2008 june teens4teens
DESCRIPTION
2008 June Teens4TeensTRANSCRIPT
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Teens4Teens
June 2008
Our Children’s
Words and
Expressionz
A Huge Success
For Public
School Children
Musical
Spotlight
“Synphony”
Illinois Senator
Barack Obama
makes history as the
First African
American to lead a
U.S. major-party
ticket
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One Step To Life 59 E Avondale Youngstown, OH 44507 NEW Phone #: 330-717-4473 Fax #: 330-788-3454 NEW Hotline #: 330-717-4473 E-mail:
Holla At Ya Boy
I made a choice to start working with young adults and children. I have established my own business One Step To Life. My main objective is to motivate others to speak up and be accounted for.
I am a motivational speaker for positive non-violent events and I have been involved in many activities to encourage and strengthen the minds of our youth in the city of Youngstown. My dream today is to reach out and give back through all my experiences through life. I want to be involved in the vision for the City of Youngstown.
The 20th Century has brought about difficult times in which our children need direction and need to learn the importance of education and life choices. The School Levy is important to me because the children of this day and age matter. It’s a need for our children to be educated and well conversed under the laws of education and how could that be done without the financial funds to govern our children.
Throughout my life and in my community I have touched the lives of young children by inspiring them to stay in school, say no to drugs, become leaders, and prepare for life after graduation. Today, I stand on humble ground doing what I love, helping others. I am sincere and confident in what I do. As I walk this path, I focus only on a positive safe haven for our children. We are in drastic times and we need to take drastic measures. I am that drastic measure.
The Greatest
Thing in the
world is not so
much where we
are but in what
direction we are
moving
Oliver Wendell
Holmes
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Be The Change You Wish To See
“Be the change you wish to see” to me means if
you want something to change in your life you
should start with you. Another thing it means to
me, is that if you want things to change for
yourself you should just do it and don’t say you
are going to change but do not make an effort to
do so. Youngstown is something to change and
we need to change. And what I mean by we need
to change, is that we as people living in
Youngstown and myself, Bryan Stewart, should
start doing things to clean up Youngstown.
Bryan Stewart, 14
I think that “Be the change you wish to see” means I
can be the change and I need to believe in myself to
see the change we all need to make. Look at this
community, we see it but we are not trying to change
and hopefully when everyone sees the change they
might start to follow and keep it going on and on until
our community is better. So, I said “Be the change
you wish to see” and to Fly HIGH and be all that you
can be so our community can be a better place.
Rayshonna Morgan, 17
I think “Be the change you wish to see” means to be like the prime example of what you
wish to see change. Like for example, I want Youngstown to be a better place to live. I want
to be able to feel safe in my own community and be able to do things. Have more businesses
in Youngstown for Youth. For this to occur, I have to do my part in my community; like
volunteer, clean the streets up. Maybe stop violence, don’t just watch fights but brake them
up don’t encourage them on. And for us to have more businesses in Youngstown we would
all have to come together and agree on things better. Try to help one another instead of
trying to be better than the other person all the time.
What I mean by that is, if you see a person who needs help, help them out. Just don’t say it’s
not me so why worry about it. My meaning for “Be the change you wish to see” is try to
make the change happen, don’t just sit back and watch things go down hill, just help out,
and become the change.
Quanisha Sellers, 15
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What “Be the change you wish to see” means to me that I can walk down the block and not see trash. I can
walk down the street and not see abandon buildings with broken glass. I won’t see base-heads walking
around looking for a fix. I won’t see drug dealers around the school. I wish to see playgrounds where it’s
safe for little kids to play no matter the time of day. I envision a place where kids can come and hang out and
not worry about getting shot. I wish to see teachers who actually care about the kids who aren’t doing so
well in school instead of saying, oh well he/she is bad so I won’t bother. I wish to see cops who aren’t
always trying to lock a black man up. I want to see cops respond quicker to calls in the hood. I wish I can
walk down the street without worrying if someone is going to rob me. Imagine not seeing the funerals of
young kids who die for nothing; innocent babies who get shot because of one man’s mistake. I wish to not
see people in poverty and strung out on drugs.
