Table of Contents

• The Portfolio


• Blood Drive '08


• Looking Forward to Vacation


• The Cinderella Pact


• New Group Alert!


• Busted


• Teen Pregnancy


• Young Moms and Little Ones


• Success of an African-American


• Sophistication at Work
  
  

THE PORTFOLIO

FAVORITE ARTICLE

My most favorite piece of article for journalism class was writing Busted. The reason why was most likely because I can relate to most of the problems that my fellow teens are experiencing. In the beginning, it was no hardship to write because it was simple. Afterwards it became complicated because of all the changes. After the changes I started reading it in a different light and personally I think I did an admirable job. Choosing the topic came easily and with the help of a friend, the picture made up for the laugh to go along with it.

LEAST FAVORITE ARTICLE

My least favorite piece of article was writing The Cinderella Pact. The book was fun to read but writing the article proved to be a major dilemma. Every paragraph seemed to be a summary. I tried rewriting and on the second trial I finally succeeded. Overall I think I may challenge myself to write another book review or to make it more challenging a movie review, but I don't think it will be any time soon for the foreseeable future.

REFLECTION

My reflection on experience and of self as a journalist was wonderful. As an individual I'm a very private person and being a journalist allowed me to become open, especially conducting interviews. My experiences as a journalist helped me to cope with certain aspects of life. It allowed me to experience a somewhat minor detail to a real journalist, but I won't complain because I enjoyed everything relating to journalism and the class.

Blood Drive '08

Students on May 20th participated in the annual blood drive that has taken place for over eleven years. Located in the first floor gym, students were eager to partake in helping those in need. The generous donation was sent to various centers to help victims. Given the contributions made by both students and teachers, hopefully it will guarantee success for many victims of various crises.

The requirements to give blood were that one should weigh at least 110 pounds and have an iron level of 12.5 grams with the highest being at least 20 grams and clean arms-meaning no cuts or rashes . Upon arrival, donors were given tests that check for temperature and blood pressure. Students who have tattoos that are not at least a year old are recommended not to give blood. As a precaution, donors are told not to operate heavy machinery or do excessive exercises.

“Reasons for giving blood are to help leukemia patients, people with hemophilia, bleeding disorders and clotting of red blood cells,” said Lorraine, a donor specialist.

Out of the various reasons for donating blood many people agree this is one way of saving a life.

Even munificent teachers like Mr. Pallisco gave blood. “You may never know when someone’s going to need blood,” said Mr. Pallisco. “If something happens to me and I’m in need of blood, I’d be upset if they don’t have my type, hence the fact of giving blood.”

Blood that is donated are broken into three categories: plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. Plasma goes to burn victims, platelets go to chemo therapy patients and red blood cells go to anemic, organ and bone marrow transplant patients.

“I feel good donating because I could save the lives of at least three people,” stated Jane Belaustegui, one of the generous donors.

After giving blood, donors were given snacks and refreshments to replenish their energy.

Even though most students fear the prick of a needle, one little prick can help thousands in need of blood. Afterwards, students can feel great because they’ve contributed to victims and have done something productive for society.

Looking forward to vacation

Students define vacation as a time for rest and relaxation. Vacations are times to kick back, relax, and enjoy the pleasures of life. However, many get up-to-date on things they've been avoiding. Some get things accomplished that need attention and prepare for the coming school year.

This summer students are looking forward to gaining new experiences. Some are working summer jobs. These jobs are a way of earning money. They also help to take up time for those who have nothing planned and also a good way to meet new people. Most importantly, these summer jobs provide knowledge to what it feels like to be an independent person.

"I'm definitely looking forward towards the summer," said sophomore Dieidre Walkins. "Hopefully I'll get a summer job, if not an internship."

A few students are interested in doing internships throughout the summer. For some, it is to boost up their resume for college acceptance. While for others, it is to gain knowledge in a specific work field.

Taking classes of interest is one of the few things that students are considering. These classes of interest are a way of passing time. It gives experience to different subjects. Also, it can further enhance their knowledge while for some it is just a way of finding something suitable for themselves.

"I would like to take college classes over the summer to be prepared in college," said Ritika Parmar. "Also to gain experience in specific fields."

To be creative, some are taking up new hobbies. These hobbies are a way of taking up time, relieving stresses and pressures. Finding an interest is one of the bonuses along with creating and maintaining a new found passion.

Vacationing with families and friends is one of the major highlights of looking forward to the summer. For many students, it means having fun and socializing. The most enjoyable thing of it all is to be a free individual from the pressures of school.

The decision is up to the students. It's their choice to do whatever they choose to do. Productive or non-productive, it's summer and they all are choosing to have fun, create the best of it and enjoy themselves.

The Cinderella Pact

It is a known fact that in certain professions, people are discriminated against based on their body weight. Whether it is too skinny, too fat, or not average, they are all categorized.

The Cinderella Pact is a fictional novel written by an Agatha award winning novelist, Sarah Strohmeyer. She is known for her Bubbles series and other novels such as The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives.

