Kids X-Press Magazine Spring 2016 by Kids X-Press

Illustration by Rocio Arizmendi

Award Winning

This Edition is Sponsored by:

Spring 2016

What’s Happening AT We are so excited to salute Earth Day! Our spring edition is chock full of letters from you, our readers. Children from Westhab and the Boyce Thompson Hello School asked their superheroes to zap pollution with their x-ray vision, while e: everyon youth from YWCA’s GEMS program suggested that their favorite artists use their talent to fundraise for the cause. Your messages were clear; we need to take a proactive stand about how to protect our earth. Our generous sponsor, Entergy, understands the present crisis and encourages each of us to do our part to keep our earth clean and safe. Thank you Entergy for guiding our youth and helping them to understand the impact of pollution and carelessness by promoting this call to action to sustain our environment. Our feature interview highlights the important work of Frank Fraley, President of SHARE, (Safe, Healthy, Affordable, Reliable Energy). Mr. Fraley partners with businesses and educators in the public and private sector to advocate for clean, affordable electricity for all New Yorkers. He has also had a very broad and successful career in helping communities to understand how important energy conservation is and how they can help. Children in the Westchester community enjoyed our "Fun with Art" workshop at TD Bank earlier this month. Children had fun making colorful projects with flowers and more while enjoying their hospitality. Christopher Galayda, VP, shared with us about the special TD Bank Summer Reading program that encourages children to continue reading throughout the summer. The cool reward is a bank account opened in your name with a starting balance! Stay tuned to hear more about future events, courtesy of our friends at TD Bank. Check out our pictures on Instagram and Facebook. On Saturday, July 9, 2016, KXP will be hosting our “Piggy Strikes for Kids X-Press” event. It’s a wonderful day of bowling for anyone and everyone. We are so grateful to Dave Limekiller of Homefield Bowl for sponsoring this event. Please join us and bring the entire family for a fun day of bowling. Visit our website to learn more about it. By participating, you will help us continue the impactful work of transforming children through art and writing. We have two very exciting events coming up! We will be hosting our “Kids X-Press Family Vetogether” organized to honor our veterans and express our gratitude for their service to our country. Details will follow soon. Also, we will be celebrating our Annual Touch the Sky Reception. We have some very special people lined up, but for now it's a secret so stay tuned. As you scan the pages of this edition, you will notice a fresh new look. We heard you when you asked for a special section in our magazine just for you. Gaby, our wonderful KXP artist has breathed life into our new crisp format. We hope you will enjoy going to your favorite section, be it Kiddies, Tweens or Teens. Greetings humans….. my name is Piggy and I am the official Spokespig for Kids X-Press

Spring is here! Enjoy the sunshine and cool breezes. Please remember to take care of our earth by reducing, reusing and recycling! Warm regards,

Marsha Tom Executive Director

Table of Contents Regulars Piggy’s KXP Club Membership Piggy’s Mailbox Permission Slip and Games Solutions Kiddies Letters to Our Superheroes Art/ Games KXP-On-Call Q&A with Frank Fraley, SHARE, President Bilingual Version KXP-On-Call P&R a Frank Fraley, Presidente de SHARE

Tweens Environmental Superheroes Women’s Right to Vote 9 Poetry and 28 Isn’t Art Just Wild KXP Storytellers/ Art Teens 2 YWCA GEMS Write to Save the Earth 7 Poetry 10 Lyrics Thank You To Our Sponsors

Letters to Our Superheroes

KXP-On-Call Q&A with Frank Fraley

14 17 18 19 20 26 27

Welcome to the Spring Edition of Kids X-Press ENJOY!!!

Environmental Superheroes

Kids X-Press Magazine is published quarterly by Kids X-Press, Inc. Kids X-Press, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote literacy. We encourage children of all abilities, and from all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds, to express themselves, and we provide them a forum through which they can communicate to the public the world from a kid’s-eye-view.

Vol 14 Issue 2 - April 2016 Executive Director: Marsha Tom Design & Production: Gabriela Madrid Program and Production Manager: Lauren Stevens Interns: Michael Luckett, Elis Madrid, Matthew Gordineer, Kaitlyn Luckett, Sara Rai, Peter Lawless

YWCA Gems Write To Save the Earth

Editorial Consultant: Donna Bernaschina Marketing Consultant: Ellen Morgenstern Piggy’s Designer: Sharnice Mickens KXP Photographer: Sandy Aitchison Founders: Michele Bellantoni, Christina Cirillo, Nivia Viera Publisher: Nivia Viera, 2003-2015 © 2016 Kids X-Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. Kids X-Press and the Kids X-Press logo are trademarks of Kids X-Press, Inc. To contact us, write to:

Kids X-Press, Inc., 470 Mamaroneck Avenue - Suite 300 White Plains, NY 10605 914-368-0155 lauren@kidsxpress.net www.kidsxpress.net In 2012 Kids X-Press received a Pyramid Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and recognition for excellence in science education by the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, as a component of the overall BASF Science Education program.

