By Keinijel Davis

If one of your goals is to attract

and maintain a meaningful rela-

tionship, work every day at falling

in love with yourself. Falling in

love with yourself starts with

knowing yourself and feeling joyful

in your daily life and about how

you spend your time. Respect and

honor your own beliefs and values

and uphold them with integrity.

Many people waste their time

crafting an identity that is not a

true reflection of who they are.

Falling in love with yourself re-

quires you to be truthful about and

proud of whom you really are.

1. Check Yourself Out.

If you look at yourself in the mirror each day and ad-

mire your own reflection, someone else will too. Your

style choices must be a reflection of what you like. Do

not try to be a carbon copy of someone in a fashion

magazine if you want to attract your soul mate. Re-

member that your outward appearance is intended to

please the man of your dreams, not other women. The

combination of wardrobe, makeup and accessories

should emphasize to the world that there is only one

you. Fall in love with the look you perfect and perfect

love will follow.

2. Mind Your Manners.

How you conduct yourself in

public is your greatest adver-

tisement. Every greeting is like

a billboard that tells the world

what to expect from you. If you

shrug and mumble when you

say hello, the world may think

you don't love yourself and

therefore, you must not be

worth loving. If you are pleas-

ant and well-mannered, excit-

ed when people give you good

news, are interested in what

others have to say and how they feel, you are project-

ing a much more attractive and likeable you.

3. Find Your Friends.

Being single doesn't mean you’re alone, does it? One

of the best parts of being single is having time to en-

joy your friendships. Spending time with close

friends, prepares you for a better friendship with your

current or future partner. A loveable, radiant person

doesn't look any particular way, but he or she would

never wallow in self-pity, depressed about being

"alone." After all, you're as alone as you feel.

Fall in Love with Yourself First!

American history to the general public. It is arguable that despite the opinions of several critics, Black History Month has several advantages, and to an extent, Woodson’s hopes were realized. During Black History Month, African American history is taught to thousands of students at the elementary, high school and university levels. African American history is an extremely important part of American history, and it is almost impossible to find an Ameri-can History textbook that does not include passages about black his-tory.

By: Keinijel Davis Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October. In the U.S., Black History Month is also referred to as African-American History Month. Black History Month was begun as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. His goal was to educate the

American people about African-American history, focusing on Afri-can Americans' cultural back-grounds and reputable achieve-ments. When Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week, his purpose was for the history of Afri-can Americans to become consid-ered a more significant part of American history as a whole. Ac-cording to historian John Hope Franklin, Woodson “continued to express hope that Negro History Week would outlive its usefulness”. The purpose of Black History Month is to promote awareness of African

Huf fman H igh Schoo l

The History of Black History Month

Special points of

interest: February-Black Histo-

ry Month

Progress Reports– Feb.

10

AP Gov’t classes state

competition—Mock

Trial of “We the Peo-

ple”-Feb. 11

Valentines Day-2/14

Prof. Dev./No Stu-

dents—Feb. 17

Black History Pro-

gram—TBA

President’s Day/ No

School—Feb. 20

AP Classes visit Carver

High School-Feb. 24

AHSGE-Mar. 12-16

Spring Break-Mar. 16

-23

FBLA Dress for Suc-

cess-TBA

Volume 2, Issue 4 February 1, 2012

John C. Lyons, Principal

Quote of the Month:

"Sometimes, I feel

discriminated

against, but it does

not make me angry. It

merely astonishes me.

How can any deny

themselves the

pleasure of my

company? It’s beyond

me.”

~Zora Neale Hurston~

Black History

Facts

By Courtney Jones & Tiero Harris

Marian Anderson was the first African

American soloist in 1955 at the Metropolitan

Opera in NYC.

Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and led

hundreds of other slaves to freedom through

the Underground Railroad. She also became a

spy for the Union Army

William Christopher Handy became

known as the "Father of the Blues".

