Profiles - Eighth Grade Investigative Magazine

Profiles

November 2020

Eighth Graders investigate Hidden drama!

Fascinating people!

One day during the summer I was with my mom, my brother and my sister in my mom’s car. But of instead of going to the store or going to the museum or even doing a summer activity, we were running a very unusual errand. My mom pulled up behind a store so that the people working there could load massive pieces of plexiglass into the trunk of her car. The year was 2020, and the disease COVID-19 was ravaging the world. We were picking up the plexiglass for my dad, who was working on setting up his doctor’s office for the safety of everybody there.

My dad has been a nephrologist, a doctor who specializes with kidneys, for about 17 years as of now. But before he was at this place in life, he had made many decisions that helped become who he is today. Growing up in what he calls, “a small city” of Youngstown, Ohio, my dad would have never expected where he would end up today. He never would have expected that nearly three decades after graduating from high school, he would live in Chicago as a nephrologist. He most certainly never had expected the current pandemic we are in.

Michael Arvan: From Graduations to a Pandemic Doctor By: Henry Arvan

To get to where point where he is today, a person would have to look at the key moment of when he chose to become a doctor. The process for becoming a doctor is very long and difficult. A person has to take four years of regular college and then an added four years of medical school to officially have the title of M.D. But my father took an accelerated course that was trying to get more doctors in Northwestern Ohio, and it allowed somebody to become a doctor in six years.

“The program I got accepted to allowed you to get a medical school position right out of high school,” he said when I asked him about the process. This meant that only a few weeks after finishing high school, my dad was going to start the first of his two required years of college. This is powerful because it shows how much my dad was committed to becoming a

doctor even though he was only five years older than I am now. The dedication is also very much inspiring because it shows the possibilities of what a person can become if they want to put in the work to do it.

After graduating from medical school in seven years, my dad took an extra year of regular college to spend more time with his friends, he was a doctor.

After graduating from medical school, a doctor still needs to go the process of residency. Residency, a doctor’s form of postgraduate training, is crucial for helping a doctor to get used to the work that they will be doing in the future. Every doctor needs residency to become board certified, but the first step of this process is applying for residency.

Despite coming from a lesser-known school, word going around about the positive reputation of the medical school he attended, and he was in luck. “A few years ahead me, there were some people who did try to leave Ohio and [they] went to other bigger cities, and they showed when they got to those hospitals, [the college showed it] did a really good job.”

The power behind the quote is from how lucky my dad was because the time he started his application process aligned with the time his school was getting brought into a positive light.

It is as if he won the lottery. In the lottery, you just buy the lucky ticket, and it is all outside influence if you win or not, and my dad had the right ticket. If he tried this a few years before, his path would be much different than his current path.

In 2020 one of the largest events in modern history occurred. The disease COVID19 exploded, and it has affected everybody.

Now, my dad works in the hospitals as part of his job as a nephrologist, but with the addition of being a doctor who also works on patients who are infected with COVID-19.

“That floor would be shut down and

locked down and would be pure COVID only,” he said when explaining the situation in the hospitals. COVID-19 is easily transmittable, and it was a key point to keep everybody safe.

While hinting at new life that he is winning, he is also revealing the strain of the hospitals.

Hospitals only have so much room, and by keeping everybody safe and quarantined if exposed, they are trying to lessen the strain.

For example, a year ago you could plan out an operation that was recommended and it would not be nearly as difficult as it is now. Now if your surgery is not necessary, it is so much harder to make that scheduled. This is what makes social distancing and other health precautions so important. If you follow those rules less people get sick, and the strain on the hospitals lessens.

In a Sherlock Holmes story, Sherlock asks Watson how many steps are in a specific staircase. But Watson is unable to answer despite the fact that he has seen the staircase multiple times. Sherlock tells Watson that he has seen but not observed, and then tells Watson that, “I know there are 17 steps, because I have both seen and observed.” While Sherlock Holmes takes place in a fictional setting, his lesson is universal.

I have heard my dad’s story a few times before the interview, but I did not truly know it.

I knew that he took an accelerated course, but other than that the story was filled with holes for me. But then after the interview, those holes were filled, and I was able to understand his story. I learned about the outside influence and the choices he had to make. After the interview I was able to both listen and understand.

On a late November day with the wind blowing against the room, my mother, Deidre Boone, sits back in her chair and thinks about some challenges she has faced in work during Covid. As omeone who works through the financial field with United there are a lot of priorities.

You have to travel for work a lot you can see how Covid might affect this. Even though this means that you can spend more time with family, it definitely increases your workload, adding on long hours. No matter if it’s at home or work I definitely feel the stress from my mom and the effort she puts into her work. Overcoming challenges during Covid can be very stressful on a person who never thought it would come to this. So, throughout this article I will guide you on some challenges my mom has faced dealing with Covid and Work. For example, priorities hard to set, independence, and reduction in workforce.

“Very difficult to set priorities, very difficult to have coverage, and just very difficult.”

Working through Covid By: Amira Boone

During my mom’s work she has faced many challenges that have been hard to control. When you start a certain job there is always challenges and obstacles that you need to overcome, and it just gets harder as you progress. Even when her job has gotten hard, she still doesn’t give up and tries to do more than what is expected. In her element of work which deals with travel sometimes you must sacrifice things. Sometimes another state might be easier work in

because that’s where most projects happen. As I was interviewing my mom, she pointed out that it can be “Very difficult to set priorities, very difficult to have coverage, and just very difficult.” Hence the question “What was it like having to travel all the time?” I chose this quote because I like how it used strong words like priorities and coverage while stating that they were very difficult to possess and set.

This gave me a better understanding on the feelings and challenges that she faced during work and later learned how to handle and cope.

Another struggle that was faced during this time was that you could no longer collaborate in groups and a lot of the work was independent. As time had went on, she had to learn to improve her skills and work ethic. For example, attending more meetings and working overtime since the work force is so competitive. As I was interviewing her, she said stated “heightened her skills for independence.” The word that stood out to me was heightened because I felt like that was a stronger word than improving and helped get the point across. that certain things had a massive change during this horrible time. Hence what I just said I chose this quote because of those reasons and that I felt like it was a very indepth conversation. She also stated that she preferred working groups and even though it might seem like an easy change her work hours had started to increase and make decisions on her own.

While trying to work in an overtaken Covid

environment there were a lot of decisions made during the time and definitely didn’t make everyone happy. What I mean by this is that the company has to let people go and really strategize and on who they want to keep.

People are no longer earning as much money and it’s very hard to try and apply for a new job. The words that were used in the interview were “reduction in workforce and laying of employees.”

This stood out to me because a lot of those employees could be your coworkers and its very hard to lose someone you’ve worked with for such a long time. The big decisions were made by the head and made by the workers if they wanted to step up their game and really work to keep their jobs. I chose this quote because even though they are everyday words I think that they expressed the point pretty clear.

In conclusion, , my mom said some very powerful things throughout this interview. I thought that I had a hold on most of the challenges but after this interview it came to be that I was wrong. My mom has been in her job for a long time and is very good at problem solving which is something that we could all use some improvement. I occasionally hear here on the phone trying to work through every one's insight. Overall, throughout any job there are challenges to face and goals to build up to.

This is an image of my grandmother, Cathleen Alexander

A story of separation; life during World War II My grandmother reveals what life was like during the second world war and how it has impacted her life today.

By: Emme Alexander Millions of children being taken from their families and forced to leave their homes to hide from a nefarious villain, willing to destroy anything that goes in its path. This was the life of my grandmother, Cathleen Alexander. Cathleen was rushing through the crowded London train station along with her younger brother and older sister, each equipped with their luggage, a flimsy paper name tag, and a hefty metal gas mask. As Cathleen looked around the station, she saw people of all ages in the same predicament as she was in, each person filled with anger and fear. Anger, at the fact that they were being forced to leave their homes along with everything they loved, and fear. The fear of never seeing their family again. The fear of during the war, London, the city they knew and loved would become nothing more than ruins the moment they stepped on the train. That their lives would be forever changed, and they could do nothing to stop it. My grandmother, Cathleen Alexander grew up in London, England along with her parents and six siblings. Cathleen had always loved learning and when she grew up, she became a schoolteacher, so she could share this love of learning with others. Cathleen had a very enjoyable childhood until suddenly, her world was turned upside down as London declared war on Germany, and before she knew it, she was in the middle of a world war. This article will discuss the experiences and losses Cathleen endured throughout her time in the second world war as she had to evacuate her home and leave her family, as she waited in agony for the nightmare to finally be over.

In the year 1939, when England first declared war on Germany, Cathleen Alexander’s life was soon turned upside down. England had thought that Adolf Hitler was planning to attack right away and plans to evacuate the citizens of England were soon made. Britain’s top priority was to protect the children. This was because England had experienced its very first air raid which caused the fatalities of eighteen school children. This made the country extra sensitive to the need of removing the children and bringing them to safety. Plans for evacuation started in July of 1938 but took four months after England declared on Germany to finalize these evacuation plans in January of 1939.

When citizens began to evacuate, Cathleen, her sister and brother were torn apart from their family and put-on trains without a clue of their destination. Everyone around was filled with a longing fear of never seeing their loved ones again. Cathleen stated, “Fantasy became a reality when England declared war on Germany.”

This quote suggests that war being declared between England and Germany seemed only to be a figment of their imagination until it was suddenly becoming a grim reality. This quote is significant to me because it shows how the people of England did not expect to go to war, and when they did, they had no idea of what was to come. All they knew was that everything was soon to be drastically different.

For my grandmother, Cathleen Alexander, evacuating England and leaving her home behind was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. Cathleen, her brother and her sister were put on a train with many others trying to escape without any information on their next location. Cathleen and her siblings arrived in the countryside, during her time there Cathleen experienced the pain of being turned away by two families for being “too small”. Her stay there lasted two months, but for some children it was even shorter as they decided to walk on the train tracks back to London. Cathleen attended half-days of school in the countryside because thousands of children who evacuated from London were also in need of an education. Even

though she was being taken care of and getting an education, she despised being away from her family.

Cathleen revealed, “My stay in the countryside lasted two months, for me, it was two months of misery and loneliness.” This suggests that my grandmother was very close with her family and when she was forced to leave them, she felt very alone because she did not know if she would ever see them again. This quote is significant to me because I could never imagine being separated from my family and possibly never see them again. This must have been especially traumatizing for my grandmother and the many other children who went through this because of how young they were when they experienced this, and how they had to adjust to life away from their family and friends in an unfamiliar place.

Being able to see her family again was one of the most joyous times for my grandmother during this dark period. Cathleen was able to return to London for a short amount of time before the mass bombing of London had begun where the city was bombed for fifty-seven nights in a row and caused mass destruction amongst the city, and a new wave of evacuation started. The first time Cathleen was evacuated she was accompanied by her brother and sister, this time she was all alone, surrounded by hundreds of strange children. Her next destination was Cornwall, a small country in southeastern England, almost three-hundred miles away from everything she loved. Cornwall had evacuees from all over Europe. During Cathleen’s stay in Cornwall, almost two years, she became aware that she was different from the majority due to her religion. Cathleen and her family were not reunited until the near end of the war in 1945.

“ I learned that you have to treasure the moments you get with your family, because you never realize how quickly they can all disappear.”

Cathleen’s many unique experiences during the war taught her many lessons, one of the most valuable lesson she revealed was, “I learned that you have to treasure the moments you get with your family, because you never realize how quickly they can all disappear.” This quote is meaningful to the interviewee because she was very close to her family and having to be ripped apart from them was one of the darkest times of her life. This quote is significant to me because I share the same love for my family and being separated from them is inconceivable, having to go through something like this at such a young age must be one of the most difficult things to go through.

The second world war affected the lives of many, for some, their lives were never the same again. My grandmother is a very brave and determined person because she had to experience the horrors of the second world war at such a young age. New insights I have about my grandmother is how painful it was for her during World War II. She was ripped away from her family and had to face the possibility of never seeing them again. My grandmother was terrified to be away from her family, yet she never let her fear take control and was determined to see them again. In 1945, my grandmother’s wish came true and she was finally able to see her family again, it was one of the happiest moments of her life. Something my grandmother learned during her time away from her family was that it is important to cherish every moment you get with your friends and family, because you never know how quickly your life can change and everything you know just disappears.

My sister was living her best life in college, studying abroad in Australia.

Suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic ended these plans abruptly. Not too long ago, I interviewed my sister, who is a senior in college. COVID-19 has ruptured many experiences for her and I wanted insight on it. The interview went well, but I didn’t necessarily get what I expected.

My Sister does better in school with the changes due to COVID. My sister, Gia, is a senior at USC. Due to COVID-19, all her classes are done online. While many people don’t like the adjustment to working and learning online, Gia is doing just fine. She said, “My grades are really good this semester, and I don’t think its harder to focus. I still get the social aspect at home because I live with 10 people.” Here, Gia shows online work is not a bad thing for her. This quote suggests that COVID is a good thing to happen to Gia. However, it is also powerful. While many people complain about the restrictions on just about everything due to COVID, Gia stays optimistic about it. She doesn’t let this virus get in her way and is pushing to have a nice life ahead of her.

Gia and her friend, Phil, In the LA Memorial Coliseum before COVID hit.

From College To Covid

When I asked Gia if she would like to go back despite how well she is currently doing under these circumstances, she said yes. However, she also mentioned, “When you think of the grand scheme of things and everything that’s going on with the airborne nature of this Virus and how easy it spreads, it’s what we need to be doing right now.” Despite doing well online, Gia would still like to go back in person (its not like she does bad there, she just does better online). She claims that the college experience is much more than just getting a good GPA, and the online thing is taking away from it and making memories. In the last paragraph, I mentioned that COVID may be a good thing for her. She makes it clear that this is indeed not a good thing to happen and while the effects on her haven’t been that bad, she acknowledges the effects it has on other people.

In the last paragraph, I touched on how the college experience is much more than just doing well. College is supposed to be one of the best times of your life and you need to take time to enjoy it. Gia, being a senior, is losing that experience that she should be gaining.

She mentioned that, “We can’t go to football games, tailgates, parties, or even go on campus.” She is trapped in her room like a prisoner in a cell. She later mentioned to me that the only time she would ever go on campus is to get COVID tested. Gia is very unhappy about this but, in the end, this is what has to happen to keep people safe. Recently, the United States surpassed 100,000 new cases per day. More people are dying from COVID each day than those who died during 9/11. Stay safe everyone, it’s important.

My sister is a determined person who won’t let this pandemic get the best of her. I always though that this new way of getting things done online was horrible. I thought that it was unstructured and unnecessarily hard. This interview taught me that I need to try to adjust to this newfound difference and I’ll be just fine. No matter the circumstances, you shouldn’t give up. The pandemic is an adjustment for everyone, so if you feel struggle, you’re not alone. It will end eventually, but while were in it you should try to make the best out of it.

My Dad, Michael Boeke.

Nine-Eleven Memorial

Before the covid 19 pandemic, my Dad and I would often go to Six Flags Great America. Over the years, we have gone on every single coaster at the park.

Some were tame, and others were very frightening. One of the reasons that people get scared is the threat of mechanical failure. This almost never happens but, when it does it is incredibly haunting.

One of these such failures occurred while my father and I were on a strikingly bright yellow ride called the Vertical Velocity or the “v2”. The ride was in the shape of an ominous U and it went so fast that you could hear it from the other side of Six Flags. We got strapped into the seats and pulled the safety mechanism over our heads. The employee in control counts down, “Three, two one…” The ride makes a loud noise and then sirens start blaring. That moment of surprise and fright is what I could only imagine my Dad was feeling on that fateful day of nine-eleven.

My Dad was just going about his day as normal. He got out of bed, shaved, got dressed and ate breakfast. He was simply getting ready to go to work when he heard his phone started ringing, it was his wife, and she was extremely upset about some plane crash in New York City. Thinking it was just some one-person plane, he turned on the news to see what happened. He witnessed the damage caused by the first plane and he watched

My Dad, Michael Boeke

My Dad’s Experience With 9/11 My father’s, Michael Boeke, experience and thoughts on the terrorist attacks of nine-eleven.

By: Max Boeke

As he described it, “At first I was in disbelief seeing it on tv with an airplane flying into it. It looked almost like special effects, almost something in a movie.” This shows the amazement of how horrible the event was through the eyes of my Dad. The utter disbelief that an attack to this proportion could happen on US soil.

“When people are afraid, as a people we are much to ready to give up our freedoms.”

As he was reminiscing of that fateful day, he was able to see somethings he couldn’t see during the time. Like many of us do, we can look back in time and see where we, and the people around us, have made mistakes, some of them are minor, some of them major but as they say hindsight is 2020.

The way my Dad said it was, “In retrospect, and what is truly sad, is that we’re still at war in many of these places. I even saw something recently that the US’s wars in the middle east has become multigenerational.”

I would come to interpret this to mean that looking back this war obviously wouldn’t be won quickly and easily as many Americans thought. This is truly saddening to him, as these wars have now involved both fathers and their sons, in a seemingly endless war. A war that he believes we came into with one enemy in mind and we came out with many more than we started out with. Much like the Hydra, we can slay one head of terror, evil, and vileness but before long a new terrorist organization sprouts.

Finally, my Father was talking about how in the wake of 9/11, the United States added some slightly totalitarian things to the government. He talked about how the US government created Homeland Security, which in his eyes gave too much power to the government as it allowed them to have a significant amount of surveillance over the American people. The main reason he was opposed to some of these more authoritarian parts of the government was because he said

that he felt safer than many of his fellow Americans. The way he put it was, “When people are afraid, as a people we are much to ready to give up our freedoms.”

This reminds me of the Benjamin Franklin quote, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

Essentially, he viewed that when we are scared, people tend to justify total control more easily as it makes them feel safer. Though in the long run this is detrimental to society. As Americans we stand for freedom and the pursuit of happiness, a government with total control, by definition, cannot allow this.

Through this interview I have learned a lot more about how people were really feeling during the event and the time afterwards. I now have a better understanding overall of 9/11 attacks due to this discussion with my Dad. My Father is someone I respect and love, so seeing someone else’s point of view, especially someone who has cared for me my entire life, can be eye opening. While looking back at his experience on that day, my father was able to definitely see that events impact on the United States more clearly.

This is something that everyone should apply to their life. Since everyone has had unique experiences and viewpoints, in order to better understand the people around us, one must listen to other’s opinions and what they have gone through.

Although my sister When talking about her had been talking experience with bullying growing up she had said, about physical challenges she faced “There was no specific memory that changed my my mother came in life but the amount of with her point of view bullying I endured made about things my sister me a stronger person was too young to because I felt I had to remember. My mother prove them wrong.” My added on about sister was born with mild Beatrice’s physical hearing and she wore challenges and said, hearing aids after she “the doctors said turned 8 she completely when Beatrice was Outsiders in a hearing world lost her hearing, by that born that there was The story of a young deaf woman finding point she was in a hearing almost no chance she kids school and even would be able to grow her way around various forms of wearing a hearing aid up and walk, eat, or discrimination and her many personal made her a target for even use the challenges. bullying. She said that bathroom on her own, By: Teresa E. Barajas being bullied in school let alone be able to really helped her know that learn the English My sister faced a lot of challenges growing up deaf, she met multiple levels she wanted to help other language well without people like her so she being able to hear well of discrimination and ableism with a ended up joining a deaf and my daughter has brave and positive attitude. During an community to make all clearly proved them interview with my sister she talked about deaf people feel like they all wrong.” For a little the harsh bullying she faced as a child, belonged. That for me was more context along negative attitude doctors had towards moving that she had been with my sister being her future, and her journey on a path towards better mental health. She gave bullied as a kid and wanted born hard of hearing quiet the insight of what it’s really like to to help others like her feel she was also born with more accepted in todays a heart defect which is be a deaf woman in today’s society. society and that’s clearly why the doctors felt very important to her. she would not be able

Beatrice Barajas Age 32 hospitality worker

to function very well on her own when she was older. My sister after hearing this was not shocked as she had known this but she also shared that she remembered the years of physical, occupational, and speech therapy she went through. “It was hard” she had said “to know that you can never be the same as others despite so much therapy, but at the end of the day why would I want to be the same anyway normal is boring.”

When talking about the deaf community my sister takes part in she said something that shocked me more and added more insight to her

mental struggs that she had as well. She said, “At first I didn’t join our deaf community because I wanted to help people, I joined because I needed help.”

After asking her to elaborate a bit more she explained that although I had thought that she joined because she wanted to help people she had joined because she was going through a deep state of depression and wanted to get help before it got too far. “I was never officially diagnosed with depression”

she explained “but I felt that pain from how unfair the world is to people like me and wanted to get help, and I have never been more happy to not only get help but give help to people that were in the same state I was” It was really moving to hear these things coming from my sister because although I knew she was having hard times I never knew how much it affected her and I’m am so glad that she had those support systems in place.

When asked to write I sotry I knew my sisters story would be perfect for this project and she shared everything from her point of view about what it’s like being deaf in the U.S and although not all story’s are the same she helped us learn that she may have faced a lot of challenges but that made her who she is.

Hitting Back Harder: The Story of the 1998 College Championship Loss. Loss is defined as the state of feeling grief when deprived of someone or something of value. Well, on November 5th, 1989 my Dad Mike Chambers experienced loss when losing in the Grambling State vs. Stephen F. Austin football championship 59-56. Before playing college football at Grambling, Mike started his illustrious football career at an early age, and ever since then his career has thrived. Not only has he improved on the field, but he’s grown off the field as well. Even though my Dad lost many games, including the most important game of his career, he still learned multiple lessons that he still remembers, and lives by, to this day.

Some people might think Mike Chambers might not of had the best rise to greatness, but I believe that the start of his football career is similar to the likes of Peter Parker when bit by the radioactive spider. When I asked him about his football career and how it stared in the first place, my Dad said, “I remember I was seven years old… and at a Pop Warner football league, I just happened to step in after another kid got hurt… and I took the football, and I ran and scored three touchdowns and the feeling felt really good and I kept feeling that same feeling every time I played football so that’s why I stuck with it.” This quote represents the origins of my Dad’s football career. If that, unlucky, kid didn’t get injured my dad might’ve never started football. This means that this interview would’ve never happened. I believe that this quote is resembles my dad’s love football because I can tell that football changed his life, he has learned so much about teamwork, and motivation. And that kid’s injury was the spark that started not only my dad’s football career, but the spark that led my dad to grow and learn about so many helpful lessons that are essential to being successful in life.

As prepared as the 1989 Grambling Football

roster was, they unexpectedly lost in a nail biter of a championship game vs. Stephen F. Austin University; the final score was 59 to 56. My dad and his teammates were a field goal away from getting an extended chance to win the game. In fact, during the interview, my dad explained, “It was difficult because when I was a freshman on the [Grambling University] football team, at the time, we were 10-2 that you and, uh, it almost seemed like it was inevitable that we would get to the championship and win… and when it didn’t go our way it was devastating.” This quote is significant because it makes you think about the loss, not only my dad experienced, but also his teammates. I want you to imagine you knowing, for example, that you’re going to make the best cookies ever; you even planned ahead of time, made the batter, you even made you own chocolate and froze it overnight in the freezer. But, when it came time to make the cookies, they were almost perfect, you just forgot to add another tablespoon of sugar, so the cookies were a little bland. Now, I want you to really feel that feeling of loss and devastation and multiply that feeling by 100 and that’s how my dad and his teammates felt.

Even though losing can negatively impact a person that experiences the mixed feelings that loss brings, you can also learn a lot of lessons or morals from loss. Many people believe that it’s better to reflect on what you’ve learned from loss rather than to think pessimistically about why you lost, how you lost, etc. Speaking of lessons, during our interview, my dad explained some of the lessons that he learned about life through the feelings he experienced from the championship game. “Two things, first, if you really truly believe in something, and you give it everything you have, it doesn’t matter the outcome. That’s what the game is all about, you know, you give it everything you have.” This quote is significant because it shows that anyone that has experienced loss before can

still gain many lessons from it, like the ones my dad learned about hard work and the game of football. You might think that even though you gave it you all, when you don’t succeed it was all for nothing. However, if you put in the work and you know that you did a good job and you still lost, you can be impacted by all the hard work that you put in, and that’s the truth.

I know I’ve learned a valuable lesson about overcoming adversity from this interview. Even though my Dad lost the chance to celebrate with his Grambling teammates he still learned so much. I will remember to reflect on what I’ve learned from a situation, and to never underestimate a situation because the outcome might not be what I expected. Oh, and I almost forgot… GO TIGERS!

The logo Grambling has had since the day my dad started Grambling in 1998

Blue Crane Imports A Take On how Covid-19 is affecting his wine business.

By Dylan Clark Photograph taken by Philip Myburgh

My dad runs a customers to sell company called to.” This quote Blue Crane tells us how covidImports, that 19 turned his Imports Wine from business around to South Africa to a track of restaurants and slowness. This stores. Availability quote also tells us is everything to how the people businesses like my with restaurants dad’s. If that my dad sells restaurants cannot to don’t even have be open, then they jobs anymore and cannot afford to that sums up how pay people for covid-19 is goods when they affecting him and are not making anyhis customers. money. “All business went to zero overnight, and there is a much narrower range of

He came slowly down the stairs, a glass of wine in hand and sat down. Today I was interviewing my dad. I was interested to hear how covid19 is affecting his wine James business and his government Clarkbusiness. He sat down on the Manager of couch in the basement with Mereo4 and BlueCrane me at my desk. The mood Imports was very calming as there was no one in the house to distract us. We calmly began the interview which I recorded on my surface.

While the interview was going on, I was asking him questions, he was answering “The work you’ve done in them, and the interview the past to from went very smoothly. relationships and trust is the differentiator now in these tough times.”

Mereo4

How Mereo4 is

being affected by Covid-19

Along with his wine business, he has another company, Mereo4 that helps the U.S Armed Forces with supplies. Fortunately, this company has not taken as much of a hit from covid-19 then Blue Crane Imports did. Fortunately, the company is government funded so financially, it has not gotten much worse. There are still problems with shipping and deliveries because of covid-19 but it could’ve been much worse.

“The work you’ve done in the past to from relationships and trust is the differentiator now in these tough times.” We can really learn from this quote because it tells us that the hard work you put into your job can pay off anytime or moment in the future. The only reason his company is surviving right now and doing well is because of the work thy did before covid-19 and the shutdowns that set them up in 2020 for success.

What do we have to do? How can we get passed covid?

X

My dad has had to manage his companies through covid-19 and this far into covid-19 he has had a lot of experience with this. He has had to make many changes on how his business does certain things. I thought this was very interesting and I was wondering what changes he needs to make and what he and his business must do differently. “You have to adapt to survive, how to be smarter people, how to be better people, how to be more

resilient.� This quote shows a lot of significance and it teaches us that during these tough times we cannot keep doing the same things we do normally, so we must make changes in our lives. It tells us that we have t be more accepting and flexible to be better people because it will be easier to get through covid-19 this way.

Throughout covid-19, my dad manages two companies and must make a lot of changes and do things differently because of covid-19. To top it all off he still must be a father to two sons. I appreciate him greatly for that and I cannot understand how he does it. Millions of people are losing their jobs because of the covid-19 shutdown and my dad does not give into that. He works very hard to keep his business

alive and he is still a great dad. Like before, he said that for us to get through covid-19 we have to be better, smarter, and more resilient people. This is very true because we must be smarter and more resilient and flexible because of the things that are going on. We must be more resilient because for us to survive we cannot give up on our jobs and livelihood so that is the meaning of how we can get through covid-19.

Jackie Lynch: Nursing During a Pandemic

By Rory Church Imagine that you are on a boat, during a raging storm where the water is choppy and unforgiving. Now imagine that the boat has a hole in it, and you try to bail it out with a bucket. However, it seems that the more you bail, more holes appear in the boat.

Can you feel how drained, and exhausted you would be? Well, that’s how nurses and doctors feel every day during the pandemic, that’s how Jackie Lynch felt when she treated Covid-19 patients in Palm Springs. Especially when they kept coming back again and again, for the same reasons.

Do you think you could pack up your whole life and move to a completely different location, all in a span of two days? Jackie can, because she did it. Jackie is a military nurse, and she was told by her supervisor that she was being deployed, but it wasn’t to Afghanistan like she had expected. Instead, she was going to Palm Springs to assist other hospitals with the pandemic.

“I found out I was going to deployed on a Wednesday and we left Friday” She also said that hospitals had been requesting extra help since April, and they were just now leaving in July. Military nurses like Jackie always must be ready to be deployed anywhere in the world. What was so powerful about this quote to me was how Jackie said it. She said it like it was normal, and she could do it again with one day’s notice.

That’s what inspires me about people in the medical and military field is that they are always ready to drop everything to go and help people, no matter the cost. Her calm response to something so crazy reminds me that we can’t always control our surroundings, but we can control how we react to the new and often difficult circumstances.

When Jackie had been in Palm Springs for a little while, she noticed something alarming. People who had Covid-19 and recovered were coming back a little while later with Covid again, and they deteriorated just as fast as before. It would be like bailing water out of a sinking boat.

“We’ve taken care of people with Covid and they tested negative, then they come back a month later and are just as sick” For a while there was an understanding that once you get Covid19, you are immune because you have the antibodies, but if people can get sick again with no change in the recovery rate, it

could change everything about how we deal with this pandemic.

It could mean heavier restrictions on the quarantine period because you can also infect people again, and it could also change how doctors and nurses treat coronavirus.

Not to mention it could increase their workload even more than it’s already been stretched. Jackie mentioned that it could be a new strain of Covid that behaves differently, which would also change potential vaccines and treatments given in the future. This could either revolutionize the medical industry or it could cause even more problems for the nurses and doctors of the world. It could revolutionize the medical industry by changing the effects of potential vaccines, by advancing telemedicine, and people being less likely to go to nursing homes and making medicine more commonly available for people who get sick again, and don’t want to go back to the hospital.

guidelines, Jackie said, “I think people should just be cautious and kind so that this can be over as soon as possible” This article shows why people who have the privileges of being financially and medically stable should always do their best to be considerate of others by wearing masks and being socially distant.

“We’ve taken care of people with Covid and they tested negative, and then they come back a month later and are just as sick”

Medical care professionals like Jackie often don’t get enough credit for all their hard work, they go to school for 2-4 years to be able to get into a job that will be even more challenging then the nursing or medical school they were at. Covid has taken these challenges and multiplied them by hundreds. During this interview, Jackie told me about how 5 hours of her day are just spent taking on and off PPE or personal protective equipment, but she is glad to do it because she feels fulfilled by helping people.

She said, “Every day I leave knowing I made a difference for someone” Nurses and doctors have the jobs that no one else can do, and they still don’t get enough recognition for it, and they still can leave their workplaces knowing that they are always doing something good for someone. Although this pandemic is making her hours longer, and giving her more and more patients with no end, Jackie loves what she does because she improves people’s quality of life whether they have coronavirus or a broken bone.

After this interview with Jackie, I felt guilty about complaining so much about simple things like wearing a mask and not being able to see my friends. However, by doing this I give them one less patient to worry about. If everyone can follow the rules, the pandemic will be over sooner rather than later.

When asked about those who choose not to follow those

Jackie Lynch sailing in Chicago

HOW DID MY GRANDMA EXCEED IN HER RESTAURANT - THIS IS ABOUT HOW MY GRANDMA STARTED HER RESTAURANT BY- NIA GLENN Do you want to know about how my Grandma started a successful restaurant? A quote from her that is very helpful for success is, “ Set yourself a goal, like what you do, meet public understandings, Great interests, and hospitality”. This helps set some goals for you to succeed.

How Gigi and Grandpa took steps to make a successful restaurant. My great grandma’s name is Evelyn. My Gigi had no little knowledge in cooking when she was younger. So, she started to cook her mom would always ask her to cook a soul food meal.

When Gigi got older, she married my great grandpa (rest in peace).

And they moved to California or Alabama. They thought it would be a good idea to start a restaurant. She said, “ Set yourself a goal, like what you do, meet public understandings, great interests, hospitality, loving cooking” This quote is significant because of you can show your like in the aspiration. And that, how to be successful in what you want to do. How my granny found her love in cooking.

She exclaimed, “I was my mom’s main cook, she would call me if she wanted a good soul food dinner, I just went form there” This makes me think that this is how she found her love in cooking. She had to learn somehow. Granny maybe experimented with food to see what tasted good.

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A takeaway from my grandmother, is that you can do anything that you set your mind to. When she told me that if you set a goal for yourself. If you work • hard for your goal that means you can succeed in your passion or goal. Also, you should feel excited when you reach your goal. Grandma Evelyn’s goal was to make others happy and share her cooking, she exceeded her goal.

“ Set yourself a goal, like what you do, meet public understandings , great interests, hospitality, loving cooking”

James Calace: The Career of a Police Officer sending him to prison where he got close with God, learned right My dad has had the same partner for 16 years. They get along perfectly, days go by real fast, and there is never a dull day. They from wrong, now has a wife and a baby, and was practicing to keep each other safe and they got each other’s backs. Partners are become a minister. “It’s the best job to have. You help people, you Appreciation is much more than just needed for safety reasons and as well as protocol. When you have a save people. It’s a very fulfilling job.” Not only does my dad state saying thank you. Appreciation is much more than showing kindnesspartner for that long they become your family and you trust that that you are helping and saving people, but he included that it’s the to someone. By showing you appreciate someone you are showing they will have your back and make sure that they are not best job to have. That shocked me because in 2020 there are so many that you recognize their full worth. That you are extremely grateful jeopardizing your life. Until, you have a reason to not trust them, people who are against the police, but it’s like they don’t realize for them. My father doesn’t laugh much but he has always been a you do the same for them. everything they do for us. There are days when I hear stuff on the hero. Not only to me but to thousands of people all over Chicago. He news and I’m just in shock of what is happening in this city that I has been a police officer in the city of Chicago for twenty-nine years. live in and have family protecting. I am not sure how officers can go His dedication and commitment to the job projects more and more With everything that they witness out there, I still don’t and will out there every day knowing what can happen, but the amount of every day. It is never easy being the daughter of a first responder, never understand why they have this instinct in them that tells them positivity they project around each other and just in general is but I am proud to say that he is saving lives and sacrificing his own to just go and not wait for the call to inform them that they will be astounding. Now I can’t say this for all the officers out there, but I for people he doesn’t even know. I come from a family were majority safe when entering the scene. Except, I guess if you have the job can say this on behalf of majority of my family; they wouldn’t give of them are police. Every day I worry that I may have a funeral to gothen you can’t be worrying about your safety over everyone else’s. up this job for anything else. to which is why while interviewing my dad the environment seemed My father has lived in Chicago for his whole life and he wouldn’t be to get tense and extremely serious. While the interview was taking an officer anywhere else. He says the crime is unique in its own way place, we were in our basement surrounded by police flags, awards, just like other cities. He exclaims with a calm voice, “the radio is Appreciation. Appreciating someone is showing someone etc., and just being next to all that stuff made everything feel right your lifeline. It is more important than your weapon.” This is that they’re important, that they’re worthy to you. What do I significant in an astronomical way. If you don’t listen to the radio appreciate? I appreciate that my dad puts his life on the line and make sense. not only are you jeopardizing your life, but you are jeopardizing everyday not only for his family, but for the city of Chicago. I others. Losing the life of a colleague is a wake-up call that being a appreciate that he puts my safety before his and shows me how Fourteen hours in a car might be a cop is dangerous and if you don’t listen to what is going on through serious it is for me to take safety precautions at all times. I used to long time however, my dad and his team were committed to their your radio you can make the wrong move causing you to end up at a be petrified of what my dad may encounter out there while I’m at job and helping out those in need. 9/11 is an event in history that funeral of your colleague or the other way around, them at your school, or he’s not around. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still scared but impacted many people in a negative way. This event was very scary funeral. Funerals aren’t typically an enjoyable thing to go to. Police now I have learned that he isn’t. He shows more bravery than and traumatizing for many citizens of New York, except my dad. He funerals just simply make you feel worse as you know you just lost anyone I have ever met before. I am extremely proud to call him my chose to show his bravery and protect his country even knowing someone who dedicated their life to making this world a better place. dad and know that he is a hero to many. I may not understand why what could’ve happened. My dad stated, “We just felt as if it was our It is understandable that when you hear shots fired or there is a he has continued this job for twenty-nine years yet, but he does. need to go over there and help them in their time of need.” What is dangerous event occurring, you would just go run over instantly andSerious is definitely a trait all police officers have in common. If you powerful about this is that he helped pass out food and other items your judgement is compromised. However, now you have just have ever met an officer and wondered why they are so uptight and that are a necessity that you can’t live without. His devotion to this created a scene that is going to be much worse than it would have not as cheerful as other people you may meet, its because they see job led him to be an American hero. Knowing my dad was out there been if you just waited for instruction or the direct call from the more disturbing and go through so much and even after trying to makes me frightened but it also makes me extremely proud. I am radio. Would it be safer if they all just listened to their radios and keep everyone safe, people just don’t care. All in all, being a police proud that he projected his bravery to his country and to a state that went when they were directed? Probably, but we may never know. officer isn’t an easy job, but I’m glad my dad is doing something he he doesn’t live in. I’m proud that he continued to do what he loved loves and wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t change that for the world. even though he knew something could happen again. I’m proud that he sacrificed his life for the goodness and satisfaction for the thousands of people.

Every officer has their rough and scary stories, but they also But most of all, I’m proud he made it have their meaningful stories; stories that changed someone’s life. I got the opportunity to hear one of my dads most memorable stories. home safe. Himself and 18 other members of his team drove to a location where they knew was dangerous but felt the need to help. This story began by him receiving multiple phone calls about He helped in times square since there were no local first responders domestic violence in which an elderly couple said that their located there at the time, he helped escort pedestrians back into their grandson has been stealing from them for four years to aid his drug dependency, and it escalated to abusing the grandmother, the houses for the first time after the attack, he as well assisted in searching cars and neighborhoods for maps or anything that could mother, etc. After, a couple of calls in which he ran away from them, be important from this attack. His compassion and his commitment on the last call the team was prepared for the induvial to run away for the job showed a huge impact to not only those in New York but again but were able to find him on a porch where he decided to fight all over the world. Appreciation towards the first responders is still them with a knife. The induvial ended up spending seven years in prison. After, those seven years, the same induvial who was expressed significantly to this day. unknown to my dad at the time came up to him and thanked him for

“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” – Margaret Cousins By: Gracie Calace

As my mom got older, it was getting difficult for her to get a job. This was because people wouldn’t give her the opportunity to prove herself just because of her background. It was very difficult for people to see past her stereotype. When she did have a job, her days would feel long, and she wasn’t able to spend that much time at home. Her schedule was going to school, go to work until nighttime, and then sleep. This was a cycle that kept going on and on because it was getting harder for her parents to maintain her whole family. When she saw that she didn’t have enough for food or even school, my mom had to get more than one job. When she was telling me, she said “it was hard to come home late from work almost every day. But I knew I had to do it, not just for me but the people around me.” This quote told me that she is a very dedicated and proud person School was something that kept her going, it was something she enjoyed going through. My mom was a very good and smart student which is what helped her achieve things in her future. She did this until she got out of high school. My mom would get lots of different jobs to be able to make the money she needed. Even though she worked all this time, it wasn’t enough to pay for college. This was something she always wanted to do. Then something happened, she was able to get a good paying job at a law firm. this made her believe that she could finally do what she dreamed of doing.

THE JOURNEY

BY: Valeria Fernandez Leal

The crazy life of my mom In this world there are many stereotypes and one of them is that people that come from a poor family usually can’t succeed in life or not have as many opportunities that people with a rich background do. My mom was able to prove this wrong. She was only 8 years old when she was introduced to the real world. Everything had changed for her at that moment. Before starting this interview, she looked at me with a look that seemed eager. She said, “I’m glad that I finally get to tell you more about my life and how unfair society is.” When she started talking, I then knew she was the most hardworking person I had ever met. She achieved many great things for her situation This story makes other people look at society in a different way.

My mom, Carmen, is a very strong and hardworking women that challenged many assumptions and stereotypes made about her. She has been through so much but still managed to pick herself up and keep working and give herself a better life. She was born in 1979 in a small town in Mexico called Tizapan. This town is a poor place and it’s hard to maintain a life there which didn’t help that my mom came from a poor family.

Carmen was the youngest child out of three brothers and a sister, but even though she was the youngest, it seems like achieved more in her life than the rest of her siblings.

