steinmetz star · steinmetz star volume 76, number 5, february - march 2011 prizes awarded for...

Steinmetz StarVolume 76, Number 5, February - March 2011

Prizes awarded for perfect attendance

Area science fair winners go to city competition

Shorter daynext year

By Damian JanuchowskiSophomore Astrid Varges’s project is

“The Effect of living cancer cells tested with daidzein and curcumin.”

“I picked the topic because I thought it would be helpful for the people who have cancer and don’t know what to do to get better,” Astrid said. “So these phyto chemicals were tested to see if they have a positive effect.”

Saul Zamora’s project is “Monster

versus 5 Hour Energy.”“I tested energy drinks, measuring heart

beats, and determined which drank gave the most energy,” Saul said.

“The science fair was boring, but cool to meet new people and see a lot of other smart people. I did this project because I like energy drinks. They help me stay awake during school.”

Freshman Araceli Mojica project is “How salts affect seed germination.”

By Aracely VenturaDr. Eunice Madon, princi-

pal, and other staff congratu-lated more than 150 students who acheived perfect at-tendance with an award cer-emony and a pizza party on February 15.

The students were enter-tained in the small auditorium by two dancers, Fist Pump (Raymond Masciopinto) and Bones (Hector Gonzales).

Attendance director Re-nato Roldan raffled off many prizes, including a CD player

Continued on Page Two Dr. Madon congratulates Jennifer Jimenez and Alfonso Cervantes, who won TVs in the raffle.

2011 - 2012 Bell Schedule

“The reason I picked this project is it related how sodium chloride affects germination of seeds and the environment,” Araceli said.

“Going to regionals was a scary, but fun experience.”

Sophomores Astrid Vargas, Saul Zamora and freshman Araceli Mojica

2 Steinmetz Star February - March 2011

Principal’s MessageSteinmetzAcademicCentre3030 N. MobileChicago, IL 60634Tel: (773) 534-3030Fax: (773) 534-3151www.steinmetzac.comPrincipal: Dr. Eunice Madon Assistant principals: Jaime Jaramillo, Donald Mendro, Lynne NuzzoBudget director: Paul ChaseStar adviser: Sharon Schmidt

Editor-in-Chief: Adriana Pineda, Alyssa Sanchez1st & 5th period section editors:News: Zachery Pekovic, Jonathan Lopez Photo Opinion, Forum: Natalia Twardus, Nia Spencer Features: Regina Crawford, Jasmine Reese Sports: Demetrius Robinson-Stanford, Damian Januchowski

Journalism class reporters, Room 333 1st Period: Julio Baez, Jordyn Bailey, Des-tiny Carpenter, Nohemi Caudel Raygoza, Jovanna Espino, Sarai Fernandez, Michael Frackowiak, Myraneisha Gardner, Michael Hodges, Takara Johnson, Larissa Labon, Fran-ces Lopez, Michael Lublansky, Yaritza Mar-roquin, Xavier Morales, Yadira Olea, Lukasz Olszanski, Rosemary Peralta, Tetyana Pran-nychuk, Gabriela Rodriguez, Alyssa Sanchez Jasmine Sheppard, Rafael Totolxin, Xaquille Townsend, Natalie Valdez 5th Period: Grzegorz Bara, Louis Bell, Danielle Brumley, Brittany Ferguson, Sayda Figueroa, Kierre Gillespie, Michelle Mason, Jennifer Maravillas, Manuel Mejorado, Gloria Quintana, Stephen Powell, Cindy Vazquez, Cindy Yousif, Oscar Zarate

Newspaper club reporters: Jason Alvarado, Datrin Butler, Arrick Cosey, Kiara Davidson, Christina Deer, Ja’Tavian Davis, Eunice Di-mas, LaRon Gadlen, Malica Lacy, Celimar Lopez, Daniel Mendrano, Michael Newson, Stephany Robles, Saremm Saenz, Charnae Turner, Jeremy Valentin, Aracely Ventura

The Steinmetz Star welcomes submissions by all students and staff. Email us atSteinmetzStarNews @ gmail.com

Financial Aid Workshops

Complete your FAFSAwith your parent.See Ms. Jabour

for an appointment.

Thurs. March 10, 4 - 6:00 Sat., March 19, 9:00 - 1:00Mon., March 21, 4 - 6:00 Tues., April 5, 4 - 6:00

Continued from Page One

player, wooden nickels, movie passes and two flat screen TVs.

To finish it all off, the students were invited to the lunchroom for pizza, sal-ad and pop from La Villa pizzeria.

Mr. Roldan said he wasn’t surprised with the amount of kids that achieved perfect attendance.

“There are good kids in the school who love being here,” he said.

He said he’s hoping for even more students second semester. There will be another perfect attendance campaign.

Seniors need 90 percent attendance in order to attend the June graduation cer-emony. Every month the school will be

raffling prom tickets, luncheon tickets and extra seats at graduation to seniors with perfect attendance, Roldan said.

‘Be here — all day, everyday’

Renato Roldan and Laura Jimenez organized the perfect attendance celebration.

Make it in March

Be perfect fromMarch 1— March 29and get treated to a special screening of

“Louder Than a Bomb”(featuring Steinmetz)

on Thursday, March 30. Food, drinks to follow.

Lisette Madrigal, others win honors at city competitionSubmitted by Karen Craig, Band Director

Hardworking band students competed in the CPS Instrumental Solo Festival on February 26.

