TRUE STAR Foundation A MEDIA COMPANY AND DIGITAL AGENCY LED BY YOUTH Our Purpose TO INSPIRE DREAMS SO THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN FIND THEIR VOICE, CHOOSE THEIR PATH, AND PREPARE FOR LIFE.
TRUE STAR FOUNDATION
Our Mission True Star Foundation's mission is to empower youth through an empowered voice, while providing digital tools and opportunities for youth to learn and practice skills through real paid jobs.
Our Approach True Star youth are journalists, reporters, creatives, videographers, marketers, and brand strategists, who work alongside industry professionals. True Star empowers youth by amplifying their voice, and making them the engine that drives its business.
Our Impact • True Star has provided on-the-job training to over 10,000 youth in underserved communities on the south and west sides of Chicago. • True Star currently provides approximately 500 jobs to Chicago youth per year.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board President - LaTonya Wilkens Director of Talent Management, University of Illinois Business School Board Secretary - Mia Nelson Manager, Americas Compensation Cushman & Wakefield Board Treasurer - Giuseppe Commodaro JM Swank, LLC - VP Transformation Steven Bayley Associate Director of Account Planning Burrell Communications Michelle Cohen Director, Innovation & Acceleration Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Allison Driscoll Strategic Marketing Specialist Legal & General Investment Mgt America Thomas McLeary - CEO & President, Endow Inc. David Nichols - Partner, EY Corey Richardson Director, Culture & Anthropology Fluent360
Thank You To Our Major Partners
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To donate visit truestarfoundation.org or send check payable to True Star Foundation - 1130 South Wabash - Suite 302 - Chicago, IL 60605 For Advertising Inquires email info@truestarmagazine.com or call 312.588.0100
CONTENTS EVERYTHING BEAUTY 6 BYE-BYE ACNE! YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY SKIN BY JYNIA DAVIS
7 THE BEST PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES BY ARIEL NUNNERY
CROSS COURT
23 A CHICAGO KID’S PLAYLIST BY ANGEL REED
24 CALEB BROWN: ESSAY, CAMERA,
LOCKDOWN BY MARIAH LYNN, WORTH JR. HIGH, WORTH, IL
26 THE TRUE MEANING OF MUSIC BY YERRALLE PAGAN
8 REMEMBERING KOBE BRYANT
27 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHICAGO
BY AMONTAE FULGHAM
BY MACARI RAMSEY
10 2020 TOP 5 RANKED HIGH SCHOOL
DRIP
BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN CHICAGO BY CAVON MCWRIGHT
28 HOW TO KEEP YOUR ALL WHITE
MY TWO CENTS
29 SHOES, SHOES & MORE SHOES!
12 BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE
G-FAZOS CLEAN BY JAMARI GALLOWAY
BY CHRISTINA JACKSON
BY RIHANNA COLLINS
30 FASHION FORWARD
13 WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DATE?
GAME TALK
BY JALEEYA BAGGETT
WORLD WIDE
34 VIDEO GAME ADDICTIONS ARE REAL BY DESMEN HARRISON
14 CORONAVIRUS, THE BIG CHANGE
PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRUE STAR JR. MAGAZINE
16 CORONAVIRUS VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
CONTACT US: LETTERS TO TRUE STAR JR. 1130 SOUTH WABASH, SUITE 302 CHICAGO, IL 60605-2717
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
EMAIL: TRUESTARJR@TRUESTAR.LIFE
BY REGINALD MILLER
18 LITTLE MISS FLINT: FIERCE & FOCUSED
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA SHERMAN & J. NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR 20 ALYSSIA DUDA IS DREAMING BIG MARTI PARHAM BY JYNIA DAVIS EDITORIAL INSTRUCTOR PORTIA KING 21 MISS CHICAGO'S OUTSTANDING TEEN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER TACKLES CANCER AWARENESS BY MARIAH HENRY COLLINS STEVENS AND JAILA MABRY DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER HECTOR COVARRUBIAS ART DIRECTION DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION WHAT’S POPPIN ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PROMOTIONS MANAGER 22 WHO IS HARLEY QUINN? BY ANIZ’EE WILLIS DESHAUN ADAMS
BY MARIAH LYNN, WORTH JR. HIGH, WORTH, IL
TRUESTAR.LIFE TO DONATE TO TRUE STAR FOUNDATION, VISIT TRUESTARFOUNDATION.ORG
CONTRIBUTORS
Aniz’ee
Amontae
Willis
Fulgham
Jensen Elementary
Jensen Elementary
Angel
Reed
Jensen Elementary
Cavon
McWright Jensen Elementary
Ariel
Nunnery Jensen Elementary
Mariah
Christina
Community High School District 218
Jensen Elementary
Stevens
Desmen
Harrison Jensen Elementary
Jackson
Jaila
Mabry Community High School District 218
Congratulations to the Class of 2020
Jaleeya
Jamari
Galloway Jensen Elementary
Baggett Jensen Elementary
Jynia
Davis Jensen Elementary
Mariah
Lynn
Worth Jr. High, Worth, IL
Macari
Ramsey Jensen Elementary
Reginald
Yerralle
Pagan
Miller Jensen Elementary
Rihanna
Collins Jensen Elementary
Jensen Elementary
Staff Dr. Chinyee Okafor-Conley School Principal
Ms. Martin Ms. Goodrum Ms. Hamilton
EVERYTHING BEAUTY
Bye-Bye ACNE!
YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY SKIN
Drink Plenty of Water •Drink at least a half gallon of water per day to make skin glow and remove all toxins from the body. BY JYNIA DAVIS
A
s you all may know, when acne hits it hits hard. You may start to see annoying red or white bumps on your face. This is often something that comes with puberty. Puberty is when your body starts to change and you start to develop in ways that are different from when you were younger. According to the website girlshealth.gov, for the average girl, puberty starts between ages 8 and 13 years old, and for boys, puberty begins between 10 and 14 years old. There are many similar changes we all experience during puberty, but we are not in fact the same at all. Breakouts (when the pimples, blackheads, and hair bumps appear on your skin) might hit one person much harder than it hits another. One person might have it all over their face and the other might have one small bump on their chin. Now, since you know what acne is, I'm going to share with you three ways to fight it! 6 TRUE STAR JR.
•Essential, Flow or Smart Water are good brands to buy. JUST Water is an other great alkaline brand to drink.
Start A Skin Care Routine •Wash your face at least twice a day. Clean your skin in the morning when you wake up and at night before bed. •Use a face cleanser to remove dirt from the surface of your skin. You can use Noxzema, Cetaphil or any gentle soap. •Use a toner to help even your skin tone. •Use a moisturizer to keep your skin soft, hydrated, and protected from the sun.
Get Facials •Schedule a facial or have a face mask at least every six months to deeply cleanse and rejuvenate your skin. With a healthy skin routine, you’ll be saying byebye to annoying acne in no time.
THE BEST Protective HAIRSTYLES
BY ARIEL NUNNERY
H
ave you been experiencing breakage, receding baby hairs, or thinning edges? If so, you might need to help your hair out by trying a protective style. The reason why people use protective hairstyles is to give their hair a break from too much combing and brushing or flat ironing and blow drying which can cause heat damage. Protective styles can help your hair grow and protect the ends of your hair strands, reducing knots and tangles. The protective style you choose can determine how long of a break your hair gets from the damaging maintenance. Here are a few popular protective styles you may want to try out. These will help your natural hair be healthier and stronger.
• French Braids
• Box Braids Lasts 4-6 weeks, according to AllTHingsHair.com
Lasts up to 8 weeks, according to Bona.com
• Butterfly Braids • Sew-Ins Lasts 6-8 weeks, according to TrueGloryHair.com
Lasts about 1 week
• Genie Ponytails Lasts about 1 week
TRUE STAR JR. 7
CROSS COURT
Remembering
KOBE BRYANT BY AMONTAE FULGHAM
T
here was a really big tragedy in the sports world at the beginning of the year. NBA (National Basketball Association) legend Kobe Bean Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with his daughter, Gigi Bryant, who was 13 years old. Seven other people were also killed in the crash. It was a really sad day for everyone. People cried, shared photos, and talked about their favorite Byrant memories. It’s almost as if the world stopped when he passed. Several players in the NBA honored Bryant by doing 24-second shot clock violations and 8-second backcourt 8 TRUE STAR JR.
violations. Players even changed their jerseys and some teams retired his jersey. There was also a tribute during the All-Star weekend events in Chicago. The format of the All-Star game was even changed to honor his contribution to the game of basketball. Bryant will always be remembered in the world and the NBA. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers and won five championship rings during his career. He three-peated in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Then he led his team to win championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2006 he scored 81 points on the Toronto Raptors which is unheard of! Kobe Bryant is a legend and will be remembered, forever.
