True Star Jr Back To School 2019 Q9

CONTENTS EXPOSE’

4EVER YOUNG

6 ANCESTRY.COM ROMANTICIZING SLAVERY, BY

26 SPLITTING UP, BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER

JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

7 CATHOLIC CONTROVERSY, BY JACKSON

28 GET HEALTHIER HAIR, BY KIANA GONZALEZ,

DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

8 BLACK PEOPLE NEED SUNBLOCK TOO! BY

29 STAGE FRIGHT, BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH

MARIAH STEVENS, RICHARDS HS, OAK LAWN, IL

MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

9 WHAT TIME? BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH

30 TIPS TO NICE NAILS, BY MADISON RAMIREZ,

MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

BREMEN COMMUNITY HS MIDLOTHIAN, IL

TALKIN’ NERDY

CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER

10 DISNEY LIVE-ACTION MOVIES: AWESOME

31 FREE, BY KAYLEE “KIWI” RUTHERFORD,

REMAKES OR DESTRUCTION OF CLASSICS? BY

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR COMMUNITY HS,

JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

FLOSSMOOR, IL

11 BINGE WORTHY ANIME, BY KIANA GONZALEZ,

32 ANN SETTLER, BY KADIN WILSON, SHEPARD

SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

12 DEALING WITH STRESS, BY JACKSON DOWELL,

33 FEAR, BY JOSEPHINE BOAFO, O.W. HUTH

WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

MIDDLE SCHOOL, CHICAGO, IL

13 2019 NEW MOVIE RELEASES, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

FASHION 14 BACK TO SCHOOL FASHIONS

HOT OFF THE PRESS 18 RAPPER MAKING AN IMPACT: QUE 9, BY

PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRUE STAR JR. MAGAZINE CONTACT US: LETTERS TO TRUE STAR JR. 1130 SOUTH WABASH, SUITE 302 CHICAGO, IL 60605-2717 EMAIL: TRUESTARJR@TRUESTAR.LIFE

CHARISMA BOLER, ART IN MOTION, CHICAGO, IL 20 GABBY & MADI ARE PRESSING THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS! BY KAYLA HOLLOWAY, MORGAN PARK HS, CHICAGO, IL 22 MIA’S TREATS DELIGHT, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL 24 “THE ACT,” BASED ON A TRUE STORY, BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL 25 THE HUSSLE, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DEANNA SHERMAN & J. NA-TAE’ THOMPSON MANAGING EDITOR MARTI PARHAM EDITORIAL INSTRUCTOR NYKEYA WOODS JAMILAH SHADEED (ATLANTA) ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER HENRY COLLINS ART DIRECTION DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION ANGEL D’AMICO-BAUER PROMOTIONS MANAGER DESHAUN ADAMS

TRUESTAR.LIFE TO DONATE TO TRUE STAR FOUNDATION, VISIT TRUESTARFOUNDATION.ORG

CONTRIBUTORS

Kailah Burns, O.W. Huth Middle School, Matteson, IL

Jaila Mabry, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, IL

Josephine Boafo, O.W. Huth Middle School Matteson, IL

Jackson Dowell, Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, IL

4 TRUE STAR JR.

Kadin Wilson, Alan B. Shepard High School, Palos Heights, IL

Kiana Gonzalez, Alan B. Shepard High School, Palos Heights, IL

Mariah Stevens, Richards High School Oak Lawn, IL

Kaylee "Kiwi" Rutherford, Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School Flossmoor, IL

Madison Ramirez, Bremen Community High School, Midlothian, IL

Kayla Holloway, Morgan Park High School, Chicago, IL

Charisma Boler Art in Motion Chicago, IL

TRUE STAR JR. 5

EXPOSE’

Ancestry.com ROMANTICIZING SLAVERY

BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

D

id you see it? I’m talking about the commercial from Ancestry.com romanticizing slavery. THIS IS NOT OKAY! This commercial showed a slavery-era interracial couple as if, back then the relationship between Blacks and Whites was romantic or positive in any way.

The ad depicts a White man in clothing from the 1800s holding out a ring to a Black woman and beckoning her to run away with him. “Abigail, we can escape to the North,” he said. “There is a place we can be together, across the border.

Will you leave with me?”

The screen fades to black. “Uncover the lost chapters of your family history with Ancestry,” the voice-over said.

The backlash to this was almost instant. Law professor Melissa Murray (@ProfMMurray) posted on Twitter “I have so many questions about this @Ancestry commercial. 1) Is she his 6 TRUE STAR JR.

slave? 2) Is this a real story? 3) Is she his slave?

4) Did this test well in focus groups? 5) Who were in these focus groups? 6) Was there no other scenario that could illuminate the value of DNA testing?”

News correspondent Kimberly Atkins (@ KimberyEAtkins) weighed in on the commercial as well. “One of about 1,000 awful things about this commercial is it ignores the fact that for Black Americans—myself included—and for others in the diaspora, DNA and documentary ancestry information is as painful and traumatic as it is illuminating. These are not love stories.”