Growing up, her family had to live in a one-bedroom apartment which was hard because they were a family of 7. When my mom saw that this wasn’t right, she started to work. It was almost like she was forced to start working since she had to start at the age of 8. She explained to me that the jobs she did were very hard for an 8-year-old girl to do. Some of those jobs would be like cleaning houses and walking dogs. Even jobs that simple were necessary to maintain her family. Carmen couldn’t pay for school, so she had to skip a whole until finally they were back on track. School is one of the many things that my mom loved, when she was younger, she always had a dream of opening her own shop. When my mom was explaining this, she looked at me and said, “I wish I would’ve had a more playful childhood, I didn’t have many cheerful memories as a kid.” What she said really stuck out to me because it’s sad that some people don’t have the opportunity to live a happy and cheerful childhood. It’s clear that she said this because she had to start in the real world at such a young age.

Picture of my mom from last year

When she was able to get this job, she met my dad. Then things started to get better for her. My mom was able to get a promotion that paid her well. At this time people started looking at her past her stereotype. This was because she was finally getting her life together. When my mom and dad started dating, they both had the idea of starting their own restaurant, so when they made enough money they did. It turns out that the restaurant went well.

When my mom was saying this, you can see her eyes get brighter. “when your dad and I did this, I knew that all my hard work had paid off” she said this with a smile. My mom and dad had gathered enough money to move to the US and fell in love with Chicago. They were able to open lots of restaurants all around Mexico and now they can live the life that they have always wanted.

“The harder you work for something, the greater you'll feel when you achieve it.”

This interview should teach other to not let their stereotypes or background get in the way of what they really want. You just must work hard for it. My mom was and still is a very hardworking person, so I wanted to share this story with other people. My mom moved to the US to create a better life for herself and so her children can live the life they have always wanted. She had once said “you can’t let things slow you down from getting what you want.

No matter how hard it gets you have to keep trying.” This is something that everyone must keep in mind.

*Note: this anecdote is not a true story, it is just an example.

A patient with a critical bullet wound, fresh from the incident. Enter Dr. Wu. Dressed in a plain blue surgical gown with a tie in the back, a bouffant-style cap to hide the hair, an all-knowing face mask, and clog-like rubber theatre shoes, the doctor looks more than professional. Under the mask, Dr. Wu takes deep breathes to calm the nerves of the foreboding surgery. More than eight years of training led up to this moment, this surgery.

The patient looks around, several surgical gowns surround him. His eyes widen in panic, he is on death’s door!

The surgical gowns move to reveal an additional surgical gown, one of a presence of authority. The patient peers up into the wearer of the surgical gown’s eyes, something is wrong. This can’t be the doctor, not at all. The “doctor” speaks, confirming the patient’s suspicions. The doctor is not a doctor at all in fact, but a nurse. The patient nods to himself. Convincing himself that the plain surgical gown in front of him is in fact a nurse, no one special.

Dr. Wu directs another surgical gown to pick up the injection from the sterile table to start the general anesthesia. In a panic, realizing what’s about to happen, the patient gurgles out a yelp.

All masks turn towards him. One rubber-gloved hand gripping the injection continues to make its way toward him. The patient kicks his legs in

panic, pain rippling up his body, tears form at the edge of his eyes, and his jaw clenches in pain. The gloved-hand halts to a stop. The patient croaks, “Where is the doctor? I want to speak to the doctor!”

“I am the doctor.” Dr. Wu’s voice answers back. The patient’s fears are confirmed, “No! You’re not…you can’t be…” Dr. Wu stares down at the patient in disbelief, “Yes, I am, now we need to perform this surgery before it’s too late.” Dr. We motions for the gloved hand to continue the procedure. The patient writhes on the once sterile surgical bed, “Get me a doctor! Get this nurse out of here!”

Dr. Wu’s heart drops like a heavy stone into a bottomless pit. So that’s why. A deep, pain builds up in Dr. Wu’s body, a surgeon can’t perform surgery without trust. A new kind of anger forms, red and hot. Dr. Wu knows that whatever kind of belief the patient has is from some universal belief. Dr. Wu nods to another surgical gown, communicating to that surgical gown to take over. Dr. Wu turns from the table and enters the locker room. Dr. Wu’s hands shake as the gloves are peeled off and the mask is thrown into a small garbage can in the corner. Her body shakes from tears.

Why am I not enough? Dr. Wu walks out of the locker room in just her scrubs, swiping at the consistent droplets of pain.

Let me guess, you were not expecting Dr. Wu to be a female. Well, that’s probably because of the abundant number of labels put on women. Nurses are associated with females and doctors are associated with males. In the story (which was not a true story but an example), it was an instance when my mom encountered patients who didn’t trust her capabilities because of who she was.

Dr. Wu is a real person though, my mom, Karen Wu. When she was younger, she wanted to grow up to be a doctor, specifically an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgery is the biggest male dominant field, and over 90% of all orthopedic surgeons are male. Because my mom was aware of this, she told herself to just focus on what she needed to learn and ignore the biases against her and o other women. She even chose a hospital to complete her rresidency and fellowship that was known for having more ffemale surgeons than others. Even though it might not h have made a huge difference, she wasn’t completely aalone.

W When the time came for my mom to start her residency, sshe thought she had prepared herself enough to just ffocus and ignore the oncoming assumptions. But u unfortunately, when the reality of the situation hit her, sshe felt exposed. The real-life judgments still have a way tto worm their way into her mindset. My mom sighed, ““It’s still surprising when you’re faced with the real ssituation where somebody is either doubting or

discounting your capabilities just because you’re a woman”. This quote is significant because no matter how much you prepare or plan for something, the reality can always surprise you. But why should my mom have to ready herself for these judgmental assumptions? Her being who she is causes people to automatically look down on her and discredit her abilities.

While encountering her partners and patients, they doubted if she was a legible surgeon. All the other surgeons and patients were so used to seeing and meeting male surgeons, so a female in orthopedic surgery was a surprise for them. Maybe they thought it was a whole joke, I don’t know but patients did not trust my mother. It was someone who looked different and they judged her on that. Dr. Wu said that interacting with patients was the toughest part, and she often got mistaken for a nurse instead of a doctor (i.e. the anecdote). That would be really tough if my mom couldn’t gain that trust with her patients. Ultimately, she wouldn’t get any business, no one would visit her because of the stereotypes surrounding female orthopedic surgeons. Later, my mom soon learned that no matter how much she prepared herself for the constant biases and stereotypes, it would still act as a handicap for her. All she could do was toughen up and power through.

Left: Image of Karen Wu, Dr. Wu

This is a graph of female to male orthopedic surgeons by age.

By: Malia Chen, daughter of Dr. Wu

As my mother progressed through residency and began her fellowship, she realized being herself just wasn’t going to cut it. If she wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon after training, she had to do something more.

Here’s a story about my mom encountering a real-life assumption about her gender. It all started when my mom had wanted to learn a new skill in orthopedic surgery that wasn’t available at her hospital. She traveled with her sales representative all the way to California just to learn this course.

Unfortunately, on the first day when my mother walks into the room, she’s met with a room full of men… white males. The crowd of other orthopedic surgeons no longer seemed like just a crowd but a wall.

Everyone in that room looked similar. They all could relate to each other because they come from similar backgrounds and families. However, my mom didn’t have those similarities, she felt blocked out because she didn’t look like the rest in the room. Automatically, my mom knew that she was different, she stood out immensely.

All eyes were on her, squinting to make sure that they were seeing right. Yes, a female had just walked into an orthopedic surgeon’s course. My female AsianAmerican mom felt like a deer in headlights.

Just about everybody was judging her skill and legibility at first glance. Yet, my mom told herself to not let the doubts revolving around her affect her throughout this course. In the end, my mom was able to complete and finish the course successfully by ignoring the people around her. No one outright came up to her to tell her she didn’t qualify as a surgeon, good right? No. The day my mom finished the course, she, my dad, and her sales representative went out for a celebratory dinner. During the dinner, her sales representative revealed some surprising news. It turns out that one of the other white male orthopedic surgeons at the course had gone up to my mom’s sales representative and asked, “Is she your surgeon? Is she any good?” Those two questions crushed my mom. She felt isolated and targeted over something she had no control over. It finally hit her that being a female is somehow not enough in the eyes of society.

Even while trying to blend in, she still got singled out. And I’ll bet you that the surgeon

that asked those questions didn’t go up to any other sales representative and ask if their male surgeon is “any good”. My mom slowly stated, “I always felt like I had to be better than the average resident to prove myself”. This suggests that after the course, blending in wasn’t going to end those assumptions, going above and beyond is what would. If she could gain the respect and trust her fellow male partners received, maybe she could finally break the mold surrounding her. The biases may still follow her, but at least she would have something to prove that she wasn’t below average in any way. Evidently, the stereotypes pressured my mom to take control into her own hands and break the mold for females.

Trying to be a female orthopedic surgeon is tough, it’s hard work. But she had the commitment and dedication to becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Yeah, the single act of becoming a surgeon is hard, for a male. But as a female, you need to go beyond society’s expectations. And even then, it won’t diminish those biases. My mom has learned that being a female shouldn’t make her “less” of a surgeon, it should motivate her to prove for her and all other female orthopedic surgeons are more of a surgeon than assumed to be.

After all that, my mom wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for her experience.

Now when my mom looks back on her residency and fellowship, she realizes that women shouldn’t have to go through the pressure of not being enough. My mom also mentions frequently how much she admired her teachers, they were dedicated and just cared about their students learning.

Specifically, my mother’s teachers were indifferent not who or what their students looked like. Even while my mom stands out tremendously in a sea of white males, it didn’t matter to her teachers. She wasn’t singled-out or treated differently. It was hard enough for my mom to try and gain that respect and trust from her fellow residents and even patients, but not from her teachers. Her teachers took time and energy out of their life to teach. They didn’t do it for the money or a framed picture on the wall, but for their dedication to teaching the next generation of surgeons.

Her teachers had an enormous impact on my mom to this day. After her fellowship, my mom changed her plans for the future because of her teachers. Instead of going into private practice as she had planned, my mom changed routes and decided to become a teacher as well. Her teachers had inspired her to pass on her experience. My mom wanted to give future females and minority groups the chance of feeling normal and appreciated, just like her teachers had given her. My mom smiled, “It’s like giving back. Teaching is my way of paying it forward. I was so grateful for my teachers that took the time to teach me that it inspired me to go into teaching as well.” This quote is significant because my mom wanted to make a change on the biases and stereotypes against women. My mom wants to give back what she received to the next generation of female surgeons.

She created it her responsibility to not only teach orthopedic surgery but to teach a lesson on stereotypes and why assumptions don’t define a person. Instead, what should define a person is the level of their performance. And my mom took it upon herself to spread that awareness by teaching, teaching the next generation of surgeons about gender equality. Because without that trust and respect surgeons need for their job, it can be their downfall.

While it would be easy to get as far away from her negative experience after fellowship, she took the one positive experience she had and turned it into her future, teaching.

This is Dr. Wu’s Medical Doctor profile

My mother currently works at Loyola.

dealing with the stereotypes. It’s hard to enter a field where nobody looks like you, you’re almost isolated from everybody else because they discount your capabilities.

And being an Asian-American doesn’t improve matters either. A female from a minority group, how unalike could my mom get? Well, the passion and fierceness my mom has are what empowered her to realize that treating others differently because of their looks needed to stop. Even if it’s just one tiny baby step, she took the universal mold on female orthopedic surgeons and broke it for her community.

Now, my mom is a successful orthopedic surgeon who performs surgeries on trusting patients and teaches residents as well. Her residents respect and look up to my mom as a role model, they understand how hard it was for her to get into the position she is now. They are taught how to be orthopedic surgeons, but also just how important quality is over first glance as well. I asked my mom if she could sum up her experience from training into just seven words, and this is what she said, “It’s challenging but rewarding, and a privilege”.

The challenge is obvious, the overcoming of society’s belief or judgment on females. The reward, the outcome, if you follow through with what you’re passionate about, you’ll be granted satisfaction. People in her community soon learned to respect her as they would any other man. No longer do people see my mom as a wimpy unprofessional surgeon, but as a person of respect who has a tremendous dedication to teaching. And last of all, the privilege.

If you know what’s worthwhile and you have the dedication, you have the power to Gaining trust from others is something delicate. My mom doesn’t take for granted make something of it. The point of this the trust her patients have in her. She journalism writing piece wasn’t just to worked so hard just to get that crucial explain my mom’s overcoming of the challenges she faced in the becoming of an piece. And now, they trust her with their lives. My mom knows she wouldn’t be orthopedic surgeon, but to show how she where she is today without the earned trust dealt with it. Sometimes you need to take her partners and patients have in her. control into your own hands, just like my mom did. She realized society's judgments Maybe this whole journalism article has on female orthopedic surgeons, and she inspired you, maybe it hasn’t. However just took control of the wheel to inspire others keep in mind that, people’s biases and assumptions don’t control someone’s life, about the importance of gender equality. what does is how they answer them.

Even while I say this like it’s effortless, not everyone can do that. I have to give it to my mom; it wasn’t easy. I deeply value the passion and fierceness my mom had while

Back in her days By: camrin darke

the last minutes Beatrice Greene spent with her mother. My grandmother lived in poverty. So of course, they couldn’t afford the medication they need. As time went by things only got harder. while Beatrice being so young, she didn’t realize her mother came closer and closer to having her last breaths. Her mother said “b stop crying” while these words may not seem like the have meaning they do. Her mother said because my grandmother cried a lot almost over anything. Her mother wanted her to be strong and look forward

Beatrice would always get in trouble with her brother. My grandmother always hung out with her siblings almost every day, it was there only form of entertainment. Fast forward my grandmother was hanging out with her siblings and the oldest sibling convinced Beatrice to do acrobats in the living room. Knowing that their grandmother would not approve of that they still did it. “B why” those two words have a lot of meaning behind it. The reason why is because b’s grandmother had a lot of trust in her and when they did that their relationship took a small turn.

My grandmother was always scolded by her grandmother. Beatrice Greene was a good child, but her brother would always get her into. Her mother wasn’t really that strict and was easy going about all of things. So, Beatrice’s grandmother started to make the decisions for the family. ‘Don’t make your mother cry” Beatrice’s mother would cry a lot so her grandmother would always discipline the kids. She said this because her and her siblings made their mother cry and her grandmother didn’t want to leave earth knowing they were like that.

The way my grandma lived

My grandmother is a loyal person, but not just any loyal she’s a special kind of loyal. My grandmother has helped me and my mother throughout my entire life. She helps me with my homework and when I was a baby, she would watch over me. My mother was struggling in life after a tragic event happened so my grandmother helped her out and took care of me.

”It’s too dangerous for girls”

The Journey Bill Daley life and involvement in politics throughout years and changing of politics.

By: Maeve Daley

It’s never easy being involved in politics there are many challenges and struggles you go through. My dad has always makes a good thing out of a bad situation and has a positive attitude towards things. When my dad sat down with me at the table, I could tell he was very prepared and had a lot of things to tell me. I knew he had good things to tell because of his emotion he had a smile on his face was sitting upright in his chair but also, I could see the serious emotion, I knew he had a lot of good information to share to me. It’s never easy being the daughter and granddaughter to many people who have ran in politics. But I always know that they are in it for the right reasons. My dad is a very positive person, and he lights up the room when he walks in, he loves to be with his family and to have a good time.

My dad Bill Daley is a public finance banker, and he and his family have been in politics for a long time. My dad grew up in a political family and he has seen many ways how politics have changed overtime. He has been involved in politics in the inside of it and the outside with working with many people.

Including working with Patrick Kennedy on his first campaign and had a job at the white house under President Clinton. My dad said, “Its hard politics have changed, as we know and seen. It has gotten a lot more personal than it ever was even 1015 years ago it wasn’t like it is today.”

The meaning of this was that the world has changed a lot in politics, and it keeps changing and is affecting people in many ways. He has experienced many things and he has really seen the change and that politics is still changing to this day.

My dad has always said that politics is very important and how as much possible you must try to not let the public get to your head, and there are many good and bad things said about people, but you must ignore them as

much as possible and focus on the good things. He has a lot of respect for people in politics and he always will. My dad has worked with many different political jobs, so he knows how it is and really gets to see what it’s like and people’s different perspective on things and all the appreciation people have for politics.

My dad respects everyone who was or is in politics, and he respects and appreciates what everyone does to help make places better. He and his family had always had an appreciation for political figures and people involved in politics. He sometimes is surrounded by politics and he can see that being in politics is hard and even if you don’t like a political figure you still need to have appreciation for what they do. My dad said, “It helped us have an appreciation for what elected officials do and importance of it and what their jobs where. My uncle and grandpa served so I think as a whole family we just had a real appreciation for what political figures do and all their different kinds of jobs.” I think the meaning of this is that respect is a big thing in politics and my dad, and his family got to learn that at a young age and are very respectful to others. Since he was raised democratic, there were people in his life that he knew were republican and he knew to respect them and their ideas because they are all in it for the same reason to help provide and take care of the city, state, country, etc. In all he and his family had an appreciation and respect political figures and what people, and their involvement does.

My dad’s importance in voting and good things about being in a political family.

Voting is very important to my dad and his family especially since there were people in his family who ran for a political position. Politics had not driven his family in their everyday conversations, but it was part of my

dad’s life and growing up. My dad has had many good experiences and there were always things that were not so good to, but my dad always wanted to look at the good things that has happened. My dad said, “when we turned 18 it was a big deal to vote and I think the family toke it very seriously but also never made it personal about anyone or any party. We were always good about thinking about issues and why we support things and ideas, and you need to treat people with respect, and everyone is entitled to their own point of view.” I think my dad had said this because voting and experiences he had really helped respect and put himself in other shoes with different ideas or beliefs they have. Also, my dad grew up having known a lot and it helped him and had more different experiences and opportunities that would make him think more of other points of view. He and his family knew the importance of politics at a young age and I think that made them better people in a way. My dad and his family were respectful and appreciative of what they had.

Altogether politics was and still is big part in my dad’s life, and he has had many good experiences that leads him to where he is today. He has learned many different things and always will respect and appreciate what elective officials do.

My dad has taught me that you should always respect people, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion and appreciate what people have done and do for us. You should always put yourself in other people’s shoes to see how they feel about a certain thing so you can multiple mindsets on an idea or thing. I appreciate everything my dad had done for me and my family and what he is continuing to do.

Karl D’Cunha: Moving to a Different Country By: Kris D’Cunha

“Life is too short for regrets.”

My dad is originally from Canada, and his life evolved when he came to America. So, to start, my dad was born in Toronto, Canada. He lived there during his childhood and for a good portion of his life. He was one of the smartest kids in his class from kindergarten all through college. He told me that as a kid, he never thought he would leave his home in Toronto, and especially not come to America.

The story begins when he was working for an accounting firm called Price Waterhouse. This was my dad’s first job in a firm, and he was doing a lot of projects in Chicago and New York. The firm needed him to move to one of the two cities because of the projects he did year-round. My dad chose Chicago because of two reasons, one of them being his job. There were a lot of projects in Chicago, and there were many opportunities for his career and life to take a new path. Another reason was because of the environment and culture of Chicago. Chicago and Toronto are two very similar cities, whether it’s the cold weather, the many tall buildings, and most importantly, the culture. My dad liked being in a city that was similar to Toronto and is why he chose to move to Chicago. Although he did not choose to move to New York, in the end it didn’t really matter, because he would travel to New York and Toronto almost every week. This is how my dad’s life changed.

Due to him moving to Chicago, many things changed in my dad’s life. His family that lives in Toronto. His childhood friends that lived in Toronto. Food, traditions, and a lot more things were different when he moved here in Chicago.

Although his family was a little sad to see him leave, they knew that Chicago would be a great opportunity for my dad. His friends on the other hand, were different. They were very surprised and shocked, since it was so out of the blue. It also made them sad, because my dad was best friends with people that he had known as a kid.

He was leaving childhood friends that he had known forever. I asked my dad if he regrets anything from moving to Chicago, and he responded with a powerful quote. “Life is too short for regrets” is what he said, and it was a special quote. It is important for my dad because of life choices he has made. This one in particular is a great example for the quote. Although life choices can have some down sides to it, often, there is always something to look up too. This quote says to never look back and doubt the choices you’ve made in the past, and instead just make the best out of what you have. You should live things to the fullest in the short lives we have.

The quote is also important for me in my upcoming life. It is a good quote to follow and think about as I make some of the most important decisions in my life, like choosing which high school I want to go to.

My Father’s Journey to America

Karl D’Cunha’s picture for his company Ankura Credit:Ankura.com

When my dad moved from Toronto, he was leaving his home. And not just his actual house, but his family, friends, city, and country to move to the states. It is never easy to leave the things you love, and that is why it was such a big and important decision my dad made in his life. Even as his parents waved goodbye to him, my dad and the people he loved knew that this was a good choice. And it did end up being a good choice for his career with new opportunities and adventures.

When I asked him what he considers home, he said something inspiring that I thought was important to take note of. He said, “Home is where your heart is.” The quote significantly highlights my dad leaving his city to a new country and making it his home. But even though he resided in Chicago, he still considers Canada as his childhood and current home. His heart was in both Chicago and Toronto, which was why he will never think that Toronto isn’t his home.

The quote means that whatever path you take and whatever choices you make, you always decide home, and that’s where your heart is. However far you go, you will always have a home, that you belong to and that you love. This quote is significant to me because of my journey and whatever I do in life. No matter what, I will always have a home in whatever I believe, and I should never forget that.

My dad left behind many things he loved. Like I said he left family, friends, cousins, his city, and country. But when leaving, he knew what he was doing when moving to Chicago. He knew that not before long, soon he would love Chicago and many more things it has to offer. He knew that in the near future, he would meet people that he loves just like in Toronto. And he told me what gave him faith throughout the journey, and it was a quote. He said, “Love never leaves your side.”

The quote means that someone will always be there to love you, whether they’re 900 miles away, or right beside you your whole entire life. It was so significant to my dad because it kept his head up and his hopes high, and he knew a lot of people loved at home in Toronto. And he knew that soon he would meet someone that he loved.

And that person was my mom. So, this quote is significant to me because I too will look at this quote in sad or worrisome times. Wherever my journey in life leads too, I will make sure never to forget that people love me and have faith in me, so I should have faith as well.

My dad figured out many things in his process of moving to Chicago. He learned to not regret life choices, to keep your home where your heart is, and that love never leaves your side in your darkest side. I appreciate how he went through all these difficulties when moving and making the big choice to come to Chicago. He was so brave for making a decision like this, and he was confident the whole time. I know see why moving is such a big step in life, with many obstacles to overcome, whether your moving ten miles away or thousands of miles away. If you ever have to make a difficult choice throughout your life, look back to these quotes. Remember that the choices in life do not always end well , but keeping your head up is most important.

Karl D’Cunha in an interview on live TV Credit: youtube.com

Karl D’Cunha’s showcase at Madison Street Capital Credit: newmediawire.com

Carrie Egan is walking into room 213, getting ready to start her day. As always, she is wearing a mask. She sits down at her desk, and she is frustrated. She is trying to connect with a student on MS teams, but he isn’t answering. She calls him once, no answer. She calls him twice, no answer again. She calls him the third time, and still no answer. She is upset. My mom, as the learning specialist for 7th grade, needs to talk to some students before and after school.

This job has many challenges, but the most important challenge, is how deal with COVID, while also doing you job well.

Thirteen years ago, before my mom started to work at FXW, she worked at a very poor high school. My mom worked at Blum Highschool. This was not a good school. It was at the very south part of the Chicago area and it had a lot of violence in it. The students would bring weapons inside to protect themselves from opposite gangs.

My Mom, getting ready for school.

Teaching During a Pandemic How my mom deals with teaching in this new strange way of learning during COVID 19.

“The school I used to work in was very poor and didn’t have a lot of resources,” She says.

This can teach us that we are very lucky that we can afford surfaces or iPads and other fancy things. We are also very lucky that we don’t have to go to school hungry and must worry about getting hurt every time you go outside of the house. We live in nice houses and have luxurious things that some people don’t have. We have phones, and TVs, and always enough food. We have all these things that other people don’t have, and we should feel lucky about it. This is a big issue for the poor schools during a pandemic. Because they are very poor, they might have a hard time getting connected with students on zoom, because of the lack of internet access they might have. We, on the other hand, are very lucky because we have the access to great internet at home and at school. This makes our learning from home ten times easier than some of the poor school. So we should be grateful for that.

Going back to work, especially now, has some risks involved. Obviously, we must worry about getting COVID when we go to school, but its not too big of a risk.

“I wanted to believe it would be ok, but I also wasn’t naive. This is a global pandemic that has affected millions of people and I also can’t discount that.”

For my mom, going back to school is very risky. No one wants to get it and be sick.

This is saying that you can be an optimist, but don’t let that get in the way of reality.

My mom feels cautiously optimistic about all of this, like she should, but she still wants to be extra careful. She wears a mask and doesn’t go inside restaurants. Just like what everyone should be doing. Because the pandemic is just going to keep getting worse if we don’t wear a mask. She also tries to always stay 6 feet away from people. As much as she can. She tries to almost never go inside. Inside of school, she does the exact same things that she does outside. Jus she has to b even more careful because she is in a school. She follows all of these precautions to protect herself and others from the pandemic. Just like what everyone should do.

This pandemic has made people, like my mom, more appreciative of what we had. We tend to take the things that we can do for granted. We don’t realize that all the things that we have are privileges. All the places we could normally go that seemed normal, now seem like a super cool thing to do because we haven’t done it in a while.

“It makes us appreciate the way it was”, She says. These things make us appreciate when we could go to the movie theater. Or go out in public without a mask. It makes us appreciate the things that we did when there wasn’t a global pandemic.

We also take things for granted in school too. We tend to find school boring and not fun. I am one of those people. But when we aren’t in school for a while, we tend to miss it. We take for granted the fact that we can be with people. And that we can sit close to people. There are a bunch of little things,

inside and outside of school, that we take for granted and we have to be more thankful for.

Its like if you have a nice thing like a car.

You really like this car, but you don’t appreciate the car. Then one day the car breaks down, and you have no car. You not having a car will make you miss the car and appreciate what it was like when you had the car. Going to the movie theater is like the car. And the pandemic is like the thing that broke the car. You enjoy going to the movie theater, but you don’t appreciate it. The pandemic has made us appreciate the movie theater, like the broken car has made us appreciate the non-broken car.

Because my mom is working during COVID times, she is trying to be optimistic about it, and is appreciating the way it was before COVID. She knows that we are very lucky for what we have, even if it sometimes seems really annoying. Like in the mornings, when she is calling her students.

It might be annoying that the student isn’t responding, but it makes us appreciate that we even have the access to call the student.

It is the little things that we have to be grateful for. It is the little things that used to be annoying, that we have to be grateful for.

We must appreciate all the little things that we have in our world, because there just might be another bug thing like a pandemic that will shut it all down.

Allecia Harley during a long day of work

Day in a life of a Covid hero

Daniel Harley Ela 8-1 Investigative Journalism November 11, 2020 Allecia Harley On Corona Virus The room was very cold the fan was on to keep it that way I don’t know why she kept it like that, I was appositely freezing I sat on her bead as shivers went down my spine. We had a very nice conversation where she told me a lot about are current Corona Virus pandemic.

I believe that we should unite as a country because if we don’t are country may fall apart, this quote is from Allecia Harley who is an epidemiologist who runs her own business called Lake Shore Strategy run in her home office. “Once a country unites, we shall succeed.” I think that what this means is that if we don’t come together as a country, we might never recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

We should be prepared to stay inside for a little longer for a little wait because “Drugs are going to pause or stop some drugs are already been on the market and now they are just being tested to see if they work.” What I think she meant by this was that you shouldn’t go outside thinking that if you catch it that they will have a cure or a vaccine by the time you get tested you will be able to be cured in a seconded or that you it will barely affect you.

We should also be worried about other countries coming in to take over are countries coronavirus plan. “others may come in and control the situation” this is a serious problem as other countries start to gain control over their pandemics, they might see us as weak and try to take over. Which means that other countries could try and take us over.

In conclusion we should follow the advice of Allecia because she shows many things that could possibly happen if we don’t have a comprehensive plan to tackle are coronavirus plan it could be disastrous.

Gregory: An Extraordinary Tale of Strength By: Tyler Dixon

Gregory has always been a little pessimistic about things, he finally returned back home to his family. What is powerful about this is however he did have a reason to feel this way now. After Greg was that Gregory was at his weakest point I’ve ever seen him physically, but injured, he always got on Houseparty to talk to my friends and I to talk strongest I’ve seen him in every other way. He moved forward no matter about how he was feeling, what he was doing, and when he was getting what came his way day by day. I was honestly very proud of him for being physically, mentally, emotionally, even skillfully. I was taught that out of the hospital.

He would often joke with us calling himself “The so strong through such a hard time, and I hope he never has to go through everyone had strength, regardless of how they showed it. However, my friend Greg challenged that belief when I first met him. It weirded me out Cripple Man” to lighten the often dim, and emotionless conversations we this again.

Greg’s experience with his hip and kidney infections, but it at first because he showed little emotion in conversations, small bizarre had. On one of the calls we had, Greg told us about his experiences at the wasn’t all bad. His story inspired my friends and I to stay strong through interests and skills, and very low physical strength. Somehow after all of hospital. Greg’s doctors had to put screws and a plate in his body this, my respect for his strength grew tenfold, as he went through one of permanently, but they caught an infection, so they had to take them out hardships from failing a test, to breaking a bone. This incident brought my again to clean and replace them. His condition was getting worse by the friends together to bring one up. When I first got the project, I knew that I the toughest obstacles in his life so far. days went on. When I interviewed him on the topic, you could hear the wanted to interview Greg for his story because I recognized the hidden My friend Gregory had recently gotten into longboarding (Skateboarding with longer board). Everyday, he would go out a practice a pain and frustration he was powering though. He told me “It seemed like story of a boy coming into his own person. It felt like it would be a perfect learning experience for anyone going through similar hardships as Greg. little around his neighborhood. However, one fateful day it changed. He every time the doctors fixed one problem, they created another in the process.” This quote is significant as it shows his frustration with the This experience showed me not only Greg’s true strength, but my friend was practicing with his father and sister in the alley when he ran over a perpetual problems he was dealing with.

I felt it was admirable how he groups bond as we got together everyday to make a difference in our rock and flew on to his side. At first, Greg’s father and sister saw it as a sprain and told him to shrug it off. Little did they know, it was way more started to develop from the pain he felt, and still didn’t let this hinderance friend’s life. The main take away is that you should persist through your get the best of him. His ability to persist through the rest of his 2-month problems no matter how difficult it may be. You should also surround than just a sprain. You see, Greg had broken his femur which is the yourself with people who will brig you up so you have an even easier time strongest bone in the body. He was rushed through to the hospital which period of healing was truly a sight to see.

The final weeks of his healing process were looking to be the to heal. started his long, grueling recovery. I interviewed him about this earlier in toughest yet.

Greg’s infection had spreading to his kidney, his hip was October where he described the situation as “Tiring” and “Wanting to get over with.” This suggests that he was very annoyed with this situation and still in pain, and he started to sound more and more dreary every day. As didn’t want to ever deal with this again. When Greg stated this, it finally Greg explained it in the interview, “The next week, everything went opened my eyes to the stronger side of him as a person. It also showed his downhill, as I had fevers and was shivering uncontrollably.” My friends amazing willpower as he powered through the pain for 2 months straight. and I all got more and more worried as the days went on, as our friend seemed to get worse every time we spoke. Thankfully, he came back It was very cool to know that he could tank such a grueling injury, an better than ever and ready to walk again! I was so excited for my friend, as write it off as a minor annoyance.

Strength is shown in many unorthodox ways whether it’s

The broken bone on the left is the femur (Strongest bone in the human body). This is what Greg broke in the accident.

This is Greg, as you can see, he is still recovering and using crutches.

Dreams are Never too Big Discovering possibilities and following your dreams By: Milanya FayCurry

Yasmeena is an astounding student. As a student at Northwestern, she doesn’t take the opportunity for granted.

She’s always known what she wanted to pursue. As a kid she’d create small businesses and sell things to her friends.

When she was researching colleges, she found out that Northwestern not only had a strong medical program, but a very successful economics program. Yasmeena has two sisters, both younger. The youngest is named Yara, she is in 4th grade at the Holy Name Cathedral campus of the Frances Xavier Warde school. The other sister is named Zeyna, she goes to NYU in New York.

Being able to do what makes you happy is very important.

Yasmeena finished off her first year of college as a computer science major. The year after, she transferred to an economics class, which she wanted to take initially. She advocates for herself and what she wants but finds it harder to study and ask questions during the pandemic and learning at home. She stated, “If you

know what makes you happy, keep doing that and only that, and become the best in that.”

This quote is very influential. It’s influential because it tells us how working toward your dreams can bring you to opportunities you never knew existed. It’s also saying not to let others tell you what’ll make you happy, because you know yourself better than anyone else.

Yasmeena has known what she wanted to do since she was younger. "I've always loved working with money. As a kid I'd start small businesses and sell things to my friends. I knew it would be something I wanted to do when I grew up." she claimed (as I stated earlier). She knew from the beginning she wanted to work with money, and she worked hard to get where she is now.

Currently, she is managing an app she created called Unfound where people send her different places around the world to visit and get away. She said, "You know yourself best and you know what makes you happy. Even if you

don't, one day it'll just click, and you'll figure it out." This is powerful because it's saying that you are going to have to try different things to find what you want to do and what sparks your interest. Also, it might take time for you to find out what you want to do.

For example, before Yasmeena started her economic studies she was taking computer science.

She said it was interesting, but figured it wasn't something she would want to pursue in the long run. It seems that making yourself happy is a common theme, maybe others told her she would be better off studying other subjects.

Yasmeena tries to apply everything she learns in her economics classes to her personal life. This is a good skill to acquire in the because when you apply your professional life values to your personal life, it can inspire you to think outside the box. She pointed out, "Everything I learn is, 'How can I use this in my personal life?'"

I believe this is very important because when you apply your

professional values to your everyday life you can get an insight on how to do things differently.

Yasmeena is a very positive person, so maybe it you can help think in a more positive manner. Or maybe you can learn to put yourself in others shoes.

According to Yasmeena, she wants to work in economics because she wants to help people.

When you work with people, you learn more about them and their personal life. You can take what you learned and think what that person may need to improve their life.

Always work hard and learn to appreciate the opportunities that may come in your path. When you get the opportunity to work your dream job, you're going to work hard. Start strong finish strong and always be the best version of yourself.

Working with Yasmeena, I got an insight on her mindset and the way she does things. What I mean by this is that she is very positive and does what will make her happy and what'll make her successful in the future.

Everyone starts

somewhere. For example, take Ruth Bader Ginsburg (R.B.G).

In 1993, R.B.G was nominated by Bill Clinton to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She stood mostly for equality and women's right and won awards.

For example, in October of 2019 Ruth won the million-dollar Berggruen Prize, which was an award annually given to someone who has a strong understanding of America's issues and ways we need to advance.

As a nation, we have learned to appreciate those who have paved the way to our modern society. R.B.G concludes, “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

Don’t let others tell you what’ll make you happy, because you know yourself better than anyone else.

Untold Stories My Grandpa’s Experience In World War II

By Will Friedewald There are some untold stories that world war II that some articles did not mention about these stories. I interview my grandpa, but I call him Gramps. Gramps was born the year World War II started, so he was just a kid when the war was going on. He was not involved with the war, but he has some experience and told some stories I never knew. Even my dad had never heard some of this! One of the things he talked about were the cereal boxes. Another thing he talked about was rationing on fuel. Lastly, he talked about how the war ended and his experience celebrating. He told me many stories that I had never heard before, and I learned a lot from Gramps.

It seemed like all Americans were talking about the war and it did not just affect the soldiers, but it also affected citizens. During this time when my grandpa was a kid, there were cereal boxes with pictures of the war planes on them so kids could recognize enemy planes. That means even the companies who make cereal boxes were focused on the war as well. There were toys that you could get from every single toy store with planes and tanks. My grandpa revealed, “There was a focus on war in everything we did.” The first quote showed how the war was important for their daily lives in America. It means how important it was for everyone, not just soldiers, but citizens. I think they were supporting the troops a lot because World War II was a really big war—multiple countries were involved. Everyone was part of the war efforts.

Could you imagine that you could use very small fuel

for your cars during the war? This is what people had to do with fuel in world war II--rationing. The reason why there is rationing is because most people were supporting the war to end, because World War II was one of the biggest wars that this entire country, this entire world, has ever had. So many countries were involved. People had to use sugar and fuel less so the soldiers could get those Materials. People gave up some of the less essential metal they would use. How they do it is they would remelt the metal and then the army could use it again for something else. My grandpa said “They got together, the men in the neighborhood went into New York City. They would drive in and had to go together, so they would use less gas.” This shows that they were rationing gas because they had less of it. The people had to take only one car so they could save fuel and send it to the troops in the war. They chose to carpool because without their efforts the Allied powers may not have won. The support and rationing helped the troops move their tanks and planes, allowing them to win battles.

When I interviewed my grandpa, I learned a lot about his experience during World War II. I ascertained that cereal boxes had pictures of tanks and planes on them. They had these pictures on them because the war was a part of everyday life. It did not just affect the soldiers; it affected the citizens. It was a way to support the troops. Additionally, I discovered there was rationing on fuel and metal. This was supporting the troops because people were using less of it so troops could have more. I also realized that when the war ended people celebrated by banging pots and pans and honking car horns. They were celebrating on the main streets because they were excited the war was over. Americans had a sense of pride when they defeated the Germans. The brutal dark time was finally closed. I was impressed how he remember a lot of the war.

When, the war ended people were celebrating in the streets and Times Square. Americans were celebrating because World War II was brutal. There was rationing, many deaths, and families were split up, but soldiers that survived would come home. When the war ended people ran out to the streets banging pots and pans. People were honking their car horns. My grandpa said, “There was a sense of us all coming together.” It shows that everyone was coming together to celebrate that the end of the war. There was pride that America and the Allied Powers survived and beat Germany.

This is my grandpa

On a hot summer day in Miami, Florida, my father and mother’s flight had just landed in the Miami International Airport ( MIA ). As they were in the taxi on their way to their hotel, they saw so many cafes with the Cuban cuisine. As my parents were tasting the flavorful foods, my father realized how much that was missing from his hometown. The whole rest of the trip they would dine at the same Cuban restaurant right next to their hotel because of how many different flavors there were. My father took notes the whole trip on the flavors, style, music, etc. My father was so shocked that he had never experienced this type of cuisine. My father is Lebanese, but he immediately fell in love with the Latin-American Culture.

Philip Ghantous cooking in the kitchen of his first café in 2008.

Philip Ghantous’ Journey to Cafecito.

My father got inspired to open a business when he visited Miami with my mother. Visiting Miami truly gave him the influence of the Latin culture, which furthermore made him want to bring that into his hometown/city. “I had a passion for the Latin American lifestyle especially Cuban and it didn’t exist in downtown Chicago, so I wanted to bring it to teach the community about something that’s different, that’s Latin, rather than only Mexican or Italian in downtown.”, said my father.

After that goal of his got stuck in my father’s head, he talked with my mother and they opened a business in the year of 2008. It is now the year of 2020 and our family owns 4 businesses/cafes; they are known as Cafecito with the #1 Cuban Sandwich in Chicago, Illinois. My older brother, Michael, was around 1 years-old at the time, therefore, it was an immense struggle to take care of him and still manage to start growing the business.

In the beginning it was an immense

struggle, but they persevered through it.

My father has always believed that in giving, you always somehow receive.

But my father is also the kind of person that doesn’t care if he receives, just if he is always somehow giving. My father has always been the very chatty and talkative parent. For example, at restaurants when we’re leaving, he always says thank you and then talks to them for about forty-five minutes to an hour. Even though it can be exhausting waiting and waiting for him to finish, it always ends up worthwhile. “I try to put myself in situations that make my life easier.”, my father said. I remember this one part of the interview when my father was saying how he can easily ask the restaurant across the street from him for a simple tomato and it’s not a big deal whatsoever. They are both in the same industry and know the struggles, which makes it so helpful. In addition to that, my dad said “You need three elements in life to be okay. You need your family, you need food, and you need music. With those three elements, you’ll always be okay.”

Of course for my father, he really wanted to succeed in the element of food for his businesses.

