Spring 2017 issue

Sista’s Keeper I AM my Sista’s Keeper

Spring 2017 Vol. 4, Issue 4

The Ailey School Teen Extension Youth Art Month EducateDancer

Simone Biles Olympic Golden Girl Dances With The Stars

Arts Issue

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Spotlight

Cliffanie’s in the Met A Brooklyn Teen Has Already Accomplished Her Life Goal of Getting Her Painting in the Met Museum of Art. Forrester found out the painting was not only selected, but she won a $1,000 This is 18-year-old Cliffanie Forrester. scholarship for it, too.

Make a note of her name now because it And her reaction to all of this is just is very likely that she will run the world the absolute best. sometime very soon.

“Who just completed their life goal at The Brooklyn high-schooler recently age 18? Me. As of 6/14/16 my piece is in rediscovered a photo she took of a little the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” she girl while she was on a trip to Uganda a tweeted on June 14, 2016 few years ago. Her art teacher suggested “People think I’m stopping here she paint the photo and then encouraged (because) I achieved my ultimate goal. her to enter the painting into P.S. Art, a I’m getting another piece in the MET one program that exhibits the best work from day & nothing will stop me,” she said in a students across NYC at the Metropolitan later tweet.

By Gabrielle Noone NYmag.com

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HOT Hairstyles

By: Ife Michelle Beauty

In the words of Denis Waitley, “Relentless, repetitive self talk is what changes our self-image.”; translation: “New Year, new me” = new hairdo!

So while you are trying to keep those new year’s resolutions that you recite everyday of 2017, here are some 4 hairdos that will take your self image from mundane to unconventional!

The BIG Chop Straight, curly, colored, or designed, the big chop is a great way to reinvent your look!

Low-maintenance and easy to switch up, a nice haircut will definitely add a sassy edge to you in 2017.

Undercuts & Shaved Sides For those wanting a change, but not willing to forgo all of their hair, undercuts or shaved sides are for you!

Easily embellished with cool designs and your unique hairstyles, this style will have all eyes on you!

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To Try in 2017

Beauty

Asymmetrical Cuts Whether wearing your hair long, short, natural, weaved, permed, or braided, asymmetrical cuts can take a normal hairstyle over the top and be sure to turn heads!

Vivacious Color For those not willing to give up any of their beautiful mane, don’t fret: just change your style with a bold color.

Whether a rinse, semi-permanent or permanent dye, bold colors like grey, glue, and green can bring the funk for your “new” hairdo!

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Beauty

Bye Ashy!!!!!

As the winter comes to an end, you may notice that the cold weather has taken a toll on your skin. Dry, chapped skin is not only uncomfortable but it can also ruin a great spring ensemble. Here are a few tips to rejuvenate skin and keep it moisturized and soft all year long.

Start In The Shower

Exfoliate

A nice steamy shower perfectly sets the tone for deep moisture . Take maximum advantage of all that H2O by investing in a bath bar or body wash that contains extra moisturizers, such as shea butter or olive oil.

Using these in the shower helps your skin to hold in moisture when it’s at its most absorbent.

Many of them have the added advantage of fragrance that can make you feel even more soft and feminine.

Exfoliation helps to remove any dead skin cells that are hanging on. Wiping away those old cells exposes your new, fresh skin and makes it easier to moisturize deeply and effectively.

A quick way to do this is to use bath gloves.

You can add a little shower gel or soap to the glove and use it all over for a complete exfoliation. Be careful not to scrub too hard or too long as the abrasive material can cause small scrapes in your skin.

Drink Plenty Of Water When we think about skin care, we tend to think from the outside in. However, making sure your body has plenty of water can help you hydrate your skin from the inside out.

Though there is no immediate effect on the skin, drinking plenty of water is a good habit to maintain long-term skin health.

Lock In The Moisture

Immediately after showering towel dry, leaving your skin slightly damp. Apply lotion all over, including your feet and hands. A general rule to remember is the thicker the lotion, the better.

If you already have a favorite lotion, you can try mixing it with petroleum jelly to create a thicker version that will reach deeper and last longer.

Hydrate On The Go

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While a good lotion session does the body good, it may not be enough to last throughout the day.

It’s a good idea to keep a travel size lotion with you just in case that ash decides to pop up while you’re out and about.

Also, lotioning your hands after washing them or being out in the cold will help keep them soft and avoid that flaking and cracking that most of us deal with from time to time.

Remember, a little preparation now can save you a lot of discomfort (and embarrassment) in the future.

