, should also be able to survive. However, we will have to make changes in the way we live. Karlton Chapman, Caanan Walker and Darin Davis are juniors at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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why i became a vegetarian: is it worth it?
by Anna Morton designed by Shaquanda Noble ics so they may have a better chance of survival while they endure I consider myself a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat, but I eat fish, these harsh conditions. Then all of this is passed down to you when eggs, and milk. I decided to become a vegetarian in October of you eat them. 2008. My birthday was near and I wanted a pig as a pet. As I did The manufacturers kill the smaller and unwanted pigs by starvmy research I learned many facts about pigs such as how poorly ing them, depriving them of food and water or harshly thumping they are treated. I found out that most pigs are kept in factories their heads against the floor. When the pigs are large enough to and never see the sun or get a chance to run around and breath consume, they are then transported to a slaughterhouse. To speed fresh air. This led to research about other animals and I discovthe process along, the workers force and beat the pigs hitting them ered how harsh the conditions are for animals that we eat. Since in sensitive areas such as their noses and backs with electric prods then I became a vegetarian. similar to tasers. During their trip to the The eggs and milk I purchase come from slaughterhouse, the pigs are deprived farm-ranged and free-raised animals that “it takes very large without any food or water and the drive are not caged in factories. They don’t go amounts of water to usually consists of hundreds of miles. through the pain and suffering as factoryproduce meat, specifically If they don’t die from starvation, the raised animals. They are able to live full 2,500 gallons for a single pigs die from the extreme conditions or and healthy lives, and are able to run pound. The fumes and exhaust fumes. In the wintertime the pigs in the sun. greenhouse gases from occasionally get stuck to the floor and the The conditions pigs go through are truly the farms contribute to slaughterhouse workers have to pry and horrific. When they are piglets, the torture global warming.” cut them loose with wire or knives while begins. The piglets are taken away from the pigs are still alive. Other animals such their mothers, sows, when they are less as cows and chickens, go through a very than one month old to get their tails cut similar process. off, teeth pulled out and ears mutilated withOnce I learned of this occurrence, I was simply disgusted, out any relief from painkillers. Some piglets die from the shock. because cute and innocent animals die everyday just to satisfy At this young age and small size these piglets are too small to kill my taste buds. These are such cruel and unnecessary acts. When for consumption so they are stacked in small cages, one on top of I told my mother of my decision to become a vegetarian, she the other, until they outgrow the cage and move to cramped pens filled with other pigs. They are kept in these filthy conditions until simply asked why. After I told her she fully complied. Believe it or not, being a vegetarian also helps the environment. they are large enough to be taken to the slaughterhouse. With It takes very large amounts of water to produce meat, specifisuch cramped filthy conditions, the pigs often succumb to certain cally 2,500 gallons for a single pound. The fumes and greenhouse diseases as a result of high levels of humidity and toxic gases. gases from the farms contribute to global warming. These pigs often develop joint problems and arthritis from these Anna Morton is a 16-year-old junior who attends Friendship Collegiate Academy. close conditions. As a result they’re given large doses of antibiot-
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“Can Someone Pass the
Glyceryl Monosterate,
Please?”
by Crystal Bulluck Designed by Shaquanda Noble and Courtney Shackleford.
Do you know what you’re really eating?
Have you ever stopped and wondered what you were really eating? Yeah, it’s a bag of Honey Cheese Curls, but what makes it taste so good? What is it made of ? We religiously purchase items from our school store, ala carte’ line and vending machines not knowing that we’re doing more harm to ourselves than good to our bellies. If someone handed you some Maltodextrin or Silicone Dioxide, would you eat it? You don’t know what that is? You eat it eat every time you eat a bag of…
Honey Cheese Curls! Silicone Dioxide is an oxide of silicon with a chemical formula of SiO2 and is a principle component to most types of glass and substances such as concrete. (Tar! Yum!) Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive. It is produced from starch and is usually found as a creamy-white hygroscopic powder. Malt odextrin is easily digestible, and is absorbed as rapidly as glucose. It might either be moderately sweet or might have hardly any flavor at all. Maltodextrin is found in many energy boost pills that athletes and body builders use. I’m not going to completely gross you out, so I’ll stop for now. Hopefully you understand that all the junk food we consume in large amounts can do harm to us. It may taste good and may even be harmless but every now and then we should lay off and try a healthy alternative!
Tocopherol is a chemical in Honeycheese Curls.... it wss in my lotion too.
This is what Maltodextrin looks like...scrumptious! (Not Really)
Crystal Bulluck is a 16-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Shaquanda Noble is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Darin Davis who took the photo to the right is a 17-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Not Everyone Has a
Volunteer surgeons from Operation Smile make a big difference in the lives of poor children all over the world.
Barbie Smile
But volunteer surgeons from Operation Smile help poor kids around the world get one. By.Courtney Shackleford When I was in the third grade, I had this friend who was made fun of everyday for the way she looked. She had a facial deformity called cleft lip. That’s why when I grow up I want to be a plastic surgeon, so that I can help people with deformities called Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. I found an organization called Operation Smile that helps children all over the world that have Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate by sending volunteer plastic surgeons and support staff to operate on children whose families can’t afford the proceedure to fix the condition. I found out that one day in the near future, I might be able to work with the program as a high school volunteer to help children all over the world with cleft lip and palate. A doctor by the name of Bill McGee and his wife Katy, founded Operation Smile in 1982 in the Philippines. On their first trip they encountered hundreds of children with cleft lip and cleft palate and other facial deformities. The team they had wasn’t able to treat every child. So the team returned to Norfolk, Virginia and gathered together a lot of volunteers to help them help the children of the Philippines. Every year Operation Smile takes high school students on trips all over the world to help children in different countries with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. So far they’ve been on 40 international trips and their next trips will go to Egypt, Cambodia, Jordan, India, Bolivia, and Vietnam. Thousands of high school students have been one these trips and I am hoping I can go also. To be a student on one of
these trips you have to form an Operation Smile club in your high school, attend and successfully complete an Operation Smile workshop (which you have to apply for and be accepted by), attend a student international conference and be a least 16 years old. I interviewed a student who has been on an Operation Smile trip and her name is Briana Sacks. Briana has been with Operation Smile for 6 years. She heard about Operation Smile from her history teacher when she was in the seventh grade. She joined the club in her freshman year of high school. She said that she enjoyed everything about the trip and it changed her as a person. While she was on the trip her job was to educate the children and their parents about how to construct a well-balanced meal, how to brush their teeth and what to do if they get burned. She stayed with the children before and after the surgery to make sure they’re alright, brought them toys and held their hands throught it all. Briana said she learned a lot from this experience. She even gave advice about how to go on one of the trips. She said that you have to be extremely dedicated and passionate about what you are doing because it’s not an easy job. Briana is still a part of Operation Smile. She is with the University Program Council and was on the Executive Leadership Council for two-year years prior. Now Briana is a college student at George Washington University. For additional information on the program go to www.operationsmile.com
Courtney Shackleford is a 16-year-old student at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
Before Surgery in Colombia
After Surgery in Colombia
Before Surgery in Kenya
After Surgery in Kenya
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What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate? These two deformities are caused by a genetic disorder that happens mostly to Native Americans, Asians, and Latinos. Cleft lip and palate are similar in many ways Cleft lip is a deformity caused by a small gap in the lip (partial or incomplete cleft). It could continue into the nose (complete cleft). Cleft lip can be one-sided (unilateral) or two-sided (bilateral) together. Cleft palate is a deformity that occurs when the hard palate (roof of your mouth) and the skull are not joined together. If you have cleft palate there is a chance that cleft lip will also be present. When you have cleft palate, there will be a split in the roof of your mouth. Both deformities occur during pregnancy of the mother. Most parents in more developed countries that have a child with cleft lip or palate are able to get the surgery when the child is a infant. Unfortunately parents in less developed countries are not able to afford surgery. This affects their children later in life. Their child will have difficulty with speech, eating, brushing their teeth,ear disease and socialization.
