Words, illustrations, and thoughts from urban youth.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
story
Chapter 1
In Chicago, people are outside roaming the streets, subways, and nearest corner stores. Some are teenagers and children on their way to school; some are adults on their way to work. Everyone has something to look forward to whether its school, work sports or something else recreational, everyone except this boy named Loden.
Loden is a careless teenager who just stands around on a corner all day selling drugs to anyone who wants to buy. He doesn’t really care what’s going to happen to him while he’s there all day every day. He really didn’t have anything to live for. His grandmother died when he was only two, and he never met his father. His mother has countless numbers of men running in and out of the house. He has a girlfriend, but he rarely sees her because she is too busy. She goes to school and tries to make a life for her, her mom and her little sister. He’s always alone. Hayze High School
“Oh my God, it’s so many new faces here. I never seen half of these people in my life “Precious said to her best friend Coco .Precious was a dark-skinned, tall, and slim girl. She was very pretty and lived like all the other girl s at their school, trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents.
“I know right, I haven’t seen him before how you doing? Sexy!”Coco said while trying to get a strangers attention.
“I never understood why you do that, why do you just talk to strangers like that?” Precious asked.
“I do that because I am very sociable, and people love me. Duh!” Coco said sarcastically.
“Ok well anyway, I have to get to class before the second bell rings, ok,”Precious told coco as she begin to walk away from her, and into her next class.
‘Ok, well I’m going to see the therapist downstairs for a while!” Coco screamed across the hall into the door that Precious had not so long ago walked in.
To be continued…..
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Cynthia Herrera
Complaints
Personally ,I think we shouldn't wear uniforms. Nobody listens to the dress code anyways , I always see kids wearing jeans and shirts without a collar and pretty much whatever they feel like wearing. I mean whats the point of having a dress code. Most kids walk in the building with the right clothes on and as soon as they get in change into what they want to wear and half the time nobody says anything to them. Theres no point of uniforms what is it suppose to represent? Formality? No that's not it because kids reuin that the way they act . I don't get it, if we have to wear uniforms shouldn't the teachers too? There telling us how we never listen they should put on the same clothes everyday and see how they feel . honestly if we got to wear it they should to.
Robert Styrczula-Amercan lit. Newspaper
Robert Styrczula
1. You have a barrel of oil, and you need to measure out just one gallon. How do you do this if you only have a three-gallon container and a five-gallon container?
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one
Micheal j fox has a small one
Madonna doesn't have one
the pope has one but he never uses it
Bill Clinton Has one and he uses it all the time!
What is it?...
3. If your sock drawer has 6 black socks, 4 brown socks, 8 white socks, and 2 tan socks, how many socks would you have to pull out in the dark to be sure you had a matching pair?
4. A large truck is crossing a bridge 1 mile long. The bridge can only hold 14000 lbs, which is the exact weight of the truck. The truck makes it half way across the bridge and stops. A bird lands on the truck. Does the bridge collapse? Give a reason.
5. Mom and Dad have four daughters, and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the family?
6. What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
7. Why wasn't Bertha put in jail after killing dozens of people?
8. If I say "Everything I tell you is a lie," am I telling you the truth or a lie?
9. How did Mark legally marry three women in Michigan, without divorcing any of them, becoming legally separated, or any of them dying?
10. The paragraph below is very unusual. How quickly can you find out what is so unusual about it?
"Gatsby was walking back from a visit down in Branton Hill's manufacturing district on a Saturday night. A busy day's traffic had had its noisy run; and with not many folks in sight, His Honour got along without having to stop to grasp a hand, or talk; for a mayor out of City Hall is a shining mark for any politician. And so, coming to Broadway, a booming bass drum and sounds of singing, told of a small Salvation Army unit carrying on amidst Broadway's night shopping crowds. Gatsby , walking towards that group, saw a youg girl, back toward him, just finishing a long, soulful oration
1. Answer:
Fill the 3-gallon container with oil and pour it into the 5-gallon container. Then fill the 3-gallon container again and use it to fill the 5-gallon container the rest of the way. One gallon will be left in the 3-gallon container.
Fill the 3-gallon container with oil and pour it into the 5-gallon container. Then fill the 3-gallon container again and use it to fill the 5-gallon container the rest of the way. One gallon will be left in the 3-gallon container.
2. Answer:
A Surname
3. Answer:
Five. There are only four colors, so five socks guarantee that two will be the same color.
4. Answer:
No it does not collapse. Because it has driven a half mile - you would subtract the gas used from the total weight of the truck.
5. Answer:
Seven. The four daughters have only one brother, making five children, plus mom and dad.