Cosmetics

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Fashion

Styles That Are ‘In Go one step further to the warm weather by springing into action, get it? Spring! With the spring time comes a lot of changes in the weather from rain, snow, or pure sunshine! Take your style to the next level by adding some spice to you life! Do not be afraid to add some neon colors, a few stripes and florals, and some flashy accessories to help bring out the bold and beautiful you! Enjoy Ladies!

<- Spring time = JEAN time!

Just a TOUCH of Pink -> 8

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Bloom’ For Spring

Fashion

<- “Bee” Fashionable This Spring

Flower Power ->

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American Red

Health

March was Red Cross Month and you can get Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes such as volunteers.

Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, we depend on support to make a difference in communities across the country.

Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month.” We use this month as a chance to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help us fulfill our mission. This March, we encourage you to uncover your inner hero. Choose one or more of the options below. Be a hero today!

Get Involved

Donate Impact lives & donate now. $10.00 is the minimum online donation. All donations are tax deductible. https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation

Volunteer in Your Community There are many ways you can volunteer with us in your local community. Search now for opportunities to volunteer - we are always looking for people with various backgrounds, talents, and skill levels.

Learn More Explore our volunteer orientation guides and films, and learn more about the important role volunteers play in the fulfilment of the Red Cross mission.

Give Blood

Blood Drive Volunteer

1. Complete your pre-reading and donation questions online with RapidPass

Support local blood drives by providing your time and smile to greet, register and provide refreshments to blood donors.

2. Find out if you are eligible and learn more about the donation process.

Be an Advocate

3. Host a blood drive and serve a vital role in your community. Make sure your blood drive is a success.

Help us to support the Red Cross cause using social media. Read and share stories with the thousands of people whose lives have intersected with the Red Cross.

Become a Board Member Board members share their invaluable talents and resources with the Red Cross.

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Cross Month

Health

involved with helping people in need year round

Take A Class At the American Red Cross, training people how to respond to and prepare for emergencies is our core mission.

We offer a range of health and safety classes that teach you new skills, keep you knowledgeable, confident and ready to respond in almost any emergency situation.

With courses to cover all key areas of training, available online and in classrooms across the country, Red Cross classes deliver the training you seek, when, where and how you need it.

• First Aid • CPR • AED • BLS • Babysitting & Child Care • Swimming & Water Safety • Lifeguarding • EMT • Certified Nurse Assistant Training • Participant's Materials

http://www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class

For more information on the American Red Cross or to get involved, visit: http://www.redcross.org/mo2a

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Relationships

Give Your Relationships The new season is here and we need to spring clean

Friendships

Communicate Better Friends can be awesome, but they can also be a pain in the you know what. A lot of times, when a friend annoys or upsets us, we just ignore it.

However, it will only make you harbor resentment in the long-term.

Instead, try being more open and honest about your feelings with friends this spring. Speak up if they hurt you.

Make Friends A Bigger Priority We tend to take our friends for granted when life gets hectic. Even though we're all guilty of it, taking each other for granted is definitely not something you want to make a habit of.

This spring, try to make your friends more of a priority in your life and it will strengthen the quality of those bonds.

Clean Out The Friendship Closet Closely consider the quality of your friendships this spring. A lot of women tend to stick with toxic friendships for fear of being alone or simply out of habit, and that's just plain unhealthy.

This spring, think about the friends that are really there for you and the ones who might just be using you for their own ends.

Self Cleaning To-Do List •

Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt • Move out the frustrations, and lack of communication • Wash away delay and procrastination • Dust off your attitude, and put on a fresh coat of positive • Throw out misunderstanding, and lack of patience • Sweep out the dirt of gossip or lies • Recycle old relationships, roles, and routines

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that no longer work into a new, useable form • Open the shades and let in the warmth of friendship • Lighten up your thoughts with humor and fun • Give away as much love, help, care, concern, and gratitude as possible • Paint in new boundaries, and stencil some raised standards • Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a fresh perspective on living a happier, better, easier life

A Spring Cleaning

Relationships

our relationships just as much as we do our homes.

Dating Maintaining strong relationships can be hard since people are always growing and changing. That is why it is important to work on the relationships in your life.

Just like you clean your house in the spring to clear away the excess clutter, Spring Cleaning can help tidy up your relationships.

Spring cleaning your relationship doesn't just apply to your love life. All of your relationships, including those with friends and family, need to be continuously worked on.

Become honest and aware of your own feelings.

Sometimes it can be easy to feel jealous or insecure, which causes you to act mean to those around you.