Kids X-Press, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that is not affiliated or otherwise associated with any school district, government, religious or political association. Any comments, views and/or opinions expressed in any article herein are solely those of the authors and illustrators and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Kids X-Press, Inc., its sponsors or affiliates. Kids X-Press, Inc. makes every effort to ensure all the works published in Kids X-Press Magazine are original. Kids X-Press, Inc. does not take responsibility for any misrepresentation of authorship.

Letters to Our Superheroes By Kids X-Press Reporter Forever King Ham

Dear

DC SUPERHEROES

Illustration by Zariah Henderson

Our world is in d and everythin anger right now with all this pollutio g bad that yo n u can think So let's get d of. I think yo , cutting trees down, litt own to busin ering, u all can put ess. I think S to burn piec an end to it! uperman can es of garbag e. Barry, AK fly around a the world pic nd use his la A "The Flas king up all t ser vision h", can help he trash. Aq and maybe g Superman a uaman can g et the crabs nd run arou o underwate to help! Please come nd r and pick u now! p t r a s h Your worrie d friend, King

By Kids X-Press Reporter Zariah Henderson

Dear p? lean it u c e m lp e he s ou pleas y n a king. It i o C . m s s s e p m sto tal eople y mom to ld is a to r m o ll w te of the p e s ll i h T a o ll d te n ca u to . ing you need yo th t o s ls r i ur world f a o I e d t. n Th e a n r la ep othe ve each er and th a h s r n o f a c d ba they t this, so u o b a on earth

bal warming lo g s y a d a w . No ze the earth e e r f o t he trash and u t ll o y a t d c e e lle n o e c W can control. You k. f o t u o g in t er come bac v ! e n is get d n a s e h as of the ocean t o t u o in r ic a t e s p la p p the make it disa h to take all t g n e r t s r e p r su We need you e the world! v a s s u lp e h Please od friend, o h r o b h ig e n Your Kenasia By Kids X-Press Reporter Ameena Frieson

Illustration by Kayla Warner

Please save th e world tr eat th because e world we b a d . Star fir you use e , won’t your su perpow mor e p e r s lants an to gr ow d destr garbag o y a e. You c ll the an cons energy e r v e the e with yo arth’s ur supe pr oject r energy ion pow er ! Please come s ave us. Your frie We nee nd, d you! Am e e n a

Illustration by Ameena Frieson

Dear

KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES

By Kids X-Press Reporter Kenasia Frieson

By Kids X-Press Reporter Greisy Garcia

Dear Thor, use people are a c e b g in y d The world is g the n and pollutin w o d s e e tr e you cutting th your hammer h it w t u B . sh earth with tra pick up trash. to it se u d n a ind the could make w mer to create m a h e th se u You can also estroy rbage, and d a g y ro st e d lighting to ees. at cut down tr th s e in h c a m ut all all the need you to p I , g in th re o Oh, one m le in jail. the bad peop From, Greisy

Illustrations by Greisy Garcia

LETTER TO

Dear

By Kids X-Press Reporter Jeimy Aguilar

Illustration by Jeimy Aguilar

Illustration by Eryn Stackhouse

People are destroying the earth by littering and cutting down trees. People are also polluting the air and oceans. I need your help to save the animals and plants on the earth. Please come because the earth is a mess! From, Jeimy

Dear

Illustration by Mark Arenas

People are littering. People are cutting down trees. Please help us. The earth is getting so messy!

Dear

Illustrations by Alexa Casares

By Kids X-Press Reporter Alexa Casares People are messing up the earth by cutting down forests and leaving garbage everywhere. You can help us by getting people to stop polluting the ocean and the air. Please come, we need your help.

KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES

By Kids X-Press Reporter Mark Arenas

Illustration by Angelina Shih By Kids X-Press Reporter Evangeline Feldman

6 Illustration by Evangeline Feldman

Dear

Illustration by Shaynna Avery

Illustration by Lily Rocket Withers

Message in the bottle FINISH

Help me to find the hidden message. Give a number to each letter of the alphabet and then use it to figure out the code.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

1 2 3 4 N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z START

_ _ _ _ 8 5 12 16

_ A _ _ 19 1 22 5

_ _ _ 20 8 5

Solutions on page 28

_ _ A _ _ _ 16 12 1 14 5 20

KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES KIDDIES

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Dear Piggy, best guinea pig. Did you know you are the Love, Angel Arevalo Yonkers, NY

Dear Piggy, to be a have always wanted Since I was little, I e I love animals and veterinarian, becaus them. I love taking care of Louri Oliver Sleepy Hollow, NY

Dear Angel, Thank you so much! Here’s a picture of you. You look like you were having such a fun time at my workshop! I was so happy to get your letter and can’t wait to see more letters and drawings from you. Dear Louri, What an amazing artist you are! If you work really hard and do great in school, I know you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinarian. Keep up the great work. I look forward to receiving lots more from you. Please check out your great picture on page 19.

Dear Piggy, For many years, women have made a tremendous mark on the world. Their bravery, confidence, and resilience, have provided many benefits that help us today. For this edition of Kid’s X-Press, I decided to write about “Women’s Right to Vote”. This is for us young readers and adults to recognize the impact that those women have made on all of us today. Therefore, I would appreciate ifyou would publish my article in your next issue of Kids X-Press. Thank You Sincerely, Lauren Sulaiman Dear Lauren, Brooklyn, NY Thank you so much for sending me your article, “Women’s Right to Vote” (page17). It was truly educational and inspiring to the women of today’s society. It’s an important reminder for both men and women, the struggles many people faced in earlier times.Your article is a great example of how far people will go to advocate for what they believe, in order to achieve their goal. You are an inspiration to so many.

