EMPEHI NewsM o r g a n P a r k H i g h S c h o o l Volume 97, Issue 3

School hosts varied events to celebrate holiday season

Illinois Scholars named for ‘20

Students who are a part of WOW (Working on Womanhood) visited a local retirement community where they engaged with residents on making various holiday crafts and later took part in a fashion show.

Surprise special guest Stunna 4 Vegas performs during the HotRod Pep Rally Takeover held in Blackwelder Hall at the after-noon show. (Photo by My’Air Pratcher)

Will president get a second term?

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Holiday highlights

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Lakers likely to take NBA title, say fans

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Four seniors were se-lected in early Decem-

ber as the 2020-2021 Illinois State Scholars and rank among the top ten percent of Illinois students, according to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

The students who are posted on the ISAC website are seniors Deshun Britten, Iyania Golliday, and Destiny Lewis, while Class of 2019’s Serena Echols is also listed, but may be in error (she was named an ISAC scholar in her senior year).

Locally, both Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep had 19 Illinois Scholars, the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences had 12, Simeon Ca-reer Academy had two, while Hyde Park Career Academy had one.

In contrast, the No. 1-ranked school in the state (according to U.S. News and World Report in May) Walter Payton College Prepara-tory High School has 172 state scholars, while the No. 2 school, Northside College Preparatory, has 127 state

scholars.Last year, five Mustangs

made the cut, while in 2017-18 four Mustangs were listed, seven in 2016, 12 in 2015, 11 in 2014, 14 in 2013, 11 in 2012, 15 in 2011, 14 in 2010, and 25 in 2009.

Congratulatory letters from ISAC have been sent to honor-ees, and the agency has provided personalized Certificates of Achievement to each high school for distribution, according to the organization’s press release.

“State Scholars are among ‘the best and the brightest’ of Illinois high school seniors in the Class of 2020,” writes IHSA Ex-ecutive Director Eric Zarnikow, writes in the program’s congratu-latory letter. “The combination of your exemplary college assess-ment examination scores and record of high school achieve-ment indicates you have a high potential for success in college.

An Illinois State Scholar is decided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) based on their sixth semester class rank and ACT scores from their junior year. The ISAC receives the ACT scores directly and schools send their class ranks to ISAC.

Deshun Britten

Iyania Golliday

Destiny Lewis

By Tiara Youngand Deshawn Rivers

Students and staff were treated to lots of fun

and innovative holiday plans the week leading up to the nearly two-week winter vacation late last month.

The administration and Stu-dent Council sponsor Kandice Morgan coordinated daily events for students to get into the holiday spirit. There was advisory door decorating, various themed days (Holiday Pajama Day, Holiday Character Day, Holiday Socks Day, Ugly Sweater Day, and Holiday Accessories Day), two different holiday movie events (one for seniors and one for all students in the library), a staff potluck on Thursday, and a Christmas-themed party in the library (featuring treats, orna-ment-making, gingerbread house decorating, and games). But then on that Friday afternoon, stu-dents were able to choose from playing games and socializing in the library, playing basketball in the main gym, or attending a pep rally--featuring Stunna 4 Vegas--in the auditorium.

In the days leading up to the winter vacation, Dr. Skanes had some secret plans that she re-fused to expose regarding holiday activities, including the surprise pep rally.

“So right now I do have something up my sleeve that I cannot tell you all about that will happen Friday before we go on winter break,” Skanes said.

As it turned out, HotRod 065 hosted a pep rally takeover late that Friday afternoon in Blackwelder Hall, featuring per-formances by students DeAngelo Brown and Kyle Colbert, as well as special guests KE Millie, Hurricane Chris, and Stunna 4 Vegas.

Skanes also expressed the love that she had for this year’s Christmas activities, many organized by Student Council sponsor Kandice Morgan.

“I really love doing decorat-ing competitions, and so students decorating their advisory doors just with all different kinds of holiday themes—that’s fun,”

Please turn to page 3 for

HOLIDAY FEST

WOW visits

senior center

in effort to raise spirits

02 OPINIONEMPEHI News

Many parents participate in the painting event in the library; Cohost Sam Kirkwood “serves” dol-lops of paint to would-be parent artists.

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PAC NEWSStaff members Charletta McDonald and Sam Kirkwood Jr.

hosted the Parent Advisory Council’s (PAC) first Paint and Sip Party. It was well attended and the parents had a great time. This was a free event for parents and adults held in the school library on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 11. Snacks, beverages, and paint materials were all provided.

news briefs

1744 West Pryor AvenueChicago, Illinois 60643Dr. Femi Skanes - PrincipalMr. Daniel Buys - Assistant PrincipalMs. Kai Erquhart - Assistant PrincipalMrs. Lakeya Poston - Assistant Principal

EMPEHI News is a student publication of Morgan Park High School whose goal is to inform the student body as to school news, as well as local, national, and world issues. The views expressed in the editorials are not necessarily those of Morgan Park High School. The views in col-umns, reviews and commentaries are those only of the writers.

morgan parkhigh school

2019-2020 EMPEHI News Staff

Reporters (2nd period) Arjuan Bester, Terrell Boyce, Olivia Brown, Heavyn Burgs, Sharda Burke, Maquayle Chamberlain, Brandon, Clare, Keyasia Coleman, Timothy Johnson, Darriea Jackson, Jasmine Lockett, Terrence McMillon, Shaylin Morgan, Iyana Mosley, Chasity Noble, Jana Pitchford, Deshawn Rivers, Phaebe Robinson, Miguel Russell, Kevin Straughter, Edward Swanson, Maurice Truss, Shamar Tucker, Heaven Williams, Napolean Williams, Leshun Wooden, and Tiara Young.

Reporters (3rd period)Maya Adams, Zaria Adams, Miranda Baggett, Carter Brown, DeAngelo Brown, B=Danielle Bruce, Jeffery Campbell, Taniyah Daniels, Kenneidra Davis, Larry Dejohnette, Donovan Dudley, Ivory Dyson, Desiree Griffin, Diamond Harlan, Rashad Hooks, Justin Jennings, Sierra Johnson, Mariah Jones, Niyema Jones, Ramse Lee, Nyha McLemore, Jayshawn Moffett, Kayla Parker, Alexis Simpson, Ahkeem Skinner, Arianna Slaughter, Jamal Summers, Brianna Taylor, Keevon Voss, Frecoyia Walker, and Ashanti Williams.

Contributing PhotographersMariyah Jenkins, My’Air Pratcher, Maxsell Silas, and Tyreese Williamson

Advisor Association Membership ProductionMr. Keith Scholastic Press Association Regional Publishing Majeske of Chicago Corporation Palos Heights, Illinois

Cluster program students engage in science discovery in fair projectsStudents of teacher Vorice Causey participated in a science fair last month, showcasing their investigation into various subjects.

Elijah Winston Eric Johnson and Cameron Davis-Watts

Kenneth Willingham Ariston Willis and Davion Walker

Marcus Jordan and Jauriah Richards Samuel Westmorland and Kamari Watkins

Cache’ Nelson and Michael Slaughter Jaylen Jones

Antuan Lawson Dave Jordan, host

SCHOOL NEWSEMPEHI News

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Diffusion group joins crowded list of dance squads

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DIFFUSION

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Students participate in some of the activities coordinated by the Student Council, including (clockwise from top) Christmas ornament-making, gingerbread house decorating, and Holiday Pajama Day. More holiday photo highlights on page 6-7.

she said. “I just think anything that gets us in a holiday spirit is good.”

Skanes added that holiday activities are important to our communities and family.

“I think the holiday activi-ties are so important because it brings people together,” the principal said. “It brings family together. It brings the school community together, but then we have to also remember that a lot of times people who are deal-ing with grief and trauma, the holidays can be hard for them, so I think it makes me keep an eye out for people who may be hav-ing a rough time, so I can try to give them a little bit of extra.”

Morgan hoped that students would participate in the holiday Spirit Week or at least show up to the winter fun fest held in the library for a fun movie day, as well as the ornament-making, gingerbread house decorating, and general Christmas party held at the end of the day.

“If students don’t want to participate in the Spirit Week, it would be nice if they’ll at least show up to the winter fun fest that I’m launching,” the sponsor said.

Music teacher Valerie McEwen was very excited for the holiday Spirit Week leading up to the winter vacation last month.

“I’m very excited about next weeks holiday themes where each day is something differ-ent you know when you wear your Christmas PJs and elf ears,” McEwen said. “I think if we’re

HOLIDAY FESTSContinued from page 1

more festive looking, it gets us in the Christmas spirit. Those kind of things I think are dope.”

McEwen knows exactly what to do because she does it big at home with family.

“I have big plans for the holiday,” she said. “Christmas is at my mom’s house this year. My family gets together. There’s about six generations of us and we all hung out at one house. This year, we’re doing a pajama party and were having breakfast instead of a traditional dinner. So Christmas actually starts at 6 a.m.; we’re going to be dressed up in PJs, and going to have breakfast and presents, then ev-erybody’s going to be free to go.”

McEwen doesn’t only think that it’s fun and happy time, she believes there’s way more importance to the holidays than we think.

“Holidays are important to me because it’s a time where family gathers and it’s a time for reflection,” she said, “and for my family, we always honor members and ancestors of ours who have gone on before us.”

Physics teacher John Ogundele would like to see more activities to make the days lead-ing up to holidays more fun and exciting.

“Maybe a play,” Ogundele said. “Plays are always good; they brings everyone together. Staff activities including competi-tions, basketball, volleyball, and basically activities that bring us all together. Food would also be

good, because that really catches peoples’ attention, like potlucks.”

Ogundele also expressed the importance of fundraisers and why we need them during the holidays.

