Published by The Scripps Howard Foundation, The University of Memphis Journalism Department and The Commercial Appeal T HE T EEN A PPEAL Giving truth to Memphis youth March 1, 2011 Volume 14, Issue 6 www.teenappeal.com Inside White Station students take home awards at Model UN conference. p. 2 Learn if your favorite candy could be harmful to your health. p. 6 Big changes in store for Memphis Grizzlies: are the playoffs one of them? p. 10 By Sean Roberts II Trezevant High School Photos by Sean Roberts II, Trezevant High School Right: Derious Braswell, Senior Middle College High School Left: Dwight Fryer, Debate League Director see DEBATE page 3 Students respond to debate league controversy The Memphis Urban Debate League (MUDL) hosted its first of two Public Debate Forums on the consolidation issue at Rhodes College Sunday, Jan. 30. The Affirmative team seniors Arlana Addison and Ebony Bailey from Kingsbury High School went up against the Negative team, senior Ashley Ray and sophomore Angel Conway from Whitehaven High School. The topic of this debate was as follows: Should the voters of the City of Memphis vote to transfer the management and control of Memphis City Schools to the Shelby County Board of Education? “The whole purpose of a debate is to educate, not to advocate,” according to Jim Sdoia, the Memphis Urban Debate League Advisory Board (MUDLAB) President. He said the students debated to inform people about what is going on with the consolida- tion/referendum vote. Ashley Ray said that she participated in this debate because “It was an interesting topic and I wanted people to know [students] views on the issue… It’s our education.” Ebony said her reason was “to open people minds who didn’t know a lot about the con- solidation.” Consolidation has become a sensitive issue in Memphis and Shelby County lately. Just weeks before the debate, MCS School Board Member Dr. Kenneth Whalum Jr. sent e- mails threatening to cut funding from the MUDL because of an apparent violation of IRS regulations. According to Dr. Whalum, “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forbids political activity intended to influence elections.” Sdoia says he wasn’t trying to influence the election on the consolidation. “We are here to educate, not to advocate,” Sdoia said. “We are not in such violation because every debate topic we debate has a political element to it because they frequent- ly involve a federal government policy.” We are here to educate, not to advocate. Jim Sdoia, Memphis Urban Debate League Advisory Board President “ ”
Transcript
Published by The Scripps Howard Foundation, The University of Memphis Journalism Department and The Commercial Appeal
THE TEEN APPEALGiving truth to Memphis youth
March 1, 2011Volume 14, Issue 6
www.teenappeal.com
Insi
de White Station students take
home awards at Model UN conference.
p. 2
Learn if your favorite candycould be harmful to your
health.
p. 6
Big changes in store forMemphis Grizzlies: are the
playoffs one of them?
p. 10
By Sean Roberts IITrezevant High School
Photos by Sean Roberts II, Trezevant High SchoolRight: Derious Braswell, Senior Middle College High School
Left: Dwight Fryer, Debate League Director
see DEBATE page 3
Students respond to debate league controversy
The Memphis Urban Debate League (MUDL) hosted its first of two Public Debate
Forums on the consolidation issue at Rhodes College Sunday, Jan. 30.
The Affirmative team seniors Arlana Addison and Ebony Bailey from Kingsbury High
School went up against the Negative team, senior Ashley Ray and sophomore Angel
Conway from Whitehaven High School.
The topic of this debate was as follows: Should the voters of the City of Memphis vote
to transfer the management and control of Memphis City Schools to the Shelby County
Board of Education?
“The whole purpose of a debate is to educate, not to advocate,” according to Jim
Sdoia, the Memphis Urban Debate League Advisory Board (MUDLAB) President. He
said the students debated to inform people about what is going on with the consolida-
tion/referendum vote.
Ashley Ray said that she participated in this debate because “It was an interesting topic
and I wanted people to know [students] views on the issue… It’s our education.”
Ebony said her reason was “to open people minds who didn’t know a lot about the con-
solidation.”
Consolidation has become a sensitive issue in Memphis and Shelby County lately. Just
weeks before the debate, MCS School Board Member Dr. Kenneth Whalum Jr. sent e-
mails threatening to cut funding from the MUDL because of an apparent violation of IRS
regulations.
According to Dr. Whalum, “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forbids political
activity intended to influence elections.”
Sdoia says he wasn’t trying to influence the election on the consolidation.
“We are here to educate, not to advocate,” Sdoia said. “We are not in such violation
because every debate topic we debate has a political element to it because they frequent-
ly involve a federal government policy.”
We are here to educate, not to advocate.
Jim Sdoia, Memphis Urban Debate League
Advisory Board President
“
”
Page 2 � March 1, 2011 The Teen AppealNEWS
White Station students excel at Model UN conference
In January 20 White Station High School students attended Yale University Model UnitedNations in New Haven, Connecticut, with two sponsors, Luanne Matson and Scott Moore.They represented the countries of Germany and Portugal, as well as real historical and polit-ical figures on special committees.
White Station won “Outstanding Large Delegation,” second place for large schools,behind the Hotchkiss School, which won “Best Large Delegation.”
This is the first time White Station has won Outstanding Large Delegation in its years ofparticipating in YMUN.
White Station was one of 66 schools attending the conference from around the country—and the world. Mirroring the international nature of the real United Nations, YMUN includeddelegates from as far away as Colombia and China.
Senior Gina Sun, the Secretary-General of the White Station Model UN club, who wasattending her second YMUN, said, “YMUN hosts delegates from all over the country andworld—I was able to meet students from Colombia, Canada, China, etc., and exchange cul-tural views as one would in a real international conference. YMUN is large enough to getthat international feel yet small enough to have more personal interaction with other dele-gates in the committees.”
Sun double-delegated with Sandhya Sridhar on the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme as Germany, and they won “Best Delegate” for their committee.