Photos courtesy of Operation Smile
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Mono The Kissing Disease
Is It Just a Kiss or a Myth? by Courtney Shackleford Mono causes your tonsils to be swollen, as shown in this picture. Got a fever? Do you have periodic headaches? Is your throat sore? Are your glands swollen? Have you been kissing and sharing drinks with various questionable-looking people? If so, chances are you have Mono, short for Mononucleosis.(mon-uh-noo-klee-oh-sis,) Mono is an oral infection also known as the “Kissing Disease”. This disease is transmitted through saliva and mucus when humans interact by kissing and sharing drinks. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus(EBV). EBV is an infection almost everyone will get by the age of 40. Mononucleosis affects teen and young adults in America everyday. The disease can last from a few weeks to several months. The symptoms are very similar to the common cold and may include a sore throat, fever and fatigue. Most people will have swollen glands and tonsils. Mono can only be diagnosed by the doctor based on the symptoms that you have. There is no specific treatment or cure for mono.Sometime strep throat occurs in the conjunction with mono and is best treated with penicillin or erythromycin. There are a lot of complications that come with Mono like inflammation of the liver or hepatitis. Mono is very rarely fatal to people. The complications from Mono are kinda of rare such as destruction of red blood cells, inflammation of the sac around the heart, destruction of the heart muscle itself or the brain. Mono is more aggressive in patients with AIDS. It is an uncomfortable illness and can only be prevented by not sharing drinks or kissing. There have been a lot of myths about Mono, so I decided to interview our school nurse to find out what they are. Nurse Hall says there are a lot of myths about Mono. For instance, if you are fatigued, you may have Mono. Another myth is that there is no cure for Mono. But there is a cure for the symptoms, just not the disease. Nurse Hall also said that you can’t tell if someone has Mono by looking at them. The only way you can know for sure is to get a blood test from your doctor. Many people think that you can catch Mono from the water fountains. That was also a myth. You can’t catch Mono from water fountains. Finally, don’t worry about catching Mono at our school. According to the nurse, there haven’t been any cases of mono since her arrival. Courtney Shackleford is a 16-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Named after the District of Columbia’s throwback 1920s ABL basketball team, Palace 5ive carries a solid selection of skate and lifestyle essentials from boards and apparel to sneakers and accessories. Palace 5ive is and extraordinary place to just call home for those wanting somewhere to just chill. Palace 5ive is located in the heart of a very populated area of NW Washington D.C. on 4th street, where take-out spots and liquor stores are just a skate away. Palace 5ive has brand-name local sneakers, boards and other accessories. Palace Five is just a great place to hang and meet other skaters around the D.C. area. One thing that makes Palace Five stand out is their wide selection of skateboards. They have a great variety of decks and wheels for them. The interesting thing about the store is that some of the clothes have only one hanging on the rack, which means in order to get your size you need to ask someone. Not a problem, as the staff seem to be pretty helpful, almost as if they are happy to be at work. It has a nice neighborhood feel as well. This store is worth checking out, simply because you don’t see it everyday. It’s probably one of the best additions to the U street area this past summer. Not only does it have a beautifully constructed interior,
Palace 5ive Story, photos and graphic design by Ahmed Davis
with amazing murals, and modernist furnishings, but they also have great merchandise. Any store with a Nike SB account is bound to draw plenty of skaters and skate-culture enthusiasts. So if you want to get some skateboarding gear, a new skateboard, or just check out something different in the DC shopping scene? This is it! Palace 5ive 2216 14th St NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 299-9008. www.palace5ive.com Ahmed Davis is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Skateboarding In DC Photo essay by Darrin Davis
“Skateboarding isn’t a crime,” are the words of almost every urban skater...not just in Washington DC, but all over the world! Skaters get harassed by the local authorities for skateboarding in areas that have perfect skateboard
Graphic Design by Ahmed Davis
conditions. This is due to the fact that almost all local governments will not build skaters a decent skate park away from basketball players, gang members and tourists, but yet metro accessible.