Fortunately, the ad has been taken down from all platforms immediately after it aired and Ancestry.com has apologized. But, the fact that this action was necessary is literally awful. This isn’t old news, and as we know, history repeats itself. No one is perfect, but when will people start to see the error in their ways? This is a pattern, like with the Gucci brand blackface jumper controversy. Black America supported by millions of others, will not stand for it!

CATHOLIC

CONTROVERSY

BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

T

he Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral in Paris was burned down on April 15, 2019. It has been classified as an accident and not an arson or terrorist related attack. The cathedral is a religious symbol of Catholicism, and the city of Paris. After the cathedral was destroyed, many billionaires in the U.S. and in other countries began to donate money to rebuild it. The amount has surpassed $500 million. This has sparked mass controversy in the U.S. Flint, Mich., has had a water crisis since 2015 and the U.S. government has done little to nothing to fix it. Unlike Note Dame, they have not received that same outpouring of help.

Flint also has a majority Black population. This is a prime example of environmental racism.

It appears that the government is allowing its citizens to suffer without clean water for sanitation or drinking because of their race.

Through their actions they are telling the people that they don’t matter. Citizens of Flint have been suffering for almost four years. They have battled diseases and their daily lives have changed. They even have to buy bottled water to wash their hair. Needless to say, Flint still needs assistance.

During the month of April, three historically Black churches were burned in Louisiana in the span

of 10 days. Those churches were Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, and Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas. Historically, Black churches have been targeted and burned down by White supremacists, notably the Ku Klux Klan, also known as the KKK. At first, the local fire department said that these fires could not be connected and it couldn’t be determined if it was arson. However, new evidence proved the fires to be arson and a suspect was arrested. However, the churches have received no money from the government to rebuild. Why is the value of God so much more important in Paris than in Louisiana? Why does the government care so little for its domestic churches and other environmental problems?

TRUE STAR JR. 7

BLACK PEOPLE Need

SUNBLOCK TOO!

BY MARIAH STEVENS, RICHARDS HS, OAK LAWN, IL

I

t has been widely misconstrued that those with dark skin do not need sunscreen for protection.

It is in fact true that the melanin in our skin, protects those of color from many UV rays, but that does not mean that we are not in need of sunscreen. Because of this misconception, those with dark skin are less likely to use sunscreen and are unfamiliar with the skin cancer signs. “While melanoma is uncommon in African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians, it is frequently fatal for these populations,” according to dermlite.com. It is not too late for you to properly take care of your beautiful skin, for it is the largest organ on your body. Besides protection from the sun’s rays, sunscreen has other benefits. Here are some reasons why you should be using sunscreen.

Increase in Acne Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting millions of people. The sun cannot only just cause acne to appear, but if you have acne already it can make it worse.

Sunburns & Dark Spots A sunburn is an area of skin that feels really hot to the touch and appears red on the skin.

Sunburns are caused by too much exposure to UV light from sunshine, and other artificial sources. If you get too much sun exposure, your skin can result in dark spots, skin damage, and many diseases. Most importantly it can result in skin cancer such as melanoma. Sunburns can take up to weeks to fade away. The zinc oxide 8 TRUE STAR JR.

in sunscreen truly helps sunburns. According to DrAxe.com, zinc helps in “Providing broadspectrum sun protection that prevents burns (including on photo-sensitive skin).

Keeps Skin Healthy Wearing sunscreen keeps skin looking radiant and young. “It shields your skin from developing signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.

Studies reveal that people below the age of 55 who used sunscreen had 24 percent lesser chances of developing these aging signs than non-sunscreen and occasional sunscreen users,” according to StyleCraze.com. Hopefully these reason are enough to make you want to protect your skin from the sun all year round.

WHAT Time?

“CHICAGO TEENS AGES 12 TO 16 ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSIDE BY 10 P.M.

BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

C

urfews are a regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours, typically at night. Parents use curfews to keep their children safe throughout the day and night. Some parents go OVERBOARD with the curfews, but not all.

Seventh grader Jasmine Venson has a 10:30 p.m. curfew on a school night, but on the weekends she has no curfew. On the other hand, Alyssa Coleman, a sophomore in high school, has no curfew at all. “My mom can trust me,” said Coleman about her arrangement.

The time of your curfew is often based on what your behavior is like, and how time affects your life. There are three main types of curfews, juvenile curfew laws, emergency curfew laws, and business curfew laws. Juvenile curfew laws are local ordinances that prohibit people of a certain age (usually under 18) from being in public or in a business establishment during certain hours.

SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY UNTIL 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE NIGHT CURFEW IS 11 P.M. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS.”

“Chicago teens ages 12 to 16 are required to be inside by 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday until 6 a.m. the following day. The night curfew is 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Emergency curfew laws are usually temporary orders that are put in place by federal, state, or local government in response to a particular crisis. Business curfew laws restrict the operating hours of certain public establishments, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and liquor stores.