My father wanted to make sure the businesses had an unforgettable taste and great service, which would make the customers want to come back. “My goal was for people to come in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”, my father said. The businesses started off with just having a lunch/dinner menu.

Just this year my father decided to create a brunch menu. It has food such as pancakes, breakfast platters,

omelets, and parfaits. There are many people that come in for all three meals of the day and because of the many multiple options, they never get tired of it. Two out of our four businesses are restaurants. The first two businesses are cafes; which means you order at the cash register and grab the food yourself, of course there’s an area to sit and dine, but you can’t relax as a much as a restaurant. The other businesses are cafes/restaurants which have an open bar. From the amazing flavors to the well managed service, my father really reached his goal with people feeling the urge to eat at Cafecito for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In conclusion, my father is one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met.

I really appreciate that he makes sure I can carry on the trait of being that in present time and into my future self.

Some new thinking’s that I have are to really work hard to maintain the best life for yourself and your family. Also, to really think about which directions there are towards chasing your goals and which is a good direction to take depending on the time and place you are in. Something to think about is to never not have faith in yourself, my father didn’t think he could open one business and he ended up opening 4 and more to come. My father also didn’t even have that in mind in the beginning, he wanted to be an actor. He is still an actor but as he was saying in the interview, he is proud of what he is doing with his life. Which doesn’t seem inspiring, but whatever place you are in life, you must always realize what direction to take and the reason behind it. Why? Because you may never know what could’ve happened in the other direction.

By: Sofia Ghantous

On a chilly day in October Debashis settles down into his armchair, letting out a soft sigh as he recollects the numerous days of toil that he endured during his difficult transition from India to the US. Born in the bustling city of Kolkata located in the province of West Bengal in India, my dad, Debashis Ghosh, had grown up as an only child. He was brought up in a spacious house where his needs were constantly being taken care of by his parents and other people in his life. Debashis never had to worry about anything – his only job was to focus on his academics. All that changed 32 years ago, when he made the decision of leaving everything that he knew and loved in pursuit of a PhD. When all the odds seemed to be against him, Debashis persisted and managed to build a life for himself in the United States of America.

Debashis soon after he was sworn in by a judge as a US citizen.

Debashis Ghosh: A Journey to Success Debashis did not become successful overnight - it took a lot for him to get there, starting with traveling to a new country.

By Rimona Ghosh

Coming to America was a big change in Debashis’s life, in many ways. On August 22nd, 1988, he deboarded his flight to Houston, Texas, and headed to Rice University, where he hoped to earn his PhD – this was the beginning of his journey to success in the US. But it didn’t start that way. Every day he wondered how he would stay afloat financially and learn how to make it on his own since he had no one to rely on for support. It was like trying to bail water out of a sinking boat – he kept chucking out pails of water over the side, hoping to do it fast enough that the boat didn’t sink. At the same time, Debashis also had to focus on staying on top of his studies - he only had 15 years of education as opposed to the 16 everyone else had.

Does that sound tough? Welcome to the life of Debashis as he transitioned into adulthood.

View of the main quadrangle at Rice University.

He had gone from living at home, surrounded by family and friends, to having to fend for himself. In his own words, “This was the first time I had lived away from my family for an extended period of time. I pretty much had to learn how to do everything from scratch.” This is significant because it shows that

Debashis’s life and responsibilities underwent a dramatic change. In India, he was used to homecooked meals, and most of his basic chores had been taken care of.

He didn’t even know how to cook or maintain his household. In America, a place where he had no one to lean on, skills like those were essential to survival.

There were many glitches along the way, like the time he almost set the whole kitchen on fire – with a column of black smoke billowing out into the backyard.

“This was the first time I had lived away from my family for an extended period of time. I pretty much had to learn how to do everything from scratch.”

There were many things Debashis needed to learn and adapt to in order to become “American”. Kids that grew up in India at that time did not really get taught how to be self-sufficient. Every decision Debashis took had consequences that his family could not rescue him from after the fact.

For example, he had to make ends meet every month – if he ever went into debt, there was no one to bail him out. It was like being thrown into the ocean in order to learn how to swim.

Recollecting, he said, “First, I had to get used to covering all of my expenses on less than $1000 dollars a month…[then] there was the fact that I had to learn to cook, clean shop and take care of every aspect of my life.” This suggests that Debashis’s first year in the US was especially difficult since he to learn how to do everything on his own with no one to turn to for support.

Given the fact that he was a young man, that was not an easy thing to do…for that matter, it would be difficult to do regardless of his age. Plus, he was homesick, incurring large phone bills that cut into his meager funds. However, Debashis did not let that bog him down.

He worked on his studies diligently and cautiously spent his money. He also made sure to make room in his schedule for relaxation and fun – he read books, explored the city, played soccer and

started following the Houston Rockets!

As his time in the US went on, Debashis became aware of some differences between the ways of life in the two countries. The changes were positive in many cases – for example, Debashis found that bureaucratic tasks ultimately involved fewer steps, and yielded quicker results, than in India. He had spent seven or eight trips between the office of the Reserve Bank of India and his personal bank to get a small amount of US dollars released prior to his journey here. Now, a financial transaction was easy.

This seemed like a microcosm of how the whole country, including the political system, operated here. He mused, “India and the US are the world’s two largest democracies…[but] I felt a difference.

Although they didn’t know me directly, I felt that the politicians in the US were actually concerned about me – this was not the case in India.” This makes me think that in India, there were many corrupt politicians that kept winning fresh terms without doing much for their constituents.

On the other hand, politicians in the US, while serving their own interest, also seem to be motivated by the desire to serve the public. This evoked a sense of “belonging” in Debashis as an average US citizen.

When the time came to decide whether to stay in US, his decision to stay back permanently was strongly influenced by this realization. As an immigrant, a level playing field was his ultimate dream and he thought he had as much of a chance of “scoring a touchdown” as a star wide receiver or running back.

Although he faced much hardship along the way, Debashis was determined to make a life for himself within America, a place where everyone had a shot at success through hard work and perseverance. His positive mentality, despite the many challenges he faced, carried him through the journey. It serves as a lesson to all – a lesson not to give up on your dreams when the situation becomes tough, and that things can always become better with hard work and a positive attitude. As Debashis put it, “When things get really tight, you got to keep your head your down and keep putting one foot in front of the other.” In a land of opportunity like America, remaining motivated will take you to the top.

Life at Sea A navy veterans time aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt

I looked at my phone as I hit call. While I had everything in place, my questions, and the voice recording app open, I was still nervous. As the phone rang, I adjusted myself so I can seem as alert as possible. Just then my grandpa picks up the phone and his kind eyes and excited face appeared on the screen. Dan Walters, my grandpa, served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from June 1971 to August 1974. He is a navy veteran and went through a lot to serve this country. On the Roosevelt, life was very different, and some things weren’t quite the same, but still, he worked and lived like many do on land. Like many veterans & active soldiers, my grandpa is more than someone who served in this country.

My grandpa lived very differently while on the Roosevelt.

The sailors would sleep in rooms 15 feet wide by 20 feet long, and the bunks they slept in were three high.

My grandpa said, “We slept all different hours of the day because on a ship when it’s at sea, everybody, the ship works 24 hours a day…...some of the sailors are sleeping and some of them are working.” On the Roosevelt, living and working on a ship is much different than what we are used to.

Imagine a room the size of a small classroom, and now try to make it so that 20-30 sailors can all sleep in there, it would get crowded right?

Since his sleeping quarters were so small, and all the sailors had different schedules, I believe that living on the Roosevelt would take some getting used to.

My grandpa missed a lot of things during his time on the Roosevelt. My grandpa is the father of two daughters, Tonya Walters (my aunt) and Keth Goodman (my mom).

He stated, Dan Walters (far right) with his wife Barb Walters (middle right), his best friend from his Roosevelt days Ron Despins (far left), and Katy Despins (middle left). This picture was taken during a reunion off all three sister ships in 2019.

“I missed Tonya being born…... I did not get to see your Aunt Tonya until she was five months old……Your mother [Keth], two days before she was born, I was at sea.”

Just think, you can’t meet your first daughter until she is five months old that would upset you, wouldn’t it? In the two days leading up to my mom’s birth, my grandpa got a message that my grandma was having problems. He was told that doctors recommended that he be there. So, my grandpa got into one of the planes and was “slingshotted” off the carrier deck and made it to my mom’s birth. Along with those my grandpa would also miss some more minor events like missing birthdays, anniversaries, 1 Christmas, and all other major holidays. Though missing all these events is awful my grandpa has more than made up for that lost time. Most people don’t see how many active soldiers and veterans have missed big things like this while deployed overseas or at sea.

During the time, my grandpa was a part of the ship’s company the Roosevelt was equipped for any medical need. During his time on the ship, my grandpa needed to get stitches at the back of his head. Also, many other sailors needed medical attention while on the Roosevelt. He revealed, “We had a full medical staff, and a mini hospital and a full dental office.”

Any medical need could be catered to on the Roosevelt, from stitches to surgeries, and from tooth cleaning to extractions. When my grandpa needed stitches on the back of his head he was leaning back on a chair and crashed into a wall. He had cracked his head open and needed medical attention, so he was brought to the mini hospital they had on the ship. Some insight I have acquired is, the reason this ship had these medical components is that the ship had to become everything for these sailors. This gave the aircraft carrier an essence of normal life.

During his time on the Roosevelt, my grandpa worked in the radio room. He worked on teletype machines to send and receive messages. He exclaimed, “Main-com [radio room], which stands for main communications, was the compartment and area of the ship where all outside communication came into us.”

Along with having outside communications coming in, the

sailors would also be sending messages out. The teletype machines used radio waves to send messages to other ships, land, and even the pentagon. My grandpa and his fellow workers would then take the message and route it to the part of the ship it was directed to. Doing this would be like a chef in a restaurant with different orders always coming in and out, that sounds like it would be stressful at times right? I have come to think that the stress this job induces with would only be in affect in the beginning of working in the radio room. Eventually, I believe, my grandpa would have found a rhythm to help him work. Though this job might have been difficult sometimes, I believe that my grandpa really did enjoy doing it.

My grandpa did a lot during his time on the Roosevelt, and thought many aspects are like what we are used to some things are very different. I love my grandpa very much and appreciate everything he has done for me, from never steering me wrong to always being available for me. During my time writing this article I have learned that veterans, such as my grandpa, deserve more than a perfunctory ‘thank you for your service’ and one day out of 365 days. Next time I see an active soldier, or a veteran, I will try to look deeper than someone who serves our country. I have learned that veterans and active soldiers have had to adapt to a new normal and, miss big moments in their lives to make our lives safer and more comfortable.

Remember, veterans and active soldiers put aside and miss a lot to serve this country.

By: Sasha Goodman

Getting The Wheel Going

What is this photo you may ask; well this is a photo of Marilynn Kelly Gardner in front of the Centennial Wheel representing Navy Pier in Summer 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

My mom loves her job, and never imagined she would ever have it. We both walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, both excited and ready for me to interview her. I started recording and introduced her to everyone that will watch the interview, “This is my mom, she is president and CEO of Navy Pier.” My mom loves her job, and is great at it, I am very thankful for her, she has had to make many choices to keep the Pier and its shops alive.

During the pandemic my mom has had to work super hard to find ways the Pier could be opened. In the interview one of the things she said was, “We are trying to dream big.” Gardner. They were planning for the future before Covid-19 hit, but they kept working, and thinking more of what they could do the Pier fully reopens. This quote is significant because it can teach, and tell a lot of good things, one of those things could be to follow your dreams, just like the Pier is.

This quote also suggests that they are working hard to follow their dreams for the Pier, which makes me think that everyone should work hard, to make the best out of the pandemic, and follow their dreams.

My mom is great at what she does and has a great work ethic. Over the years she kept getting promoted, without ever applying for a bigger job. A quote that links to this evidence that she said was, “I just

Photo of Marilynn Kelly Gardner

kept getting asked to do more at the Pier.”

Gardner. She has been promoted to the top job after many promotions over the 26 years of working there, she started working at the Pier on Halloween day. She worked so hard and keeps working hard to this day.

My mom inspires me to work hard.

She didn’t think that she would get this far at the Pier, but she worked super hard, and it payed off. The quote I chose was, “Never have I imagined I would have a job like this.”

Gardner. When she started working at the Pier, she was an assistant director of public relations. She worked as hard as she could, and then got the biggest job at the Pier, (President and CEO) and never expected to be asked to do it. This inspired me to work hard and try my best at many things.

In conclusion my mom loves what she does, and she is great at it too, she works as hard as she can, and it pays off in the end. The

Pier has been held back by the pandemic but in the end, she inspires me to work hard and follow my dreams. I think everyone should take these quotes and implement them into their everyday lives.

By: Patrick Gardner

sister’s dad not mine. They fell in love I think I’ve learned so much about thinking it would last forever but everything good does have to come to an end. He was my mom that I thought I would never figure out about my mom that I would’ve never later murder on a work trip leaving my figured out if I had never does this project.

A TEXT ABOUT THE STRUGGLES MY heartbroken mom by herself to raise my MOM HAS FACED THROUGH HER LIFE sister without a job. She told me that this is She is such a strong woman that has been TIMES when she felt so loss and could never think through so much in her life. She came to BY: ELLA GROVER she would be the same. My sister only being America knowing little to no English at only 6 at the time didn’t know what was going on the age of 18. The world was so different but she did know that she missed her Pappa. back then compared to how it would be now. I appreciate having her as my mother Imagine coming to America at 18 knowing My mom thought of going back home to and would never trade her for the world little to no English. Well for my mom she Norway with my big sister, Kaisa and doesn’t have to imagine. When she first got forgetting everything so she could have her because she does everything she can to help me. I would of never thought moving to of her plane to America she was in shock mom help raise her but she stayed strong because she had never seen an airport this and didn’t let herself break down. “ When America would be so difficult until I heard all of her stories. It made me respect her so big. Growing up in Norway was so much the cops broke me the news my heart different than any America childhood. She dropped,. “Everything I loved was gone”. much more than I already did which she could ski back and forth to school in the This quote breaks my heart. It shows that deserves. winters and leave the house with the door she went through and she is still strong wide open in the summer. Everything was today which is amazing. so peaceful.

About 4 years later trying to get her Once she moved it seemed like all mind of her husbands passing she went out the peace was gone. Even though everything with her friends to a bar called Gibson’s. was so different my mom enjoyed a new That is where she met my dad. They starting setting. She had never seen such big off as friends but gradually fell for each buildings or this many people all of different other. They had me but never got married. races and religions. She loved it. But, of They are still together though. He helped my course she couldn’t just come here with no mom at her worse and brought her down at plan so she stayed with her aunt and uncle to her best. Nothing is perfect and for them its work for their company. Well it wasn’t ideal no where near perfect but they still love for her to stay with them for so long she got each other. He does his best to be here but to travel even more throughout America. has missed some pretty important times in From bars in New York, to beaches in me and my sister’s life like my science fair Miami she loved it all. Of course she still that I had been working on for 3 months and missed her family very much and she missedmy sisters championship soccer game. But I the quietness of her small hometown. “ I do know that if he could be there he would very much did miss my family but I knew if in a heartbeat. Fast forward to now. I am 13 I went back I would miss the best things of and my sister is 19. We both came out pretty my future”. I really enjoy this quote because okay in life. My sister has modeling ages it could mean so many things about so many getting thrown at her and I’m still in 8th people. It really shows how determined she grade. It’s not nearly as excited but I know was to keep to the plan she had to be one day I’ll be as successful as my sister in successful. something I enjoy. “My kids are so different Not thinking anything of it she came and that is what makes them so special”. across this man. She made eye contact with This quote makes me smile because it shows him not knowing she would end up that she really does love me and is proud of marrying him. This of course was my me. She would support me no matter what.

ALL ABOUT MOM

My mom at around the age 5

“ I VERY MUCH DID MISS MY FAMILY BUT I KNEW IF I WENT BACK I WOULD MISS THE BEST THINGS OF MY FUTURE”

My mom skiing in in Norway

Ed Kittrell, my grandpa, sat at his desk 15 years ago with an idea. Pencil and paper in front of him, computer open for research, but he wasn’t sure where to start. With 1 book completed with my dad, Jim Kittrell, and years of journalism experience, Ed was eager to begin. He drafted a list of things he needed to do before he could even start writing. As a newspaper reporter in Chicago, Ed knew he needed the full story before he could begin writing. This meant tracking down and interviewing families and finding books and other firsthand resources about his topic. He knew he had a long way to go before this was real, but he was now ready to get started.

My grandpa’s book, Solo into the Rising Sun, was published in May of this year, after 15 years of research, interviewing, drafting and publishing. It started as an idea to learn more about his father, my great grandfather, and his role as a pilot in WWII. According to Ed, “Many of the men who came home wanted to close that door and move on with life, including my father”. This explains the spark for my grandpa’s inspiration to write this book, which was to “open the door” again after these men, specifically his father, had it shut for years. Ed let his research and work guide him to create a well-rounded story, about people his father knew and even their families.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ed about the whole process of writing this book, from the very first idea all the way to the finished product. I learned about how, although it took time and hard work, Ed turned a small idea in the back of his head into a reality.

Ed Kittrell from https://www.amazon.com/Ed-Kittrell/e/B08BNNHVZQ?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

The Hidden Truth Behind Solo into the Rising Sun How Ed Kittrell researched men in war and their loved ones, and how his idea for this story turned into a reality.

Back to the beginning, Ed had the idea to write a book about the people in WWII. Now the question was how to turn this idea into a real, published story. There were difficult and easy parts, some not as enjoyable and others more interesting, specifically the research.

When asked what his favorite part about writing to book was, my grandpa says, “Meeting these people and letting them talk about it and [their family members] in their own way and trying to make something out of that”. This is significant because immediately after they came back, many of these people weren’t ready to talk about their experiences in the war yet or weren’t given the option to. My grandpa writing this book gave others the opportunity to tell their or one of their family members stories.

Their voices were heard, and he got to learn more about his father. Without interviewing these people, I wouldn’t know as much about my great grandfather as I do or about all the good things, he and his friends from the war did for our country.

One man my grandpa interviewed who stood out to him was Daniel Moore. Dan

“Many of the men who came home wanted to close that door and move on with life, including my father”. was a pilot with my great grandfather in WWII. He risked his navy career to explain the problems within the unit.

Some people in the squadron didn’t have a good relationship with one another, and Dan did his best to contain this, until it was impossible. One day he used the combat frequency to talk to the Admiral’s chief of Staff. He received 10 days of solitary confinement and other punishments for this.

His courageous actions weren’t recognized, like many peoples in the war. Ed goes on to say, “Dan Moore decided to speak out about the problems in the squadron and he did it at risk to his career, because what was going on in the squadron wasn’t right”.

This shows how many people in the war did great things and were never recognized, and Dan is just one example of that. Imagine that you held the door for the person after you, or cooked breakfast for your family, and they never said thank you. You did something kind, and it would be frustrating to not receive recognition for that. Now you can imagine how Dan felt when he did something brave on a much higher scale, and could’ve lost his job over it, and never got credit for it. My grandpa was inspired by Dan and others like him to write this book and tell their stories and give them recognition when no one else would.

As I talked about before, through the process of writing Solo into the Rising Sun, my grandpa got to learn about the heroes of the war who were never recognized, like Dan Moore. So many people never got to tell their and their family’s stories or weren’t ready to. When these war veterans returned home, they were traumatized and didn’t want to talk about, including my great grandfather. This was one of the reasons my grandpa decided to write this book, because he couldn’t interview his father about it. 30-50 years later, the veterans finally felt ready to talk about their friends and experiences.

Ed also got to learn about the heroes struggles in the war and their first-hand experiences. However, he says as an informational writer, he needed to have a lot of different sources to have a good, well rounded story. My grandpa interviewed veterans, used books, magazines, websites, etc. However, the part that stands out most to me is the other sources he used. He

The cover of Solo into the Rising Sun by my grandfather, Ed Kittrell

interviewed the families of the soldiers, bringing a whole new perspective to the story.

As someone who has never been to war, I find it more difficult to relate to the veterans, but by interviewing the families, I can see how they would feel. For people like me reading this story, you can easily relate to the people who lost or were worried about their loved ones. This source put a whole new perspective in the story that can bring a new audience to Ed’s book.

Now, my grandpa has been an independent writer for more than 30 years. Ed’s original goal when writing this book was to learn more about his father, and along the way, he learned more about the unsung heroes of the war, and what it was like for the family members of the men who fought. This shows that in starting something with a purpose, it may take a turn, and end up better. Because of where his research led him, my grandpa was able to create a wellrounded story about people in WWII and how it affected everyone. I find it inspiring that Ed didn’t try to stay on one path, but let his research guide him because as an experienced writer, he knew that would work best. Through Ed’s many years of researching, drafting, finalizing and publishing Solo into the Rising Sun, we see that one small idea can blossom into something amazing.

By: Betsy Kittrell

Diana Guajardo

I used this quote because I learned that just because you don’t have the best stuff and it may be donated and used doesn’t mean you cant do an any worse job then if you would have had the new dresses and materials.

My mother was a wonderful dancer and went through a lot in a sense of teaching dance and not everyone was good ` `My mom loved dancing, she was really good at, and better at it in the begging. And in the end I think my mom taught all then any of her other sisters where. She was so good she the kids a lot, l learned that from both sides got something grew up and even taught it.

My mom was only 5 when from this experience, it was a win, win situation for both of she started dancing, and she saw them on tv and she was in them. love. She asked to dance for a local dance company but they only except people 6 and over and my mom was 5 at the time.

So the director let them watch and when they where done my mom Got to show the producer her dance and her dancing.

They loved her so much they gave my mom a turn and that’s where it started it.

When started to become really good at it and as soon as she knew it, she was teaching “ it was a very rewarding experience for me” I think she said this because she found a passion.

I said I think she found a passion even though she’s a teacher and that’s her line of work helping kids learn how To dance is different but in a way still helping the student and kids. And I think she desires to dance and teach kids how she was taught. I think she loves kids, she’s a teacher she’s around kids all the time, then she does a club for dance and teach kids even more on her time. The quote was very signifying to me because dancing and teaching was very rewarding for her not in a financial way but she had feelings and money cant buy feelings My mom loved to dance, even since she was little all the way until now. Witch shows her dedication to dance, in her words “ its art” witch just goes to show her point of dance and how she views it.

My mom danced and taught dancing too, witch means she taught at different schools as well.

When my mom first taught dance it was at cicero and the majority of the school was from a Hispanic heritage. But when she moved schools and went to Pritzker everything changed “ This time it was different, when I taught dance these kids this time it was from all different ethnicities and backgrounds.” This shows that everyone is interested in dance not just a Hispanic background, and This quote is significant to not only me but my mom because even though it was her first time teaching different children she liked it because she was still dancing and teaching so she’s happy that she could teach something new to them.

THE ART OF DANCE My moms dance experience.

By: Ethan G

When my mom taught dance she got supported by many, most importantly a lot of her dresses and cloths and materials where donated or given to them by there school.

Especially her principal he loved the thought of this since this club is new and he isn’t really used to dance. He usually sees basketball club anime club even cheerleading club, but this was different.

Once everything was done and after the dance show in front of all the parents my mom said “ how many hugs and outpouring gratitude they had toward me that I taught there children right and florican dance in such a beautiful way.

This proves it was a reward for both teacher and student, they where very lucky that My mom was such a good teacher. And my mom was very fortunate to have the kids sign up rather then them go to a more popular club, like soccer basketball, computer class.

She is happy that she could teach something new.

The Truth About The Past Bert Montgomery breaks breaks through her ow own wn barriers and becom becomes mes what she has h always dreamed of becoming in the Tupperware business.

By Kate Frey

O

n an early fall morning, the air was crisp and bright. My

Meme, Bert Montgomery, was relaxing with her quilts as she thought about her past and all the memories that she has made. Her past brings back joy, hardship, and a life well lived. She had accomplished so many great things as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had been through much hardship and sadness throughout her lifetime, but she still pushed through the barriers and pursued her dreams even with all the things that could have stopped her, she kept going. My Meme first started a Tupperware company in Washington where my Papa was stationed in the Air Force. Then, when he transferred to another base they moved to Michigan. Their final move was to Nashville, Tennessee. This is where they created a life and family.

Although their dreams were pursued, she had witnessed discrimination and hardships throughout her life and career. This did not hinder her, if anything it made her stronger inside and outside. Over the course of my Meme’s life she has created family and love while working through hardships and sadness. Most importantly she showed determination throughout her life and career. If you look back in time you will find that history is meant to be told and the people that are a part of this history should be recognized.

This entrepreneur fought through gender discrimination throughout her entire career which has stuck with her to this day. My Meme was poor as a young child and was not able to live a luxurious childhood. She had only eight years of education and worked long, hard days to help her family survive on their farm. With these memories she always dreamed about starting her own business and becoming an entrepreneur one day. When her Tupperware business came about, she believed that this was the perfect job. My Meme and Papa took hold of this company and built it up to success. This courageous woman worked through many different hardships during her career. As a woman of her time it was uncommon to be the owner of a very successful company, like her Tupperware business. She always had to work ten times harder than the men around her. She is proud of her hard work and wants all women to push past these challenges no matter your gender, race, ethnicity, etc.

Although these actions did not stop her from pursuing her dreams, they did stick with her for her whole life.

My Meme, Meme, Bert Montgomery.

During her time in the Tupperware industry she knew that being shy would not get her anywhere. She took it upon herself to take a class so that she could learn to comfortably and freely speak on stage to groups of people or in big crowds. On the day she took this class, she was one of 35 people. This may seem like a lot, but she was the only woman in the whole class. Out of all 35 participants she succeeded in being the only woman entrepreneur. She took this opportunity to show the world that women can do what they love just as much as men. To this day she says, “I was there for the building blocks, once those were done, I just built it to the top.” These astounding words show how hard my great grandma worked to build her company up and become what she had always

dreamed of becoming, even as a woman. Even once my Meme moved on to new things in her life, this company and the actions that took place in this part of her life always stuck with her. She continued to be motivated to try new and inspiring things every day. From that point on she showed her abilities and believed that every young girl through grown womanhood should know about what happened in her days with gender discrimination. She did not want the actions of others to escalate like during her time. She is a strong and well-suited woman who dreamt big and fought through society’s views of women to run this outstanding company during the late 1900’s. The determination that my Meme showed throughout her lifetime is what matters today.

The distribution of Tupperware was an invention during the mid 1900’s. During this time, in order to start up a Tupperware company you would throw a party for people to attend so they could see the gadgets and inventions demonstrated. After going to one of these demonstration parties my Meme fell in love with the line of Tupperware and decided to create her own Tupperware business. She would go knocking on peoples’ doors to invite them to a distribution party with the hope of selling Tupperware items to these individuals. As she said, “I thought this is something that I can do. The Tupperware seal blocked leaks and spills. I just felt that the Tupperware line was right for me.” This was an important aspect to her joining the company and building it up to where it is today. She stated that Tupperware was made well and was easy to distribute to others.

These key pieces were very important to her because she wanted to be able to sell this product allowing others to become regular customers. My Meme gained many customers from these Tupperware parties. She stated that, “after one time they just kept coming back for more.” This was an important aspect of the company and business because my Meme did not have to rebuild their customers after each sale.

She put all her effort into this Tupperware company to make it successful.

My great grandmother and her family took charge and made this company their own in many ways. They were always thinking about what was best for them and their family but also their customers and the people around them. This made the company and their family grow and bond together.

When my Meme started this company, she did not believe that the growth would be this fast. After six months of distributing Tupperware, their profit had almost doubled. Every three months after it doubled or tripled again. This shows how remarkable her efforts were to build success in her Tupperware company.

Meme not only means my great grandmother but also a mother, daughter, and wife. This company was about a family who loved to be with each other and did what they loved best. My Papa, George, was in the military for the United States and had to move bases many different times throughout the development of Tupperware. This affected my Meme because she then had to rebuild her company each time they moved. The Tupperware company started in Washington State in the year of 1960. My Meme and her family were in this company for 12 years.

After Washington, they moved to Michigan and then to Nashville after that. Although, these changes in friends, home, and scenery were very hard, my Meme explained that, “It just got easier and easier to start. I already had all the experience so all I needed were the customers.” Over time it got easier to start over and redo what had been done before. My Meme said that it was hard to move but rebuilding the company was not as hard.

My Aunt Diane, who is my dad’s aunt and my Meme’s daughter ran the technological side of the company. After they moved to Nashville, they were advised to get a computer because they had grown so quickly. As you can imagine computers back then were not the same as they are today. Since these computers were big and bulky, running one was hard work. Over time the computers ended up becoming smaller and smaller to the point where they are today. When my Meme and her

company bought a computer for their business, this technology brought a whole new level of learning and productivity. This business was full of love and family. Although it was a full-time job, my Meme and Papa took charge and made the company full of love and effort which made the company so amazing.

S e took She too this th s opportunity oppo tu ty y to sshow ow tthe ew world o d tthat at wo women e can do o what w at tthey ey love ove just j as much as men.

Over the course of the interview I not only learned more about my Meme and her past, but this assignment also allowed us to grow closer. I was able to fully appreciate her for what she has accomplished not only in her past but also today. My Meme has been through the good and the bad. She has seen people change and places change too but even with all the changes throughout her lifetime that did not stop her from pursuing her dreams in becoming an entrepreneur. The word Meme has always meant something to me. I have known her as a great grandmother and now know her as a grandmother, daughter, mother, and wife too. She may be thought of to have different abilities or actions in these roles but deep down she is the same loving, kind, and generous great grandmother that I know today. I am glad that people can learn from this very special woman. She has taught me so many amazing things and to be able to pass these lessons and the love that we share onto others is a special gift. Her determination, bravery, and kindness makes us better people and teaches us to fully appreciate the actions and history of others. This will not only make our future stronger, but it will also make us as people stronger.

People like my Meme are unforgettable and create memories that will last forever.

Myy Meme M and an nd Papa P arre are acccepting accepting one on ne of their th heir many man awards.

My Meme with a group off workers at their warehouse.

As Cathy works at home, it becomes more and more difficult to stay focused. When COVID-19 originally shut down places, her office was one of them. She was unable to go back to her office but would begin to work at home. While she began to work from home, the kids began online schooling. She would work at her dining room table or an office in the basement.

Just as Cathy begins to have more work, the world outside begins to settle for a while. Cathy begins to work longer days and stay up later at night to get work done while also getting everything done around the house. This takes a toll on her as she is not able to get as much sleep, and she is not getting all the free time he needs to settle and unwind at the end of the day.

“I would just tell myself that things are probably going to get far worse than I could have ever imagined, but on balance, people “The biggest thing for me is that there are a lot of things have gone through way worse than what we are going through that can prove to be distracting, and when I’m at work, I’m now.” Here Cathy reminds us that we need to remain persistent focused on work.” Here Cathy shows just how difficult and and never lose sight of the end goal. This quote is powerful distracting it can be to work at home. This quote is powerful because it shows that we might be going through a hard time, but because it shows that Cathy will not let her husband nor her if you keep trying, and never give up, you can get through this. kids or anything else around the house distract her.

Even with all the distractions and changes, she remains She does not want this change to disrupt her work or her focused and continues to work for the end goal. Cathy shows us productivity. She wants to be able to get her work done without being distracted by the many things around the house, that we must be persistent to be successful. She reminds us that if and even if she does get distracted, she will put in more effort you work hard, and never give up, than good things can happen. and work. Cathy is committed to adapt to this new work “The biggest thing for me is that there are environment, and to get work done because some things are just beyond her control. a lot of things that can prove to be

S ID E T R A C K E D B y A le c G u n d e r s o n I sat down with my mom on the couch in my family room and turned the tv off. The fireplace was on, and just like the flames, our conversation began to ignite. We began to discuss and her situation at home, and what it was like to work here.

My mom is a lawyer at Akerman. While we were on vacation in Florida, we received some bad news. I was not able to go back to school, but most importantly my mom wasn’t allowed to go back to her office. There are many challenges with this new change, but she must learn to adapt and make it work.

As Cathy adjust at home, the world is changing outside.

Cathy is starting to get comfortable working at home, and there are many more changes being made in the world outside of work. All these changes have made it very difficult to work in this time, but we must get through it .

“These past seven months have completely up ended things from the way I’ve practiced law for the past twenty years.” Here Cathy shows us how this year has had more changes and differences in law than her past twenty years of this job. This a powerful quote because it shows that there have been so many changes and new rules, but she won’t let these new things get in the way of her productivity.

Cathy wants to be able to talk to people, or to walk down the hall and give papers to someone, or just not to have to wear a mask to do anything. But she can’t. So, she has had to adapt to this new virtual world. Cathy reminds us that sometimes life can throw us punches, but we must dodge them and come back stronger.

distracting, and when I’m at work, I’m focused on work.”

My mom is so hard working and persistent in her everyday life. She does her work, does the laundry, and still has enough time to do other things with the family. I learned that life is going to be hard sometimes, and that’s normal, but you have to adapt and try harder to get where you want to be. She reminds us that if we work hard, never give up, and don’t lose sight in the end goal, we can dodge whatever punches life throws at us and come back stronger than ever.

Inequalities in the Workplace Executive Vice President, Jennifer Hickman, shares her story of how growing up in a low- income household as a woman effects her in the workplace.

My mom is much more then a woman who grew up in a low-income household. She is a hardworking, dedicated, and loving individual.

BY ELEANORE SKYE HICKMAN Frances Xavier Warde School

My mom has been telling me story’s from when she was a kid for a long as I can remember. As I got older, the more I learned about my mom’s childhood. Not just the stories of her “running” away from home as a toddler but not getting very far because my grandma told her she wasn’t allowed to cross an alley alone, but the stories of how her family would duct tape a whole in the wall because they couldn’t afford to fix it and how my mom had to pay for college all by herself.

These stories made me wonder more about my mom’s experience growing up in a lowincome home and how that’s affected her.

While interviewing my mom, I uncovered a hidden truth about society, growing up in a low-income household limits opportunity which then limits success for many individuals. My mom tells her story of how being a woman who grew up in low-income household hampers her ability to gain success.

Growing up some kids go to private school, some go to public school, some have extra classes outside of school, some don’t, some kids play club sports, some kids play park district. All these activities are opportunities. My mom is an example of a child who grew up in a low-income household with less opportunities than others. She went to a public grade and high school, and all her life she worked hard to get good grades and be a good student in order to go to college. My mom couldn’t afford to have opportunities such as attending a private school or doing test prep. She didn’t have the opportunity to become smarter or better at swimming because she didn’t have the money to afford it. As she got older, it hindered her from achieving a higher position faster in the workplace, one that payed more money. “I would have been better had of had more opportunity younger,” she said.

My mom believes the more opportunities you have as a child leads to more success later in life. The way things are set up aren’t fair but it’s the way it is, the children whose parents have a higher income get more opportunity to go to certain high schools, travel, get extra education, and

compete at high levels in sports. That is why she is making sure I have plenty of opportunities now. Making it so I can go to a private school and compete at a high level in soccer. She’s giving me opportunity now to ensure I am successful later in life.

”Between being a woman and a woman who grew up in a lowincome household she has a ceiling to her success.”

Coming from a low-income household puts a ceiling on many individual’s success. When looking for a job out of college my mom faced some of these ceilings. At first, she got a $25,000 salary, but she believes if she went to a better college, she would have gone into the same job making $50,000 to $100,000 right away. Throughout her work life she is constantly facing these challenges on an everyday basis. She explains, “That's been my career path this whole time constantly trying to prove myself to be worthy or better than the person next to me whose parents belong to the Country Club”.

She came from a lower income household which means it was harder for her to pay for college. She paid for college all on her own, so she didn't go to as good of a college as she could have because of her social background, but the kids who grow up with a higher income family get to go to a better college leading them to get the job or a higher paying job. She believes if she went to a better University or if she was a male, she would be getting a higher salary and sooner.

Instead, she must prove herself to be better than someone who did.

The U.S. still consists of a lot of inequalities in its workplace. We've read how children who grow up with more opportunity

in a higher income household get advantages to succeed in the workplace. As a successful adult my mom is constantly working harder than someone with a high-income childhood because she needs to prove herself. By now she would be getting a higher income in a higher position job if she grew up in a higher income household. Not only does growing up in a low-income household affect her, but also being a woman. My mom faces sexist situations, such as a male in her same position at the same company gets paid more than her.

Between being a woman and a woman who grew up in a low-income household she has a ceiling to her success. As a woman in the workplace, my mom states, “A male would have made more money”.

I asked her more about males making more money, her tone got more serious. This upsets her. Males in the same position get paid more than she does. Woman get paid an average of 81-82% of a male’s salary in the same position. When conducting research on why this is, I found that it is because there are fewer females in the higher/higher paying titles than males, but this isn’t always true. My mom is Senior Vice President and her bosses, both females, are CEO’s of her branch for the company. Yet a male would still make more money in that position, this is something society needs to take a second look at.

My mom faced societies downfalls head on and didn’t let them stop her from working hard to build an even better life for me then she had. She faces these ceilings to make sure I can choose where I go to high school and have plenty of opportunities to grow as a student, athlete, and person. Even though growing up in a low-income household as a woman hindered my mom in many ways, she doesn’t let that stop her from working hard and enjoying life. She explains, “There’s a lot of inequalities with the way things are set up and a lot having to do with your social background and gender.” While this is true it also always pushes her to try her best and not just get things handed to her.

WANDERING SOUL George Thomson explores what its like being a part time lawyer exploring the world

By Cecelia Harper

I set myself up with my phone and computer ready to record our conversation. My heart is beating fast with nervousness and excitement, not knowing how this interview will go. I anxiously wait until 2:30 p.m. arrives when our interview will start. Although my nervousness is still looming, it slowly fades as I get deeper into my conversation with George. His well-developed and rich responses give me hope for a great interview. I know my faith was well-placed when the interview concludes, and his answers are dripping with detail. Since George is a work colleague of my mother’s, we don’t get to talk a lot. Despite this, I knew of his travels but was curious to know more. His transition to work parttime, to make room for his trips, piqued my interest. Because of this, I thought George would be a great person to interview. With this choice I could develop ideas about what George gains from his adventures For George. every part of travel holds value.

George has traveled many places, but he has enjoyed almost every trip. He has a similar routine every time; however, his interest is never fleeting. Having a joy for every part of the journey doesn’t hurt. Exploring this, the topic of flying on airplanes was introduced, and George had no hesitation sharing his love for it. He explains, “For some people their vacation doesn’t start until they check into their hotel at their destination. For me, my vacation starts the moment I walk into O’Hare.” This suggests that George doesn’t take his trips for granted, but instead absorbs the joy the experiences bring him. Most people think that when you travel the only thing that holds value is the destination, but he isn’t just any ordinary traveler; this is part of his life now. He pushed aside time for these adventures, and he did it because he knows that every step is powerful and interesting.

He says he has met every type of person when it comes to flying: The person who is unaffected by it, the one that is terrified of it, and the person who loves it. It is like people’s spice tolerance. If you can’t handle spice, you won’t eat it. Being the type of person who loves it, George goes out of his way pop a pepper. This is why George goes out of his way to travel, because he loves it.

When traveling, George always tries to gain perspective on his views. Although enjoying airplanes is important, there is more to offer than that. Another way George experiences euphoria from his trips is with the people he meets. He says he likes to talk with locals, to learn new things and have discussions. These conversations have no intent of intense argument, but rather gaining different views on ideas. Sometimes the stereotypes are the only perspective that he has, and it is very different from what life is really like where he travels.

When asked about how these conversations affect his beliefs, George elucidates, “I like to check in on those things periodically to make sure the reason I believe something is still there, that the fact of reality hasn’t changed in such a way that maybe I should think about things differently.” For George traveling is more than seeing things, it’s learning things. He can learn a lot from just a transient conversation with someone. An example George explores is meeting someone at a museum and talking with them through the exhibits, later introducing the idea of having lunch together. Just these simple interactions can bring a lot to the

table. Using these perspectives helps him accurately explore a locale with the knowledge he wouldn’t have previously.

You can get a lot from looking at things on a surface level, yet George doesn’t just want to skim the surface; he wants to dive deep. This helps him learn more about not only the place he is visiting, but about where he is coming from: America. People from other places have a lot of views, including about his own country. Listening to other people’s views helps him develop his, or in some cases verify, his ideas. His open mindedness causes him to gain more from his travels and improve his everyday life with solidified views.