“Fundraisers are very im-

portant, because although we are celebrating and having fun, there are some people out here who actually need help during this time and throughout the year,” he said. “So during this period of time, as people are basically

reflecting on their family, it’s also a time to think about others. It’s just not really about yourself, it’s about being able to take a look at the fortunes in which you have and being able to bless someone else with those fortunes, too.”

Mustangs take on dual enrollment challenges

Students can benefit from the current part-

nerships the school offers with local colleges and universities.

In partnership with Chi-cago City Colleges, the school offers dual credit classes in mathematics. Opportunities to take college-level courses is available through the dual enrollment program with Chicago State University, which is offered for free to students. Courses include Writing Workshop 1, Intro to Visual Arts, and U.S. History to 1877.

Those who have opted for the advanced program, in-clude seniors William Battle, Ananda Jacobs, Kennedi Culler, and Keshaunn Foster.

Battle is enrolled in U.S. History to 1877 at Chicago State University (CSU) as part of the dual enrollment program.

Taking advantage of the program was an option for Battle because his GPA met the criteria, and “it was an

easy way to get a college credit.”

The 12th grader fully under-stands the benefits of taking the

challenging course.“I think it’s a great idea to

further your education and to get knowledge of how college works,” he said.

Battle believes many should consider the dual enrollment program.

“I think it depends on your own personal schedule and what you have planned,” he said, “but if you are looking into going to college, then it would be a good idea.”

Jacobs elected to take a college-level course like Writing Workshop I, rather than take less rigorous classes her last year of high school.

“I wanted a chal-lenge my senior year, and it was a great oppor-tunity,”

Jacobs said.The high school students

are provided support to help them succeed.

“I thought it was going to be hard at first, but it seems easy,” she said. “If you don’t pass a test, they put you in a class so you can get help.”

Earning college credit now--for free--is hugely important for the senior.

“It’s a good opportunity to earn college credits and get them knocked out right now Please turn to page 5 for

DUAL ENROLLMENT

By Arianna Slaughter

While the school offers a variety of

dance teams including pom-poms, cheer, and Emeralds (which will soon be reborn as the once-popular Majestics), a new dance team has been added to the roster.

Diffusion Dance Team, also known as DDT, has been formed by two juniors, both of whom have prior experience in dancing, which inspired them to start the group.

“I have been dancing since I was 6 or 7, and Toney [Oquinn] has been danc-ing all his life, as well,” said Ahreyeh Beasley, the co-cap-tain of new team. “We have a lot to offer and bring to the dancers on our team. Me and Toney came up with the idea of starting a team because we are both passionate about dancing.”

Not only did the two 11th graders want their own team, they wanted to be able to bring people out of their comfort zone. They want to teach other students to be as good as them, if not better than them.

“We helped each other start the team,” Oquinn said. “We came up with the unique name, which was also a hard part. [We came up with] the dances, the days we practice, and our mission statement,” Oquinn said. “As far as that, goes…ev-erything was done by us.”

Oquinn and Beasley stood independent in the making of team; they were self-motivated to do this.

“Leading our own team is something both of us wanted to build up to our careers in dancing after we gradu-

04 SCHOOL NEWSEMPEHI News

If the Senate fails to convict after the trial is completed, the president is still considered impeached but is not removed, as was the case with both former presidents Bill Clinton in 1998 and Andrew Johnson in 1868. Aside from Trump, only Clinton and Johnson have been impeached and no U.S. presi-dent has ever been forced out of office.

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By Jamal Summersand Niyema Jones

Students and staff appear to have mixed feelings

about the legalization of mari-juana in Illinois which became law last week.

Illinois is now the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana for adult use. Consumers—those who are at least 21-years-old—were able to buy pot from licensed retailers on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

However, the principal, Dr. Femi Skanes, thinks legaliza-tion of recreational marijuana is something she just doesn’t support.

“I think this is a really hard topic just because I’m cautious,” Skanes said. “Not to offend people, but I personally am not a fan of marijuana becoming legal. I think that adults are entitled to do what adults choose to do with their personal life, but what I find to be happening many young people are modeling what adults are doing, so the prob-lem with young people using marijuana is that your brain is not fully developed until the age of 25. If you’re doing some-thing—whether its marijuana or drinking [alcohol]—that stops your brain development, and it’s going to be a problem. I can’t say that recreational marijuana will necessarily affect the school any differently because I think that it is going to impact the entire country.”

Film and Senior Seminar teacher Fredrick Johnson has mixed feelings on how it will af-fect the school and his students.

“I don’t want to assume my

students might…indulge in it,” Johnson said.

Senior Ramse Lee thinks that some will abuse the law.

“A lot of people are going to be coming in [to school] high and smelling like weed, thinking that since weed is legalized, that it’s going to be okay,” Lee said.

Senior Caleel Davis also believes that legalized weed will impact teens.

“I think the new weed law will affect the MPHS atmo-sphere because people will think since its legal they can just do it and everyone is going to be com-ing to school high,” Davis said, “but that can have people more calmer and less drama because everyone is gonna be cooling.”

Junior Lakia Johnson thinks that legalization may impact stu-dents in a less than positive way.

“It will affect the school because students are going to be acting slow, or stupid, sleeping and not on-task,” Johnson said.

Freshman Kyle Hudson thinks that the law will hurt some academically.

“I think some kids will come in a little dumber,” Hudson said. “I think the students would be more tempted to do dumb stuff if they were high, like pulling the fire alarm to disrupt the school.”

However, art teacher Wil-liam Schmidt is supportive of the lifting of marijuana prohibition.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Schmidt said. “Marijuana should be legal for everyone without the age restriction law. So many kids are doing it now, and I don’t really have a prob-lem with it, as long as you can keep it controlled and you’re not coming to school so high that

you can’t function. I realize that it helps a lot of kids who are going through stuff to stay calm, a lot of people with anxiety issues, a lot of people with depression; [in those cases] the drug is a good thing. But the problem comes when people start to use it in a habitual way, where they have to be high all the time—that’s when it becomes a problem.”

Assistant principal Daniel Buys is skeptical about how the law could affect the school.

“I certainly think it has the potential to impact things,” Buys said. “The idea of recreational marijuana will…make it more available.”

Senior Cory Puckett doesn’t think there will be much of a change among teen use.

“This law will not affect the school because people are going to smoke marijuana, regardless,”

Puckett said.School security guard

Dwyane Marshall is confident that the law will not impact the school much.

“Some of our kids already do marijuana and they can’t go to the dispensary to get the drug themselves,” Marshall said.

Senior Jaziya Bryant is sup-portive of having what is already pretty common practice, because now marijuana use can now come out of the shadows.

“I feel like it would affect the atmosphere but not in any bad way, because if it’s accepted into society, then maybe people would not have to sneak and do it and dodge around the rules,” Bryant said.

Sophomore Mikali Buffing-ton thinks the new law will draw some students in to experiment.

“Some students already

smoke, but I feel more people will be tempted to try the drug,” Buffington said.

Things won’t change much for teens, some say

Freshman Cordell Wil-liams does not think the law will change much regarding teen behavior.

“I don’t think so, because…kids are still going to break the law,” Williams said, “so I don’t really think it’s really going to affect the school because students do the drug now.”

Junior Kevin Warren also thinks young people will be more open about its usage.

“I think the kids will come [to school] under the drugs influ-ence, and it will show in their

While recreational marijuana now legal for adults in Illinois, opinion varies as to impact

No, it’s not the sales counter at the Apple Store, but a screenshot of the Yelp page of Dispensary 33 (5001 N. Clark Street), a marijuana dispensary for both medical and recreational consum-ers. One Yelper estimated the line of customers at the shop on Jan. 1 at 5 a.m. was around 250, about three blocks long. (Source: Yelp)

By Chasity Noble and Miguel Russell

While President Don-ald Trump has been

embroiled in controversy since even before he was elected in 2016, serious issues have only escalated to the point where he may become the third president in United States history to actually be impeached—although no U.S. president has ever been removed from office through impeachment.

The U.S. House of Repre-sentatives approved two articles

of impeachment against the president -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- in an historic vote earlier last month. Trump now faces a trial in the U.S. Senate and potential removal from office.

If the Senate fails to con-vict after the trial is completed, the president is still considered impeached but is not removed, as was the case with both former presidents Bill Clinton in 1998 and Andrew Johnson in 1868. Aside from Trump, only Clinton and Johnson have been impeached

and no U.S. president has ever been forced out of office.

Richard Nixon was the only president in U.S. history to resign from office — do-ing so on Aug. 9, 1974, due to the Watergate scandal — but he was not, as is often stated, impeached by the House of Representatives.

Why is the president ac-

Impeachment, controversy leads many students to hope for Trump’s ouster

Please turn to page 8 for

STUDENTS SAY NO MORE TRUMP

Please turn to page 7 for

LEGAL WEED

SCHOOL NEWSEMPEHI News

05J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

By Kevin Straughterand Jasmine Lockett

The owner of a local convenience mart,

which opened a year ago, is hoped to be an inspirational model for students.

TP Convenience Mart (11203 S. Vincennes) was opened by Teesha Weatherall in February 2019. Weatherall actually owns two stores and is thinking about expanding in hopes to motivating young teens to push their dreams.

“My businesses/brand [Total Perfections LLC] is unique because, outside of just selling snacks, I hope to be an inspiration to the students while encouraging them to get good grades, dream big, set goals, and execute them,” she said. “My goal is to station a TP Convenience Mart near every CPS high school with high hopes of motivating teens, all while selling a full line of snacks and creating a safe space for them to stop in and shop at.”

Weatherall’s other store is located across from Percy Ju-lian High School at 1256 1/2 W. 103rd St. which, has been opened for three years now.