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KXP-On-Call Q&A with Frank Fraley, SHARE, President By KXP-On-Call Reporter Kaitlyn Luckett

KXP-On-Call Reporter Kaitlyn Luckett

Frank Fraley wants us to be proactive about energy conservation.

Q: Can you please share a little bit about yourself with our readers? A: I am a kid from Brooklyn who moved to Mt. Vernon with my wife and young daughter to grow and raise a family. I have been blessed to have had a number of different and exciting careers already! I have worked in the music business, been Chief of Staff to a Mayor and President of the Chamber of Commerce. I teach and am also an independent businessman. My faith is very important and I will graduate the seminary this year. I am also involved as President of a not-for-profit organization called SHARE. Q: Was this always what you thought of doing while you were growing up? A: Like many, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was young. I started out as a jeweler and in fact I’m still a jeweler today. After I graduated from college, I began teaching jewelry design and have done so for 34 years. I attended NYU and later studied finance and started doing taxes for many recording and performing artists. Soon after, I became the Chief Financial Officer of Motown Records. I have traveled many roads and I want young people to know that there are many paths to success. Following the 9/11 attacks, my life changed. I wanted to be closer to my family here in Westchester. I left the music business and became Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Mt. Vernon. Later, I became VP of Advancement for Mt. Vernon Hospital. A number of years back I started my own company, with a focus on continuing to work in the community to help businesses grow and flourish.

Frank Fraley

Based on my extensive contacts, I was offered the opportunity to become involved with SHARE. Q: Can you tell our readers all about SHARE? A: SHARE stands for “Safe Healthy Affordable Reliable Energy,".We are trying to both educate communities about where their electric power comes from and to advocate for safe and affordable energy choices that also protect the environment. In this region we have a major energy issue facing us. There are some who are opposed to nuclear power and the Indian Point Energy Center which provides enough electricity to power 2 million homes. But what happens if that plant is shut down? How will we replace it? Will we have to burn more fossil fuels to replace Indian Point’s power? How will that affect air quality and carbon emissions? How will that help us to combat climate change? We want people to understand their choices and the impacts on human health and the environment. Air pollution affects the elderly and young people even more seriously than the rest of us. So it is important that people in our community have the information they need to have their voices heard about energy choices. That is what we are trying to do. Q: How did you become involved with Entergy? A: As I mentioned before, my work in the community to help build economic opportunity had me involved with many organizations. I was approached about the issue of energy choices and the impacts on business, air quality and human health and signed up to join SHARE.

Q: What led you to become so passionate about this topic? A: I have been involved in community development for many years. When I applied my spiritual background to how energy affects the environment, I saw it as a “hand-and-glove connection”. I wanted to do something professionally that would be good for people, good for the environment and help take care of my family. In life sometimes you are blessed with the chance to “do well” and “do good.” Q: What are some steps that can be taken to save energy? A: There are many things that we can do from using more efficient appliances and lighting to smart thermostats. Technology now also provides also the opportunity to store energy in batteries and tap the power of the sun. NYS runs many programs that people can take advantage of; to conduct energy audits of your home or business to see how you can save money. Our local utility Con Edison can provide useful tips and help you with energy conservation; not only will you save money but you will help to sustain the planet.

because it’s still consuming electricity. When you disconnect your cell phone from the charger and leave the plug in the outlet it can cause a fire or unnecessarily use power all day long. If children are taught at a young age to unplug things, it becomes a habit with them as they mature. I talk to my children about the same things. Everything that is plugged in is looking for a source of power. Q: How can Kids X-Press help you get your message out? A: Learn about energy and our energy choices. I take my best animated-self into public speaking engagements! It’s tough because energy is not a subject that people think is in crisis. Kids X-Press can deliver the message that conserving energy can be fun and encourage students to understand the importance of sustaining the planet. Learn about all technologies and their impacts. Do not be afraid to challenge the status quo.

Q: Name one thing that children can do that will impact our environment? A: When I was a kid, my parents had only a few things plugged into the outlets; a toaster, a clock radio and a refrigerator. The stove was gas and did not need to be plugged in. Presently, children have a power block which is plugged into another power block which is plugged into an outlet. All the outlets on the power blocks are connected to printers, computers, cell phones and stereos. When you leave the house unplug the power block, KXP On-Call Reporter Kaitlyn Luckett encourages all youth to be more

responsible about energy consumption.

KXP-On-Call P&R con Frank Fraley, Presidente de SHARE Por la Periodista KXP-On-Call Kaitlyn Luckett A Frank Fraley le gustaría que controlemos más en el ahorro de energía.