Phyllis Wheatley is known as the first

published African American poet.

Booker T. Washington was an African

American educator who believed in uplifting

yourself through education and economic

advancement.

Lewis H. Latimer was the only African

American member of Thomas A. Edison's

team of scientists. He helped pave the way in

the development of the electric light bulb.

Andrew J. Beard invented the rotary engine

on July 5, 1892.

Granville T. Woods invented the overhead

conducting system for the electric railway.

Guion S. Bluford, Jr. was the first African

American in space.

Frederick D. Gregory was the first African

American space shuttle commander.

Bernard A. Harris, Jr. was the first African

American to walk in space.

M

y black

is the

history

of my fa

mi-

ly. My

black is

the gre

atness

that ru

ns

though

my blood

.

-Jamarcu

s Willia

ms

MY BLACK IS…

My black is beautiful, with the eye of a

goddess, with a sparkle like a diamond.

-Laderrica Brock

My black is the history that made

me. My black let m

e do everything I

can do now.

-Ronnie Parham Jr.-

My Black is blessed and highly favored.

- Marcus Bradford

My black is beautiful, outspoken, and driven. My black

is confident and unique, willing to fly higher heights,

reaching goals that others say are unreachable

-Kerry Johnson

My black is freedom!

Living in the present from the past,

heart aches and pains that never seem to last.

My black is wise!

Now that there is education my future is in my

eyes.

My black is strong!

Strong enough to overcome being treated so

wrong.

–Tekeria Osborn

My

black

is li

berat

ing

and

has th

e co

urage

to d

efea

t

the

ster

eoty

pes.

My

black

is

motiv

ated

. My

black

is m

y

foundat

ion fo

r my

life.

–Dar

ius H

orn

My black is beautiful, out-spoken, and driven. My black is confident and unique, will-

ing to fly higher heights reach-ing goals that others say are

unreachable. –Kori Johnson

My black is sassy, unique,

beautiful and stylish. My

black is the way I move m

y

hips and the way I walk and

talk. My black is soulful. M

y

black collard greens and

cornbread with a little pork

chops, candied yams, dress-

ing, ham, chitterlings, and

some gizzards on the side.

My black is full of a variety of beautiful colors... –La’Nissi Brown

My black is the

history that

made me.

–Ronnie

My black is cocky,

many eyes lock me.

Perfectly imperfect,

difficult but worth it.

Born with beauty, and brains

New Year, same me,

Nothing changed.

Powerful with words to spare.

Beautiful black whispers

through the air.

My black is beautiful.

The glow of my skin

is like no other. M

y

black is my personali-

ty. My black is what

makes me who I am.

My black is me.

~Teariyonna Smith

My black is known,

You know I’m black by my

voice, or what some people

say tone.

I didn’t choose to be black,

but if

I did it would be my choice.

I love being black ‘cause when

I yell I have a powerful voice.

My name is Chad and my

black is me.

Someday I plan to make it to

the league like CP3.

~Chaderick Derson

My black is handsome

and laid-back. My

black is cool, calm,

collective, and proud.

My black has swag and

is free.

~Jaylan Brown

My black is proud,

untamed, and

great. My black

isn’t worried about

what other people

think.

~Prince Chaney

My b

lack is

gor-

geous and b

e-

yond beautif

ul.

My b

lack is

brown. M

y

black is

silly

and tall.

–Amber F

razier

Inspired by A Black Entertainment Television campaign

My

black

is pr

oud, u

ntamed,

and g

reat. M

y

black

doesn

't worr

y abou

t what

every

one th

inks.

-Princ

e Chan

ey

My black is classy, mature, smart, and beautiful. My black is bossy but intelli-gent. My black is mean at times,

when telling the

Black History Month:

Celebrate Your History

Ben Carson

and team separated infant boys

Luka and Joseph Banda. This

operation was especially difficult

because the boys were joined at

the tops of their heads, making

this the first time a surgery of this

type had been performed.