Dr. Femi Skanes, the

principal, thinks Weatherall’s story will help set an example for students and how they can learn to set goals and succeed.

“A black woman is em-powered with owning her own business, and when I met with her, she seemed very passionate about encouraging students to strive for better,” the principal said. “I like working with people who like helping my kids. Even though she is about her money and business, she always wants to give back to students and help them set high goals and achieve them.”

Dr. Skanes thinks this young lady could help Mustang students, adding she has future hopes and plans to work with Weatherall.

“I love the fact that she wants to empower the students and she isn’t just here for her own profit,” Skanes said. “I have had a conversation with her about planning scholarship programs and different events to just show students anything is possible and achievable.”

Junior Tyra Spears enjoys going to the shop after school to get a quick snack before practice.

“As soon as school gets out, I try to go over there and grab me some nachos with a juice,” Spears said. “Sometimes they’re packed

and I have to wait outside, so I rush trying to get over there.”

Student customers like a lot of what the mart offers.

“I like going there because she serves jerk chicken nachos for $3.50, and I can grab a dollar drink,” junior Brianna Smith said. “I always go in and buy what I like to call a ‘nacho meal.’ I get a big bag of Doritos with jerk chicken, nacho cheese, and peppers, with a Clear water juice.”

Weatherall agreed, saying that she think the store has a

major attraction on the teens be-cause of their flavorful speciality.

“The thing that makes us a bit different, in regard to other stores, is our signature jerk chicken nachos and our daily-made lemonade,” Weatherall said. “Outside of the traditional lem-onade, we also sell blue raspberry and strawberry lemonade. Also, not only do we sell jerk chicken nachos, but we have ground beef nachos, as well.”

Senior Jeffery Campbell also likes the variety.

“They are closer to the

By Mariq Taylor

Students tend to have mixed feelings when it

comes to making connections with teachers and staff. Some teachers feel a connection strengthens their instruction, while some students would rather have no relationship at all.

Senior Deshawn Rivers feels as though his connec-tion with a few teachers in the school is really robust.

“My current connec-tion to the staff is very broad, moderate,” Rivers said. “I don’t really talk to all of the staff. Some of my teachers are un-derstanding, and I’m actually able to talk to them. And the staff members in the library, I love going to the library because they have good con-nections, good things to say all the time. That’s my con-nection with certain people around the school.”

He also believes what

specifically connects him to those teachers are their guidance to lead students to become a better person.

“Just their personality, their thoughtful thoughts, and the time and patience they sit here to teach and build me to become a better person,” he said.

He also believes the key to being successful in life, is to have a bond with your fellow teachers.

“Yes, because students and staff are the main important part of the school,” he said. “If you don’t connect with the staff, then you won’t be able to connect with anything else, you wouldn’t be able to be successful. This is be-cause they build you to be better. They’re adults, we’re teens; we’re trying to get there. We need somebody to have that push, to push us to the top.”

College Possible senior coach Casey Krause said that there’s a lot of trust that forms a bond between her and students.

“I feel connected to my students because there is a lot of

trust that goes into the college application process,” Krause said. “Between filing FAFSA, writing personal statements and letters of circumstance, students often have to be very vulnerable with me. In some cases, I can relate to what my students are experiencing and connect with them in that regard. Other times, I can’t relate, and in those cases I do my best to listen and allow students to share their story as they’ve experienced it. Either way, my students often place a lot of trust in me and I try my best to reciprocate that and be.”

She says what specifi-cally forms this connection is that she understands what students go through as they are completing their senior year of high school.

“Like many of the students I work with, I didn’t

Local entrepreneur hopes to inspire

Some say having connection to teachers is valuable bond

TP Convenience Mart owner Teesha Weatherall (inset) owns two local shops with plans to expand her brand.

school and serve pizza, nachos, snacks, and juices,” Campbell said.

One problem some com-plain about has to do with the shop’s popularity.

“Once we get out of school it be all 50 kids over there trying to buy stuff and sometimes we have to wait outside,” junior Desiree Grif-fin said. “If they had more room they could have more space for people to actually fit in the store and more room to have more selection of food.”

Please turn to page 7 for

BONDING

while you’re still in high school,” Jacobs said.

Culler opted to take Writers Workshop I at CSU.

Earn-ing valuable college credit in the free program is the main reason for Culler

taking part in the program.“I wanted to get the college

experience and college credits,” the senior said.

Getting a taste of post-secondary demands is another practical reason Culler has for taking on the challenge.

“I think it’s gives you the op-portunity to know what you can handle or cannot handle instead of going into college not know-ing,” she said.

More students should take advantage of the dual enrollment program, Culler said.

“I would advise them to go,” she said, “because they can see what college is like and get a glimpse of it instead of going in blindfolded.”

Foster is taking Writing

DUAL ENROLLMENTContinued from page 3

Workshop I at CSU and is glad he did.

“I think it is a re-ally nice college experience for me to take the

class,” he said, “and doing this would test me to see if I’m ready for college or see what level I was at. It’s a good experience.”

Taking a college-level class in high school is very beneficial, Foster added.

“I think it’s a great opportu-nity everyone should take advan-tage of, because a dual enrollment [course] gives you the opportunity to get a jump start in college while you’re in high school,” he said, “so if you do that right now, you’re pretty much ahead of everyone who didn’t do the program.”

But don’t think that just because these are high school students taking college classes that they’ll get a break from the professors.

“If you not [putting in the effort] here or taking AP classes, you shouldn’t even attempt it,” Foster said.

06 FEATURE SPREADEMPEHI NewsJ A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

The Music Dept. held two separate winter concerts in Blackwelder Hall back in December. The band concert, featured songs performed by the Academic Center band, jazz band, concert band, and beginning band, directed by Ms. Nash, while the chorale concert featured performances by the beginning choir, advanced choir, gospel choir, and was directed by Mr. Knight and Ms. McEwen.

have a ton of support through the college process,” she said. “My family was in support of me going to college, but my father never fin-ished school and my mom worked too much to really help me through the process. My junior and senior years of high school I didn’t really understand how or why people went to college, and went through the process pretty blindly.

“I remember how daunting and over-whelming this process can feel, and understand the confusion and hesitancies that students may feel throughout their senior year. However, I also recognize that in many ways, I have a very different background from many of my students. I’m not originally from Chicago, I didn’t grow up in a large city and I’m not a person of color, so I can’t always connect to my students in these ways. However, I don’t necessarily believe that just because people have different experiences, it means they can’t connect to one another.”

Krause also explained how a connection between staff and students is a necessity to be efficient in building each other.

“I believe that any time you work with stu-dents, it needs to be a two-way street, rather than one person teaching the other,” she said. “Working with students is a very social and emotional job, it shouldn’t just be transactional. Students and staff should feel connected to one another in order to effectively learn from and support each other. Understanding and sharing your students’ experiences and backgrounds definitely helps, but I don’t think it’s the only piece to the puzzle. As long as there’s mutual trust, respect and a willingness to listen to one another between staff and students, there will be that connection that’s so important.

Senior Niara Fleming is another student that feels connected to staff as well.

“I would say I’m close with a few,” she said.Fleming also believes teachers have more

to offer than just simple instructions.“Specifically, they understand my humor

and stress and are helpful,” she said.Likewise, she believes that students and

staff should form a bond to cope with school’s ups-and-downs.

“They help relieve stress and make you feel less intimidated and/or overwhelmed in school,” she said.

GearUp College and Career coach Ca-mille Holmes is adamant about her students’ post-secondary plan, and says that is what con-nects her to her students, as well.

“I am connected to students as the Gea-rUp College and Career coach, working with juniors and seniors,” Holmes said. “My role is to support students in developing their plans after high school and connect them to the steps and opportunities they can take to attain their goals.”

Holmes further claims her expectations of her students and how she can assist them drives the link they share between them.

“What connects me to students is know-ing students can succeed in their academic, career, and life pursuits, and doing what I can to assist them in developing, implementing and attaining their goals,” she said.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) world literature teacher Carletha Becton voiced her fondness of her students, and believes she has a strong bond with her students.

“I love seniors!” she said. “The maturity, the willingness to improve, the excitement about completing this next milestone and moving on to a bright future...it’s always a bittersweet experience to see them go. I think I have a strong rapport and connection with most of my students which is built upon mutual respect.“

Becton said the connection between she and her students goes deeper than just school, as she sees their similarities in character as well.

“I see myself in my students,” the Lindblom College Prep graduate said. “I understand their

BONDINGContinued from page 5

Empehi Holiday Highlights

Band & Chorus Concerts

Christmas Spirit WeekPep Rally Takeover

FEATURE SPREADEMPEHI News

07J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

have a ton of support through the college process,” she said. “My family was in support of me going to college, but my father never fin-ished school and my mom worked too much to really help me through the process. My junior and senior years of high school I didn’t really understand how or why people went to college, and went through the process pretty blindly.

“I remember how daunting and over-whelming this process can feel, and understand the confusion and hesitancies that students may feel throughout their senior year. However, I also recognize that in many ways, I have a very different background from many of my students. I’m not originally from Chicago, I didn’t grow up in a large city and I’m not a person of color, so I can’t always connect to my students in these ways. However, I don’t necessarily believe that just because people have different experiences, it means they can’t connect to one another.”

Krause also explained how a connection between staff and students is a necessity to be efficient in building each other.

“I believe that any time you work with stu-dents, it needs to be a two-way street, rather than one person teaching the other,” she said. “Working with students is a very social and emotional job, it shouldn’t just be transactional. Students and staff should feel connected to one another in order to effectively learn from and support each other. Understanding and sharing your students’ experiences and backgrounds definitely helps, but I don’t think it’s the only piece to the puzzle. As long as there’s mutual trust, respect and a willingness to listen to one another between staff and students, there will be that connection that’s so important.