I need fathers and mothers to take care of their sons and daughters and mothers who care if their sons or
daughters live or die. I wish to see kids who don’t give on themselves and have hope that they can make it
regardless if everyone gave up on them. I wish to see felons who will strive to do better and not stay down
because they made a mistake. I want to see society accept them and work with them and not try and find
reasons to lock them back up. This could be reality if we have faith, believe in faith, show hope and give
hope and don’t forget where you come from. Stay strong, stay committed, and don’t forget your dreams.
Keep pushing and keep living. Stay up and stay true.
Peace & Love
Jonathan King, 17
“Be the change you wish to see” to me means if you want to change your
life in any way; like fighting and others, try to make a difference in your
own way. When people start seeing you doing something good, they
might follow you and make a change in their lives also. So now I’m going
to make a change that I would like to see make a difference in others
lives.
The change I wish to see is people coming together in a group and make
a change in Youngstown.
Jasmine Stewart, 15
5
“Be the change you wish to see”, I think this
phrase means like whatever you think you want
to be when you get older; like what kind of
money you want to make or what you want to be
and what change you want to make. I wish to be
a business woman, or a pro ball player, help kids
that need it; like a counselor or something. Try to
change something about me to become more
positive and not so much negative. Try and move
other things to the side so it won’t affect my
future, staying out of trouble, working harder,
and doing everything to the best of my ability, so
that I can become something in life that I have
wished for. So, then other kids can look up to me
and tell me what they think of me and being their
role model.
So, if you every want to be something then make
a change so you can see what it feels like to
become something that you love to do. You have
to make it happen either way.
Lesa Oliver, 15
What does “Be the change you wish to
see” mean to me? It means that if you
would like something to change or to
change something you see then you have
to be the one to change it and really want
it to change. It also means if you wish to
see something change, than you would
have to be that person to change. For
example, you have to be the person to
change something you wish to see, and
not let any or nobody get in the way while
you trying to be the change you wish to
see!!! Like, if you see something wrong
you would have to be the one to change
that one specific thing that’s wrong!!! It
really does mean that if something need to
change and you see it then you could be
the one to change it.
Sharonda Miller, 16
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Entertainment
SYNPHONY “ We are the music ”
Synphony is a singing ensemble consisting of five members, Frankie B, Ronigh, PT, Z, and Doc Phil
Good. These young men have been singing and performing together since high school in 2005, and have
been singing separately since childhood. To date, these up and coming artists have lent their services to a
vast array of events including :Talent Shows, Festivals, Church Services, Weddings, Funerals, Musicals,
Wedding Receptions, Fairs, Parades, Charity Events, Open Mic Nights, House Parties, Fashion Shows,
Block Parties, Graduations... the list goes on and on. An Acapella harmonizing group at the core,
Synphony bring to the table their own type of talent and sound. These five performers write and sing their
own material as well as perform cover songs of the R&B, Hip-Hop, Old School, and Gospel genres.
Synphony have a growing fanbase that has steadily extended out of Youngstown and it's surrounding
suburbs to include followings throughout Ohio in Akron, Cleveland, Kent state University, and pockets of
Pennsylvania such as New Castle and Slippery Rock. Having just recently performed at the Chevrolet
Center, Synphony have announced their arrival on the music scene and their intentions to restore
Youngstown to her rightful place in the national spotlight.
Get ready........
The Members
Frankie Betancourt a.k.a. Frankie B.
D.O.B. August 28th, 1987
Youngstown, Oh
Started singing at the age of 4, and began writing music at the age of 16. Grew
up singing in the church choir and later on the school choir, his father is a
musician who plays keyboard and sings. Frankie B started out in a high school
group named New Era with fellow Synphony members Patrick Howard and
Phil Robbins. Upon meeting up with the group Infini-D, Synphony was
formed. Frankie B sings alto, plays the keyboard, writes music and dances. His
preferred street styles are Krumpin, and Freestyle.
