She’s Gone Again

Mommy went away again, though she’s never there.

Left without a touch, I’ll just hug my teddy bear.

She’s been gone for too long, can’t stay strong,

I know it’s wrong that she’s been gone for so long.

Something Special…

As I opened the box, my heart filled with glee. My father had just given me a necklace for my 14th birthday. As I looked around with excitement I could see the restaurant half-filled with people. I was sharing this magnificent moment with my dad, sister, and brother. We were all eating at a familiar place, Marcello’s Father and Son. I chose this pizzeria because it is a well-known place in my old neighborhood where I grew up.

Something Special To Me

By mikebaird on Flickr

It was a nice summer day in 2005. The sky was clear and the birds were out flying in the light blue sky. Children were playing as cars of every color and shape were driving by. As usual, my great gandmother and I were sitting on the front porch and talking about her life as a child and how she wanted my life to be. As the sun was beaming on my face my great grandmother handed me a box with silver lining. Inside the box was a pair of earrings and a bracelet.

The bracelet was gold and had little red hat charms hanging around it. The earrings were gold with red trim around them. I love the gift that my great grandmother gave me.

On January 19, 2006 my great grandmother passed away. I could remember her smile on the day that she gave me my precious gift. Oh yes there were some things that we couldn’t agree on, but at the same time I loved her and the ways that she talked to me when I would do wrong things. But I could at least remember all the times that we shared a happy and pleasant conversation. 

By Humu

Our Trip to the Tribune Tower

We went on a field trip last week to the Chicago Tribune at the Tribune Tower. We got the chance to speak with a reporter and an editor. These are some of the people’s responses about their experience.

“I enjoyed my time at the Chicago Tribune Tower. The building was really big and very fascinating. It was pretty interesting how the security guard needed to see our ID’s for us to get into the building. The fact that they had “Chicago Tribune” engraved in the elevators was nice. I was really impressed by the fact that the newsroom and conference room was just like how they have it on t.v.

I learned a lot at Chicago Tribune. One of the key things I learned was how hectic the schedule may become and how unpreditable things may be. I learned how they picked the top stories and how emotional the job can get. Working as a journalist will keep you busy and up all night. From what I’ve learned, if I could give a future journalist any advice, it would be to expect the unexpected.”

-Jasmine

“The newsroom looked like it was out of a movie scene. I have never seen anything like it in real life. It was amazing and interesting, though the office had few colors.”

-Robyn

“Everyone was organized and doing their job. Not only did the employees seem very nice, but they were very welcoming. Every personal space was different, for example, one guy’s office was filled with lots of small toys and figurines. I wonder how he keeps them all there without anyone stealing them or knocking them over.”

-Ashley

“I really liked the statue of the Amercan Flag. The flag is covered in gold and is wavy. I found this object to be very unique.”

-Jalisa

“Wonderful experience…I wish I could have stayed to ask more questions.”

-Aisha

“It was a very enjoyable place. It was clean and had a respectable environment. Mark Jacob, an editor for the Chicago Tribune, and a reporter from the Chicago Tribune were very open and intelligently spoke.”

-Brandy

-Compiled by Robyn

Look out storm your way

ATTENTION ALL TEENS!!! Wednesday Dec. 9, 2009, there will be a terriable snow STORM. So put all y’all hoodies, cute leather jackets, and yo flip flop shoes away. Make sure you bring out the heavy duty coat and shoes. For all students who attend CPS, now you know they never close, so make sure you have your warm outfit ready for tomorrow. So lol dont hope for it.

- Humu and Fess

Movies Coming Up

Don’t Ban Skinny Jeans!

About a year ago an ordinance was passed by village leaders in Lynwood, a suburb south of Chicago, banning baggy, sagging pants below the waist. In Lynwood, Illinois, if you show three inches or more of your underwear you would have to pay a fine of $25.

Unfortunately, they are now planning to ban skinny jeans for boys. First baggy, now skinny, what’s next?? In Texas, some schools are beginning to ban skinny jeans and if a student is wearing skinny jeans at school they will be disciplined. If they refused to change pants then they are sent home.

In my opinion, I believe people should be able to wear what they want to. If they bought it then they should wear it without anybody having to say anything to them. Why stand out if you can be different???

By Aisha

The Mash Talks About Longer School Hours

Read the article here.

The College Process

The college process has been very daunting for me and most likely for others too. There are thousands of students applying to college each year. As each one looks for that “perfect” school, some might feel that it would be very difficult to get in based on their test scores or academic history.

Persistent Disparity Among Minority Schools

High schools in New York that have higher percentages of poor African-American and Hispanic students have been receiving the lowest marks, according to the New York Times. African-Americans and Hispanics make up about 77 percent of A high schools in New York, but 90 percent in schools that got C’s or worse.