Periodista KXP-On-Call Kaitlyn Luckett

P: ¿Puede compartir un poco acerca de usted con nuestros lectores? R: Soy un chico de Brooklyn que me mudé a Mt. Vernon con mi esposa y pequeña hija para crecer y formar una familia. ¡He tenido la bendición de haber hecho gran número de diferentes y emocionantes carreras! Trabajé en el negocio de la música, he sido desde Jefe de Gabinete del Alcalde a Presidente de la Cámara de Comercio. Enseño y también soy un hombre de negocios independiente. Mi fé es muy importante y este año me graduaré como seminarista. También soy Presidente de una organización sin fines de lucro llamada SHARE. P: ¿Fue esto siempre lo que pensaba ser? R: Como muchos, no sabía lo que quería ser cuando era joven. Empecé como joyero y, de hecho, aún lo soy. Después de graduarme en la universidad, comencé a enseñar diseño de joyas y lo he hecho por 34 años. Asistí a NYU y más tarde estudié finanzas y empecé a hacer liquidación de impuestos para muchas grabadoras y artistas. Poco después me convertí en el Jefe de Finanzas de Motown Records. He viajado mucho y quiero que los jóvenes sepan que hay muchos caminos para el éxito. Después de los ataques del 9/11 mi vida cambió. Quería estar más cerca de mi familia aquí en Westchester. Dejé el negocio de la música y me convertí en Jefe de Gabinete del Alcalde del Mt. Vernon. Luego fuí Vicepresidente de Desarrollo en Mt.Vernon Hospital. Años atrás empecé mi propia empresa, con el enfoque de continuar trabajando en la comunidad para ayudar a las empresas a crecer y florecer. Basados en mis amplios contactos, me ofrecieron la oportunidad de participar en SHARE.

Frank Fraley

P: ¿Puede contarle a nuestros lectores sobre SHARE? R: SHARE significa "Seguro Saludable Accessible de Energía Confiable .” Estamos tratando de educar a las comunidades de donde viene la energía eléctrica y como recomendar opciones energéticas seguras y económicas que también protejan el medio ambiente. En esta región nos enfrentamos a un importante problema de energía. Hay algunos que se oponen a la energía nuclear y al Centro de Energía Indian Point que proporciona electricidad suficiente para alimentar 2 millones de hogares. Pero, ¿Qué ocurriría si esa planta cierra? ¿Cómo vamos a reemplazarla? ¿Tendríamos que quemar más combustible fósil para reemplazar el poder de Indian Point? ¿Cómo afectará esto a las emisiones de carbono y a la calidad del aire? ¿Cómo ayudará esto a combatir el cambio climático? Queremos que la gente entienda sus opciones y los impactos en la salud y el medio ambiente. La contaminación del aire afecta a las personas mayores y a los jóvenes más seriamente que al resto de nosotros. Es entonces importante que la gente en nuestra comunidad tenga la información necesaria para hacer oír su voz acerca de las opciones de energía. Eso es lo que estamos tratando de hacer. P: ¿Cómo se involucró con Entergy? R: Como ya he mencionado antes, mi trabajo en la comunidad para ayudar a construir oportunidades económicas, me ha involucrado con muchas organizaciones. Me enfoqué en la problemática de la selección de energía y los impactos en los negocios, la calidad del aire y la salud y me inscribí para unirme a SHARE.

P: ¿Qué lo llevó a convertirse en un

apasionado en este tema? R: He estado involucrado en el desarrollo de la comunidad por muchos años. Cuando apelé a mis antecedentes espirituales para entender cómo la energía afectaba al medio ambiente, ví una "conexión como de la mano y el guante". Quería hacer algo profesional que fuera bueno para las personas y el medio ambiente y que ayudara a cuidar a mi familia. En la vida a veces estas bendecido con la oportunidad de "hacer bien" y de "hacer el bien". P: ¿Cuáles son algunas medidas que se pueden tomar para ahorrar energía? R: Hay muchas cosas que podemos hacer, el uso de electrodomésticos más eficientes y la iluminación con termostatos inteligentes. La tecnología nos da la oportunidad de almacenar energía en baterías y aprovechar el poder del sol. El Estado de NY ejecuta muchos programas en los que la gente puede sacar ventaja para llevar a cabo auditorías de energía en su hogar o negocios, para saber cómo se puede ahorrar dinero. Nuestro local de servicios públicos de Con Edison le dará información útil y les ayudará con el ahorro de energía; no sólo ahorrando dinero, sino para el cuidado del planeta. P: Nombre algo que los niños puedan hacer y que impactará en nuestro medio ambiente? R: Cuando yo era un niño, mis padres tenían sólo unas pocas cosas conectadas en los tomacorrientes; una tostadora, un radio reloj y un refrigerador. Las estufas eran a gas y no necesitaban estar enchufadas. En la actualidad, los niños tienen bloques de alimentación que se conectan a otro bloque que se conectan a un toma corriente. Estos bloques de alimentación están conectados a impresoras,

computadoras, teléfonos celulares y equipos de sonido. Cuando salgan de la casa desconecten los aparatos ya que estos siguen consumiendo electricidad. Al desconectar el teléfono celular del cargador y dejar el enchufe en el tomacorriente se puede causar un incendio o utilizar innecesariamente energía durante todo el día. Si a los niños se les enseña a temprana edad a desconectar las cosas, se convierte en un hábito a medida que crecen. Hablo con mis hijos sobre los mismas temas. Todo lo que está conectado está buscando una fuente de energía. P: ¿Cómo puede Kids X-Press colaborar con su mensaje ? R: Estudiar sobre la energía y nuestras opciones de energía. ¡Para hablar en público lo hago con mi mejor animo! Es difícil porque la energía no es un tema que la gente crea que está en crisis. Kids X-Press puede dar como mensaje, que el ahorro de energía puede ser divertido y alentar a los estudiantes a comprender la importancia de mantener el planeta. Aprender más sobre todas las tecnologías y sus impactos. No tener miedo de desafiar el status quo.