Activities at YMUN ranged from hours of tough debate and compromise on issues suchas peacekeeping in the Gaza Strip and fighting infectious diseases to less serious events,including an ice cream social and delegate dance.
Delegates could also participate in Yale Day activities, including eating lunch with profes-sors, taking campus tours, and observing classes. Despite the cold, the delegates enjoyedthemselves immensely.
Sophomore Daphne McKee, who won “Honorable Mention” representing Germany on theDisarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) B, said, “Yale was such a high-er-level conference than the others I'd been to. There were tons of people in my committeewho were great at debating, rather than just one or two who dominated the discussion allthe time. It just gave me contact with lots of new, smart people.”
Junior Sai Boyella, who won “Best Delegate” as Minister of the Interior on the AfghanistanCabinet Committee vs. The Taliban Joint Crisis Committee (and who initiated a coup againstthe Afghani government and formed “Talibanistan”), said that she would “definitely” want toreturn to YMUN next year and that she liked “the unique committee, beauty of the campus,efficiency of the staff, wit of the chairs.”
As a connection to the real world of international relations, Dr. William L. Ury, who hashelped mediate conflicts from the Balkans to Venezuela, spoke about his experiences andhis book, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. The keynote speakergave the delegates an example of what they might do if they continue in international rela-tions.
Sai Boyella said about her Model UN experience, “Model UN really helped me start view-ing events with a global mind frame. Issues that concern nations beyond our own seem justas pressing now that I know more about our global community.”
Other White Station students who won awards were seniors Andrew Edelman and SamSnider, who won “Best Delegate” representing Germany on the Special Political andDecolonization Committee (SPECPOL) B; sophomore Yuki Inaba and junior Joy Maduonwu,who won “Honorable Mention” representing Portugal on the World Health Organization(WHO); senior David Dohan, who won “Outstanding Delegate” representing Germany onthe United Nations Peace-building Commission; and senior Josh Wang, who won“Outstanding Delegate” representing Germany on the World Bank.
Gina Sun said, “Through Model UN, I learned that most of our laws and policies are prod-ucts of countless hours of formal debate. You're able to see the views of other countries andpeople, and during conferences you really learn to negotiate because the only way your res-olution will pass is through compromise and incorporation of other delegates' ideas. ModelUN is such a great activity for high schoolers because we are the next generation that willbe implementing policies of global consequence.”
By Emily BillettWhite Station High School
Photo by Emily Billett, White Station High SchoolWhite Station students at Model UN conference
Memphians will be pleased to know that the Levitt Shell,located in Midtown’s Overton Park, will soon be back inbusiness as it launches its spring 2011 series of free musicconcerts and other forms of entertainment right in the heartof Memphis.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the shell itselfso we will be celebrating this milestone all season,” saidTracey Cayolle, administrative coordinator of the MemphisLevitt Shell. The Levitt Shell opened in September of 2008following a yearlong renovation of the previous shell, firstbuilt in 1936, that rested on the same site. Probably theShell’s greatest claim to fame was a concert it hosted in 1954featuring none other than Memphis’s most famous citizen,Elvis Presley.
Although, the specific names of groups performing at theLevitt Shell this spring cannot be given, Tracey Cayolle didsay that the following genres of music will be represented:Americana, folk, R&B, blues, and world.
The mission of the Levitt Shell, sponsored by localdonors, the City of Memphis, and the Mortimer LevittFoundation (which has sponsored music shells as well inCalifornia, Connecticut, and Texas), is to “build communitythrough music under the stars,” says Tracey Cayolle. To thisend, the Levitt Shell has sponsored a series of free musicconcerts in the fall and spring of each year since itsSeptember 2008 reopening. Concerts have included souland gospel, rock and country, folk and classical, jazz andworld music groups and soloists, as well as a series just forkids. It is wonderful to see Memphians of all ages and walksof life enjoying the concerts—some with picnic baskets andfolding chairs--on the Shell’s spacious green lawn.
The Levitt Shell is also supported by numerous communi-ty volunteers, who help out in many ways, from “eventstaff” who usher events and interact with audience mem-bers—taking donations, helping physically challengedguests, or taking surveys—to “production crew” memberswho help the technical staff with backstage logistics andproduction duties, to “administrative” volunteers who helpwith office tasks.
“The Memphis Levitt Shell is a great place for teens tovolunteer in the summer. We love having them and reallyneed their help,” said Tracey Cayolle.
As many as 20 volunteer staffers per show are needed tobring things together and make the event possible. Suchwork can be hard but is exhilarating because volunteersknow they are helping to bring Memphians together throughmusic.
Local volunteer and White Station High School juniorLucy Hall discussed some of the perks of volunteering at theLevitt Shell. “You get to really meet the community.” Lucyalso commented on the security, saying, “The Levitt Shell isa safe place for children to play and experience Memphismusic.”
Clearly, the Levitt Shell isn’t just about music, it’s aboutbuilding a sense of community for years to come.
“Debate is a neutral process because you have someone on the affirmative side and someone onethe negative side,” Sdoia continued. “Also the MUDL isn’t for or against the charter, and our purposeis to merely inform.”
Students have also debated whether or not federal government should substantially reduce its mili-tary and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait,Iraq, Turkey.
Saturday, Feb. 12 2011, MUDL hosted their second Public Form Debate Forum at the University ofMemphis Psychology Auditorium on the same question.
This time the Affirmative team of graduating junior Jarvis Smith and senior LaQuanda Streeter fromCarver High School went up against the Negative team of junior Nyree Smith and senior DeriousBraswell from Middle College High School.
The students had different reasons for doing this debate. Derious said, “I participated in this debate because we felt as if it would show our range of skills
because we can jump from military policy and foreign affairs to talk about things that occur in our nat-ural lives.”