If you are motivated by pain instead of love, the end results of the relationship will show it.

We tend to hold on to things that upset us that they other person had no idea was a problem. You can try making a list of all of the positive attributes a person has and focus on those instead.

You can still try to communicate some of the things that you feel should not happen in your relationship, but in a respectful way.

If your friend calls you a name, just explain to them why it hurts your feelings.

Talking to the people in your life is very important.

If you have a problem with someone, it is important to discuss it with them instead of keeping quiet.

Not saying anything when you're upset can lead to the breakup of relationships. Set or reestablish ground rules. If your sister is constantly talking about your lack of a love life, don't get defensive.

Instead you can explain how it makes you feel and agree move on to a different topic.

As long as you communicate without hostile or accusation, your point can come across without causing additional anger or blame.

Accentuate the positive. It's important to talk

about what you want or like. Your attitude towards a situation or behavior can change the outcome.

Try to avoid throwing blame or accusations at them as well. One of the most important things to remember is that you can't control other people, but you can control the way you respond to them.

If you talk about what you would like to see more of in a relationship, it has a better chance of appearing than if you constantly talk about what is wrong.

You can help out a relationship by changing things like your routines.

Doing the same things can cause you to feel like you are stuck in a rut.

If you and your best friend always go to the mall every weekend, Try something different. Go on an adventure you wouldn’t normally do like go horseback riding or take martial arts lessons or if you drive, take a road trip to a nearby city you’ve never visited.

Making sure to accommodate others enhances a relationship. After all, there is more than just one person envolved.

Compromising is hard to do sometimes, but it is key to any working relationship. Often we get so caught up in our own favorite pastimes and hobbies, we can forget others have different ideas of what is fun.

Instead of yelling at your boyfriend for constantly watching sports and not hanging out with you, try sitting down to watch a game with him and then find something you like on television to watch together.

Relationships have to constantly be worked on in order to stay healthy.

Sometimes relationships can run their course, but if you feel a friend, parter or family member is worth keeping in your life, you have to invest time into making sure the relationship stays strong.

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She’s A

Dancing Diva

Simone Biles does it all! She just turned 20 years old & already has Olympic gold medals & has written a book Courage To Soar.

Now she’s going after another accomplishment: the Dancing With The Stars mirrorball trophy.

W

hen Simone Biles took the Olympic world by storm, everyone loved this bubbly gynast with the mega-watt smile. Now she is bringing those same elements to the ballroom as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars.

Last summer, the 4’8” Zac Efron fan followed in the footsteps of teammate Gabrielle Douglas to take the All-Around Olympic gold & lead the US women’s gymnastics team to gold as well. She even got to meet Efron in Rio when he surprised the team after their win.

She is the second member of the Final Five to be on Dancing, after Laurie Hernandez won just last season. The Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance author has made it to week 8 of season 24 & is a frontrunner to make it to the finals.

“At the end of the day, if I can say I had fun, it was a good day,” she says.

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A Lil ’ Something Youth Art Month is a celebration of the visual arts The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety.

CFAE administers the program at the national level. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including: • Problem solving • Creativity • Observation • Communication • Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K – 12.

Do you need help getting your Youth Art Month program started, but don’t know where to begin? Visit the CFAE website for information, timelines, guidelines, and templates to help you manage your program.

The theme for the 2016/2017 school year is “United Through Art”.

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Overview Started in 1961 through The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI), Youth Art Month exists to: • Recognize art education as a viable factor in the total education curricular that develops citizens of a global society.

• Recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all.

• Direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking.

• Expand art programs in schools and stimulate new art programs.

• Encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere.

• Provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.

• Increase community, business and governmental support for art education.

• Increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and

About Youth Art other creative ventures.

• Reflect and demonstrate the goals of the National Art Education Association that work toward the improvement of art education at all levels.

Flag & Banner Program To promote Youth Art Month, The Council for Art Education coordinates Youth Art Month activities at the national level.

The primary event is the State Flag Program.

Using the national or state theme, each state coordinates a flag design contest, with the winning design made into a flag for display in the Youth Art Month Museum at the National Art Education Association Convention (NAEA).

Artwork Program States can select and exhibit student artwork.

Winning artwork pieces, including 3D art, are displayed at NAEA in the Youth Art Month Museum.

Program Report/Digital Scrapbook State Youth Art Month Chairpersons can create digital scrapbook reports, documenting local observances, events, exhibits, proclamations, funding, and community support.