The Cinderella Pact tells the story of three best friends who make a pact to transform themselves into thin, glamorous women. The struggle to lose weight continues while they battle new problems involving changes, relationships, trouble in the workplace and everything else in between that women face while they struggle to achieve something for themselves.

The book is set in the present time period and relates to similar everyday conflicts. The vivid pictures that the book portrays can relate to every female at least once in her life.

This book was interesting. It reinforces that people should accept themselves, even with their little faults and that not everything should change, whether the changes that they make may be good.

With all the new changes, new responsibilities but same old friendship, will the friends be able to have their Cinderella happy ending? Read and find out.

New Group ALERT!

A few new groups have been added to the other groups and clubs here at Jamaica. The Relationship Café, and now, The Girls Leadership Group. The Girls Leadership Group is here to teach and prepare young girls for the different aspects of life.

These groups are formed under an agency called In Partnership with Children, a community-based organization under Big Brothers and Sisters, whose original name was Open Heart, Open Mind.

This agency’s normal mode of operations was catering for elementary and middle school students and also for Alternative Learning Centers (ALC). While Jamaica is the first high school for which members of the agency are posted, Jamaica is not the only high school.

Why Jamaica? It’s because recently, as published in news articles, Jamaica High School was reported as persistently dangerous. Therefore the agency has been posted here at Jamaica since January to decrease the incidents.

“The Girls Leadership Group is all about teaching girls empowerment and leadership,” said Melissa Florival, one of the supervisors of the group. “It will be teaching girls to be themselves and how to act like a lady”.

The topics will include decision making regarding sexuality, being in abusive relationships and staying safe and HIV free.

“I would join the group,” said Deandra Myrick, a junior. “It would enhance our education and prepare us for the outside world”.

The meeting place for students interested in joining is room 210A, during fourth period on Wednesday, April 7th.

Laura Robinson, the second supervisor said, “It would be a good place to go and get things off their chest”.

Even though the sign-up deadline was on March 28, Ms. Florival and Ms. Robinson are still accepting more students. There is no limit to the number of students, so they are encouraged to go and be empowered.

BUSTED

Many students have been caught doing other class assignments during their class time. Why do some students procrastinate? Is it as some students claim the pressure of last minute work? Is it the “adventurous” excuses that we make?

“I was so busy; I didn’t have time to do it”. “I didn’t know it was due today.” They sound familiar don’t they? That’s because we’ve all heard them and said them at least once in our school life and most of the time they are true.

Most of the time students may think they are not hurting anyone but themselves when they do homework or other things in other teachers’ classrooms. To burst student’s bubbles, we hurt the teachers instead.

Some teachers take it as disrespect to their purpose of teaching, while others can relate to students and think it’s fair to give students a chance to finish what they started at least 5-10 minutes before the end of class.

“I believe it is fair” said Jane B., a junior. “Since Jamaica doesn’t provide a study hall like other schools we should be given time to do some homework. Not everyone has time to do it at home.”

While Jamaica does provide a study hall, it is for teams after the season ends. However, the library is open after school but only once weekly on Tuesdays.

“In some cases, it would be acceptable to allow students to complete another assignment, however, in general, it is my opinion that students should try to complete their assignment before they come to school. But as a teacher we must understand that students have certain time constraints,” said Mr. Hertz, a math teacher. “Therefore we should allow students on special cases to complete other assignments.”

At least now students know one teacher who understands the little problems that they all face from time to time. Maybe the next time they get caught doing another teachers work, they can show a little respect. That teacher may cut them a little slack. Who knows, crazier things have happened.

Teen Pregnancy

Most teens haven’t thought of this, but teen pregnancy is one of the factors that can affect a teenager’s school life. Pregnant teens walk the halls of many high schools including Jamaica.

Everyone has an opinion and broaching the issue of teenage pregnancy, a few shared their beliefs, while other’s choose to keep theirs to themselves. "Teen pregnancy is bad because it’s too early to have a baby," said junior Kwesi Charles."At that age we don’t have the right preparations for a baby.”

According to facts researched and published in November 2002 on womenshealthchannel.com, there are health risks associated with babies and children born to teenage mothers. Babies from teen moms are more likely to suffer health, social, and emotional problems.

These health problems not only affect teens but teachers also. Not only are they responsible for a teens physical protection during classes, they are responsible for the emotional well-being of the teen.

"It's certainly a growing concern," said health teacher, Ms. Papierno. "The rate of teen pregnancy continues to increase.That's why we try to raise awareness with the use of protection."

The relationship between teachers and students help to smooth along the process for teens. They can give advices and information which can help in the long run; otherwise, it varies depending on the teen's perspective.

Scheidel Milfort, a senior, gave his opinion on teen pregnancy and why he thinks it's happening so early. “ I think they don’t know how to practice safe sex. Some may feel like an outcast, so they just go ahead and do it, without protecting themselves.”

Statistics posted on the website www.smith.edu/ourhealthourfutures/teenpreg.html by two teenage girls, Susanna Salazer15 and Tanisha Jones 14, recorded that every 26 seconds, an adolescent becomes pregnant. Every 56 seconds another gives birth. While teenagers contribute 13% to the U.S. birthrate, 1/3 of teen moms drop out of school.