La Periodista KXP-On-Call Kaitlyn Luckett alienta a los jóvenes a ser más responsables sobre el consumo de energía

By Kids X-Press Reporter Iisha Smalls

us? uld hel p eople o c u o y e b that may e some hel p. The p k n i h t u o Do y really us ! They’ve been d l u o c h d y This eart gone craz ing down trees an e v a h d l r o tt of this w lling animals, cu gs people n i h t e l i b i k r , polluting en half of the hor been dude? v e you t that’s no ing. Where have o hel p us t e o d m i n t ! e e h have b e enoug b for you v o j a h t c u e f o r y e p if Anyway, hould), I have the trash that people s u the icky l l a (which yo ng trash p i u s u k c f i o p d p a el te You can h on the floor (ins for people!?), de row like to th what they are ma That would hel p t’s r webs! e d i p cans, tha s e r awesom s Spidey! k with you lot! Than e l o h w a us nd, thy” frie r a E “ r u Yo Iisha By Kids X-Press Reporter Ryan Joseph

Dear

Illustration by Iisha Smalls

DEAR

Dear

Illuatration by Jasper Smalls

I like that yo u ca n n o t be killed a lot of st . I n e e d yo uff going u to s a v e o n . O ne thing t being poll o u r cra zy h a t I ca n u te d ! I w a e a r th . T h t s h ere is in t h k of is tha inking tha th e b o tto m t th e w a te t since yo o f e ve ry p u can’t be r is olluted bo I think tha killed, you d y o f w a te t yo u ca n c a n g o to r a n d ta k e do it and I’m going out all of th a n k y o u to s e e y o u th e tr a s h if you cho r movie th . o s e to d o this letter e day it co it . . m e s o u t, a n Fro m , d I really h o p e yo u g et J a sp e r

Dear

By Kids X-Press Reporter Ca’Maia Henderson We need help with the earth because crazy things are happening, and I need you to do something about it. I need you to help people stop smoking, pick up the trash, turn the lights off when they leave the room or house, and turn off the running water. I also think that you can help people to stop polluting the water and littering by recycling and cleaning up after themselves. That is all I wanted to tell you. Thank you for all you do, and I know you will do everything I suggested to save the world. From, Ca’Maia

TWEENS TWEENS TWEENS TWEENS TWEENS TWEENS TWEENS

By Kids X-Press Reporter Jasper Smalls

Dear

By Kids X-Press Reporter Shaynna Avery

n use this a c u o y t a th d nger. I think a d in n the groun is o e h n s o y a r n t a is if re ee bad people. d and if the an fly and s e e c r r e u u t t o t p y li a w c e o v o h a et le h I love se your rop ly, I love how see if peop u t d n n n a a a t c r ly u o f o p y o t im hen st power ts. But mo picked up. T o e o b b o e t t u s c d e e his letter. os t h t t e r g a that ne e u w o y n ow you ca eally hope I also love h e earth and people. I r r th you care fo Love, very. Shaynna A

Dear

This article is going to be a bout how we need to save all the world beca use the world dying. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wri is ting this beca use the anima are dying; hun ls ters hunt them down and kill them. Fish are also dying be cause people pollute the wa ter. Another w ay the world is dying is becau se people are wasting energ and electricity y . Two examples of this would be leaving the lights on, or le aving the wate r faucets running. When people cut do wn trees we lo oxygen and if se they keep cutt ing down tree we could die, s because we n eed to breath Please come e. help us. Sincerely, Tiff any

Illustration by Tiffany Valenzuela

By Kids X-Press Reporter Tiffany Valenzuela

OPINION By Kids X-Press Reporter Lauren Sulaiman Did you know that back in the early 1800’s, women were not treated as respectfully as men? When a man and a woman raised a family, the father was known as the powerful and more respected person, who held the family together. Thus, two reasons why women were not treated respectfully or properly at that time are, because they had to do all the house work, and they were not allowed to vote. Before the early 1800’s, wealthy women who were widows were allowed to vote in the state of New Jersey, but it all changed due to the following event. Because it was illegal for women to vote, one night a group of young men dressed up as women and voted twice. Actually, you may think that the women had something to do with this. However, they had absolutely nothing to do with it. Since this event, the state legislature took away women’s voting rights. Despite that event happening, women would not go down without a fight. In the 1830’s, married women started to create small groups so they could control property and gain equal rights. These women were called suffragists, which were people who fought for the right to vote.