TRUE STAR JR. 9
2020 Top 5 Ranked
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN CHICAGO BY CAVON MCWRIGHT
S
ome of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game came from Chicago such as Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade, and Derrick Rose. I would like to introduce you to the top five ranked players in Chicago today and tell you a little bit about their playing style.
D.J. Steward
Steward is the number one ranked player in Chicago. He goes to Whitney Young High School and is committed to attending Duke University next year as a Blue Devil. He is a great basketball player because he can go from coast to coast and get to the basket. Also Steward is known for his shooting abilities because his shot is smooth and it always goes in. I can't wait to see what he is going to do in college at Duke.
Adam Miller Miller is the second ranked player in Chicago and goes to Morgan Park High School. He is a shifty rotational organized player. Miller can get rebounds and still play his position as a shooting guard. He is a fantastic shooting guard and has a great form that is constant. Something people don't know about Miller is that he has a great selection of dribble moves to get past his opponent and to create space for a shot. He has committed to attending the University of Illinois in the fall.
Height: 6’3”
Height: 6’3”
Position: Combo Guard
Position: Shooting Guard
Weight: 165 pounds
10 TRUE STAR JR.
Weight: 170 pounds
Mitchell goes to Bloom High School and is the third ranked player in Chicago. He is committed to the University of Minnesota. Mitchell has a lot of strength and knows how to drive to the basket. He also knows how to control the ball and not lose it. Mitchell is an all around great player and has a solid shot.
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 190 pounds
Position: Power Forward
Martice Mitchell
Ahron Ulis Tyler Beard Beard goes to Whitney Young High School and is committed to Georgetown University. He is the type of player that is hungry and you want to have him on the court. He plays with speed and is always around to help. If you miss a shot, just know he's going to get the rebound and put it back in the hoop.
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 175 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Ulis attends Marian Catholic High School and is ranked number five in Chicago. He has committed to attending the University of Iowa in the fall. Ulis is a great player. He is fast and has moves for days. He is quick with his hands, knows how to lay the ball in the basket, and also has a nice floater.
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Be on the lookout for these players. We will definitely be hearing about them in the future. TRUE STAR JR. 11
MY TWO CENTS
Be Who YOU WANT TO BE
BY RIHANNA COLLINS
N
ot too long ago NBA star Dwyane Wade’s son, Zion Wade, who was born a boy, announced that he is transsexual and would prefer to be identified as a girl—Zaya Wade. Some people think that he’s too young and can’t make that big of a decision for himself. I feel that if you know what you want you should go for it. I completely agree with the transition. Despite the fact that he’s 12, he still knows what he wants to be and what he wants to live as. I believe people think he’s too young to transition because at age 12 children really don’t know what they want. Zaya’s parents are completely supportive of Zaya’s decision. D. Wade stated, "Today she has 12 TRUE STAR JR.
a mock trial at school that she's stressing about, and she's like: 'Dad, I came out to everyone because I wanted to be me. And I'm thankful I'm able to be me, but I want to focus on my trial at school.' She's focused. I think for her and myself and my wife and my family, we love the fact that she doesn't have to hide who she is." It is important that D. Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, support Zaya because with all the negativity that’s going around on social media, her family is her main support system and should love her no matter what.
When IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DATE?
BY JALEEYA BAGGETT
D
ating at a young age is a controversial topic that many people debate over. Some believe that dating at a young age isn’t healthy and it has a negative impact on teenagers. Some believe that it’s okay as long as there isn’t anything sexual or abusive going on. Most people believe that 16 is the right age to start dating, and any age younger than that is inappropriate. My opinion is that the appropriate age to date is 13. I believe that 13 is the right age to begin dating because it is a very important milestone for children. Thirteen is the age when more responsibilities come and you are officially classified as a teenager. It is important for teenagers to experience certain things so they can get sort of an idea of what they could possibly expect in the future. Nine times out of ten, the relationship won’t last long unless they are truly committed to it.