LaQuanda said, “What I’m seeing is there is a lot of segregation in the schools and this consolida-tion debate brought out that there is a lot of segregation in Memphis as a whole.” She continued, “Whyshould Shelby County Schools prosper and Memphis City Schools get left behind?”
Other students who were not involved in the consolidation debate voiced their reasons for partici-pating in the debate as well.
Deane Shreed a Ridgeway senior said, “I participate in debate because I enjoy it, although I don’talways look for the win. I get to express how I feel and it’s something different.”
Being on the debate team has a lot of benefits, Mr. Sdoia says: “Debaters have increased reading/reading comprehension skills, critical thinking skills, higher ACT score(s) and higher G.P.A than non-debaters.”
Tojun Reed, a Ridgeway junior, agrees.“I participate because I want to enrich who I am; not only as a person, but who I want to be later on
in life.” Darius Calton, a senior from Raleigh Egypt High School, says “I just love it, debating gives me aspi-
rations. It says I can do what I whatever I want to do and be whoever I want to be, just get me one stepinto the door.”
To see more news, see policies or give donations, visit the Memphis Urban Debate League (MUDL)visit http://www.memphisdebate.org. The last debate tournament of the year is the City TournamentMarch 25 and 26, 2011.
The Teen Appeal March 1, 2011 � Page 3NEWS
By Ruth ShafferWhite Station High School
Photos by Sean Roberts II , Trezevant High SchoolTop: Photo courtesy of Memphis Urban Debate League
Bottom: Overton High School Debate League
� from DEBATE page 1 Levitt Shell provides free,unique entertainment
Three are dead. He is number four. Alex Pettyfer andTimothy Olyphant star in an action film that will keep you onthe edge of your seat throughout. Number Four, otherwiseknown as John, is the not-so-typical teenager.
He is not from Earth and his only option in order to stay aliveis to continuously flee. Not only is the hunk eye candy to watchduring the movie; however, his extraordinary teenage lifestyleallows for the audience, from a teenage standpoint, to questionpeers in terms of their identities. I Am Number Four allows for“on-the-edge-of-your-seat” suspense, because it draws ques-tions, such as where are the other numbers?
Although Alex Pettyfer keeps most of the audiences’ attentionthroughout the movie, Teresa Palmer (Number six) sweeps theattention with her minimum screen action. Overall, the moviehad good visual effects and high paced action scenes, whichgives I Am Number Four a three and a half out of four a moviereview.
“O, Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?”
Everyone has heard this line from Shakespeare’s most
popular play “Romeo and Juliet.” Gnomeo and Julietadopts Shakespeare’s plot line for this movie; however,
director Kelly Asbury’s twist allows for comical relief
for most children and parents.
The adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet”, along with the
humor, make the movie worth the money. On the other
hand, this children’s film is exactly as it is categorized:
for children. My advice for children over fifteen would
be to not see this movie. Also, there were no 3D effects
in this movie.
After a year and a half of some of the greatest animat-
ed, children’s films including Tanged, How to TrainYour Dragon, Toy Story 3, and Megamind, Gnomeo andJuliet does not place high in a “must-go-see” category;
thus, earning this movie a two out of four.
Page 4 � March 1, 2011 The Teen AppealOPINION
Movie delights audienceswith action, suspense
Title: I am Number Four, Gnomeoand JulietRating: PG-13, GRunning Time:1 hour 49 minutes, 1 hour 24 minutesWebsite:http://www.findnumberfour.com/http://www.gnomeoandjuliet.com
Gnomeo and Juliet entertainingfor younger viewers
By Ashley PeelerRidgeway High School
By Ashley PeelerRidgeway High School
Ashley’s take: Ashley’s take:
Bring the real world into your classroom with the e-Appeal digital edition!
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Students, share this ad with your teachers so they can sign up today and
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The e-Appeal is a great resource for all students, including student
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How does a teacher sign up for the e-Appeal?If your teacher hasn’t registered for the e-Appeal this year, he or she can go to
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can log in at home, public libraries, the computer lab, the school
Junior year filled with stress over grades, college
Come January of senior year, manyseniors feel that high school is over. College is only a few months away andmany believe goofing off in school now cannot hurt their chances of gettingaccepted into college.
By March 1, when most seniors actually find out where they have been accept-ed, high school seems to be a thing of the past. Many feel no motivation to con-tinue working.
March is time to prepare for the final formalities of high school, includingprom in April and finally, graduation in May!
Common misconception has it that colleges only look at students’ performanc-es from grades nine to11, but this belief can hurt seniors’ chances.
The College Board website says, “Taking it easy during 12th grade — ordeveloping senioritis, as some call a senior-year slump — is likely to do moreharm than good. Although your goal is in sight — graduating from high schooland entering college — school isn’t over yet and college admission officers arestill paying close attention to your performance.”
Hannah Hart is ready to graduate and wants school to be over. She says,“Although I don’t have a lot of motivation, I still try to do some of my work.”
Some seniors taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes have to continue work-ing up until the very end since AP exams take place during the first two weeksof May. The pressure is on since passing these exams potentially exempts themfrom college classes.
Senior Anjelica Saulsberry, who is taking three AP classes says, “Class rank isset. Applications havebeen submitted. Most ofus are playing the wait-ing game.
Thus, school feels likeit doesn’t count anymore.
We all know that ourGPAs need to be main-tained, but now we canactually enjoy highschool instead of gettingzero hours of sleep andstudying all weekendlong.”
Junior year can be the most challengingyear in high school. This is the year col-leges are looking for potential students.Scholarships and the ACT are two of the
most important things students deal with junior year. Juniors are focused on their GPAs as well. Juniors also have to take their last writ-
ing assessment and know that end-of-course tests are coming up soon. Although it isno secret that this year is can be difficult, it is not impossible to go through.