Some suffragists were Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. During these times, women crowded the roads with posters and shouted out things such as, “Women’s Right to Vote”, or “Women’s Voting Rights”. They chanted throughout the streets and gathered women along the way. After all the protesting and fighting for rights, three quarters of the State Legislature created the Nineteenth Amendment. The Nineteenth Amendment stated that it is legal for women to vote. Many women celebrated this successful accomplishment that they had fought very hard for. Can you believe that in the 2012 election, 63% of voters were women? Women Suffrage was a great movement in history. Many women tried so hard to prove that they should get what they deserve. At the end of this historical event, the women finally got what they wanted, an equal opportunity to vote. Even though many suffragists risked their lives for one movement, they were successful at the very end, and have impacted the lives of many today. Women have become a driving force of encouragement in our society, and to many people they have influenced the lives of younger people. Since the future generation has arrived, there has been a significant amount of women that have become empowered in politics, music, sports and social service just to name a few.

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Women’s Right to Vote

Ode to Books

By KidsX-Press Poet Leila Martinez

Ode to books fills our hands with ideas wonder imagination Words fly off the page as you read surrounding you hugging you with knowledge make you ponder about what your life would be like if you lived in that place There in that magnificent object called a book

The Magician's Apprentice By KidsX-Press Poet Leila Martinez

I peek from the curtain to watch my master at work The crowd goes silent When master announces his next trick he calls for his apprentice Me I adjust my costume Thinking that I must please my master I gather the supplies and take a deep breath Showtime And now, my magic word. Abracadabra!!!

Isn’t Art Just Wild? By Kids X-Press Reporter Ashley Jimenez

I also like my nice and beautiful teacher, because she teaches us so many things, like the color wheel project, the make your own mask project and a project called the Viang Tangel Projecto. Pablo Picasso has this amazing art portrait, called Dame, and it was his #22nd painting. Can I just say, "Isn't Art Amazing"!!!

Illustration by Ashley Jimenez

Art is a hobby where people express themselves and can let their feelings out. For example, when you let your feelings out you can come up with the weirdest drawings and weirdest animals and ideas. When you draw you express yourself. When expressing yourself you can let out all the bad things – all your negative emotions and ideas. For example, you can let out all your negativity by listening to music, and have that emotion come through in your drawings. When I am in a bad mood I listen to the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette, because that song has good lyrics that give me a gazillion ideas and a wild imagination. Some artists that I like are Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Leonardo Da Vinci. I like Vincent Van Gogh because his drawings and artwork express and identify him. I like Leonardo de Vinci because he made the most beautiful portrait ever – the Mona Lisa.

KXP Storytellers By Kids X-Press Reporter Darien Martinez were still inside, I slowly reached for the chicken and Jackson tried to scratch me, but my reflexes were just as good as his. “Oh Jackson, what am I going to do with you.” “Grab his paws.” I told Leila, but too late, he was running free, so that’s how it started! So, shall we resume? Leila grabbed Jackson’s paw and I pulled my hand out and touched the chicken wing. The second my hand touched the chicken, Jackson started doing an aggressive purr. I tried to pull on the chicken, but it wouldn’t budge. “Let go!” I demanded, but Jackson would not listen. He made my whole face turn red and force his mouth open. He dropped the chicken and threw it in the trash. I was heading back to my room. I thought about something, would Leila be able to get the chicken without me? Would I be able to get it without her? Would we only have been able to get the chicken together? My sister and I almost never do anything together, now we work pretty well as a team. That day was a real struggle, but now it’s like a comic book. Jackson is the bad guy, stealing something and my sister and I are the heroes. Together, we stopped Jackson.

Illustration by Louri Oliver

Illustrations by Amira Stackhouse

“Get him!” I said. “I got him!” said Leila. “Good, now keep him steady Leila, I’m going to try and get the chicken.” “He got out of my grip!” stated Leila “I see him behind the couch Leila. We have him cornered!” Whoa, tough start right? Let me start from the beginning. Five minutes earlier, I was on my bed. It was a warm summer afternoon. I had the air conditioner on and was playing games. I was just relaxing when my sister yelled. “No Jackson, no!!!” I almost hit my head on the ceiling because of this. “What’s going on?” I asked. “It’s Jackson, come quick; I need your help Darien” I thought to myself, oh no, he’s at it again. I opened my bedroom door and looked into the kitchen. I saw my sister, Leila trying to hold down food in his mouth though, he wasn’t eating it. I got out of my room and went into the kitchen as fast as I could. When I got to the kitchen, I bent down and saw the food in Jackson’s mouth. It was a chicken wing, all covered in cat saliva, and the reason why he wasn’t eating it was because the bones

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Jackson and the Chicken

By Kids X-Press Reporter Farrah Brazil Miller

By Kids X-Press Reporter Aiyanna Bannister-Ramsey

Illustration by Aiyanna Bannister-Ramsey

Dear Beyoncé, Our earth is polluted. If we don’t stop polluting the earth sooner or later, the earth will become extinct. I was thinking that maybe you could make an album with songs about making the earth a better place. From the money you make with the album you can use to help the earth and plant more trees to help the earth stay oxygenated. A lot of things are becoming extinct, for example; many species of bugs, plants and animals. Trees are being cut down to create new buildings which don’t help the earth. Please help us save the earth. Thank You, Aiyanna