Senior Niara Fleming is another student that feels connected to staff as well.

“I would say I’m close with a few,” she said.Fleming also believes teachers have more

to offer than just simple instructions.“Specifically, they understand my humor

and stress and are helpful,” she said.Likewise, she believes that students and

staff should form a bond to cope with school’s ups-and-downs.

“They help relieve stress and make you feel less intimidated and/or overwhelmed in school,” she said.

GearUp College and Career coach Ca-mille Holmes is adamant about her students’ post-secondary plan, and says that is what con-nects her to her students, as well.

“I am connected to students as the Gea-rUp College and Career coach, working with juniors and seniors,” Holmes said. “My role is to support students in developing their plans after high school and connect them to the steps and opportunities they can take to attain their goals.”

Holmes further claims her expectations of her students and how she can assist them drives the link they share between them.

“What connects me to students is know-ing students can succeed in their academic, career, and life pursuits, and doing what I can to assist them in developing, implementing and attaining their goals,” she said.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) world literature teacher Carletha Becton voiced her fondness of her students, and believes she has a strong bond with her students.

“I love seniors!” she said. “The maturity, the willingness to improve, the excitement about completing this next milestone and moving on to a bright future...it’s always a bittersweet experience to see them go. I think I have a strong rapport and connection with most of my students which is built upon mutual respect.“

Becton said the connection between she and her students goes deeper than just school, as she sees their similarities in character as well.

“I see myself in my students,” the Lindblom College Prep graduate said. “I understand their

frustrations. I treat them like young adults.I re-spect them and expect the same. I think we are connected through shared cultural experiences.”

Becton advises to other teachers to get their students to meet their criteria for success, they have to see that you want them to meet it.

“I believe instruction is more effective when there is a connection,” Becton said. “If students know you genuinely want them to be great, and you genuinely care about them, they will not only work to be successful, they will work to meet your expectations.”

Senior Precious Pendleton is content with her relationship with teachers.

“My connection to a staff member is on okay terms,” Pendleton said.

She feels like her connection staff mem-bers specifically deals with their ability to empathize.

“I feel connected to the staff because they can understand things I go through and can relate,” she said.

While Pendleton is in favor of need-ing connections between staff and students,

BONDINGContinued from page 5

work throughout the day,” War-ren said.

CPS prohibition remainsDr. Skanes can’t counter new

rules but will follow protocol.“Policies and rules are not

necessarily set at schools, they are set by the district,” Dr. Skanes said. “Chicago Public Schools may consider having something where they respond to having recreational mari-juana, but it’s already listed in the student book of conduct, so I don’t necessarily see much changing because the legal age limit is 21 and is unacceptable in schools.”

Buffington agreed.“The majority of the rules

about smoking will stay the same,” Buffington said, “because it already has a zero tolerance in school.”

Dr. Skanes does not antici-pate changing the protocol that the school follows for students.

“Right now, if a student is suspected or known to be under the influence of any type of drug and substance, the parent is noti-fied,” she said. “If it’s something and we can’t get ahold of the parent we are obligated to notify 911 and they are transmitted to the hospital.”

Marshall will follow his protocol that is in place when it comes to dealing with high school students.

“[Security] would send [of-fending students] to the dean, then the dean and the principal would determine what will be the consequences behind it,” Marshall said.

However, if more students do the drug before school, Puck-ett believes new policy could be instituted.

“[Officials] would probably put people in in-school, or have them stand outside to air out,”

Puckett said.CPS has, however, made an

effort to make it clear that even those who can legally use the drug can’t as it relates to work. According to a CPS memo to employees sent via email on Dec. 19, marijuana is strictly against board policy.

“Under CPS policy, any distribution,

pos-session, or consumption of

alcohol and drugs on CPS property is prohibited,” the memo states. “Employees may also be subject to reasonable suspicion testing if their manager believes they are under the influ-ence of drugs or alcohol while on CPS property, and we will be providing guidelines to manag-ers and employees in the coming weeks. Special accommodations will not be made for employees with prescriptions for medical cannabis.” 

Cannabis sales soar on Day 1

Thirty-seven dispensaries sold weed Wednesday in Illinois, including nine in Chicago. Beginning in mid-2020, Illinois will grant additional licenses to dozens of new stores, processors, cultivators and transporters.

According to reports, cus-

tomers spent almost $3.2 million on legal weed in Illinois on the first day of recreational marijuana sales, making this the strongest sale day of any state in the his-tory of pot legalization.

Up to 295 stores could be in operation in Illinois by 2022, according to Marijuana Business Daily. Buyers able to legally pos-sess 30 grams, or about an ounce, of cannabis flower, according to

IllinoisPolicy.org, an inde-pendent organization that examines public

policy. The legal limit for canna-bis concentrate is five grams, and the limit for cannabis-infused products, such as edibles or tinc-tures, is 500 milligrams of THC, the chemical that gets users high. Illinois visitors will be allowed to possess half of those amounts.

While use and purchase is limited to adults, those who can buy can’t use it just anywhere at anytime. In fact, according to Illinois Policy, any person, busi-ness, or landlord can prohibit use on private property. Illinois col-leges and universities will also be allowed to ban marijuana use.

However, it will be legal to smoke in one’s own home and on-site in some cannabis-related businesses.

Weed limitationsFurthermore, use is prohibited: • in any public place, such as streets or parks;

• in any motor vehicle;• on school grounds, with the exception of medical users;• near someone under the age of 21;• near an on-duty school bus driver, police officer, fire-fighter or corrections officer.

Buying legal week is expensive, as purchases of can-

nabis flower or products with less than 35 percent THC are slapped with a 10 percent sales tax. Cannabis-infused products such as edibles come with a 20 percent tax. Products with a THC concentration higher than 35 percent come with a 25 percent tax. Illinois mu-nicipalities and counties will be able to levy additional local sales taxes.

The new law is also ret-roactively helping those who were previously arrested for minor marijuana-related drug offenses. Those convicted for possession of under 30 grams of marijuana prior to legaliza-tion would have their records referred to the state’s Prisoner Review Board and then to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for a pardon – as long as those convictions were not associated with a violent crime. If the governor grants the pardon, the Illinois attorney general would then seek expungement.

LEGAL WEEDContinued from page 4

While it will still be illegal to light up marijuana in public or in a vehicle, the city of Chicago is reducing the penalties for

illegal pot possession. The penalty for a first-time offense would go from $250 to $50, and the fine for subsequent violations would go from $500 to $100. Chicago police no longer will impound a

person’s car if there is a small amount of marijuana inside, but police could still seize vehicles if they’re being used to illegally buy or sell marijuana.

she doesn’t think it should be forced without consent.

“They should, but it’s up to the student or staff to make that happen,” Pendleton said.

Senior Chasity Noble is one student who said she lacks a connection with teachers be-cause she doesn’t think it’s important.

“I don’t have a connection with the staff, because I believe staff and students shouldn’t have connections,” Noble said. “It’s okay for a student to check in with a teacher, but a con-nection is unnecessary.”

Noble ultimately concluded that students do not need a bond with staff to learn in school.

“Staff members are here to do their job, not to have a connection with students and students are at school to learn,” Noble said.

Senior Asia Dillion feels like she is con-nected, because they’re always ready to help.

“I feel connected to certain staff because they express concern and advertise advice,” Dillion said.

Dillion suggested that, at the very least, the students should receive some kind of posi-

tive morale from staff.“Students and staff should at least feel sup-

port from staff and encouragement,” she said. “They should feel encouraged, because school can put more pressure on certain individuals, so that can make a difference in someone’s day.”

Senior Iyania Golliday indicated that she shares connections with few staff members.

“I have about two staff members who I can say I am closely connected to,” she said.

Similar to Rivers, Golliday also is gratified with the time that teachers and staff devote to their students.

“Specifically, the patience a staff mem-ber exerts and their attitude makes me feel a greater connection,” Golliday said.

Golliday also signifies the importance of having a connection between staff and students and how that affects the school community.

“Staff and students should feel a connec-tion between each other because that is what causes a positive and comforting environment,” she said. “It makes students more eager to learn and better suited to learn.”

08 FEATURESEMPEHI News

Some say common values important to relationshipsJ A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

By Darriea Jackson and J’ana Pitchford

Students and staff mem-bers shared their opin-

ions and personal values about relationships.

Being in a relationship means that you and another person your partner or significant other are fully committed to one another.

There are certain features that are important according to junior Jamee West.

“I really look for trust, honesty, and communication,” West said. “Without that in a relationship, nine times out of 10 the relation-ship will go wrong and won’t last.”

Senior Ashanti Wil-liams would like to get a better understanding of conversations between her and her partner.

“I like to talk things out and get a better understanding of things,” Williams said.

Security guard Dwayne Marshall, who is married, enjoys his relationship with his wife. He loves and cherishes her a lot.

“It feels so great to be in love—it’s pretty hard to describe it,” Marshall said. “We do a lot of family things together.”

Marshall said he has a very strong bond with his wife.

“My favorite thing is that she loves me and I love her,” he said. “We love each other, she’s a beautiful woman. She is my best friend.”

Marshall described what he most importantly shares with her.

“I value time, kids, and trust, because the trust is there, Mar-shall said.

Another security guard, Marcus Muhammad, is very

committed to one-on-one love with a woman and values her very much.

“As you develop compan-ionship, then loyalty comes and trust comes, but you have to be compatible to really enjoy it,” Muhammad said. “She has to feel me and I have to feel her, then we can grow.”

Muhammad also has a list of things that he looks foward to in a female.

When you look at the fe-male that’s the second self of me and she’s the first teacher because the first one that taught you was your mother,” Muhammad said. “When you have the female, she can teach you a lot as a male—if you’re on a straight path as a male. As men, we want to be the head, but we play the tail. I really enjoy the female [relationship] because there is no greater help. She my best help, but my best agitator too.”