Though it is important to have these experiences, there are strict rules for teenagers of this age to follow. Most importantly, there should be no sexual contact or anything like that going on. If your partner is pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do or you're uncomfortable with, you need to let an adult know. If your partner tends to hit you really hard (even for “play”) or talks to you very aggressively, you need to let an adult know immediately because if you don’t that person will think that it is okay for them to treat you wrong. But of course, I would advise that you talk to your parents or guardians and see what they feel is the most appropriate dating age for you. You should never hide your relationship from them. TRUE STAR JR. 13
WORLD WIDE
CORONAVIRUS
THE BIG CHANGE BY REGINOLD MILLER
S
ince the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, was classified as an official pandemic, people all across the globe have become severely ill and lost their lives. The virus that has changed life as we know it, started as a major problem in China and has spread to big and small countries and cities everywhere forcing areas to be on lockdown. Major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles have ordered all citizens to shelter-in-place. School and even colleges have been canceled and we don’t know when we’ll return. This virus has caused major financial problems across the nation causing countless people to be unemployed. Worldwide, there are millions of deaths due to the coronavirus. Here some things experts are telling us to do to help keep everyone safe:
•PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. STAY AT LEAST SIX FEET AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE. •MAKE EVERYONE WEAR A MASK OVER THEIR FACE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS.
YOUR EYES, NOSE, AND MOUTH. •REGULARLY DISINFECT YOUR SURFACES SUCH AS COUNTER TOPS, DOOR HANDLES, AND LIGHT SWITCHES.
•ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO WASH THEIR HANDS FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS.
•MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
•DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. THE VIRUS CAN TRAVEL INTO THE BODY THROUGH
Hopefully everything will be figured out soon and we’ll be able to go back to school, hang out with friends, and the world will go back to normal.
14 TRUE STAR JR.
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
Wear a face mask
Check on your neighbors
Practice social distancing Regularly disinfect surfaces TRUE STAR JR. 15
COPING WITH
Coronavirus S
ince the coronavirus hit the United States, everybody has had their own way of coping with being quarantined in the house. True Star Jr. caught up with some kids to see how they are dealing in these crazy times.
How do you cure COVID-19 boredom?
Ariana “To keep from being bored, I do a lot of writing and drawing.”
Anah “How I deal with quarantine boredom is by taking daily walks with my mom for exercise and fresh air. I also read, paint, do puzzles, and play card games with myself (I always win!). I have also been doing lots of dancing and TikTok videos! I have been watching shows like ‘Once Upon a Time’ and ‘Flash’ on Netflix, too.”
Fernando “What I do to deal with boredom is binge watching movies on Netflix, Disney, and Hulu.” 16 TRUE STAR JR.
How has COVID-19 affected you most?
Alyssia “How COVID-19 has affected me most is by not being able to go to ballet class. We have virtual class now but it is not the same as doing it in person.”
Lelani “How this has affected me is by making me panic, because I was afraid of going outside.”
Cayen “How COVID-19 has affected me is by stopping my world! It also gives me a good understanding of the value of essential workers.”
Since the pandemic, what have you missed most?
What I miss most is celebrating my birthday. Because of being stuck inside, my party was cancelled.
Riley
Khloe “What I miss most is traveling and seeing my friends.”
Jahkil
“I have missed being able to help the homeless with my Blessing Bags and playing basketball the most. Also going out with my friends, doing outside activities and shopping. Lastly, I miss not having a teacher, because now they just kind of assign work and we are left to do it on our own!”
TRUE STAR JR. 17
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
Little Miss FLINT FIERCE & FOCUSED BY MARIAH LYNN, WORTH JR. HIGH, WORTH, IL
A
mariyanna “Mari” Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, is a 12-year-old youth activist. She has become a local hero battling Flint, Michigan’s ongoing water crisis head-on. She continues to plan fundraising activities in order to support kids who are in need of healthy drinking water. Copeny is hard at work and focused on getting more of her filters made for people who still, after four years, do not have access to clean water sources. She plans to keep speaking at events to spread her message around the world. When asked how her filter was made, she said, “I partnered with a top water expert to help me make my filter. My filter is a high capacity filter and it removes unwanted impurities from the water.” One of the many highlights that Copeny experienced was being contacted by President Barack Obama after she wrote a letter to him hoping to bring awareness to the crisis Flint residence faced. Not only did Obama respond, he actually visited the city and shortly after announced a state of emergency. This brought awareness to the issue across the country. Copeny is always being complimented for her amazing work ethic. Her activism started at only 8 years old. When asked what inspires her to keep working so hard she said, “The water is still not fixed, and it’s still really, really 18 TRUE STAR JR.