Dear Stephen Curry, You are a great basketball player. We have been learning about environmental sustainability in our GEMS class. The earth is a mess. People are littering and destroying the forests. I need your help to save it and I have come up with some ideas of how you can help. I need you to make 2,000 3- pointers in order to save the earth. This can be a charity function in the park. The money you make shooting 3- pointers can go towards replanting trees. Farrah Brazil

Illustration by Fathima Roshan

Dear Adidas, The earth is in really bad shape. A lot of animals, even your favorites are going extinct! There is just as much deforestation as there are extinct animals. I believe there is a correlation between the two. There are so many extinct animals because their homes are being destroyed by both deforestation and global warming. People are unaware of how much of an impact this is on the future. Just by leaving the tap water on when brushing your teeth can waste water. However, I feel that people in the future would greatly appreciate it if you could create some merchandise that is environmentally friendly and makes everyone aware of what is happening. You can create some sneakers that promote recycling by using recycled materials to create these sneakers. The money earned can go towards animal habitats and be used to plant more trees. The clothing can use items from the environment and and promote kindness to the earth. You would save future generations from a lack of oxygen, water and even extinction of all the animals we see today. With your help we can create a better future for you and possibly your future children and grandchildren. Sincerely, Fathima

My name is Madison, I am from White Plains, NY, USA. When I found out I was in GEMS, I was like, what? My mom said it was a book club so I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too happy about it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m funny, talented, fashionable, intelligent, pretty, smart and loveable. My hobbies are gymnastics, singing, dancing, crafting, and dressing up. I have a lot of friends. My favorite TV show is, "Victorious". My favorite foods are pizza, spaghetti and mac and cheese. The best day of my life was when I was asked out 2 months ago.

Illusrtation by Madison Higgs

By Kids X-Press Reporter Madison Higgs

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By Kids X-Press Reporter Fathima Roshan

Illustration by Sydney Edwards

By Kids X-Press Reporter Sydney Edwards

By Kids X-Press Reporter Alexis Barnes

Illustration by Alexis Barnes

Dear Nike, My name is Alexis and I’m asking you to save the land, oceans and wildlife. I am proposing the project, “Nike for Wildlife.” I’m asking for your company to release a new sneaker with a corresponding clothing line representing wildlife. 90% - 100% of the funds should go towards saving our wildlife. We will provide advertising that you can profit from. Sincerely, Alexis

Dear Michael Jordan, Our environment is in deep trouble. I would love it if you could release new sneakers to support our environment. Every time someone buys your sneakers, you can save $75 and invest it back into protecting the environment. Global warming is a big issue for the environment. We need to save electricity, water and plant more trees. A couple of ways you can do this is by using more solar panels and turning off the water while you are brushing your teeth. Also, people are cutting down trees which is called deforestation. To slow deforestation down, we can plant more trees. It’s going to take a long time for the trees to grow to their full height, but it will be worth it. Without trees we will all die because trees create oxygen allowing us to breathe. I would love you more than I do now if you could do this for me. Also, you can make a commercial about how the earth is in desperate need and ways we can save it. From, Sydney

By Kids X-Press Reporter Sabrina Standad

Dear Rihanna, The earth is in danger and something needs to be done about it. If you could create a clothing line that encourages the protection of the earth that would be amazing. A clothing line could have simple messages written across shirts or pants. Proceeds from the clothing line can go towards planting new trees. You could promote the clothing line, by using your name as a brand so that it can interest people more. The earth is slowly dying due to deforestation and pollution. I hope that you are willing to help get rid of this problem. We want the earth to be a safe place to live in 200 years. We don’t want it to be ruined. I hope you think about helping me to make this happen! Thank You, Sabrina

By Kids X-Press Reporter Melanie Miller

Dear Bryson Tiller, I am writing this letter to you because our planet is in need. I am asking you for help. I am suggesting that you make a song on how we can save our environment. You can include the three R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. You can also sing about conserving water and electricity. You’re very popular and loved, so I guarantee that people will listen to the song. You can also give a portion of the money you make from the song to help the environment. I hope this letter touches you and makes you think. Much love from your biggest fan, Janae SUDOKU Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Solution on page 28

By Kids X-Press Reporter Khori Higgs

Hello my name is Khori. My favorite color is yellow because it is the color of the sun.

Illustration by Khori Higgs

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By Kids X-Press Reporter Janae Allen

Dear Hillary Clinton, Today, in the world, global warming is becoming a threat to all known species. Right now global warming is not only affecting animals, but it will start affecting humans. Also, the environment is being affected; please take for instance, the cold parts in the world, such as the polar bears’ habitats. Ice is melting and destroying the habitats of many other animals that live here too. To stop global warming, I believe you can start a petition to raise awareness and to get the idea into the minds of the public. Another idea I have is to raise money in order to obtain the proper materials to start up this project. Sincerely, Melanie