Influences: His father Tyrone Feagin, Boys II Men, Stevie Wonder, and Usher.
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Ronald Williams a.k.a. Ronigh
D.O.B. August 26th, 1987
Youngstown, Oh
Started singing when he was 6 and has been writing music since the age of
11. Ronigh started out in a singing group with David Neely named Infini-D
during Jr. High. Ronigh sings tenor, plays the keyboard, is an alumni of the
Rayen High School drum line, writes music and dances. His preferred street
styles are Poplockin, Tik, Krumpin, and Freestyle.
Influences: His Grandfather, Boys II Men, Luther Vandross, Gary Jenkins of
Silk, Jesse Powell, and Craig David.
Patrick Howard Jr. a.k.a. PT
D.O.B. April 20th, 1987
Detroit, Mich.
Started singing at age 14 in the church choir, moved from Detroit to
Youngstown and joined the Wilson High school choir. PT also joined the
Tribes of Judah drum line. This allowed him to meet the other two members
of New Era, Frankie B and Phil Robbins. PT sings soprano, writes music,
raps, and dances. His preferred street styles are Poplockin, Krumpin, and
Freestyle.
Influences: Boys II Men, Usher, Ginuwine, Stevie Wonder, Silk,
Blackstreet, and Teddy Pendergrass.
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Neely a.k.a. Z
D.O.B. July 1st, 1987
Youngstown, Oh
Started singing at age 6, influenced by his father Larry Neely who is a
musician/ video producer and his mother Mary Davis who writes
poetry/songs. Formed the group Infini-D in the 8th grade along with Ronigh
and another friend, Phillip Pace. Z also sang in the Wilson High school
chorus, allowing him and Ronigh the opportunity to meet and eventually join
forces with Frankie B, PT, and Doc Phil Good. Z sings bass, writes music,
makes beats and dances. His preferred street styles are Poplockin, Krumpin,
and Freestyle.
Influences: Craig David, Jesse Powell, Boys II Men, Twista, N'Sync, Outkast,
Backstreet Boys, 2pac, and New Edition.
Phillip Robbins Sr. a.k.a. Doc Phil Good
D.O.B. March 18th, 1986
Youngstown, Oh
Started singing at the age of 7 in a group named the Robbins Singers with his
siblings. Doc Phil Good also sang in the church choir and later joined the
Tribe of Judah drum line. Doc Phil Good sings 2nd
tenor/ 2nd
alto, writes
music and dances. His preferred street styles are Krumpin, and Freestyle.
Influences: Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Winans, Boys II
Men, and Commission.