Traveling experiences lead to George living a fuller life. George has traveled many places, but it never gets old.

He meets new people, sees new places, eats new food, and he has never regretted any of it. Changing and verifying his views isn’t the only reason George has devoted so much time to traveling. George illustrates another example, “You have these moments where you are walking around, and you just feel completely infused with energy.” George’s experiences fill his life with passion. There is a certain feeling he gets from traveling that can’t be matched anywhere else. He explains that it is similar to how people draw energy from their friends or family, but George gets it most his from travels. He experiences this with big trips like going to the Madeira Islands in Portugal last December as well as just looking out the airplane window.

These trips not only open his eyes to new perspectives, but also make his life worthwhile. The infusion of energy comes from his five senses: to see, smell, taste, listen and touch. When all five of these are in touch at once there is a feeling of perfection. The satisfaction from these feelings wouldn’t be traded for the world. The amount of energy given from such simple things, makes everything worth it.

“YOU CAN TRAVEL NOT ONLY FROM PLACE TO PLACE, BUT ALSO IN YOUR MIND THROUGH MEMORY AND IMAGINATION.”

Next door to George’s apartment

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

Madera Islands, Portugal

For George traveling isn’t just a pastime; it’s a way of life. This way of life gives him a type of energy that nothing else can. It’s not only communicating with people, but also simple acts such as walking through town. This type of view isn’t just for travelers like George, it can also be applied to everyday life. Even if the resources to physically go somewhere else aren’t available, going on an adventure is still possible. “You can travel not only from place to place, but also in your mind through memory and imagination.” One way to do this is by recognizing and relishing the experiences that can bring you joy.

PHOTOS BY GEORGE

All About My DAD By: Mason Harpur

The next three paragraphs you will see will be all about my dad. We will be showing what he did growing up, the places he traveled to when he left from New Zealand, and why he came to my hometown Chicago. I hope you enjoy so sit back relax and enjoy my dad’s story.

My first wise paragraph Is going to be about what my dad did with his friends when he was my age. In my dad’s free time after school he always went to go see his friends. There favorite thing to do was to go camping. But before we get to camping, lets see what they did before they went to sleep in their tent. My dad’s most favorite thing was to go fishing, his friend’s dad owned a fishing boat so they would always go fishing for red snapper in the great Pacific Ocean. After they caught their dinner, they would cook them over a fire at their campsite. My dad told me “these were some of the best years of my life and I hope you make the most of it like I did”. After they would bundle up in their tent, they would go to sleep and wake up to go fishing again. One more thing my dad told me about was all the creeks he went to, to catch little crawfish and bait fish they used for more fishing. And after that they would repeat and catch crabs instead of fish.

The second thing I’m going to talk about is how my dad loves to play rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand. He left his home to go pursue his dream of playing rugby in front of a big crowd. He had a choice to go to the USA and play for Chicago or go play for a city in Uruguay in South America. The whole reason why he wanted to leave New Zealand was to play rugby which was his sport that he very much enjoyed. The team he played for were known as the Chicago lions. He played for that team a long time ago. He stopped playing for the lions when I was born. Because of rugby this is how I have a

The thing my dad did the most was traveling. He was on a travel rugby team here in Chicago and went all around the country. When he came to the states my now Aunt and Uncle picked him up from the airport. Since he joined the Chicago lions, he was traveling state to state pretty quickly. During my recording my dad said “one of my most favorite countries to visit is England” he really likes the architecture and the fish and chips in a newspaper.

Another country he went to was japan to watch the rugby world and I actually got to tag along on this trip. We also got to meet up with my grandpa and I got to see my grandpa and I got to witness my first rugby world cup. My favorite country was Japan it was beautiful clean, and I could see how much my dad was enjoying it. My favorite part was going to the Osaka aquarium and learning so much more than I already knew. My dads favorite place was all the stadiums we went to. The places we went to were Tokyo, Hiroshima, Shinjuku, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji. Me and my dad’s favorite part was being able to see my papa that lives far away in New Zealand.

My dad is athletic, kind, and empathetic. I am happy to call him my dad and so much more. I’m also glad my dad told me about the stuff I didn’t know about like his childhood and what he did as a kid. And who knows after this pandemic he might even go back to playing good oldfashioned rugby.

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. Her story motivated me to look into boarding schools for I can have better opportunities.

Human Advancement through An Adult’s Eyes Advancements that happened, and their impacts.

By: Jordan Woodson

Things advance over time, but how do are now safer for the environment because now compared to back then, meaning the interviewing my mom were that these advancements affect people? How there are hybrid cars in addition to regular movie looks less fake. She said, “I used to smartphones are important to have, it’s much and how fast are things advancing cars. They are also needed more, mostly enjoy it because you know that…you know, very important to know personally how to through the eyes of the people who’ve livedbecause they are safer. Safer transportationthis isn’t real”. go “offline”, and that the best changes are through it? How different do things becomeis needed more than transportation that This quote is significant because it the ones that most greatly help the when they get advanced? I interviewed my causes harm to the atmosphere. Cars have means 2 things. The first thing it means is atmosphere and humanity. Some advice I mom, who runs a charity, works in the that horror movies got way more life-like would give is that if something advances, advanced a lot by becoming cooler with medical field, and is 45, to find the answers more abilities, and just safer for the than before due to the advancement of you must adapt/get used to it, and then to these questions. My mom was very environment (by releasing less fossil fuels) devices used to create the movie, which make sure that you don’t overuse this thing engaged and calm as she pondered each of in a surprisingly short amount of time. can alter one’s like or dislike for the film. that got advanced. Advancement affects my questions during the interview, carefully The second thing it means is that my mom differ, but it’s the response to these When I asked my mom about before answering them. I asked her about technology changing overtime, she talked was affected by this advancement of advancements that really matters. how things are advancing through her eyes, about how there’s more things on the moviemaking in a negative way. The way and how these advances affect her. I also internet, special effects are better, tv advancements affects people can managed to collect a few experiences of quality is better, antennas are less visible, sometimes vary for each person, like how hers that related to things advancing and that things look so real versus what it the affect that advancement in through her eyes. By the end of the moviemaking had on my mom was making was for her when she was growing up. I interview, the main thing I had learned is asked her how she felt about these her not like horror movies as much, that advancements affect everyone technological changes and inventions, and however on the contrary, this advancement differently, but it’s how you respond to she said, “You’re always accessible so you may make some people like horror movies these advancements that really matters. have to know personally when to turn even more. Thus, for my mom, this was an I started to realize just how much those electronics off…how to go offline.” advancement that affected her in a everything is advancing in surprisingly short This statement is very powerful because it’s negative way. However, it may affect others amounts of time when I asked my mom teaching the lesson that taking breaks from in a better, more positive way. The quote how transportation has changed since she devices sometimes is important. It is also also suggests that things are advancing a lot was little. She talked about hybrid cars powerful because the word “offline” was in a surprisingly short amount of time being invented, and then spoke on how she used, which is a strong alternative for because it wasn’t a very long time ago is affected by them after I asked her to. My saying something along the lines of “doing where horror movies weren’t that scary mom said, “Since I work in the field, I need things without your electronics”. compared to now. a car to utilize for transportation. So, a lot Something else my mom told me Another thing my mom told me of my company’s employees are provided about during this part of the interview was about, during this part of the interview, was with hybrid cars. I feel that this is better for an experience she had where everything an experience she had while watching the environment.” would’ve gone horribly wrong if she didn’t Nightmare on Elm’s Street when she was A lot of my mom’s company’s have a smartphone. She said that one time, younger. In the movie, the main horror employees needed a car for transportation the alarm company called and told her that character, named Freddy, had a sausage in the first place since they work in the field the burglary alarm was blaring at our pizza but the sausages were human heads. (which is working non-resident of an office house. My mom soon solved this problem, He then used his knife fingers to make a or laboratory), and they need it more since all because she had a smartphone. The kabob with the sausage heads. The hidden cars are now less detrimental to the hidden drama in this story is that a burglar drama in this story is that my mom was atmosphere as before. Hence why some of broke in my mom’s house when she wasn’t scared when she watched this scene of the my mom’s company’s employees obtain there, but because she had a smartphone movie back then, but now it doesn’t seem hybrid cars. with her, she was able to receive the call as scary to her compared to the gory, This makes me think that back from the alarm company from wherever bloody, terrifying horror movies there are then, cars were needed a lot, for more she was. Then, my mom was able to take today. This signifies how more horrifying efficient transportation, but were horrible the necessary steps needed to get out of scary movies got in my mom’s opinion. for the environment. They were horrible for this predicament and have a well outcome A lot has advanced over time since the environment because there were no overall. She told me she thinks that without my mom was younger, and the affects that hybrid cars, which are the cars that don’t her smartphone it would’ve been a major these advancements have on people differ release fossil fuels into the atmosphere like hindrance. for each person. I want the people reading The next thing I asked my mom regular cars do. Before, there were only to understand how everything’s advancing non-hybrid cars or just regular cars. Thus, about was how movies changed besides through my mom’s eyes so that they can there was a lot of fossil fuels going into the quality and color. My mom started talking know how the world is advancing so far and atmosphere from car usage. However, cars about horror movies being scarier because form ideas on how they would like the (specifically hybrid ones) are needed more the devices used for spurting out blood, world to advance moving forward. The new and safer for the environment now. They making people float, etc. are less visible learnings and thinking I acquired after

“you have to know personally when to turn those electronics off…how to go offline.”

This is my aunt Gloria; a small business own during these terrible times; she is trying really hard to run a successful business .

Starving businesses The struggles of my aunt trying to overcome challenges from covid-19 during the year 2020 By: Otto Herbeck

I am sitting at my table as my questions for my aunt Gloria are at my side. I begin to call her, moments later she answers with a smile on her face, happy to see me. I begin asking her about her small business she says that she has own the store for ten years and it is called Briosa, a woman’s boutique. I see her concerning look as she begins talking about this past year. As she is interrupted because her son came home. I can tell she is a family person that would do anything for her family.

She begins going on and on about her business and a see emotion in her eyes and I could tell this store is meaningful to her.

It is challenging to own a small business and its unpredictable for my aunt to own a small business. My Aunt has a part of the store for 15 years, 10 of them owning the place. During those times she has seen good profit days like have a day with a lot of customers then having a day where there are only a few customers.

While she was describing this part of owning a small business in the interview, she said “Running a small business is challenging, its unpredictable, you don’t know what every day is going to be like.” This is significant because this is not just for her, other small businesses also experience days with few customers and high profit days. This is even before covid-19 now during covid-19 there is much more days with few customers for her business and there is a limit to how many customers are allowed so that also hurts her business. There are also big evets that are supposed to happen but are now canceled like fall fest were venders come around the state and country to be there. This is a big deal for her and if this lockdown happens again it may mean they have to be shut down and my aunt may loose her business.

It was difficult during the lockdown for my aunt and her small business, there were lots of challenges.

When they were first in lock down, she was very worried about her small business and she had to think positive that they were going to come back. All the small business owners including my aunt had to find lots of ways to make money without letting people into their store or else they can lose their small

business.

When we were talking about this topic, she said that “During the lockdown we were all try to find ways to make money, it was scary.” This quote is significant because this shows what it felt like to be a small business owner at the time, and she said with lots of emotion. It also shows that she and others tried to start an online business, curbside pick up, delivering to houses and other ways that didn’t involve their building. They also were so frustrated with the law of not able to work, they threatened a lawsuit but couldn’t because how much money it would cost. This shows how hard it was to get money, they tried lots of ways to get money and there were lots of risks owning a small business at the time.

My aunt and others are trying to influence people to stop going to big stores and have people go shop locally.

When everyone was at home quarantining people only could go to the big stores like target, but not small business stores. Now that these small businesses are back, they are trying to tell people to buy things locally and buy things from the communities’ small stores.

During the interview when we talked about this topic, she said “We are telling people to shop locally and support their community and not buy at the big stores like target.” This quote is significant because it shows another reason why they not doing as well and how she wants people to put their money into their community by shopping at small businesses. Because people are going to those big stores, they are putting their money to nationwide businesses not their local small businesses stores. When the people do buy from these small businesses there is more money in their community, so the community looks much nicer. They are telling their customers that we thank you for choosing us and not the big stores. They are telling people they meet to shop at town and the small stores that are struggling. There are lots of small businesses going down because of this reason and a lot of other problems so this shows how hard it is for them.

The people owning small businesses have lots of problems in front of them that can push them out of

business at any time. My aunt Gloria has been through a lot this past year 2020, she must defeat a lot of problems, and she has done well, producing ideas as fast as she can. During the lockdown she had to make money to feed her family.

“It is risky having and running a small business and we need to help these businesses during these times.” People need to understand how hard they work; people need to start to support these businesses that we take them\ for granted or else we may not have these businesses anymore.

“Running a small business is challenging, its unpredictable, you don’t know what every day is going to be like.”

Life during inequality On a hot morning day in South Alabama, with the sun blazing through the window, my grandma wakes up to a day she’d never expect. She dithers her way out of bed and proceeds onto the kitchen. As she walks by, she sees the TV in very distinct black and white shades with people holding signs that say, “End segregation rules in public schools”, flooding the streets. Setti thought back to herself about the beating of her friend and the brutal injuries he suffered. She made the grand decision to go protest in his name for justice. She rushes to the bathroom and brushes her teeth aggressively and quickly gargles mouth wash down. She looks up into the mirror and sees herself. She put on a daring face while staring deep into her reflection. She grabs her jacket and saunters down the streets to catch up with the march.

Paula Tucker Hogan www.nasa.gov.com

As Setti travels her way to Alabama she sees the other side of this world, but not the good kind you think.

When my Grandma first moved there in 1957, she witnessed many acts of discrimination sufficing on the land of south Alabama. For example, people of color getting brutally beaten by members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which was a normal action to witness during the early 1900’s. It was normal for her go to the bathrooms that had “color” on the front next to the fancy bathroom with the label “Whites”. This even continued into schools, that offered very little and poor education for black students, with little future opportunities0. My grandma thought to herself about the injustices that was taking place and decided to take further actions.

She proceeded to join sit in’s with students of the south, and marches with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She pointed out that, “It felt like something big was going on in the country, really grand. And that we were going to make a difference.” What is powerful about this quote is that it shows the positive mindset she had knowing the amount of danger she is immersing herself into. She had so much hope for a better future for her kids and others and continued to stay peaceful no matter how physical it got. I feel like this quote has an even bigger meaning to it knowing that people of color are still fighting for justice to this day, with incidents like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

My grandma has witnessed a lot in the past and says she is observing the little outcome in our present day.

Setti who has grown up in New York and participated in the Civil Rights Movement, has watched discrimination rise in the many years. With the many stories she must tell and the truth about reality she has uncovered, is very inspiring to talk about. However, when it comes to hearing the not so good parts it’s not so amusing to discuss and builds up this feeling of realization. She has explained to me the little hope she has for any change to happen in the world today. She remarked, “I see the inequities people have, and I see the discrimination.”

This quote significant because it has come from someone who has seen so much in this world and always has a positive mindset to constantly help others, and yet still is able to say our world currently has not changed much from the past. It’s the people we are surrounded by that are so arrogant that they hinder any change.

“It felt like something big was going on in the country, really grand. And that we were going to make a difference.”

Furthermore, the people that feel superior and continue to feel a need to discriminate POC (people of color) and get others to do the same, are the ones stopping us from getting any justice. This goes to show you the bad part of the world people try to hide.

My Grandma is a very wise women who doesn’t make assumptions based off your skin color. Her knowing the very little opportunities kids of color were offered back then, she decided to find a way to guide students of colored decent to college for a better future. She created a program called The Boys to Teachers organization. Ever since, my Grandma has been able to put together 7 different programs. She stated that, “We are all members of the human race, we

may be different ethnicities, we may be different colors, but we all come from the same race. The Human Race.”

This quote is powerful because it sums up just how nonimportant our colors are. Our world is much more than colors, it is filled with multiple things including the earth being a little speck in our galaxy. My Grandma is able to bring people together of all races including white to help kids get the life they deserve disregarding their race.

Throughout the interview, my Grandma was very disenchanting while sharing her past experiences growing up during segregation. I began to build so much gratitude for my grandma’s presence during 2020, with the history she carries on her back. I am amazed by the number of things my grandma has witnessed throughout her life and still be able to keep a smile not just on her face, but others too. She has always been such a big part of my life as a child and with me growing up I see her less and less often, yet I am able to appreciate her more and more as I learn.

Through my lens I see my grandma as this wonderful and strong woman who is very wise, caring, and altruistic person. And I believe that after the interview I am able to truly see and understand my grandma’s wonderful purpose in my life. And as an African American girl during this time I am fortunate to educate and aware others of the systemic racism continuing in our country. Learning from those who have lived through history allows us to fulfill their message to make a change for the future.

By: Hudson Hogan

Covid-19 Affecting the Financial Operations By: Jack Walsh

After 30 years in the business world, my dad has experienced many challenges, but never before has he experienced a challenge quite like managing the affects of a pandemic. Imagine running a business during an event that shuts down the economy, requires people to lock down and shelter in place, and creates a global health crisis.

This is the situation my dad has been managing for his company since March 2020.

My dad has always had a difficult job, but Covid-19 has been affecting it in more difficult ways. My dad’s job is managing a lot of people doing many financial roles such as corporate strategy, preparing financial reports, and investing money, and Covid-19 has made those roles even more difficult for him to do. But my dad has been very determined about his work he has done for his job. My dad revealed “I run all of the corporate strategy and financial operations for a company called Health Care Service Corporation.” This quote is significant because it talks about my dad’s job and what he does at a large health insurance company, and it also reveals that his job is very complex, especially during a pandemic.

My dad has been working at home for the past seven months and has been very stressed about it. In 2020, Covid-19 has been affecting my dad’s job by possibly not collecting enough money to pay policyholder claims and working at home is way more stressful for him instead of working at the building. For example, my dad has been connecting with his business partners by technology instead of face to face. This was a big struggle for my dad because sometimes he was not be able to understand what his business partners were trying to say because of lag issues with technology. With a nod, he stated “Working at home is way more stressful and different compared to working in the building.” This quote is significant because my dad talks about how working from home is different from working in the building and it demonstrates that he is committed and dedicated to doing good work.

This interview has been about how my dad’s job has been affected by Covid-19. In March 2020, a virus called Covid-19 started to affect a lot of people and their jobs and the cases of the virus started to spike, meaning that a lot of people would get it each day. In which case, the whole United States had to go in lockdown or quarantine.

My dad said, “The biggest thing we had to prepare for was to have enough money so we could pay our policyholders’ claims.” This quote is significant because it shows that my dad had to make plans to get enough money during an unknown virus so him and his business partners could pay their policyholders’ claims and still have enough money to operate the business.

In conclusion, my dad has been talking about how a virus called Covid-19 has been affecting his job in a difficult way. I appreciate my dad for being a hard worker and a determined person for not giving up on his hard job and keeping our family safe. Some new insights and learnings I have from this interview is that my dad runs all of the financial operations for a company called Health Care Service Corporation. Overall, my dad’s job has been affected by Covid-19 in a very hard and difficult way, but he was determined enough to give his best effort.

The Recession Covid-19’s devastating effects on the U.S economy.

By: Michael Hollub

Dan, my stepdad, has worked at a technology company called CDW for over 18 years, and he eventually served as the Chief Architect. Suddenly, he became unemployed and is struggling to find work. There are about 23 million others going through the same struggle. Based on what I have seen with him, finding work right now is brutal. Unemployment in the tech industry was -3% last year, and now it is 2.5%, a big jump of 5.5% in less than a year.

It’s worse in other industries that were starting to die before the COVID-19 pandemic, like retail stores, where unemployment is now 16.3%. This is because companies are closing and laying off all their employees and cannot afford to pay for any new positions while they are laying people off. How many more people will lose their jobs depends on the restrictions that may need to be put on businesses by the government, consumer confidence to spend money in the current environment, and how well your company or business can survive a recession.

Almost all businesses have been disrupted by COVID-19. Over the course of this pandemic millions of workers have lost their jobs and over 100,00 small businesses have had to shut down. Large organizations generally have greater access to capital to stay in business but, “ For small companies like a mom-and-pop shop, it has been and will be really, really rough.”

This is suggesting that even though it has been so rough on small business it is not looking like it will change. COVID-19 is very present in the United States and the government stimulus packages can only do so much. It is up to us the citizens to support small business and eat at restaurants to keep them open and save jobs. We are the equivalent of investors in the way that we need to invest in the future of our country by keeping small businesses open. So that when there is a vaccine, there are still small businesses for us to go to.

As I said, COVID-19 has caused millions of people to become unemployed, but has anything positive come from COVID-19? I know how that sounds, over 100,000 small business closed and tragically over 220,000 deaths worldwide, but there has been one good thing. That one benefit is the strength and resilience of the American people to adapt to the new realities the virus has created.

“COVID-19 shows that Americans are resilient and that we can leverage our technologies to keep our companies running.” So COVID-19 has shown the intensity of the intellect and perseverance that Americans have demonstrated during this hard time. The ability to keep our companies running, and reporting gains, is very impressive. So COVID-19 has shown that the American people quickly create new innovations and processes to help our companies survive a long-lasting recession and keep our economy alive. If our large corporations begin to shut down it would have long-lasting devastating effects on the American economy.

How do we define the economy, and how is the economy measured? The economy is measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and unemployment rates. A very simple explanation of GDP is the number of goods you are exporting to the amount of goods you are importing. It’s better to export more than you import, “ With COVID-19 we have a mix of the two measures, with unemployment on the rise and our GDP falling.” The GDP in the United States has fallen 23% since the beginning of COVID-19 in March. By these measures, the economy is doing poorly. However, the performance of the stock market so far this year indicates the economy is doing well. The S&P 500 is an index that is made up of the 500 largest companies in the U.S. and it has made up all the losses that happened early in the year when COVID-19 started and has also reached an all-time high level.

How does that happen when unemployment is rising, and GDP is falling?

Well, the government has been releasing stimulus packages to keep both large and small businesses running, and people employed. They have also lowered interest rates to make money cheaper to borrow. But how much stimulus money can we add to the deficit before it starts to harm the economy? “The problem is that at some point the American economy is going to have to pay for this stuff (stimulus packages), and we are going to need tremendous growth.

If we don’t get that it is going to have a longterm harm on the economy.”

So far, the government has pumped out trillions of dollars to business and individual and it has resulted in a recovery in the stock market, and helped consumers to keep spending, and business to remain open that may have been forced to close otherwise. But the stimulus money can only go so far and putting too much money into the economy at once can lead to inflation (price increases). As COVID-19 continues to rise, the economy needs more stimulus. Some politicians want to stop the stimulus packages while others want to spend trillions more to keep companies in business and extend unemployment benefits.

The government is faced with a conundrum, do they risk inflation and tremendous debt and keep supporting the economy, or leave them out to dry? Over the long-term, it is better for the government to support the economy with stimulus because if companies go out of business, they cannot pay their taxes to the government and people who lose their jobs and healthcare also become a burden on the economy.

In closing, COVID-19 has had a mixed impact on the economy. COVID-19 has impacted GDP and employment negatively.

COVID-19 has impacted the stock market positively, because of the very large amount of stimulus provided by the government. The stimulus has allowed many companies to stay in business and money to people who lost their jobs, however, it may have negative future consequences on the economy after COVID-19 is over.

“The problem is that at some point the American economy is going to have to pay for this stuff (Stimulus packages), and we are going to need tremendous growth.

If we don’t get that it is going to have an overall long-term harm on the economy.”

This graph shows how unemployment exploded during April, when people began to realized how bad Covid-19 was getting in the U.S. The economy took and is taking a beating because of inability to sell during Covid-19.

Dr. Ilona Carlos, my mother, is an ob/gyn physician at Munster Community hospital in Northwest Indiana.

In a Health Crisis

My mom provides a look into what it was and is like to be a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By: Anderson Hughes

As I hit the record button on my Surface Pro, I worried whether this interview would be long enough or not. I did not anticipate how much my mom, Dr. Ilona Carlos, had to say about her experience as a doctor during this pandemic. Each question that I asked was followed by a detailed, passionate response from my mom about her thoughts and feelings on this pandemic. My mom is a doctor who does work in Obstetrics and Gynecology, taking care of pregnant patients and delivering babies. My mom’s experience as a doctor during COVID-19 has opened my eyes to the hardships many doctors had to (and still must) go through during this pandemic, especially when it first got a grip on our country.

My mom felt a lot of anxiety at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. March of 2020 was the start of a national disaster that has cost us the lives of thousands of people. Doctors were (and still are) some of the most affected by this pandemic because of how many people were suddenly diagnosed with COVID-19. These people flooded hospitals and forced doctors to reuse their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instead of buying new PPE because nobody was prepared for this sudden virus outbreak. “Initially, there was a lot of anxiety about…having to work when everyone was told to stop working.” Doctors were some of the only people who had to continue working through this pandemic.

Therefore, it would make sense that my mom felt these feelings of anxiety at the start of this pandemic because this would mean doctors would be much more susceptible to catching this novel coronavirus.

Even though it would mean doctors would be much more susceptible to catching this novel coronavirus, doctors had no choice but to continue working at the start of this pandemic getting a hold of the U.S. In March of 2020, when the U.S. was really hit hard by COVID19, people were told to stop working to prevent the spread of this novel coronavirus. But not all people were told to stop working. Doctors had to continue working, no matter how dangerous COVID-19 was said to be.

“That doesn’t stop because of a pandemic, there’s still going to

be pregnant patients, there’s still going to be babies that are going to need to be delivered, so I couldn’t not go to work.” As you can see, my mom must go to work, even though it means her chance of catching this novel coronavirus is much higher than that of any other person that is not a doctor. Clearly, my mom’s bravery and resilience are incredible, showing how brave and resilient doctors can be.

Doctors have been frustrated with how people have handled the mask-wearing situation over the past several months.

Especially when this pandemic got its first grip on America, people have been urged to wear masks in public indoor spaces by our doctors and head scientists. Lately though, many people haven’t been using masks as much as they should be.

Most people are doing this because they believe it to be too much of an inconvenience for them to wear a mask in the places where they should be wearing masks, and so they choose to ignore what the scientific community has to say about wearing masks.

“This is a pandemic, this is an infectious disease that requires you to go with the recommendations of your head scientists and the scientific community, and so when you choose to ignore that for political reasons or for whatever reason you have, it just ends up hurting everyone.” Your head scientists and the scientific community, which includes doctors and nurses, are bound to know more about this pandemic than anyone else. So, when you choose to ignore what they are telling you about how to prevent the spread of this infectious disease that has grasped our world, not only are you frustrating the scientific community, you are hurting everyone affected by this pandemic, which is virtually everyone. This information is critical in understanding why we are struggling so much with this pandemic: the government hasn’t been acting on the fact that wearing masks is essential to getting through this pandemic; the government is hurting everyone because it believes that it is more convenient for it to ignore the fact that wearing masks will help us get

through this pandemic.

“This is a pandemic, this is an infectious disease that requires you to go with the recommendations of your head scientists and the scientific community, and so when you choose to ignore that for political reasons or for whatever reason you have, it just ends up hurting everyone.”

This pandemic has caused a lot more than just sickness. If my mom didn’t make such a big deal about this pandemic, she wouldn’t be able to protect herself, me, or my sister from this novel coronavirus.

Through writing this article, I have learned how complex and complicated this whole situation is. I have realized that doctors are so much more than just people who take care of others. They are people who work through anxiety and fear to help those in need for the greater good of all people.

The Change of the Year By: Jaine Jelinek My mom on the far left was nominated and won an award for her leadership in her work.

On a warm August day my mom, Laura Jelinek, found out she was going to have to move the biggest event of the year in her field of work all virtual. Although she and her team had some plans in mind, they had to sit down and think about how they would reach the goal of planning this meeting. When we sat down to talk, it was only a few days before the meeting, and we were sitting in the living room on the cool leather couch. Then I realized how eager she was to share about her experiences and emotions regarding this event that was happening within the next weeks. We settled down and she started to explain her job and what she must do in this event called Osteopathic Medical Education Conference or OMED. As she starts to explain I see her eyes start to light she goes on to say, that she is the Associate Vice President at American Osteopathic Association (AOA). She is one of the main people to make this crucial event happen. This conference is for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or DO’s. The DO’s are a type of doctor that focuses more on you as a person rather than just the sickness.

Anybody can tell that my mom is passionate about what she does from the way she gets enthusiastic to share how she works with the DO’s. Although it may sound like a breeze, my mom shows in this interview how it isn’t as easy as it sounds. It was five weeks before the day of the meeting where they were told that OMED would be turned to all virtual. There were many emotions that came from this significant news. Everything that they planned from the last year had to be thrown away.

She explains, “Through this process I have felt stress, anxiety, and many sleepless nights.

The stress was from the exhilaration of something new, but also the fear that something could go terribly wrong because we’ve done nothing like this before.”

This is the art design that they chose to use this year.

I selected this quote because I showed some of the highs of this experience and this provides a new light that not everything went astoundingly. This also shows that even if you don’t see the lows, they are always there so be grateful and proud of the highs. It is as if your teacher told you that you had to write a 200-page essay by the next week and it was worth grade. This assignment would be terrifying, and you would more than likely have some doubts your whole. This is exactly what it felt like for my mom and her team but, by the time of the meeting it would be the relived feeling that you finished your essay or turned in your essay and got a good grade.

Even though they were at home, many new people were still joining the meeting. A few weeks before the meeting, the numbers of the people attending started rolling in.

My mom and her team soon realized more people are attending than in the past years.

She said, “This year we have many new people. Through being at home we have a new audience with a new generation of people in the future.”

I selected this quote because it shows how beneficial outcomes can come from very stressful times. But also, it demonstrates how differences can attract new people.

In past years, numbers have shown when the DO’s come to the meeting they usally return the next year.

Hence, if the statistics are proven correct, they would have a higher number of people in the future, so they will truly be reaching a new generation.

Many times, people go through very stressful times or events and never want to think of those moments again. My mom, on the other hand, has a different motivation that comes from her stress. She explained, “I wouldn’t change my experience for anything because it will help me be better at my job now and in the future.” I decided to use this quote because, it shows how she went through hard times so this is even more impactful. This is because it shows how she has a passion for what she does and didn’t give up on it when it got hard.

These pieces of evidence show how my mom is strong and capable. My mom should be appreciated because she works very hard and is effective at what she does. Many things have gone wrong during this time. Nevertheless, there has also been very positive outcomes too.

Many people came together to make this meeting possible. My mom is very grateful that she had people to rely on during this time.

She explained, “I have a good team that works hard for me and I work hard for them.” This quote shows how she is passionate and cares not only for what she does, but cares for her peers too. Another reason I chose this quote is because it shows in time of worry it is key to have people to rely on. This also shows how she has trust in her team to follow through on things expected from them. One thing that that was shared through these quotes is that the theme and thoughts of my mom are, try to do your best even when times are tough. This was expressed when she was sharing the troublesome times during this process and it shows how when you work hard and do things at 100% it will help you in the future and the good will come back to you, but it also shows how you can persevere through the hard times even when you think you can’t.

In conclusion, this shows how she is strong and capable Mom should be appreciated because she works very hard. Many things have gone wrong during this time. Nevertheless, there has also been very positive outcomes too. Many people came together to make this meeting possible. She along with many other people are very grateful that she had people to rely on during this time.

Jack of all trades TJ is a father, husband, business man, actor, and a personal trainer.

Image here

Learning our past TJ Karam and his family By: Kingston Karam Photographed by Kingston Karam

Because my father has always been a hero to me, he has helped me by motivating me to do better at school or be healthier, or just be a better person overall. I’ve always known a lot about who he is mainly but doing this interview with him, it helped me learn a lot more about him and things I didn’t know about with his past or with his family. A week before I conducted my interview, I heard my dad talking about his grandmother which is the exact reason I had that interview.

My grandfather’s side of the family has a very interesting story. It starts with my Great, great grandpa who came from Lebanon to Mexico running from civil war, in hopes of making it to the united states. He went ahead of his family to find if they could live there peacefully.

When he finally sent the okay to his family, they came to Mexico on an onion boat.

“My grandpa Ted came from Lebanon with his mom and his siblings, after my great grandfather had already been in Mexico for a while. They had traveled on an onion boat for 3 weeks to get to Mexico.” This part of their story shows how much they needed to come to America, so determination is a strong thing when you really believe in it.

My Grandfather and Grandmother got married and had my dad, uncles, and aunts. I thought I had known all about them but now I am learning new things about them. For example, I have an aunt I never knew of! My grandparents had a true love story.

They had gone on three dates before deciding that they wanted to get married.

They thought that their parents would not approve of this, so they eloped to Mexico to get married, and when they came back and told their parents they were married they approved so they got remarried again in El Paso.

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My grandmother’s side is just as interesting.

Her parents were important people, because her father was a federal judge who was well respected. He handled many important cases and was described as tough but fair.

My grandmother was never able to go to law school, but even though she never did she studied hard and was still able to pass her bar test. “My grandmother was the first female lawyer in El Paso Texas.”. This shows that with enough work, anything is possible.

I never knew that my family on my dad’s side was so interesting because there are so many cool things like for example my grandparents love story, or my great grandfather escaping from civil war and coming to Mexico and America. Or even my great grandmother who was the first lawyer in EL Paso.

There is probably still a lot more I don’t know about that side of my family, but I know that I will keep learning more about them as time goes on.

Photo of the Swayambhunath and the Pashupatinath temple https://handluggageonly.co.uk/2017/09/08/exploring-swayambhunath-stupa-monkey-templekathmandu-nepal/ https://www.travelogyindia.com/blog/everything-about-pashupatinath-templein-kathmandu

It was the fall of ’06, my Dad was on a plane to Kathmandu with only one thing on his mind, The Himalayas. He was tapping his feet; he couldn’t wait to climb up in the Himalayas. My Dad is a very adventurous person, he’s been to Greece, Italy, and England. He’s always loved going around the world and seeing amazing places. I have a love for adventure too and would have been there with him if I could.

From the beautiful town of Kathmandu and the place itself, The Himalayas is a breathtaking experience.

When my dad arrives in Kathmandu. Nepal, he notices all of Kathmandu’s way of civilization.

While he was there, he noticed many old buildings and seeing many people farming. He was surprised that many people were doing things that haven’t been done in the US for centuries. He said,

“It was like walking back 1,000’s of years ago.”

photo of my Dad more than 10 years after his trip to the Himalayas

This suggests that many were farming and having old small houses or cottages in that area. When I heard my dad say this, I thought of it as a very agricultural area with many animals and food sold everywhere, but also, I would’ve thought the area would have many religious monuments like churches or a religious figure in the middle of town. the more I researched it the more I knew what it was like there. Kathmandu is an area with many old broken-down buildings. There are many temples there. Like the Swayambhunath, the Swayambhunath (AKA: the monkey temple) is a very old temple with monkeys living inside. That temple is one of the most known temples in Kathmandu. There is also the Pashupatinath temple, this temple is like the Swayambhunath temple but has an Ancient Chinese feel to it. The area is densely populated area with houses in every corner.

When my dad made it to the Indian part of Kathmandu, he was looking over the river and saw something he will remember for the rest of his life. When my dad was walking with some other climbers, he goes down a flight of stairs and sees something by the riverbank. He

said, “They were burning bodies on the riverbank.” This is showing the usual procedure for funerals on the Indian side of Kathmandu. When I first heard it, I was so surprised I couldn’t believe my dad saw people burn the dead and put their ashes in the river. I was very intrigued and wanted to look it up and I found the answer I was looking for. They would bring a dead body covered in a cloth and bring it onto a cement block, put dry wood underneath the dead body and would add all of their belongings on top of the body. Then, they would add flowers to the body. They would say a couple of prayers and burn it until it was only ash and burnt bits of cloth from the belongings next to them and from the cloth that was wrapped around the body. They would also add straw on top of the body for larger flames.

My dad was not only adventurous for diving into Kathmandu culture, he was also adventurous for opting to hiking parts of the Himalayas. When my dad was up in the Himalayas, he realized what the most important supply that you needed was. My dad packed many supplies like, for example: a tent, pillow, lantern, etc. but, when he was around that area, he noticed many people looking down at his feet. He said, “The most important gear there was shoes.” When I heard that I wasn’t very surprised. Shoes are very important in general, but it’s especially important to have the right and good shoes. If you didn’t have good or the right pair of shoes you would struggle trying to climb in the Himalayas. When I heard that I was wondering what shoes are good for being in the Himalayas and I knew that it wasn’t just mountain shoes. When I looked it up, I said to myself ‘of course why didn’t I think of that?’ the shoes that were important mountain shoes were a bit boot like with a hard tip so when you put your toe into a crevasse you wouldn’t slip, the tough toe would keep it straight and not bent. They also seem either gray or a light greenish brown. But it makes sense that people would look at your feet like that especially because your feet are the things that are holding you high up.

The Himalayas is a breathtaking experience.

The Mountain Life

The experience of being in the Himalayas Written by Dylan Lambert

My dad has always been an adventurous person, he loves going to amazing places like the Himalayas. While interviewing him I learned a lot of information about Kathmandu and what it’s like there. I also learned about the importance of wearing good shoes when you are in the Himalayas. if I was there with my dad, I would want to learn more about the culture of Kathmandu and its ancient buildings.

But out of all this, the Himalayas is a breathtaking experience.

Photo of a body being burned by the riverbank https://blog.lilianamonticone.com/en/kathmandu-cremations-in-nepalpashupatinath-temple/

Son of FBI agent, Dan Considine Jr, who was recently interviewed about what it was like to grow up with a parent in government, specifically the FBI.

A young boy walks through the front door of a suburban house in Lake Forest, Illinois, after a long day at school. This boy is my grandfather, many years before he retired, and his oncebrown hair turned the bright white color of snow. He tugs on the straps of his school bag, heaving it onto the wooden floor. He takes off his sneakers, and heads towards the kitchen, where he finds his mother sitting down at the table.

“Mother, when will father be coming home?” he asks, joining her at the table. “I’m not exactly sure, Dan. It’s hard to tell. I’ll let you know if he calls, though,” she replies. Dan grabbed his school bag and hurried up the stairs to get a head start on his homework.

After finishing homework, he heads downstairs for dinner, goes out to play, returns home, and lies in his bed, almost asleep. Suddenly, he hears the click of the front door opening.

His father was home, and he’d known exactly where he had been. He wasn’t trapped under a tiny desk in small cubicle with annoying coworkers at his 9:005:00 job like most fathers.

Dan’s father was on a case. As it happens, Dan’s father was an FBI agent, and his job was to protect the country from harm.

Daniel Considine Sr. was a selfless and caring man who loved doing things to benefit the greater good. His son, Dan, explains why he thought his father wanted to join the FBI. “He liked the idea of helping society, that’s really why he did it,” Considine elaborates. This quote shows that Dan looks up to his father and the way he hoped to impact the world through helping others. Dan thinks his father’s selflessness is what really motivated his father to take on this difficult yet interesting career. He liked to help the greater good through his work, by trying to

investigate specific people, a group, or weapons that may be a possible threat to the safety of the public.

He was a hardworking man who was also very passionate about his job. When Dan was questioned about the hours his father worked daily for the FBI, Dan states, “A lot of the work he did, it wasn’t like you could just quit at 5:00… you had to work through the evening.”

Dan also recalls that FBI agents needed to be able to work overtime so they could finish up tasks. Cases can last long, so this caused his father’s schedule to be fairly unpredictable. But this was okay with Dan Sr, as he was a professional man who enjoyed his job, regardless of all the tiresome work and lengthy hours.

From the eyes of others, it seemed that Dan Considine Sr. thoroughly enjoyed working for the FBI. Dan Jr. often discussed his father with his mother, as a result of his father’s busy schedule and early passing. He would often approach his mother, who would most likely be completing the crossword puzzle from that week’s newspaper and have a pleasant conversation about his father.

“My mother told me that she felt his happiest days were when he was working for the FBI,” Dan recalls. Dan’s mother explains how passionate his father felt about his career and prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of others. Dan Sr. was a man who felt happiest when he was serving the community and helping others.

Dan Jr.’s father had a large impact on his life and influenced him to become the person that he is today. Time continued to pass by, as Dan grew older and went on to college. Dan Sr. passed away around the time Dan was in law school, and life threw Dan a

curveball. “My father was a very important person in my life,” Dan reflects. He was more than just an FBI agent; he was also a man that cared deeply about his family and friends, loved helping others, and working hard to support his family. Without him, Dan may not have had the same perspective towards life as he does now.