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An Open Letter to
OPRAH
Regarding Her Statement on Inner-city Kids From Ebony Sweeney
Dear Oprah,
were put in the real world, we would just barely be considered average. It’s really not our fault if the school systems are unorganized or if we aren’t really exposed to what kids in wealthier My name is Ebony Sweeney and I am a student at Friendship neighborhoods are exposed to. Our school accepts almost any Collegiate Academy, an inner-city school in Washington, DC. and everyone and tries to make the best out of everyone. But it I’m a typical inner-city kid who wants to prove to you that all doesn’t always work out. inner-city kids are not like the kids you represent in your statement. At any rate I’m going to state some facts about a few of the When I first read the statement, it made me feel a little angry. many kids at my school who are trying to set high academic I said in my head, “She has the nerve to judge us because she standards for themselves. hasn’t met every last inner-city kid. After that I caught myself and I’m going to start off with myself. I try to make good grades. realized you’re only basing your statement on what you know or Last semester, I had a 3.8 GPA. I’m on the robotics team. I what you have experienced, so I can’t put you at fault for that. write for my school magazine, of course. I write poems. I’m on You also stated that there maybe a couple of kids that you the yearbook committee and I play the saxophone in the band. I might find who don’t try to over achieve just want mateso that I can be rial things. But I the best I can be say, there are more despite the influthen just a couple. ences around me. Yes, I know there One of my friends, “I became so frustrated visiting inner-city schools that are many inner-city Courtney Shackstudents who might I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn leford, a sophonot care, but it’s only more at Friendjust isn’t there. If you ask the kids what they want or because of the way ship Collegiate, need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South they were brought up just made honor or what they see in Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for roll with 3.7. She the media. You have also writes for the uniforms so they can go to school.” to admit you don’t school magazine. see new stylish khaki She wants to go to uniforms and shirts medical school to be being advertised on a cosmetic surgeon and American television. On the other hand maybe that’s all the kids in she is starting her dream off early by interviewing plastic surgeons Africa know. The media feeds American kids all this stuff on televito see what she can do to reach her dream. Another one of my sion, radio broadcasts, etc. to make us interested enough to want it, friends, Erica Davis, a 9th grade student at Friendship Collegiate, so what are you really supposed to expect? has a 4.0 and is also on the robotics team. She scored proficient Can you really blame us with all the influences? Those of us on her math test and advanced on her reading. Another friend, who rise above the influence don’t deserve the title of “unappreJonathan Bowie, a junior at Friendship Collegiate, has a 3.5 GPA ciative” because we are doing what we are supposed to do. Some and is in the National Honor Society. He plays chess at our school of us think on a very intelligent level and some think on a very and is currently in the Civil Air Patrol. Amber Jordan has a 3.5 lousy non-intelligent level. GPA and she is on the robotics team. Then we have Ronnetta In most inner-city schools, standards are set so low that if we Palmore, a senior who has a 3.5 GPA. She’s in leadership, dances
OPRAH’S STATEMENT
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and is in the band. She wants to be a choreographer, writer or maybe an actress or musician. She is currently teaching dance to younger kids and kids her age. Last but not least (for there are many more students who want to achieve in our school) there’s Quaniece Frazier, a junior at Friendship Collegiate with a 3.8 GPA. She has written for the school newspaper, is in the band, dances and works on the yearbook. These are all great kids who didn’t succumb to negative influences. But with all this success comes a price. The public school system has set standards so low for its young African American students that it’s demeaning. Those who set the standards belittle us and we just go along with it. We are smart and we think we are educated. But if we go out into the real world, we would be chewed up and spit back out into this imaginary world where we
are led to believe we are smart. Oprah, I want you to apologize for falsely accusing the many inner-city students who do put education first, including those I mentioned. I also want you to think before you speak, because a lot of us were hurt and upset by what you said. And finally, I would like you to consider opening a school in Washington, DC for the many kids like me who care about our education and make it so that only the highest of the high achievers can get in (just as you did in Africa). Sincerely, Ebony Sweeney, sophomore, Friendship Collegiate Academy Washington, DC
Photo below by Karim McCaskill, a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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You Can Fight It Abusive relationships are out. Help stop and fight them!
By Lakishia Young
A
buse is not something we talk about everyday, but it happens more often than you think. Just take the lives of Chris Brown and Rihanna. At the beginning of this year, we were taken aback and shocked by Chris Brown’s physical brutalization of Rihanna. What started as an innocent argument, ended with Rihanna going to the hospital and Chris Brown taken to jail. This is physical abuse. Other types of abuse are sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Since kids and teens are the major targets of abuse from boy and girl friends and family, I’m going to tell you what you can do about it and where you can go for help. If the relationship is abusive there could be extreme jealousy, emotional withholding, lack of intimacy, raging, sexual coercion, infidelity, verbal abuse, threats, lies, broken promises, physical violence and control games. Abuse is not only physical. It can be emotional and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can really mess kids up for
the rest of their lives. They can grow up with self-esteem issues that lead them to believe that the bad relationship is their fault and they need to do better. That’s not the case. It’s not their fault for being beaten and emotionally abused Abuse is nothing to ignore. You may think, “I can’t get out of it, the person I’m with is too strong.” You’re wrong. The person who is abusing you is weak because he/she can control you by abusing you. But, there are ways for you to leave and get out. You have to fight to make the effort to get out. You have to get out of the relationship while you can. It’s never too late…not unless you’re dead. Just remember Ike and Tina. She got out. She fought for her freedom and her life. The way she was going she was about to end up dead. When she left him, her career and her life improved. Abuse can be stopped. You just need to ask for help. Help is out there waiting. There are hotlines, guidance counselors at school, police, your family and friends. People are out there to help. It’s not just you alone, so don’t feel singled out. Just fight it by saying, “NO MORE!”
WHERE YOU CAN GET HELP 1. Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD 24 Hours a Day 2. Child Abuse National Hotline 1-800-252-2873, 1-800-25ABUSE 3. National Youth Crisis Hotline National Youth Development 1-800-HIT-HOME (1-800-448-4663) 4. National Runaway Switchboard This hot-line is a referral service for youths in personal crisis. 1-800-621-4000
Lakishia Young is a 15-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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I’m no armrest,
just because I’m short!
Discrimination against short people is a serious crime! Story by LaSharminique Brooks. Photo by Ahmed Davis. Graphic design by Karlton Chapman. How come every time I come into a room, someone always says, “Wow! You’re so little... Do you eat?” Then comes, “Are you anorexic?” After that, I get really offended and walk away. Why is it that since I’m both short and little, I have to be anorexic? Then, there is that most dreaded statement I hear all the time, “You are too little. Try again when you grow a little more.” This is discrimination against my height. The funny but sad thing about this...my doctor told me that I’m not growing any more. Therefore, I will be discriminated against for the rest of my life. However, it’s a good thing that I am a female. It would be a much harder life for me if I were a male. When people see me they say, “she’s so petite” and “she’s so cute”. For short guys, there’s lots more teasing and harassment. Since I was tired of people using me as an arm rest or picking me up and lifting me up to the ceiling, I decided to talk to a lawyer to see if there was anything I could do about it. So I interviewed Ms. Marilyn Peters. She’s a lawyer who specializes in workplace harassment. By talking to her I got a better insight about how my issue is handled in the working world. I found out many interesting ideas that might help me now or when I’m ready to get a job. She explained to me that there are many different types of harassment including discrimination against short people. She also told me that if you have been fired because of your image or gender and you do not get another job then you could get paid for those weeks you haven’t worked. That’s a pretty good deal. On the other hand, if you get another job then you will not get paid. Now that isn’t so good. Anyways she gave me all this cool information on how to collect the
Some Recent Statistics On Discrimination
The number of discrimination claims has risen again, this year by 15%, up from 115,039 in 2005/06 to 132,577. Discrimination claims (28,153 in total) have also continued to rise (save for race), with the greatest increase of 98% being seen in relation to sex discrimination
evidence needed to build a case on discrimination. I enjoyed talking to her. If anyone discriminates against me or harasses me because I’m short and on the job, here’s what I can do. First, collect evidence that I was discriminated against. Eye-witnesses will help the most. Then I can take the case to court. People do not normally go to jail for discrimination. They only get fined. So if I win, then I can get up to three hundred thousand dollars from whoever discriminated against me. You don’t get it all at one time, though. You get it a little at a time. So you should be okay for a while when it comes to income. At the end of the interview, I asked Ms. Peters what made her interested in this field of work. She kindly replied, “I guess I always just wanted to help people.” I was glad that she gave me some of her time. Everything she told me was interesting. I mean, now I will know what to do if I am discriminated against at my job. I wonder if those rules apply to schools. If so, I would be rich right now because I am ridiculed every day. LaSharmanique Brooks is a 15-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Spring 2009 Rated-T
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Like Spam? Commentary by Larry Bradley Graphic Design by Karlton Chapman
How ‘bout sham? When I expose the American Dream!