During a recent rally, Copeny marched to protest the death of George Floyd. "History is being made and if you remain silent you are making it clear you don’t support Black lives." bad.” Sadly, Copeny knew she had to spring into action when she witnessed dirty water coming out of her bathroom faucet, bathtub, and kitchen faucet at home. Since then, she has gotten multiple people to help her throughout her journey, and in doing so, she has collaboratively raised over $650,000 to date! She noted, “The pandemic has slowed down the donations for the campaign because the average person doesn't have a lot of money to donate right now and the bigger funders are focusing on emergency response to the frontline workers.”
Copeny is as focused on school as she is on her mission. Even with all of the attention she has gotten, she says that in her school she is still treated like every other average girl. “They don’t really treat me like anything. It’s just like, ‘Oh, hey Mari. What’s up?’ Just that, best friend energy.” When talking about her future, she says she would like to become president one day. Her reasons? Because she collaborates well with a bunch of people, and when she stands up for something she puts all of her passion in it! Sounds like a great president to me. Through her actions, she wants people to know that Flint is just as good as any other city in the world. Parents, adults, and kids are all helping out to make a difference. You can too. Follow all Copeny’s social media platforms @Littlemissflint.
FUN FACTS True Star Jr.: What artists are on your playlists? Amariyanna Copeny: Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, Elijah Moon, Lizzo, and Doja Cat. Just a lot of people in general. TSJ: What would you say to young people who are looking to make a difference in their community? AC: Just do it. Be like Nike; never give up. And use the Internet to your advantage.
TSJ: What are you binge watching right now on Netflix? AC: I'm watching this one series. It's called “Day Break.” It’s like this zombie apocalypse type of series. It's really cool and it's fun too.
Alyssia Duda
IS DREAMING BIG
BY JYNIA DAVIS
A
lyssia Duda is a talented, 13-year-old actress, model, and ballerina based in Chicago. She has performed in ballets such as The Nutcracker for the historic Joffrey Ballet. Her foundation, Alyssia’s Dream, helps to provide ballet scholarships for young girls of color. She’s even expanded her resume to include television appearances. Duda has been featured on shows like “Empire,” “The Chi,” “Chicago Fire,” and more. True Star Jr. recently had the chance to catch up with her. Here is how our chat went.
TSJ: What made you start your non-for profit Alyssa’s Dream? AD: I wanted to help girls with the cost of ballet, and my mom said we’ll see what we can do. That’s how the initiative started. TSJ: If you weren't a ballerina what would you be doing? AD: I would still be an actress. I consider myself a creative person. I can show my emotions, and I see myself doing that. TSJ: Do you have a dream show that you would like to be on? AD: I would like to work on Disney or Nickelodeon or be in my own show or movie. For more information about Duda and her organization visit her website at www.alyssiaduda.com
True Star Jr: What Made you want to be a ballerina? Alyssia Duda: I always loved to dance. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old. I always wanted to pursue this as a career and it’s my passion. TSJ: I see that you were in shows like “Empire” and “Chicago Med.” Which TV show was your favorite to be on and why?
AD: I would have to say all of them. But with “Empire” I would have to say it’s my favorite because I started with “Empire,” and it’s a part of pop culture.
20 TRUE STAR JR.
TSJ: What is the biggest challenge that you have? AD: I would say the biggest challenge is breaking barriers as an African American.
Miss Chicago's
Outstanding Teen TACKLES CANCER AWARENESS
BY MARIAH STEVENS AND JAILA MABRY, COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 218, OAKLAWN, IL
A
t only age 13, Eden Wilson is already a very accomplished young lady. She has won many awards for her entrepreneurship, done numerous interviews, and was the youngest person to be crowned 2020 Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen. “It felt very surreal,” the teen said about the first pageant she entered but had no expectation of winning. The win excited her because she can now talk more about her platform. With losing her grandfather to prostate cancer, she has decided that it is her purpose to inspire young girls and women to encourage the men in their lives to see a doctor regularly. ¨People don’t talk about difficult subjects then people die. And if a 13-year-old can talk about [prostate cancer], a 40-year-old can talk about it to their doctor,” Wilson said. She plans to post YouTube videos on her channel “Lemonerdy” promoting better health habits, going to doctors, living a healthier lifestyle, exercise, and eating healthier to lower the risk.