6. Answer:
Queue.
7. Answer:
She was a hurricane.
8. Answer:
A lie. It can't be the truth without contradicting itself (and therefore being a lie), but some of my statements can be lies, and this is one of those statements.
9. Answer:
It's part of his job - he's a justice of the peace.
10. Answer:
The letter "E" is the most commonly used letter in the English language, yet in the whole passage, there was no "E" used.
My article
Abigail Soriano
1st period
Mr. Winfrey
11-20-10
Article: Sports;
Sports are complex in that they are a way to escape our lives as well as a way to look at our lives in a clearer way. In the world of sports the line of victory and defeat is quite clear. There is no question of what team you are on or what position you play within the team. These things are not always clear in real life. Escaping to the world of sports is an opportunity to think about these questions in our own lives.
The big jumps, bruises, and broken bones
The blood that pours from open wounds
The stitches needed to mend the cuts
All of this can be too much
The elbow to elbow packs in which we race
The frightening heights at which we face
I still decide to risk my life
Just because it feels so right
It's a rush to hear the roar
From the fans that want some more
You push yourself to the limit
Just because you want to win it
To have the thrill without a pill
The plant, the liquid, the stuff that kills
Others choose to smoke away
So that they can feel high all day
I just hit the kickers and doubles
This gets me higher than all the others
I know it dangerous but I love to ride
Motocross is my way of life
venessa lopez period 2
BRAIN TEASERS!
1. You have 12 black socks and 12 white socks mixed up in a drawer. You're up very early and it's too dark to tell them apart. What's the smallest number of socks you need to take out (blindly) to be sure of having a matching pair?
ANSWER:3 socks. If the first sock is black, the second one could be black, in which case you have a matching pair. If the second sock is white, the third sock will be either black and match the first sock, or white and match the second sock.
2. In a small cabin in the woods, two men lay dead. The cabin itself is not burned, but the forest all around is burned to cinders. How did the men die?
ANSWERS: It's the cabin of a plane and the plane crashed.
3. My daughter has many sisters. She has as many sisters as she has brothers. Each of her brothers has twice as many sisters as brothers. How many sons and daughters do I have?
ANSWER: Four daughters and three sons.
4. What seven-letter word has hundreds of letters in it?
ANSWER: Mailbox
5. Two women apply for a job. They are identical. They have the same mother, father and birthday. The interviewer asks, "Are you twins?" to which they honestly reply, "No". How is this possible? ANSWER: Because they were triplets.
6. A princess is as old as the prince will be when the princess is twice the age that the prince was when the princess's age was half the sum of their present ages. What are their ages? ANSWER: princess: 40
7. You're in a room with two doors. There's a guard at each door. One door is the exit, but behind the other door is something that will kill you. You're told that one guard always tells the truth and the other guard always lies. You don't know which guard is which. You are allowed to ask one question to either of the guards to determine which door is the exit. What question should you ask? ANSWER: Ask either guard what door the other guard would say is the exit, then choose the opposite door. If you ask the guard who always tells the truth, he knows the other guard would lie, so he'll point you to the door leading to death. If you ask the guard who always lies, he knows the other guard would truthfully show you the exit, so he'll lie and point you to the door leading to death.
8. How far can a dog run into the forest? ANSWER: How far can a dog run into the forest?
9. If eggs are 12¢ a dozen, how much would it cost for 100 eggs? ANSWER: $1. If eggs are 12¢ a dozen, each egg costs 1¢, so 100 eggs would be 100¢, or $1.
10. There are six glasses in a row. The first three are full of water, and the next three are empty. By moving only one glass how can you make them alternate between full and empty? ANSWER: Pour the water from the 2nd glass into the 5th glass. |
Monday, November 22, 2010
sorry it sounds more like a commercial and is very short
"A day with amigo"
A day with amigo - after working endlessly day after day people wonder if he ever gets tired of picking everybody's thrash. If you talk to him he doesn't show it, but you can see it, does years of experience and hard work.
Now people feel like they can do everything he can do, maybe. Even think is an easy job, maybe you would only know if you try it. Or you can prove it now! With the event especially for those trouble makers that don't want to get kicked out of school or want to get back to school because you don't want your parents to know and get an ass whooping. Well with the "a day with amigo" you can stop that from happening, by doing community work side by side amigo the most famous janitor in Kennedy high school. You will get to know him learned from him, for requirements and additional information and participating details contact your local disciplinarian.