Barack Obama

is both the 44th U.S. President and the first African American Presi-

dent of the United States. The Obama family is the first African-

American Presidential Family.—Even their dog , Bo, is black.

Ralph Gilles

oversees Chrysler Studio 3, the

workshop that created the

Chrysler 300 sedan.

Mae Jemison

1992, became the first black

female astronaut.

Leandra Abbott start-

ed her journalism career as the

first black female on staff at

Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1967.

David Drummond

is a groundbreaking

African American who is

currently the Chief Legal

Executive of Google.

Dorothy Gilliam

is a trailblazing African

American journalist who was

the first full time black wom-

an reporter hired at the

Washington Post in 1961.

? (Insert your picture here.)

What would you like your

caption to read?

Let’s begin to do the work!

Zora Neal Hurston

worked her way through

Barnard College for an

anthropology degree to

become one of the most

prominent figures in African

American literature.

Debra Adams Simmons

was the first African Ameri-

can woman to head a top 25

newspaper, she is the only

editor to have held lofty

positions at both the Beacon

Journal and The Plain

Dealer, the two leading

papers in the region.

Wilberforce University

the nation's oldest private,

historically black university, was

named to honor the great 18th

century abolitionist,

William Wilberforce.

Ralph Bunche

became the first African American to

win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Misty Copeland

is the first African American female soloist for the

American Ballet Theatre in the last twenty years.

Fashion & Entertainment

Five Most Influential African Americans in Fashion

The first Black woman to

grace the covers of GQ and

the Sports Illustrated

‘Swimsuit’ issue in the

1990′s. She continues to

break barriers.

While the 40-year-old

model has inspired as

many bad headlines as

good, she’s still the most

influential Black model

in the game, 20 years

and running.

Andre Leon Talley has been

pulling the strings backstage at

the world’s most powerful

fashion magazine for decades.

Hardison became one of

the first Black models to

make an impact before

heading behind-the-

scenes as a model agent.

Tyra Banks Naomi Campbell André Leon Talley Bethann Hardison Robin Givhan

The Washington Post’s

fashion editor Robin

Givhan won a Pulitzer

Prize in 2006 for criti-

cism, the first time a

fashion writer has ever

walked away with the

esteemed award.

Fashion Do’s and Never Do’s

Blazers

Jean Jackets

Adidas

2012 Fashion Must-Haves 2012 Fashion Don’ts

Too much make-up

Multicolored Hair

Just Don’t

Advice Column

“Ask Vicki” Have a pressing issue you want help solving? Need advice? Look no further. The “Guidance Girls” of the Viking Voice

are here to help you. Just follow these simple steps to solve whatever crisis you may be facing.

1. Write out your question or dilemma.

2. submit it to the “Advice” box in the Huffman High School Media Center (at the service desk).

Questions are strictly anonymous and will be answered in the next issue. Remember, address each question with “Dear

Vicki:” You may ask questions pertaining to the following: School, Dating, Relationship Advice, Family, Work, or any

“Teen Issues” in general!

We look forward to solving all the world’s problems!

Q: Dear Vicki,

I really need some help, and I don’t know where to turn. I have been dating my boyfriend for three

months exactly. He is a really great guy, and we have agreed to take things slowly. Valentine’s Day

is coming up, and I know he is planning on doing something really special to show me how much

he loves me. I’m not sure what he is planning, but he told me to get ready for a special surprise.

This makes me very nervous. I am afraid he is going to expect something in return, and I am just

not ready to become physical with him. How can I give him something that shows how much I care

about him without compromising myself? I mean, I want to give him a present, but I am scared he

is expecting something more. Also, he is my first boyfriend and I have no idea what kind of present

I can get him. I am just so confused! Please advise!