W
hat is the American dream? Does the American dream truly represent upward mobility? Or does it represent big business men such as bankers who seem to be in charge of everything? Were the bankers really behind the great depression as a way to try to control the world? Who knows? So let me ask you this... how does one achieve the American dream? Do you achieve the American dream by following in the footsteps of our forefathers? Or do you make your own? The answer undoubtedly depends upon one’s definition of the dream. For me, up until now, the American dream is nothing more than a complete sham. I believe this because America was originally built on the sweat and toil of minorities, many of who are still not successful. I believe that the American dream is a sham because people in power or who have money got it from their ancestors who were also in power or had money. For instance, J.D Rockefeller’s great-great grandson is now a governor of West Virginia. For those of you who do not know, J.D. Rockefeller he was a great entrepreneur who made his oil company a monopoly, meaning if you wanted some oil you could only buy it from him. So he set the prices to make him very rich and powerful and passed that power on to his great-great grandson. So I believe that the American dream isn’t what adults tell you, and that for the most
part the power shall remain in the families that posses it, and furthermore, there are presidents who are a part of the sham... Abraham Lincoln - I believe he was a complete hypocrite. He said he wanted to free the slaves, but yet he had slaves in his cellar. Why is that? George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. - In reality George Bush Jr. was only president because of who his father was. I feel as though this is the worst case of passing power down through a family. I think that it is really weird that the second case of father and son as presidents has completely ruined our country. John Adams and John Quincy Adams didn’t hurt the country. They helped the country—as compared to Bush Jr. who turned our country to garbage by sending our troops back to Iraq to kill Saddam Hussein instead of going to Afghanistan. But there is one person who can change this and that person is Barack Obama. He, in fact, proves that upward mobility may be the American dream. Larry Bradley and Karlton Chapman are juniors at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Lets Duel! “Yu-gi-oh! A game of skill.” Written by Daniel Bullock Graphic Design by Maurice Williams Hello all Yugioh card players and watchers of the television series. I am going to tell you some things about your favorite card game. I am going to tell you about the history of Yugioh, Yugioh today and Yugioh’s possible future. The creator of Yugioh cards and the television series is Kazuki Takahasi, who has many ideas for a manga. I hope he can reveal those ideas to us soon. My opinion is that when Takahashi passes on, someone will take after him and continue Yugioh. Yugioh has had many TV shows, seasons and episodes. For example, Yugioh 5D’s and Yugioh GX. Yugioh GX is about a kid named Jaden Yuki who wants to be like the king of games, Yugi Moto, the original king of games. He enters a duel academy and becomes quite known for his skills at dueling. Even though he is at the top if his game, he’s flunking all his classes. That’s not so great of an idea Jaden.
Yugioh’s possible future is to spread its card game and television seriew world wide. This includes South America, Europe and beyond. Creative people who play Yugioh and watch it on TV can go to www.yugiohcardmakers.net. There you can try your hand at making your own cards. Well it’s about that time for me to let you go on and read something else. So far I’ve shown you only a fraction of what I know. There are more things to come in Yugioh. All you have to do is keep your eyes open. Daniel Bullock is a 13-year old 8th grade student at Blow Pierce Junior Academy. Maurice Williams is a 18-year-old senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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The Next Evolution in Literary Magazines Coming September 2009 to your schools!
T
Word War I Friendship by Destiny Parker
Friends are the ones you count on through hard times. Friends are the ones you talk to when you need advice. Friendship is something we treasure, for friendship is a gift. Friendship Public Charter School students display that everyday and Friendship is a very friendly place. I believe in angels,the kind that heaven sends. Angels are real but i just call them friends. There is a miracle called friendship and some people don’t realize that it is God’s greatest gift. Even though friendship is a gift, friends will come and go, just like seasons they will show. I will age and you will too, but our friendship stays strong and true. Friendship is what brings you joy and happiness and altogether makes the world a better place.
I remember by Randyn Fullard
I remember when we shared love’s precious bliss. Not to mention one moment’s kiss. Oh! And the taste, the taste of those luscious lips. The way you walked and swayed those little hips. I remember how my heart just ripped. I remember when you’d walk by. I’d just stand still couldn’t say nothin when you’d say hi. Couldn’t imagine the day our unbreakable love would die. I was told love like ours would never die. But I guess I got the faintest taste of love’s little white lie. I remember, oh yes! I remember. But I mustn’t reminisce and with that, Goodbye.
Th an ing wh res pe W de Le
Hate, Love by Ceyanne Foye
I love you You love me, too. I hate you You hate me, too. I love your smile You love mine, too. I hate your hair You hate mine, too. You say “I love your eyes.” I say “I love yours, too.” I say “ I hope you die.” You say “ I hope you die, too.” We hate. We love. Even though we hate each other We know we can’t live without the other So we love. then we hate. So more we love and much more we hate. Where there’s love There is hate. Where there’s hate There is love. I love you. You love me, too. I hate you. You hate me, too.
ins tio my as ma sib up no me soo ge up rea wa un sto no wa tio To Wo
Here’s a preview of poems and stories from our upcoming magazine, Word
War 1.
Da Pa Ju
“Sweet With A Dash Of Darkness” “The Lightest Thought Agaisnt The Darkest Mind”
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The Encasing Beckoning Essence Fiction by Daquan Gunn
Fiction by Randyn Fullard
The panting of that disturbed soul nervous, cautious, and yet silent. The hollowed sound of her heart beating ….. Huh it’s funny how I can refer to it as her As the storm approached steadily but surely, the air when I really don’t know what it is. I can’t even take becomes dry and shallow. I run, but the road of my life responsibility for my own actions. By now many of the never ends. I stop there’s a fork in the road. Which people I know either think I’m mad or they’re dead! road will I choose? Where will it take me? What will I What is that you say? Do I think I’m mad you ask? It become? There is a faint light in the distance of one path depends on your definition of mad. I think I’m artistic. and emptiness in the other. I choose the light and my Let me start from my beginning. dreams are fullfilled. But there’s a problem. A storm It was a normal day of painting as usual—no approaches. I look for help but there’s no one there. inspiration. Then, I suddenly had a flash of inspira- My life flashes before me. Then, at the last moment the tion. Well it was more like a flying red glare outside of storm rips through me like a knife and my essence is lost my studio window...but inspiring nonetheless. As well forever. As divine as this seems, new life is born. as a foolish young artist could, I prepared myself. I marched through the amber fields as quickly as posThey appeared out of nowhere, approaching slowly sible. The wind whistled through my hair as I gazed toward the darkly lit house. The moon slowly beckupon something I never thought I would see, yet I had ons them forward. Their stride is confident, but I saw no idea what it was? Cautiously, yet swiftly, it engulfed through their facade. When they reached the porch, they me without hesitation…without reason. Instantly, as stopped, clearly considering what was inside the house. soon as it touched me, I felt nothing—no pain, no an- I watched from my dimly lit window ready to spring ger, no grief, no sorrow, no nothing. Suddenly I woke into the night at any given moment. Who were these up to find myself alone. Had my greatest fear been strange figures slowly making their way to my doorstep? realized? Was I truly ALONE? I soon found myself I waited. I didn’t know for what but for some reason my walking down a path that existed only where I stood curiosity got the best of me. Even then I heard this voice until…I realized I was no longer alone. Before me in the back of my head reminding me of how curiosity stood a man. There was no way to describe him. I’ll killed the cat and in this case I was the cat. I let my not go into detail because how he looked was not what curiosity win. Slowly I made my way down the stairs. was important, what was important was the proposi- With every step, I was floating closer to black and white tion he made me. The proposition I was to…. windowless door. Then, as my sweaty palm reached for To find out what happens next, read the first issue of the knob, my common sense kicked in. But, I soon found Word War 1, coming out September, 2009. that it was too late. Daquan Gunn, Randyn Fullard, Ceyanne Foye and Destiny Parker are all eight grade honor students at Blow Pierce Junior Academy.
