London Olympics 2012

By Tyler White

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

One of the most exciting events of the summer was the London Olympics 2012. One of the events that everybody is talking about is Men’s Gymnastics. The Men’s Gymnastics team just lost to China last night. Last night, the men’s gymnastics team finished in fifth place it was great. The USA team’s best gymnasts Danell Leyva and John Oroczo qualified for the individual all-round competition. Also, last night Orozo failed on the pommel horse. He sat on it and you can only put your hands on the pommel horse. Also, another event was U.S. Women’s Gymnastics and they won gold as a team last night. The women’s Gymnastics beat Russia by five points. The U.S. scores were higher than 15.0. After the uneven bars, The U.S. went to the floor exercise where they put a seal on the gold spot. The Russians that the U.S.A. beat were heartbroken on the sidelines. Jordyn Wieber had clinched the spot on her floor exercise to seal the win. Jordyn started crying before her exercise was over because she knew she did it. She said,” To have a gold medal around your neck, it’s really an incredible feeling.” Another event that is occurring is the men’s swimming team with Michael Phelps. Also, the U.S. relay team won gold and Phelps swam the final leg of the men’s 4x200 meter freestyle race. Also, Michael Phelps broke the record by winning his 19th medal.

Michael is not even done with all his races at London Olympics 2012. He could win even more, who knows. Michael Phelps has won 15 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 2 bronze medals. He did this by passing Larisa Latyina to beat the record. Phelps also swam the 200m butterfly and just missed gold by a fifth of second. He finished the race with silver, which is still great!!

Growing Up in Columbia Heights

Written By Janet Stephanie Bersch

Hey there! My name is Janet Stephanie Bersch, and I was born February 8th, 1997. I am currently 15 years old, 5 foot six inches, and people actually tend to mistake me a lot for an older age. I was born in Arlington, Virginia and lived there for one or two years until my family and I moved to Washington, D.C. We have lived here ever since, right next to the Columbia Heights station! Back in the day, there was almost absolutely nothing around Columbia Heights. It was barren, except for the CVS, a Payless shoe store, the PNC bank, the Giant that used to be about a couple blocks from the station, and the little shops, such as the liquor stores, sandwich shops, and the Laundromat. I have a brother who is now 16, and when we were smaller, he and I would always go out and play. As for my education, I went to Rosemount for Pre-K, then switched to Harriet Tubman Elementary School and went there for Kindergarten and 1st grade. My favorite school by far is Capital City Public Charter School (CCPCS), and I went there for 2nd grade all the way through 8th grade. I loved CCPCS because it was a small school where I knew pretty much everybody. All of the years that I went there, I grew attached to those people and we were like a family, always watching each other’s backs and helping one another, and I really miss it.

As for my grades in school, I’ve always had average or sometimes advanced grades. For example, the subjects I mostly excelled in were writing and literature, probably even math because I took algebra and the regular math class in 8th grade, and science. I began science class in like, 5th or 6th grade, and it was subject that I’ve always enjoyed, and I still do! From the cow eye dissection to the Chemistry that I am going to take in my sophomore year (soon), I had always looked forward to it. Although I don’t enjoy writing that much, it is another subject I was always good at, especially in the voice, grammar, and spelling portion. Nowadays, I go to School Without Walls High School, and I am about to enter my sophomore year. Freshman year was difficult and I’ve made many mistakes that I hope not to repeat in my sophomore year, especially the procrastination and being unorganized. This year I plan to start and stay organized, and keep up with all of the work they assign me and not wait until the last minute. It’s kind of funny because as a smaller kid I used to love to clean, stay super organized, and help my mom with everything but now I don’t. At home I have two pet birds, a female and male one. Their names are Buckwheat and Alfalfa, like from the movie The Little Rascals. People say I am random, crazy, weird, funny, energetic, hyper, fun, and interesting. There is so much more to tell you, but I guess this will have to do for now, so until next time!