Senior Lissette Madrigal received an Honors Superior, which is the highest award possible. There were only three Honors Superior awarded out of hun-dreds of performing students.

Lissette just returned to school from

having surgery on her fingers, elbows, and arms. Even in such a a weak condid-tion, she pulled this off.

[See our feature on Lisette, page 13].Sophomore Tanya Madrigal received

a Superior. Junior Veronika Scott re-ceived an excellent. This was her first year competing.

They all worked extremely hard to prepare for this festival.

Celebrate perfect attendancewith an award winning movie

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February - March 2011 Steinmetz Star 3

“When I see all my friends and family having fun.”

Denzel Brown, sophomore

“When I’m around the love of my life.”

Lexus Castro, sophomore

“Tests. Getting in trouble. Thinking they called your house. First basketball game.”

Earl Billingsley, junior

“When I am about to record music and my friend is about to say some-thing like “Ooh, that’s whack!”

Daniel Saenz, freshman

“When I am next to a boy I like and when he flirts with me I get even more butterflies!”

Stephanie Garriga, junior

“When the guy I like holds me close. Also, every time the name of that special someone pops up on my phone.”

Mariana Sandoval, senior

“Alyssa gives me butterflies because she’s my wife. Even though she doesn’t give me kisses I know she will always be there for me. Baseball also gives me butterflies when I first start playing the game, but when I’m close to the end I’m more relaxed.”

Joey Cornell, senior

“Heights give me butterflies in my stomach.”

Toby Urian, security

Star Photo Opinion

“What gives you butterflies in your stomach?”

Do you have an opinion? Share it with the Star!

Respond to anything in this papaer or justtell us what’s on your mind. See Page 4.

Email us: [email protected]

Star Poetry Contest

Send us your best work by Friday, March 25.

We’ll print our favorites in April

(National Poetry Month).

BY NATALIA TWARDAS, ALYSSA SANCHEZ BY ARACELY VENTURA BY GRZEGORZ BARA

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ, A. SANCHEZBY NATALIA TWARDAS & A. SANCHEZ BY ALYSSA SANCHEZ BY ADRIANA PINEDA


Division students make great grades

Seniors: ‘Absence policy unfair, exteme’

WOW! Take a look at Division A315!1. Over 61 percent of these students passed all

of their classes.2. Forty-two percent of these sophomores earned

at least one “A” or even more:One “A”: Arely Trejo and Jalissa SpinatoTwo “A’s”: Alberto Baylon, Dariusz Kwasnik,

Furqan Muneeruddin, and Educardo RiveraThree “A’s: Victor AliceaFour “A’s”: Kevin MendozaFive “A’s”: Mayra Ocampo, Angelica Ward,

and Wendy FloresSix “A’s”: Faizan Ahmed **Straight “A’s”: Iriz Ilumin**3. Good job, Division A315! I’m proud of you!

No wonder you’re Number One! Loni Dorall, teacher

To staff and readers of the Seinmetz Star: I’m here to speak up about what many

seniors are probably already complaining about. The new 90 percent attendance pol-icy for seniors that has been implemented.

I realize the administration wants to push students to understand that attendance is a key to education. Yet it seems to me instead of facilitating our path to graduation, the administration is only finding more ways to hinder our journey across the Copernicus Center stage. It is a moment that many of us are dreaming about and in my own per-sonal opinion it seems to be bringing down the atmosphere around our class. It doesn’t seem to be as happy as it should be.

Will a lot of us have to settle for a diplo-ma, but no satisfaction of the cheers from our families?

I feel it’s unfair that this is our last year and instead of us striving to get that per-fect finish, we’re getting all these worries pushed upon us. Seniors have enough to worry about with getting our credits in order, finishing up service learning hours, filling out college applications, filing for scholarships, paying for prom, and getting our perfect senior memories without this new rule hanging over our heads like a big black cloud.

Not only that, but it is ONLY hanging

over us seniors. I also feel as if this new rule has no compassion for the seniors who just plain have bad luck. If we miss the bus during our scramble out the door every morning, there goes half a day of our attendance because of matters we cannot control. Or the 7:20 bus is full and the bus driver passes your stop, well I guess that just makes us out of luck doesn’t it? I know the response will be as I have heard from

many an adult “Take an earlier bus.”What is failed to be understood is that

sometimes these things happen and we have no control over them. It’s also ludicrous that ALL of our absences count against us even if they’re excused. As much as a lot of us would like to be, we aren’t superheroes. And even if we were, superheroes make mistakes. And now we are subjected to a punishment that is our moment in the spot-light taken away. We’re subjected to a fear that no underclassmen will have to endure until their senior year. Not only that, but a fear other CPS school seniors don’t have.

This isn’t a plea for truant students to get a free pass. It’s a plea for the seniors who work hard for our grades but know this new policy is extreme.

So, now that I have made my argument I ask my fellow seniors to speak up. I know deep down all the seniors agree to some de-gree that this policy is a little out of whack.

Veronica Rojas, senior

We aren’t superheroes. And even if we were,

superheroes make mistakes.

Star Forum

Food choicesRe.‘Vegetarian teens need food choic-

es’ by Jennifer Maravillas, Nov-Dec 2010Becoming a vegetarian isn’t the only

way to help animals, but it is a good way to start. My opinion on having more vegetarian choices: It’s a good idea! Al-though I’m not fully a vegetarian yet, I’m slowly making the transition by eating as less meat as possible.