To find out what happens next, read the first issue of Word War 1, coming out September, 2009.
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The First
by Karim McCaskill, Marissa Montfort, Ashley Lumpkin, Jamir Smith, Hassan Pye,
We cooked our favorite dishes and taped a new show for Friendship News Network. Below are our recipes for each dish. You can enjoy the show anytime on our website, friendshipnewsnetwork.com!
Hassan Pye’s Cookie Salad Ingredients:
1 box of oatmeal raisin cookies 1 box of chocolate chip cookies 2 packs of sugar wafers To prepare this dish, get a large bowl and add all of the cookies together in the bowl. Then shuffle them, thus creating a salad of cookies.
Ashley Lumpkin’s Baked Chicken Delight Ingredients:
1 bag of party wings 1 bottle of parsley 1 jar of meat tenderizer 1 bottle of season all 1 aluminum pan 2 sticks of margin To prepare this special baked chicken delight, first take a pan and grease it to make sure the chicken doesn’t stick. Then take your chicken out of the bag, wash it, season it and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then turn your oven on to 250 degrees, place your chicken in a pan, set it on the bottom shelf of the oven and let it cook for about 35 minutes. When the 35 minutes is up, take your chicken out of the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes. Finally after 10 minutes are up, take your bottle of parsley and sprinkle it over the chicken to add extra flavor and decoration. Then you’re done. You have just created your own baked chicken delight. Bon appetite!!!!!!!
Lanika Richardson’s Pasta Salad Ingredients:
1 onion 1 cucumber 1 tomato 1 box of pasta 1 tin pan 1 bottle of salad supreme (dressing) 1 zesty italian seasoning To prepare this dish, you first boil the pasta for 8-10 minutes. While the pasta is boiling, you cut up the vegetables and put them in the tin pan. Then put half of the salad supreme on the vegetables and stir them up. Once the pasta is finished, put the pasta in the tin pan. Next, mix the pasta and the vegetables together. Finally, add the zesty Italian seasoning and put it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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FNN Cook-off
Lanika Richardson, Myniesha Vaughn, DeVonte Perkins and Brittany Wilkerson
Graphic Design by Shaquanda Noble
Brittany Wilkerson’s Fried Chicken Ingredients: Chicken Breading or bread crumbs Heat the oil in a frying pan. While the oil is heating, season the chicken with whatever seasoning you like. Place the chicken in the chicken breading and make sure the pieces of chicken are coated on all sides. When it’s coated with the breading, put the chicken in the frying pan with the oil for it to cook. Cook on each side until golden brown. Take the chicken out and place on paper towels to soak up excess grease.
Jamir Smith’s Gingerbread Cake Ingredients:
3 boxes of gingerbread mix 3 eggs 1-¼ cup of water for each box used 1 aluminum 8”x10” pan 1 container of cool whip 1 can of crushed pineapples To prepare this dish, you must first preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then add the eggs, water and gingerbread mix to a large bowl. Stir the ingredients together until the batter becomes smooth. Pour the batter into the pan. Then you place the pan in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. When it’s done you can put whipped cream on top.
Myneisha Vaughn’s Cheesecake Cupcakes
Karim McKaskill’s Broccoli and Cheese
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1 cup white sugar 5 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract fresh strawberries 1 box sugar wafers Your favorite pie filling or whipped cream
First, put the broccoli in a pot of water to boil until it’s soft and tender. Drain the water out leaving the broccoli and then add in the cheese. Stir the broccoli with the cheese until the cheese is melted and then you’re done.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (175 degrees C). Line the cupcake pans with paper cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar. Stir in the eggs one at a time. Then mix in the vanilla. Spoon this mixture into cupcake pans to fill about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and cool for about 5-10 minutes. Do not remove the cupcakes from the pan until they are completely cool. For a finishing touch, you can add a spoon full of your favorite pie filling on top.
Fresh chopped broccoli spears 5 slices of American cheese
Brittany Wilkerson’s Deviled Eggs Ingredients: 1 dozen eggs mayonnaise relish paprika
Boil the eggs for six minutes. Then take them out and peel them when they’re cool. Split each egg in half and take the yolk out. Put the yolk in a bowl and mix it all up with mayonnaise, relish and a little bit of the seasoning. Then place the mixture back into the cooked whites of the eggs, put paprika on top and serve cold. Spring 2009 Rated-T
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Desire Dubose (left), Carl Randolph (middle), and Joanne Schmoll (right) performing on stage at the H Street Theater.