Bria Meyers from Ridgeway high school said, “This year has been better than mysophomore year. I know that I need to push myself more with my school work. Mygoal is to do my very best this year because this year really counts on my transcript.”
Aaliyah Cameron, a junior from Whitehaven High School, said, “My main focus isget to through these hard tests and score high on the ACT. I'm walking down theselong corridors, in one more year I will be out of high school and all my dreams willbe fulfilled.”
Alex Hall a junior from Ridgeway High said, “This year is way harder than lastyear. But I guess school gets harder as the years go by. I feel that most teachers justdon't care this year. I'm struggling just past because I'm basically trying to teachmyself the assignment. I cannot wait for next year so I can graduate with my class of2012.”
Seniors are glad that they made it through their junior year. Most seniors feel thatjunior year is a year that is preparing you for life. It is hard when you don't know ifyou are going to make it.
Tyrone Gooseberry a senior from Melrose high school said, “When you enter yourjunior year, that’s when you feel like you’re in high school.
“You’re assignments are going to take a complete twist. You began to get a moresense of responsibility about your class work and the work gets harder. Junior year isonly a taste of your senior year and basically how your life is going to be after highschool.”
Goose continued, “Junior year requires more focus, study time, and preparation.When you are a junior you tend to lose more free time and free weekends do to therigorous projects and assignments. But, junior year is not impossible to complete itis actually stepping stones to your future.”
Dennis Aikens II, a Craigmont High School senior, said finishing high school is noteasy, but it is well worth the effort.
“It only gets worse your senior year, especially if you want an actual future, so stopcomplaining and get ready,” Dennis said. “Nothing in life comes easy and (high
school) is a cake walk compared to how it will be out in the real world. “In the end, when you've done everything you need to do to be whatever you want
to be, it will be so sweet and you will really be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.But whatever you do, don’t quit now, you've already done too much and don't backdown when you're faced with a challenge either. Think of the ones you've conqueredbefore, deal with it and, like I always say, keep it moving.”
Photo by Rosemary Salem, Ridgeway High SchoolRidgeway High School Juniors, Julian Woods, Denzel Henderson & Micah Pender
By Natasha MehraWhite Station High School
By Rosemary SalemRidgeway High School
Although I don’t have a lot
of motivation, I still try to
do some of my work.
Hannah Hart, White Station
High School Senior
“
”
BODY AND MINDPage 6 � March 1, 2011 The Teen AppealBODY AND MIND
Sour candy poses health risk to students White Station students spotfurry friends in class, hallways
Sour candy can be a favorite item amongmany people and with the widespread avail-ability of the tart treats, making a habit ofindulgence can be very common. The pleas-ure of these candies, however, can ruin agreat smile.
The paradox of sour candy is deeper thanjust the label. Although popular sour candiessuch as sour skittles, war heads, airheads,lemon heads, and starbursts, to name a few,are sweet to the taste, they also have a soureffect on your teeth.
“It’s the not the taste of the candy that’simportant, but the content of sugar. The moresugar, the more bacteria will break down thesugar into acid, and the acid will decalcifythe enamel and make it a gateway for bacte-ria to get into the tooth,” said periodontistJacob Shiloah, D.D.S.
This decalcification of the enamel is verydetrimental to a person’s smile, and can oftenlead to problems like cavities and tooth sen-sitivity.
Most sour candies use citric acid, “the mosterosive dietary acid,” which causes the pHlevels of the sweets to be low, according to astudy published in the Minnesota DentalAssociation’s Northwest Dentistry Journal in2008.
pH is the measurement of acid levels, rang-ing from 1 – 14, with one being the lowestlevel, very acidic, seven being neutral, and14 is a strong base, such as ammonia. Ahealthy pH level is between 6.2 and 7.0.When you drink or eat a substance with a pHof less than 5.5, “it can degrade the enamelof your teeth,” according to Meiner’sDentistry of Connectictut. With pH levels inmouths dropping as low as 2.3 after eatingsour gummies, an increase in saliva is neces-sary to “buffer those acids and get that pHback to normal,” according to research fromMeiner’s Dentistry.
The consumption of candy with low pHlevels “can also cause localized soft tissueirritation from surface damage to the mucousmembranes of the inner cheek and tongue,”according to the study in the MDA’sNorthwest Dentistry Journal.
These erosive effects have led the MDA tostart the campaign The Pour of Sour on YourTeeth, to help consumers of sour gummiesand candies more aware of the destructionthey cause to teeth.
If your diet consists of foods and drinkswith low pH levels, it is recommended toconsume them in twenty minutes or less.Allowing longer periods of time to consumelets acid continue to destroy your teethlonger, according to Meiner’s Dentristryresearch. Drinking water after consumptionand waiting thirty minutes before brushingyour teeth (since enamel will be softer whenexposed to acidic food or drink) will alsohelp keep your mouth at a normal pH level.
So while acidic gummies like sour patchkids and sour punch straws are causing youto salivate, remember there is more than onemeaning in the word “sour.”
By Carmen ScruggsWhite Station High School
By Natasha MehraWhite Station High School
Teachers and students are not the only ones calling White
Station a home; a population of rats seems to have moved in
at the high school.
As freshmen, students often hear rumors about the swim-
ming pool on the fourth floor and even which teachers are
easy to trick. The presence of rats might have also been
viewed as a rumor at White Station until this school year.
Many a time students heard stories about rats scurrying
through the pipes years ago, but people could not believe
what they had not seen.
Angel Perkins, an AP Biology teacher, has spotted a rat that
she calls “Big Mickey” twice, both times when her class-
room was dead silent, late after school. She said she
believes that “the new construction is displacing them from
their normal nests.”