There are many people in our school who either are or want to become vegetar-ians, but eating a meat-free lunch at our school is hard because Steinmetz hardly provides these kinds of lunches. I believe the school should help those students by providing them with healthy lunches that don’t contain meat. Just because it’s been that way forever, doesn’t mean it’s right.

Gabriela Pineda, freshman

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Raw Talents celebrates freedom, culture

India Arie, musician Rosa Parks, activistBlack History month: ‘Who do you admire?’

By Amanda GidneyBeing a natural-haired sister

I sometimes can’t find an artist or role model that understands what is going on with me and can relate to the things going on in my life.

I find that power and under-standing in the music of India Arie. She is a strong and em-powered woman of the music Industry and I love her music. I performed her song “I Am Not My Hair” last year at the talent show and the crowd loved it..

“I Am Not My Hair” (1st verse):

Little girl with the press and curl

Age eight I got a Jheri curlThirteen I got a relaxerI was a source of so much

laughterAt fifteen when it all broke offEighteen and went all natu-

ralFebruary two thousand and

twoI went and didWhat I had to doBecause it was time to

change my lifeTo become the women that I

am insideNinety-seven dreadlock all

gone I looked in the mirror For the first time and saw

that HEY....To me it just says that mak-

ing changes in my appearance to appeal to the crowd was wrong and I am able now to accept myself for me and build more self-confidence.

“The First Lady of Civil Rights”By Adriana Pineda

In honor of Black History month, the Star pays tribute to “The First Lady of Civil Rights” and “The Mother of the Freedom Movement,” Rosa Parks, the brave woman who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white passenger.

“People always thought that I didn’t give up my seat be-cause I was tired, but that isn’t true. The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” Parks stated in her autobiography, My Story.

Parks was arrested and charged for violating the Segre-gation Law of the Montgomery City Code. This action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Parks did a lot more than start a boycott. She also collab-orated with several civil rights leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., and worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peo-

ple (NAACP). She has become an important symbol and icon of the Civil Rights Movement and resistance to racial segre-gation.

Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005. However, her memo-ry will live on forever through the people she helped and through the changes she helped make.

Rosa Parks said:“Memories of our lives, of

our works, and our deeds, will continue in others.”

Malia Crosby (left) and LaRonda Gadlen (third from left) and 10 other students joined members of the Chicago Westside Branch of the NAACP to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Chicago History Museum on January 17.

“The trip helped the students connect culturally,” said sponsor Debra Kern. They participated in hands-on activities, exhibitions, and attended performances and a reenactment of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Members of Raw Talents, including Laquisha Nichols, Lake-va Duncan, Kearrica Cosey, and Nikala Kelton (with Ms. Kern), will perform Wednesday, March 2 after school to raise money for historically black colleges and universities.

Star Forum


Dedicated students in Decathlon

Speakers share gang consequences By Celimar Lopez

Saalim Williams and Vannessa Quintanilla aren’t your average people. They’re both paraplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, because of injuries from gang-related gun shots.

They spoke about their situa-tion to more than 300 students on February 16. They are speakers with the group “In My Shoes.”

Saalim explained how he and other paraplegics need to use catheters and enemas to eliminate waste. He talked about difficulties paraplegics face with bed sores and being unable to cough out mucus in their lungs. He shared how difficult it is navigating a wheel chair on crooked surfaces, in homes and on the streets.

“It’s hard on your pride,” he said. “In Chicago you’re treated like an old Doritos bag.”

Saalim’s life was great growing up. His mom was a Cook County sheriff, his dad owned two gas stations and he was a Boy Scout. But his mom got cancer and his life just got hectic. His dad had a lot of bills to pay. He lost his gas stations and money was a real problem. Saalim’s mom died when he was 12 years old.

Saalim started drug dealing to make money, then became affiliated with a gang. One day when he was 19 another gang member stole his bike. When he went to go look for it, a fight broke out and he got shot in his back. The spinal injury is permanent.

Vannessa Quintanilla is 19 years old and is also paraplegic. Vannessa’s child-hood wasn’t as good as Saalim’s. Her dad was in jail and her mom worked a lot. She got bored of school and started cutting and

missing school. She started gang banging at the age of 9. She was only 13 when she was shot.

“I felt bad for them,” sopho-more Sheyry Lopez said. “Be-cause life goes on and they have to depend on someone else all the time for the rest of their lives.”

After explaining her injury and long recovery in the hos-pital Vanessa addressed the is-sue of retaliation. She said she realized that revenge “won’t do nothing.”

“All it will do is make anoth-er mama cry,” she said.

The students who heard Van-essa and Saalim’s stories under-stood their message.

“I think it is sad that a person is shot and paralyzed for the rest of their life over a stupid choice made when younger,” sopho-more Anthony Shanks said. “I know the pain of what it is to lose something due to violence. My best friend was murdered when I was 13 years old and due to non-sense he will never go home to his family, or be able to live the rest of his life.”

Overall, Saalim and Vannessa’s life isn’t

Continued on next page

By Lillian SanghaNot only do some students do

extra homework and projects re-quired by the IB program, they study even more for the Academic Decathlon team.

“Being on the team helps you do better on tests,” senior Shawnelle Jacskon said.

Students learned new mate-rial in all subjects, focusing on the Great Depression for history.

“These students worked very hard,” club sponsor Davoud Chit-saztehrani said. “They put in many hours after school on the week-ends, and often gave up lunch.”