Calling All Actors & Actresses
By Jacqueline Roundtree
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ANT TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ACTRESS? I am here to tell you who, where and how to do it. Becoming an actress is one of the most difficult things to get into. You could either be loved or hated by so many critics. It could either make you or break you. I met two different women who have their own story about how they got into the business. On February 20 Anna Morton and I attended a play at the H ST Playhouse. Mrs. Adele Robey and her husband bought the playhouse so it could be a home for production for her, people around the world and many actors and actresses. Trying to be an actress myself, I went on a trip to meet Mrs. Robey, an actress and producer and to see one
Photo by Bruce Robey of her plays. While there, I met with some of the actresses after the play: Ms. Joanne Schmoll and Ms. Desire DuBose. They told me that to become an actress you need to be confident, put total focus on your craft and make sure acting is the only thing you can see yourself doing. You should also talk to everyone so you can get your face noticed and your talent shown. And you should get into an acting class and participate in school plays. All of these women have done many plays outside of the playhouse in places like the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Roundhouse Theater. So basically put yourself out there to become part of the acting scene. Hope to see you on the stage and screen SOON! Jacqueline Rounstree is a 17-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy,
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The Women of Tin Pan Alley Theater Review by Anna Morton
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n February 20, 2009 Jackie Roundtree and I visited the H Street Playhouse in Washington, DC The featured play was titled “Here’s to the Ladies! The Women of Tin Pan Alley.” It was an empowering musical about women between 1920 and 1949 who joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and contributed to The Great American Songbook. The play was a musical with various songs composed by women. Joanne Schmoll, a talented woman who was a part of the cast, wrote the musical and did a great job portraying the women of that time—especially their feelings and the ridicule those women had faced. During that time, most men, and some women as well, thought women couldn’t compose anything and that all that they were needed for was cleaning, cooking, tending to children or singing men’s lyrics on stage. Jackie and musicals don’t get along one bit; so right from the start she didn’t enjoy this cabaret— though I did notice some expressions of enjoyment on her face throughout the play during some funny parts of the song selections. The play was at some times comical and others confusing…well from my perspective, that is. For instance during the song ‘My Husband’s First Wife’, the crowd, which was filled with adults, was laughing. But Jackie and I didn’t get it. This musical was made for adults, and was slightly entertaining for a much younger crowd. The H Street Playhouse offers free performances to student groups and people living in the surrounding community. They’re located at 1365 H St NE Washington, DC 20002(, 202) 396-2125 www.hstreetplayhouse.com
Desire Dubose (right) and Joanne Schmoll (left) are ending the show.
Photo by Bruce Robey
Anna Morton is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Is It really Twilight?
Book review by Jarrell Davis Graphic Design by Ebony Sweeney
E
ver since the new Twilight movie came out, people have been rushing off to the bookstore to read this cliché vampire/ mortal love story. Magazines and newspapers have even gone as far as naming the newbie author, Stephanie Meyers, the new J.K. Rowling. To me this is all just hype. I’ve personally read the first two Twilight Books. Twilight, the beginning of the four part series, is bland. The main character, Isabella Swan tells the story from the first-person point of view and is often “Mary-Sue-ish”. She moves to the little town of Forks because she wants her mother to be happy with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a noble reason, but be serious. What teenager would be happy to move from a sunny city to a bland rainy town like Forks, Washington? Once in Forks, everyone there is overly friendly to Isabella (Bella as she likes to be called) except the one guy she meets at school and it’s…dun dun dun…EDWARD CULLEN, the vampire of every teenage girl’s dreams—polite, charming and with a lot of money to go with his looks. Poor Bella isn’t fazed by the fact that the Cullens only hang out with each other. So what happens next? Why Edward breaks from his family. But then somehow they (Edward and his family) decide to go after Bella and become friends with her. The book was very boring with random highlights like when Edward saved her, or the vampire James showing up and of course the part that annoys me the most…THE GLITTERY EDWARD CULLEN! How intelligent is Bella? She follows a vampire who she knows
en e e b e v t “I htaed to wrpiire tempown vamprove my y just to ess the stor worthl book howwilight …” T ries is se
wants her blood into the woods to find out why he can’t stand in the sun. WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER? Then Edward takes his shirt off and when the sunlight touches his skin, he’s the best thing since glitter. This is all hype and Bella is stupid for following him into the woods in the first place. My take on that…I don’t care what type of vampires you write. They can even stand in the sun and not die. But for someone to write about guys that can glitter…vampire or not…It’s complete and utter nonsense! Random unsuspecting people who have no idea how horrible it is have purchased this book series. Another famous author, Stephen King put it nicely when he said that Meyers couldn’t write and I agree with him. Her series isn’t aimed at mature high school teenagers and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you need something to start a fire with. I have been tempted to write my own vampire story just to prove how worthless the Twilight book series is, and as some of my friends have pointed out, the books are boring and very, very bland/cliché. Writing in first person isn’t something I would recommend to do for a book series and I don’t think anyone should read such utter garbage by a newbie author. As I mentioned earlier it’s nothing but hype. The movie isn’t even that great either. Rating: 1 star (I’d say a half but I don’t think I can get away with it) Jarrell Davis is a 17 year-old senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Mey “Step writ er is henie er an a gr eat d c o n u o writ ld h on ten t ave e bettehis sto r.” ry
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Yeah, it really is Twilight and it is great!!!
wilight is a captivating story of a girl, Isabella Swan (Bella), who finds love with Edward Cullen, a vampire who just happens to lust after her blood. She first meets him when she moves to Forks, Washington with her dad after she told tells her mom she wants to be there. But she really doesn’t. She falls in love with the vampire and everything about him before she even meets him. When they finally talk at school, she melts in her seat. For some odd reason, he can’t seem to stay away from her, even though he knows he should. He winds up jeopardizing himself and the lives of his family. But something keeps him around. He stays because he needs to protect her. And he is falling in love. He’s found the one he wants to be with forever, but he doesn’t want to ruin her life. When she finds out what he is, she doesn’t care because she is so in love. Even though she knows what he is capable of, she’s not scared. She jeopardizes her life by being alone with him only because he promises not to hurt her. When he takes her in the woods on a sunny day to reveal to her why he can’t go in the sun, she finds out that he sparkles. But she doesn’t mind. She just thinks this is another one of his perfections. Now it’s time to meet the families. When she is introduced to Edward’s parents and alleged brothers and sisters, they all love her except his sister, Rosalie who has a problem with Edward’s life being endangered by a mere human. And when she introduces him to her father Charlie her dad they went to at a nice ball game, the sky turns thunderous when vampires who aren’t like Edward and his family show up. They smell her blood and from there it’s over. They’re on the run. They run back to her hometown, Phoenix and that really doesn’t
By Ebony Sweeney
help. But in order to know the end, you have to read it for yourself. I simply loved the idea of this book and its framework. Unlike many people, I think the author, Stephanie Meyers did a good job and I love her books. The best part of the book is when she describes what Twilight means. I also loved the romantic setting especially when they were in the woods at the meadow. But I never understood why Edward wanted to be alone and why he didn’t want her to be like him. Maybe I will find out by reading the other books. To me, the love they share for each other can’t be matched. It’s a vampire story instead of a Cinderella story with a completely different set of things to worry about. It’s fascinating. I just love everything about it. The characters are almost perfect. The imagery in the book is outstanding. You can picture everything more vividly than you ever could believe. The book actually taught me words I never knew and it gave me an entirely new perspective on the history of vampires and werewolves. Bella makes me want to find someone to love and to feel how she feels. Their love is so easily found and makes you want what they have. This book gets you caught up in its emotions and captures your attention until the very end. I have no greater desire than to finish this book because that’s just the effect it has on me and other people. The book is great. Unlike my friend Jarrell Davis, I would consider it a good read for someone who’s looking for an interesting book. I am now reading the second book “New Moon” which I can’t pull my eyes off of it. Rating: 5 stars Ebony Sweeney is a 15-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Spring 2009 Rated-T
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GAMES
The Wii Just Became Evil…
We find out just how evil, in my Resident Evil 4 review. by Karlton Chapman
“You meet new faces and old as you fight through this fun-filled, parasite-infected world on wheels!”