Some parents don't believe in curfews, and they let their kids party ALL night long. Do yours? We should have curfews at our age, especially kids under 10 years old. Have you ever thought to ask your parents if you have a curfew? And, no, not just a bedtime.... An actual curfew.

TRUE STAR JR. 9

TALKING NERDY

DISNEY LIVE-ACTION MOVIES:

Awesome Remakes or Destruction of Classics?

BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

M

ost people know Disney has been re-creating quite a few of our cherished, classic cartoon movies. They recently announced Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in the upcoming liveaction version of The Little Mermaid. This summer you may have seen Will Smith in Aladdin, or heard Beyoncé in The Lion King. The list of live action movies also includes Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, and The Jungle Book. These movies were no doubt part of multiple generations’ childhoods, and now they are being changed up quite a bit. The dilemma is, are these live-action versions awesome remakes or the destruction of amazing classics?

Some have claimed that Disney is remaking movies in order to give the new generation a chance to experience the movie magic.

According to Digital Spy, “For Disney…it’s not just about making money on established brands and characters, but about re-launching them for the changing cinema audience.” Now, this makes perfect sense!

10 TRUE STAR JR.

But, others disagree. They believe that the reason for all these live-action remakes is because of the moolah. “Disney is making live-action versions of their classic animated movies because they have proven popular and profitable,” Quora. com reported. The numbers can’t be wrong and some live-action movie stats prove that: Alice in Wonderland (2010) grossed $1 billion in the worldwide box office against a $200 million budget. Beauty and the Beast (2017): $966 million made worldwide box office with a $175 million budget. And the list goes on.

But, surprisingly, there are plenty of people who think that the remakes are just, bad. They agree mostly with those who think the remakes are for financial reason. “These films are not mere entertainment - they are art and will outlive the drivel. So, why is Disney watering down their most iconic stories by rebooting them in ‘live action?’ The answer is pretty obvious; reselling old stories with a new, shiny coat of CGI is an immensely profitable activity,” according to Forbes.

It’s truly up to you to decide whether live-action remakes or awesome or awful.

BINGE Worthy Anime

BY KIANA GONZALEZ, SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHT, IL

I

of keeping it out of the hands of bad demons.

This show is filled with hours of quests, friendships and funny jokes.

f you love anime or need an introduction to the culture, here are shows that are definitely worth binging.

Assassination Classroom Naruto and Naruto Shippūden "Naruto" is the story of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki and his journey to prove to everyone he knows that one day he will be the most powerful ninja in his village. The tales are filled with danger, friendships, and the meaning of hard work. Many episodes are filled with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Most importantly, the episodes will show that all you really need to do is “Believe it!”

What would happen if the government made a creature too smart, too strong, and too fast to kill, and it was trying to destroy the world? Well, you make a deal and the creature becomes a teacher for 12-year-old delinquents. These students have one year to learn how to destroy the teacher before the teacher destroys the world.

Sailor Moon

Inuyasha When school girl Kagome stumbles upon an ancient well she is whipped back in time where she meets a half demon named Inuyasha.

Together they look for the sacred jewel in hopes

One of the first anime that showed female empowerment, “Sailor Moon,” will leave you wanting more. “Sailor Moon” is about a teenage girl named Usagi who finds out that she is a sailor guardian destined to save the world.

Follow her as she saves the world from the evil forces of the galaxy, but sadly not her math grade.

TRUE STAR JR. 11

Dealing WITH STRESS

BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

D

oes school have you feeling stressed?

Upcoming tests and assignments have you worried? Sports and pressure from parents making you anxious? Do you feel like you don’t have enough time to even breathe? Well, this is a normal feeling for people to experience on a daily basis. Here are some tips to aid in relieving your stress.

STOP overscheduling.

If you have something to do every minute of every day, stress is inevitable. It’s good to be involved in your community, but being in lots of clubs and sports will stretch you far and wide.

Try cutting down to two or three activities that you really enjoy and you’ll be able to focus on them more.

Make time for yourself.

Helping others is great, but sometimes you need to help yourself! You can’t pour from an empty cup! At least one day a week, you should try to participate in a hobby or do a self-care activity.

Watching your favorite show, reading a book, journaling, taking a bath, or even organizing your room are great ways to help calm yourself down.

12 TRUE STAR JR.

Catch some Zzzs.

Sleeping helps relieve stress and tiredness!

Your body functions best when it’s well rested, so you’ll be on the top of your game if you’re getting at least eight hours of sleep a night.

Plan it out.

Being organized prevents stress because you’ll know what’s happening at all times. Plan out when to study for tests and quizzes, and when assignments and projects are due. Knowing the days you have appointments, sporting events, and family activities is a way to save yourself some time in the long run. If you know you have lots of things to do on Wednesday, try to get your assignments done in advance. Investing in a planner or a notebook is a great way to stay on top of everything.