Rafael Reyes
8 period
11-21-10
sorry it sounds more like a commercial and is very short
"A day with amigo" A day with amigo - after working endlessly day after day people wonder if he ever gets tired of picking everybody's thrash. If you talk to him he doesn't show it, but you can see it, does years of experience and hard work. Now people feel like they can do everything he can do, maybe. Even think is an easy job, maybe you would only know if you try it. Or you can prove it now! With the event especially for those trouble makers that don't want to get kicked out of school or want to get back to school because you don't want your parents to know and get an ass whooping. Well with the "a day with amigo" you can stop that from happening, by doing community work side by side amigo the most famous janitor in Kennedy high school. You will get to know him learned from him, for requirements and additional information and participating details contact your local disciplinarian. Rafael Reyes 8 period 11-21-10
A day with amigo
A day with amigo! There are some pros' and cons' with spending a day with amigo. Some pros' to spend a day with amigo are: skip class all day, tell jokes, see what he does all day, and learn a little bit of Spanish from him. It's okay to spend a day or two with amigo; meanwhile, its not worth it.
Some cons' are: not having a good job, work long hours, don't get paid well, and it's not worth the time. If you get a job like amigo you won't like it and you'll be looking for a new job. So stay in school and get your education; consequently, you will not go nowhere in life.
For school newspaper
A day with amigo
A day with amigo! There are some pros' and cons' with spending a day with amigo. Some pros' to spend a day with amigo are: skip class all day, tell jokes, see what he does all day, and learn a little bit of Spanish from him. It's okay to spend a day or two with amigo; meanwhile, its not worth it.
Some cons' are: not having a good job, work long hours, don't get paid well, and it's not worth the time. If you get a job like amigo you won't like it and you'll be looking for a new job. So stay in school and get your education; consequently, you will not go nowhere in life.
Malen
Kennedy LASO club
In
My Friend Sindy Guerrero is part of the LASO club I asked her what kind of things were done in it an she said "there's a lot to do", In the LASO club you
Organize a lot of creative things, for example last year The LASO club organized a 5 de Mayo dance in the girls gym. There were different types of foods example Tacos! Yummy, there was also a DJ at our 5 de mayo dance it had all the students dancing & also the teachers. It was really fun I personally enjoyed it. Basically is something to remember
maleny zavala adrianna gracia sindy guerrero
Melissa Young - 8th Period - American Lit - News Paper Artical
Aries is the sign of new beginnings and Arians tend to be assertive and direct when they express themselves. They tend to be full of creative energy and enthusiasm, starting many projects but with a tendency to finish few.
Taurus is the sign of determination and power and Taureans spend much time and energy acheiving mastery over their physical environments. Practical and earthy often describe Taurus, but stubbornness is often a flaw.
Gemini is the sign of thinking, often with great benefits to themselves and to society. Geminis are usually versatile and often do not conform to societal conventions. They can suffer when they think too much or become too flighty.
Cancer is the sign of greatest emotional sensitivity; the Cancer motto might be, "I feel." It is the Zodiac sign most associated with domesticity and homemaking; home is usually very important to them. Cancers can become too attached to security.
Leo people usually have vitality, authority and power and the ability to get things done once they embark on a course of action. They tend to be practical, spiritual and philosophical but can also at times be impatient, obstinate, and overly blunt.
Virgo folks often make work a central focus in life. They tend to be meticulous and detail-oriented, seeking efficiency and quality of result. This can result in a brilliant performace of duty or a narrowness where work seems to be the only interest.
Libras are most concerned with harmony, balance and companionship; and they tend to seek out cooperative ventures rather than going alone; they usually enjoy social contacts with people. They can be trapped in shallow social patterns if off-center.
Scorpio is often considered the most powerful sign of the Zodiac, and deals with all types of transformations; huge emotional forces can be involved. Accomplishments can be magnificent; failures can result in jealousy and even violence for less developed Scorpios.
Sagittarius is the sign most associated with honesty and straightforwardness. Sagittarians love the freedom to explore and are naturally outgoing & energetic. Positively, they can be open-minded and generous; if off-center they can be narrow-minded and bigoted.
Capricorn folks tend to be ambitious, conservative, conscientious and well organized. They tend to want accomplishments to feel good about themselves. Positively, they can accomplish great things for themselves or the world; negatively they can be depressed and lonely.
Aquarius people are often humane, independent, and original. Friendship and companionship are usually vital to Aquarians. They can be eccentric in fresh original ways, or negatively... they can be stubborn and opinionated.
Pisces is the most sensitive sign in many ways, being extremely responsive to the feelings and thoughts of others. They can have great charm, humor and empathy. Negatively, they can have difficulty making decisions and striking out on their own.