The decathlon team competed

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Star news

last month, but the results are still not finalized since organizers made errors on two students’ answer sheets.

The super quiz and meeting students from other schools were highlights of the competi-tion.

Left photo: Rosanna Cueto, Abigail Baylon and Jennifer Uruchima hold the trophy awarded to Lisette Garcia.Right photo: Lisette Garcia, Rosanna Cueto, Abigail Baylon, Jennifer Uruchima, Lillian Sangha, Christine Pflanz, Franciso Urista

Saalim Williams, paralyzed at age 19: “I made friends with the streets. I should have stayed away.” Vannessa Quintanilla, paralyzed at age 13: “I lost my youth. Don’t lose yours.”


Supporting ethical treatment of animals

Security guard returns after injury

Continued from previous pagewhat they hoped for. They wish they could take it all back but they’re still living life as everyone should.

Saalim is working and going to school for his GED. Vannessa got her GED and she’s working in office administration. She’s going to go to college for criminal justice. Saalim has a son (who was 9 months when he was shot) and Vannessa has a daughter who is 18 months. They’re teaching them (and their audiences) not to “make friends with the streets.”

‘In My Shoes’ speakers

Star News

By Adriana PinedaMany people don’t to understand what a dan-

gerous job our security staff have. Many think all security do is walk down the halls and tell students to put their IDs on and remove their hats and coats when they’re not suppose to have them on. Although this is true, security are sim-ply doing what they’re getting paid to do, which is enforce school rules.

However, security staff do more than just this. They deal with uncooperative individuals and respond to risky and dangerous situations. This also applies to police officials who work in our school.

Security work is not easy. It’s a job full of risks of injury and even death, depending on the situation. The primary goal of security guards is to stop criminal activity and maintain order on the premises they are in charge of securing. They must enforce regulations and provide security. For these reasons, security staff observe, protect

and report any wrong doing. That is exactly what security guard

Richie Hernandez was doing on Thurs-day, November 4, 2010, when he re-sponded to a fight in the floor.

“Two kids were beating up another kid.” Richie said.

According to Richie, the two kids start-ed running at the sight of security and he pursued them as they headed to the sec-ond floor.

“The two kids jumped from the stairs to the landing, so I did too,” he said

However, Richie didn’t land correctly Richie twisted his ankle, causing tendi-nitis. Due to the severeness of his injury, Richie had to leave Steinmetz to recover.

He was out for almost two months be-fore returning on January 3. Steinmetz is happy to have Richie back.

By Adriana PinedaPeta (People for the Ethi-

cal Treatment of Animals) is an American animal rights organiza-tion founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco in March, 1980. Over 2 million people have joined and supported Peta over the years.

Peta, and its secondary, free-for-all organization, Peta2, have focused on helping animals from all kinds of mistreatment, exploi-tation, and abuse.

“Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment, or use for our entertainment,” Peta says.

Freshmen Gabriela Pineda and Ivanna Lorenzana share their

views and opinions on animals and their support to Peta.

“I believe all animals deserve the same rights and respect as human beings, Gabriela said. “It hurts me to know animals are be-ing tested on and brutally killed for food and fur. People don’t realize that animals have feel-ings just like us. If they do, they choose to ignore that fact.”

“I’m very involved when it comes to the prevention of animal cruelty. I support Peta2 because it has given me a new perspective

on how I look at animals and their rights,” Ivanna added.Peta2 isn’t the only encouragement Gabriela and Ivanna have

when it comes to stopping animal cruelty.“My favorite lead singer, Christofer Drew from Never Shout

Never, supports Peta,” Gabriela said. Ivanna stated that her favor-ite band, Pierce The Veil, is also a strong Peta supporter.

Both Gabriela and Ivanna encourage students to join Peta and the struggle to help end animal cruelty.

“I think everyone should join Peta2 because it’s a great orga-nization. It informs the public of how unfairly society treats our animals,” Ivanna said.

“Peta2 is an awesome organization to join if you’re interested in helping animals,” Gabriela says. “They give you options on how to help make a difference. Also, its free.”

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Richie Hernandez

Freshmen Ivanna Lorenzana and Gabriela Pineda support PETA. To learn more visit Peta.org or Peta2.com.


Express yourself with music

Talent Show: February 10

By Christina Deer How does music make you feel? Does

it make you feel good, sad, happy or glad? Or does music just get you hyped or mad? Music helps people express themselves in many different ways. It’s like a therapist but in song.

Music is in the soul of everybody on earth. Even animals have their own style of music. Yes, it is hard to believe but its true. Have you ever walked outside and heard a little chirping sound that sound like a chorus? Well, if so those are birds singing. Everybody has music in their soul and has their own style of music. Music is in every living thing on earth.

Music is like an energized bunny. It keeps you moving and going through your

day. Music is life and life is music. Music is everywhere. Even aliens have their own little musical groove. No, seriously they do. All you have to do is go to outer space and see for yourself. Okay, I’m just kid-ding.

Music is what keeps people on their feet. Music is what makes me who I am. Some-times I wonder what the world would be like without music? Well, you do not want to know. Music is an everyday thing. Peo-ple everywhere listen to music. Teenagers are the main people who listen to music. Music is like an idol to some teens.

Music been around for years and years. Music has been around since Earth was created and formed. There is nothing better than the great sound of music. Nothing is

more entertaining than music. Nothing can ever replace music. It would be so impos-sible. Music makes who we are.