There is no way to completely avoid stress, but you can cope and reduce the amount of it. If you need more help for dealing with stress, talk to a trusted parent or adult. You can also visit teenshealth.org for more information.

UPCOMING 2019 MOVIES TO WATCH

BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

C

hances are you have seen a movie or two so far this year or you are planning to. Teens spend a lot of money going to movie theaters.

“The age group seeing the biggest spike in terms of per capita movie attendance last year were those between the ages of 12 and 17, defying the perception that device-obsessed teenagers have little interest in going to the cinema,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Here are a couple movies you should check out.

The Addams Family Release Date: October 11 Synopsis: You may have heard of the 1991 movie based on the ghoulish and kooky Addams family. In this animated version of the movie, the family battles a reality show host who wants to build the work her way. The movie features Snoop Dogg as the voice of It, a cousin who is made up of floor-length hair.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Release Date: October 18 Synopsis: The first movie was about how Maleficent became evil and the reasoning behind why Sleepy Beauty was cursed. But in the end, it was Maleficent’s kiss which woke Sleepy Beauty and

all was good. In the sequel, Maleficent returns to wicked ways after learning Sleepy Beauty’s mother-in-law wants to be the only mother figure in her life.

Frozen 2 Release Date: November 22 Synopsis: The snow queen Elsa hears the north calling her and wants to discover the origin of her magical powers. As a result, Anna, Sven, Kristoff, and Olaf head on a journey to save the kingdom.

Spies in Disguise Release Date: December 25 Synopsis: Super spy Lance Sterling, voiced

by Will Smith, always saves the world. But he accidentally eats a new scientific invention that turns him into a small animal. Will he still be able to save the world?

TRUE STAR JR. 13

Back TO

School

Photographer: DeShaun "Trig" Adams Fashion Stylist: Henry Collins Make Up: Danielle Lenae

14 TRUE STAR JR.

Tachela Track Jacket- Brand: Nike: Nordstrom Rack Sweatpants- Brand: Nike: Nordstrom Rack Sneakers: Brand: Nike AirMax Motion 2- Finish Line

Aiypey Blue Track Jacket- Macy's Jeans- Levis Sneakers- Puma

Logan Jacket- Brand- Top Shop: Nordstrom Jeans- Brand- Levis: Nordstrom Shoes- Brand- Balenciaga: Neiman Marcus

Rachel Bomber Jacket- H&M Jeans- H&M Ballet Flats- H&M TRUE STAR JR. 15

Logan Performance Track Jacket: Brand Club Room- Macy's Jeans: Brand Levis- Macy's Sneakers- Nike House of Hoop by Footlocker

Rachel Short Sweatshirt- H&M Jeans -Brand: Levis- Macy's Sneakers- Adidas (Finish line)

16 TRUE STAR JR.

Aiypey

Tachela

Blue Track Jacket- Macy's Jeans- Levis Sneakers- Puma

Track Jacket- Brand: Nike: Nordstrom Rack Sweatpants- Brand: Nike: Nordstrom Rack Sneakers: Brand: Nike AirMax Motion 2- Finish Line

Logan Performance Track Jacket: Brand Club Room- Macy's Jeans: Brand Levis- Macy's Sneakers- Nike House of Hoop by Footlocker

TRUE STAR JR. 17

HOT OFF THE PRESS

A Rapper Making An Impact:

QUE 9

BY CHARISMA BOLER, ART IN MOTION, CHICAGO, IL

F

ifteen-year-old Quarrion started performing when he was nine. That’s where his stage name Que 9 comes from. The Detroit native was part of a spring True Star concert. Que 9 sat and talked with True Star about his emerging music career and how he wants to be a positive influence.

True Star: How has your tour been so far?

Que 9: It’s been real fun. It’s been cool being with all the kids having fun.

TS: I know you’ve been working, but have you gotten to go to all of the places Chicago’s is best known for?

Q: No, not any of the famous Chicago spots.

TS: Have you ever thought about starting your own clothing line?

Q: Yeah, right now I am designing a couple of jeans. I'm about to drop a jean line soon. So everyone be on the lookout for that.

TS: How are you making an impact?

Q: Showing teens that you can pursue your dreams in a positive light, while being true to yourself.

TS: Name one thing you really like about yourself and why?

18 TRUE STAR JR.

Q: I’ve never been known as “shy.” I’ve always been the life of the party and got along with everyone, which makes it easy to connect with my fans and meet new people.

TS: What’s your favorite color?

Q: Red is my favorite color.

TS: What’s your favorite food?

Q: If not Chick-fil-A, ribs.

TS: What is your favorite city you’ve performed in so far?

Q: Detroit because that’s my hometown.

TS: There are kids who look up to you.

What would you say to them?

Q: Stay focused, stay consistent, and don’t let anybody tell you you’re too young to anything.