By Kids X-Press Reporter Kayla Ham

By Kids X-Press Reporter Rocio Arizmendi

Dear President Obama, Our environment is dying, sea levels are rising, the arctic is melting and climate change is increasing at an alarming rate. We need to act now as a country to stop this problem. If you encourage more people to become vegetarians and vegans we can help solve so many of the problems that are affecting the animals, the planet and ourselves. The production of meat contributes to so many environmental problems. Environmental problems that are created by the meat packing industry are horrifying. In order for one hamburger to be produced, 160 gallons of water is needed; not to mention the many trees cut in the forest to make space for agricultural production. If you encourage people to cut out animal products we can save our earth so much faster and reverse all the environmental problems we are facing. Please spread the message of this lifestyle that can help save our earth. Sincerely, Rocio

Illustration by Kayla Ham

Dear President Obama, Something that you can do for the environment is, encourage people to stop the spread of deforestation. Deforestation is obviously damaging the environment. Trees produce oxygen which we need to breathe, and if people continue to cut them down they are reducing our oxygen. Another thing that is damaging the environment is global warming. Even though there is not a way to stop global warming right now, we should try and find a way to end it. Sincerely, Kayla By Kids X-Press Reporter Rae-Anne Richards

Hi, my name is Rae-Anne Richards. I am a freshman in high school. One thing that I really love to do is play basketball. I also love to sing. This season I made the girls varsity basketball team. My favorite food is curry chicken and white rice. I also love eating oxtail and rice and peas. My favorite color is purple. I was born in St. Martin on the French side, but my mother is Jamaican.

Dear President Obama, The world is slowly dying and it’s because of us. People are hunting the things that are supposed to be helping us survive. Trees are being cut rapidly causing deforestation. Hunters are killing animals for fun. Without help, the world will continue down this detrimental path. You can help this stop by donating money. However, continued support and awareness is more powerful. People need to know what’s going on before it’s too late. The earth was once a beautiful place; recycling, planting trees, protective laws and innovation can help start the process of restoring it to its former glory. Please, if you care, help. Sincerely, Jordan

Illustration by Tayahni Bannister

By Kids X-Press Reporter Tayahni Bannister

Dear Rihanna, The earth is dying. It is polluted and animals are going extinct. Another example; trees are being cut down. I think you should make a lipstick that can help the environment. One way of doing this is to have the lipstick made out of materials that won’t harm the environment. Another way would be using the money raised from the people purchasing the lipstick, to save the earth. We need the money to grow some more trees and rebuild forests. Please help us raise the money. Thank You!! Sincerely, Tayahni

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By Kids X-Press Reporter Jordan Fields

A Brief Excursion to the 3rd Dimension By Kids X-Press Reporter Elizabeth Bachmann

Every morning my dad and I, we pass an airport on our way to our day. Planes in their enormity shrinking to little pills in the sky like I want my tired to shrink. It makes me so weary, every day answering to bells, and to alarm clocks, and to tyrannical glowing screens that dehydrate my eyeballs, and to impersonal bodies of text that float through thousands of miles of space for the particular purpose of appearing in my phantom “mailbox.” I want my tired to shrink like those airplanes going up and away from mundanity with their neat alternately flashing lights. Every morning my dad and I, we pass an airport on our way to our day. One day we will follow the detour signs that are posted on the sidewalk of life. One day, we will stop 200 yards short of our destination. We will walk down the runway with no luggage ungracefully dragged behind us soiling the liberation of the moment.

We will walk into the terminal and ask the frowning man at the desk, “When is the next plane for….Madagascar, yes Madagascar.” I think it would be nice to go to Madagascar with lemurs and beaches and... No bells, and... No alarm clocks, and… No glowing dehydrating screens, and… No intangible impersonal “mailboxes.” “Never mind, sir, never mind about that plane, we can’t go anyway,” we will say to the frowning man. Or course we can’t go, we will say to ourselves, because… Who will we answer to… when there are no bells… alarm clocks… screens… “mailboxes”... Placing one foot resolutely behind the other, we will walk backwards out of the terminal up the runway down the driveway into the car. Because then we won’t remember. Then, as we calmly complete the last 200 yards of our journey to nowhere, we will feel a familiar relief at the sameness of it. Next time we pass the airport on our way to our day we will feel vaguely that we are missing something. The obscure shape of a sign will tug the corners of our tired, tired eyes, but then--an alarm will go off….

Take my Hand By Kids X-Press Creator Roland Lyto Can't blame you for thinking That you never really knew me at all I tried to deny you But nothing ever made me feel so wrong I thought I was protecting you From everything that I go through But I know that we got lost along the way Here I am with all my heart I hope you understand I know I let you down But I'm never gonna make That mistake again You brought me closer To who I really am Come take my hand I want the world to see What you mean to me What you mean to me Just know that I'm sorry I never wanted to make you feel so small Our story is just beginning But let the truth break down these walls (oh yeah yeah) And every time I think of you I think of how you pushed me through And show me how much better I could be Here I am with all my heart I hope you understand I know I let you down But I'm never gonna make

That mistake again You brought me closer To who I really am Come take my hand I want the world to see (yeah) I want the world to see (yeah) You make me feel like I'm myself Instead of being someone else I wanna live that every day You say what no one else was saying You know exactly how to get to me You know it's what I need It's what I need yeah Here I am with all my heart I hope you understand (I hope you understand) I know I let you down But I'm never gonna make that mistake again (that mistake again) You brought me closer To who I really am So come take my hand I want the world to see What you mean to me What you mean to me

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(Lyrics)

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