While cancer awareness is important to Wilson, in 2015 she had the chance to show off her knowledge as a contestant on Season 1 of Lifetime Networks “Child Genius.” She competed for a cash prize while being tested on various subjects like mathematics, history, and astronomy. Wilson enjoyed the experience, but she felt the show was too much pressure for her. “Reality TV is not for everyone. They pressure you and cut everything to make things seem more dramatic. And it's overall really stressful. It's just not for me,” Wilson said. Not only does she excel in school and pageants, Wilson also has a passion for writing, coding, and most importantly gymnastics. Wilson said she was inspired by her parents—her mother had written a lot of stories and her father had a coding app called Scratch on his tablet. Two years ago, Wilson became involved with gymnastics and skipped from level 5 to level 7 and was regional champion twice. In the near future Wilson sees herself expanding in her gymnastics career. She also plans to continue encouraging men to see a doctor regularly. Wilson has so much more to offer so stay tuned for her next accomplishment! TRUE STAR JR. 21
WHAT’S POPPIN
Who is HARLEY QUINN?
BY ANIZ’EE WILLIS
H
arley Quinn was first known as Harleen Quinzel before she boo’d-up with one of the most notorious bad guys ever. So, we all know Harley Quinn is crazy but here is what led to it. First she fell in love with one of DC Comics’ most infamous villains, Joker, who was a patient at a mental health facility that she worked in. One day she snuck him a gun after he requested it. The Joker then turned on her, tied her to a table and did electromagnetic therapy on her, which really messed with her brain. After that she began hearing voices in her head and joined Joker as his evil villain partner. 22 TRUE STAR JR.
Throughout the relationship, Harley Quinn was always trying to get the Joker to be happy with her, which changed in the movie, Birds of Prey. She broke up with the Joker and became her own boss. Like she said, “I’m the one they should be scared of! Not you, not Mr. J. Because I’m Harley freaking Quinn!”
A CHICAGO KID'S W
PLAYLIST BY ANGEL REED
asssup you guys? It’s ya girl, Jojo Siwa Angel, but anyway, enough small talk. Do you like music? Music is very special and touching. Last year we were introduced to a few new artists who put out really good albums and some not so good—for instant Chance The Rapper, ehhh... didn't do as we expected. Here are some of the top artists who have released new music. DaBaby’s newest album is Blame it on Baby. The project is made up of 13 songs including “Find My Way” and “Drop” featuring A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
Chicago’s own Polo G released Die a Legend. With a total of 14 songs, he had major hits like “Pop Out” featuring Lil Jay, “Effortless,” “Through Da Storm,” and “Finer Things.” Billie Eilish dropped When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? with 14 songs on it. My favorite songs are “Bad guy,” “Bury a Friend,” “Xanny,” and “All the Good Girls Go to Hell.” Eilish also took home the award for Best New Artist at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
Another Chicago rapper, Lil Durk, released his new tape Love Songs 4 The Streets 2, which included features from Nicki Minaj, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, 21 Savage, King Von, and Key Glock.
Drake and Future teamed up again for the single “Life is Good” which is a huge hit following their last joint project, What a Time to be Alive. Drake also recently followed up with a few new singles, “Chicago Freestyle,” “When to Say When” and “Vital.”
Can’t wait to see what new music will be released this summer. TRUE STAR JR. 23
CALEB BROWN:
ESSAY, CAMERA, LOCKDOWN BY MARIAH LYNN, WORTH JR. HIGH, WORTH, IL
C
aleb Brown was in the sixth grade when he wrote his essay turned award winning short film, Generation Lockdown. The film is about a boy who tries to save his friend during an active shooter attack at school. Brown, now 13, talked with True Star Jr. about what it’s like to create an award-winning film.
TSJ: How did it go from being an essay to a movie? CB: My mom had a lot of connections to different people and showed it to people and they decided to turn it into a movie.
TSJ: How long did the filming take to complete? True Star Jr.: What school do you go to? CB: Like a week or two. Caleb Brown: Thomas Jefferson Middle School. It’s in Teaneck, NJ. TSJ: You also acted in the film. Have you ever acted before? TSJ: You were 11 years old when you CB: Yes, but never like a major role. wrote the essay the short film was based on. Was this a school shooter TSJ: What else have you acted in? assignment? CB: I just acted in “Dangerous Book for Boys,” CB: No. ...Around that time that’s when most of “Law and Order SVU,” “New Amsterdam,” the school shootings were happening, so I just “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Happy,” “Seven decided to write a story about it. Seconds” (TV Series) The Upside, and Dear Mama. TSJ: What was your mom's reaction when she first read your essay? CB: She was crying, but she liked it.