Muhammad said a real rela-tionship takes effort to cultivate.

“We compromise because it’s two people coming in to try to join as one,” he said, “and when you’re struggling as two people, it comes with the mind—it’s a feeling that has to be developed, meaning she has to see my point of view, I gotta see her point of view. It isn’t if I’m right or she right, it’s what’s right.”

Physical education teacher Michael DiBenedetto feels that you can’t make a relationship decision solely by appearance.

“You really gotta pick the right person from the beginning,” Dibenedetto said. “You can’t go by looks it has to be the whole package.”

In a relationship, it takes

for you to be mature and at a right age for you to be ready. DiBenedetto feels that his nieces and daughters should not be in a relationship at their age.

“They are too young right now, but it is important to have relationships,” he said. “When my kids are in high school, I think that they should have a relationship to practice for the real thing. They’re going to expe-rience heartbreak eventually, but not right now.”

Senior Kenniedra Davis also feels that you should be at a right age to be in a relationship.

“I would not want my sister to be in a relationship, because

there are people out here who are very heartless,” Davis said. “She is a very sensitive person and she is way too young for a heartbreak.”

Davis noted that there are certain important characteristics to a real a relationship.

“I value love, trust, loyalty, and honesty the most, she said.

The senior offered some advice for guys who want more than just a hook-up.

“Stay loyal and don’t be with a girl you don’t want to be with,” she said. “You should become her friend so you can build a bond. If she has a problem with you, hear her out and make sure you find every way to fix that problem. That

cused of abusing his power?According to CNN, “Trump

is accused of withholding $400 million in military aid and the prospect of an Oval Office visit from new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to coerce him into announcing an investi-gation into Democrat Joe Biden and his son Hunter’s business dealings in the country.”

Despite all of the appar-ent negativity surrounding the president, 49 percent of Ameri-cans surveyed—according to a Hill-HarrisX poll released on Dec. 20—said they approve of the president’s job performance, up from 46 percent from the previous Dec. 8-9 poll.

That said, many students are of the opinion that even if Trump isn’t removed from office, he won’t win reelection this coming fall.

“I don’t think he has a high chance of being re-elected be-cause the Democrats are already against him, and many Repub-licans are turning their backs on him and his ways of leadership,” senior Iyania Golliday said.

Many believe he has been irresponsible and has caused un-necessary drama. Most recently, Trump ordered the drone attack and killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, whom military leaders have reportedly described as responsible for a series of rocket attacks that had culminated in the death of an American contractor two days earlier.

Trump has also made alleg-edly racist remarks towards dif-ferent nationalities and routinely tweeted various controversial comments.

“I do believe Trump will be impeached because of the mass train of hate he’s gathered upon himself,” senior Mariq Taylor said. “In my literature classes, I have analyzed his tweets, I’m aware of the arbitrary bomb-ings he’s done on other weaker countries. And I am also aware that he has made truly racist, and controversial comments about multiple subjects. That, for me, is more than enough reason for him to be impeached.”

According to another The

New York Times report, Trump uses Twitter as a political tool to often praise himself or attack other. Data shows that around 1,159 times, Donald Trump has tweeted about “immigration and his border walls.” He inappropri-ately uses Twitter to even cause tension between the U.S. and other countries which has lead to almost war, especially with North Korea and Kim Jong Un.

“I don’t think Trump will get impeached,” junior Jalen Elms said. “For one, we are already nearing the end of his term in the first place, and if he did get impeached, that would look bad on his political party—Republi-cans—which currently takes up most of the seats in our govern-ment system.”

Trump has gone ahead to build a separation barrier with Mexico that will run along the international border; already, billions have been spent on a wall that 60 percent of Americans polled by Gallup last winter op-pose significant new construction on border walls.

“I don’t think Trump has improved the United States at all, if anything he’s tarnished what we stand for, our hospital-ity, and the freedom we provide,” Golliday said. “Even going as far to threaten to build a wall so Mexico and the U.S remain divided. His bombings are just the icing on the cake.”

Another student, junior Xia Parchment, doesn’t see a second term for Trump.

“Over the course of his term, most of his decisions have been very controversial, and start un-wanted conflict between nations,” Parchmen said. “Trump, during his term, made the economy better, but overall made the interconti-nental state of the country worse.”

During Trump’s election, he has come off as a very racist and lying individual, which has rubbed many people the wrong way. From his comments of Mexican and even black people, to him even want to build a border to keep immigrants out of the United States.

“Honestly I’m not very po-

litical, but Trump has constantly been doings thing on social media that I feel a president shouldn’t do,” mother Audrey Cook said. “During his [presi-dency], I feel it’s been very cha-otic with all the things he’s been doing wrong instead of right. I feel he won’t get re-elected due to him having so much bad press about him since he’s been in office.”

Many people have a problem with Donald Trump especially the less affluent communities. Due to trump retweeting white supremacist comments, prom-ising to increase the rate of stop-and-frisk in poor black communities, and falsely con-necting immigrants to crimes. Trump also has threatened to end Obamacare which was made to help lower income people be able to afford health care.

“I would not feel a way if Don-ald Trump was re-elected,” senior Jacory Edwards said. “He doesn’t do anything that would help benefit my life nor the lower class, espe-cially the black community.”

is how you build off one another. This goes for a girls, as well.”

While most say trust is the foundation of a relationship, oth-ers, like senior Tyrah Smith, say bending the rules can be okay.

“I feel like if you do decide to cheat, don’t get caught,” Smith said. “If your boyfriend, girl-friend, or whoever find out would be mad and that is when they take you back and cheat on you.”

Senior Leshun Wooden also feels like if you cheat you shouldn’t get caught.

“I feel like if you cheat, it’s going to be a cheating competi-tion between you and your little move,” Wooden said.

STUDENTS SAY NO MORE TRUMPContinued from page 4

Students encouraged to take Advanced Placement classes

Please turn to page 9 for

AP CHALLENGE

By Olivia Brown and Heaven Burgs

Take a class that’s harder than a regular

class? Are you crazy!and yet that’s what so many students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses says but indeed there are many benefits.

The school offers many challenging courses, including AP Psychology, AP Language and Composition, AP Lit-erature and Composition, AP Biology, AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, AP Human Geography, AP Studio Art, and AP Com-puter Science Principles.

Students develop college level academic skills since AP classes are more difficult than standard classes.

“Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses, so stu-dents gain the experience of col-lege level instruction or college level content,” testing coordina-tor Gerald Moore said. “Students develop college-level readiness and college credits, as well.”

But it’s not exactly easy to get the credit. According to the Princeton Review website, colleges are generally looking for a 4 (“well-qualified”) or 5 (“extremely quali-fied”) on the AP exam, but some may grant credit for a 3 (“quali-fied”). These scores mean you

have proven yourself capable of doing the work in an introduc-tory-level college course.

And once a student earns a 3 or better on a given AP exam, different colleges offer different types of credit, the test-taking tutoring website explains.

“A college’s AP credit policy will lay out the mini-mum score to earn credit for a given exam, the amount of credit awarded, and how credits are applied,” the Review states. “At some colleges, AP scores transfer directly to credit

FEATURESEMPEHI News

09J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

ate,” Beasley said. “We went to Ms. McDonald to help us get it started.”

The school organization coordinator, Charletta McDonald, played a big role behind the scenes.

“I coordinate existing pro-grams and new programs that students would like to have or that teachers would like to have in the building,” McDonald said.

McDonald’s role was to handle getting everything ap-proved and making sure they were in agreement with the rules to starting a group at school.

“The hardest part of getting the team together was getting them a sponsor, and making sure they un-derstood the sponsor’s role, which is to basically coach,” McDonald said.

The coordinator was more than happy to help them get the dance group off the ground.

“I think my position here and helping students form their own team is an awesome position,” Mc-Donald said. “That means students can be as creative or imaginative as they would like and be able to cre-ate their own programs at Morgan Park High School.”

There have been some chal-lenges, Oquinn acknowledged.

“The hardest one was with our first show,” the junior said. “We only had a day to teach dances, figure out what we were wearing, and mainly making sure our girls were prepared to snap

for their very first show.” Most people have learned

about Diffusion through social media, posters and emails.

“I found out about Diffusion through posters throughout the school,” said Serena Thompson, a junior. “I joined the team because I’m not in any sports or anything, so, I felt like it would be fun to be a part of the team.”

Thompson has enjoyed the experience.

“My first performance was fun,” she said. “It was a good experience for me, since I’ve never performed anything at my school. We had a lot of pressure prepar-ing last minute, but I enjoyed it.”

Diffusion wants to stand out from the various dance and spirit squads.

“Our team stands out from other teams, because it’s a group of kids who are coming together for a positive reason,” Beasley said. “We all want to make a name for ourselves by ourselves.”

This is how the unique name comes into play: A group made by teens, for teens with different styles and personalities.

“The definition of the name ‘Diffusion’ is the spreading of something more widely,” Oquinn said, “which fit us perfectly, because we want our team to be [well-known]. We plan to grow bigger and have competitions and more outside of school.”

DIFFUSIONContinued from page 3

hours. At others, your exam scores allow you to “place out” of certain course requirements, even if they do not give you actual college credits. For example, Brown Uni-versity doesn’t accept AP scores for course credit but will allow students to place into upper-level classes with their scores.

AP classes are worth it for many different reasons. Students become prepared for college and their future, according to the principal, Dr. Femi Skanes.

“I do believe it is worth it,” Dr. Skanes said. “It is an advantage to students, because here at Morgan Park, we want to make sure they get the education they need based on a different level, not even [just] for college, but for any career that they want in the future.”