Chi-Town Tour Jensen Scholastic Carnegie School Brown School of Technology Wendell Smith School Owen Scholastic Aldridge Elementary Woodson South Elementary

i

Mad & y Gabb With

Fast Facts *What's your favorite social media platform: Snapchat *Describe your life in three words: Family/Friends, Education, and Work *What’s the last song you downloaded? “Blind Nights”

by No Cap *What is your guilty pleasure? Hot Chips *What's the last show you binge watched? “Power” *Favorite song/singer?

Chance the Rapper, Lil Baby You can find Q9 on Instagram @Que9bmb and @Que9 on Twitter, Facebook, & YouTube.

TRUE STAR JR. 19

Gabby & Madi Are Pressing Their Foot on the Gas!

BY KAYLA HOLLOWAY, MORGAN PARK HS, CHICAGO, IL

C

oming up from the ATL, Madox Dorsey, 15, and Gabriella Leopart, 14, were on a tour in early May to promote their song “Be Right Here.” The teens are stepping their way onto the music scene, already performing at the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta. “We are a pop/urban girl group from Atlanta, Georgia, and we create music to inspire the youth,” Dorsey said.

These girls got their amazing work ethic from working with the group Pink Heart. Leopart said, “We were going to school, then driving to practice four times out of the week, so it did make us more hardworking.” Both girls said they appreciate the time spent with Pink Heart.

They had been part of the group since middle school. Dorsey added, “It definitely helped us understand more of the bits inside of the industry.”

And now as teens and a duo, they’re growing as artists. “The difference between us being in Pink Heart and Gabby & Madi is we have more creative control. We have the ability to write/ collaborate more on songs,” Leopart said.

Starting their musical careers at different times, the girls were inspired by the two main characters, CeCe and Rocky, on the Disney hit 20 TRUE STAR JR.

show “Shake It Up.” “Right now there are artists who put out a track, and at the end of the day, are you doing this for the fans? Are you doing this for supporters, or is it just for you? For us, we want to impact lives. We’ve had fans that came to us crying, and it was that moment we realized we’re touching people,” Dorsey said. “There is a lot of music out there that’s not influencing the kids the way that it needs to… a lot of parents are concerned about [that]… We just wanted to make music to let the kids know to have fun and be yourself.”

In the near future, they see themselves on tour and making a difference through their music.

“Our ultimate career goal is to inspire,” Leopart said. They also have goals to have multiple streams of income by expanding into acting, modeling and to become business moguls.

Gabby and Madi came out with “Be Right There” and “Foot on the Gas” last spring and they are working on new music. Back in May the duo, along with Q9, sang their songs for some of Chicago’s public school students. The two acts will be returning to the Chi this fall for more school performances. Go follow all of their social media platforms @gabbyandmadimusic to see all of the positive impact they make with their music.

Fast Facts *Favorite social media platform: Instagram (both) *What is your guilty pleasure? Leopart: “I eat candy and junk food when I'm bored.” Dorsey: “Checking social media every day for likes.” *What's the last show you binge watched? “When They See Us” (both) *Favorite song/singer: Kehlani (both) TRUE STAR JR. 21

MIA'S Treats

DELIGHT

BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

K

ids today need to know “that they are capable of doing anything they put their minds to” says award-winning 12-year-old baker and entrepreneur Tamia “Mia” Coleman-Hawkins.

She is the CEO and founder of “Mia’s Treats Delight” which was established in 2015 when she was just 8 years old!

Located in St. Louis, Coleman-Hawkins has been baking since she was about 4 years old. Her grandmother taught her how to bake and she has been in the kitchen ever since. Coleman-Hawkins bakes cookies, brownies and cupcakes, but her favorite treat to bake is cookies. Cookies are her best seller and she thinks they are the easiest to make.

Currently, Coleman-Hawkins delivers her treats locally and foresees herself having employees and being able to ship her products to different cities in the U.S. in the next five years. She wants to attend culinary school and travel, specifically to Paris and California. Coleman-Hawkins also enjoys track and field and would like to be a professional athlete in the future in addition to running her company. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and reading science-fiction books.

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Coleman-Hawkins is an active member in her community and frequently volunteers with her mom. She enjoys feeding the homeless and donating toiletries. Additionally, ColemanHawkins has done “Cookies for a Cause” where children at a local shelter were given cookies for every dozen bought. Recently, Coleman-Hawkins was selected to serve on the KIDBOX Kids Board of Directors to help aid in their mission to clothe one million children in need.

Everything hasn’t been easy for ColemanHawkins. In addition to her business, she also has to manage schoolwork and athletics. “It’s not easy to do everything, so I have to focus on my business on the weekends,” she said. ColemanHawkins has also faced difficulty with her recipes.

Sometimes ingredients don’t work well together so she has to try again. Coleman-Hawkins says that this has taught her perseverance and to keep trying until she succeeds.