TSJ: Is acting something you see yourself doing? CB: A little bit, yeah.
TSJ: Did she tell you why she was crying? CB: Yes, because it was sad, and it was very emotional.
TSJ: What was the filming process like overall? CB: It was fun!
TSJ: Were you surprised by people’s reactions when they read your essay? CB: Yeah.
TSJ: Were the other kids in your film your friends from school? CB: Yes, some of them.
24 TRUE STAR JR.
TSJ: Your short film won an award at a film festival. That’s so exciting! Can you tell us what it was like for you? CB: I was excited about it and I was speechless because I never thought my movie would get an award, but it did, so I was really happy! We won awards from NYWIFT/Go Indie TV 2020 Online Short Festival and Rock the Shorts Film Festival so far. We were selected for the Global Film Festival in Cannes Film Festival and selected for the Arizona Film Festival which were both postponed due to the Coronavirus. TSJ: Where does the film go from here? CB: More festivals probably. TSJ: When you grow up do you want to continue making movies? CB: Yes. Act, play basketball, and make the world better. TSJ: What are you doing now to keep spreading your message? CB: Just talking about it more. Kids are afraid and need help coping with what is happening in our world. [The movie] might go to the Democratic National Convention.
• FUN FACTS • TSJ: What are you listening to? Any specific artists? CB: I listen to rap, like A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Lil Uzi. TSJ: How are you staying busy during quarantine? CB: Doing school work, going outside playing basketball, and just helping out around the house. TSJ: Are you on any social media? And what kind? CB: Yes, I'm on Instagram and Snapchat. TSJ: Which one do you prefer? CB: Snapchat. TSJ: What's your favorite movie on Netflix right now? CB: Probably “Good Burger.”
To learn more about the short film Generation Lockdown visit the website www.givefilm.org. TRUE STAR JR. 25
The True MEANING
OF MUSIC BY YERRALLE PAGAN
S
ounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or iMusic is everything to the world, and it has a lot of meanings to it. A lot of rappers made lots of money just by making music. Music is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant form through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color. Music will be so much better in the future. Everybody will be happier. Everybody will love music and some will not. But that's on them if they don't.
Music makes you think better and makes you a bit stronger then what you are. Music is the most important thing in the world in my opinion. Music means a lot. Music is the definition of the art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color. The True Meaning of Music Music is the meaning of life. And it's the meaning of orchestra. Orchestra is truly amazing and it's like the best thing on earth to be honest.
The tones or sound employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and instruments, or both.
Without music, this world would be chaos, even though it already is a little bit. Music was invented a really long time ago.
Music affects your mood, it makes you feel better, sad, happy, and turned up.
An art form consisting of sequences of sounds in time, especially tones of music are awesome indeed.
It makes you feel happy in any place. Music works for a lot of things. License real music from real artists. Listen to songs from hundreds of artists, composers, and curated playlists handpicked for your film projects. Music provides a lot of stuff for us.
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Because of differing fundamental concepts of music, the languages of different cultures do not contain a word that can be accurately translated as “music� as that word is generally understood by Western cultures.
THE GOSPEL According to
CHICAGO
BY MACARI RAMSEY
I
started playing drums when I was 3 years old at my home church, and I had the experience of going to a shed. “A musical shed is a safe space where vocalists and instrumentalists can learn techniques and repertoire, stretch out or fall flat without judgment,” according to clevescene.com. Church musicians are the foundation of gospel music. Most church bands have mostly an organist/pianist, drummer, and a bass player. These musicians have to come together to make the best of what they have. The musicians job is to make the choir sound good. A choir has the job of working with the musicians by harmonizing with the lyrics they are given.
When everyone brings their talents together a song is created. The gospel choir foundation comes from Chicago. Some of the most famous gospel singers ever came from right here in Chicago including The Staples Singers, Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway, James Cleveland, and Dr. Clay Evans. Today Chicago continues to have some of the greatest and most creative musicians in our time. Mooch Brown, Josiah Maddox, and William Whitehead have set a great example for musicians like me. TRUE STAR JR. 27
DRIP
HOW TO KEEP YOUR All White
G-FAZOS CLEAN
BY JAMARI GALLOWAY
O
ne of the most popular shoes to ever exist are the all white Nike Air Force Ones (or as G Herbo calls them, “All White G-Fazos”). If you’ve ever owned a pair then you know that one of the hardest things to do is keep them clean. Here are my tips on how to make sure they stay fresh and white as possible for as long as possible.