Entertainment Recap

By Tierra Roberts

Batman was finally released on July 20, 2012. Batman led the box office with $287 million and made another $62.1 million after the Colorado shooting. Many people feel that the movie was superb and blown them away. The starring actors who played in the “Dark Knight Rises” were Christen Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Morgan Freeman (Mr. Fox), Anne Hathaway (Cat women), Michael Caine (Alfred), Tom Hardy (Bane), and Joseph-Gordon-Levitt (Robin). So what’s next for the Batman trilogy? Is this the end or will there be another Batman movie? Just last weekend we thought the characters Bella and Edward would live happily ever after but it turns out in reality that’s not true. The three year relationship between Kristen and rob seemed to go down hill when Kristen, who plays Bella in the Twilight Sagas, turned out to be cheating on Rob with 41 year old “Snow white and the Huntsman” director. Director Rupert Sanders, who has a wife and kids, apologized saying he’s utterly distraught by having hurt his family”. Kristen, who moved out of Rob’s home, apologized saying” sorry for the embarrassment and that it jeopardized the most important person in her life, Rob”. Will the couple work everything out? And if not, will it jeopardized the up coming movie Breaking Dawn Part 2,” which will be coming out November 16, 2012. It seems that Teen wolf has became a popular show on MTV. Tyler Posey (scott), Dylan O’Brien (Stiles), Crystal Reed (Allison), Holland Roden (Lydia), and Colton Haynes (Jackson) are the main characters in the Drama series. Apparently it seems that most people isn’t happy with the acting. Gabby from Pretty Little Liars said,” the acting wasn’t its best, but when I first saw Pretty Little Liars the acting was bad until the girls and the storyline got better in time. So I’m giving teen wolf a chance to redeem itself”. It seemed that the show is so popular because it have good-looking characters on it. Will Teen wolves redeem themselves or will the show be cut?

A Life in Fashion

By Melanie Prillaman

My name is Melanie Prillaman and I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. Ever since I was young I had a passion for expressing myself. I never had too many friends in my childhood so; I preferred to stay to myself. Then, my teenage years arrived then I flourished and discovered fashion. I love fashion; fashion means that you could freely express yourself. But, everyone will not love what you think look good. So, I learned to accept good criticism and trash bad ones. Right now, I would like to take send you on a journey through my love and fears fashion. My cousin once told me that the only idea that holds you back in life is fear. So, drop off the ledge, soon you will realize that the fall wasn’t so long or deep after all. As we all know, top designers are expensive. This was a fear because I hated admiring clothes that I would never have so, I figured I make them. I started learning how to hand sew at my middle school, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics of Science. With that simple skill, my love for fashion exploded. I realized with hard work and dedication I could sport any clothes I couldn’t afford. I started to create skirts from jeans and leggings. But, I soon realized this wasn’t enough. I started to extend my skills by learning how to use a sewing machine at Bits of Thread studio located in Adams Morgan, D.C. Now, I can create pants, shirts, shorts etc. All on my own! I also created my skills for a tailoring business. Now, I manufacture designers ideas and my own. In conclusion, my love for fashion is everlasting. As long as I have my needle, thread and ideas I am happy.