There are also many students that are up for this challenge and have taken AP classes, like 17-year-old senior Maurice Truss.

“It benefits my education by giving me a more challenging course to take to strengthen my brain,” Truss said. “Also, it looks good on my transcripts.”

These courses have value mainly because of the educa-tional preparation they provide, according to AP biology teacher John Ogundele.

“I most definitely think AP classes are worth it,” Ogundele said. “The reason why is because

they are college-level courses in which students get ready for college-level material. Although you’re in high school, the ulti-mate goal is to be able to prepare for either college or a career. So if you’re in a college course now, then you’ll know the rigor for college, and you’ll be prepared when the time comes. Also, you can earn college credit.”

But for some, like 17-year-old Napoleon Williams, AP ma-terial is provided at a more rapid pace, which can be difficult.

“I didn’t like it at all because with AP, you move kinda fast, so I really kind didn’t like it,” Wil-liams said.

So how do International Baccalaureate Diploma Pro-gramme (IBDP) and AP classes differ?

“There’s not much of a big difference,” Dr. Skanes said, “because they both are rigorous, but with AP classes, you can take time and decide which classes you want to take. You pick them one-by-one. With DP, there is more of a sequence of what classes you can take.”

But the way the program can save you money is perhaps of most value, according to AP studio teacher William Schmidt.

“You save a little bit of mon-ey because…every class in college costs you money,” Schmidt said

But when leading a class it gets a little difficult, the art teacher said.

“Some students do not take full advantage and it makes it difficult to be an AP teacher,” Schmidt said. “A few of my stu-dents are just placed without re-ally wanting to be there and that’s unfortunate, because it makes me look bad as a teacher because those students don’t want to put the effort needed for that class.”

That said, Williams claims the classes are difficult because of the speed that the material is taught.

“AP classes are fast,” Wil-liams said, “but regular classes you get more help than you would get in AP cause AP classes are college credit.”

In fact, very few students actually earn college credit. Out of 190 total number of exams given in Spring 2019, 142 earned a 1, nine exams got a 2, and exams got a 3, showing that only 2 percent of the AP tests taken earned actual college credit. No students achieved a 4 or 5--the two highest scores.

The art teacher puts most of the blame towards the students.

“Not too many students un-derstand the true value of already having some credits [for college] and they don’t put forth their best effort,” Schmidt said.

AP CHALLENGEContinued from page 8

By Shamar Tucker

Tattoos have been around for a long time

its a form of art that allows a individual to express them-selves in ways unlike others. Even though tattoos haven’t historically been deemed as the holiest thing in the world, it doesn’t stop people from getting them and expressing themselves freely.

Many like how tattoos look and on them and argue that tattoos are a form of art.

“I just wanted one be-cause I liked how they look on a person,” junior Anyla Tucker said, “and I thought it was a creative thing and I like to draw, I like art, and tattoos are a part of art.”

Others appreciate the sym-bolism that inking presents.

“What inspired me was the meaning behind my tat-toos,” senior Edward Swanson said. “All of my tattoos have deep meanings.”

Tattoos are permanent forms of body art that belong to a multitude of different cul-tures all over the world. Tat-toos date back to thousands

of years ago. The oldest evidence of human tattoos is believed to be from between 3370 BC and 3100 BC.

Another reason for people get tatted is that they want others to see who they are as a person from an outside point of view.

“I feel like tattoos are interest-ing imprints on your body for re-minders that you can’t really think about,” senior Kiara Reese said.

Music can also inspire people to get tats.

Although tattoos are a form of art and self-expression, some see them as devilish or a sin The Bible states in Leviticus 19:28,

“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”

Senior Shaylin Morgan has a lot of tattoos with dif-ferent meanings to them.

“The snake was inspired by a song, my bird was being free from everything, my Chi-nese symbol means change, my flower is just pretty, I got my momma’s name on my back with a mermaid, and I got a Egyptian lady that Please turn to page 10 for

TATTED

Getting tatted no longer taboo for many

Students Shaylin Morgan and Anyla Tucker’s tats.

By Heaven Williamsand Terrence McMillon

Teenagers today prob-ably don’t know what

a real date is, as most have a different definition what go-ing on a date really means.

“A date is when you go somewhere with another person and it’s just y’all two and y’all do something fun or romantic,” senior Moniece Page said.

If you’ve been talking to your partner long enough, then you’d probably expect how she or he would act on the date.

“I would want my partner to act calm and respectful on the date, because not everyone wants a person that’s loud and aggravating on a date,” sopho-more Camiyah Richardson said. “That’s really a turn-off.”

When going out on a date, or on your first date, it can be scary. You can be nervous and shy.

“I would probably crack a joke to make the date not as stuffy or to make the person I’m on a date with less shy” civics teacher Erica Hamilton said. “I am not shy in person, so I would make the person I’m on a date with feel a little bit more comfortable…so they would be less shy.”

People take different

approaches when it comes to getting ready for a date.

“I take a shower, make sure I’m looking real spiffy, you know have to spray some of that cologne, make sure my breath’s not kick-ing,” senior Caron Patterson said.

When on a date, you should always have what you want to talk about set in your mind. Women often don’t like small talk; they want to engage in conversations that make them seem interested or that makes them want to talk more.

“My conversation starter would have to be asking a female what their interests are and what they like to do most,” said Demetrius Mcgee, who is currently single.

When going on a first date, some people tend to dress casually and appropriately.

“I would wear some khaki pants, a button-up shirt, and some nice shoes,” Patterson said. “I wouldn’t want to wear something too dressy but it all depends on where we’re going.”

Some women may think it’s cheap for a man not to take them out on dates and others understand that all men don’t have money like that.

“I say it’s not cheap because sometimes you don’t have the money for it, and sometimes it’s best just to chill with a person,” Page said.

Teens talk dating

10 FEATURESEMPEHI NewsJ A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

By Maquayle Chamberlain and Sharda Burke

Who doesn’t like to sit in front of a TV for hours

and hours? Apparently, most of America does.

According to Geek.com, the top binge-watched show appears to be HBO’s “Game Of Thrones.” According to their survey, other shows include “Law and Order,” “NCIS,” “This Is Us,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and even the old 90’s show “Friends.” In Illinois, the most-watched show is that same, “Game Of Thrones.”

On a more local level, stu-dents and staff generally say that “Power” is their top show, includ-ing senior Timothy Johnson.

“I just love action a lot of action and power,” Johnson said. “I just love like the stories they make with the love stories and the action with it.”

Apparently weekly binge-watching is a thing.

“During the week, I’ll say I watch about 3 to 5 hours,” Johnson said. “With ‘Power’ I watched like six episodes straight, so that’s about six hours.”

Binging is kind of a personal thing.

“With a TV series, some-times I like to watch myself because people like spoiling it for me, because they watch it ahead

of time,” Johnson said.“Grey’s Anatomy” is senior

football manager Lauren Robin-son’s fav show, along with “The Walking Dead.”

The reason for the binging is because every episode leaves you wanting more.

“They keep you wanting to keep going and watching it,” Robinson said. “It will be something good…and then least expected thing will happen.”

One binge-watcher likes to watch a Netflix series about a fallen angel who has become dis-satisfied with his throne in hell so he goes to LA and becomes a detective--yes, really.

“Right now, it’s ‘Lucifer’ because he is hilarious,” said GearUp’s Fredrica Beard. “[I watch about] two hours everyday or about three episodes.”

She typically doesn’t want any distraction.

“I prefer watching it by myself, because I don’t like inter-ruptions and talking during my show,” Beard said.

Like many, Netflix is the most used network because the programs are pre-recorded and you can watch them anytime.

Some like to binge-watch shows that aren’t currently on air, such as gaming teacher John Genell.

“I have binge-watched ‘Breaking Bad,’ which is the best

TV show ever made,” Genell said. “Anyone who has ever watched this show knows how it is a really terrific TV show—it is very well-written, well-done, and well-acted.”

Some like to watch alone, Genell said he enjoys the com-pany of others.

“It’s more fun watching it with other people,” Genell said.

By Leshun Wooden

So usually the term “peer pressure” is used when

people are talking about be-haviors that are not considered socially acceptable or desirable, such as experimentation with alcohol or drugs. The term “peer pressure” is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, according to Very-well Mind, which is an online resource that provides guidance to improve mental health.

Peer pressure is an inevi-table thing in today’s society, especially in the lives of teens. Teens are usually the most easy to influence, that’s why peer pressure is so strong.

Some, like senior Ty-cari Finley, are familiar with these influences and is able to recognize it.

“Peer pressure is so strong in the life of a teen because we are the most easily influenced,” Finley said. “We have things like music, social media, etc… These things make us want to be like everyone who is cool, and do everything that is cool.”

Young people are sus-ceptible to influence early on in their life, according to the LovetoKnow website.

“When children start school, their parents begin to lose the influ-ence they once had,” a report on the website states. “By the teenage years, peers are the most influential group as teenagers navigate finding an identity and figuring out the roles that they play. Unfortunately, teenag-ers who choose the wrong peer groups can find themselves getting into a lot of trouble.”

Senior Darriea Jackson sees peer pressure as something almost impossible.

“It is so hard to avoid because everyone wants to be somebody,” Jackson said. “By this I mean everyone wants to be popular and cool. We don’t know how to be our own person, our generation is a bunch of follow-ers. Also, we lack independence, we lack the ability to say no.”

Teenagers always want to be the coolest person. They don’t care how they get there, as long as they do. Teenagers will even become followers in order to achieve coolness.

They have no sense of independence. Teens, like senior Shontrail Key, agree that teens lack independence, and free will.

“To me free will means the ability to think and act on your,” Key said. “Free will is basically independence. Many teenag-ers don’t know what free will is.