Matthew Nosek
Tattoos
Period:2
Tattoos are a way to express yourself and show your individuality in the American culture and society. About 35% of Americans have tattoos, so they are pretty popular. Many people have them where they are very exposed, such as on there face, and others have them in places where they are covered by clothing.
Tattoos
Why do teenagers get tattoos? Ask students who have tattoos. Ask them why they get them, what is the significant of the tattoo they got. Are there passionate of tattoos or piercing? Some people just get random tattoos just to look cool or to show off . And some just get it because of a significant of someone or something. I'm really into tattoos and piercing but not all over your body. I want to get a tattoos but I don't know of what?
Jessica Jimenez
daniel navarrete lunch menu article
Daniel Navarrete
The lunch menu is horrible! The food is mixed in with leftovers of another day. There are chicken sandwiches with leftover cheese and beans in it. The lunch menu needs a total makeover. We get the same food everyday. The school could at least have some healthier food or at least change up the menu once in a while other than just having pizza and chicken sandwiches everyday. Some days the food is just too greasy that it actually drips off the food! In the end, I just think that a healthier lunch would be better overall. Not only would it taste good but it would be good for you overall. If not a healthier lunch, at least a non greasier type of food and a once in a while change to the same old lunch.
newspaper article: brain teaser
1. A new high school has just been completed. There are 1,000 lockers in the long hall of the school and they have been numbered from 1 to 1,000. During lunch, the 1,000 students decide to try an experiment.
- The first student, student 1, runs down the row of lockers and opens every door.
- Student 2 closes the doors of lockers 2, 4, 6, 8 and so on to the end of the line.
- Student 3 changes the state of the doors of lockers 3, 6, 9, 12 and so on to the end of the line. (the student opens the door if it is closed and closes the door if it is opened)
- Studnet 4 changes the state of the doors 4, 8, 12, 16 and so on. Student 5 changes the state of every fifth door, student 6 changes the state of every sixth, and so on until all 1000 students have had a turn.
When the students are finished, which lockers doors are open?
- The first student, student 1, runs down the row of lockers and opens every door.
- Student 2 closes the doors of lockers 2, 4, 6, 8 and so on to the end of the line.
- Student 3 changes the state of the doors of lockers 3, 6, 9, 12 and so on to the end of the line. (the student opens the door if it is closed and closes the door if it is opened)
- Studnet 4 changes the state of the doors 4, 8, 12, 16 and so on. Student 5 changes the state of every fifth door, student 6 changes the state of every sixth, and so on until all 1000 students have had a turn.
When the students are finished, which lockers doors are open?
freddy marerro
Socorro Castro 1st period
Weekly Teen Horoscope
Aries
Ease into the week (to the best of your impatient ability). Monday's about steadiness and showing how rock-solid you can be. By Tuesday and Wednesday, though, your orbit is definitely gaining speed, and your quick thinking and wit make for some real opportunities. In what areas will you direct your efforts? Around the end of the workweek, home and your comfort zone are important. Make sure you're renewing yourself amid life's bustle. As for the weekend, create a great date or find a fabulous party -- you're on fire, especially when it comes to romance!
Taurus
Charge into your week on Monday, when your willpower (plus a little extra charm) can get you nearly anywhere (or anyone!). By Tuesday and Wednesday, the cosmic energy's more at odds with your nature, and you could find yourself doing something out of character -- making a sudden snap decision or just wasting time. But you find your pace again and then some at the end of the workweek; it's a stellar time to make your wishes and hopes known. (Try it in both a work and a romantic context!). As for the weekend, you'll need to take care with how you express yourself. Meet them halfway!
Gemini
Monday's about being consistent -- show 'em you do indeed have the ability to follow up and follow through. Tuesday and Wednesday are much more free-form and creative; your social side's out to play, and people are loving you and your many-splendored ways. Is that love in the air? With you around, signs point to yes! But beware of moodiness or being at odds with someone close to you at the end of the workweek. Get centered and control yourself. As for the weekend, it looks both light-hearted and brainy. Find stuff to feed both your heart and head.
Cancer
The odder the idea, the more you should consider it on Monday. By Tuesday and Wednesday, communication is in the stars for you, but that doesn't mean it's automatically smooth. Take care to make yourself understood, especially with family or a significant other. Then, at the end of the workweek, all your signature traits are highlighted -- you're super tuned in, and the chance of romance is high! Just think twice before taking things personally, and watch for changing moods. As for the weekend, a dramatic change for the better is in order.