Fidelity, bravery, and integrity (the FBI principles), were very important to Daniel Considine Sr.

S

I See Chicago • How Kate Junkins created an inclusive program in hopes of changing kids lives

By: Marty Junkins

ome areas in the City of Chicago aren’t the safest

places for people to live. However, this does not mean at all that all the people here are bad. Most of them aren’t. It’s hard to see good, smart people with much potential held back because of situation. After realizing and deciding to make change to this, my sister Kate Junkins tried to help these kids have a safe place to go when they could not be at home. This place that she volunteered at and started a little choir program and a “field trip” camp over the summer is the Port Ministries. The Port is a safe place for people to go for people who live in dangerous neighborhoods. In Kate doing this, some of these kids have gotten better grades in school and have improved attitude towards life. This generation will be the one to stop the systemic racism and separation, and if kids realize that nobody is superior to anyone else then naturally separation will be minimized.

My sister Kate always wanted to help communities in need. She had always had it in the back of her mind. She thought to herself one day about what she could do to help people in need in the city of Chicago. This went through her mind many, many times until one day she hit the nail on the head. Kate was driving home one day from Saint Ignatius College Prep, the high school she went to, to her home when she said she saw a little girl carrying garbage bags of food and clothes to a shelter. She stated that something changed inside her, like a call to help people in less fortunate communities than her own. Kate though to herself for a while until she came up with the thing that really got her to spark change. Henceforth, she exclaimed, “How can I make a difference or educate myself more in communities less fortunate than mine? (Junkins) This really made her start to try and plan out and think of ways to help people in less fortunate communities. This quote is powerful because she means that this fire burning inside her just sparked her to make a change in these kids’ lives.

It’s difficult to comprehend right now, but in the future this program could be their saving grace, keeping the children out of gangs and violence, which is easy to get into in the area. With her helping these kids they could possibly do better in school, be more motivated, and be upstanding members of the community. I believe that I, and my sisters, benefited from Kate doing this. We got some perspective and experience early on. I learned that everyone is born with the same human potential, however, situation and home life affect it dramatically.

As Kate was helping at the Port Ministries, she began to question herself and ask if what she was doing was worth doing and making a change. Kate began to question if the work that she was doing was helpful and impactful in the whole community and the answer is specifically no. What is making an impact is her helping the kids that go to the Port.

Because of this, some of these kids started to clean up their behavior, some started to get better grades in school, and some just became more upstanding and kind members of the community. What was significant that Kate said was, “No one person will make an institutional change. One person can make an individual change to many people and that spreads like wildfire into an institutional change.”

(Junkins) This kept her motivated and inspired her to do more. What this quote is portraying is that not one person will make a whole intuitional change by themselves. They need people that will be receptive and will willingly spread the message to do good that will create the institutional change. There is so much racial and socio-economical segregation and separation in Chicago that if people from wealthier or more fortunate communities start to use their resources to help balance and integrate those people there will be an institutional change.

Kate began to go to the Port almost every day. She

would sometimes take them on sightseeing tours of Chicago, do crafts at the Port, or maybe some fun physical activity such as a water balloon fight. Right from the start some kids weren’t as interested in participating just because they hadn’t experienced it and they were kind of embarrassed you could say. As she kept trying to get them to participate, they eventually started to and soon saw a change in attitude towards new things for some of them.

Another thing that really inspired Kate was when they were on a boat tour and one kid said that he’d make those vast skyscrapers that he saw on the beautiful Chicago skyline.

Kate exclaimed, “A small change in one of these kids’ lives can make an exponential change all around” (Junkins).What this quote is saying is that many things that we have we take for granted. As we take these things for granted, we give them to people while not thinking. As a result, sometimes these things can make a great change in some of these kids’ attitudes/behavior.

Kate changed a lot of kids’ perspective on life in Chicago. She made many of them realize that there is more than violence and criminal activity. They discovered that they can do whatever they want in life and people are willing to help them to get where they want to be. The advice I can give to anyone reading this is: Help everyone.

Don’t hate. And always see the good in people. As I said before, many individual changes can spark an institutional change.

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Hurricane coming, take cover!!!

By: Caden Knoeck

This is a picture of one of the many neighbor hood under water.

Living the dream Working in the NBA By: Kylynn White

This is my mom Kris White to the person I reviewed in this article

Working with some of the best NBA players of all time is a dream of many people. Well, Kris White is living that dream… every day. If you’re like me you’re wondering, how does she work with these players? What does she do for them? If you want to find out, just keep on reading. Throughout the interview, she goes in depth on a few questions you may have. Such as, how she works with, and what she does for the players? What schooling was like to get this job, her life involved with sports, what inspired her to get this job, and so much more. She does an outstanding job explaining her job so maybe you could learn something from this interview. As the interview goes along, she continues to tell us about what it has been like because of covid, which has affected jobs all over the world, which I think shows her capability to persevere through this struggle and this block in her way of working. So, if you are interested or want to learn more about not only basketball but the preparation, the job, and the fun things that come along with working for these basketball players, keep on reading.

To start the interview, I first wanted to know what life was like when she was growing up. I asked about her childhood, how involved she was with sports growing up, where she’s from, and what sports were like where she was from. My interviewee was my mom, Kris White. She works at CAA sports which stands for Creative Artists Industry. This is a company that works with clients from all over the world who play all kinds of sports whether it’d be basketball or skiing or volleyball and soccer. But her company not only works with sports players, they have also signed some actors, actresses, YouTubers, singers, dancer, etc. that you may know. But the people my mom specifically works with are basketball agents. She has worked at CAA for 14 years and loves it more and more each year. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, which she described as a very sports heavy place by saying, “I grew up in Nebraska and always love sports, I was always around sports.” This quote was especially significant because it tells the background of where she’s from and how that background of sports has affected her life.

Another thing this quote suggests is that where she’s from is a highly sports heavy place, which can be her inspiration for why she got the job she has. This quote was especially powerful compared to others because there’s a lot of information about how sports formed her childhood and now also formed her adulthood of being her passion and what she loves. This gives me the idea that the number of sports that went around in her home heavily affected her, helping her to get to where she is today as a successful and talented sports agent manager.

The next thing we talked about was the other jobs she has had throughout her life, which of course ended up being sports related. After graduating, she moved to Chicago at 21 years old and got a job working at the Chicago Bulls Sox Academy. This company threw camps for children for both basketball and baseball. They threw these clinics all across Chicago and for kids ages 6-13. After that, she worked at the Bulls, which was when Michael Jordan played there. She got to work and be in the same building as him, which helped her gain a lot of experience in her job. She described the experience as once in a lifetime and described the job as very exciting. Which I definitely agree with. She said, “Getting to see the bulls play and win was very fun and inspiring and really helped me to grow my passion and love for sports.” I think this quote is significant because it shows that her moving to Chicago and getting that job at that perfect time and getting to be on the staff of one of the greatest if not the greatest basketball player of all time was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This heavily affected her love and passion for her job and just for sports. I think this quote suggests that her working with Michael Jordan was a once in a lifetime experience that she is so lucky to have been able to experience. This is powerful because this quote holds a lot of information. This quote also tells us why she chose the job she has, a fun fact about her job, and just the overall outstanding accomplishment it is to have been able to work with the legend himself Michael Jordan.

The next thing we talked about was her specific part of the job and what she does. Once she moved to CAA her specific area of work was being a client manager. The duties that come with this job comprise helping players with their marketing, and appearances, helping them move, trades with teams, events, etc. Her company works with many famous players that you might know such as Joelle Embeed, Yakap Portal, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and many others. But those are just from the basketball section of her company. In the other sports and music industries, there are people all the way from Oprah to Ninja (a famous YouTuber), from Aaron Rogers to Steven Spielberg, even from Cardi B to Kanye. Growing up, she played basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball. In high school, she stuck to volleyball and softball and later in college went with softball as her dominant sport. This was another piece of inspiration that put her to where she is in her job today. One quote she said concerning this that really stuck out to me was, “I love sports, it’s what makes me happy. My takeaway from reality.” I thought this quote was significant because I feel the same way, so whenever I’m having a tough day sports are always there to make me happy. This quote also suggests that as a kid sports were this takeaway from reality for her so, I bet as an adult when life gets tough just focusing on her job and the success of her players could also lift her up and remind her of herself as a kid in sports, which is so powerful because it shows once you find your true passion and your hobby you will always have it there and it will always be there to have your back no matter what. This quote definitely shows that sports are her genuine passion which gives me the idea that maybe sports too, are my passion and how I might want to consider this hobby just like she did.

After, we talked about schooling and what schooling was like to prepare her for her job, and how her job has been affected because of COVID-19. She went to college at Wayne State. When she got there, she noticed they offered a degree in sports management and knew that’s what she wanted to do.

Wayne State was a four-year college, so she studied there for all 4 years. She minored in business but did not finish her master’s degree. She described the schooling as “a great preparation and an exciting

experience” for her. One thing that has made her job especially hard because during this pandemic is not being able to get the 1 on 1 time with the players (in person) that she’s used to getting. This especially makes drafting and trading players difficult because instead of the in-person interaction they’re forced to instead use zoom and WebEx to reach these players. They also can’t go to all of their games, which also makes recruiting extremely hard. She described this as, “A challenge that we’ve been able to overcome while still improving our company throughout the entire experience.” This quote stuck out to me because it shows that even during a hard time like this, they could overcome and still recruit players to grow their company. This suggested that even though the recruiting style has changed, they adapted their way of doing it to help improve their company. I think this is especially powerful because it shows that the hard work and thought they put into their work every day really has paid off and the dedication they have to getting these players will pay off as they continue to grow their company which is very inspiring to show that they never gave up and pushed through their struggles.

My interviewee, we did an outstanding job expressing and explaining her love for sports while also teaching a precious lesson. One thing that I wanted you guys to get out of the interview was that she is a very hardworking woman. If you too work hard, you can get to being somewhere that you really love and really enjoy working at. The second thing I hoped you would get out of this interview was that once you find your passion, don’t give up on it. No matter how hard it gets, if you find something that makes you happy, you should always be able to partake in it your entire life. One thing that I especially appreciated about my interviewee was her drive and passion for what she does. I could really see her love for sports when she was explaining the struggles during covid. She explained how it was more difficult to not be able to watch the games and really get to know these players that she will work with.

Some new insight that I got after listening to her was that sports are a part of her life and always will be. They have shaped her up to become who she is today and what she is currently. One thing that this can give you guys to think about is what is your passion? Have you found something that truly makes you happy, that you would consider doing for your complete life? One piece of advice that I would give you guys is that once you find this interest or something that you love, don’t give up on it. Keep pushing even when times get tough because trust me it will be worth it. And that is all for this interview I hope that you guys got a little out of this and I hope it was something that you could truly learn from.

“I grew up in Nebraska and always love sports, I was always around sports.”

Pictured: Carl Ivanelli, Amanda Ivanelli, Cj(9), Luca (8), Bruno (5), and Enzo (2).

The Lifestyle Of Amanda Ivanelli

Amanda Ivanelli is a hardworking mother and blogger. It was a hot sunny day in Florida, Amanda Ivanelli sat at her vanity with a big smile on her face excited to share about her accomplishments, struggles, and her life. Amanda Ivanelli grew up in a small town called Princeton, IL and, now lives in Naples, Florida with four young boys and her husband. Amanda Ivanelli started her public profile in 2015 on Instagram and now has 280k followers and a website called http://luxemamablog.com/. In 2019 she was published in a magazine called “Hinsdale living” where she discussed family, her career, and her and her family. This was one of her biggest accomplishments helping her grow her platform as she gained popularity from the magazine. She now is a very successful and positive role model to her followers and family.

It started as a small idea but turned into a career. At the beginning of her blogging soon to be her career she received small questions from moms and others about her and her daily life and, from that point decided if she is going to take time out of her day to answers these questions, she should turn this into her full-time career. With a smile, she stated, “I never went into thinking that it just kind of just evolved into that. It started and it kept growing and I saw an opportunity I could take so I monetized from that.”

This suggests that my aunt never thought that this would become reality and only become something she does occasionally or for fun but, it now turned into part of her daily life. This small idea has turned into something my aunt is very passionate about. This also proves that you can make a small dream or idea reality and you can your ideas into a lifestyle or career.

The most important thing above all for my aunt is her family. My aunt Amanda is one of the most family-oriented people who is always caring for her husband and four young boys whom she puts 1st in every situation. As you probably can image having four young boys is a handful. My aunt always makes it to their sports games and school events while including her kids in her blogging.

When people start to get to know my aunt, they automatically know how much she cares for her family. My Aunt’s family is so important to her she is a full-time stay-at-home mom who most enjoys spending time with her kids and husband. She states, “I always say my priority is being a mom and wife and my audience knows that.” This evidence proves that blogging is a timeconsuming job that requires her to be on her phone 24/7 thankfully my aunt’s blogging platform includes her showing her family and her everyday life and what she does with her four kids and husband. Her audience has not only gotten to know her as a person but, her family and how much she cares for them.

Many people think blogging is snapping a picture of what you're advertising and, posting it on a social media platform. My aunt explains that blogging is so much more than that. She explains that first, you need to have a team someone, who does the “behind the scene” by booking campaigns and reading through the contract, then you need to pitch the product, shoot content for product/ what is being advertised, and lastly 24 hours after check analytics to see how many swipe ups and purchases were made off that photo. This work is completed on Monday’s and Thursday’s. The rest of the week consists of my aunt showing her everyday life this includes life with her four boys and her husband, With a smile she explains, “I have a great job where I can do whatever I’m going to do and whatever your day is you can just follow along with it.” This suggests blogging is more than posting a picture on social media it's creating trust and bond between followers; it’s about showing your own life and showing you as a person. My aunt explains that her job is more than posting a picture to social media it’s about showing what your day is and letting your followers follow you along through the day. My aunt states that her followers not only like to see the products she advertises but, they like to see her daily life and family aspects this lets her followers get to know the person they are following.

My aunt is a great person who has many positive traits. These traits include being a hard worker, dedicated, family-oriented, and kindhearted. I have come to look at my aunt’s life and career in a new way knowing now how hard she works and what it is like to be a blogger. During this interview, I have learned so many valuable things about my aunt that weren't learned before. Some things I value in my aunt is she isn’t afraid to show her family and there “crazy side” she loves to show her young children and, her husband.

By: Giada Jordan

“I always say my first priority is being a mom and a wife and my audience knows that.”

Fighting everyday By: Grace Kramer •

• Lastly, I asked her what it felt like when chemo was over to which she replied with this. “I felt free, • A mother job is to raise a child to the best ability like the bad part was over and the best was bout to that they can. They put a roof of ever your head, come.” She has ben fighting for so long and now she feed, you give you an education. They do everything could sit down and breath. She lives life to the fullest they can for you and love you so much. My mother and when it was over everyone could tell how proud has done these things for me every day and I truly do she was of herself. She had over come one of the have to thank her for everything she has done for me. hardest things and she did with so many things going The thing is though he kid these things while having on while fighting. She said that while it was hard cancer and still had to go to work. She has fought doing all of it, it taught her so much about others and every day for me and this, is her story. herself.

• • So, I leave you with this quote my mother said, “I can’t give up now, I won’t.” My mom inspires me • I asked my mom what it felt like getting diagnosed and she describe it like this “I felt scared at every day because she went through, having to raise first, about what was going to happen. Yet I knew I kids, go to work, all while having to go to chemo to. I could do it; I knew I could fight.” This shows me how look up to her so much because she fights for herself strong of a person she is. She told me how she would and the people around her all the time. I want to be wake up and be scared but still knew she had to be like her when I grow up, and I truly mean that because she works so hard and she is so smart. strong for the people around her, and herself. She also told me going to work was hard, but she knew • she had to. She had to still provide for her family and while it was hard it was almost like an escape. She could act like everything was fine and see her friends in the building. It was like everything was fine, and no one would think of her differently.

• Next, I asked her what she was thinking trough out the day or maybe even what it felt like walking into the building and she said this “My body was just slowing down, not my mind. So why should I stop and give up on it.” She would wake up and go to the doctors for chemo almost every day. After that straight to work. So, then I asked what go you through the day, what motived you. “My family, I love my whole family and I knew I had to be there for them.” This showed who my mom is, a person who cares so much about others and only wants to see people happy.

A women's story about how she had to fight cancer on her own and how she did it

This women is Michelle Nakfoor

“My body was just slowing down, not my mind. So why should I stop and give up on it.” – Michelle Nakfoor

Dancing with Disease

By McKenzie Kiley Before I started the interview, I could feel the power that resonated from her past career. Lynn Kiley helped make history. Lynn Kiley started her career by attending an interior design school, which later resulted in a project called SOS Children’s Village. SOS is a type of foster care system in Illinois. Kiley said that they have won many awards because of the way the system is set up. This project set an example of an almost perfect system. Creating safe and loving homes for the kids and ensuring a broad future. Others in a position with connections would not think of taking this project and using their connections to help others. But that is exactly what Lynn Kiley did. Lynn Kiley besides being my grandmother, has made a huge difference in children's lives in Illinois.

When I interviewed Lynn Kiley, she stated that when she graduated from high school, she thought she was going to become a teacher since that is what most of the others were doing. When thinking this through this decision she got a push from her mother to become something else. Her mother said to her,

“You can be anything you want in the world, but be something, do something.”

This push from her mom made a huge impact on her career. Not only this, but the piece of advice her mother gave her could be used for other problems she is struggling

with to this day. The quote rom her mother means to don’t just follow others, be something and do something. Make a difference on the world, and those few words effected Lynn Kiley and her decision.

When I asked Lynn Kiley about the reasoning behind her choice to take the job at SOS, she responded by saying she knew she wanted to go to a non for profit. After being married to my grandfather, and not wanting both my grandmother and grandfather to be traveling she knew she wanted to do something here. She said she choose to find a non for profit for children because she really cared for them, and some are blessed way more than others.

She said, “People say they don’t want to dance for disease.” What she meant is that many either don’t want to be more giving to people in need or just don’t take it into account. She knew she could really help this project, with her resources she cut the costs down for the homes and contributed to ensure that these kids would have a stable, kind home. Her career on this project made a big difference on the foster care system in Chicago. Not only this but she encouraged others to help with SOS. Getting more and more people involved and improving the project more!

We later talked about the important things in this type of foster care. She listed all the different factors that play into finding a perfect home for a kid. The systems across the country have issues in their systems.

So, Lynn Kiley and the others on the project thought of new ideas. These new ideas secured a foster care system that would be for the kids to

get a normal life. While be taken care of in a nice home, with loving parents. She said, “The parent is the most important thing.” At SOS the parents are payed to just be there for these kids. Care for them, help them with homework, show them love, teach them valuable life skills.

It is always important for the parents to able to care for these kids, in order to give them something they probably wouldn’t get in the average foster care system. These kids need stability in their households, after going through so much already. Lynn Kiley talked about one story on how wonderful the relationships are between the foster parents and the kids. One of the foster kids after going away to college and starting her new life, made sure to go back to visit her foster mom. Not only this but she also helped her mom with chores around the house. So, the relationship between the people living in the house aren’t temporary.

Lynn Kiley has had many accomplishments, one of many is SOS Children’s Village. She has made a big difference in these kids’ lives, and the foster care system in Illinois. With her connections, empathy, and opportunities she has made a difference. She is not only a strong, independent woman but also a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to many.

My grandmother, Lynn Kiley, talks about her project called SOS Children’s Village

Doctors never stop. Imagine a sick patient coming into your office. You as a doctor know they have the Corona deadly Virus. You know it is your job to take care of the patient anyway. This is the scary experience that doctors like my mother go through each day. During this Covid-19 pandemic, we have never needed doctors more. This deadly virus has been scary and very dangerous. Doctors have continued to persevere and work hard to help patients. My mother is a doctor at Northwestern Hospital, she has faced many problems and setbacks such as shortages of supplies and less staff. This has really impacted her work. She also realizes Covid-19 is a deadly virus. She understands it is her job to take care of her patients no matter what they have. Her and her co-workers have learned to problem solve and be more flexible. One should learn to preserve, and problem solve through tough times, just like doctors had to during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Preeti Kansal My mom, a doctor at Northwestern hospital. The goods and bads being a doctor during the covid-19 pandemic.

How it can be dangerous but also rewarding.

The Dangers Of Being a Doctor

By Neil Manadan

For a doctor, it can be scary to take care of patients during the dangerous Covid-19 pandemic. It can also be scary for the patients to go to a hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the hospital patients and doctors have a high risk of getting Coronavirus. There have been many cases where a patient or doctor have come into the hospital covid negative, then been tested, and turned covid positive. My mother is a cardiologist at Northwestern Hospital, she says, “What is most scary, is to realize a patient came into the hospital with a negative covid test. Then the patient had new symptoms prompting another test, which in many cases has turned positive.” This is scary for both patients and doctors because a doctor you don’t want to get coronavirus doing your job, and as a patient you go to a doctor to get better, not to get sicker. This shows how doctors are willing to work even when things are scary and challenging.

Doctors have a tough and an important job. They are especial important now because of the covid pandemic. We need doctors and they are essential workers. Their job can be tough and possibly dangerous, but they must do their job anyway.

During the Covid-19 pandemic doctors have had to take care of patients despite if they were covid negative or covid positive. My mother who is a cardiologist says, “As a doctor in the hospital we are not necessarily scared because we realize it is our job to take care of patients no matter what

they have.” This is important because it shows how doctors don’t care what their patients have, because they realize it is their job to take care of their patients no matter what they have. This shows how doctors are essential workers and we need them especially now during the Covid-19 pandemic. Doctors are as important as fireman, and other essential workers. Without them so many people would not be alive today.

Despite all the hardships during Covid 19, there also have been positive outcomes in the hospital.

During covid there have been a lot of problems and setbacks in the hospital. It has been harder for doctors, nurses and staff who work at a hospital.

There have been less supplies, less rescores, and less money. Many people have been laid off and out of their jobs. Despite all these problems, there have been positive outcomes. For example, doctors, nurses and staff have learned to problem solve, and be more flexible. My mother is a doctor at northwestern and talks about positive outcomes from Covid-19. “We have all learned to be more flexible and problem solve better.” This shows how even though covid has been a terrible experience for many, especially hospitals, there have been positive outcomes as well.

-”There have been many good outcomes of the pandemic.” –Preeti Kansal Covid has brought a lot of hardships but it has also brought positive outcomes. Throughout the covid experience it has been hard for doctors, nurses and hospitals. My mother who is a doctor has faced a lot of problems due to covid. As a result of the Covid-19, there have been many hardships and problems but doctors who are essential have learned to problem solve. One should learn to preserve, and problem solve through tough times, just like doctors had to during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sitting at a desk a blonde hair woman with a ponytail. Dark purple therapy, she said she would probably go to doctor school. My dad also scrubs with the icon North western, with long pants and a short sleeve is a Physical therapist and they meant during school. She works hard to shirt. Bright screen blaring on her face. Pictures of family and friends make her kids happy and her family in general. One time she said, “Life next to her computer. Lesli Lo is a woman’ s health Physical Therapist. you know, you work most of your life, so you want to enjoy what you She has been working for almost 20 years now. I’m talking about my do.” What she means is pick a job you feel like you would enjoy so mom because I believe that she is a strong woman and has grown much you don’t want to give it up. since she started. She has different styles of living through her years My Mom works hard to get were she is today. Her parents pushed her since she start in a small town and now to a really big city out of the to be the best self she could be. She had many more opportunities than most people she knew. I don’t think she would trade anything state.

Lesli started Physical Therapy school fresh with not that many friends else for this life. Although, she is a Physical therapist she has Three since most of her friends didn’t want that job in the future. My mom kids, loving husband, and 3 little dogs. started out in Physical Therapy school thinking she would be doing Neurorehab. She went to a lot of other Physical Therapy courses and found herself actual liking Woman’s health. A person actual got her into Woman’s health. She also thought she would help the old people.

She said, “your general education of physical therapy school exposes to multiple of Physical therapy.” This quote significant because she’s saying that when you get in school it opens you up to many different By: Lauren Lo options.

Lesli grew up in a small town, where she could join any sport, any club Lesli Lo worked hard to become a she wanted. Life was simple there everybody knew each other, and Physical Therapist. everyone was mostly friends. She grew up doing track and cross contry when she was in highschool and middle school. One of her friends twisted her ankle, and she went with her friend. My mom thought it was so cool what the Physical therapist were doing. She eventually started to work at a clinic with her sister. She said “I grew up in a small town with about 120 people.” The quote helps explain the possibility she had and could do anything she wanted to.

My mom works at North western and works in woman’s health. She Lesli Lo is the Regional Coordinator works most of the time during the week. She treats Woman from at North Western for Woman's anything to pregnant to just woman. If my mom wasn’t a Physical Health.

The Life of a Physical Therapist

COVID-19 Effects on Students My cousin reflects on how school been during the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Jocelyn Lara Grabbing my notepad filled with questions and preparing the voice memo app I made sure everything was ready for the interview. Sitting at the dining room table childhood photos hanged on the wall and were framed on the bookshelf.

The smell of my grandmother cooking coming through from the kitchen. Anayah walked through the narrow hallway leading to the family room.

Looking down as she walked her brows scrunched together and she typed away on her phone. When Anayah finally looked up her brown eyes met mine, she pulled out the wooden chair and sat down getting cozy placing her phone in front of her.

Anayah is a close cousin of mine and is also a college freshman attending Columbia College Chicago who is trying to adapt and deal with the struggle of college life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic most schools have succumb to learning to online off campus. This is no difference with college students. Anayah school situation has been no different.

“Most of my classes have been online, but if there was an actual class there would only be a 10-12 people.” Imagine having to sit at the computer for hours on end with no breaks struggling to listen to the classes because of the distractions around you.

Walking into school and only

Anayah’s graduation photo took during the last say as a high schooler wearing her cap and gown, and holding her diploma

seeing ten other people.

Imagine the awkward atmosphere in zoom when asked a question.

The situation has been though for everyone. School itself is not easy but school online is even harder barley interacting with other, Small number in classroom, and the awkward atmosphere in zoom is a struggle along with household distractions makes everything difficult for the students.

College should be about learning and about having new experience. Anayah college life so far it fell nothing short of schoolwork and homework.

“I do feel like I’m missing out, and I don’t get to meet as many new people.”

This shows what Anayah been feeling and wanting of having new experience and enjoy a normal college life.

Anayah school life doesn’t involve friend’s life it uses to.

Anayah is a very social person it hard to adapt to the change of how you viewed school before the virus, and how it has change making school all the more difficult. College life is supposed to filled with new experience and while learning to be online is a new experience it not what others may have expected when thinking of their new college experience.

Anayah has been along with others are learning how to deal with this change. Trying her

best to keep up with her work saying, “Trying to adapt has been hard but you just got to keep going.” This attitude is what has kept Anayah going and pushed Anayah to be successful in the first part of her freshmen year. When everything got hard Anayah kept going and keep trying.

Anayah accomplish the most she can as soon as she can.

Anayah has been using all the resources she has available to help her succeed even more.

Working in a quiet is hard for Anayah because of her household, but she manages to the quietest spot to help her learn and grow.

With the struggle of the pandemic everyone trying to do their best to adapt. Life has been different for a few months now and to see many students succeed helps motivate others and be proud of what everyone has accomplish in the pandemic even though it has been a struggle.

“And uncertain because the plan I had originally fell to pieces,” said a 22-year-old young woman named Reyna Lee. Uncertainty was manifested for my sister because COVID was so new and nobody knew how to handle things yet, so she was unsure how to continue her job finding process and how to live her life somewhat normally. Reyna Lee graduated college, moved to a new city and found a job all during a pandemic. In May, my sister graduated from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and moved to Springfield in August for her first real job. She is currently working as a finance assistant for Betsy Londrigan who is running for congress and Reyna has graduated with high honors. Over the course of the pandemic she has demonstrated what it looks like to struggle with things but come up on the other side a stronger, more noble person. Yet, she was able to empathize for others and recognize how blessed her life is compared to others. So, when it was time for me to pick someone, I knew that my older sister was the perfect model person. Her focus on others well-being and everything that she thought drove me to interview her, I witnessed Reyna Lee grow and adapt very much over these last 8 months and it was a pleasure to interview her.

During my interview with my sister Reyna, a college graduate and working person she asks a question that really got me thinking. Reyna was asked how her job during COVID-19 changed the way she viewed the world and she responded, “Are they prioritizing the safety of human-beings or are they prioritizing money?” When she says “they” she’s referring to people who are working during COVID. Reyna’s asking what working people are prioritizing right now, whether it’s money or the safety of other people. I selected this quote because it forces you to contemplate your own priorities.

This quote is powerful because it questions other people’s priorities and the goals they might have. The question also makes you realize what’s important in your own life and what you want to strive for in the future. It can also make you think about whether you do what you do because you love it or because it gets food on the table and a roof over your head.

Pictured Above: Reyna Lee, a graduate from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

A Young Adult’s Take on Life during COVID19 By: Raquel Lee

“Are they prioritizing the safety of human-being or are they prioritizing money?”

–Reyna Lee Reyna was asked if she feels empathetic towards people who have harder jobs. She stated an example of how she goes shopping and feels bad for the employees. Reyna says, “Every time I pull up to a Target, I feel bad because these people have to work here and serve me during a pandemic.”

She feels bad because the job these people are doing aren’t as safe as hers because they can’t work from home. The Target employees are also surrounded by many people that they don’t know; the customers, so it puts them at risk. I selected this quote because it made me think a lot about what I’m grateful for everything that I’m blessed with. What’s powerful about this quote is how much it makes you think about the things that you have in your life. If you’re a kid, you don’t have a job so it’s hard to feel for the service workers. Since Reyna has a job, she gets the opportunity to empathize and understand the service workers.

Useful advice from Reyna was given during her interview when she was asked if she would tell her past self something useful for the future (Present-day). Since everything slowed down during COVID-19 and things were put to a sudden halt it made finding a job more difficult. She struggled a little bit looking for a job but, if she could tell her past self something about the future she’d say, “It’s fine if you’re not finding a job right now the world is

literally on fire.” I selected this quote because it gives off a sense of reassurance not just for her but for others. She’s telling you that things are different right now and there is a huge problem, also that there are other people going through similar things. This quote is significant because it makes you feel like everything will be okay and to just breathe a little bit. It also reminds you that the whole world is going through something huge and we are all in this trying to get our lives back together.

In conclusion, my sister said some very powerful things throughout her interview. I realized that I don’t know as much about my sister as I thought I did, and she is a very insightful person. Even though my sister is only 22 and still has a lot to learn in life she still had complex thoughts and ideas.

Some of the things Reyna said I occasionally think about sometimes and how powerful they truly are. I’m grateful that I got to see someone else’s point of view during the pandemic and how they’ve been looking at life lately and how their words have affected me. I aspire to look at the world the way my sister does; through empathy, understanding, and reassurance.

Jose Lopez Sr., 58 years after moving to America

A Journey to America By: Nick Lopez

Leaving your home is never easy. Even if it’s for a better job or more money, it’s still a tough decision. When my grandpa, Jose Lopez Sr., decided to leave Mexico, it must have been a difficult choice. But moving to the United States gave him lots of opportunity to succeed and fulfil his dreams. My grandpa moved to America so that he could work hard and make more money. He wanted to have a better opportunity than in Mexico and looked to America to find one. His journey there, however, was not as easy as it sounds. He started out on a small cattle ranch in Colorado with his brother and father. He usually had to work long, hard hours every day and needed to persist if he wanted to make money. This might seem like a difficult life, but he was willing to put in as much effort as he could so that he could have a good experience in the U.S. My grandpa’s journey was not easy, but it was one that would change his life forever.

My grandpa made the decision to come to America because of his desire to make money and have nice things. You might be wondering, why would someone leave their home for a place that is different in almost every way?

Growing up in Mexico, my grandpa was very poor and could not afford to have most of the things that we use in our everyday lives. And although you could say life isn’t about physical things, it’s still nice to have them around. The United States was a place where he could work hard to be successful, a place full of opportunity.

My grandpa was willing to show his best effort to make money, but he just couldn’t do that in Mexico.

When making the decision to come to America, he said, “I wanted to have a car, I wanted to have nice clothes.” These things weren’t as easily obtainable in Mexico as they were in the U.S., mainly due to of the lack of opportunity. Mexico was a very poor country where the pay was substantially low and the work required a high amount of effort. My grandpa knew that he could find a better job and more money in the United States, which meant he had to leave his home country to fulfil his

dreams. I cannot imagine this was an easy choice, but in the end, it was definitely the right decision. He acknowledged that having a better opportunity was how he could make money and get nice things. My grandpa didn’t just move to America because he liked it, he wanted an opportunity to persist and be successful.

When my grandpa first arrived in the United States, he was blown away by how different it was from Mexico. He started his work on a small cattle ranch in Colorado along with his father and brother. Being in the mountains, he saw snow quite often, which was a big change in itself. But this wasn’t the only shocker that came from the U.S. He had never seen a T.V., or even a refrigerator. These are two objects that we Americans use in our everyday lives! America was a completely new universe for my grandpa that most likely changed his perspective on Mexico.

“They [Mexico and America] were two entirely different worlds.”

Coming to the United States was a life changing experience for my grandpa in so many ways. He had spent his entire childhood in Mexico, then arrived at this crazy place that was incredibly different.

Imagine growing up on Earth and then being taken to an alien planet with huge cities and crazy technology. Think of how shocked you’d be after spending so long on Earth. There would be so many new things that it would be hard to comprehend everything. This is exactly how my grandpa felt when he came to America. He was completely blown away by how ahead it was of Mexico and all its technology. He hadn’t seen a lot of things that we use in our everyday lives. Seeing all these new things, my grandpa was quite intimidated by walking into a new world that he didn’t know anything about. There were not many similarities to Mexico and

America, so he had to adjust to everything new, which was very hard.

As my grandpa got a job in the U.S., he wanted to work hard and earn a lot of money. The whole reason he came to America was so that he could be find a good job and be successful. But success isn’t just given to you. You need to work hard and learn from your mistakes so that you can make money. Even though he started on a small ranch, my grandpa wanted to persist and learn from his job. He wanted to get a better job so that he could succeed in the United States but needed to work hard to do so. He knew that all the effort he put in would pay off.

“The more I worked, the more I wanted to learn and get ahead.” My grandpa loved to persist and always wanted to learn. This work was especially hard, though, because he didn’t know English. It caused him to face extra challenges in America and forced him to persist more than those around him. My grandpa put in a lot of effort when he came to America, and it ended up paying off. He always wanted to learn and help his future self be successful.

He earned his success and was very happy about his decision to come to the United States. He always put forth his best effort to succeed and make money.

Looking back on everything now, 58 years later, my grandpa probably feels so accomplished by everything that he’s done in America.

He worked so hard to have a better life and succeed in America. And although there were most likely many challenges he had to face during his journey, he persevered through it and didn’t let anything bring him down. It shows people that your effort always pays off in the end, even if it might seem like it won’t. Reflecting on his path through the U.S., my grandpa adds that “I never regretted it.” His story is a great lesson to everyone that you should work your hardest, no matter what, and it will always pay off.

Honorio Benzon had done many things to get where he is today.

Over the course of 32 years he has worked for Northwestern.

In that time, he was working in anesthesiology which was a very hard and demanding job.

He has had many achievements in his years like awards and writing books, but he doesn't focus on these things. He cares more about his family than anything else.

Photo from American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

When my Nono was in the Philippines he decided to become a doctor. He decided this to get out of the Philippines and give his family a chance for a better life. How he did this was that he went to school in a program in America and got a job there, so he was able to bring his family to America.

Out of everything, he decided to practice anesthesia. He chose this because, "Anesthesia gave me more time to be with my family. This quote is significant because it shows why he wanted to be an anesthesiologist, but more deeply means that even though

Putting Family over Anything Else By: Annalisa Manzano

his career was important he cares more about his family than that.

He had many accomplishments but there are some that made him prouder than others. When he got his paper publish, he was very proud of himself.

He explained it as,

"It gives you that feeling that is difficult to explain, it gives you a sense of accomplishment, a sense of belonging, like you have done something good and your work is accepted by the elite.�

This quote is significant because it deeply explained how he felt in that moment.

These accomplishments had helped him give his family the chances they have today.

Talking about his career, he

told me about something far more important to him. We were talking about proud moments in his career. But that is when he said, "I would probably put my family over my own professional career." This quote is significant because it gives a little context on what type of person he is, caring more about family bond than a career which isn't as important has family in his opinion.

He had to go through many hardships to get to the place he is now, but he made it anyway.

This shows how you can't just do nothing; you must work to get where you want to be. One of my favorite quotes was," I don’t want this discussion on what I have done academically, but the overall things on what my life turned out to be." This shows that it isn’t about academics or awards, it is about who you are and who you have become.

For as long as I can remember, me and my cousins have always been in awe of my aunt and the other remarkable women in our family. Since I was unable to talk to her in person, I tied my hair up, then set my questions up before calling. While I was unable to see her in person, I imagine her at a desk with her computer surrounded by folders with the United States seal and the (United States) Drug Enforcement Agency’s seal on them. It was early Friday morning, and I also imagine that her makeup was fully perfected and that she was in a freshly pressed blouse and skirt as her black hair cascaded down her back and shoulders.

During the interview to come, she would share deeply personal struggles as well as benefits of her career so far. Most importantly, my aunt and I would revisit the value of work ethic and the rollercoaster ride that working in the DEA (United States Drug Enforcement Agency) had been for her. I could hardly wait and was far from displeased with the answers I had received by the time that our interview was over.

Even before my Aunt, Angelia Young, joined the DEA, she was fighting challenges that were (and still are) beyond her control. She not only was a young African American, but also a woman and had also been born and raised on Chicago’s west side. She said,

And so, I find myself fighting. People have pre-conceived notions about black people, [pre-conceived notions] about black women, and [pre-conceived notions] and about people who are from certain neighborhoods.

Sometimes those [preconceived] notions color how people treat you.”

“

Breaking Barriers My aunt, Angelia Young, on her experiences in the DEA and the value of good work ethic.

Selah F. McCray

My aunt told me in an interview a few weeks back. In the media, in the workplace, and even in places of learning like schools, black people can often be perceived as less that their non-black counterparts. Also in life, black women have also been labeled as “aggressive” or “loud” for simply standing up for themselves or responding to injustice. And as for people who come from places like the south side or the west side, they can often be labelled as “ghetto” when they hold positions of power. Often in each group, people say that they only got to the places they are in today because of affirmative action and other efforts by companies to be more inclusive.

My aunt is somehow connected to each of the following because of her early socioeconomic status, gender, and the location of her home. Because it was harder for her, she had to fight to prove that all these pre-conceived notions about her were false not only for her and for others that had come from similar situations.

Most notably in comparison to white (or white passing) and male counterparts who come from affluent neighborhoods. She must work hard, and most often work harder than others to prove that she is worthy to be in her position.

As a young girl, growing up was also difficult because of her socio-economic status. If you are unfamiliar with this term, an individual’s socio-economic status refers not only to education, income, and race, but social hierarchy and what job an individual may hold. Originally, my family had owned a farm in Mississippi. In the 1950s, almost 10 years before a notable migration of African Americans from the southern America to the northern side, my great grandmother decided to sell her farm and come to Chicago. Years later, my grandmother, Betty S. Young, had three beautiful children: My mother, Gloria E. Young, Angelia L. Young, and the eldest of the three, Jaqueline Young. She later became a nurse at Rush hospital in Chicago and gave everything to her three children and later six grandchildren. “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth.” She explained. The term “born with a silver spoon” is usually used to refer to people who are given advantages over others at birth. In this context, I am referring to someone who was born with a massive amount of money. My aunt and her sisters were not. But as the middle child, my aunt did not let anything stop her. As a teenager, she was accepted to Lane Technical High School in Chicago and later attended college before joining the DEA as a young woman. She made many sacrifices; and worked hard to get to where she is today.

Facing situations of injustice proved to be a challenge for my aunt. In one instance, a suspect in a case she was responsible for refused to acknowledge her and only spoke to her white, male, counterpart. In my aunt’s situation and the situations of many other black women, she was also regarded as haughty or stubborn when she advocated or was confident in herself and her performance. She said, “It was a challenge because I had to remain calm.” My Aunt recalled.