They have been followers all their lives and it’s sad honestly. I pray for my generation everyday so that we may be better, so we may do right by ourselves. Everyone wants to be like the next man, no one wants to do their own thing.”

Many are influenced directly by peer pressure, but some have to deal with the aftermath, including Key.

“It affects the people around me because they go through everything I go through with me,” Key said. “It makes their role tougher because I am being pressured into doing something which I am not used to. Their job is to make sure I am on my square at all times.”

Positive peer pressure is when someone’s peers influence them to do something positive or growth building. Some agree, including senior, Adam Miller.

“I actually believe peer pres-

sure can bring positivity in some cases,” said Adam Miller, a senior. “When we think about things like good friends pressuring someone to do their work or something related to that. Also your parents may pressure you into making the right decisions, even when they don’t seem like the right decisions. My mom influences me to make the right decisions everyday, even when I don’t realize it.”

Jackson believes that peer pressure can lead to a number of things which eventually leads to other things.

“It can lead to teen depression, high stress levels, negative behavior issues, and poor decision-making and outcomes,” she said.

Carolyn Scott, a therapist, for Urban Balance, explains the ways in which peer pressure might be taking place.

“That’s a great question,” Ur-

ban Balance therapist Carolyn Scott said. When trying to identify when someone is being peer pressured, you must look at the signs. By signs I don’t mean street signs, I am talking about various side effects. These side effects may include things like; behaviour changes, attempting to try new things, the feeling of not fitting in with other crowds, and how they perform at school.”

Peer pressure can be a life changing experience. It has the ability to change how you act forever, according to therapist Margo Lewis, who works for Urban Chicago, an organization that helps teens.

“You actually have a million different people and organizations which would be more than happy to help,” Lew-is said. “We, Urban Chicago, are a non-profit organization in Chicago which helps teens and college students with urban and cultural life. We have numer-ous therapists and counselors who value their job. We put you guys first. Us, Urban Chicago, would like to eventually help teens around the world who have situations which have or will affect their life. We don’t do it for the paycheck, but for the well being of our future.”

means power,” Morgan said.Tucker wanted a tattoo

that relate to her personality. “The history behind my

tattoo is my zodiac sign,” she said. “A leo is the best zodiac sign and I wanted something related to me for my first tat-too.”

Swanson got a tattoo that represents someone he loves and wants to remember.

“The history is people in my family who have been loyal to me and deceased people that I really love,” Swanson said.

Although some believe that the process in getting a tat can be painful, Tucker’s wasn’t.

“A tattoo doesn’t really hurt,” she said. “My first time I got one I was kind of scared because I thought it would really hurt, but it didn’t, it just felt like a big scratch.”

Swanson had a similar experience.

“Getting a tattoo doesn’t really hurt, but it stings, but it doesn’t really hurt,” he said, “un-less it’s in some place [sensitive on the body] which will make it hurt a lot.”

Morgan said that she actu-ally enjoys the feeling of the tat-too machine.

“Getting a tattoo feels so good to me,” she said. “I almost went to sleep on my back because

it feels real relaxing.”Tucker expects to have

more tattoos soon.“I plan to have a whole

sleeve of tattoos on my right arm,” she said.

Swanson has big plans, too.

“I plan to…finish my sleeve, and I plan to get a chest tattoo by the end of senior year,” he said.

Morgan is close to hav-ing her collection of body art complete—probably.

“I’m going to get two more tattoos, then I’m done,” she said, “but I’m probably lying—I might end up going crazy again.”

TATTEDContinued from page 9

English teacher Vera Wil-liams is another binger.

“I was binge-watching ‘Orange is the New Black,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’” Wil-liams said. “They’re full of drama, action, and violence—just like I like it.”

With binge-watching, there are various streaming services

available, as well as regular cable channels that run series marathons.

“I use a lot of Netflix…BET, I like Lifetime, I like TLC, I like FX, too, and I even watch Na-tional Geographic,” Williams said.

She has mixed feeling on rather to watch it with someone

The strong can resist peer pressure

Binge watching is becoming fav American pastime

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MARATHON TV

SPORTS NEWSEMPEHI News

11J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

By Kenneidra Davisand Larry Dejohnette

Most people like who they are that they

don’t want to go any further with that. Most people like who they are, and don’t feel the need to change the type of personality.

Although many people have a change in their person-ality most is trying to express how they feel with expressing their emotions, like senior student Sierra Johnson.

“One thing I would im-prove about my personality is my ability of expressing emo-tions,” Johnson said, “because a lot of people tell me that I can be nonchalant or having a hard time showing that I care, but really I do.”

Many people want to improve their personality by starting to listen to others and starting to hear how they feel, such as opinions, like senior student Miranda Baggett.

“I’m going to start being real with people and start listening because I’m not understanding, which means I don’t listen to anything others have to say if it doesn’t benefit

me,” Baggett said.Although many people want

to improve their personality for personal benefit, but for other people, too.

“I’m improving my person-ality because it’s really bad, and my attitude pushes people away which breaks away friendships, relationships, etc.,” Baggett said. “Most people think that I’m nonchalant, which is true some-times, because I have my days when I want to care and I have days when I don’t care. Its just i don’t have time to put up with other; I’m impatient.”

Senior Ivory Dyson also plans to make a change.

“One thing I would improve on my personality is to be more upbeat and not nonchalant and care about more things,” Dyson said. “Most people feel as if I don’t care for them, but in reality, I do. It’s just I don’t show it. With me being nonchalant, I really don’t care what others think of me, because at the end of the day, I’m going to be me.”

Junior Nyha McLemore said she hopes to control her person-ality better.

“I would change my being so bipolar,” she said, “because

one minute I’ll be happy, and the next minute I’m mad, and don’t want anyone to talk to me. I feel this is a bad thing because it’s not a good look on me and others will view me differently when they see me I’m always mad.”

One staff member hopes that she will be able to change how she overthinks things.

“When I overthink things, I tend to either get in my feel-ings and get worried,” atten-dance office clerk Lauran Smith said. “I’m making this change because it increases anxiety, and I don’t need to have all of that because with that being against me it then leads to stress which can also lead to heart problems and maybe death.”

A senior student said he’ll change his smart mouth because it often gets him in trouble and it also pushes his friends away.

“I know sometimes I can’t control it, and it affects people sometimes,” senior Donovan Dudley said. “In order for me to make this change, I have to be more calm and when things go left I have to remain calm.”

By Shaylin Morganand Iyana Mosley

Did you have a good Christmas this year?

What about those around you? Were you a jolly Who-ville or a naggy Grinch?

Most students were in a good mood when they were looking forward to the holiday season just before school let out in December.

“This Christmas I am in good spirits because of the things I am planning to do this Christmas with my family,” senior Mercedes Johnson said.

Other students were pre-paring for the big day by buying gifts and doing good deeds.

”Preparing myself for the holiday season is basically getting my gifts together and also being respectful and get-ting my grades in order so I can get everything that I want for Christmas,” senior Desiree Parks said

Some were planning to be a generous Whoville.

“I feeI I am definitely a bigger gift receiver except for this year,” senior Rakaiiya Harris “It’s my first Christmas

since I’m back from Texas, and I want to make sure I give gifts to my parents and all of my friends.”

Senior Tatiana Hardiman agreed.

”This Christmas, I plan on buying all of my friends pres-ents,” Hardiman said, “so prob-ably a lot of cosmetic things.”

For some Christmas isn’t just about gifts or materialistic things. They actually enjoy spending time with their loved ones and bonding together.

“I enjoy Christmas because my family doesn’t make it all about gifts,” senior Desiree Parks said. “We spend quality time with each other on that day that can be from eating to playing games and having a sleepover.”

Some said Christmas is a good holiday in general and one everyone should enjoy because of the good memories the holiday can bring.

”My favorite Christmas mem-ory is when my daddy came home a brought me a motor scooter for Christmas,” senior Rakaiiya Harris said. “He cleared the snow off the sidewalk and I put all of my outside gear and rode my scooter back fourth on that little pathway he made for me.”

For others, Christmas isn’t

their favorite time of year and they aren’t very jolly or cheerful.

”I’m not giving out pres-ents because this year, I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit,” senior Dasani Martinez said.

Most can agree that a grin-ch is a person who goes against cheerful Christmas joys.

“In my opinion the word grinch means someone that doesn’t enjoy Christmas because of her or his past experiences of the holiday,” Martinez said. “It could be someone who doesn’t like any other holidays, and not just Christmas.”

Some defined a Whoville as being a person in good Christmas spirits and ready to do Christmas tasks like deco-rating, eating, presents, and spending time with family.

“I’m going to guess that it means someone who enjoys the holiday more than other people,” senior Jaziiya Bryant said.

But it can be kind of costly to be a Whoville.

“Most people are not in the Christmas spirit because of all the money they have to spend,” senior Mercedes Johnson said.

“Coming out the East, I’m gone have to go with the Bucks, because you just can’t stop the Greek freak,” English teacher Gerald Winston said. “And coming out the West, I’m going to roll the dice and take the Rockets. James Harden can’t be stopped, the team as a whole has great defense, and Westbrook himself makes plays.”

The Miami Heat (25-10), a team that has been making im-provements quietly over the past few years ever since they lost the Big Three: Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and Lebron James, back

in 2014. The Heat are now No. 3 in the East, making it happen with Kendrick Nunn averaging 16.5 points per game, Jimmy Butler who previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018-2019 season, Meyers Leno-ard at power forward, and Bam Adebayo at center position.

“The Miami Heat made the most progress; they’re doing they thing right now,” senior Mustang basketball player Adam Miller said. “My boy Kendrick Nunn from Simeon, he a buck doing his thing out there. They putting it together out there on the court.”