Featured Editor: Malcom Patterson

Written By Malcolm Patterson

Hello, my name is Malcolm Patterson and I am a teacher at the Novell Teens Summer Program. My talented and gifted scholars also know me as “Mr. Malcolm”. The course that I instruct is called “Editorial Writing” and I have loved working with these students! I love working with youth so it is no surprise that I am an elementary teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland. I teach English to Speakers of Other Languages, which is also known as E.S.O.L. Many people ask, can you speak another language? I reply that although I do speak French, I do not need to speak a second language in order to teach English, I only need to know how to speak and teach English. I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. I attended Alice Deal Junior High School and I graduated from St. John’s College High School. After graduation I went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Morehouse is the nation’s only historically black college that educates solely black men. I loved my experience in college because Morehouse sits next to three other HBCUs (historically black college or university) colleges: Spelman College, Morris Brown College, and Clark Atlanta University. This meant that I was surrounded many other young, intelligent, black students. I majored in Business Management with a French Minor at Morehouse. Following college graduation, I volunteered as a Peace Corps volunteer in a Small Business Development program in Togo, West Africa. I loved that experience because I had the opportunity to live in a completely new country, learn a new language, and meet new people. When I returned from Africa, I enrolled in a program at the George Washington University called Teachers 2000. The program was created for RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) who wanted to become teachers. Montgomery County Public Schools pays for almost all of the tuition to earn a Masters in Secondary Education. In return, students must teach for two years in Montgomery County Public Schools. I loved teaching so much that I just completed my sixth year teaching at Judith A. Resnik Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Even though I love teaching, I had another academic goal that I desired to complete. I wanted to become a lawyer in addition to a teacher so in 2008 I entered Georgetown University Law Center. The program took place during the evening so I continued to teach during the day while I attended law school at night. The process proved extremely difficult, yet I managed to finish well and I graduated in May of 2012. Although I love teaching and working with youth, I also look forward to continuing to be an advocate for all children as an attorney working in the nonprofit sector!

Armed Forces in America

By Keyon Bridges

In the U.S.A, there are a lot of different military units. I believe these units are the best of them all. The U.S Air Force, the agency that defends the United States through control and exploitation of air and space, was created from the Army Air Corps for National Security in 1947. It is the hardest to enlist in because of so much reenlistment. You need to have a high school diploma to enlist though. In order to join, you must contact your nearest recruiter and he will ask about your education level, your criminal record, your age, your dependency status, your medical history, and your weight. On the other hand, the Navy SEALS are also a strong unit. They are the Naval Special Warfare unit who are trained for unconventional warfare, and SEAL is an acronym for Sea, Air and Land. President John F established the Navy SEALS in 1962. In order to enlist, you must meet these requirements to be able to take the Physical Screening Test: You must be between 18-28 in age, A U.S citizen, a high school graduate, a clean record, score high on the ASVAB test, and good eyesight. Likewise, there is always a stronger unit such as the Special Ops. Also known as Special Operations Forces are used to describe highly trained military units trained to perform unconventional, often high-risk missions. This unit was created on June 11, 1952. You must meet these requirements to join this elite team: You must be male, must be a U.S citizen, must be between the ages of 18-30, must be a high school or GED graduate, must have a clean record, and from their you have to take a series of test. You must at least get a 229 on the Physical Test; you must at least achieve a 110 on the General Technical, and a 9 on the Combat Operation Test.

“...Poetry utilizes the natural rhythm of language and sound to access deeper aspect of self...” (Alschuler, pg. 23, 2006) From June 27, 2012 to July 25, 2012 the NovelTeens’ Ink summer youth workers were taught the therapeutic and educational value of poetry writing. The poems written during this workshop were used to assemble a poetry book. The workshop was categorized into three parts to help develop group cohesiveness: the rapport building stage, the working stage, and termination/closure. During the rapport building stage, the group members learned about poets of color, women in poetry, poetry written by teens, and so forth. The group members were also asked to complete a Jungian Word Association Test, given art materials to decorate their poetry journals, and to explore the direct connection between music and poetry. During the working stage, group members were asked to participate in a projec- tive writing activity (If you were a landscape?) and free verse writ- ing (the link between music, culture, and poetry). During the termi- nation/closure stage, group members were asked to write a letter to a ‘loved one’. Participants were not required to read their letters aloud due to the personal nature of the exercise. “...The objective of poetry writing is to create a link between the creative process and increase the therapeutic value of emo- tional expressiveness, self-confidence through risk-taking, and communication of difficult emotions/thoughts/feelings, encour- age insight, resolve inner conflicts, reduce stress, and enhance decision making skills...” (Alschuler, pg. 23, 2006).