Did you know inside our body there is music? We’ve got the heart that makes up this smooth thumping sound. We have these thumbs that make up these hot bang-ing popping noises. Also, these feet that make this rock hard stomping sound.

Music is everywhere and is in every soul. Music is life and would always be around. Nobody can stop the making of music. Why? Because it is impossible. Some tried it but it never worked. Music will always be around and lets enjoy every minute of it. Music is life and life is music.

PHOTOS BY JOVANNA ESPINO & MICHELLE MASON


Bump that songBy Christina Deer

The Top 25 songs at Steinmetz:Chris Brown — No BS Lil Wayne — 6 Foot 7 Foot 8 Foot bunch!Cee-Lo Green — It’s okayBruno Mars — GrenadeNicki Minaj — Moment 4 LifeKhalil ft Lil Twist — Hey Lil MamaChris Brown — Yeah 3x Cee-Lo Green — Forget You Keri Hilson — Pretty Girl RockMichael Jackson ft Akon — Hold My HandWillow Smith — Whip My HairWhacka Flocka — No HandsRihannna — What’s My Name Twista ft Chris Brown — Make a MovieR. Kelly — When a Women LoveWiz Khalifah — Black and Yellow Ne-Yo — One in a Million Jazmine Sullivan — 10 SecondsRick Ross ft Styles P. — BMFChris Brown — Look at Me NowKicking Daisies — Keeping Secrets Katy Perry — FireworksKe$ha ft 30H!3 — Blah Blah Blah Keri Hilson — Breaking Point Mindless Behavior — My Girl

Talent Show: February 10

Poetry slam team performsat Louder Than a Bomb


Kid Cudi’s music: If you want to chill

“How does music inspire you?”

By Xavier Morales Everyone knew him as Mr. Day N Nite

from his freshman album Man on the Moon, but now Kid Cudi wants you to acknowledge him as Mr. Rager with his 2010 Man on the Moon 2.

His music makes you just chill.“Cudi has this ability to make extremely

melodic and catchy songs that people can easily zone to,” music critic Nathan Slavik

on http://www.djbooth.net/says.Other music that students are listening

to include Rick Ross‘s mixtape “Ashes To Ashes,” Tyga’s “Well Done” mixtape and Kanye West’s fifth album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” an improvement from 808’s and Heartbreak. So if you haven’t heard about them, you should listen to them .

“I enjoy R&B and rap. My favorite song is Drake, ‘Show Me a Good time.’ Music inspires me to do better in class. I recommend ‘Thank Me Later’ by Drake.

Joseph Reese, freshman

“I love music. It helps me express myself. Music is my life. It helps me get through my problems. I love Chris Brown and Rihanna. My Favorite radio station is 107.5.”

Tavonna Howard, freshman

“I enjoy R & B and hip hop, also old school. My favorite artists are Lloyd and Michael Jackson, also Mike Posner. My favorite song is ‘Lay Your Head Down’ by Lloyd.

Zaina President, freshman

“I like all types of music. Depending on what mood I am in I listen to certain music. My favorite radio station is 99.5.”

Kimberly Daughenbaugh

“I like blues and jazz. It helps me to calm down.”

Brad Dowling, teacher

“I enjoy hard rock alternative, also hip hop. Music motivates me to get things done and work out. I like 3-6 Mafia.

Rob Rittmeyer, teacher

Star Features

PHOTOS & INTERVIEWS BY CHRISTINA DEER


Hard drinking drama

Jasmine Maldonado: Someone you should know

By Natalie ValdezOut of so many

games around the world, Call of Duty Black Ops has been highly popu-lar among not only young individuals but adults as well. This game’s popular-ity has been proven when it broke a re-cord by selling more than 7 million copies the first 24 hours of its appearance.

This unique game takes place in Cuba during the Cold War of 1960s. The president at the time John F. Kennedy (JFK) gives players different missions to complete.

“People might think it looks and sounds easy, but you re-ally have to have skills to play it,” senior Angelica Gallardo said.

“Yes, girls can play Black Ops too,” she said.This game can be played in different modes, as single

player or multi-playersz, and online with other individuals as well.

“Its fun because when you play online with friends it makes it more interesting,” senior Richard Alegria said.

Certainly this game will make history because of its amaz-ing creativity and entertainment.

By Frances LopezOut of all the people in school, I chose to

interview senior Jasmine Maldonado. She has a fun personality and I thought others should get to know her, too.

During Jasmine’s free time she likes to go out with her friends and have fun by going to parties, shopping, movies, out to eat and laser tagging.

She even plays PS3 “Black Ops” and “Mario Brothers” on the Wii. She also likes to have time for herself and go to the gym. After all that she likes to take her naps.

Black OPS a creative game girls like, too

By Jennifer MaravillasWhat started off as another low budget reality TV show, Jersey

Shore turned into one of the most watched shows of 2009-2011. The premiere of the third season had the highest ratings out of the entire series.

Almost everyone in Steinmetz has seen it and uses the slang terms used by the cast. Some of the most used words “grenade” (an ugly girl) and “smush” (sexual intercourse) have become commonly used terms.

The show has gained so much popularity so quickly that some may wonder why and how a show all about Guidos and Guidettes has made such an impact.

“It is funny and nice because they are put in a house with all Italians and they have to live with each other but this makes them party and go wild doing stupid stuff,” senior Jesus Sanchez said. “Which makes it awesome with drama.”