In the FBI, CIA, DEA, in addition to state and local police forces, instances of injustice and misconduct are taken very seriously. If a federal worker is found guilty of official misconduct of any kind, it can result in the loss of a job, license, and even jail time for severe offences. Despite each of these challenges, she pulled through. Here, my Aunt demonstrated real resilience not only because she managed to finish the interview and case in the face of injustice and discrimination.

In my life and throughout this interview, my Aunt has taught me many things.

From teaching me how to play cards after Sunday dinner, to voicing her opinions about current events and sharing her early life experiences, my aunt has been a role model. But most importantly, she has taught me the value of hard work. Like a rollercoaster, my aunt has had many ups and downs in her career so far.

Toward the end of our time together, I asked if she would change her career. She replied, “I would not change it; I like what I do,” While a short but concise statement, it is important because she is projecting resilience after all the had been through. Aside from already being a government agent, my aunt puts a lot of effort into ensuring the well-being of our family. Thus, earning her the endearing nickname “Commander and Chief,” of the YoungMcCray-Burgos family. Each day, the sacrifices that she and my own mother have made motivate me to do better each day. It also gives me a greater appreciation for the luxuries I have received.

Pictured: My aunt, cousin and I at a family event more than six years ago.

“’Hey kid, I hear you’re from the south side and a White Sox Fan’” said Barack Obama. At the time Obama was releasing his first book, and my mom was greeting him in The Oprah Winfrey Show’s VIP garage to escort him to his green room. She met him and so many celebrities and powerful leaders, she even worked with one. Bridget Daley, now pursuing her dreams of being an entrepreneur, worked as the private client manager for LVMH, created handbags, and owned a magazine. She has continued to bring her skills and experiences into everything she does. She has a strong work ethic, an imaginative mind, and she grew into a confident woman.

Many of her qualities she has now came from working with Oprah Winfrey.

My mom worked at producing Oprah’s shows. With no sleep for 48 hours, her and her team produced the biggest shows in 2 weeks. Bridget and her team produced some of Oprah’s most famous moments like “You get a car!”, when she gave 276 cars to her entire audience worth 8 million dollars in total. The team had 2 days to find 276 cars to be donated. Another historic Oprah show was her 50th surprise extravaganza. It was a starstudded event where my mom pulled off elaborate surprises for Oprah’s birthday. Hosted by John Travolta and guest appearances by Jay Leno, Destiny’s Child, and a musical performance by Stevie Wonder, those were just a few highlights of her highly rated birthday taping, and just the beginning of my mom’s Oprah Show career.

people would be experts with getting interviewed. You see them on T.V. right? Well, they needed help and my mom helped them. She helped them answer questions in full sentences, to be direct and not lengthy, but still elaborate on topics.

My mom states, “’I used to be really scared and uncomfortable and I was shy, but working for her, you gained so much confidence in yourself as a female, and I’ve always said that I wish every girl coming out of college had the opportunity to work for a company like that.’” This quote holds a special meaning for my mom because it has shaped her into the powerful woman she is today. She learned to stay confident, and it prepared her for the rest of her life. The rolodex and contacts from Oprah have held importance in what she does now adays. When you hear she worked for Oprah, people know she is legit, a hustler, and has a good work ethic. Her and her crew became valuable in entertainment and weren’t intimated by anything. Oprah prepared her to be a wonderful mom, who I look up to and adore. I am very shy and quiet; I am not confident in many things I do. But as I’ve grown and as I still grow, I am finding my confidence, speaking up, and leading my teams.

My mom emphasized that working with Oprah wasn’t just about meeting deadlines and producing the shows, it was about telling a story. At Oprah you were always interviewing others, listening to their story, producing stories for the show, and investigating stories around the country. Because of her experience with so many leaders and celebrities she heard hundreds of stories and new perspectives,

important because that is what captures the attention of your audience.

My mom explained, when you worked at Oprah “no” was never the answer, you never gave up, and if you couldn’t get what the show needed, you had to find an alternative just as amazing. This caused my mom and her team to work around challenges, be more creative, and step outside the box. This was my mom’s biggest challenge; they didn’t know what the word “no” meant. This was a good thing but also bad because sometimes you couldn’t make things happen and you had to maneuver around it. My mom became a perfectionist, they were hard on themselves, and sometimes could be too aggressive. My mom tells me, “When you work at Oprah, there was no such things as the word no. If somebody said can we have 5 elephants in the studio tomorrow morning, you’ve got 2 hours to find 5 elephants. You would never say no, you would say on it.”

My mom explains the expectations at Oprah and the creativity needed.

This was an important part of how my mom balanced her work and life outside of it. She juggled staying healthy, sleep, family, and relationships.

Because of Oprah, you became a perfectionist and with Oprah’s name backing all requests it made it easier to get things, this high expectation couldn’t get tangled in her social life. She had to separate work from life, and she had to make sure she didn’t expect too much from a personal level because that’s what you expected on a professional level. This quote has many meanings that I could take into my life. One, I am a perfectionist, and it is hard to stop once I’ve got going, when I notice things aren’t getting done, it is like an instinct to take over, making things very stressful. I can’t expect how I work, from others since I am always trying to exceed expectations. But this also teaches me to go out of my comfort zone, think ideas that have never been thought, and never give up.

A farewell to the Oprah Winfrey show, 25 years of talk show greatness.

Bridget Daley, a serial entrepreneur, reinvents herself with her latest startup.

A few years out of college at the age of 22, my mom, Bridget McDermott, started her career at The Oprah Winfrey Show as an audience coordinator and production assistant for the executive producer of the show. Before the show, my mom warmed up the audience. She told the audience how to react, when to be excited, or shocked, and most of the time they wanted the crowd to be overly excited and yelling. Her job was to find special guests to participate in shows, until she was promoted and became a producer. Out of 13 production teams, she worked on high production and high performance shows like the huge car giveaway, Oprah’s 50th birthday, and the Oscar’s show. My mom and her team pitched Oprah show ideas every week and produced them in 1-2 weeks with a short turn around. She pitched concepts, field produced, went around the country to make content, interviewed celebrities and leaders, worked with editors, wrote scripts, did voice-overs with Oprah, and did post-editing and post-production. Her days at Oprah were a whirlwind experience and she is forever grateful for the friendships and lessons she gained at the Oprah Winfrey show.

When my mom worked for Oprah, she wasn’t always behind the scenes producing the show, brainstorming ideas, or preparing the audience. She had to learn to be comfortable in front of thousands of people, she needed to talk to leaders and famous celebrities. My mom prepped Barack Obama, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, and many others. To talk to these leaders, who people around the world idolize and look up to, really helped her gain confidence. And you would think these famous

Bridget’s Aha Moment

A look back at the highlights of working for the one and only Oprah Winfrey… a conversation with my mom.

“She taught me to not be afraid to dream insanely, widely big, and to go for it.” she gained new skills that would help her through the rest of her life.

People want to hear a story, they want to be fascinated, not bored. If you could tell your company’s story, you could do anything, because people want to know who you are and what you believe in.

My mom said, “The most important part of your company is to be able to tell your company’s story. And it’s always about a story. I think having the foundation working for Oprah is, we’re the best story-tellers in the business.” Because of Oprah my mom became a storyteller, she could be herself speaking to any business leader, and she wasn’t afraid to speak up for herself. When I was interviewing her, right as I started, I knew she could tell a story, from when she was 22, she remembered everything, no preparation or notes, it all came from her heart. When my mom talks about her days at Oprah, I can feel her passion in every word she says.

What is powerful about this quote to me is you must dig deep, uncover meaning, and truly live out the moments in your life, because it’s short, and the moments are important. The way you tell your story is so

When I asked my mom what Oprah taught her, her response was simple. “She taught me to not be afraid to dream insanely, widely big, and to go for it.” Anything is possible and you can make your life anything.

While my mom worked at Oprah, she learned new things everyday and she has carried it with her. But Oprah specifically emphasized to live your best life, your actions determine your future. People are afraid to step out of their shell or think bigger. People are afraid to fail, my mom says, “You may fail 10,000 times, but for that one time you wind up succeeding, all those failures have been well worth it.” No matter how hard the situation is, always believe something beautiful will happen. After failing over and over again, you will find success and you will realize when you continued to strive, it was all for the better. Being a mom, businesswomen, entrepreneur, and volunteer, she is realistic that you can’t do it all, but you try your best. Your greatest accomplishments will most likely come from the lessons you learned when you had failed. You have the power to shape your life.

9 - 111 - 0011 – Ch Changed hangged her life forever

M

y mom, Vickie McNay works for professional magazine

and is a very hard-working person. With this job comes determination in flying weekly to meet with clients and working long hard days in front of her computer. One early morning, she got up to go to the airport for one of her many business trips, you won’t believe how her day ended. Well, let’s just say that it was a very scary and rough day for my mom, and the United States as a whole. The date was 9-11-01 when an attack struck in New York City causing chaos all over the world. Over the course of this day tragedy struck the world when New York city’s most important buildings went up in flames. My mom was flying to meet with clients when she found out that terrorists were Hijacking planes and trying to demolish the most important buildings in our country, the twin towers which sadly aren’t there anymore, and it’s now called the World Trade Center.

It was a normal day in the year of 2001. My mom got up early in the morning planning ahead in case there was traffic so she’s not late for her flight, but little did she know what was going to happen only a few hours later. After she arrived at the airport, she did everything she would normally do before her flight. She got her coffee, food and went to her gate while she waited for her plane to arrive. After this terrifying day my mother will never forget the actions that took place, “Everyone who was a victim of 911 in the hijacked planes were doing the exact same thing I was doing that day. Got up early in the morning, making sure to not disturb their families but also making sure they’re not late for their flight. But sadly, they ended up in a suicide attempt.” She got on the plane, that was completely full of people, not one seat was available. She went through her flight as if it were any other. They safely landed in Texas, which was her final destination. They sat on the plane for what felt like hours until the pilot came on and told them what had happened.

“We sat in stunned silence, not sure what was happening and not

BEFORE the twin towers were hit

This is a picture of my mom and me.

By: Keira McNay

sure if it was a joke or not. I feel terrible for everyone that was on a victim of 911, especially those who knew that they were on the plane about to lose their life in a suicide attempt.” These strong words that my mother said show how hard this day was not only for her but, for the people that were on these planes that were about to lose their life. Everywhere she looked, she saw people in the airport who were shocked and in awe about what had happened only several minutes ago. All the passengers exited the as if the world was never going to normal again.

Because this was the new normal, although at the time it was the strangest thing, my mom states, “Nothing in the airport was normal, deathly silent.” At the time, she was flying with her boss which made my mom very grateful to have someone with her that she knew. Over the course of her flight she was able to look over and feel some comfort in knowing that she was with someone that she knew. They exited the airport as soon as they got off the plane. Taking extra precautions in case something else happens, they wanted to get as far away from anywhere that could possibly cause violence. Luckily, my mom rented a car before because she would be driving to several different meetings during her trip. Which was supposed to be a business trip, but obviously all of their meetings were` canceled. They got in the car and drove; to a restaurant where they could get something to eat and also watch the news coverage to see what else had happened. No one said anything, everyone was dead silent and completely in shock. “It was a surreal and out of body experience, I was definitely in shock.”

As my mom and her boss were in their car driving back to Chicago my mom was calling everyone, she knew that they had meetings with, to double check that they were canceling. They were calling all over and doing a smaller version of what they were planning to do with their business meetings. This experience was definitely one that my mom never knew would happen, ever. My mom expresses, “Quiet, strange, I was exhausted just very glad to be home and I was safe as well as my family and friends.” This quote shows the strength and determination that my mother and the others around her had to

DURING the attack

experience during 9/11 and the days around it. I can only imagine how scared and shocked my mom was at that moment.

She would have never ever thought of the twin towers being attacked let alone her flying during that exact moment this terrible event occurred. My family and I were so lucky that my mom wasn’t flying to New York because the following week she had another business trip which was planned for her to go to New York. Luckily, the week/day that the planes hit the twin towers in New York City, my mom was flying to Texas. She always says that God knew it wasn’t my time yet, so she’s always, always grateful for that and she’s always grateful for God being by her side every step of the way throughout the rest of her life with her family and friends.

The date was 9-11-01 when an attack struck in New York City causing chaos all over the world.

Whenever my mom fly’s, she always thinks about her experience with 9/11 and what had happened on that day.

Everything around her was different, the entrance to her driveway, the airport, and most importantly, the people around her were acting differently. After that day, everything changed, maybe for the better? Or maybe for the worse, my mom didn’t know as well as everyone else in the world.

AFTER the attack/twin towers falling

My mom does not give up, even when it is tough sometimes. She was born in southern California in 1968.

She went to USC for college and did not know what to do for work. She decided to become an accountant but quickly got tired of it. She then proceeded to becoming a flight attendant. You should not give up even if something is difficult for you.

Difficulties of Flying By: Evan Meints

My mom had her reasons to become a flight attendant. She mainly wanted a change in careers, and she liked to travel. She did not want to be an accountant anymore. She decided that she was going to see if the American Airlines office was hiring. Turns out it was. She said that “I was bored of sitting at a desk and working really long hours.” she left something that she was used to, just to try something new This is what led her to see if the American Airlines were hiring. When she saw that they were

hiring she was all for it and got ready for her interview.

My mom went through one of the most difficult interview processes in her opinion. She told me that she had to fly out to Texas, and they were put into small groups to be asked questions. Then they were individually asked questions. She told me just how difficult it was and how hard it was to get the job.

My mom said, “I felt like the interview process to become a flight attendant was harder than getting a job at one of the big six accounting firms.”

The interview was not easy let alone having to fly to a different state just to take the interview. Not everybody can become a flight attendant. You must be able to follow directions and take care of the passengers. My mom was committed to become a flight attendant and she was not going to give up, even if it is hard sometimes.

My mom is a caring person, even when it comes to strangers. One time on a flight, my mom saw that someone was uncomfortable.

When she saw that person, she felt that she had to go and do something about it. “sometimes I’ve sat down next to the person if there’s an open seat if they’re uncomfortable and talk to them,” she told me. This shows just how caring she can be at any time. Some people say if they are nervous or something. She is always there for everybody.

Becoming a flight attendant is a hard thing to do but my mom was able to complete that task. I did not know how open my mom was to other people that she does not even know. I think that my mom is a great person for the things that she does. A theme here is to never give up, even when something is difficult.

On a typical fall day on Chicago’s Rush street we sat watching the leaves spin around outside as we were eating at the bistro style restaurant NICO. Sitting at the booth was Jenné in her pink striped sweater, jeans, and crème colored poncho, fashionable as ever. Jenné Myers is the CEO of Chicago cares a volunteerbased organization, whose mission is to empower people to roll up their sleeves, connect across lines of difference, and learn about the challenges facing Chicago.

Chicago Cares volunteers work together to solve issues, and along the way, they build empathy, reduce their biases, and take deeper action to create equity in our city.

Jenné Myers

Pivoting with Grace Jenné Meyers shows us how to pivot the focuses of an organization in a time of crisis.

When we think of volunteering, you might be asked to picture the members of the community you are helping. Most white people might answer the question by saying, “I picture someone of a different socioeconomic background or someone of color” said Jenné Myers the C.E.O. of Chicago Cares.

Jenné has a big goal when it comes to volunteers. Her goal is to build empathy and reduce biases. The reason why she has this goal is because she said, “White people tend to have a charitable mindset of: by helping it’s charitable meaning you are the have nots and we are the haves so let me help you.” This is an important goal for Chicago Cares because connecting people across different neighborhoods in the city helps people change their savior narrative. We are seeing that when volunteering we need to go into it with an open mind set free of the ideas that these communities are violent because of the people living in them. But they have more violence in them because of systemic problems.

Because when we include that idea, we are partnering with them to improve their communities, when we have biases that might not apply to them at all.

Because when we include the idea of "I am better than you simply because I was born into a life of easy decisions to make,” we are no longer are volunteering to help the people of that community; we are doing it to make ourselves feel better.

So instead of volunteering for the photo op, Chicago cares teaches their volunteers about the systemic problems

that are the reason why they have to volunteer in the first place. Education and human connection helps reduce biases by giving them facts, then building up empathy to see and have quality conversations with fellow Chicagoans on how they can really make a difference in the community.

Although Chicago Cares is a volunteer-based organization you can see how their work has impacted Chicago.

With their goal being to educate people on systemic problems, one question Jenné often hears is “Who cares about painting a bench or planting a tree when people are dying.” But she doesn’t look at this as a bad question she looks at this question as a place to grow from. She actually likes hearing this question because she thinks it makes people more civically engaged. She also realizes that it means that people are learning about why we have to have volunteers and volunteer groups going into neighborhoods that unfortunately are not kept up because they often do not have enough infrastructure funding in black and brown communities. Imagine, by painting a bench and simply having real and authentic conversations with complete strangers can lead you to develop a new opinion on something that you may see every single day on the news but have just never really given much critical thought to. These volunteer experiences help people who have never been faced with the right questions or had to have the conversation of how and why is this happening to communities right in their own city grapple with the inequalities happening just blocks or miles away from their own homes. The work that Chicago Cares does is so important to Chicago because they build bridges across different types of neighborhoods. It is amazing the impact one organization can have on one big city.

Being CEO sounds great, you get to have a staff, be in charge, and make fun decisions. No one was prepared for how much this role was going to change this year. Jenné has been a CEO for over eleven years at different organizations yet she has never had to

lead with so much uncertainty. Nor has she had to think about the effects that a pandemic would have on her organization. She says “ I am placing bets that’s how it feels, because you just don’t know, there is so much information, it is just like leading out of a black hole, and it is the hardest leadership challenge I have had in my 20+ year career.” She them goes on to talk about the pivots she has made and the organization has made.

One of the biggest things they did is because they realized that volunteering was going to not be happening loads this year they thought of their staff as assets.

Instead of keeping their knowledge of logistics all to themselves, Jenné essentially made them consultants for other organizations, who were seeing major increases in their demand for their services. Because of this Jenné made sure that this pandemic wouldn’t be the end of Chicago Cares, because she feels that they still have work they need to do in Chicago.

“You can lead and be a tough boss but still be kind and show your vulnerabilities” Although, In these last few months have been a whirlwind of information, new protocols, and uncertainty, Jenné teaches us that it is okay to jump into the black hole of information, and that sometimes that is all we can do. But she shows us how to jump into that black whole with grace and perseverance. For this being one of the hardest times leading an organization she knew she was going to make mistakes, but instead of trying to stop the uncontrollable she made pivots. She thought of her staff as assets. She has made it a goal to teach volunteers about the importance of whatever they are going to do and educate them on the problems in Chicago that are the reasons why they have to volunteer. So, I think that we can learn a lot from Jenné when it comes to being leaders in our everyday lives. We can ask ourselves do you want to try and control the uncontrollable or should I pivot and get ahead of the curve.

By: Brennan O’Connell-Miller

Long Way For A Companion

XWhile

I was getting on the phone with her, I was excited to ask the questions I never got the chance to ask her before. This interview was special because I was interviewing my mom on getting our dog Jellybean. There were many questions I asked her and there were many important things I learned. Some of the answers I got from her were interesting, for example I learned what you need to have a dog and I learned how much work dogs are to have.

XFor

this part of the interview I interviewed my mom on why she wanted to get a dog.

The question I asked her was “Why did you want a dog?” Her response was “Dogs are good companions, they lower your stress level, they help you with allergies, they play with you, they help you get exercise, and they provide a healthier lifestyle.” This quote is a powerful quote because it tells you and others the different reasons people should get a dog and it tells people how getting a dog affects yours and others life’s in a positive way, also it tells people the different things dogs can help them with.

I interviewed my mom on getting a dog and why dogs are good to have. The question I asked her was what inspired her to get a dog, her answer was “My parents inspired me

X

Picture taken on November 12, 2020. This photo shows how even though she is super busy with her job she still has time to take care of Jellybean

to get a dog since we always had pets growing up and had a lot of enjoyment having them.” This is a powerful quote because it tells you that she had many pets before getting a dog and it tells you that pets can give you enjoyment even though it takes work to have them.

X“Dogs

are good companions, they lower your stress level, they help you with allergies, they play with you, they help you get exercise, and they provide a healthier lifestyle.”

XI

interviewed my mom on getting a dog and the question I asked her was what are all the things she needs in order to take care of a dog, her answer was “You need an area to take them on a walk, you need food and water, you need a place for them to sleep, and you need time to take care of them.” This quote tells you the different things you need to own a dog and it tells you how much time and effort owning a dog could be even though they are good to have.

XAfter

interviewing my mom on getting our dog Jellybean I learned a

few things from her, I learned that taking care of a dog is a lot more time and effort than I thought it would be and I learned different things dogs can help with, for example they help with stress and allergies. One thing you need to know if you want to get a dog is to keep in mind all the different things you need and how much time and effort you will use to take care of them.

Charlie’s Peace Corps Journey

Charlie, my father, reflecting on his story during an interview of his experience being in the Peace Corps.

By: Oonagh Moriarty I was excited to interview my father. I was all cuddled up on our living room couch with my questions and computer on the small coffee table beside me. As my dad walked into the room with his beverage, he was ready to discuss the time he spent in The Peace Corps. The Peace Corps describes themselves as, “A service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation.” The Peace Corps is a volunteer organization were volunteers train to go abroad for 2+ years into a developing country to, as the organization said, tackle challenges. My father told me that when he went there from June of1992 to March of 1995. He recalled two groups of people going abroad each year. My father was assigned to go to Kenya a developing country in East Africa. He decided to stay for three years and during that time he had acquired and experienced more captivating and knowledgeable stories than one can count.

Going to The Peace Corps was never really in the plan for my father, especially for almost three years. During the interview, he expressed that he planned on being in advertising, yet after interning the summer before senior year, he didn't love it. Therefore, he was a bit lost and in addition didn't know what he desired to do.

Then right around the same time his uncle was in the Peace Corps, specifically Morocco and started to send him letters of what he describes as, “Amazing different experiences he was having that were different to most Americans.” After hearing all about the adventures, as well as how rewarding being there was from his uncle, my dad started to become more interested in The Peace Corps. He showed this in our interview by saying, “What tipped me to go to the Peace Corps was getting those letters from my uncle.” So obviously these letters he was receiving from his uncle were interesting and influencing enough, that he desired to go to the Peace Corps.

As my dad first arrived in Kenya, he realized immediately how immersed into the country he was. The first thing he and the other volunteers did was go to “school” for 11 weeks. During these 11 weeks, he and his volunteer group all stayed with different Kenyan families during the night, and when morning came, they would all go to school.

In this “school” my father and other volunteers learned the culture, history, and language of Kenya. Alongside that the volunteers would also learn how to complete their assigned jobs. For example, he was a water volunteer, so he learned how to build water tanks.

In addition to school, my dad was immersed in the new foreign country an experienced a great deal of new things in a very short period of time. The first thing he said he noticed was that “Everyone is the same color, and it is strange to be in an environment where every single person except you is a different color than you are.”

After saying this, he expressed how this is weird because, in the states there is way more diversity than there is in Kenya. This affected him as everyone around him singled him out and saw that he was different from them. He never expressed that this was a problem for him but was a very different experience than in the states.

The next biggest difference that the majority of Kenya had on him (that he had not experienced in the states) was not having water or electricity in the majority of the country. He said during our interview, “Not having water and electricity created an immense difference in your day-to-day life.”

And I don't think that a majority of Americans can think about how life would be without those two things. He was immediately hit with those new circumstances. When my dad was learning he had a little bit of access to those things, but his first real working location was very

remote. He had to adapt to life with neither running water or electricity at an extreme extent in a short amount of time. And it just so happens that since my dad was a water volunteer, he was there in the Peace Corps trying to create a solution for the obstacle of not having running water. Hence, by being immersed in the Kenyan culture my dad experienced a lot of new things in a short period of time.

The standard of living is different, and he said himself, “The standard of living disparity was the biggest thing.” Inferring that for him the standard of living was definitely the biggest difference in way of life for him. And the absence of accessible water and electricity affected the standard of living in Kenya. He talked to me about a story that really put him into a new perspective, even after being in Kenya and the Peace Corps for a while. The story he told me was about him walking down a dirt path with another volunteer in Kenya while eating a banana.

(In Kenya their bananas are much smaller than America's). As he finished his small banana, he tossed the peel to the side of the dirt road assuming an animal would pick it up. But to his surprise a little boy no older than seven or eight ran over and started to eat the banana peel. After telling me the story he immediately said, “And I realized right then what real poverty is, what real starvation is and how different things were on the poverty level there.” This quote from him was explaining the effect that small action had on him, he went on to say that even though there is poverty in America he knows that you would never see someone run up to grab a banana peel to eat off the ground in America.

He also said, “In America we have the convenience that if tomorrow we want to have any type of food, we desire it would be right there at our fingertips.” This quote affected me. Although I knew living in America gave me and others immense privilege, I always took having food let alone a option for granted. And that is something that even my dad didn't realize until he was in a foreign country. Which just shows that the standard of living was a really huge change that my father went through when he was in the Peace Corps.

At a point in our interview, he said, “There was a point after about a year where I would dream and actually instead of English, I would remember my dreams speaking Swahili.” He said this to me because it was something he never thought would happen, but he understood at that point how immersed in the country he really was.

The next thing I talked about with him was

the culture in Kenya, and he had quite a bit to say. The culture in Kenya is relevant to his work, and one thing about the culture that my dad focused on during the interview was women. In Kenya, my dad worked mostly with women's groups, and many people know the stories about how many African women have to walk long ways to collect water. But not everyone knows that the majority of the work in Kenya is done by women, especially in the struggling areas my dad was volunteering in. He said, “The women are the people that do most of the work in Kenya,” and went on to talk about why. He explained to me that the husbands/men in Africa had control over the woman and were looked at as the heads of the house (you could maybe think about it as decades ago in the US). In these remote areas where there wasn't a lot of money or in other words where my father was working the men just weren't around. No one saw this as a problem because, this is how it always was in Kenya. There were not many people who wanted to rebel against this, especially not in these remote areas.

But of course, this didn't stop them from wanting to have help, which is why my dad was volunteering there. To go along with the story I said earlier about women walking long distances to collect water, he was there to build water tanks. He built these water tanks with only women's groups or occasionally schools because of the cultural background of how genders were seen in Kenya.

He came to Kenya to volunteer and the volunteer work he was doing was creating water tanks for people in Kenya specifically women's groups and schools that had the obstacle of not having accessible clean water. My dad explained how many people in Kenya would either be drinking dirty water or must walk long distances to collect water. Collecting water was a day-to-day danger. I realized this when my dad explained to me how a small girl went to collect water and was attacked then killed by a crocodile. Hence, once my dad got to his location after schooling, he immediately started to work trying to make this necessity more assessable.

This volunteer work played out once he got into a routine.

He would start his day With Chai and mandazi (a popular tea and a donut-like pastry), then he would prepare his dinner and put it outside into a solar oven to cook all day in the sun. Afterwards he would bike to women's groups or schools to talk about or be building water tanks. If that was not on the schedule for that day, he would often

go to what we Americans call charity organizations to ask for money to fund water tanks in specific towns or areas. This was what my dad did to volunteer most of his days, he would travel on bike or matatu (a small bus used for transportation that my dad explained to be packed with people) to get to his needed location.

My dad said that he, “Lived in the southern hemisphere and worked in the northern hemisphere.” This was because my dad was living in a remote area in Kenya that was right on the equator. Though he lived in the Southern hemisphere, often he would go north into the northern hemisphere to go to work.

So, my dad got into this routine that he would do most days but there is one day he would set aside to do something that was very important for himself. He said that he was, “Looking for something from home that I could say at least I have this.” And what that thing was for him was Heinz ketchup. He heard that in the closest city there was a store that sold Heinz ketchup.

Even though that's something that most of us would think as just another grocery it became something that reminded him of home. So much so that he said that the seven-hour drive there and back would have him, “Go on a full day trip just to get Heinz ketchup.” He said as he chuckled to himself.

Hearing this, I started to understand and as my dad expressed to me most of the world doesn't live like we live in the United States.

My dad used to save up his money and every month to go on a full day trip just to get Heinz ketchup and that is the circumstances he lived in for almost three years. In conclusion, my dad showed me that day to day life in Kenya, no matter if you're a volunteer or just a citizen, is extremely different than any place in the United States.

Throughout this interview my dad was thorough with answering questions and expressed how going to the Peace Corps affected him and gave him a new perspective. During the end of this interview, he went on to say a few quotes that really showed what he took out of the experience. He said that after the Peace Corps he, “gained a deeper value for volunteering,” as well as, “having a deeper understanding of the depth and complexity of the world.” These two quotes show me what he had learned in the Peace Corps, and the variety of new things that he experienced. The quotes and stories told me about how the Peace Corps affected him and gave him a new perspective, but I still had the question of what did he really take out of it? Was it rewarding or was it not was

the question I asked him. He had a few things to say. “It was the most rewarding experience of my life,” he said in response to my question. He then went on talking about how rewarding it was and extended it with this quote, “Almost every volunteer will tell you we got more out of it than we put in.” This was surprising, my dad went to a foreign country, just a volunteer, for three years and he got more out of it then he actually put in. How could that be possible?

That really showed me what he gained from that experience in a foreign country and how much he values his experience there.

Truly throughout this entire interview I began to understand and value the Peace Corps more even after my dad talking to me about it my whole life. He went to the Peace Corps to help people, but he came out of it with a deeper view of the world.

This journey my dad experience changed his view on the world and showed him different ways of life than what he described as the bubble that Americans live in. This interview where I was learning from my dad gave me a deeper understanding of the world, without going anywhere, just by listening to how different and complex the world is. I've now shared my new understanding from my dad's interview, and I am happy that I would be able to educate people about this adventurous and rewarding journey.

Learning from my father about the Peace Corps is an outlet for me to learn more about the world even though I'm stuck inside. After listening to him speak about his experiences, I now think it is nothing less than life changing.

The Peace Corps logo

Steve Rehkemper- a toy inventor/small

.

business owner and race car driver for SSCA

My sister I and saw my dad’s totaled racecar come in on the tow truck. The sides were torn and marked from the endless tire wall. I saw as the front bodywork, crushed, hung off by the smallest piece. What happened? When the car was placed on the ground, it felt like a rock replaced my heart. I thought my dad was seriously injured or he was dead.

However, he came out of the tow truck passenger seat chatting up a storm with the volunteer worker. I was completely shocked, and the tears stopped running down my face. A sense of relief passed over my body. My dad looked at my sister and I and said we had a project to do.

What shocked me was the mentality he had. Of course, he was frustrated but, he didn’t dwell on it. There was still another day to race and he wanted to participate in it whether if his car was in perfect condition, or if it was barely held together. Steve Rehkemper, my dad, is a toy inventor and member of the Sports Car Club of America. He is one man different from the next. My dad’s ability to focus on fixing a problem versus what the problem broke, has created a way of influencing people to really think about his opinions, lessons, and morals. On that day, I felt I recognized my dad’s ability to teach a lesson, especially when he connects them to what he loves the most, racing.

My dad has always said racing was a metaphor for life and that many persevering qualities matter for both. In general, he can connect almost any subject to a time he was in the racecar. The first time her got in the car; he had no idea what he was doing. From being exposed to stock car races and auto week magazines, my dad wanted to get in a race car from the first day he got his license. However, his parents and most people around him disapproved the idea.

He came from a little town, Breese, in southern IL.

The True Racing Philosophy

Even though nobody wanted him to race, he started and battled people’s stereotypes about its danger and impact to a person. Against all odds, he went to racing school and got in his first car. It was a rocket- shaped open wheeled car, and was perfect to learn in. It was during this time, when he said, “When I got into the first race, I was starting dead last and I was thinking about not doing it. I was so scared, and I was asking myself, ‘why am I doing this?’ Of course, I did not get out of the car, I did race, and I passed a few cars and from that time on, I never looked back.”

Steve Rehkemper tries to show the true meaning racing has to his life, and what it’s lessons can teach others.

This quote is significant because the whole point about being able to try new things in life and innovate to accomplish is about being able to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Further connecting things to life, it’s key to get out of your comfort zone to experience things that can help you get ahead and strive for yourself and others. Especially in my dad’s life, moving to a great city from being a country boy showed his ability to insert himself in an uncomfortable place and have some unknown result to see how or if his decision will work out.

By: Tiffany Rehkemper

Recognizing what everybody looks past can make you realize an important part of your life. Steve, my dad, has always been one to create something out of nothing. And in his case, we can see a true underdog. Throughout his life, he was and is always thinking deeply about things and creating new lessons to teach to me and my sister. For example, when his friend died, it didn’t make him quit racing, it allowed him

to view it from another perspective, like a new set of tires on the car- fresh. Just as danger forced new ideas, once again, his other friend died a couple of years ago. Coincidentally it was on the exact same track, in the exact same spot around with the most similar cars.

Due to this, it only made my dad want to prove people wrong about the dangers of racing. Changing something everybody assumes is always right, makes new perspectives come out when they’re challenged. With a sincere voice, he said, “Often people think about racing as a sport all about putting in the gas, but really, the best people using the breaks are most often the best drivers.” This suggest that to think beyond what is expected is revealing what’s under the cover or in this case would be the breaks over the gas. As a small business owner, he can really tell who the underdogs are, and help connect them to greater aspects.

“On that day, I felt I recognized my dad’s ability to teach a lesson, especially when he connects them to what he loves the most, racing.”

It also applies to racing when it’s the difference between those who start last and work their way to first, compared to those who start first and stay there. When it concerns me, it makes me think like people who are loud and succeed versus those who are overlooked because they’re just disregarded even when their ideas were better. Once again, it’s my dad trying to uncover another metaphor to connect racing to thinking beyond and represent the underdogs who end up winning.

Trepidation- defined as a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. Throughout all the troubles in life, my dad told me of times where he felt uncertain of the future. Society has set this mode of fear around racing. It was especially apparent to my dad who was a father, company owner, and an important person to many people. Because of this, a stereotype was set, and my dad could’ve let himself feel the effects of them, however he knew to push past them and think logically rather than to start jumping to conclusions. Now, thinking logically doesn’t make yourself bearable to fear. During this time, throughout his racing career two of his close friends died in the crashes from the impact. One of the cars by dad was racing at the same time so, at any given point it could’ve been him.

Once questioning his entire career, his business associate introduced him to a different model racecar. Like his old car, it has an open cockpit however, it has full fenders and lots of side protection which was a variable that could’ve prevented his old friends’ death- no side protection. Again, a couple of years ago his close friend was racing one of the fastest cars signed up at the track. It had an open wheel and a rocket shaped body frame. He crashed in precisely the same

spot and hit is head on the concrete wall at around 160mph.

Because of this experience planted in his brain, he always has some trepidation about my sister and I’s life and his.

He continued with a solemn voice to say, “You have to have some trepidation about how things are going to work out today, tomorrow, and the next day and that is a key element to racing, life, and business.” This suggests that my dad is recognizing the need to be a little bit scared in life can help you be more conscious about decisions. To him a good symbol for life and its decisions would be racing. Not only is it because of the new attitude towards important things, but because this whole philosophy is connected different aspects about good times, hard times, contentment etc. To me this quote signifies the importance to be care-free, not exactly saying to stress but based on experiences its ok to normalize fear and end up using it you advantage. Trepidation is a part of everybody’s lives, so it should be an essential thing to realize and be okay to feel.

Throughout the interview we can see the true meaning and importance racing is to my dad. One might even say he had it all when he younger so he should finally quit.

Those people are the ones my dad spends every day teaching my sister and I to not be like. He’s a thoughtful person and will always be looking for the greater meaning of something.

I appreciate how much he wants to defy stereotypes and pass off his characteristics to his daughters (my sister and I).

For me, he has taught me to become a well-read person and to ask myself “digging deeper” questions about everything in life. For example, my dad has always said for when I grow up to think about every possible solution, before jumping to conclusions.

Becoming your own person and deciding what you want to do with your life is what creates the strive to accomplish. In uncertain times, it will be up to you as a person to see what to do. As his final words he said, “At the end of the day when somebody is racing, it’s up to the person who is driving the car exactly how much risk they’re willing to take at any given point of the race.”

would get fired so anyone who wanted to keep there job had to work extremely hard to get that other 25%. He quoted “ I knew I just had to trying my best and putting my best efforts otherwise I will lose this great job”. He has enjoyed the process of working and has met a lot of life longfriends on the job you have helped him. Now he is in the same job and enjoying it.

It was a sunny day, in McKeesport Pennsylvania when Marko was on the football field Marko had a great journey all the way from pensliyvania and said he could’ve done it without this family friends and mentors. He also had lots of fun along the way and early in the morning with his football team training for the playoffs before school. pursued his passions which led him out of mckeesport.

Marko said it was very cold and people would do anything just to get a little warmth.

But, they knew they had to try and win the state championship and that was why they were out there practicing while all the other students were sleeping. This story is based on my dad Marko. This interview story will be talking about marko’s football and work career.

Everyone has something that helps them extremely gain success, for Marko Ratesic that was his town. When interviewing him he clearly stated if I wasn’t for his town he would not have gotten a football scholarship he would not have which would have not led him to his wall street career which is where he is today. He quoted this when I was interviewing him “If it was not for my town I would not have been where I am today”. I agree with his statement I where someones town can have an extreme inpact on there success whether if that is motivating them to get out or if there is many appreatates around you.

Marko’s journey

Finding a job can be hard for anyone this was even harder for Marko Ratesic. Going into college and he throughout highschool all he was worried about was getting a football scholarship to be able to get a college education. So then once he got to college it was hard for Marko to find what career path he wanted to take a route. As he started in the interview “Going into to college I had no idea what I wanted to do and I felt lost”. Then he got instead medicine and wanted to be a premed major. However, then he found out about wall street from one of his football teammates which led him to swicting his major to business and pursuing wallstreet which is what he does today.

The orange and blue represents the mckeesport little tigers the first pee wee football team marko played for.

Marko stated that as soon as he got to wall street you had to work extremely hard otherwise you would get fired. He said every year 75% of the people who got jobs

“ I would’ve never made it anyware without my town mckeesport.”

This is a picture of me and my dad the Interview subject.

Marko stated in his interview that football was his passion and craft.

Healthcare During a Pandemic

By: Braden Samko

My mom picks up the phone for the She says, “Everything our members mom had things to say. Because of the 9th time this hour. Another client that normally do gets changed because we coronavirus, my mom and her needs assistance and healthcare with have so many COVID patients” This employees must work from home. The the recent coronavirus. She tells them quote is significant because she is problem about this is that all my that they are going to have to wait on admitting that not everyone is getting mom’s employees may jot have access their healthcare with a concerned the help or drugs they need because of to a good working environment, impression. On a mission to help as the coronavirus, which could make her, resulting in them working poorly. She many people as possible, my mom and and her co-workers disappointed in reveals, “Some people just don’t have her team provide healthcare for many their work because they are trying to access to a good spot to work.” This people that cannot afford healthcare; help as many people as possible, but makes me think about how the virus is however they aren’t able to get to the coronavirus is making this less and affecting many people, and we all have everyone with the help they are less possible. different living conditions, so it may be supposed to get especially with the Because of this crisis, not everyone extra hard on some people working coronavirus. In this interview I will give is getting the access to healthcare that from home. Because of working at you a glimpse of my mom’s life as a they need. My mom and her company home my mom has even noticed healthcare worker working for try their best to provide as many poorer quality work from some of her Meridian Health during the coronaviruspatients with healthcare as they can, colleagues, which could potentially put and how her life at work is. but there’s just so many patients with people’s lives on the line.

During this crisis, my mom really the virus and they cannot help them In conclusion, the coronavirus has shows how she makes the most of her all. With a sorrowful expression, she affected all our lives deeply, but I think job even during a pandemic, and still stated, “People need to have access to my mom gets the worst of it especially tries her best, some examples of how healthcare no matter what.” This because she works in healthcare. I she does this appear in the paper. suggests that my mom and her team appreciate that she tries her best to Because of the coronavirus, my mom is are struggling to achieve their goal of provide everyone with the care they not able to help many people because being able to help all their patients deserve and her whole company tries the virus makes her backed up with because of this horrible virus. Even to help everyone even with the virus patients. Normally, my mom would though my mom does not have direct going on. I think she really shows a treat people and help people through contact with her patients, her impact is model of what everyone should follow healthcare, however we have a new noticeable due to the hard work her in trying your best to help others no normal, but she is not able to help and her team have been doing during matter the situation. everyone because there are so many this pandemic. other patients with COVID, therefore When asked about how her conot all other sicknesses can be treated. workers were handling the virus, my

As he explains, “We learned that hard work pays of, and that family comes first, then friends, then everything else.” My dad shows us some of the values, and work ethic that he was given. He also shows how this impacted his decisions in life.