Students have been sure not to leave food lying around ever
since someone left an apple on in the Biology Lab. When
students returned the next morning, only the apple’s core
remained. Students and teachers alike are being extra cau-
tious because Big Mickey is watching.
“One way to discourage these ‘visitations,’” Perkins said.
“Is not to leave food lying around.”
A morning announcement warning students not to eat food
in class because of the presence of rats did not convince
many students that White Station was infested with rats.
Then, news of people spotting rats spread like wildfire.
Students panicked and some teachers even threatened to not
return. The panorama died down eventually as teachers’
warnings concerning eating in class became stern.
There are many theories as to why rats have made the resur-
gence this school year. Most people attribute the construc-
tion that has cleared certain parts of the campus to their
return. After their previous hideouts were raided, the rats
needed a new home, so they moved into the classrooms.
According to the Museum of Southwestern Biology, rodents
have a tendency to hide in quiet places they believe are
secure, including cabinets, drawers, pipes, and closets.
Inside idle machinery and between double walls or space
between floors and ceilings are also logical places for these
rodents to reside.
The rodents hardly appear while students and teachers are in
class. This may be because rodents are afraid of humans
just as much as humans are afraid of them. They are noctur-
nal and prefer to come out at night, coinciding with the time
humans are away or asleep.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.comAn example of sour candy
The Teen Appeal is the Scripps HowardCitywide High School Newspaper. It is
published monthly and distributed to allMemphis City High Schools free of charge
through The University of MemphisDepartment of Journalism, The CommercialAppeal, The Scripps Howard Foundation and
Memphis City Schools.
CoordinatorMarcus Matthews, The University of
Memphis
Assistant CoordinatorKathleen Fox, The University of
Memphis
Project DirectorDr. Carrie Brown, The University of
Memphis
THE TEEN
APPEALGiving truth to Memphis youth
March 2011 Issue ContributingReporters and Photographers
Alexas Arrington, Cordova
Emily Billett, White Station
Lindsey Burgess, Central
Shawana Davis, Hollis Price
Briana Dewalt, Manassas
Natasha Mehra, White Station
Jabria Melton, Ridgeway
Darius McGee, Douglass
Ashley Peeler, Ridgeway
Sean Roberts II, Trezevant
Rosemary Salem, Ridgeway
Carmen Scruggs, White Station
Ruth Shaffer, White Station
Anneliese Sloves, White Station
Content Editor
Brittany Fitzpatrick, The University of Memphis
Editorial: The importance of
Women’s History Month
By Lindsey BurgessCentral High School
By Marcus MatthewsTeen Appeal Coordinator
Many people do not know that March is
Women’s History Month.
According to the National Organization for
Women, in 2005 one-third of women murdered in
the United States were killed by an intimate part-
ner.
According to the National Organization of
Women, domestic violence is defined as as pat-
tern of abusive behavior in any relationship that
is used by one partner to gain or maintain control
over an another partner.
According to the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence, one in four women will expe-
rience domestic violence in her lifetime.
According to the National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, nationally women expe-
rience an average of 4.8 million intimate partner-
related physical assaults or rapes yearly.
Celebrities are not exempt, as evidenced by
R&B singers Rihanna and Chris Brown.
According to Reuters, Brown pleaded guilty in
2009 to assaulting Rihanna and was sentenced to
five years probation and community service.
Women are the seed of humanity, with the
responsibility to bring life into the world.
Tupac, a rapper respected by professors such as
Michael Eric Dyson and Henry Louis Gates, was
an artist who celebrated love and respect for
women in some of his music. His song ‘Dear
Mama’ and ‘Brenda’s Got a Baby’ emphasize the
trials women go through and also highlight their
abilities to heal and embrace.
Tupac emphasizes the importance of his single
mother and how she was able to do so much for
them through their midst of poverty. Essentially,
she made the impossible possible and the strug-
gles worth living.
We live in an age where respect for women has
been belittled and demeaned. Some people no
longer see women as the back bone for humanity
and the reason why we are all living and breath-
ing.
Women’s History Month is a month for love
and we should all give unconditional love to our
mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other strong
women who deserve the accolade. Without them,
mankind’s existence would cease.
St. Patrick’s Day Cartoon 2011: Darius MeGee, Douglass High School
With practice, determination anyone can be successful in life
I was speaking to a class at Sherwood
Middle School’s Career Day last month
and a student in one of the classes I visited
could not seem to believe what I told her
and her peers.
“So you mean to tell me I can get paid
to tell stories,” she blurted out as I
explained how my love for storytelling led
to a career in journalism.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m telling
you,” I responded. “I got in my car and
drove to Sherwood Middle School so I
could tell you that.”
One of the focal points of my 15-minute
presentation was getting students to identi-
fy what they are passionate about. The
young lady quoted above said she was pas-
sionate about texting.
She said she loves to text. She asked
more questions during my time with her
class than any of the students in all three
classes I visited that day.
Asking questions is an important part of
being a journalist. The girl also said she
likes telling stories – another crucial part of
journalism.
Although she might not appreciate yet,
her natural desire to communicate with
people could help her find a rewarding
career. I advised her that the field of com-
munications might be a good place for her.
My host and escort for the day,
Nicholas, said he likes to write and draw.
He said he draws comics and writes about
his life.
My advice to Nicholas was to write
every day so he could keep improving and
maybe one day his story could help other
people.
My freshman English teacher told me
something similar when I was a student at
Westside High School. He encouraged me
to keep writing and now I am a published
author and coordinator of The Teen
Appeal, the largest circulated high school
newspaper in the country.
Those two students at Sherwood are two
among thousands of passionate MCS stu-
dents who can achieve excellence by find-
ing their passions, pursuing them and con-
tinuing to improve on what they learn.
Stay focused.