Jersey Shore has mainly attracted viewers of the ages 14-25. The reason being, all of the drinking, partying, and drama.

“They be getting it ‘crackin,” senior Jasmine Sheppard said. “They be drunk. That is entertaining.”

MTV really hit the jackpot with Jersey Shore. Catch new episodes of Season 3 at 10/9c Thursday nights on MTV.

Star Features

Her favorite things to eat are french fries, enchiladas and pizza. She also likes drinking slurpees.

“I love slurpees — they make me happy,” she said.

When she grows up she wants to become a veterinarian because she likes animals and helping them out. If she could visit any place she wanted it would be Hawaii because she likes the beach and warm weather.


Working students plan for their future

Being a mother is hard, filled with happinessStar Features: Student Profiles

Angel will be one year old on March 9.

Janeli Quijano

by Sayda FigueroaWhen I first had my son Angel I couldn’t

believe a baby was coming out of me but it was true. It was hard in the beginning be-cause I was alone with only my father and my sister there to support me. My mom is in Honduras.

It was very hard for me because I was still in school so it was hard looking for a babysitter. I wasn’t just going to leave my son with anybody. I had to know them well and able to trust them.

It was also very hard waking up in the middle of the night feeding my son and changing his diaper. The next thing you know it was time for me to get up and go to school. I would barely get some rest and I had to do it all by myself.

I still kept on going to school, I didn’t stop. I didn’t change my mind about school just because I got a son. I have to give him a good future.

My son has made a big difference in my life. He is a blessing. Watching him every-day and being there with him everyday was something new and he would just get big and fat.

When my son’s father Gabriel Vasquez came back to Chicago to live with us things got a little easier because he would stay with us. He would stay with Angel while I was in school but even though I would always have this feeling. It was always me and my son.

Since he was born Angel made me into a responsible women. Now whenever I’m having a bad day or things aren’t going right my son makes me happy. I laugh with the things that he does till this day. I still can’t believe it but I have a kid now some-thing to look forward to and give a good future to now. My son has both mother and father.

He has us both and he has everything he needs. We try our best to make sure he has everything he needs. His father works.

It’s hard because I have to wake up re-ally early to take Gabriel to work, then go back home and get ready. Then I have to get my son ready to take him to the baby-sitter. After that I go to school feeling so tired. It’s hard because I don’t have time to rest because I go home, clean up then I start cooking, I do my homework. I make sure I get my school work done. Being a mother is hard. It is a challenge. You have to be ready and be prepared to be a mom. So if you ever want to have a baby think about it.

My son is a blessing, He is the one that makes me happy and always keeps me hap-py no matter what.

By Cindy VazquezSenior Janeli Quijano is a student who

works after school and has many plans for the future. She has been in Chicago since 2007 and is working hard to achieve all her goals and succeed in life.

Q: If you could, what would you change about your life?

A: I wish I lived in Mexico because my mom and brother live there. I also have all of my friends that I left there when I came to the United States. I like living in Mexico more than I do living here.

Q: What is your job like?A: I work at a Mexican restaurant and

my job is to take food orders, clean tables, mop the floor, be at the cashier and to make sure people get great service. I work on Thursdays 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays 5 to 9 p.m.

Q: Is it hard to study and work?A: It is very hard because sometimes I

have to work very late and the next day wake up early to come to school. I wish I had some time to spend with my friends but I never do. I also have to do home-work and sometimes study for tests when I get home from work and that is very hard because sometimes I feel sleepy and tired.

Q: Have your grades gone down?A: No, my grades have stayed the

same because I always try to do my school work when I am in school or sometimes I stay after school to finish. I don’t have the grades I wish I had like all A’s but they are OK. At least I am pass-ing all my classes. I would prefer to go to school than going to work because school is going to prepare me so in the future I can get a better job. Working is good too because it gets you money, but I think school is better because it can get you farther in life if you attend college.

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Lissette Madrigal plans for music career

Bryant Gutierrez deals with a serious illnessBy Yaritza Marroquin

Senior Bryant Gutier-rez is not afraid to talk about things in his life he is going through. There aren’t many students that would like to share about their health and how dif-ficult it is to suffer from a serious illness.

Bryant has missed a lot of school due to the fact he was in the hospi-tal and did not have the strength to go to school. While in the hospital, family and friends vis-ited him to comfort him and reassure him every-

him everything was going to be fine.

Q: Where do you see your-self in 10-20 years?

A: I see myself in the medi-cal field as a doctor because of my personal health issues. In the year 2010, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I want to be able to help other people with the same thing I’m going through.

Q: How does kidney disease make you feel?

A: It can be stressing, chal-lenging and dangerous be-cause you have to watch your nutrition.

Q:What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Online video games. It’s weird, but I like to plan my

schedule for my next medi-cine.

Q: Do people treat you dif-ferent than before?

A: Yeah, it’s different. In a good way though. I see more support from my family and it also changes my family’s at-titude. It can get stressful for them when it comes to figuring out what to eat or not.

Recently, things are getting better for Bryant. There has been a big improvement on his health and he is free to eat food he couldn’t before. How-ever, he still has to watch what he eats. The doctor says if he keeps this up the disease might go away. Little by little Bry-ant’s life is getting better.