Sincerely,

Confused

A: Dear Confused ,

The best thing to do is to sit down and have a serious heart to heart with your guy. It sounds like he has been understanding before, so

expect the best from him. If he is worth keeping around, then he will respect your feelings. Never let anyone pressure you into doing something you

are not ready for. If he is as great as he sounds, then he will understand. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself!

Movies

The Women in Black—Feb. 3

Kill List—Feb. 3

Safe House--Feb. 10

Return—Feb. 10

The Vow—Feb. 14

Cd’s Mario “Restoration”

Feb. 7

Melanie Fiona “The MF Life”

Feb. 7

Maino “ Day After Tomorrow”

Feb. 14

Nicki Minaj “Pink Friday-

Roman Reloaded”

Feb. 14

Tyrese – Open Invitation

Nov.1

DVD’s Geek Charming—Feb. 7

Anonymous—Feb. 7

Five Star Day—Feb. 7

All Things Fall Apart-Feb. 14

The Human Centipede 2- Feb. 14

11/11/11—Feb. 14

Puss in Boots – Oct.28

Relationship Quiz:

Mr./Mrs. Right or Mr. Or Mrs. Right Now? Answer true or false to these questions.

1. He/she is good enough to meet my parents.

2. Even though I just got into this relationship, I am over my

ex.

3. He/she takes me out in public.

4. I am committed to my boyfriend/girlfriend.

5. My boyfriend/girlfriend says "I Love You" in front of others.

6. I've never cheated on my boyfriend/girlfriend.

7. I constantly think about my boyfriend/girlfriend.

8. I consider my boyfriend or girlfriend’s feelings.

9. I do not seek relationships with other males or females

while in this relationship.

10. My boyfriend/girlfriend treats me with respect.

The Results

If you answered true to more than 5 of these questions, congratulations, your relationship is on

and popping! You have found your Mr./Mrs. Right.

If you answered true to 5 of these questions, congratulation you got your Mr./Mrs. Right Now.

Your relationship is on the rocks! Enjoy it today because tomorrow you will be on the next thing

smoking out of here (away from them)!

If you answered true to 0 of these questions, you need to stop the madness. Pull out your player

card, and put it on your forehead! You ain’t ready for Mr./Mrs. Right or Mr./Mrs. Right Now.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Perfume

Teddy Bears

Flowers

Chocolate

Homemade Card

Signs Your Mate is Cheating By Meyyona Roemer & Ryan Jones Think your mate might be cheating? Find out if he is displaying any of the warning signals described by Raymond B. Green, a private investigator and former police officer, and Marcella Bakur, a psychology professor at Marymount Manhattan College.

Your mate is overly attentive to your needs than usual. This is due to the guilt feelings experienced by the cheater in the early stages of his or her affair. The attention will diminish as the affair continues.

Your mate begins buying you gifts -- lots of gifts. These are "guilt gifts" purchased because your partner feels guilty about betraying you and showering you with presents makes him or her feel better.

Your mate's behavior is causing a gut feeling in you that something isn't right. If this happens, pay attention to your instincts. Ignoring them means you want to blind yourself to the truth. You know your mate's habits, routines and atti-tudes better than anybody, so be suspicious when these things change.

Your mate frequently picks fights with you. Doing this gives him reason to get mad and storm out of the house and thus the opportunity to meet a lover. A cheater may also do this because of mixed emotions he is feeling about betraying you.

Your mate constantly talks about your relationship ending when you fight or argue. She says things like, "What would you do if our relationship ended?" or "If anything ever happened to us, I would always love you like a friend."

Your mate becomes very moody. He or she seems very upbeat and excited when leaving you but acts somber and de-pressed when around you. If your mate is in a long-term affair, he/she will try to keep both relationships running smoothly. Any problems the cheater has in one relationship will spill over into the other relationship as well. This is inevitable.

Your mate never talks to you. You live together but don't interact. He has become cold and inconsiderate of your feel-ings.