What Coleman-Hawkins really wants kids to know is that your age doesn’t determine your capabilities. The entrepreneur says she doesn’t listen to people who say you’re too young to go after your dreams. “It’s possible to do whatever you love at a young age.”

TRUE STAR JR. 23

HOT OFF THE PRESS

“THE ACT,” BASED ON A TRUE STORY

BY JAILA MABRY, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

T

he murdered body of Dee Dee Blanchard was found in her home four years ago. The story surrounding her death, which sounds like fiction, has been told many times. If you haven’t heard the story for yourself, here it goes: Blanchard’s daughter, Gypsy Rose, and her boyfriend killed her. But why? It’s the amazing sickening tale of a mother forcing her daughter to be sick. Dee Dee claimed Gypsy Rose suffered from leukemia, asthma and muscular dystrophy. The story was so bewildering, Hulu created the eight-episode series “The Act,” based on their life. Wheelchairbound Gypsy was a victim of Munchausen by proxy, when a parent makes fake symptoms to make their child sick or seem sick.

“Gypsy Rose Blanchard grew up with mother Dee Dee Blanchard making claims about her health that resulted in a series of dire diagnoses and medical interventions. However, Gypsy wasn't actually unwell—her mother had been lying about her symptoms,” according to Biography magazine.

In short, Dee Dee and Gypsy moved to a new town and made friends with the neighbors. While there, Gypsy went through several years of not knowing her real age, having unnecessary surgeries (such as one on her eyes), and removal of her salivary glands, and using all the unnecessary health tools. Dee Dee duped many people and organizations including Habitat for 24 TRUE STAR JR.

Humanity, Ronald McDonald House and MakeA-Wish Foundation. Everyone was oblivious to this abuse Gypsy endured.

In 2012, Gypsy met Nicholas Godejohn online, and together they made plans to murder Dee Dee after she told him all her mother had put her through. The night of the murder, they escaped to his house in Waukesha County, Wis., from Springfield, MO, and while trying to cover up the murder, led the authorities right to them.

It truly is a thrilling story and highly recommended.

The HUSSLE "AFTER HIS CAREER TOOK OFF, NIPSEY DIDN’T FORGET HIS ROOTS. HE EFFORTLESSLY WORKED TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF L.A.’S SOUTH DISTRICT. HE HIRED HOMELESS PEOPLE AND EX CONVICTS IN HIS STORE TO ASSIST THEM IN BETTERING THEMSELVES."

BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

O

n March 31, 2019, Ermias Joseph “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom was fatally shot outside of his store “The Marathon Clothing” in Southern Los Angeles. He was 33 years old.

Nipsey leaves behind his longtime girlfriend Lauren London, daughter and son: Emani and Kross Asghedom, mother Angelique Smith, brother Samiel Asghedom, and many more.

Nipsey was a rapper, businessman, and prominent figure within his community. He frequently donated to charitable organizations and causes to improve his city.

When he was 19 years old, Nipsey went to Eritrea, a small country in Eastern Africa, to visit his father’s home country for three months.

This trip changed his life forever. He had been involved in gang activity during his teenage years, but after his experience in Eritrea, he wanted to better himself and his home. He saw how Eritreans led themselves and sought the same for Black people within Southern Los Angeles.

After his career took off, Nipsey didn’t forget his roots. He effortlessly worked to improve

the conditions of L.A.’s south district. He hired homeless people and ex-convicts in his store to assist them in bettering themselves. Nipsey donated shoes and gave funds to help the renovation of the playground and basketball court of Crenshaw Elementary School. In a partnership with Vector 90, he launched “Too Big Too Fail” a STEM initiative for youth within southern L.A. There were also plans to expand the project to other cities including Atlanta, Chicago, and Baltimore. Nipsey supported Destination Crenshaw, an open air new arts project celebrating Black art and culture in south L.A. He had a vision to reform his abandoned neighborhood by eventually owning the strip mall where his store was and converting it into a residential and retail complex.

Not only was he a rapper, Nipsey was an inspiration to many in the U.S. and in Eritrea.

He showed that it’s possible to become your own person and be successful despite your background. His name has become part of Eritrean youth slang. It means homie or friend that you have a lot of love for. Nipsey was exactly that for so many people.

TRUE STAR JR. 25

4EVER YOUNG

The Pain OF

SPLITTING UP

BY JAILA MABRY, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER HIGH SCHOOL, BLUE ISLAND, IL

B

eing separated from your friends is one of the worst things imaginable. Whether it’s a graduation, moving, extenuating circumstances, or something else not being with your friends that you’re used to seeing on a regular basis can be painful.

Morra Jackson, 13, knows this all too well. She has moved several times to different parts of the U.S. “We lived in New Jersey for about four years before I had to move. It didn’t really affect me as much because most of my best friends had moved away already,” she said. “I kept in touch with my friends from Jersey. Then we moved to Virginia. We lived there for about a year until we 26 TRUE STAR JR.

moved to Arizona. I was really sad at that time.

But I still keep in touch heavily with my friends from Virginia.”