Ah, this game takes me back. Resident Evil 4 is another installment in the seemingly endless series of Resident Evil games. Although it has already been made for the Nintendo Gamecube, with the Nintendo Wii’s unique motion controls, it was an instant port. The series itself is usually based on zombies, but of course the same thing eventually becomes old hat. Resident Evil 4 is set in some type of Spanish village, but instead of being zombie-infested, the village has become infested with man-made parasites and is the starting point for a plan for world domination. Leon S. Kennedy, the game’s protagonist, is sent on a mission to rescue the president’s daughter. But what already seems like a difficult endeavor, ultimately becomes a nearly impossible mission, as infected South Americans whose only intent is to kill, continuously overrun Leon. The game itself is sickly addictive. As the infected people’s murderous Artificial Intelligense (AI) backs you into an ammo-less corner, you are constantly forced to keep your wits about you—blowing up, pushing over, and destroying anything to survive. The game really comes to life when you actually retrieve the president’s daughter, Ashley, with the odds entirely stacked against you as you fight to keep both you and Ashley alive. I see nothing wrong with the game, unless your Nintendo Wii doesn’t like you. You meet new faces and old as you fight through this fun-filled, parasite-infected world on wheels! And if you think the fun will be short-lived, you’ll be playing, even in your cut scenes! With the bonus material, man I have to give this a full score and a full rating of a 5 out of 5!!! WHAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Karlton Chapman is a 17-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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Just Sold My
T ES
GAM
Soul.
And bought the new Soul Calibur IV that did as well... written by Maurice Williams graphic designed by Karlton Chapman
“stunning graphics, amazing looking characters, and the fact that Starkiller, The Apprentice, Yoda, and Darth Vader make their debut in this title.”
Soul Calibur IV gets a 3 out of 5
Soul Calibur is a two-player fighting game franchise, pitting you against your friends in one-on-one combat. The SC franchise has introduced gamers to many different styles of weapon-wielding, from katana-wielding samurai to dual blade wielding ghost pirates and beyond. SC drew gamers in with complex battle systems, full fights that allow you to use weapons and the overall bringing pour pwnage to your opponents. After a series of successful video games from the Soul Calibur franchise it pains me, a hardcore fan, that the new version doesn’t even make the standard. After logging in about 4 hours a day on this game and factoring in how past games have performed based on what the user’s want, SC IV lacks some cool aspects that made its
predecessors famous. Speaking as a hardcore gamer, I would much rather have modes like Survivor, Time Attack, and Weapons Master over Online Play. Soul Calibur IV also fails to bring back weapons with the special abilities that made you think about how you wanted to fight the battle and brings weapons that have only one ability. You can add on more abilities however this can only be achieved if you have the right combination of clothing. Most of the time the clothing you really want will hardly even give you enough Health Points (HP), Defense, and Attack. However, there are still some good qualities left about the franchise, such as giving you the ability to destroy your opponent’s armor during battle and the ever-so-challenging “Tower of Lost Souls” that’ll leave you frustrated and at the same time wanting to play more and more. The best new feature has got to be the Critical Finish. This occurs when you’ve beaten your opponent down
when all they’ve been doing is defending. If you press all the face buttons at the same time you can perform a Critical Finish and instantly end the match with a flashy, overdone combo delivered to your opponent. In conclusion, this game isn’t worth the $60 Microsoft charges, but it is worth your time to at least play and try it out. Any SC franchise fan would be disappointed with the fact that it lacks your favorite modes. But there’s more fun in the extra stuff that SC IV brings to the table like stunning graphics, amazing looking characters, and the fact that Starkiller, The Apprentice, Yoda and Darth Vader make their debut in this title. So go ahead and pick it up or you could borrow it from a friend who was excited enough to buy it for such a high price. Maurice Williams is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Spring 2009 Rated-T
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GAMES
Did you buy a
“Next Generation”
electronic?
Because if you think you did, you might’ve just bought an upgrade by Karlton Chapman
Instead of complaining about how we have no money because bills are high and we’re losing jobs. And instead of burning our hard earned money on the costly and unnecessary, we must spend money on the real deals, the worthwhile and the true “next generation” electronics.
After you went crazy over your Playstation 3’s and your Xbox 360’s, you foolishly classified them as next generation technology. But I beg to differ. “Next Generation” (Next Gen) is supposed to be a quantum leap—not an upgrade. A Next Gen game console should introduce a new style of gaming. For example, we all remember the Super Nintendo entertainment system (SNES), and how its games’ basic premise was side-scrolling in two-dimensions. Its Next Gen installment, the Nintendo 64, introduced threedimensional graphics which allowed a character to move in all 360 degrees while moving the camera accordingly. That was a “WOW” in that point in time. That is Next Gen! Currently, gaming consoles have gone through six generations and this is the seventh. For each so called “generation”, gaming companies have been trying to one-up their competitors for the buyer’s attention with so-called new Next Gen technology. But I believe that this money-greedy competition is interfering with the art of Next Gen. Well…that would be incorrect. This money greedy competition has always interfered with the art of Next Gen. Even in the days of the Atari 2600, there were knock-offs, who’s only goal was trying to steal away the revenue that Atari was receiving. From that point on, the Atari was essentially the same thing with a few upgrades. Yet, we, the consumers buy and buy, not realizing how we’ve wasted our money while feeding into this these obvious cash cows. We, as the consumers of these consoles, games and other technologies such as computers, cell phones, televisions and other expensive electronic devices, need to see past these “upgrades” that claim to be next generation and look for the real, worthwhile technologies. A good example of us Americans wasting money on something not worth our investment is the so-called “quantum leap” from Playstation 2 to Playstation 3. The Playstation 2 (successor to the Playstation) released October 26, 2000, was hands down the best video gaming console of all time. But in November 11, 2008, epic failure was committed when the Playstation 3 was released. Not only did it cost an outrageous $600 (compared to it’s competition the Xbox 360’s $300 and the Wii’s $250) but it also had a failing launch and weak library. So it’s currently last place in sales, and as a result, Sony has been forced to drop the price to an amazing $400. Nevertheless, the Playstation 3 has sold 21.3 million units! This is unacceptable! Instead of complaining about how we have no money because bills are high and we’re losing jobs; we shouldn’t be burning our hard earned money on the costly and unnecessary. We must spend money on the real deals, the worthwhile, and the true “next generation” electronics. Karlton Chapman is a 16-year-old junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.