Working students sacrifice much to save money

BY YARITZA MARROQUINBY YADIRA OLEA

Star Features: Student Profiles

By Yadira OleaSenior Lissette

Madrigal is a great person, very unique. She stands out without even trying just by be-ing herself.

She is small and she dyes her hair in dif-ferent shades of blues and purples. She might seem small and quiet, but she has no prob-lem speaking her mind when she needs to.

Obsession with pan-das is an every day thing. She eats, sleeps, and dreams pandas.

Q: Why do you change your hair color constantly?

A: I change it because I like to stand out

Q: When did you start your interest for music?

A: I started in fourth grade. I was the only little fourth grader playing a instrument that was bigger than me — the trumpet. I’ve been play-ing for eight years and gone to competitions.

Q: Are you in any activities that involve music right now?

A: I am in the marching band. I assist Ms. Craig. I blow on my whistle and cue the drum line when to begin playing

Q: Do you plan on pursu-ing music as a career?

A: I want to really, re-ally, really, really bad. I want to be a music teacher and teach grammar students. Till this day I go back to my el-ementary school and tutor the young ones. They remind me of myself in my struggles to learn how to play.

Q: Have you been accept-ed to any colleges with any scholarship offerings?

A: I have been offered a scholarship to Concordia University. If I accept it I will receive $7,000 per year.

Lisette is still waiting on two other schools to inform her if she is accepted. She’s not sure of where she is going at the moment, but one thing is certain, she is going to pur-sue music as a career.

Continued from the previous page

Q: Do you like working? A: I do like working because I don’t have

to be depending on my parents and when I have money I can buy anything I want. I can also help my parents with money like paying for bills. Money is very helpful be-

cause we need it for everything and we can help the people that need it.

Q: Are you saving money for college?A: I have an account in the bank but I

don’t have enough money to pay for col-lege. I will have to keep saving .

Q: What are your plans for the future?A: My plans for the future are to go to

college and get a career as a psychologist. I want to help my family. I hope I can bring my mother and brother to the United States with me. I haven’t seen them in a while and I miss them. It is very hard living away from your family especially your mother because she is supposed to be there with you and help with any problems you have.


Make fashion a part of your lifeBy Jasmine Reese

“I have to look good no matter what,” sophomore Bernette Lewis said.

At Steinmetz everyone shows their own unique style. To add some style to their uni-form shirt they choose attractive purses and shoes. Some students wear scarves, head-bands and bracelets.

Another way in showing your own style is your hair and nails. That’s one of the big-gest in the Steinmetz halls. Everyone wants to keep themselves up and look nice.

“Getting your hair and nails done is a must,” junior Brittany Robertson said.

Submitted by Coach Brad Dowling The boys basketball team experienced one of

the finest seasons in the history of the school. The team was projected to be a top team in the conference but behind preseason favorite Sch-urz.

The boys got off to a good start and never looked back. They opened up the season reach-ing the championship game in the St. Benedict Thanksgiving tourney. At the time, only team captain Pierre Baptiste had any real varsity ex-perience, which proved costly, as the talented but inexperienced team let a fourth quarter lead slip away, falling to St. Benedict in the Thanks-giving championship game.

One of the more memorable games during the season came the next week versus Jones. Jones dominated much of the game, and had a 14-point lead in the second half and was ahead by 10 points with just over three minutes to play. The Streaks scored a basket to cut the lead to eight and then called a timeout. During the

timeout, the team was instructed to put on a dif-ferent press than the one it had used the entire game. The strategy worked to perfection, as the Streaks outscored Jones 17-2 down the stretch, turning a ten-point deficit in the final three min-utes into a 67-62 victory.

The next test came during the Schurz Christ-mas tourney. The boys won their first three games without much difficulty leading to a semi-final showdown versus St. Benedict, who had previously beaten them. The Streaks were down one point at half time, but had a strong, gritty effort in the second half and avenged the earlier loss.

The victory put them in the championship game versus archrival Schurz. The Streaks, however, had only about twelve hours rest from the previous night’s victory, whereas the Sch-urz team had two full days of rest. The Streaks didn’t let that bother them in the first half as De-metrius Robinson-Stanford hit a three at the end of the half to give the Streaks a seven-point lead.

The second half was a different story, however, as the well-rested Schurz team came out strong and prevailed over the fatigued Streaks team.

The team then came back from break and rolled through the conference leading up to a televised game for the conference champi-onship between that same Schurz team. The stands were packed with hundreds of students, numerous teachers, and the band. The team trailed by six points at halftime 26-20, but be-hind the tremendous support of the crowd and band dominated the second half, leading by as many as ten points, and ultimately winning 54-49. The victory led to the team claiming the school’s third conference championship in just six seasons.

As the coach of three championship teams, I can say this was probably the least talented and least likely to win a championship. But they overcame the doubters time and again and proved they were much more than meets the

Continued on next page

Best season ever for Streaks basketball

PHOTOS BY JASMINE REESE

Star Features


Bowling team fun, exciting competition

Healthy eating + exercise = weight loss

Michelle Mason, Yajaira Quinones, Kassandra Badillo, Emily Irizarry, Takara Johnson, Charnae Turner

Continued from previous page

eye. They overcame numer-ous fourth quarter deficits to prevail over bigger teams, and have used their depth and teamwork as a key ingredient to the dominant 22-4 record [at Star press time].