Iyabo Akinadewo B.S., Cert. A.T.
Art Therapist/Certification in Clinical Art Therapy

Featured Writer: Dante Hicks

By Dante Hicks

Hello, my name is Dante Hicks and I work with the Novel Teens summer program. My nickname is TAY and I am a really pretty fun person to be around. I am 15 and my birth is in august. I enjoy playing basketball and I am pretty good at it. The high school I attend is Spingarn high school. This year will be my second year at Spingarn. What I remember from my childhood was good. Around my side of town every other summer we would have a festival called Langdon Park day. That’s where I grew up. It’s on the northeast side of Rhode Island Avenue and South Dakota Avenue. When I was younger I listened to a lot of go-go music. My hobby is shopping. I would even go to Greenbelt mall shopping center or Prince George's mall. Also, I like to hang out with friends and go to a movie or out to eat. My favorite place to eat at is chipotle and I usually get a chicken bowl no beans. This is me telling you about myself.

"Best Rapper Alive"

By Anesa Saunders

This article that I am writing will talk about Dwayne Carter, also known as “Lil Wayne.” He was on September 27 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother and grandmother raised Lil Wayne. You may also know the famous rapper as the “best rapper alive.” I really think that Lil Wayne’s music all started at very young age. I think that it started when he was 11 years of age. He met “Baby”, who is in charged of Cash Money Records. Cash Money weren’t really interested in Lil Wayne because of his age. But Lil Wayne said “NO”. That wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. He was determined to get them to listen to his freestyles. So everyday after he came home from home from his gifted and talented school, he would call baby’s phone. Non-stop. When he would reach the voicemail, he recorded him- self-free styling. And when they heard him, they signed him. His first deal in a boys group failed. During this time his life was falling apart .he dropped out of high school and in the 10th grade his girlfriend became pregnant with a child. Everything didn’t go as planned for him. But things quickly got changed when “Diddy” produced the hit song lolli pop that got his career jumping. From that point on non-stop good things came for Mr. Carter. He is “Cash Money`s” youngest rapper and his name will be remembered forever. Also during his time of falling down he accidently shot himself with his stepfather gun .He was on life support for two weeks and then he went back to school and got his G.E.D. To Lil Wayne mother, school and education came first. Dwayne also was in the drama club Dwayne Carter will go down in history for a lot of things that people don’t really know about. This artist will be celebrated a lot and we will have a lot more to celebrate.

Featured Writer: Tyana Swanson

By Tyana Swanson

My name is Tyana Swanson. I’m 15 years old and live in DC. I go to School Without Walls HS, about to go to the 10th grade. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and out of us, I am the oldest. I live with my mother uptown, and with one of my brothers and my little sister. Back when I was an only child, I used to do all kinds of things. I would compete in beauty pageants (winning 1st place in one when I was 2), dress up with my mother every Halloween (one year we dressed up as Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy), and we would go a whole bunch of places just for the fun of it.

For elementary school, I went to Shepherd Elementary. I was there for Pre-K through 6th grade. While I was there, I was on the basketball team, the track team, the kickball team, and I was in the school band called BWL. For my 7th and 8thgrade years I went to Deal Middle School. I wasn’t really into sports while I was there, but I still had a good time while I was there. We were always doing something at that school. As students, we were all strongly linked to each other, and we all had this bond. We were always pulling pranks on the teachers and the lower grades. Always up to something. 8th grade year was the best year for me because we were the top class and there were more opportunities for us.

Now I go to Walls. It’s where I wanted to go to high school though. I got into Duke Ellington for Visual Arts, but my mom thought Walls would be a better school so she sent me there. I don’t really like Walls, but at the same time it can have its moments. Basically, I just need to get through my high school years and get my free Associates Degree up at GW, and then graduate from Walls. After I graduate I want to go to USC (maybe), and eventually go into interior design and wedding planning as my career.