The morals in this quote were demonstrated in his life when he chose to go home instead of playing ball in the park late at night. The impact that this one decision had on the kids that did stay late was tremendous. The gangs that swept up the kids swept them into a life of crime, that couldn’t be reversed. After learning that one of the kids that he grew up with had gotten shot, and the other who went to jail, it was evident to him how values were so important in his life. My dad might not be here without the values given to him. I believe that I wouldn’t even be here. When faced with difficult decisions, he comes back to values, which help to guide his decision process. My dad reminds me that your work ethic and morals decide what type of life you live. That if you have a good work ethic, and you keep family the closest, you’ll be just fine in life.

Lou and Sofia Sandoval at the helm of their boat karma.

Cut from steel

By: Sofia Sandoval

How Entrepreneur and leader louis Sandoval’s experiences paved the way for the man he is today

O

n a late September evening, my dad, Louis Sandoval, looks up from his iPad, and settles deeper into his leather chair. He pauses to collect his thoughts, looks at me, and begins explaining his experiences as a lifetime Chicagoan. He thinks back to when life was simple, and you could buy candy for 1 cent at the corner store. He thinks of the parks and alleys he used to play at, the swing of a bat, the sound of a ball hitting leather. My father grew up on the South East Side of Chicago in the Cottage Grove neighborhood.

During the late seventies and early 80’s my father attended middle and high school. He made memories on the South Side of Chicago that stick with him to this day. He learned in, played in, and saw the neighborhood as it changed from his childhood to his youngest sister’s.

As the oldest of four siblings, my dad was somewhat of a pioneer for life as an American in his family. With my grandparent’s families being migrant workers, they were the first to cross the border into a new life. My dad was influenced by his parents, just as I am by him. My dad learned hard work, perseverance, and resilience from his parents.

His experiences, and values that he learned on the South Side of Chicago bring to light the value that individuality brings to society. Today, where people often sidestep your experiences, and label you by the color of your skin, it is important that we look at each person with a keen eye and recognize our experiences and values as judges of character.

For louis Sandoval, my dad, the lessons and experiences that he had as a kid carried into his present-day self. Growing up, my dad learned the values that stick with him to this day. The values

instilled into him by his parents and family guided him through his teen years and beyond. The lessons learned as a Boy Scout have impacted his career choice and success, including the long nights in tents and time spent at Scout camp. The summers outside taught him science and gave him the wonders that pushed him to pursue a career in the field of medicine. From entire summers outside, to the kids he played ball with, each little thing brought him closer to his future self.

Summers outside weren’t always fun and games. My dad would play outside for hours on end, from when he got home from school, to when the lights in the park went out. Games like baseball and football were commonplace among his friends, and kids from across the neighborhood would come to play. Even kids from the “Bush” would come. At the time, the “Bush” was the “Ghetto” part of the neighborhood according to my dad. My dad’s two closest friends came from the “Bush”, and the consequences could be seen as they grew up.

In something as simple as staying out past when the lights went out, my dad’s values showed. Gangs and trouble that was present after dark swept up the kids that stayed, where as my dad’s family first value kept him away from trouble.

Steel is what holds up buildings. It’s the foundation and pillar for the majestic towering extravagancies that we see in our daily lives. Similarly, charisms, goals, and values all hold up the foundations of the human mind and soul.

1980 was the start of many things. It was the start of a new decade, and the start of a downward spiraling industry. Filled with pride and community, the South East Side of Chicago boomed with life. A young Louis Sandoval navigated through elementary, middle and high school during this time as well. Then 1992 hit. After declining relations between unions and steel corporations, the Chicago steel mill industry closed for good and with it so did the community. More than 17,500 jobs were lost, and business started to close. Many businesses during the time relied on steel workers to support them. Without money in people’s pockets, businesses and families moved out of the neighborhood in hopes of finding opportunity elsewhere.

Families like my grandfather Trinidad Sandoval’s, stayed in the city and felt the consequences. While putting 4 kids through the catholic school education system, grandpa would hustle to scrounge up enough money to pay for tuition and living expenses. It’s no wonder my dad learned resourcefulness after watching him sell Boy Scout popcorn and candy like it was nobodies’ business. My grandpa acted like a steel pillar to my dad, and it’s because of him that I have the father that I know and love.

When he told my dad that, “even steel has to go through the hottest fire possible to become the hardest steel that it is,” I was convinced that this man who has helped me so many times in my life, learned all that he could from his own steel pillars.

My dad who is resilient,

perseverant, and optimistic must have learned his greatest qualities from his father and the neighborhood around him. From the hustling to pay for tuition, to persevering through the loss of a job the effect that my grandfather had on my dad was immense. On a similar level, the encounters of my dad’s daily life growing up on the South Side of Chicago impacted him as well. From the closure of the steel mill, to the hopeful restoration of a neighborhood he learned from just observing.

My dad uses experiences such as these to motivate himself in the worst of situations.

Things like discrimination and push back don’t stop my dad. In fact, He perseveres through them instead. This specific quote allows me to see how he stays strong in the worst of situations. My dad, just like a gleaming building, is held up by steel.

My dad, who over the course of his life has faced much discrimination, has always persevered through it, and in some cases, it has made him stronger.

As a sophomore my dad decided he wanted to play baseball and tried out for the high school team. After learning that he didn’t make the cut, he went to ask the coach what he could do to improve and make the team. At a young age my dad wasn’t afraid to ask how he could improve when he didn’t perform to the best of his abilities. To his surprise, the coach explained how they didn’t need him on the team because they already had enough of “his kind” on the team. When he asked what he meant by “enough of his kind”, the coach took the conversation to a whole different level. He explained how they had enough “spicks”, a derogatory term for Hispanics, on the team.

At the time my dad was devastated.

Being called a spick was like a punch to the gut, it was a low blow, and my dad took it to heart. He explained how, “it hurt to get told you didn’t make the team because of who you are, because you can’t change that.” My dad shows the emotion and hurt that he felt when his coach told him that he didn’t make the team because of who he was. For my dad to not only rebound from this, but to also prove his coach wrong the next season, is truly inspiring. Despite the discrimination put on him, he pushed forward, and it put him in a place where he could even get a scholarship for what he accomplished after this defeat.

My dad’s perseverance that he learned from his family and neighborhood played a key role in this portion of his life.

After beating the team that his sophomore baseball coaches team, he finally understood what hard work and perseverance was. For my dad, the sting of loss pushed him forward to train and become better. My dad reminds me that every set back that we have can always be turned around to create something better. No matter whether your set back is in or out of your control, you can always

rebound.

“It’s the first time you kind of see yourself as different, Then somebody reminds you that you’re not like us.”

When I interviewed my dad, I realized the importance of perseverance, resilience, and work ethic in life. My dad, who has learned these values from family and experiences, is something truly admirable about him. He has even taught me based on these values, and I am truly grateful for that. After interviewing my dad, I learned how he is held up by his values, just like steel.

“When I look back at it, everything that I took part in shaped the person I am today.” As my dad explains, your experiences and values define you and make you whole and unique.

Each one of us are different and have persevered through different worlds. The collaboration of all of us is what makes up society. The experiences we have all make us unique and make society greater.

I wanted to interview someone about pressure. I sat down and thought, who would know how to handle pressure best? Who would really know what it is like to have all eyes on them when large sums of money are on the line? Then I realized my dad, Raj Shah. He has had over 20 years of experience in court in front of judges representing large companies at risk of losing incredible amounts of money. He has talked to me for as long as I’ve lived about his life as a lawyer. He has felt pressure a lot of times and the higher the stake, the more pressure to succeed. So, I thought he would be the perfect person to interview because he is an expert by experience at dealing with pressure. I told my Dad I wanted to record an interview with him, so we found a comfortable spot on the couch and started the interview. He explained that it is very important that you need to make yourself confidant that you and the people around you can get the job done, have to learn that a failure is not a stopping point but rather a reflection point, and most of all, you have to look at pressure as an opportunity rather than a liability.

If you have done something for a while and know that yourself and the people around you can get it done, things turn from “pressure-full” to routine. My dad has been at his law firm for over 23 years and has been in court many times. When he first started, he felt lots of pressure on himself when he thought about if he was going to win the case and if he doesn’t win the law firm will lose a lot money; and at the beginning he lost a lot of cases. However, as soon as he started to win them, he got a feel for what works in court and how his teammates perform in court. By the time he was made partner (head of some parts of the law firm), a lot of pressure was relieved off him because he knew what worked and he knew that he could do it. He said, “Once you know what you are doing and proved to yourself that you can do it, most of the pressure goes away.”

This is like when you are a little kid and you are trying to learn how to ride a bike. You and your parents are

scared that you will fall. However, once you start riding and you don’t fall off, you start to get the hang of it, aren’t scared of it, and even enjoy it.

That is just about what my dad is saying. You will be nervous, and you will feel pressure in anything you do for the first time, but just like the bike, as soon as you get the feel for it you get comfortable with whatever you do and most of the pressure goes away.

Succeeding from Failing You will fail but from it you will learn to succeed. My dad explains in order to be a successful lawyer you need to be a lawyer for a long time. He says that most lawyer’s careers are 30-40 years. This is because all the times you go into court and lose, you learn from it and develop a new skill set that you didn’t have before. He said that, “A lawyer who has never lost a case, has never tried a case. You need to be able to have experience in what you do and a big way to get that is by learning from your mistakes.” When you are younger, and you touch the hot pan you burn yourself and it hurts. Therefor you learn not to do it again. How else would anyone learn not to touch a hot pan if someone didn’t already make that mistake before. That is what my dad is trying to say. He explained that, “It is okay to make mistakes, that is how you learn, you just can’t make the same mistake twice.” He is saying that when you spell that word wrong at the first case and you lose the case, you will remember to triple check your spelling next time so it doesn’t happen again. As you keep failing and you keep learning from those mistakes, you suddenly have developed an almost flawless skillset and you can succeed more often. He wants you to take away from this that you shouldn’t get down if you make a mistake, instead think about why you made that mistake.

Pressure can be good or bad. It can keep you preforming at your highest or it can bring you down to your lowest. When I asked my dad about this thing that suppresses so many people called pressure and what you

need to do to deal with it, he said that it isn’t just a bad thing. Everything you do will involve pressure, and that is what defines the people who are best. If there isn’t any pressure, then what is the point of doing it. So, you can’t worry about what happens if I don’t succeed, you need to look at it as why am I failing and why am I succeeding. In other words, don’t see as it as a chance to fail, but as an opportunity to succeed. My dad says, “Pressure can be good or bad and it is up to you if you see it as an opportunity or a liability.” He is basically saying that pressure is hard, and everyone feels it. However, if there is pressure it means if you do good, good things will happen and pressure is just there as an obstacle.

You could use it to drag you down, or you can ignore it and focus on what is working for me, what isn’t working, and what can I do to succeed.

In conclusion, I want to say that my father, Raj Shah, has been a lawyer for over 20 years at the law firm DLA Piper. He has always told me that if you can let stuff like pressure get in the way of what you are trying to achieve, then you won’t succeed. He told us in my interview with him that pressure shouldn’t be on your mind when you are doing a job, a sports tournament, or even a group project.

He is telling us that pressure is just another obstacle trying to get in your way of letting you succeed. He also told us that when there is pressure on you because you think you are going to make a mistake, you can’t be worried about that because if you do fail you need to learn from it. As Walter D. Wintle once said, “If you think you are not going to win, then it is most certain you won’t.” So, the next time you have a big group project and you feel pressure on you from your peers, parents, or yourself, think not what if I will fail, but think how have I failed in the past and what can I do to succeed in the future.

Raj Shahin 2006; Partner at DLA Piper

Succeeding Under Pressure

By Milan Shah Based off an interview with Raj Shah

Below is Dante street, close to Maddie’s house. Normally full of people, it is empty in this photo. (Taken in March).

One of the main points that I took from her interview was that the people of Italy had a different experience with COVID than the rest of the world. They were one of the first in the world to have COVID erupt in their country, so people were confused and panicked. When the cases erupted in Milan where Maddie was saying she found herself in lockdown and suddenly separated from the rest of the world. In the interview she stated that “It was strange, at first it wasn’t happening and then it started all at once.”

“It was strange, at first it wasn’t happening and then it started all of a sudden.”

Maddelena Andreoni Andreoli, (Maddie) was born in Milan. Raised in Milan and Caidate.

Behind the scenes: COVID-19 in Italy Maddie experienced a whole new world with COVID. She was living in Milan when the Coronavirus pandemic hit northern Italy and was forced to stay in her home while the entire city and eventually the rest of the country was put under lockdown

When I sat down at my desk and called her, I wondered whether to tell her ‘Good morning’ or ‘Good evening,’ as it was almost night there. We held the meeting, as most things were for us nowadays, online. I was interviewing my friend Maddie who lives in Milan, Italy about the first COVID-19 wave.

She looked almost the same as when I had seen her last summer, with long brown hair, light skin, and blue glasses. When she picked up and I saw her smile and tell me ‘Good morning’, I couldn’t help but think that it was amazing that even being thousands of miles apart, we could still talk and share our stories with each other. She and my mom had been friends for years and she is like an older sister to me. I was excited to find out more about her unique story.

By: Isabella Soriano

One of the first things Maddie had to tell me about her experience was that the people of Italy felt that the government had very much influenced their experience with COVID-19. In the northern part of Italy, the cases erupted out of nowhere and she felt that people didn’t know what to do. Then, the government stepped in and handled the situation. The controls varied from, staying in lockdown for a month, to patrols on the streets who would check papers with your information, to tracking where you were, to having a limit of being only able to always travel 200 meters from your house. She told me that when looking out of her apartment and onto the empty street below, that she and her neighbors felt like they were in a different world.

Maddie said that “The controls were put into place quickly, swiftly and strictly.” While the people of Italy had a very strange experience with COVID, not being able to prepare for it, the government intervened and took action to help their citizens. Maddie was living in the red zone of Milan when the nationwide lockdowns were imposed. At this time Italy was one of the first countries in the world to be hit be COVID and when handling the situation, they were under spotlight. After a stumbling start, Italy was able to become a role model –and a warning- to the U.S.A and its other neighbors.

The Italian people were caught unaware in the COVID pandemic. They had a different experience from us cause not only did they not really know that this would spread all the way to them, they didn’t know that they would be hit so hard and go into extreme measures to stop the spread early on. They were not only going into quarantine, but they were also one of the first countries in the world to do so. The whole world watched them. Maddie had to go into quarantine and watch the world unfold around her.

Italy’s experience with COVID shows us that people can find many ways to come together, even through a pandemic. Banister songs started in Italy during the first wave of the pandemic as a way to let people know that they were all in this together. When I interviewed her Maddie said that she got to experience these banister songs when she and her neighbors were stuck in their apartment buildings. She said, “You’ve heard of them [banister songs]? I could just go to my window and hear everyone singing. It was very special.”

She then told me that she would see people sitting on balconies or peering out of windows in her building and all the other beige buildings that surrounded the street.

They would be singing. These people bonded and found ways to pass time with each other in the pandemic. Videos of people in Italy singing the “banister songs” went viral earlier in the year. Through these songs the Italians showed that they were getting though the

virus, together.

Maddie has had an experience with COVID19, especially in the first wave, that the rest of us didn’t have to go through. She’s been through more restrictive measures and the added pressure of living in one of the first countries in the world to have COVID cases explode. But, against all of that, she showed bravery and got through everything.

After the interview we hung up and she went to meet her parents for dinner, while I went to meet mine for brunch. I realized that her life and her story were so different from mine. And, that my life and story is different from other’s. She went through one of the most difficult times that anyone has ever seen, and she and I wanted to share it. We all have different stories and this one is about Maddie.

Courageous women who shows her strength through actions

A Sudden Shatter Mother of two and grandmother of four, Shelia Caputo, drastically dragged from car window.

BY EVA TALARICO

Now, my grandmother, Shelia Caputo, is fearless. She is a powerful woman, creating a content enviorment anywhere near her.

Experiencing a great fear, my grandmother revolves every situation of a time of terror. Her standards are now high on safety. Currently, when she drives with me in the car, she stops to look both ways at a red light. She checks to see if I’m alright, takes a deep breath, like a balloon inflating up and down softly, then continues to drive. I notice her palms are sweaty, gripping the steering wheel.

A hidden nervous look, she tries to hide because she doesn’t want me to notice. My grandmother is a motivated, altruistic character, in which she would never want anyone to worry about her well-being, especially not her granddaughter. She changes the radio station, still glimpsing at the side-view mirrors, in case something unexpected would happen. At this time, I understood my grandmother was superstitious, but I needed to know why. I question, why she is so high strung while driving, what had happened? I then comprehend, my grandmother’s life altering experiences have caused her to see people as a threat. She thinks back to a time and she said, “I felt I was nothing, just their target.”

In my grandmother’s lifetime she has uncovered many hidden themes. It was during this time my grandmother was attacked and possibly could have been killed. As she was coming back from the hospital where my grandfather was staying, she was stuck at a red light. Suddenly, two men came behind her car and broke her window using an iron pipe. They were looking for her purse. Her first reaction was to grab her purse because it belonged to her. They went back and forth fighting over this purse. As she dug her nails into her canvas purse and screamed as loud as she could, staring at him, straight in the eye, her nails flooded with blood around the rims, she was screaming and crying like a wounded puppy had been dramatically hurt.

She mentioned he looked almost as afraid as she was, from her loud scream and terror in her eyes.

His knee then gripped the car and pulled her right through the window. This left her wrists all cut and broken from the shards of glass. Back then my grandmother mentioned that it was a casualty

to leave your purse on the seat and therefore, women who were alone were targets. That was when she then revealed, “The lesson I told my kids was to always be aware of your surroundings.” This quote is significant because my grandma shows a theme or lesson to prepare her children for the future. The special meeting this quote has for my grandma is being able to tell others what to do knowing from experience and that is something extremely special to her because she is very big on helping others and is an overall huge selfless role model.

The significance this quote has for me is understanding the lesson. She says she told her kids to always be aware of their surroundings and that is something my mom has passed down to me and I will pass on to my child. My perspective on the quote is to know this is very serious and very important because you must be able to apply what others have told you for the future, that will only protect you, because someone I love has gone through this and has extended her experience to others so they can be cautious and aware of what could happen, to be safe.

My grandmother spoke with fear when she explained the rest of her story. After my grandmother was dragged from her car window with shards of glass cutting her wrists, she still believed that it was her purse, so she kept fighting back. The man had no motive just some woman to steal from, yet my grandmother mentioned that he looked just as frightened as she was while she was screaming at the top of her lungs. The men weren't wearing any masks to cover their faces, not even the slightest worry. As she was pulled out of the car, she had to let go of her purse to catch her fall on to the pavement. Her car kept moving and was rolling down the street. It then ran into a fence, knocking it down and people came running outside. The people who owned the house, that the car had knocked down their fence we're very kind to my grandmother, bandaged her up and called the police.

My grandmother was mostly hurt on the inside because in her purse, inside her wallet she had a picture of her parents, from their wedding and that was the only picture she had left of them and that to her was something very special. The police right away found the purse however, the wallet

was still stolen. My grandmother called her cousin who lived near the school my mother and uncle attended, to pick up the kids and tell them she's been in an accident, but she is fine, and they don’t have to worry. You can only imagine the phone call being drastically emotional. She then went to the police station to pick out pictures from mug shots of whom it might be and was sent home, very petrified. She then remarked with a sniffle, “I was really scared because I fought him so much and I was afraid he would come back to our house because he had my driver's license with my address on it.” Listening to this you can feel the tears in her eyes, drowning with the imagery of his face.

She had said this because it is necessary to stay safe and from experience, she has taught us everything we should do and everything you should not in a situation like this. She kept saying all she wanted to do was protect her children. This quote was significant because this unpacks the mood while we are reading her story and how she felt during it, the mood of fear and worry she was feeling. The special meaning this quote has for my grandmother, is she would never have been so aware of her surroundings and making her children so aware if this never happened. She also got to experience a great fear, some that others are lucky enough to not experience. This doesn't necessarily happen to a lot of mothers and grandmothers, so this is important for her to pass down these lessons through generations. This quote is significant to me because now I know to avoid situations like these by some of the little things that add up. Something that was very traumatic happened to a family member that I love dearly, so shall always be remembered and important to me.

“Never have my purse on the seat, lesson learned.”

Vietnam helicopters dropping off soldiers

Life With A Vietnam Veteran By: Joe Toney With: Jim Toney

“I remember being in the back of the house waiting for him to be home. I remember seeing a big car, it looked like the military type, I ran into the house and out the front, across the ditch. And he was there…”. My dad remembers this moment thought by thought. As he says, this was one of the best moments of his life, this was also the start of a time my dad learned many things about life. My Uncle Earl enlisted for the draft right out of high school. He enrolled in the draft when he was 17 and served as a paratrooper in the airborne. He was shot in the back of the leg in Vietnam during an ambush. When he came home, there were many struggles. My dad learned a lot from the struggles my uncle faced when he came home from Vietnam. I believe many of the things that my dad learned are life lessons that everyone needs in life. So, I believe that you should use these lessons towards your lives, just like my dad did.

Having a Vietnam veteran in your household had its ups and downs, that taught my dad a lot. One of these moments was when the soldier was at the door. (This usually meant either your son has died, or he was wounded in battle.) The letter said that my uncle was shot in the back of the leg and was in a hospital in Tokyo, Japan. This moment taught my dad never to expect the best because you’ll be disappointed if it doesn’t come. I know this because he said, “I remember my dad in the kitchen, crying with the letter in his hand.” This is a very important piece of evidence because my grandpa, who was a WWII veteran, knew what this meant, knew something happened. He was saddened by it and was not ready to determine his oldest sons’ fate.

My dad saw this and learned that you can never expect the best because then the best may not happen, so you won’t be surprised when it happens.

When my dad was talking, I could hear the emotions in his voice. You could tell how happy it was to see his brother come home.

Even years after, he is still very happy to know that his brother is still here and is a survivor. This taught him to be grateful for the people that are in your family and the people who keep your family together and moving. In our conversation he said, “Earl stepped out of the car and I ran to him and Just thought to myself, ‘ Your back.’” This shows how happy and grateful my dad was to see that his brother, that he didn’t see in a very long time since he left for Vietnam

years ago, was back and in his arms. This is my second piece of evidence of why my dad learned so much from living with a Vietnam veteran.

“Earl put my dad in a chokehold” There were always its ups and downs when living with a Vietnam veteran. This was shown multiple times with my uncle. He was a victim of PTSD and remembered many things that happened in Vietnam. He saw many things that he probably never wanted to see in his life again. There was an incident that taught my dad to never mention the past. This was a very important life lesson that my dad would use throughout his life.

When we were in conversation, He told me this, “It was around 12 p.m. in the afternoon, and my dad was yelling at Earl that he has to get his act together and chill out. Then I hear my dad just stop talking, this is because Earl put my dad in a choke hold.” My uncle had a flashback of when he was in Vietnam and thought his own dad was the enemy, this caused him to put him in a chokehold. This moment helped my dad realize that my uncle was very sensitive about most topics and that he should never mention the past because it brought back his brother's worst side. This is another life lesson my dad was taught when he lived with a Vietnam veteran.

Over time my dad learned many things about the rough times my uncle had.

Three of the many things he learned was to never expect the best, to be grateful for the people in his family, and to never bring up the past. These are all very important skills you need in life and my dad has shows those skills today wherever he goes. Throughout the process of this article, my dad had his rough times with bringing up moments when his uncle, dad, and him were together.

My dad though, is a very strong person and got through these emotional times and told me many things. I think that if you had to pick a person to live with that was apart of a historical time period, a Vietnam veteran would not be popular because of all the challenges you would face. My dad on the other hand, would pick that as his number 1 any day of the week because of the things he learned.

I could tell my grandmother was trembling explaining this specific part of the story and remembering it happening all over “For the longest time, whenever I shut my eyes to try to fall asleep, I saw his face and I was petrified,” she exclaimed. I selected this quote because it shows the fear she had to deal with the rest of her life and her children’s life. This shows me again. After my grandmother's cousin picked my mom and uncle up from school, my grandmother was still at the Police Department. She remembers she was frightened driving in the car ride back to the Police Department because she thought of this has a huge impact on her life and the fear to live her life with her children if they were at risk. The significance the quote has for me is chilling to think about because not only is it shuddery for me but also anyone reading what had happened all the ways it could have gone, she questions if she could have been killed. As she sat in the back seat of the police car, to her. While listening to her speak I grieve for her and care for how she is because it wasn’t something that can’t still haunt shaking, she panicked and the thought of dying filled her with fear, like a cat chasing its mouse, only in her situation, she someone and tear her apart. was the mouse.

When she got to the Police Department, she immediately picked him out from the list of people in a book filled with mug My grandmother is currently a mother of two, and the grandmother of four, happy and feeling like she doesn't have to live her life in fear. Obviously, this wasn't something small that happened in my grandmother's life, but she decided to live it shots. His face stood out and she knew it from staring into his eyes and having bits of trauma flooding her head, remembering her screaming and him silent. When she got home her father and father-in-law both gave her money because without fear, instead to live with strength and courage for the future, as a role model for her children. A mentor to many she had lost it from her wallet. The Police Department got back to her and had told her that fingerprints were found on the people she has met. You should know my grandmother is a strong, selfless woman who fights for what she believes in. I appreciate how much she cares for others and little things that are important towards her. I have learned my grandmother did weapon, which was the iron pipe. Since she had dug her nails into the canvas purse her nails and hands, we're all ripped apart. My mother was only ten years old and my uncle was 12. They were both in grammar school. She had no idea how she everything to keep my mom and uncle, her kids, safe and protected. I also look at her more than just my grandmother now, I was going to break the news to them, just children. However, she knew she had to. She explained everyday till to them but think of her as a strong, independent woman who will do anything to protect you. “Just because things happen, doesn't mean you need to waste the rest of your life, living in fear.” told them she was going to protect them even though she was also scared.

Since her cousin was on the police force, the policeman altered every suburb, from Chicago to the County in Westchester.

Life In The ICU What life is like working in the ICU By: Bradyn Umbenhauer

“Working in the ICU is a very hard and complex job.

It is also something that not a anyone can do” (Jessica Foch). Being a nurse who has worked in the ICU for 2 years, Jessica has dealt with many patients and helped them overcome troubles that occurred in their lives. Jessica sometimes has to deal with some patients who have CRRT (continuous renal (kidneys) replacement therapy), which is like dialysis. The patients who have CRRT must go to the ICU about 3 times a week and get their blood dialyzed (when the toxins in your blood get removed). Those who have to get their blood dialyzed usually have poor kidney function and or no kidney function at all. When Jessica is working with a patient who has CCRT, she must make sure they account the patient is accounted for hourly, so they are on the proper medications which keeps them healthy. In my article I will talk about Jessica’s life during COVID in the ICU, the struggles she has gone through while at work, and why she likes her job in the ICU.

ever before”. That quote is significant because it is showing that she works so much, that her time off of work means a lot to her. Working an 8-hour shift is one thing but working a 12-hour shift and in the ICU is at a whole other level. So that quote is saying that she values her time off work even more than before because she has had to do a lot more work because of the whole Coronavirus pandemic.

While at work, Jessica encountered people and families that she has got to know well. When working with those families Jessica has also became close to those families while at work. She spends a lot of her time during her shift checking in on the patients and bonding with them which creates a friendship and allows Jessica to work well with them too. Even though the patients that she works with are in critical condition she helps them get through the tough times and look at the bright side on what it will be like when they get out of the ICU. Jessica said, “In the ICU, you are dealing with some of the most critical and sick patients for an extended period of time”. This quote resembles that Jessica is working with patients who can be both sick and/or in critical condition. That quote is important because it is showing that working in the ICU is not something that anyone can do, and it requires a lot of skill and training. In the ICU, Jessica has seen open hearts, people die, etc., which is showing that it is not something that anyone can do and that working in the ICU is a very serious and important job in today’s society, which can create stress.

That is a photo of the machine that the patients with CCRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) get placed on when while out when they are being operated on.

That is a photo of Jessica wearing her daily uniform for when she attends work

Working during COVID-19 is one thing but working in the ICU is another. Jessica Foch has been working in the surgical part of the ICU for 2 years now and she is still working till this day during this worldwide pandemic known as, COVID-19. In to work in the ICU you need to have 18 months to 2 years of specific nursing credits, which Jessica has. She has been working in the ICU for 2 years now and she has been impacted by COVID in many ways. One way that Jessica’s life has been impacted by COVID-19 is that she has to work with more patients. Although she already has to work 12 hours shifts and work with 3-4 patients a day, she still likes her job working in the surgical department of the ICU.

She said, “I definitely value my free time, more than

Besides having to work through all the difficult times while working, Jessica still spoke fondly of her job in the ICU. She said that she really likes what she is doing while at work and that is why she wants to continue to work in the ICU. She has now been working in the ICU for 2 years and she really enjoys what she does in the surgical department of the ICU. While working in the ICU she has bonded with many people and created friendships with others, and that is yet another reason on why she likes her job working in the ICU and continues to do it till this day.

Jessica said, “The ICU is great for experience reasons. It also creates a lot of opportunities down the road for being able to branch into any part of medicine for nursing”. That quote is very impactful because it is showing why Jessica continues to do her job, and what she likes about it. It is also showing that she likes her job because of experience reasons, and which allows her to learn about different kinds of medicine and continue to help those in need.

That is a photo of Jessica wearing a respirator, a face shield, and a plastic gown because they are all required to enter positive Covid-19 rooms In conclusion, Jessica is a very hard-working person and people like her are very important in society today during this worldwide pandemic. I want my readers to know that Jessica is a very hardworking person and that without people like her our society would be completely different, especially because of COVID-19. Along with that, some advice that I can give to my readers is that nobody should take people like Jessica for granted. In order to work in the ICU, you need to have a lot of skill, patience; be hardworking and Jessica has all three of those characteristics and that’s what makes her important in our world and especially in today’s society.

“In the ICU, you are dealing with some of the most critical and sick patients for an extended period of time”

Hit by a Category Five Disaster Patrick Unzicker telling us one of his greatest challenges of being a Chief Financial Officer.

Patrick Unzicker works tremendously hard. Ever since he was a little kid, he has always believed in working hard to do well in life. He currently has an executive job and has worked at publicly traded companies, but when he was just out of college, he had the exact opposite of that fancy job. He was working on the back of a garbage truck, in the small central Illinois town he was born in, Pontiac, Illinois. But going even farther back into Patrick’s life, when he was applying to college, he was working very hard to get into a good college, he worked so hard, so he was awarded a Presidential scholarship to Loyola university with campuses in Roger Park and the Gold Coast. He never went to graduate school, but his impressive 4.0 GPA and his hard work ethic did not fail to get him a good job. He had moved to Chicago after being in Pontiac for a summer after he had graduated. He started at a company called Price Waterhouse and he continued to get positions with more responsibility at larger companies until he had gotten a job as a Controller at DeVry in 2006. Then he had gotten promotions inside the company, to eventually replace his previous bosses’ job to become the Chief Financial Officer in 2016.

The company had changed its name to AdTalem as they sold the school DeVry that they had previously owned, but selling DeVry was not what was hard about being the new CFO and having over 200 people report to you. It was when a hurricane hit the islands of St. Martin and Dominica, where the two medicals schools The American University of the Caribbean, and Ross university that AdTalem owned were. It was Patrick's responsibility to help them recover from this disaster that struck.

When Hurricane Maria hit the island of Dominica, the biggest priority Patrick Unzicker had was to find a space where students would be able to safely learn while the new campus in Barbados was built. To be able to ensure the students had a place to live and learn because they could not be on the islands with all of the damage, Patrick Unzicker was looking for a cruise ship to rent. This would be used until the students of The American University of the Caribbean could return to the islands. While he was looking for a cruise ship, so were other Nations, Colleges, and Universities in the Caribbean. That made it next to impossible for Patrick to be able to even get a cruise ship. The hardest part bout that was that the United States government would continue to take away cruise ships he had worked hard to get for his company because the United States needed them for U.S. Citizens in the Caribbean countries and citizens of Puerto Rico, which is one of the nations that is still recovering from the hurricanes. My dad had to work hard to be able to keep a cruise ship for his company to use for the school. This is unfair because his company had to do things like pay corporate taxes, but the government

was still able to make those cruise ships away from him. What Patrick had said about this was, “It was basically David and Goliath. I was trying to defeat the giant and ultimately won.”

This is unfair because though the students he was trying to get the ship for were already airlifted off of the island and were safe, he still needed the cruise ship just as much as the United States did to get the people off the island, making it unfair to have that taken away from him. The majority of the people Pat was going to use the cruise ship for were United States citizens, so who my dad was helping, was many of the people the government would have helped, except my dad was able to get them to the U.S. quicker. This means the cruise ships that the U.S was using could not be used for Ross University because they knew that they were safe where they were and with who they were being taken care of, though neglecting the fact that the students needed to learn. He also needed to make sure that students could learn, and that was overlooked by the United States. But this quote shows that Patrick was able to work hard enough to which he was able to get a cruise ship, on which the students were able to successfully study medicine and graduate with a medical degree. This does not only set an example for me, but it also sets an example for the students he helped. They and I can both see how working hard can get you far in life, which motivated the students to continue to work hard throughout the rest of their school year and especially with their time learning on the cruise ship. Patrick was able to help others while doing this, and he could have put half the amount of effort that he had in, but he had a motive to help others, which made him want to work even harder. Him working hard was also being a good role model to those aware of his work, as not many people have the motivation and persistence Pat Unzicker does. This shows that you can defeat the giant if you work hard.

“It was very scary, there were times when we would loose connection to the islands on our satellite phones.”

- Patrick Unzicker When a hurricane hits, it is important to make sure that everyone is safe. That was one of the biggest concerns my dad had. When you are dealing with two hurricanes, there are more than twice as many people you need to take care of than there were if there had only been one hurricane. Many of the students attending the Caribbean Medical schools have already started their families, which meant that there were more people that Patrick Unzicker had to ensure was safe. There were not any fatalities due to the hurricane between the staff, students, and students’ families that were with them. Even students’ pets were all still with them after the hurricanes hit. However, many of the staff and family’s houses had been destroyed, between both St. Martin and Dominica. The American University of the Caribbean and Ross university’s dorms were both able to be used as a shelter for families until they were able to safely get off the island and relocated to Miami or Chicago. This is important because many people on these islands were not prepared like these universities. Most of the buildings on the

islands were demolished, so there were even citizens on the islands that took refuge in the buildings. Here is what Patrick had to say about the university buildings, “On both St. Martin and Dominica, we were some of the last standing buildings on the island.”

This shows how prepared Patrick and his team at AdTalem were, and how even though there was an element of surprise, being that there was another hurricane that hit another school, he was still able to be at least partway prepared for the situation in which they would need these buildings to occur. These buildings on the campus were newer, which meant that they had been built to withstand hurricanes that are category five, the highest strength of a hurricane. There were not many newer buildings on the islands, especially on the island of Dominica, which meant only so many of them could have been built to be able to withstand the hurricanes, but AdTalem wanted to make sure that they were prepared and that they could keep their students safe, so they built these buildings, instead of finding pre-existing buildings for campuses.

Citizens of the islands did not only seek refuge in these campuses but were also able to seek medical attention from both staff and students.

The school not only helped the students but because the students were safe due to the level of preparedness, the school was able to get help from the school, the student were able to give the citizens on the island, who needed it, medical attention because they did not need medical attention. Being able to be prepared with the campus buildings was able to allow medical supplies to stay safe, as well as food was stored properly, so then it could be distributed to students, their families, and faulty first, and then surplus food to the citizens of the island.

One of the many concerns that Patrick had was making sure everyone had the opportunity to still be able to graduate. There is always been an exceptional graduation rate at the schools, and because of that, Patrick Unzicker wanted the schools to maintain their record of such a high graduation rate. Though he was worried, this was the smallest problem the hurricanes had caused. Although this was a concern, it shouldn’t have been, as the graduation rate was the same as it had been in previous years. The students at both schools were able to continue working, as they only had to stop working for two weeks while alternative locations for campuses were found. For the majority of the students, the school year did not need to be extended, except for a few students decided to not participate in the semester so they could mentally recover, though no one needed to physically as there were no injuries between the students, their families, pets, staff, and staff's families and pets. They were able to start classes back up again as quickly as they were able to prepare with a plan that had been in place.

Preparing for a natural disaster is important because when you need to think at the moment, you already have as much of a plan in place as you can. In Patrick’s case, he was able to prepare by having practices of the situation with his team before. They had created a stable plan to put in place immediately in case the situation of a hurricane coming presented itself, that is simple actions such as having everyone shelter in place and taking a head count while making sure faculty and families and pets of faculty and students were safe, protected, got assistance medically, and got food and shelter. Here is the information is spoken by Patrick Unzicker on the graduation rate for the universities, “98% of the class was able to graduate, with almost all of the students graduating no later than three months then the majority of the class.”

This shows that with all of the hard work and the plans that were made by Patrick and the AdTalem, almost every student was able to graduate, as what would happen during a normal school year.

Patrick said a crucial piece to have a plan in place was to make that plan with a diverse group of thinkers to work with on his team. He said that having people with different views was able to give them multiple solutions to big and small problems as well as helping each other come up with the best plan so the students could successfully learn. This has been something Patrick has been able to apply this at current job, as the chief financial officer of Pharmacann, a recently founded company that produces and sells cannabis at its stores Veralife, in six states where

recreational cannabis is legalized. He has been able to apply skills from being in a high-pressure situation and dealing with highly regulated products and materials. He has applied knowledge about highly regulated materials from the medical community to the highly regulated production and selling of cannabis. He has also used his medical knowledge to help him with his job at Pharmacann as 40% of the cannabis he sells is for medical use. This is how having protocols in place has helped him with not just his job at AdTalem with helping the students at the universities, but also at his current job at Pharmacann.

Patrick learned a lot while going through the process of having to relocate hundreds of students, staff, and their families off of the Caribbean islands amid a natural disaster. But he was not the only person who learned something from the work he had done. I’m sure his colleagues at AdTalem learned from what they had done, but that is not who I am talking about. I learned from this, and the students from both of the universities did too. When you watch someone or a group of people go through all of that hard work and dedication to help those who need it, it makes you realize that you would want to work even harder than he did to help others. Knowing what Patrick did, I like to think about how the motivation and perseverance he has is something that not everyone has, which makes Patrick stand out. When you go into any job, you should be prepared to take on a responsibility to solve a problem, but not many people can or decide to put forth the effort to do so. In every job, there is going to be a problem where you will need to help people, and because not everyone has the motivation to do so, not everyone who is in a situation where they need help can get the help that they need. Helping people is not easy, and it is frustrating that there are not a lot of people who chose to help people. After reading this, I want you to think next time you might be put in a high-pressure situation, why do the people who I would be helping need help, and if I were in the situation, would I want people to work hard to help me?

Patrick Unzicker in 2016 when he first became the CFO of AdTalem.

By Genevieve Unzicker

The Struggles of Highschool St. Ignatius student athlete Diego Vazquez is struggling with meeting new people without playing sports

Determination as 8th grade student athlete struggles in his first year of high school

Diego Vazquez in his final year of high school heading into college

“Always take care of yourself, its better to take care of the problem now rather than suffering worse consequences in the future.”

BY OSCAR VAZQUEZ Photograph by Diego Vazquez

It was a dark, gloomy day at Anne arbor, Michigan.

The dark gray clouds seemed to share its darkness to everyone. The fishbowl, which is always booming with students that are going to hangout and study, wasn’t discharging its usual plethora of good vibes.

When my brother enters the building from just coming from the gym and wearing his usual dark blue splatter colored Michigan tank top, he had a huge smile on his face, which seemed to radiate positivity to everyone who was glum. My brother was born in Chicago and has always loved the city. Its unique variety of restaurants made him love food. He grew up watching the Chicago Fire soccer team, the Bulls, as well as the Chicago bears. These hometown teams made him love sports as well. Taking care of your body is important, when an injury occurs, a person may miss out on important life experiences.

The way society is structured in high school is very interesting. In order to know this person or to do this and do that you need to get to know a lot of people.