FANS FAVOR LAKERSContinued from page 12

else or alone.“I prefer to sometimes watch

it by myself, sometimes I might prefer to watch it with someone because people can sometimes ir-ritate your show by talking when you’re listening,” she said.

Some people binge-watch because they can relate to the show, like senior student Bran-

MARATHON TVContinued from page 12

don Clare.“I’m going to say ‘Baby

Daddy,’ because it’s actually entertaining and it’s more of a comedy show and I can actu-ally relate to a lot of it,” Clare said, “I can see my life turn into something like that, but not exactly like that, that’s why I watch it.”

Were you a Grinch or Whoville over the holidays?

Some plan for change for the new year

By Keevon Voss

The school year has been in session for about four

months now and it has gone by differently for many students. Whether it is going good or bad, seniors students are finding the best ways to end their high school years the right way.

Deja Troope who is striv-ing to stay focused for her final year tells what keeps her going through school.

“Well, myself and a few friends,” said Troope. “Just be-cause when they see me down or stressed about grades, they push me to work harder.”

Kenneidra Davis who is motivated for her last year tells what keeps her going.

“What motivates me in school is having my teacher push me and be on me about being a successful student, letting me know how much my life will mean to me after high school and how to be great,” Davis said.

Troope also told what demo-tivates her and has an unpopular suggestion for the school to maintain positive throughout the rest of the school year.

“No windows...it sounds funny, but I’m very serious,” Troope said. “I hate that it always looks dead like we are in prison, where’s the natural sunlight? More windows, please!”

Davis also shared what demo-tivates her during school as well.

“What demotivates me mostly about high school is the drama that goes around the

school year,” Davis said.Most students get motivated

from their friends or other stu-dents, just like Troope, and also Terrence McMillon.

“Everything that’s not my friends demotivates me, that’s includ-ing the teachers, school and home-work, guards etc,” McMillon said.

Since many seniors are eager to finish the end of the school year, their drive has to be some-what ranked from 1-10. Caron Patterson ranked his motivation high for very specific reasons.

“It was at about a 4 because the school year is so long and you get a little demotivated hav-ing an abundance of school and homework, but now it’s at an 8 because I’m focused and ready to graduate,” Patterson said.

Patterson also wants to give thanks to the teachers who kept and is currently keeping him on the right path in high school.

“Teachers like Mr. Kerr and Ms. Hamilton are what kept my drive to graduate high,” Patterson said. “I can go to them for advice or even just to chill for a while and that’s a nice gesture from them, especially with senior year being so hectic.”

Troope also feels the same about the teachers who keep her focused, because it can be hard to motivate yourself all the time.

“I appreciate the teachers who want me to do better and the ones who I can go to for help,” she said. “That means a lot, because they have so many students to worry about and to take their time out to focus on me is very generous.”

Seniors seek to stay motivated

12 sports newsEMPEHI News

Lady Mustangs hope to rebound in standings with ‘togetherness’

J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0

By Maurice Trustand Ar’juan Bester

It seems as if the Los Angeles Lakers (28-7,

as of Jan. 5) is the favored team to be the top team in the NBA and win the 2020 championship, according to many basketball fans.

You have the Lakers dominating the league with a very frightening line-up. You got Lebron James the No. 1 player in the league running point guard, Kentavi-ous Caldwell-Pope who was named a McDonald’s All-American as one of the top high school basketball players in the Class of 2011 running shooting guard.

Then there’s Danny Green at the three who debuted for the Lakers on October 22, 2019, where he led the team with 28 points in 32 minutes on 10-of-14 field goal makes and 7-of-9 three point makes in a 112–102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

His 28 points are the

most points in a debut in fran-chise history, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabaar’s record of 27 points.

You got Anthony Davis, AKA The Brow, who was the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, at the power forward position, and finally JaVale Mc-Gee who was selected 18th over-all by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 draft playing center.

“Right now, on paper, I would probably go with the Lakers,” said James Fitzgerald, history teacher and sports fanatic. “I think AD is coming into his zone he’s finally got a team he re-ally wants to play for and Lebron just seems to be aging backwards. I think they got a good amount of the right role players and ev-erybody is playing their position the way they should.”

The Lakers have made tremendous improvements over the past few years, coming out of a slump of not making the play-offs for six years straight, now ranking No. 2 in the entire NBA league. The Eastern Conference’s Milwaukee Bucks currently en-

joys a 32-5 record, earning them a .865 winning percentage, which is a little better than the Lakers’ .800.

The Lakers last made the playoffs in 2013, when they lost the Western Conference first round. They’ve been in the play-offs a total of 49 times in their 59 seasons. Also, with them winning their last championship in 2010, it seems as if it has given the team the drive they need to be champions this year in 2020.

The Bucks have proven to be an real problem for the Lakers in the playoffs. Before losing to the Dallas Mavericks (22-13) in a close game of 120-116, the Bucks went on an 18-game win-ning streak, sending a dominant message to the league saying that they are coming for the cham-pion title of 2020.

With Milwaukee winning their last championship way, way back in 1971, they came to play hard ball.

“The Milwaukee Bucks, with Giannis--a tremendous athlete--has a great supporting cast with him; they play as a team and

have an effective defense,” said Earnest Ratcliffe, the varsity baseball coach. “I’m picking the Bucks out the East, and the Lakers--just off the talented squad they have.”

The Chicago Bulls’ (13-23) performance has just been terrible; they are nowhere com-pared to the 1992-1993 Bulls. Chicago has not made it to the NBA playoffs since 2017, and have not won a championship since 1998—over two decades ago.

“I think the worst team right now is probably the Chicago Bulls, and I think a lot of it has to deal with the coaching,” Fitzgerald said. “I think they have a lot of talent that’s being misused. All of a sudden now they are a three-point shooting team that can’t shoot three point-ers. I think the whole philosophy that Boylen has is tired; he’s more suited to be a high school coach than an NBA coach.”

Other fans agree with Mil-wakuee coming out the East but opinions vary on who’s coming out of the West. Some people

want to see the Rockets come out on top over the Lak-ers. With James Harden’s hot offense teaming up with Westbrook’s playmaking, the fans are looking forward to a dynamic show.

The team has valuable players to contribute to their success, with Eric Gordon at the three, averaging 16.6 points per game, and PJ Tucker at power forward get-ting buckets in the paint, and Clint Capela at the center po-sition averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.

Fans foresee Lakers return to NBA championship glory

By Ivory Dyson III and Jayshawn Moffett

Although you may not think of the Lady

Mustangs as a contender for an Illinois Class 3A state title, doesn’t mean that they consider themselves as one.

It’s been tough for the team to get their footing, with their longest winning streak sitting at three (Gwendolyn Brooks, 56-37; Crete-Monee, 62-60; and South Shore, 58-26). The ladies then slide into a four-game losing streak against Nazareth Academy, Simeon, Kenwood, and Thornton. Most recently, they were defeated by Thornton, 42-40 on Dec. 28.

The Lady Mustangs are sit-ting at a 7-9 record (as of Jan. 5). Not really an ideal record for a team that is trying to make a run at the IHSA championship, but the team believes in itself, even after a brutal loss to arch rival

Simeon, 74-39. “Togetherness,” assistant

coach Devonte “Bullet” Jackson said. “If you’re not for team, then you’re against team.”

The Lady Mustangs don’t appear to care what others think; they just continue to work.

“At the end of the day we are all sisters and we are a family,” senior center Jada Duckett said. “We learned to block out all outside noise by [just] focusing on the game and each other.”

The ladies should be okay though; they have a very good coaching staff, including a multi-sport coach Jackson. He is the head coach for the junior var-sity football team, and the wide receiver coach for the varsity football team.

“He’s a great coach,” said Deshun Britten, senior wide receiver. “He’s going to push you hard, no matter who you are…he loves effort.”

The team is constantly push-

ing each other to get better. “Not only does the team

puts a lot of pressure on me, but the coaches do too,” said Kapri Williams, junior point guard.

There is a totally different mindset this year from last year.

“They didn’t work hard last year to be honest,” Williams said. “People were missing practice, practice was not taken serious…no one was putting in work out-side of practice.”

The mighty Lady Mustangs added another piece to their already loaded front court. They have successfully paired the Miami commit, Jada Duckett, with transfer Ja’Zaria Wise. Wise is a 6’-2” junior forward, who was forced to sit out the first couple of games due to eligibility rules.

“It took me so long to make my debut as a Mustang because I was ineligible as far as tran-scripts,” Wise said. “So I had to sit out a couple of games to get everything official and done the

right way.”Duckett is the star on the

team and everyone knows it. “She’s the leader, she is the

on that the team looks to when they are in need of a push,” said Camron Fulton, junior quarterback for the varsity football team. “She’s the one who needs to put up the crazy numbers if they want to win. She’s capable of putting up 20 [points] and 10 [rebounds] every night.”

Even if others outside the school doesn’t believe in he team, the students here do.

“I think they can win state, city, all the tournaments,” said Leashun Wooden, a senior.

For some, the passion for playing basketball started off about proving people wrong, but it appears that it now has turned into a pear love for the game.

“When I was younger I used to try to prove to everyone

that I could be better than the boys,” Williams said, “but now I just play because I love to play.”

Even though the season hasn’t started off like they might have thought it would have the teams goal hasn’t changed.

“We started off bumpy, so what we know what we need to do to win,” Duckett said.

Being a Mustang isn’t easy, it isn’t for everyone.

“My first game as a Mustang was very nerve-wracking, consid-ering the fact that I transferred,” Wise said. “So this is everyone’s first look of how I play and the style of my presence as a Mus-tang. I didn’t do so hot, reasoning being because I was very nervous, but as time passed, I’ve gotten a lot better at opening up to being

on the team.”

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FANS FAVORLAKERS