Reports are submitted to CFAE, and programs are recognized for outstanding achievement with financial awards and trophies.

https://www.arteducators.org/news/articles/10-youth-art-month

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The Tisha Jaye Dance Company Jr. Competition Team members actively train in: • Ballet, • Tap • Jazz • Hip-Hop • Contemporary Dancers must be between ages 10-17 with at least 2-3 years of dance training; however, we will select students based on current ability and potential (at the directors discretion) 34

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Teaching

Educated E

Dancers

ducateDancer INC. is an organization which aims to create and build success educationally and artistically for dancers.

They stress the importance of education with their students and reward them on high academic success. This studio is built upon the principles of creating dancers who are versatile and successful in all aspects of life.

EducateDancer has a holistic teaching philosophy as they believe in building the entire learner, they do not focus on JUST dance.

They believe in creating and building knowledgeable, giving, loving, and talented members of society.

The EducateDancer Studio was created in July 2015 and began with a total of 6 students. The studio now serves over 40 students in Greensboro, NC area ranging from children age 2 to adults.

Members travel and perform for different organizations and groups. Every member is truly pushed to their full potential.

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The Ailey School The Teen Extension offers weekly classes for teens. These classes introduce teens to the fundamentals of movement and to basic dance vocabulary. Classes in several techniques are offered. No prior dance experience is necessary to attend.

Teen Extension Ballet For Ages 12-17 (Summer Registration Open) 8-Week Sunday Dance Series Teen Ballet I is designed to develop the dancer’s technique. The focus of this class will be to correct posture, increase flexibility, gain strength and learn the vocabulary of ballet. This environment allows young dancers to gain confidence and build selfesteem.

Teen Ballet II & III builds upon the fundamentals of Teen Ballet I with a focus on improving posture, increasing strength and flexibility, and becoming more knowledgeable about ballet vocabulary.

8-Week Summer Session Pricing:

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One Technique: $250/child Two Techniques: $475/child Three Techniques: $685/child

Offers Teen Extension Teen Extension Hip-Hop For Ages 12-17 (Summer Registration Open) 8-Week Sunday Dance Series

Teen Extension Jazz For Ages 12-17 (Summer Registration Open) 8-Week Sunday Dance Series Teen Jazz is a fun, high energy class that explores the expressive styles of jazz. Students will develop a foundation of the basic jazz movements including jumps, turns, across the floor progression, and stylized movement. This class will encourage students to bring their individuality and unique personality to the class.

Teen Hip-Hop I is a one hour class focused on the popular urban cultural style of dance that will introduce moves featured in today’s popular music videos.

This environment allows you to gain confidence and build selfesteem.

Teen Hip-Hop II & III continues to build upon the basic principles of hip-hop dance and teaches age-appropriate choreography featured in today's popular music videos. Each class focuses on classic party dance moves, popping & locking drills, and basic breaking combos with a touch of new school hip-hop energy. Teens will learn about the culture of hip-hop and all of its elements including basic footwork, freezes and more.

For more information, please contact: Stacey SpencerWilloughby sswilloughby@ alvinailey.org or call 212-405-9018.

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Getting Ready

Education Feature

This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Office of Higher

In 9th & 10th Grade

7th & 8th Grade • Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.

• Practice setting and reaching goals.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.

• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you want to explore.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.

• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit • Talk with your parents during your junior year about saving and paying through Advanced for college.

Placement, International Baccalaureate, • Talk with friends, Postsecondary teachers, counselors Enrollment Options or and your parents about College in the Schools. college.

• Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare for the ACT.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

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• Explore internships and apprenticeships.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Create a tentative high school class plan.

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• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

Spring 2017

Want to go to college?

It’s never too late to prepare...

For more information, visit: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg. cfm?pageID=1176

For College

Education

Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.

Feature

In 11th Grade

In 12th Grade

• Attend college and financial aid events.

• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.

• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Request admissions and financial aid forms.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.

• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

• Research private scholarship options.

• Stay focused on your schoolwork and take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Take career interest assessments and determine the education needed for careers that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Volunteer in the community.

December-February • Apply to four or more colleges that interest you. Some may have earlier or later deadlines. (Make copies of each application.)

• Attend a financial aid event if you haven’t already done so. Review a copy of Paying for College.

• Apply for scholarships offered by the colleges to which you have applied.

• Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents will need the previous year’s income tax information to complete the it.

• Review you Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy.

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By eighth grade, only half as many girls as boys are interested in math, science, and engineering careers.

If each of us gives a girl our time and support today, she can find the courage, confidence, and character she’ll need to build a better tomorrow.