3Don’t wear them all the time, especially to parties and events where there will be a lot of people. Avoid events such as the Taste of Chicago, picnics or barbeques,
3If you notice the insoles are dirty
parties, etc.).
and want the inside of your shoes
3Don’t wear them in the snow,
clean use bleach.
because the salt on the ground could
3If it rains, pull your pants legs up in
make the shoe material crack and
case they get wet. The color of your
look scuffed.
pants might stain your shoes.
3Bleach your shoe strings to keep 3Always make sure the inside of them white. When the shoe string
your shoes is not dirty because that’s
gets dirty the whole shoe looks bad.
never a good look.
3Wipe off your shoes every time
There you go! Now you know all the
you wear them, step in mud, or see a
secrets to keeping your All White
stain.
G-Fazos looking like new.
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Shoes, SHOES & MORE SHOES BY CHRISTINA JACKSON
M
y favorite shoe line is Dolce & Gabbana. I love those shoes because they are rare, and not a lot of people have them. They’re also my favorite because they are expensive. In my opinion, these shoes are the most liked thing on earth.
Another one of my favorite shoe brands is Jordans. I love Jordans because they’re unique and simple. These shoes really stand out to me because of how they are made. My favorite style is the Jordan 1’s. They are the classic pair that Michael Jordan wore in his famous dunk photo. The last shoe that stands out to me is Nike’s Foamposites. I have never had a pair because I
don't like how they fit on my feet, but I like how they are made and how they look when boys wear them. My favorite pair that came out are the Fruity Pebble themed Foams. I also like the all white and all black pairs as well because they are pretty. One day, I would like to make my own shoe. When I was 11 years old I designed my own pair of customized Vans and that is what inspired me to want to design more. I would make a mixture of Yeezys and Jordans. They would be pink and blue (like bubble gum). They would not be that expensive but not too cheap either, costing about $120 for adults and $80 for kids. I would also donate some of the profits to help people who are in shelters, don’t have a lot, or need extra help at home.
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FASHION FORWARD FORWARD Cavon McWright Yellow Smurf Hoodie, Red Chino Shorts and Yellow Adidas Continental 80 Sneakers- Marshall's
Reginald Miller Burnt Orange Nike T-Shirt, Raw Denim Jeans, Nike SB Janoski Guatemalan Print and Gum Sneakers- Ross
Rihanna Collins Yellow Champion Logo Hoodie- Ross, Upcycled Plaid Maxi Skirt- NKD, Tan Converse Sneakers- Ross
Cavon McWright Black Logo Champion S/S Tee, Gucci Logo Belt, Raw Denim Skinny JeansModel's own
Reginald Miller Champion White All-Over Logo Tee, Champion Logo Track Pants- Marshall's, Grey Hooded Vest, Triple Black Suede Adidas Kamanda- Ross
Rihanna Collins Lavender Multi-Color Plaid Polo Shirt- Marshall's, Belted Stretch Denim Jeans
Melae Cathey-Campbell White NASA Hoodie- Marshall's, Turquoise Velvet Pants- Zara
Melae Cathey-Campbell
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White Tee w/Black Mesh SleevesZara, Distressed Denim JeansModel's own
Cavon McWright Reginald Miller
Brand Name: isKreamKULTUR Website: www.iskreamkultur.com Slogan: #flywitME Social Media: IG @iskreamkultur FB isKreamKULTUR TW IS_KULTUR MUA: @Daniellelenae
Rihanna Collins TRUE STAR JR. 33
GAME TALK
Video Game
ADDICTIONS ARE REAL
BY DESMEN HARRISON
G
rowing up, kids might think the only thing that’s addictive are things like drugs and alcohol. However, there are other things much more addictive than that that are less harmful but still relevant. For example, video games can be very addictive. Some players take games too seriously and play them all day, every day, which can negatively affect their life. Sometimes people get high tempers, physically hurt others, or break things just because they may lose a game. Being addicted to games can
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also affect your physical well-being and health. For instance, sitting in front of a computer or TV all day can lead to you gaining weight, poor hygiene, and even some mental instability. Addiction can cost people money, time, family, and friends if it isn’t controlled. People should schedule out time when they wanna play the game and seek therapy to help them relax and stay calm when they lose. This will help them learn to play for fun and just enjoy the competition.
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