Seniors: Find out how to findmoney for college
Page 8 � March 1, 2011 The Teen AppealOPINION
Future Business Leaders of America is held theirFourth Annual Region 1 FBLA conference at theUniversity of Memphis. On Feb. 18, 520 middle andhigh school students from Memphis City Schools andShelby County Schools gathered to compete in over75 events including: Accounting I and II, DesktopPublishing and Job Interview.
Future Business Leaders of America is one of thenation’s largest forum for career and technologytraining. This year’s regional conference theme is “FBLA…Unmask Your Potential.”
Tera Flowers from Ridgeway High school said:“Since the age of five, I've been around FBLA/BPAand I’ve learned so much about the business worldand (how) it can benefit you in your future. Whetherit’s learning how to document a file or learningspeaking skills, it can all help you in your futurecareer.”
Competitive events are a huge part of participatingin FBLA, motivating every school to come out ontop.
Flowers said, "I feel that every member of FBLAshould participate in competitive events because toget somewhere in your career you will have to even-tually compete for your position.
She continued, “In order to keep that position youmust be willing to work hard and do the properresearch to prove to your boss that you are a hard andyou are determined to always do what is best for thecompany.”
This year, Region 1 has two state officers fromMemphis, president Claressa Glaspie fromCraigmont High School and Vice-PresidentRosemary Salem from Ridgeway High School.
These students are competing in events to representtheir region at the Tennessee FBLA state conferencein Chattanooga, Tenn. on April 4-6.
The top three winners in each event qualify to com-pete for scholarships and cash prizes from businessesand colleges.
Local chapter president Lizita Bowen fromRidgeway High School said: “ My experience at theRegion 1 FBLA conference was very beneficial. Myleadership qualities and competitive sportsmanshiphas really expanded my love and dedication forFBLA.”
Each event taught students valuable skills that willenhance them in the future.
Briana Page from Sheffield High School said: "Ithink that everyone should at least compete one time.The experience is unbelievable and precious. I lovethe feeling I get when I know I have placed…it’s thebest feeling ever.”
Transcripts? Check. Deadlines? Check. Money? …Getting prepared to go to col-
lege can be tough, especially ifyou lack that extra cash.Unfortunately, some people evenbypass their education becausethey don't have the funds to coverthe expenses.
There is hope, though. Collegesall around are chipping in to helpthose who need financial assis-tance. According to Yahoo,Harvard, one of the most widelyknown and accredited schools isnow offering a free education tothose in a household with incomesunder $60,000 a year.
Likewise, there are even schoolsout there that offer free tuitionalong with work study programsto cover the remaining fees. Nolonger do students have to post-
pone their education.Some students may even
have a determination to go toother schools that do not offer freetuition, and there are ways toobtain the dream.
Websites like Google and FastWeb are particularly helpful inpinpointing such schools, and FastWeb can even find the right schol-arships for you.
For example, if you searchscholarships under Google youcan get a great variety of offers,and the list might even includespecific colleges that offer freetuition, such as Berea College,Cooper Union, College of theOzarks and many more.
Similarly, Fast Web asks precisequestions that instantly pairs youwith a list made just for yourneeds or personality, whether it isa scholarship based on your eth-nicity, financial need, or intendedmajor. Both tools play criticalroles in the college process; there-
fore, it would be beneficial to usethem.
Do not cheat yourself of a greateducation. The excuses must stophere.
“Many scholarship opportunitiesgo unnoticed and there are a lot ofresources untapped for two rea-sons: (1) students are not proac-tive in looking for them and (2)sponsors of scholarships are notpromoting them to students,” saidCoach Steven Obringer ofRidgeway High School.
There is nothing left to do but toapply yourself.
Angelica Love of RidgewayHigh School offered similaradvice, “Kids who receive schol-arships really benefit from whateducation is all about. Many stu-dents feel as though they can onlyget sports scholarships and forgetabout the academic part. Studentsare suppose to benefit from everyeducational experience, and ascholarship helps you to do that,
Beauty, brains, and style aresome of the ingredients that helpmake up some of the most wantedwomen in America. Women are avery important group of people intoday's society. We have masterednearly every obstacle thrown at us.
One big problem is dealing withthe assumptions of how theyshould be.
Some women fail to realize thattheir true beauty lies within them,and that they can be successfuldespite shortcomings they mighthave.
Eleanor Roosevelt, for example,was just an ordinary woman whobecame a first lady. She was raisedin an average American home anddid everyday activities just likeeveryone else. She continued tostay true to who she was evenwhen facing the controversial issueof racism. Roosevelt is remem-bered for permitting Marian
Anderson, an African Americansinger, the chance to sing on thesteps of the Lincoln Memorial.She is known as one of
America's most loved women eventoday.
We also have first lady MichelleObama, who moves in eleganceand grace as she speaks out oncontemporary issues like childrenand obesity.
One may ask, how do thosefamous women connect to me?The answer is simple; they wereboth ordinary women who didthings to make them extraordinary.
There have been many greatwomen like Sojourner Truth,Oprah Winfrey, Madam C JWalker, Jane Adams, even localessuch as Ida B. Wells and AnnDallas Dudley that have made ahuge impact and have left legacies.
Still, it does not stop there.Juniors Aliyah Morton and TeneaGordon of Ridgeway High Schoolsaid their grandmothers are mostinfluential woman in their lives.
“I admire my grandmother
because she is such a humblewoman and she would go over andbeyond for anybody,” saidAaliyah.
Tenea responded similarly bystating, “My grandmother is one ofthe strongest people I know. Eventhough everybody always comesto her with their problems, itseems impossible for her to break.She's never selfish, always puttingothers before herself, and it isamazing to watch her do what shedoes.”