Featured Writer: Keiseana Davis

By Keiseana Davis

My Name is Keiseana Davis. I recently turned 15 because my birthday was on July 11th, 2012. I was born living in Calvert County, Maryland. When I was a tot, my little brother was born so we moved with my great-grandmother in Garfield Terrance. When I was 3, we moved again in our own house in LeDroit Park. I met a lot of people over the years. I used to attend Gage-Eckington ES when I was young. Once I graduated from Gage, I went to learn at Howard University middle School of mathematics and Science. There, I got my first laptop and learned the most I could. Now I am a sophomore in Dunbar Senior High School. I have so many friends who I love so much! I have one brother and five sisters because we are so close. We go everywhere all the time just to have fun. In my downtime, I like to draw, bike, or practice playing my trumpet. I used to cheer, but now I play and participate in NSHSS, NSBE, UOY, JROTC, and MiT. It’s all fun, and I met even more friends doing so. But my friends aren’t the only things in my life because my family is my treasure. I love my family. They are a little outrageous but in the end, I can always depend over them. When I’m with my friends and family, we always have a good time. More activities that I love to do are to sew and cook. I love the dishes I create and the clothes I make because they are so stylish and my very own. I really like to eat, so of course I love to cook.

In the future, I want to go to the University of Miami or College of Southern Maryland. My life’s goal is to be successful and I will!

Featured Writer: Breanna Jeffcoat

By Breanna Jeffcoat

My name is Breanna Jeffcoat and I am 14 years old. I currently attend School Without Walls High School. At the start if the 2012-2013 school year I will begin the 10th grade. Before School Without Walls I attended Stuart Hobson Middle School from the 5th- 8th grade. Before Stuart Hobson I attended Watkins Elementary form the 1st- 4th grade. I’m the youngest and only girl of 3 older brothers. I love to read and write. Its hard for me to chose a favorite book or author because there are so many writers in the world but if I had to choose I would choose the “Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare. Along with reading and writing I enjoy listening to music. I listen to many different genre of music such as, R&B and Hip Hop, Pop, Alternative Rock, and Classical. I have also played many sports. One of my favorite sports to play is Volleyball and it has been my favorite sport since the beginning of 7th grade when I joined the team at my middle school. I don’t enjoy playing the game of Basketball but I’ve been force to play because of my height.

My greatest experience during the summer of 2012 was being able to attend NYLF (National Youth Leadership Forum) Medicine in Virginia for 10days. I got the opportunity to experience what it would be like to work in the field of medicine and what it takes to get there. I also got the chance to learn how to suture, Take blood pressure, Gain control of a persons airways, bladder, and stomach, tie a surgical knot, and watch a live surgery. I made many friends and connections during my time there and it really was a great experience and definitely was the highlight of my summer.

Featured Writer: Cikeithia Brown

By Cikeithia Brown

My name is Cikeithia Brown and I’m a 15 years old female who attends Bowie High School. When I was young, I really didn’t have a great childhood but it was ok though but I didn’t let that mess up my future. First thing that I’ve achieved was playing basketball. When I started playing basketball it made me feel great inside, I even got a scholarship for my basketball skills. I am in foster care and not living with my parents, but they still support me playing basketball.

As for my family life, I was never around my parents until I was 5. I was taking care of by my Great grand mother and my Grandmother. They raised me until my parents got themselves together. When we became a family, my mom and me didn’t have a good relationship because we never got alone. When I was 13 years old I was placed in foster care for child neglect. Every since then, my mom has always tried to win my love because she felt guilty. Finally, I came to love my foster mother as my mom. My relationship with others is not good because I like to be by myself and do everything on my own. When others try to help me, I push them away because I wasn’t allowed to have a lot of freedom. So sometimes I have a bad relationship with other because I can’t open up to people like others can.