Your mate's taste in music suddenly changes. For instance, she always listened to pop music but suddenly starts lis-tening to country music. Your partner might be listening to and growing fond of this new type of music because her lover

I wish everyone a nice and blessed Valentine’s Day.

~Bobby Palmore Sr.~

I would like to make a shout-out to my girl

Shaquille for sta

ying with me for so long and

not forgetting my birthday. I love you and

Happy Valentine’s Day Love.

-Nobly

Happy Valentine’s to all.

-Jazmine Young

Everybody at Huffman High,

I love you all! -Veronica Stanley

“And now abideth faith, hope, love, these

three; but the greatest of these is love.” -1 Corinthians 13:13 -James Cameron

Happy Valentine’s Day to

Granma!

Love always, your grandchildren!

-Denise Coleman

Happy V

alentin

e’s D

ay to

Aunt Tra

cy and G

randdad-

dy! Lov

e from

you

r niec

es

and nep

hew!

-Gabr

iell C

olem

an

Have a good blessed

school year and a happy

Valentine’s Day

-Denard Coleman

Tashyana Stanley: “Hello teachers,

I would like to say that I miss all

of you and I Wish to see you

again. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

~Tashyana Stanley

Take time out your gay to wish

someone you love deeply a Happy

Valentine’s Day.

-Terry Adams

Happy Valentine’s day to

the News Staff and the

news department

Mrs. Wynn

Happy Valentine’s Day to all. -Otis Bry-

Happy Valentine’s Day to

Jelesia and Jazlynn Young.

-Cledis Ward

Ga

bri

ell

e, It

’s V

ale

nti

ne's D

ay,

The d

ay a

bou

t lo

ve.

The a

ngels

are

sin

gin

g,

Lou

d u

p a

bove.

Wil

l you

be m

y a

ngel,

Wa

nt

to b

e m

ine?

I lo

ve y

ou

so m

uch,

You

’re m

y V

ale

nti

ne!

~Kein

ijel~

Happy New Year Huffman Family,

I am very

excited about

the New Year

will hold for

Huffman

High School.

We have

worked to-

gether and

completed a

very success-

ful first semester. The hard work

and commitment to excellence was

evident in the increase success

rate of the Mid– Year Alabama

High School Graduation Exam

scores. I would like to see us con-

tinue to work together this se-

mester to move Huffman High

School towards world class sta-

tus. If we all work together and

challenge our students we will

eliminate achievement gaps a

Huffman High School.

John C. Lyons, Jr. Ed.S

950 Springville Road

Birmingham, AL 35215

Tel: 205-231-5000

www.huffmanhighschool.org

The official newsletter of

Huffman High School

H uf f m an H ig h Sc hoo l

Principal’s Corner

Coordi-nators :

Creative Editors: Sponsored

by:

Hope English Terelan Smith

Se Nia Robinson Jeffree Wynn

HHS English Depart-

ment

“What is True Love?"

For God so loved the world that he gave...

Love is what love does

No greater love...that a man will

lay down his life for a friend

T. Tried Tested-True hearted-Trustworthy

R. Rings responsibility Reaching Reality

U. Undefined unbeatable unify understanding

E. Everlasting eternal

L. Listening Lead Loyalty

O. Outstanding– arranged-obedience

V. Volume Valuable Voice

E. Everlasting- Emotional Eternal

What Is True Love?

Lights! Camera! Action! Huffman High Holly-

wood Prom 2012!

Where: Harbert Center When: April 17, 2012 How Much:

Special Celebrity Price (Early bird Special) $75

single, $130 Couple

After March 1st—$80 sin-gle, $150 couple

Which Celebrity Are

You?

Girls Basketball 1 (W)-19 (L)

Boys Basketball

12 (W)-13 (L)

As we join together as brothers and

sisters with the unity of power of love

and intelligence, we stand for some-

thing and make a difference. However,

as we fall apart with the independence

of stupidity and selfishness, we die

for nothing trying to make a difference

alone.

~Jamal Stokes~