Women young or old can maketheir mark. Everyone can make adifference in their own way. Beproud to be a young lady; forwomen before us have fought fortheir own personal freedoms, andtoday's generation is now a part ofthat great legacy. Be mindful ofwhat you do and what you say.Hold your head high and possessdignity and self respect. You too,can leave a legacy because everyday you live is history in the mak-ing.
By Jabria MeltonRidgeway High School
By Jabria MeltonRidgeway High School
FBLA conferenceinforms, entertains
students with
Women’s History Month reminds student of great women in history
By Rosemary SalemRidgeway High School
What’s not
The Teen Appeal March 1, 2011 � Page 9OPINION
March 1: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzles take on the league leading SanAntonio Spurs at the FedEx Forum. The game startsat 7 p.m. The two teams play again on March 27 at5 p.m.
March 4: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzles take on Chris Paul and the NewOrleans Hornets at the FedEx Forum. The gamestarts at 7 p.m.
March 5: Rick Ross in Concert. See artist RickRoss at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Theshow starts at 4 p.m.
March 5: Summertown. Come and enjoy a uniquemusic experience at the Square Beans CoffeeCompany from 7-9 p.m.
March 5: Tigers Home Game. See the Universityof Memphis Tigers take on Tulane at the FedExForum for the last regular season game. The gamestarts at 3 p.m.
March 6: Winter Jam 2011. Come see Christianmusic’s largest annual tour the, Winter Jam 2011Tour Spectacular. Admission is $10 at the door. Formore information see jamtour.com.
March 7: Clay Aiken in Concert.. See singer ClayAiken perform at Minglewood Hall. Showtime is 8p.m.
March 7: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzlies take on Kevin Durant and theOklahoma City Thunder at the FedEx Forum. Thegame starts at 7 p.m.
March 8-13: Young Frankenstein. Come see thisunique play about the beginning of the monsterFrankenstein at the Orpheum Theater. Show timesvary.
March 8: Harlem Globetrotters. Come see theHarlem Globetrotters perform at the FedEx Forumat 7 p.m.
March 9: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzlies take on New York Knicks andCarmelo Anthony at the FedEx Forum. The gamestarts at 7 p.m.
March 12: Kid Rock in Concert. See singer KidRock “Born Free” live in concert at the FedExForum. Show time is 7 p.m.
March 14: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzlies take on the LA Clippers andBlake Griffin at the FedEx Forum. The game startsat 7 p.m.
March 19: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzlies take on the Indiana Pacers at theFedEx Forum. The game starts at 7 p.m.
March 21: Grizzlies Home Game. See theMemphis Grizzlies take on new look Utah Jazz atthe FedEx Forum. The game starts at 7 p.m.
By Rosemary SalemRidgeway High School
MEMPHIS
HAPPENINGS
By Briana Dewalt, Manassas High School By Shawana Davis, Hollis Price High School
What’s hotWhat’s hot
Jamie Foxx feat. Rick Ross “Living BetterNow” Jamie Foxx back once again to show these newkids what real music is.
Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne“Look at me Now”Whoa! Chris Brown is back like he never left.Great collaboration with an even better beatmeans this is a hit.2 A.M. Club “Let Me Down Easy”
This is a great song that has a catchy beat thatmakes the song even better and fun to dance to. Yung Joc feat. Yo Gotti “What She Like”
Superb job Yung Joc! We thank you for knowingwhat the ladies like. Enough said!Nicki Minaj feat. Drake “Moment 4 Life”
Wow, was that a tear? Nicki Minaj shows that shehas more to her than crazy personalities andmade-up words with this inspiring new single.
T.I. feat. Kanye West & Kid Cudi “Welcome tothe World”T.I. proves that nothing can keep him down withthis hot new single.
Kanye West feat. Rihanna “All of the Lights”The chorus of this song was made for Rihanna.Kanye has created yet another song that peoplewill be singing to for the next few weeks.
What’s not
Lloyd feat. R. Kelly & Young Jeezy “Lay itDown Remix”Okay, so the original one was amazingly irritatingso why would you even want to make a remix andmake it even more irritating than the first time.
Lloyd feat. Patti Labelle “Lay it Down” (HeadOn My Pillow) Remix”Old school meets new school is not hot, whatsoev-er. Lloyd needs to stop trying to make this onesong work for him. Ms. Labelle is too old for this.On another note, R. Kelly’s version is much better.
Keri Hilson “Blind”Really Keri? So we are kind of tired of hearingabout your boy problems. Obviously you are blindif you cannot see that.
Fantasia “I’m Doing Me”It is about time Fantasia started to worry aboutherself, but this song is a contradiction of her life.Everyone knows that Fantasia is not doing herself.Rihanna- “S&M”
This is one of the most annoying songs I haveever heard. Rihanna should tone it down a lot.
Lil Wayne-“6 foot 7 foot”There is only one word for this song, infuriating.
V.I.C. “Wobble”Memphis is so late with his one! This is a good linedance song, but it is old, and worn out.
There’s no denying that the
Memphis Grizzlies are an inconsis-
tent team; after winning every single
preseason game, the team lost the
opening game of their tenth season in
Memphis to the Atlanta Hawks, and
finished October with a 2-1 record.
November and December were not
great months for the Grizz either. The
team sunk below .500, meaning they
lost more games than they won, for
most of the next two months as the
team finished with a record of 8-10
for November and 14-18 for
December.
Still, the team managed to turn
things around in January, finishing
the month 25-24, when many had lost
hope of seeing the Grizzlies in the
playoffs.
O.J. Mayo, who was the team’s
starting shooting guard to begin the
season, was suspended for 10 games
Jan. 27 after failing a random drug
test. Mayo claimed he had no idea
that his over-the-counter medication
was against the rules, but accepted the
repercussions.
Memphis went 8-2 and improved
its record to 30-26 without Mayo.