Fourteen-year-old Ashley Pozos dealt with something similar. Pozos graduated from eighth grade in May and had been with the same kids for the past three years. Now, she is going to a high school with only two of those friends. “I feel like I’m just missing everybody in general. I’ve been so used to them over the course of time,” Pozoz said. “Three years together. That’s a lot.

And it’ll be really weird moving into a different, brand new environment without them and only being able to see two of them.”

t n i p e e K

! h c ou

Nazima Vhora, 14, knows the pain of no longer being able to see her best friend every day.

“We’ve been best friends for three years and then she moved away. I felt alone and isolated,” she said. “I’ve never stopped feeling that way.

It’s gotten better but I still miss her and it’s hard when everyone has their friends, their groups, and then you’re just there sitting alone. We keep in touch. We’ve met up a few times and I still text her and call her. But at school, it isn’t the same.

She knows about what’s going on here [through me] and she also feels the same way, but we’re going to meet up again. She’s coming back for high school.”

to different schools, it wouldn’t hurt to meet up every once and awhile. Keep updates on each other’s lives, text, call, video chat, have sleepovers, whatever! When having to deal with splitting up, the least you can do is try to keep in touch.

These real-life accounts of splitting up are really sad, but, you can always try and keep in touch.

If you and a friend live near each other but go TRUE STAR JR. 27

Tips & Tricks FOR Healthier Hair

BY KIANA GONZALEZ, SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

W

ho doesn’t want dope hair? Keep your hair looking it’s best by following this helpful advice:

Never Shampoo Every Day

Doing this will stop your hair from losing moisture and makes your hair less susceptible to damage.

If your hair is more oily, try washing it every other day or every two days. For wavy/curly hair try every three or four days. Basically the more damaged or curly, the less you need to shampoo. Also, “treat hair gently when it’s wet— it’s three times more vulnerable to breakage.

Don’t rub wet hair excessively with a towel.

Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, but don’t comb too much or brush wet hair,” according to healthline.com.

Use Deep Conditioner Or Oil Treatments On Damaged Hair

Deep conditioner and oil treatments can do tremendous things for damaged hair. They can add moisture and help the new hair grow healthy and be less prone to damage. It can also strengthen and promote elasticity to dry brittle hair that breaks easily. Shine and luster is 28 TRUE STAR JR.

another effect that will help make your hair look healthier all around. You can always create a DIY hair mask using honey, avocado or apple cider vinegar. Dirtylooks.com said, “masks do have a fabulously deep-conditioning effect on the hair’s outer cuticle. In fact, after using a DIY hair mask for just 15 minutes, the nourishing ingredients in the mask will actually serve to close the hair’s cuticle, leaving even dry, over processed locks looking super shiny and feeling touchably soft.”

NEVER Use Excessive Heat

Excessive use of flat irons, blow dryers and curling irons or wands will cause damaged, dry, brittle hair. If you decide to use heat, protect your hair. “Since heat is the worst thing for your hair, double down with a heat-protectant spray.

But recognize that if it's going to work, you've got to apply it the legit hairstylist way: Grab small sections of damp hair and mist each one up and down the length (two or three spritzes per section),” according to allure.com. Fortunately good alternatives for all these materials exist.

When wanting to dry your hair with a blow dryer simply use the cold setting. Want nice curls?

Simply use rollers.

Do You GET

STAGE FRIGHT?

BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

D

o you like singing but get nervous when it’s time to perform or appear in front of a group of people or audience? If you do, that is called stage fright. You can get stage fright in anything such as public speaking, dancing, singing, teaching, playing music, acting, and even sports.

It is the fear or anxiety in an individual who has to perform in front of an audience or before a camera. There is a saying “I have butterflies in my stomach,” well that is used a lot for people with stage fright.

Seventeen-year-old Madison Brooks has been singing since she was 5 years old. Anxiety about performing has changed for Brooks. The good news is that Brooks has learned how to deal with the stage fright because she loves to sing.

“Sometimes I am scared but I just close my eyes,” Brooks said.

Singer Victoria Pope also deals with performance anxiety. “I get scared at times, but I try not to think about it,” Pope said. “But I also

have been singing for 19 years so I kind of got used to it.”

Performance anxiety happens to so many people. Singer and actress Zendaya talked her struggle with performing live.

“I used to struggle with anxiety pretty bad,” Zendaya wrote on her website. “It only happened when I sang live, not when I danced or did any other live performances, and it stemmed from a bad experience I had while singing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2013.

It wasn’t my best performance and I’ve never let myself live that down. I had mad anxiety ever since that.”

The most common cause of stage fright is that the individual lacks self-confidence. Being unprepared and forgetting the lines are good reasons for the anxiety. Some individuals fear that they look foolish in front of the audience.

Public speaking is said to be the biggest fear reported by many American adults, topping flying, financial ruin, sickness, and even death.