Need to contact Synphony? 330-402-7952 or 330-553-1970
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LIFE’S GLORY Alwayz constant Forever their Has his love been But I c so much pain A thousand prayers, a million wordz, but only one voice can be heard Have faith and hope These are the best he gave us And without hesitation Could you do the same As my life’s glory Burdened with all that had went wrong I kneel before him with an open heart And my head held high when my day comes The light of Life’s glory will shine on me Now you know his gift’s to you What would you do to get to meet Life’s glory Sabrina Knicely, 19
BASKETBALL (MY FAVORITE SPORT)
I DROVE TO THE HOLE, GOT THE BUCKET AND A FOUL
THE SCORE IS FINALLY TIED UP NOW
I’M AT THE FOUL LINE AND THERE’S NOTHING THE TEAM CAN DO
EXCEPT SIT THERE AND WATCH ME SHOOT
THE GAME IS ABOUT OVER AND I PUT ON A SHOW
EVERYONE BIT THEIR LIP WHEN I SHOT THE FREE THROW
I MADE THE SHOT AND EVERYONE SMILED
RIGHT AFTER THAT THE CROWD WENT WILD
NOW THEY THREW A REALLY DEEP PASS
HE SHOT IT UP BUT I THREW IT OFF THE GLASS
I KNOW I’M MAKIN’ IT TO THE HALL OF FAME
BECAUSE I JUST WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
CURTIS WARREN, 17
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Poetry/Words and Expressions
Hi I’m Jabriel Warren and I am 15 years old, right now I attend Youngstown Early College aka
YSU. I am a student who has struggled in the first year of Y.E.C. One of the main reason’s I’ve
struggled with my school work is because of not being prepared. I though it would be like eighth
grade which was fairly easy but my perspective quickly changed. It was nothing like eighth
grade at all. It was more advanced than I thought. I never really liked math but I never failed it in
middle school because it was easy so when I got to early college, math was the hardest of all my
subjects. I never learned algebra in my middle school, so I had to learn it on the spot. That was
very hard because we went from chapter to chapter in less than 3 days, it was horrible. The
other classes were not that challenging, but the work was just not getting done. Once that last
week of being able to get your grades up passes, you just know you’re done. Once your parents
get that report card or progress report they tell you things that you are already telling yourself.
That happens to me a lot. I am hoping to succeed in my work studies and be the first generation
of my family to go to college that is my goal in life. Thank u for your time, I’m out.
One of the things that my parents have taught me is never listen to other people's expectations. You
should live your own life and live up to your own expectations, and those are the only things I really care
about it.
Tiger Woods
I hide my face
I hide my smile
No one never knew why I took the mask off
I was ashamed and the way their games were
played
I was treated like a prisoner
No one understood and no one cared
I never had a real life
Sometimes I wanted to die at night
The things he do is so cruel
That’s why I hide my face with my mask
So no one will ask what did he do
Janae Williams
Written January 3, 2006
Rewrite
By Joseph Bennett
What does it mean to rewrite?
What needs rewritten?
I know there is plenty of stuff we all would love to do over…
That’s where we rewrite.
We need to write about what we have learned from those
experiences where we want a “do-over”.
We write so others can learn from what we write.
We write our mistakes, our failures,
Not that we’re proud of them, But because we want a change.
Not just in ourselves, but our town, our city, our country, oru
nation.
Who says change can’t start with one?
Our world can be changed by what we write!
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Youngstown's
Academic Achievement Olympiad 2008
A Huge Success For Public School Children
ON A RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON
3,500 Achieving students, families, friends,
community members and politicians attended the
F.A.M.I.L.Y. Empowerment Students Achievement Institute's May 18, 2008 Academic
Achievement Olympiad/Awards. Combined with the Best Academic Practice Awards held at
New Bethel Baptist Church on May 5, 2007, which drew 1,400 attendees, more than 4,900
students, family members, educators, community members and politicians have participate in
helping to create new Bridge to a Brighter Future for Youngstown City School children and youth
by accentuating the positive achievements of our students, families and educators vs.
concentrating on the negatives.
THE PICTURES BELOW SPEAK TO THE WILLINGNESS OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND
STUDENTS TO MEET HIGH EXPECTIONS WHEN PUBLICLY SUPPORTED AND APROPRIATELY
RESOURCED.
"THE PLEDGE”
"TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE A QUALTY, EQUAL AND EQUITABLE
EDUCATION IN YOUNGSTOWN CITY SCHOOLS"
Jimma McWilson
FAMILY Empowerment
Student Achievement Institute
http://familyempowerment.blackportal.com330-518-2883
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Last But Not Least
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
You can see for yourself that the YOUTH can work together as a whole. We
must find ways in our community to provide a positive outlet for the youth of today.
We cannot continue to neglect the duties of our self for our children.
With the help of One Step To Life and Flying High, Inc. and Let Your Potential
Soar, we are coming together as a community one block at a time. Stay Tuned.
Coming to a block near you.
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From Glen & Kyiel Williams and family