The players were intent on winning 20 plus games before the end of the season. They’ve become the winningest team I’ve ever coached (previous best was the 2005-2006

Streaks, 21-8). They have surprised many

throughout the season and we’re hopeful they aren’t fin-ished yet. As a result of win-ning the conference the team has earned the right to play in one of the toughest divisions in the country next season: the Chicago Public Schools “RED” division. The same di-vision of the likes of Simeon (Derick Rose) and Farragut (Kevin Garnett).

Most wins for Streaks basketball

Demetrius Robinson-Stanford, Sammie Gage, Frank Bland

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By Takara JohnsonThe girls bowling team had

a good season. As a team we showed commitment and good attitude when it came to our games and practices.

“I like being on the girls bowling team and cheering my teammates on,” senior Michelle Mason said.

We held our games at Wave-land bowling alley and our prac-tices at Monte Clare bowling al-ley. Bowling on the Steinmetz team is a fun activity to do after school.

“Being on the girls bowling team is fun and exciting competing against other schools,” senior Yajaira Quinoes said. “I love bowl-ing with the girls and always having fun at practice.”

Coach Sergeant Frank taught us how to follow the arrows when throwing the bowling ball. Also, he told us to slow down and take our time. You don’t have to rush into it.

“I like coaching the girls,” coach Frank said. “They are good bowlers and always have their grade checks in on time. As their coach, I coach them to be better bowlers and I don’t have to worry about these intelligent young ladies. No hassles with them like with the football play-ers.”

The team cheers each other if we get a strike or a spare. Even if you didn’t get any pins at least you tried.

The Silver Streaks all have different styles like curving the

ball and putting one foot behind the other. Some turn to the side for a better chance of the ball going down the middle.

There were nine girls on the team: Lillyanne Medina,Takara Johnson, Michelle Mason,Yajaira Quinones, Kassandra Badillo, Emily Irizarry, Charnae Turner, Marye Rodriguez and Yubady Escobedo.

By Grzegorz BaraLast summer vacation I de-

cided to lose weight. I weighed 233 pounds, too much for my height, which is 5’11.

I started to eat healthy food in small amounts a few times per day. Basically I cut out chips and candies that contain a lot of calories. I also gave up fast food and sodas.

I motivated myself by watch-ing bodybuilders and figuring out what would be the best way to succeed and improve my body shape. I spent two hours per day working out and 30 minutes of running when it was about 80 -100 degrees.

To help myself burn more calories I wore my sweater which helped me to burn more calories while running. After-wards I even went to play soc-cer for two to three hours to be in better shape. That’s how

I lost 33 pounds in only one month.

Later, I took little break be-cause my body was exhausted and I even started bleeding from my nose.

As of today I attend Bally’s Total Fitness everyday. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri-days I lift weights and run. On Tuesday and Thursdays I swim. I do different exercises every-day.

I am still improving my goals. I lost about 60 pounds and I’m really happy about it. It feels great to be in better shape.

There are a lot of teenagers out there who face a problem with obesity. Approximately 19 percent of children (ages 6–11) and 17 percent of adoles-cents (ages 12–19) were over-weight in 2000, according to the USDA.


Boys and girls Streaks basketball

Conference champs!By Louis Bell & Kierre Gillespie

The boys basketball team did great this season with a record of 22-4 [at press time]. Even better than that we won conference with a 9-0 record. The Streaks won conference three years ago and now we are back again.

“This season is going very good because everybody on the varsity had their break out game,” senior Xaquille Townsend said. “When we are in prac-tice we work hard, and it shows when we play,”

Senior Demetrius Robinson-Stand-ford had an excellent game against Schurz on February 15 in a practice game to get ready for the state tourna-ment.

“I was angry and I knew the team needed a lift so I played like I play at the YMCA,” Demetrius said. “This season has been good but I know it could be better. It wasn’my best sea-son but the team is still winning.”

Going downstate

Even though everybody contributed to all of the wins, the top scoring averages for the sea-son were Pierre Baptist with 12.2 points per game (ppg), Sammie Gage 11.4 ppg, Frank Bland 10.3 ppg and Armond Minniefield with 5.8.

By Alyssa SanchezAriel Johnson is going downstate on March 3.She will compete against the other top 33 girls in the state in a

3-point shoot out, an individual competition where players shoot 15 balls in 45 seconds to make as many 3-point shots as they can.

Ariel qualified for the state competition after advancing in four previous competitions, held at Maine East and Maine South high schools, where she scored 8’s and 9’s. She said her whole family will be joining her at the downstate tournament.

“I think I’m going to win,” she said, while also admitting that she is nervous and plans to continue to practice. She said she’d like to celebrate with the team and her family.

Amber Dukes, Kelly Spivey, Ariel Johnson, Tara Busby

PHOTO BY MICHELLE MASON

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By Oscar ZarateTeam members are proud to

be part of the glory of the var-sity basketball team.

“Being part of the basketball team is a privilege since many people who try out don’t make the team which makes it spe-cial to be part of it,” said senior Manny Martinez, member of the varsity.

Manny said teacher Brad Dowling is a great coach who wants his players to do their best and enjoy playing the sport they love.

“Training is hard but is a good way to become better and learn new skills,” Manny said. He believes the team has all it needs to continue winning and overcome all obstacles in the future.

“Winning the Conference Championship feels great and the Steinmetz varsity basketball team deserves it because other schools wish they could be in the same spot as us.”

Players are proud

steinmetz star · steinmetz star volume 76, number 5, february - march 2011 prizes awarded for...

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