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T ES
GAM
WARZ CONSOLE LLLET’S GET READY TO RUMMBBLLLEEE! by Canaan Walker
For decades, video games have had an element of competition about them. The only competition that’s as intense as the gaming is the competition between the companies that vie for domination of the market and your dollar. The big three (Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft respectively) are waging a war that’s become the most electrifying conflict in the history of gaming. And multi-platform games are fighting for top spot too, especially those employing bold new concepts such as the recently released Mirror’s Edge, or even the newest Naruto games, for the 360, Wii, and PS3. Then there’s the ongoing saga of Square Enix, a company known for producing some of the most famous RPG (Role Playing Game) franchises of all time. This year Square Enix has once again given up exclusivity by giving rights of a Final Fantasy title to Microsoft. This dealt a huge blow to Sony, the company that has held a large portion of Final Fantasy fans for several years. That’s just the tip of the iceberg; Here’s a few defining moments over the past year. The XBOX 360 The sequel to Microsoft’s first multimillion dollar console, the XBOX 360, has certainly done well this year in the face of it’s competitors, one of which has
a truly spectacular lead over both companies. One would think that because of the many multi-platform titles that came out (Grand Theft Auto IV, Prince Of Persia, Mirror’s Edge) Microsoft couldn’t keep the substantial lead that they attained when they came out the gate in 2007, but one thing keeps them apart from the pack...XBOX LIVE, the largely successful online service that allows players to play with anybody, anywhere (with an internet connection). In XBOX LIVE, extra content can be applied by developers to give longevity to games that may have run their course as far as replayability goes. For instance, the Knothole Island level download for Fable II has definitely given Microsoft’s green machine its juice. The recently released NXE (New Xperience) has gotten mixed yet overall positive opinions with its inclusion of avatars to further personify gamers in 3D models of themselves. And two more licenses (Final Fantasy and Tekken 6) from well-known third-party groups Square Enix and Namco have added to the list of 360 titles as well. One of the new attractions that Microsoft looks to capitalize on is RPG’s. This is a market that was all but untapped in the years of the original XBOX. 2009 has a truly beautiful promise for the 360.
The Nintendo Wii This year was a proud year for Nintendo fans worldwide. From it’s initial launch, the Wii was looked at critically for it’s innovative technology and has not disappointed since...commercially anyway. Nintendo system has gotten back a portion of the market (casual gamers, non-gamers and even senior citizens) that was lost to years of Joe Liberman, Jack Thompson and the overall stereotyping that says videogames can only teach children how to become cold-hearted killers. Another aspect of the Wii is the strength of which their first party IP’s hold for them, and how both the Super Mario series and Legend of Zelda have both come out with spectacular releases this year (Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess respectively). But the other half of the aforementioned argument is that, at the cost of selling well, the quality of games (and I do not lie when I say this) was below average if the game didn’t have Mario, Zelda or Super Smash Bros Brawl in the title. Some in the gaming community cried foul at the fact that no thirdparty game has come out for the Wii (NOT PORTED OVER! I see you Okami and Dead Rising) has gotten a critically acclaimed rating; a rather unfortunate shortcoming considering how many (continued next page) Spring 2009 Rated-T
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(continued from the previous page) developers have expressed interest in utilizing the innovative technology associated with it. But, criticism withstanding, the Wii has worked hard to get to the level that could easily be associated with the success of the NES era. Nintendo has become the epitome of a true console resurgence. The Sony PS3 Sony saved itself from the brink of its own failures this year, in regards to the games that came out for it this year. If Microsoft’s draw was DLC and Nintendo’s a brandnew interface, then the PS3’s power was in the big budget titles of the year. Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, and this years second juggernaut in innovation, LittleBigPlanet. Though the
system suffered from quite a few overhyped games and constant shortages of actual systems, it has stayed relevant in the year of Nintendo Wii and the XBOX 360. It is noted that while the 360 and the Wii (of which is rarely able to go multiplatform thanks to its unique technology) fare considerably better critically in multiplatform releases, the PS3 is received better because of the controls. The word on the street is that Sony will hit back in 09’ with their oft-delayed and beta-tested online app, Home, in order to take a market that has been dominated by Microsoft. To summarize a truly great 365 days of gaming: Nintendo has renewed the faith of the general populace of non-gamers and elders that abandoned the concept of what this generation finds entertaining and taken their crown back. Microsoft pulled
out all the stops and made major moves this year with NXE, DLC and XBOX Live. With the new third party titles added to their arsenal, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with next year. Sony has a long road, but if anything, their next down will be an up. After all, no one was outright outed this year. To gamers in 09’, there is something new for everyone. Don’t be afraid to cast away your morals for that next GTA, likewise, don’t be afraid of that conscience that you develop for leaving that one team member behind in Left 4 Dead. Try something new and it might be for you, or stick to your guns and have some fun. Either way it’s a great time for the ongoing Console Warz. Karlton Chapman is a 17 year-old Junior, and Canaan Walker is a 16 year-old Junior, at Friendship Collegiate Academy
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FNN FUN To find the words, you have to read the magazine.
The first person who finishes this crossword puzzle will receive a $25 VISA gift card. (Come to the Smart Lab for your prize.)
by Courtney Shackleford DOWN: 1. The “Kissing Disease 2. A photo essay about_________ written by Ahmed Davis and Darin Davis 4. People who don’t eat animal written by Anna Morton 5. The middle school’s new literary magazine( 3 words) 6. Barrack Obama slogan “Time for a______” 8. Healthier way to energize cars written by Karlton Chapman.(2 words) 11. Tips on helping the environment written by Shaquanda Noble 14. The _______ that is the American dream 17. Another word for ethnicity is ____ 19. Obama ___ for President of the United States
ACROSS: 3. Ebony defends inner-city kids from _______’s comment 7. A review about a card game written by Daniel Bullock 9. What destroys the ozone layer (2 words) 10. Editor’ n’ Chief is ______ Williams 12. The president of United States of America 13. A book reveiw by Ebony Sweeney 15. Another word for verbal and emotional harrassment, written by Lasharminique Brooks 16. Facial deformity in story written by Courtney Shackelford ( 2 words) 18. Story about video game systems written by CanaanWalker( 2 words) 20.An ingredient in cheese curls (2 words).
Courtney Shackleford is a 16-year-old sophomore at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Spring 2009 Rated-T RatedT FINALSpring09.indd 47
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You believe your child can do Anything! So do we.
Friendship Public Charter School Washington DC and Baltimore campuses serving students in Grades PreK-12
Friendship Chamberlain Elementary (PreK-8) 1345 Potomac Ave. SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 547- 5800
Friendship Blow Pierce Junior Academy (4-8) 725 19th Street , NE, Washington, DC 20002 (202) 572-1070
Friendship Collegiate Academy (9-12)
Friendship Southeast Academy (PreK-6) 645 Milwaukee Place, S.E., Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-1980
Friendship Academy of Science and Technology 801 South Highland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21224 443-642-3183
Woodridge Elementary and Middle School 2959 Carlton Avenue, N.E, Washington, DC 20018 (202) 635-6500
Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology 2500 East Northern Parkway Baltimore, MD 21214 443-642-5616
www.friendshipschools.org
Friendship Tech Prep opening Fall 2010
4095 Minnesota Ave., NE Washington, DC 20019 (202) 396-5500
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