While my brother injured his knee in eighth grade and has to suffer with this injury until his sophomore year, there is a dramatic story that unfolds on the lessons that were learned and repetitive mistakes that were made and injuries that occurred after healing from one.

It was during my brother’s childhood that he played on a lot of soccer teams during the same season. He had 2-3 practices a day and had 2 games on Saturday and another 2 games on Sunday. It really shows the passion and love that my brother had for the sport of soccer. He started doing this routine when he was 8 years old. After 6 years of repeating this, he started to wear his knee down. After more rigorous training, it was simply to much for his worn-out body. This resulted in an extreme knee injury. Over the summer, my brother was recuperating, and physical therapy was too much for his knee to handle due to the caliber of his injury. After being accepted into St. Ignatius, he was unable to participate in the sport he loved most.

Without the distraction of sports, my brothers first year were extremely productive. He managed straight A’s throughout high school. My brother had friends, but it was not the amount of people that the wanted to get to know better. In my brother’s sophomore year, his knee completely healed. When soccer season started, he tried out and made the varsity team. My brother was very happy in being able to play the sport that he loved most. With this, he got to meet other kids that were associated in different groups and he became a part of a very large community. My brother was encouraged by his soccer coach to try out for another sport, so my brother took his advice and tried out for volleyball. Since he did not have experience, he made the junior varsity team. This did not discourage my brother; it only made his strive to be better than everyone else and show his worth next year in the

varsity team. Once playing another sport, my brother was introduced to even more people. He then made more friends and the community of sports, once again, grew. He said, “It’s surprising that you have to play sports or do something in order to meet a lot of people.” I selected this quote because it really questions the way that society functions and how it is run by the community of students. My brother was unable to play sports his freshman year, so he did not have a lot of friends. Once playing varsity soccer on his sophomore year and varsity volleyball on his jr year. His friend difference was very significant. This gives me the idea once playing 2-3 sports for varsity on my freshman year, will allow me to meet a lot people My brother played in so many different sports teams and clubs in his life. While growing up, it was all he really knew how to do. In order to remain in the state of fitness that he was at, he had to eat very healthy. He also did this to remain at his peak physic in order to excel at his skill level that he played at. My brother started out as a person who loved food. He especially loved eating the different specialties that other countries might offer. He quickly set his career goal to be a food critic of some sort. Shortly after being familiar with the different styles of cooking that were regularly used in his favorite dishes, he was encouraged to try another hobby. My brother always loved the sports of soccer, volleyball as well as basketball. Once showing exceptional skill, my brother used the knowledge he already knew about nutrition to be able to fully take care of himself and nurture his body. My brother pointed out, “one important aspect of physical health is nutrition, a lot of people are more prone to certain injuries.” What is powerful about this is that is gives you a strong and important lesson on eating right.

An important and concerning problem in the United States of America on our youth is child obesity. The quote successfully delivers a powerful message to our youth on eating right, as well as impacting our older generation on proper nutrition. This quote is significant because my brother is studying to graduate the university of Michigan for physical therapy. From there he wants to become a paramedic and get his doctorate. My brother knows critical information on nutrition and shares this knowledge to other people who might not be as informed on the topic as he is.

Getting my nutrition right will allow me to be the best I can be to be able to succeed in my sports.

My brother has had many injuries and some of them caused him to suffer for a year or more. With these injuries, he never had a mentor to guide him through them. No one said, “Ice this, stretch that, bend over here.” Once healing from an injury, my brother did not know what to do in order to prevent further injuries of

the same type. Once in high school, and playing varsity soccer for his sophomore year, my brother had someone he could rely on in order to recover from anything that might be bothering him. With a nod he said, “Always take care of yourself, its better to take care of the problem now rather than suffering worse consequences in the future.” This suggests that people should deal with their problems mow rather than suffering the worse consequences that might present themselves further along your path. This quote helps me as an athlete because now, whenever I feel a nagging pain on my body, I will take care of it right away instead of it becoming a serious injury.

In conclusion my brother had to suffer in one of the most exciting years of his life which were high school.

He was unable to fully enjoy going to the beach or on long hikes because of his injury. My brother did not let this hindrance get in his way but instead used it to succeed in his academics. I appreciate that my brother took the time to fully express the hardships that might not have been taken seriously or into consideration when talking about an injury. He fully explains the things that he was unable to do. He showed vulnerability when talking about all the things he was upset about, which is something that I truly appreciate in being shared. An important learning was some information that might help prevent injuries occurring upon myself. I was taught that stretches before and after exercising Is very important. Also, whenever I am going to start my soccer practices, I will jog around the field a couple of times to get my muscles loose.

Some new thoughts that I now have are that when I start my freshman year, sports play a big role in the number of friends that you have. I will give it my all to play well in the sports I am going to participate in. Too anyone who might be thinking to do a sport, go for it!

A sport is very beneficial to your health in many ways.

While doing any activity it is important to take care of yourself. Stay hydrated, cool down after your activity and relax.

A study from Harvard Medical school says “Without stretching, the muscles shorten and become tight.

Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

High school has a society where people are well known by playing sports. Without taking care of your body, this minimizes the chance of getting to meet a lot of people.

Teaching Troubles What it is like to be a teacher during the Covid-19 pandemic through the eyes of a CPS teacher Teaching can be a difficult profession but teaching during a pandemic can seem impossible. Screens have gone from something to enjoy to something that is a drag. All teachers face problems, and Cynthia Valenciana is no different. Cynthia is a CPS teacher at a small neighborhood school in the Pilsen area. Today she gives us her time to talk about being a teacher during Covid, and how different it is. In 2005 she completed her master’s degree in education and joined the teacher’s union. However, she was not looking to settle on any job, she wanted to teach in her own neighborhood as a bilingual teacher.

This ultimately led her to position at Jungman Elementary School (Pronounced Youngman). Cynthia faces many challenges that all teachers face. However, through it all she stays positive and hopeful. In this, she gives us a brief view into the life of a teacher.

Cynthia decided to teach for many reasons. When, asked why she choose teaching she said. “I’ve always enjoyed the process of helping others grow and understand as a learner.” This quote is significant because it shows that teaching is more than just a profession both before and after Covid. Cynthia is always there for students to make sure that they know what is going on in class. This includes her special needs

groups which requires extra attention and creativity to maintain. Also, it can be an example for everyone, not only teachers that it is good to help others.

This makes you wonder about being a teacher and the challenges that come with it.

Even though it is tough to be a teacher Cynthia knows how hard it is to be a student right now. She says that especially right now when nobody goes to school in person it can be very difficult to have the strength to get on a google meets call every day. Cynthia thinks that these effects will never go away as she says, “Students will struggle with the aftermath of being isolated long after the pandemic is over.” This is important for many reasons. One example is that there is a lot of damage done. Throughout these hard months many have suffered.

Cynthia knows how hard it is to have to be safe and shut others out. She says that these things don’t go away in an instant. Another of these is that it really means to give yourself some slack and that even though it is hard right now it will get better.

learning fun and enjoyable. Sometimes at a small school like Jungman with a special needs group it can be especially challenging, on top of everything Covid has brought. Cynthia says, “It is very hard to be a teacher and teach virtually.” This sentence represents the perseverance of not only Cynthia but all teachers and students navigating through this difficult time. It takes a lot of spirit to keep going and doing your best.

In the end Cynthia gives us many valuable lessons from just a friendly reminder that right now it’s tough, to insightful thoughts about how everyone is in the same boat.

Throughout this interview she has maintained that although times are difficult, especially on both students and teachers who rely on in person learning, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. She says that everyone will struggle but, in the end,, it will be okay.

During her times as a teacher Cynthia has faced many challenges both before and after Covid. One challenge she says, is getting students to cooperate.

Students don’t want to sit in front of a screen and learn, so you have to make

“Students will struggle with the aftermath of being isolated long after this pandemic is over.”

Cynthia Valenciana is a teacher at Jungman Elementary School

Courage Standing up straight, proud of where she came from, foster care to a working women.

ᵨ ᶍᶓᶐᶌᶃᶗᴾᶒᶍᴾᵱᶓᶁᶁᶃᶑᶑ Bringing opportunity to every tough situation, coming from foster care to who we know know Loney Nguyen.

By: Lenna Vehovc Foster care, something that

Loney Nguyen as strong as iron As powerful as superman Brown thick hair Pleasant with a smile From ear to ear Busy with children Rummaging around the house Taking care of what is important Family Even on a late evening Streets loud and lit from joy But it was somber Speaking of her experience Coming from foster care M aking new connections M aking her better Her life better And her soul better First through poverty Then, through foster housing To now crossing the finish line To who we now know, Loney Nguyen

most people look at in a negative perspective, what people believe of as, “bad kids” but that’s not the story. This space of safekeeping is where kids, teens, and any age go to have greater opportunities in life. Along with this all restore love in which they lost with their original family. Loney dove into telling a sweet story when she was growing up, how she could not afford anything Hello Kitty. Loney grew up impoverished and though she loved it she recognized she could not have it. However, one day when she admitted into foster care the caretakers bought decorations and flew through dedicated work to give Loney a Hello Kitty birthday a sweet sixteen. Experiences like this meant the world to Loney because she knew this opportunity would not come upon her if she was at home.

Such as this story, Loney could finally see that people will always be there for her. She did not her mother, father, or sibling, just somebody willing to provide her with a place of comfort and zero judgment.

Loney Nguyen said, “foster care saved my life.”

Next, Loney was a little girl, and she needed others to be there for her. However, this was hard to realize for some, but foster care helped her get there because it made her able to make connections. Loney explained to me that one person, as she called her M rs. Latoria, was a big person to her. M rs. Latoria got her to where she is now and refers to this hero as her mother. Loney has no ties to her through blood, but the connection that sparked between the two was necessary to boost Loney’s selfconfidence. She met this woman through a foster program in which she joined. She wanted to get involved because possible to make friends that will help her along the way.

This courageous girl moved into foster care, still growing as a human being in this big world and needed confidence.

For example, people telling her she could get through bumps in the road. This is when she told me, “people believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

This quote is important for a past foster to say because of the goal of foster care, to give them a way to move in the right direction. Agents and program leaders make fosters understand that they are worth more than what they were given in prior time. Also, though, Loney had a tight bond with her family when she left, everyone knew it would be the right approach. Her mother put Loney first, she noticed that she would lose a daughter, but it would mean raising her the right way. The other reason I suggest that foster care is beneficial is because it makes the child successful.

Children know they can thrive with more people outside of the small community they were born into. Lastly, child welfare lowers the risks of children ending up in detention, or rebelling against rules. Finally children have walls to live in, types of discipline that keep them from making wrong decisions.

I feel as if this is an interesting point to make because many think of foster care as something children are forced to get involved with, and just dwell on mistakes made in the past. Also, I consider that this is interesting because not only does she thrive in an unfamiliar environment, but she appreciates this care center.

They show more love and unconditional support than her birth family ever did. I agree with this point made because she is correct, though your birthplace it does not mean the best fit for you. Loney needs guidelines, programs, and something to get involved in which would have been hard living in rigors conditions as she did. It does not come down to if your biological family. Love is key, the number of duties they can give for you to keep you doing your best. Lastly, if Loney never reached foster care, she would not find the people, love, and aid as she did in foster care.

Confident Doing what Loney loves on her free time pageanting.

Third, Loney has been through this experience and knows just how traumatizing it can be.

Though her experience is positive she had a lot of negative experience throughout foster care. If you take into consideration what getting adopted or going away from home, it occurs for two major reasons. Whether abuse or neglect, the child will always be taken from home, all they ever knew taken away from them. When a child has grown up in one area and has a quick transition to a place with different beds, food, toys, etc. they have a hard time adjusting. Not only this but fosters are made to turn their backs on people trying to help them, foster care, to know them as “the ones that took them from home.” It causes them to think the way they were being treated at home was perfect when the opposite, and when people treat them correctly, they appear misplaced.

Loney Nguyen says, “the state gets involved and rips you away from everything that you knew.”

In response to this quote, I agree that this should be the case, but not to a negative extent. I see that the state and social workers are doing the best for children to make sure they grow up in environments that will help them be their best selves.

However, the state need not be a “monster” for children, ripping them apart from their families. The state needs to have more regard for what they’re doing. The government should allow the children to go back home and visit for the first few days, but not like a quick rip of a band-aid fast and painless, there will be pain. There is always pain involved, and it needs to be healed and they need to be given comfort and mercy. Last, no matter the human, leaving a routine is heartbreaking and when starting a new routine.

"DNA does not make family love does," Lena Adams Foster Loney had multiple ways of feeling excluded within foster care.

For example, when she first moved to the care home, she could not speak her native language, coming from Asian descent. This accrued because the foster center wanted to monitor calls, and if they could not understand what she was saying, they could not control and listen to the conversation. Also, Loney announced that she faced stereotypes when living in a rich county in M aryland, called M ontgomery. For her living in public housing throughout her life and many just assumed that she was rich based on where she lived. The stereotyped only got worse after this, they became based on her ethnicity. Loney said that Asian parents care for their children, so when she was in foster care everyone, children, and adults assumed she must have done something unacceptable. Another one of her unenjoyed experiences was being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This was hard for her to hear, going through the trauma in which she had to face the actions in her that changed. Some actions might have mirrored bipolar disorder, but doctors and caretakers tried to slap a label on children, saying they have one thing rather than trying to see what has gone awry. This information leads Loney to recite, “Stress or trauma at a young age mirror that of mental health illness.”

This shows us how trauma can cause not only causes a change in behavior, such as stress, lack of focus, and PTSD. However, it does not cause the quick fix foster care agents to label it. I agree with Loney, children experience the stress of whom to trust, who to love and were to appear comfortable. This is not a disease.

Defining foster care is a guardian to care for people who have lost their original caretakers. M eaning that making children feel like outsiders are no form of being the bigger person and showing love and compassion. Lastly, this relates to stereotyping as well because when you consider yourself degraded, you put a strong exterior around yourself. This causes the weight over your shoulders of trying to be strong and makes you shut people out, for the reason of fear that they might be mean.

Foster care can not only be for those without the parent’s others were supplied with, for those that need more belief, love, and care than they received. Also, foster care is not the negative experiences the positive ones to such as meeting new people, learning selfrespect, and obtaining new experiences. Next, leaving home and the family you grew up with, good or poor, is hard on everyone. The child learns to not be able to trust people as well when the state takes them from home, and the parents lost what was arranged for them. Lastly, foster care is difficult, no matter the circumstance, but Loney made it the best she could. Never going down without a fight fought and constantly staying true to who she is, Loney Nguyen.

Valerie Marie Barker was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Valerie was 20 years old in 1985 and she believed that her life was just beginning. She had been accepted into Notre Dame College and she was going as a Marketing Major. This was her third year in college, and she was living her best life. She had worked her whole life for this opportunity, her family supporting her through this endeavor. She had everything planned out. Her whole life was ahead of her. Her mom, dad, and sister were so proud that she had made it this far and that her life was in her own, capable hands. It was almost spring break, and she was planning to go on a trip with her friends but suddenly, her dad and her mom asked her to come home instead of going on the trip. She was majorly disappointed, but she had to listen to her parents. She was just thinking that it was a family issue and that it was no big deal. She had a doubt in the back of her mind that something was wrong, but she pushed that thought back. When she came home, she was in for the biggest shock of her life. Now Valerie Marie Barker Waller, my mother, is 55 and happy with her life. She loves her husband, her two daughters, and all of her extended family. Throughout this whole experience she learned that loss is very stressful, and it is difficult to cope with but when you have others helping you through it, things get easier.

My mother is a very strong person and her mother taught her that. It was during my mother’s junior year in college. She was just a normal girl with a loving family, an amazing sister and a great big life ahead of her. When my mother started her junior year of college, she thought that she had everything she could ask for. A college experience, an internship in Connecticut and great friends that she felt along the lines of she had known for a lifetime. It was approaching spring break.

My mother was going to go on a trip with her friends, which many college students do in their junior and senior years in school. This trip has been planned for several months, my mother getting excited as every day passed. Well, undenounced to my mom at the time, my grandmother had been sick for a very long time and she was starting to get worse. This is why my grandparents, my mother’s parents told her that she had to come back home instead of being able to go on the trip she had been planning. My mother didn’t know why she couldn’t go on the trip so as any 20-year-old would do, she was very upset. Yet she had to go home, and she was shocked at what she found. She found out that her mom was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. And just 2 months after she was diagnosed, she died of cancer. This is what my mom had to say about this. She looked intently up into the sky and said, “It made me sadder than I have ever been at any other point in my entire life.”

This makes me think that her and her mom were very close and that they loved each other very much. I could also imagine that the interviewee was devastated on the occasion of hearing of the news of her mother. After she lost someone so special and important to her, she realized that losing someone along the lines of your mom is very difficult. I also believe that this transformed my mom into who she is today in light of the fact that this taught her to live life to the fullest and to savor everyday because before you know it, you could have little to no time to spend with your family. Also, this taught my mom to always tell people how you feel about them in light of the fact that you would never want someone not to know how much you love them. This quote is very powerful because this makes you think about how sad she must have been to have this be the saddest day of her life. Also, it shows how sad she must still be now after not being able to have her mom for the majority of her life.

My mother’s success was only attainable in light of the fact that her mom helped her through it. My mom was always successful in everything she did when she was in college. She was an overachiever all throughout her life. In grade school, my mom payed attention all throughout school and she always got high grades. All of her teachers called her a gifted student, and she was very smart for her age. She always was very focused all throughout school and was very good at what she did. She always tried her best and teachers were very pleased with her effort. Teachers described her as sincere, hardworking, understanding, and devoted to their profession. She is always on the lookout for opportunities to show her full potential. Since both her parents were professor, she was always held at high standards and always was trying to impress them. She was focused at a young age and continued to be focused throughout her life from grade school to college.

On the occasion of her mom was dying, my mom had no idea, but my grandmother wanted to say something very important to my mom before she went to Connecticut and started the next chapter of her life. “She wanted me to be successful and to have the best life I could have, and she told me those things on the occasion of she knew that she was dying.”

This makes me think that her mom wanted her to be the best version of herself that she could be. Her mother wanted her to be an amazing young woman and wanted her to be an amazing person and have an amazing along the lines of. When my grandmother knew she was dying, she wanted to give my mom a final piece of advice to help guide her on her way before she passed on.

She just wanted my mom to be happy. This shows how my mom and her mom were very close and her mom just wanted her so to succeed in life. It also shows how on the occasion of her mom was dying, the only thing she could think of is to tell her daughter to succeed in life and to have a good life. She just wanted to my mom to have a great life and to have every opportunity in life available. This quote is very powerful in light of the fact that it makes you think how much my grandmother loved my mother for almost her dying wish to bee for my mom to succeed in life.

The people who love you will put yourself before themselves. When you say you love someone, that means that you are saying that you will always care for them, trust them and that you will be with them for the rest of your life. This is a big promise that many people don’t make/make falsely. On the occasion of you say those three words, you are permanently putting that other person in your life. For mothers and fathers, this happens as soon as their child is born. When my mother was born, my grandparents said that they loved her, and my mom put her life in her parent’s hands.

Parents have an automatic connection to their kids. Love is a very important thing, and my grandmother loved my mom very much. On the occasion of my mom talks about her parents, she talks about how much they love her and how much she loved them. She loved them with all her heart and she always wanted them to be around for longer than they both were. She has a glint in her eyes when she thinks about her parents and on the occasion of, she thinks of how she loved them. Her mom was very close with my mom and when she was dying, all my mom could think about bring there with her. But my grandmother wanted my mom to go to her internship in Connecticut and have a great life. “And I remember her telling me to go to Connecticut & to do a great job at my internship & that she would be fine, and I was back a week later in light of the fact that she had died.”

This makes me think that her mom really cared about her & just wanted her to have every opportunity that she could have. My grandmother just wanted my mom to succeed so she told my mom not to worry about her and that she would be fine so my mom would be inclined to go to Connecticut. I also believe that this transformed my mom into who she is today because this taught her to live life to the fullest and to savor everyday in light of the fact that before you know it, you could have little to no time to spend with your family.

My grandmother really cared about my mom and she always showed that. This makes it seem along the lines of the interview subject and her mother were very close and her mom just wanted my mom to live her life as a 20-year-old. This has a connection to my life because if my mom was in this situation as my grandmother and I was my mom, she would want me to go to the internship and not to worry about her, but I would worry about her along the lines of my mom did.

Loss is very difficult, but it eventually leads you to who you are today. Having this kind of traumatic experience affect someone so young really makes you reevaluate your life and that’s what my mother did. Everyone should appreciate the people that they have in their life because you never know when someone isn’t going to be there anymore. My mom was very strong for being brave when her mother died. I always look up to her because that strongness and bravery has led her to be the mom that I know today and one of my best friends. It is very amazing that she could move on from tragedy because tragedy is very hard on a person. Hardships happen but you have to get through them. It’s difficult but necessary. All she must have wanted to do mourn her mother, but he had to stay strong for her father and her younger sister. I have gained a new insight into her life and it has greatly impacted me. One thing that my mom said that her mom said that really resonated with me is, “And if she was here right now, she would say that she is very proud of me for all that I have accomplished and that she misses me very much.” This shows how close they are and how much they loved each other. Loss is so difficult on a person, but it helps a person’s character, and this made my mom the mom she is today. The biggest shock of my mother’s life turned out to be a terrible loss, but this made her who she is today.

The Infamous Spring Break of 1985 My mother’s tale of hardship, triumph and loss By: Greer Waller

My mother succeeded in life when no one thought it was possible. She had a major setback and still did her job when she was needed to.

My mother’s mother working at her professor’s desk

My mother’s mother (middle) and my mom (right)

My Grandpa (left) and Grandma (right) on a hike in Montana.

Island Life Former JAG Corps Karl Barnickol’s life in the Navy in desolate Alaska By: Ben Wilhelm

It was a cool, crisp, Fall day, in the middle of October. I sat in my white chair with brand-new upholstery, sipping my apple cider, gazing out the window, watching leaves of all kinds of bright colors blow up and then drift back down. I picked up my phone and typed my grandpa’s phone number in. You could hear the ringing of the phone and feel its vibration as I waited for him to pick up. As we cheerfully greeted each other, I could feel a smile begin to appear on my face as we started our interview.

My grandpa, Karl Barnickol III, was born in September 16th, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. My grandpa currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with my grandma, Carol Ann. He served as a member in the JAG Corps while living in Adak, Alaska, from June 18th, 1968 to February 28th, 1970. For those who don’t know, Adak is a former Navy base for the United States located in Alaska, It was used by the U.S. during World War 2 and the Cold W Many of my grandpa’s most important life experiences are connected to those he had on Adak. His reflection on life back then is very relevant to the world we are living in right now. In a world that is constantly changing, there are many lessons we can learn from the past and apply to the present and future.

My grandpa had to deal with numerous problems while living on Adak, one of which was the weather. Grandpa lived on Adak from 1968 to 1970, and he explained how terrible the weather was, with lots of snow, rain, and very heavy winds, which are similar to those of a hurricane.

“I thought, ‘I’m from Chicago, how bad can this weather be?’ But it’s way worse than Chicago, especially the wind.” This suggests that the rough conditions of Adak catch people off guard and make it harder to live and work there. This quote is significant because it shows one of the challenges my grandpa faced while serving at Adak. For me, this helps my understanding of what the harsh conditions of Adak were like because I live in Chicago now and anyone who’s ever

been to Chicago knows what the weather is like in the winter, with heavy snowfall and large gusts of wind.

It’s as if the weather in Adak is like COVID19. It is long lasting and can throw off all of your plans and expectations. There are ways to try to prevent it, but you don’t have total control. Once he got to Adak, my Grandpa started ‘putting on a mask’, to try to prevent the damage the ‘Coronavirus’ had in his life on Adak. Because of this, he was starting to get used to the weather on Adak and refuse to let it affect his everyday life.

Just as he had to adapt to the weather, my grandpa also had to adjust to being isolated out on Adak. When he first arrived at Adak, Karl was still getting used to everything. He was getting to know all the people, but being far away from family and closer to Russia than any other minor U.S. town was something that nothing could prepare my grandpa for. Karl said, “You’re all out there, totally isolated, far away, not near anywhere…” Here, my grandpa shows the struggles and despair of being isolated. This quote is powerful because it shows how easy it was for the citizens of Adak to be negative and feel alone. The quote shows another of the many problems Karl faced while living on Adak. For me, it shows how brave and positive my grandpa was to survive the isolation and have a good experience at Adak.

“You’re all out there, totally isolated, far away, not near anywhere…”

the commander there was quiet and made some weird decisions. However, once the new commander was installed, Karl reported improvement throughout camp. He stated, “There were all sorts of little things he did that changed the attitude of the people who worked for him… little things around camp that made life much better and much easier.”

Here, my grandpa shows how people like the commander can make life way easier for everyone else, boosting morale at Adak.

What is powerful about this quote is it shows how tough times can bring a community close together, showing the true bond of that tight-knit community. This quote is significant because it shows what we should be doing right now as a community while COVID-19 is affecting our daily lives. Instead of just complaining about the situations that we are put in, we should find ways to be there for each other and overcome this virus as a community Throughout our time speaking, my grandpa was very honest and insightful as he spoke about his past experiences and how he’s learned from them to this day. I started to appreciate more and more how brave and honest my grandpa is. During his time at Adak, my grandpa learned about the importance of having a strong community around you. I have always seen my grandpa as a role model, and now I am able to fully appreciate how much we have to learn from people like him, through stories large and small. I now have the opportunity to share what I learned with others and allow my grandpa’s knowledge to impact our generation for years to come. Learning from those with past experiences allows us to fully understand the knowledge of the past and put it forward to help us succeed in the future.

Although there were many challenges he had to overcome while living on Adak, my grandpa also encountered people that made life way easier and more enjoyable at Adak.

In the first months he was on Adak, Karl said

My Grandpa (left) and Grandma (right) on a beach at Adak. Even a typically nice place like the beach required coats at Adak.

Covid-19 Effects on College How has Covid-19 effected my sisters collage application prosses

Kathleen Walsh, my older sister, reports that she has no time to do anything, yet she finishes everything. She is very dedicated to her schoolwork, but in addition to all her studies, she puts 100% of her effort towards applying for college and sports. Kathleen says that the only time in the day she has free is late at night, so I chose a time to speak with her when she was finished with her homework. I interviewed her in a relaxed setting. We both sat on the couch in the family room, and we were quite comfortable. I am happy that I have chosen my sister because she has never been impatient with me.

I told my sister that I was interested in learning how the application process was affected by COVID-19, so I asked her directly, “How has COVID19 affected the application process?” I followed up with a question asking her if the process has been more difficult or easier in these different circumstances. Kathleen shared, “COVID-19 has made the application process harder for me because I am applying to many different schools, and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina is my first choice.” She also said, “I am hoping that I am accepted into Duke through early admission, so I may relax about colleges for the rest of the year.” Duke is her first choice, she said, because of its strong Pre-Medicine program, since she wants to become an Osteopathic physician, which is a field of medicine that works on treating the whole patient. Medicine has always been a strong career path for Kathleen. Most of all, Kathleen admits that the application prosses has been especially challenging with COVID-19 no matter where she applied.

“Duke has a very competitive application prosses, so it is like pulling a needle from a haystack” So you need to stand out of the crowd.

By: Owen Walsh

Kathleen also said that she found the application process difficult because the colleges she has applied to have different application requirements. Some schools require one or two longer essays, while other school ask for four or five short essays. Some schools want just one letter of recommendation, while others require three letters of recommendation.

She said that some schools emphasize what a student does outside of school, such as volunteering and extracurricular activities, while other schools stress academic achievement only. She also explained, “It is very hectic because each college has very different prompts for the supplemental essays, and I had to write many different essays.” Kathleen kept repeating how chaotic the process has been because of the pandemic, yet she knows that all her efforts will pay off in the end. Kathleen had told me that she had to keep track of online meetings and Zoom calls. She added that she has been meeting with a college counselor once a week to help her with her essays and to finalize which colleges she should apply to.

Her meetings have been helpful but also stressful.

Covid-19 has affected the collage application process in significant ways. One way that has changed for seniors applying to colleges is that they cannot take an in-person tour of the places they may want to live in for the next four years. Kathleen shared that she was disappointed that school visits were not possible due to Covid-19. The pandemic has changed all visits to an online tour, which may limit her experiences and change her impressions of the college and the college towns. Kathleen has taken this

and ran with it throughout days of quarantine and fear of contracting the virus. In fact, she admits that she tries to excel and put forth her best effort even when it was challenging.

Duke University has a very competitive application process. I know this because my sister commented, “Duke has a very competitive application process. Many people apply, but few are accepted.” She made a vivid comparison. “It is like pulling a needle from a haystack.” Kathleen is aware that students blend in together when the admissions process begins, but Kathleen has worked on standing out with her strong academic record, high test scores, and a compelling essay. My sister is very focused and never gives up on herself especially when she has a goal to achieve.

We are very proud of her no matter where she is accepted and where she attends college. We know that she will always be successful.

Mother growing up in Africa

My mother is my mother, but interviewing her is different, it that, she wanted to be just like her mother. My Grandmother was basically the one who made my family’s felt like she wasn’t my mother, or I didn’t even know who life significant. This is because she cooked for her kids, she she is. would teach her kids how life goes, and through time she Every day, there wasn’t any phones to use, tablets, or computers. But there was a TV. I asked her some eventually made a decision that changed my family’s life, she went to America. All of what my Grandmother did questions to get knowledge about what it’s like in Africa and what life was like for herself until she came to America. inspired my mother, that’s what made her independent and My mother had to go through a lot of obstacles in her youth, the person she is today some of those she never told me about. My mother always wanted to be independent but didn’t know how. But my grandmother was someone who my mother looked up too, she was a good source to my mother’s success. My Grandmother could do anything we couldn’t do. So, my mother did everything that my grandmother did to be independent, and eventually, she became independent.

My mother also explains not only her life alone, but how society and the environment was around her back then.

She tells me how it was completely different.

Gladys Tiani talks about her life growing up in Africa and coming here to America

BY AUPHREDY TIANI

But I’m glad that my mother told me about herself because

She said, “She made sure the food was okay, and she went she does have a past life too, and eventually I probably tell my kids about my past life, including this pandemic. 15 to 20 to America to secure our spot”. I know that she mentions how my grandmother made food and secured her spot in years ago, my mother was different as well as the environment around her. My mother was a person you America which are two completely different things, but didn’t want to mess with, basically protecting her siblings, or they’re so many things that my grandmother has done to take care of my mother and her siblings and inspires them. just being passive aggressive. The environment around her My mother did have other people who inspired her, but her was different. As I said, she lived in a country in Africa named Cameroon. mother was the most significant out of all of them. At the

time, there weren’t any phones, tablets, computers, but my I agree with her because nowadays, we rely on social They didn’t play compared to here, that’s why it seemed mother and her siblings did have a TV, but they got the media and what not to do. Now since she explained to me easy to face America and the real world. privilege taken away often from them because of school. how this generation compare to back then, I can imagine My mother used to always talk about how her and her how it was. friends or siblings used to go outside and play instead of My mother is a hard-working person, and independent. She watching TV because going outside was the only option they had. does takes care of me but at the same time works hard.

When my mother was an adult and needed to live on her own, she was wasn’t ready at all. She didn’t want to rely on cooking for herself, buying things for herself, getting a job, or just getting the freedom she had before. Since my grandmother came to America in 2000 and brought her Now when I look back in this generation, we mostly stay family here, it was a little hard to live and adapt to another inside and use electronics, or just be lazy. When my mother environment, but this was significant to my mother’s and talks about the old days, she says it was natural and not family’s life and future. overwhelming. They would actual do something productive, even if I wasn’t them wasn’t going outside. She said, “Life was so natural, we would play outside, no electronics.”.

Now being in a whole other generation, environment, and society, I can agree with her because people these days She said, “It was ok, because I wanted to be independent”. stay in their house (referring before pandemic).I know this This quote tells me that that she was not ready to live on her doesn’t technically have to do with the fact about doing something productive, but I’m both an introvert and an own and be independent, but she wanted to be independent. She knew that she had to leave her parents extrovert. What I’m basically saying is that I enjoy doing both of going outside and doing something productive, and and not live the same life as she did before, but like she said, it was ok because she was determined to live on her meet new people or bond with people, or staying indoors and doing something independent that I feel is right, which own and be independent. This quote also inspires me because it makes me feel like as if I’m as determined as my is not. But overall, my mother just wanted to explain how life went back in her days compared to mine. mother is to be independent. Since she grew up in a country on the westside of Africa, named Cameroon, they were strict there compared to here in America.

My mother has been through a lot of obstacles getting to where he is today. She worked hard and eventually When my mother was younger, she would always protect became independent. With my grandmother being a her sisters even though she was one of the youngest in her source in her success, she also helped me too by inspiring family, but she was the most assertive and strong. Now since my mother making me inspired too. In this interview, I learned a lot about my mother, even things I didn’t even she learned to be independent in Cameroon, she was ready to face the next level. My mother is independent, but know about. Now that I’m at the age that she can stop someone who inspires her the most was my Grandmother. hiding things from me, I look at my mother differently now Her mom was a hard worker, and my mother looked up to that mother has told me a lot about her, not in a bad way.

“She made sure the food was

okay, and she went to American to secure out spot”

Ann Marie Wright reads her schedule and assesses her day to plan and prepare for her meetings. She sits in her light-greyish blue office room, working in her black leather office chair.

She boots up her two Samsung 32-inch white curved monitors. One has the schedule and the other has the documents pulled up for the meeting.

She goes to make her morning coffee, a nice and hot of Nespresso coffee. She then touches up on her appearance and makes sure she looks presentable. Then she logs onto Microsoft teams for a long, hard day at work. Have you, the reader, ever heard of the phrase “Nothing worth having comes easy?”

This can apply to many things. For example, one’s success. Success can be a challenging endgame to reach, some more than others. It’s not easy to become a successful person, but when you do, your work can be rewarding.

This has proven true for Ann Marie Wright, my mother, and has worked hard to get to where she is today. She works at BMO Harris Bank, and has made it to be one of the most influential women of corporate America and has followed several principles that helped her on her path to success. These principles don’t just apply to her line of work, however. Many people can use these, and she even tells me these things to help me to become successful.

These principles are to work hard, don’t doubt yourself, and know that the path to your goal isn’t a straight one. These can apply to all goals a person has, not just to a job.

A Picture of Ann Marie Wright getting her picture taken

The Path to Success How She Got to Where She is Today, and Advice to Get to That Point

When I was interviewing my mom, she stated that one thing that helped her succeed was to work hard and stand out from the crowd. My mom has made it to being one of the most influential women in corporate America, and one thing she says to me a lot is this, “Work hard and don’t be normal.” She says this to me because always doing your best work is a big value of my mom’s, and she tells me so it can become a value to me. Working hard can help you stick out and not be normal because the harder you work, the more people tend to notice that. My mom got selected to have the reputation she has now without a recommendation, because of how hard she worked for it.

Although my mom said to not be normal, it doesn’t mean to always shy

away from being a normal person.

Humans aren’t meant to be perfect, and sometimes no matter how hard you work, it might not end up how you want it. My mom has always been working, since she was in high school, and has been through several jobs before now.

One thing that hasn’t changed is how hard she works, and how she tried her best in all the jobs that she was a part of.

“The biggest hinderance to my success was that I shortchanged myself.” I find this quote my mom said powerful because it shows how one’s biggest weakness can be themselves, and how she needed to believe in herself to succeed. According to this quote, selfbelief is important to one’s success, and she is very successful, since I interviewed her on what it was like to be one of the most influential women in corporate America. Another way my mom used this quote was to imply that one may have doubts from time to time, but focus on the greater picture, and strive for that goal so you can also become successful.

Overcoming self-weakness can make you stronger in a way. For example, about seven years ago, she went into a meeting with all the senior members of the bank. She went with one of her employees. Her employee was struggling to command the room and capture the attention of the executives. As the only AfricanAmerican in the room, she felt othered and inferior. She realized that she was senior to her employee who was presenting, so she had to take over the conversation, and got a lot of attention after that moment, which helped her get to where she is today. Like I had explained earlier, she had to overcome her self-doubt and grew from her believing in herself and has accomplished many great feats. This also doesn’t just pertain to her work. She had to overcome self-weakness do to the fact that she needs to take care of two dogs and a son.

Another thing my mom said that was important is, “The corporate ladder doesn’t go straight up; it isn’t vertical.” This quote can relate to so many things in which one needs to progress through. Some examples of this are school, a game, etc. The point is the path of progression isn’t always a straight path, and there can be many trails along the path to success. She was also saying that to expect trouble and obstacles in the path to one’s success, and this can be proven true. For instance, she had to go through several jobs, go on many business trips, and had to make very tough decisions. But it would be worth it once one succeeds in something they have worked toward to.

Again, not all of these apply only to work, For example, school. School grades 1-8 for instance isn’t just a straight path there. There are lots of ups and downs as you progress throughout each grade, with each getting tougher than the last. But it is worth it once you get into a good high school that can help you further on your dreams.

My mom has taught many interesting things about how she succeeded and how to succeed if you are striving to. I appreciate that my mom, being a busy woman, took time to help give not just me insight, but other people striving to be successful insight too. From this interview, I wondered what I am wanting to be successful in/for, and how can I become successful.

If you had similar thoughts, remember these three things: work hard, believe in yourself, and know the path to success isn’t straight. I believe if one knows these three things, that they will become successful in life. All in all, my mom teaches me that accumulating my life experiences will impact my success.

“The corporate ladder doesn’t go straight up; it isn’t vertical.”

By: Alex Wright

This is the logo for the company “Network of Executice Women.”

This is Carol Jones, my mom, who works at NEW.

How NEW Changes the World By: Camille Brooks

My mom is a very hard worker. She, Carol Jones, is a mother of two kids and lives in Chicago, Illinois. She works for an organization called the Network of Executive Women (NEW) that focuses primarily on helping women with their jobs and brings them support and resources. In a world where women are underestimated, NEW does everything they can to help them rise to the top.

My mom’s organization is very passionate about helping women. My mom works for an organization called the Network of Executive Women (NEW) where they try their best to help women from a work standpoint.

They do this by providing learning programs and networking opportunities for women in their careers.

“We help women get promoted and be their best at whatever organizations they’re at.”

Today, we see more men in the workplace getting promoted and women just staying at their lower rankings, which isn’t right.

NEW’s focus is primarily on women and they are trying their best to help women be able to get higher promotions. This is important because women are very underrepresented in the workplace and the NEW organization is doing their best to change this, so that in general, we start seeing more women with higher promotions and normalizing this.

The NEW organization is continuing to help the world during Covid-19. It’s harder for people to work because of this pandemic, but NEW is still running virtually so women can be helped safely. “Right now I think that there’s a need more than ever for our organization, people [are] feeling isolated; they can’t go into workplaces that

they used to before Covid [-19].” This shows that this pandemic is a crucial time for NEW to be helping others—especially women— that are feeling that they can’t really communicate with others and are feeling isolated and alone because of this pandemic.

Everyone is having to stay home more often so they can stay safe but this can be very depressing for some, because they don’t get to talk to friends or family, and a lot of alone time can be stressing.

NEW is willing to help women during this time by providing resources and support to help women keep their jobs during covid and exceed above other men that would typically get the job.

My mom’s role at NEW comes with extra challenges. She is the vice president of financial planning and administration. With this role she has to look over others and make sure they’re doing the right things. “[Managing people is] not something that anyone should do lightly, it’s something that’s very serious.” It’s hard to manage others because people might not want to hear when they’re doing something wrong. If someone isn’t contributing then they might have to be fired or demoted which is never something easy. It’s hard to let people go because you wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings but firing/demoting them would be what’s best for the workplace. The power of being able to manage and move people shouldn’t be abused, it should be used to help benefit the organization and not just to fire others for no reason at all.

My mom is a very hard worker and is very passionate about her job.

She believes that NEW is an excellent organization

that is working for an important cause that isn’t addressed. My mom is a very encouraging person; for example, she encourages me to work hard in school so I can have a good future. I’ve learned that organizations can be started for any cause, and that smaller issues may not be as addressed, but there are still organizations out there that are willing to help with these problems. When you notice a problem that needs to be solved but isn’t represented or talked about much, don’t be afraid to speak up and bring attention to your problem. All problems are important and need to be represented. You should never be afraid to help others.