TRUE STAR JR. 29

TIPS TO

HAVING Nice Nails

BY MADISON RAMIREZ, BREMEN COMMUNITY HS, MIDLOTHIAN, IL

M

ost girls enjoy doing their nails. It can be hard to do them for some, as it is easy for many as well. These suggestions will make it easier to do your nails yourself. *Make sure to push your cuticles back.

You can use a rubber, wooden or metal cuticle pusher to do this. *Use a base and top coat. “Base coats don't just protect and strengthen nails—they also help polish adhere better. The best way to make a manicure or pedicure last is with a great top coat,” according to more.com.

*When filing your nails, do so in one direction. “Resist the urge to ‘saw’ a file back and forth since it can splinter the nail's edge.

Instead, use one long swipe along the edge of your nail and continue in the same direction,” according to Today.com. *When painting your nails, apply two coats of the polish so that the polish color is not faint and is more vibrant.

30 TRUE STAR JR.

*To avoid messy nails, you can buy a latex to put around your nail. Once it’s on your nails, let it dry then paint your nails as you normally would. After you’ve painted them you may peel off the latex. Any nail polish that got on your skin is now off because of the latex.

There is also an alternative to latex. “Line your nails with petroleum jelly or white craft glue before painting them for an easy cleanup,” Cosmopolitan.com said. *To remove polish from skin get an angled brush and dip it in nail polish remover.

Use this brush to go around the nail and take any nail polish off your skin. *Waiting for your nails to dry could take some time, but there are some things you can do to help speed the process. You can dunk your nails into a bowl of ice water, and when you see your nails with water droplets on them, the polish has dried.

You could also use fast drying polish that only takes 2-3 minutes to dry versus 15-20.

That’s it! Now go do those nails!

CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER

Free

BY KAYLEE “KIWI” RUTHERFORD, HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR COMMUNITY HS, FLOSSMOOR, IL

TRUE STAR JR. 31

Ann Settler

BY KADIN WILSON, SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

32 TRUE STAR JR.

Fear

BY JOSEPHINE BOAFO, O.W. HUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

It's the scratching on the wall, that makes your heart beat.

Or the monsters in your closet that whisper when you sleep.

Or even the falling of the glass when no one is around.

Or maybe the creepy-crawlies that squiggle and squirm around the ground.

Or the terrifying nightmares that hold you from your sleep.

Or the disappearing of items that you have longed to keep.

Then suddenly, The television turns on, The radio plays your most despised song, The lights flicker on and off And then you start to cough See it had all been hallucinations from a bad sickness, or so that's what you thought.

TRUE STAR JR. 33

CONTENTS EXPOSE’

4EVER YOUNG

6 ANCESTRY.COM ROMANTICIZING SLAVERY, BY

26 SPLITTING UP, BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER

JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

7 CATHOLIC CONTROVERSY, BY JACKSON

28 GET HEALTHIER HAIR, BY KIANA GONZALEZ,

DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

8 BLACK PEOPLE NEED SUNBLOCK TOO! BY

29 STAGE FRIGHT, BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH

MARIAH STEVENS, RICHARDS HS, OAK LAWN, IL

MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

9 WHAT TIME? BY KAILAH BURNS, O.W. HUTH

30 TIPS TO NICE NAILS, BY MADISON RAMIREZ,

MIDDLE SCHOOL, MATTESON, IL

BREMEN COMMUNITY HS MIDLOTHIAN, IL

TALKIN’ NERDY

CREATIVE & CULTURE CORNER

10 DISNEY LIVE-ACTION MOVIES: AWESOME

31 FREE, BY KAYLEE “KIWI” RUTHERFORD,

REMAKES OR DESTRUCTION OF CLASSICS? BY

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR COMMUNITY HS,

JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL

FLOSSMOOR, IL

11 BINGE WORTHY ANIME, BY KIANA GONZALEZ,

32 ANN SETTLER, BY KADIN WILSON, SHEPARD

SHEPARD HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

HS, PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

12 DEALING WITH STRESS, BY JACKSON DOWELL,

33 FEAR, BY JOSEPHINE BOAFO, O.W. HUTH

WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

MIDDLE SCHOOL, CHICAGO, IL

13 2019 NEW MOVIE RELEASES, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

FASHION 14 BACK TO SCHOOL FASHIONS

HOT OFF THE PRESS 18 RAPPER MAKING AN IMPACT: QUE 9, BY

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CHARISMA BOLER, ART IN MOTION, CHICAGO, IL 20 GABBY & MADI ARE PRESSING THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS! BY KAYLA HOLLOWAY, MORGAN PARK HS, CHICAGO, IL 22 MIA’S TREATS DELIGHT, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL 24 “THE ACT,” BASED ON A TRUE STORY, BY JAILA MABRY, EISENHOWER HS, BLUE ISLAND, IL 25 THE HUSSLE, BY JACKSON DOWELL, WAUBONSIE VALLEY HS, AURORA, IL

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