As it so happens, teen pregnancy is not something we think we should try and “experience,” at least not at this early stage in our lives. With all our present responsibilities, adding the life of a newborn is not such a good idea. This is my opinion and everyone has the right to make theirs, so you make yours and make it a good one.

Young Moms and Little Ones

Recently, three young children were drowned in Long Island by their mother, adding to a growing casebook of children slain by mothers, according to The New York Times. Police found Jewell Ward 6, Michael Demesyeux 5, and Innocent Demesyeux 18 months, after receiving a 911 call from Leatrice Brewer 27, the mother of the late three.

Brewer who is said to be emotionally disturbed, became more troubled after the death of her mother in 2004 and the split of her relationship with Innocent Demesyeux, the father of her sons months before. A friend of Brewer, Satina Fenner 26, said “I think she just snapped”, as claims had been made against Brewer warning officials at the County Child Protective services about her erratic behavior and alleged drug abuse.

Another case added, was in the previous year (2007), when a 24 year old mother, Lashuan Harris, threw her three sons, ages 6, 2, and 16 months into the San Francisco Bay in 2005. Jury convicted Harris of second-degree murder, while defense argued that Harris was schizophrenic. Harris is convinced she was acting on orders from God, when she threw her three sons into the water.

A lot of questions have been asked and no one is certain of the answers, but one has to ask, is it a new trend? Is it right for a mentally unbalanced mother to try and save the souls of their children, by killing them?

In such a case as Andrea Yates, a mother who drowned her five children in the bathtub of their home in the Houston area in 2001.Yates was convicted of murder in 2002, but defense argued claims that she was psychotic and was found not guilty by reason of insanity, before claiming that she was saving the souls of her children.

Mothers so young face the daily challenges and responsibilities of caring for a child. Adding mentally disturbed along with other problems and the outcome may be very unpredictable, in such cases as these. Meanwhile the debate over the degree of mental illness and legal definition of insanity continues, one has to hope that such cases as these are never repeated.

Success of an African American

What most Jamaica High School students don’t know is that, Jamaica has produced many brilliant, successful and now famous alumni. One such alumnus is one of Hollywood’s most famous actors nominated for primetime Emmy, Obba Babatunde.

Born on the first of December in the year 1951, in Jamaica Queens, Obba Babatunde attended Jamaica High School and graduated in the year 1969 as Donald Cohen. He later moved on and graduated from Brooklyn College.

At the early age of six, Babatunde had dreams of being an actor, while getting his early practice by performing stage shows for his family. In 1976 Obba Babatunde got his first break with a touring company of “Guys and Dolls”.

Babatunde moved on to become an accomplished actor, choreographer, musician, singer and teacher. Babatunde’s career in film, television and stage, resulted in him being cast in common television shows, such as Dawson’s Creek playing the role of Principal Green. On daytime soap opera One Life to Live, Babatunde played the role of Clay in the year 2005 and then on the TV sitcom Half & Half, he played the role of Charles Thorne in the year 2002-2006.

Babatunde also appeared on Broadway in Dreamgirls. Babatunde has recently appeared in The Eye as a filmography actor, and in The Notebook, which was released in May of 2004. Overall Babatunde has appeared in at least twenty-nine movies.

Making his fore-fathers proud, Babatunde has opened the door for many aspiring African-Americans who choose to persue their goals in the acting industry.

Babatunde’s accomplishments and success makes him a strong influence and being an alumni of Jamaica we should be proud and content.

SOPHISTICATON AT WORK

With all the drama involving the ladies at Jamaica, a new group on the block is looking to reform the freshmen and sophomore students, turning them into well respected young ladies. The new group called The Sophisticated Ladies was formed by Ms.Williams and a senior class student, Kera Robinson.

Ms. Williams one of the founders of the group, hopes to admit fifteen students each term, making her final decision after an interview. Her topics will be based on self-esteem issues, decision making, and adventurous issues that often pop up in the lives of young teens. While teaching a new skill each week, Ms.Williams wants to be a positive influence for each member of The Sophiscated Ladies.

"I think its something the girls need", said Ms. Williams stating her opinion on the group. "I have faith".

A source who wishes to remain anonymous says, "the group is a good thing; the world does need more ladies because everyone wants to be tough and hard. No-one is compassionate and affectionate."

Freshmen and sophmores are being encouraged to join the group, especially those in need of expressing themselves and have the ability to keep an open mind. Ms.Williams hopes to run a group for ten to twelve weeks, with meetings held once weekly on Thursdays, starting mid March.The group of Sophisticated Ladies hopes to accomplish positive influences in their daily lives.

" I would join The Sophisticated Ladies because just the name catches my attention", says Tiffany Vermon, a sophmore. " It sounds catchy". Even though the group has a goal, the name alone attracts the attention of freshmen and sophmores, who hopefully will achieve something to benefit themselves.

While Ms.Williams hopes to have a tea party, she also hopes for the group to be a success and continue to be the group where a girl learns how to be a lady.