Coincidentally, Grizzlies’ starting
small forward Rudy Gay suffered a
separated shoulder on the night of
Mayo’s Feb. 15 return in a 102-91
win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Gay is expected to be out for at least
four weeks.
Former Grizzlies point point guard
Jason Williams and former Memphis
Tiger and Golden State Warrior
Rodney Carney have been added to
the team as it makes a push for the
playoffs. Williams played for the
Grizzlies from 2001-05 before being
traded to the Miami Heat. After retir-
ing, coming out of retirement, joining
the Orlando Magic, and being waived
by the Magic, he rejoined the
Grizzlies Feb 8. Carney signed a 10-
day contract with the team Feb.21.
Rookie Greivis Vasquez is a player
on the rise; his first year in the NBA,
he’s already spent a decent amount of
time on the court and works well with
the starters.
The Grizzlies are currently 31-26,
putting them fourth in the Southwest
Division and ninth in the Western
Conference. Merely a few weeks ago,
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins was
under attack for the team’s poor per-
formance, but is now receiving praise
for the turnaround. The playoffs take
the top eight teams from the East and
West conferences; with the Grizzlies
in ninth, fans have hope they’ll make
it to the playoffs for the first time in
five years.
Page 10 � March 1, 2011 The Teen Appeal
SPORTS
Natasha MehraWhite Station High School
Anneliese SlovesWhite Station High School
Photos by Anneliese Sloves, White Station High School
Memphis Grizzlies play season opener against the Atlanta Hawks (10/27/2010)
March Madness preview: where will
your team be?
Grizzlies undergo big changes, push for playoffs
For college basketball fans, March Madness is the best
time of the year. In early March, teams find out if they
qualify for one of the 68 possible seats in the tournament
bracket.
According to NCAA.com, last year, the National
College Athletic Association (NCAA) changed the num-
ber of teams admitted into the tournament from 65 teams
to 68 teams.
According to NCAA.com, this was the result of a
$10.8 million deal with CBS and Turner Broadcasting.
As a result, all the games of the tournament will air live.
This year’s championship game is scheduled for April 4,
2011 in Houston, Texas.
According to collegebasketballtournament,net, since
1939, college basketball teams have competed for the
Men’s Division I Basketball Title. UCLA holds the
record for the NCAA record for most Men's Division I
Basketball Championships.
According to collegebasketbaltournament,net, the
University of Kentucky is in second place with seven
national titles. Indiana University and University of
North Carolina are each tied for third place with five
titles. The defending champion, Duke University ranks
fifth with four national titles.
According to bigeast.org, the Big East Conference
may have a chance of having 11 of their 16 teams
advance to the tournament, which would shatter the pre-
vious record of eight teams from a single conference,
also held by the Big East.
As of the week of Feb. 21, in the AP Top 25 poll, the
Duke Blue Devils are number one in the country. Ohio
State is in second place, followed by Kanas, Pittsburgh
and Texas. Duke and UNC, intense state rivals, who
have won the past two championships, are being consid-
ered to win the big prize.
The hometown Memphis Tigers started their season
ranked as high as No. 13 in the AP Top 25 poll, yet
Conference USA losses to SMU, Marshall, Tulsa and
Rice might hurt the team’s chances for an at-large bid.
For now, fans are bracing themselves for a month of
exciting and suspenseful basketball. From the 68 teams
to be selected for the tournament, only high caliber teams
will make it to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four,
Top Two, and finally the Championship.
Every fan is hoping his team will have what it takes to
emerge victorious from a month of intense basketball.
The Teen Appeal March 1, 2011 � Page 11
Application for The Teen Appeal Staff 2011-2012
Want to repre-sent yourschool?
Want to seeyour name in
print?
Want an oppor-tunity to earn ascholarship tostudy journal-
ism?
Fill out this applicationand mail it back to TheUniversity of Memphisno later than March
31, 2011 and keep alook out for a recruiterto visit your schools this
month.
STYLEPage 12 � March 1, 2011 The Teen Appeal
Winter fashion is fun and fabulous! For the fellows, a nice button-downjacket, a trendy scarf, and a fine pair of slacks will have you looking yourbest and keeping you warm. Guys can also mix and match and throw ona fancy vest for extra warmth and style!
Ladies have a variety of ways to be conformable and cozy in the coolweather. One option is to wear a sweater dress, a pair of leggings, and afancy pair of boots! Another way to touch up your winter fashion is to puton a leather jacket, long blouse, a conformable pair of pants, and somecool leather boots.
There are always more new styles and trendy ways to update yourwardrobe. You may not be able to be as fancy as the Hollywood celebri-ties, but you can be just as impressive! Since spring is slowly approachinghere are the top ten things you should wear this season:LADIES1. Long flowing dresses with accessories like flat sandals and chain
necklaces.2. Round, huge glasses.3. Bell bottom pants with a simple to, heels, or flats4. Big flimsy hats5. Cute tops with loose flowing sleeves worn with jeans or solid
bottoms6. Halter tops7. Trendy heels or simple flats8. Short v-neck dresses9. Jump suits 10. Three piece suitGENTLEMEN1. Slimmer bottoms2. Casual dinner jackets3. Hats or baseball caps for style and sun protection4. Shirts with plunging necklines5. Round, aquare, or wrap-around shades6. Calm and cooler colors7. Comfy tennis shoes or sneakers8. Fitted, stylish suits with bold ties9. Fashionable antique watch
10. Zip-up jacket
By Alexas ArringtonCordova High School
With Memphis weather,it’ s smart to carry a
cute jacket or cardiganat all times!
Remember to weargreen on St. Patrick’ s
Day, March 17!!!!
Top: Dimitri Faulkner, Cordova High SchoolBottom Right: Alexas Arrington, Cordova High School