Leo
Yes, you're good at what you do, but make an effort to recognize others on Monday, too -- it's all about balance. By Tuesday and Wednesday, though, things tend to balance themselves, and you're pretty much a treasure to those around you, whether in work, play or love. Hint: Ask them for their input on a certain decision -- they'll love it, and it could be surprisingly helpful. At the end of the workweek, go deeper and sustain any and all efforts. Rock-steady looks great on you. As for the weekend, you're burning hot. Get creative, and get connected!
Virgo
A little difference matters a lot on Monday. Be proactive and make a minor but positive change. By Tuesday and Wednesday, work or communication issues surface -- could it be that your usual attention to detail is slipping? Reread, double-check and check in, whether it's with your boss, a friend or a certain someone. You're warm and wonderful at the end of the workweek as the give-and-take of life nurtures you, and you nurture it. Interpersonal connections, new and old, flourish now. As for the weekend, your best-laid plans may go astray -- but maybe in a great way. Be open to it!
Libra
Good manners count on Monday, and you might have to do more than your fair share in this regard. Take the high road -- you look good up there. On Tuesday or Wednesday, a one-on-one looks extremely productive. Will it be a brainstorming session, a negotiation, a heart-to-heart? Bring a new idea to whatever kind of meeting you set up. At the end of the workweek, you're focused on moving existing concepts along, tweaking and creating wiggle room (whether on the job or personally). Make plans to catch up with friends and family this weekend; those bonds need nurturing, and the nurturing can be fun.
Scorpio
Do your best to practice detatchment on Monday -- trying to force an issue may not go well now. By Tuesday and Wednesday, you can get a better read on all sorts of situations; all you need to do is look closely, particularly before you leap (and particularly if money and other people are involved). A lesson from the past can help, too. An unusual experience creates a real bond at the end of the workweek, building work relationships or intensifying romantic ones. Seek it out if you dare (knowing you, you do!). As for the weekend, avoid work and actively destress.
Sagittarius
Buckle down and deal on Monday; the stars reward steady stuff like finishing a project, calling your family and exercising. And never fear -- things get more interesting by Tuesday and Wednesday, even alarmingly so. Life looks busy now, and the potential for change is tremendous. If you want to move from talk into action, now's the time! At the end of the workweek, it's the thought that counts. Turning things over in your mind, or with a certain party, is extremely productive now. As for the weekend, anything new pleases you, and you just might take a risk -- maybe in the area of romance!
Capricorn
Monday's about both work and play, so create a balance in your (probably very busy) day. By Tuesday and Wednesday, the stars put the emphasis on the 'give' part of give and take. Count your lucky stars, and show the universe your thanks for what you've got. You might donate your time or hard-earned cash, and show your love to your loved ones (and, heck, even to strangers!). At the end of the workweek, are you a social butterfly or focused on one person in particular? Once again, create a little balance. And time off is actually more productive than working this weekend. Take a break!
Aquarius
If you're less than thrilled on Monday, the ennui shouldn't last long -- by Tuesday and Wednesday, your energy's sizzling hot. All things romance-related have a fire under them now, so get some sweet stuff cooking! The end of the workweek looks rather emotional. Will you be the master of your ups and downs -- perhaps by exercising, meditating or simply sorting through stuff in your head -- or let them master you? As for the weekend, bring your creative powers to bear when it comes to a relationship. A bright idea saves the day!
Pisces
Monday's about sharing your thoughts and feelings, as well as hearing those of others. You may want to keep stuff to yourself a bit on Tuesday and Wednesday, when all things are in flux. Go with the proverbial flow -- you're great at it. Be sure to keep those options open. At the end of the workweek, love's the focus -- who are you seeing and how do they look right about now? If you're wearing rose-colored glasses, recognize it and enjoy the view. As for the weekend, your health is highlighted. Get rest instead of partying and eat right -- you know the drill.
| | Days teach me
Days teach me that will help me to be strong |
School Lunch
School Lunch
John F. Kennedy's main lunch menu consists of: pizza, nachos, hamburgers, and chicken patties. In the 2009 school year, the lunch was great. I dont' know how the quality of the food could have declined as much as it has.
Last year the pizza was great. I would get pizza 3/5 times of the week. I don't know what happened to it. It has gone down in quality. Nachos were my 2nd choice to pizza. When I got sick of pizza or just wanted something different I got nachos. The nachos look the same this year. I havent' tried them yet, but as the other food has, I bet the quality has gone down too. I never got hamburgers last year except a couple of times. They were decent last year. Now, they look so flimsy and nasty. Chicken patties were good last year. I haven't tried them this year but I bet they dont 'have the same taste as last year.
The school lunch also raised the prices. More money for bad food does not make any sense to me. I havent 'had any school lunch since last year. I have seen how all of it looks and I havent 'wanted to try it this far into the year.