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Penn State Grapevine
Penn State Multicultural H.S. Journalism Workshop
University Park, PA
Issue Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009
Issue: PSU Grapevine Summer 2009
Last Update: Thursday, July 02, 2009
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There are currently 8 editions on-line. Click on edition name to view articles. PSU Grapevine 2008 - Wednesday, July 02, 2008PSU Grapevine - Tuesday, July 10, 2007The Penn State Grapevine - Music - Friday, July 07, 2006The Grapevine - Friday, July 01, 2005Penn State Grapevine - Friday, July 01, 2005The Penn State Grapevine - Friday, July 01, 200516 - Friday, July 09, 200415 - Friday, July 18, 2003
Sharon, Stringer Publisher sstringe@lhup.edu Susan Cheng Executive Editor Mason Wilson Managing Editor SeLarra Armstrong Online Editor Mahdi Hinds-Zaami Online Editor Victoria Perini Online Editor Guillermo Báez Reporter Emmanuel Bakare Reporter Vernessa Eackles Reporter Marcus Grinkley Reporter Crystal Hood Reporter Arnelle Jones Reporter mystycal_eyes@yahoo.com Talia Kirkland Reporter Amber Lee Reporter Jonathan Tieu Reporter Ashia Tokponwey Reporter Shenee Williams Reporter DeSarae Woodwall Reporter Tyasia Wright Reporter
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[ArticleMedia]
Thursday, July 02, 2009
By the Grapevine
Susan Cheng
Executive Editor
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Seventeen-year-old Susan Cheng calls herself an “advocate of diversity who refuses to be anyone else,” because to her being different is cool.
Despite growing up as the middle child, Cheng says she finds joy in life. While her parents manage a restaurant, Cheng has no intention of working in one. She describes her experience as a waitress, saying that she was “not much of a talker” and “didn’t like it.”
As a senior at Pottsville Area High School, her passion lies in journalism. Cheng hopes to pursue a career writing for Times magazine or a fashion magazine.
Cheng enjoys drawing anime, a form of Japanese art, and painting still lifes. Aside from her artistic abilities, she also has an aptitude for language. She is fluent in English and Mandarin and is currently taking French and Spanish. She hopes to one day add Arabic and Japanese to that list.
Cheng does not take life for granted. She lives by two of her favorite quotes. “Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die tomorrow” and “Live the life you love; love the life you live.”
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Mason Wilson
Managing Editor
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After having a five-minute talk with Mason Wilson, anyone would get a sense of how outgoing and brilliant he truly is. Wilson was being born Oct. 9, 1991 in Alexandria, Va.
He now lives in Springfield, Va. where he works at a country club and teaches dance. Not only does he like teaching, but he also loves learning from all of life’s experiences, whether they are in a classroom or out in the real world. Wilson wants to become a writer or a college professor.
His reason for writing is summed up by a quote from Ernesto “Che” Guevara, “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.” His strongest characteristic is his outgoing nature as he always reaches for the gold.
He is not fond of bugs, considering he was almost attacked by bees as a kid, so now he views bugs as creepy pests. Wilson says he is the kind of guy who is laid back and goes with the flow. He describes himself in one word as-“enlightened.”
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SeLarra Armstrong
Online Editor
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Balancing school, interning at The Franklin Institute, working at Miss Tootsie’s Soul Food Café, managing basketball and baseball teams and training for a marathon would make anyone’s head spin, but 17-year-old SeLarra Armstrong handles it with grace.
Armstrong discovered her interest in broadcast journalism at an incredibly young age. During a visit to Please Touch Museum when Armstrong was four-years-old, her grandmother encouraged her to play around in the news exhibit. “I walked in front of the camera and said, ‘Hi, I’m SeLarra Armstrong with the breaking news…’” said Armstrong.
Armstrong hopes to attend Penn State University or Syracuse College and become a meteorologist or broadcast journalist in New York City or Chicago. “I never give up and I always give it my all,” Armstrong said.
With her ambition, drive, perseverance and leadership skills, Armstrong should have no problem achieving her goals.
When people have a problem with her or what she is trying to do, she just tells them, “Don’t dislike me, get like me.”
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Mahdi Hinds-Zaami
Online Editor
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From the moment he enters a room, Mahdi Hinds-Zaami makes a distinct impression upon anyone he comes in contact with.
Born on Jan. 15, 1992, the Queens native has a positive energy that captivates an audience. A humorous individual, Hinds-Zaami has accomplished in a few years what some can only dream of. An avid traveler, Hinds-Zaami, along with his mother Denise, has traveled to every continent on the globe, even setting sail on the coast of Antarctica.
With his dark braids and enthusiastic demeanor, Hinds-Zaami is a remarkable character who applies his positive views to all walks of life. “I plant what I want in my garden, not the weeds of others,” said the future entomologist. Carrying his bright smile and contagious laugh, Hinds-Zaami has an uncommon exuberance for life that can transform even the worst attitude. Hinds-Zaami is the type of individual born to succeed, no matter what obstacles he must overcome.
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Victoria Perini
Online Editor
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“I seem to be the minority among girls in that I like computer gaming and programming,” says Victoria Perini.
Perini is a contemplative and quiet 17-year-old girl. She has flowing natural brown hair and eyes that seem to be a natural blend of brown, gray, blue, green and hazel. Perini has attended public school for all of her academic career and she is in the gifted program at her school. The gifted program offers a more challenging curriculum to students. She says that the last three years of her academic career have been difficult; through that she has stayed strong and has strived to persevere.
She sees herself as a “person trying to make a difference in the world while living her life to the fullest.” Her philosophy on life is “live for the moment and live for others.” Perini says that she does not take the small things for granted and has nerdy interests, which she believes is the reason that she is her own individual.
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Guillermo Báez
Reporter
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Flying all the way from Bayamon, Puerto Rico Guillermo Baez has taken a big chance by coming to Multicultural High School Journalism Workshop. Even though he is afraid of sleeping in the dark, he’s brave enough to come to the States and in his own words “I’m here to try something new.”
Back home he enjoys playing basketball with his best friend Pedro. He also enjoys playing on a basketball team, which is called the Inmawlada. He is friendly in his hometown and believes that he has a great cool disposition and is good person.
Guillermo junior is very close to his parents His father Guillermo is very supportive and they get alone most of the time.
When he looks into a mirror he sees a friendly person, but he’s very unorganized.
He loves his family with his whole heart but is sad when he remembers his grandfather, who died from stomach cancer and his grandmother who died in her sleep at 84.
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Emmanuel Bakare
Reporter
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The ambitious Emmanuel Bakare was born in Houston, Texas. Sixteen-year-old Bakare says that he is willing to accept any challenge thrown his way and he expects to excel. Bakare, a rising junior, attends Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf of Charles County, Md. He balances his time with family, school and friends.
When Bakare is not doing school assignments, he enjoys writing, watching films, listening to music and reading. He enjoys reading all types of literature, including magazines and newspapers.
Bakare is also fascinated with the study of philosophy. His favorite philosophers, Aristotle and Sophocles, both motivate him to succeed. Bakare’s greatest fear is failing and being rejected by the college of his choice. He is working on his organizational skills to help him achieve more in his schoolwork.
When he graduates, Bakare wants to pursue a career as a writer. His one-line characterization is, “I’m ambitious to the point that I’ll reach my ambition.”
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Vernessa Eackles
Reporter
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Upon first meeting 16 year old Vernessa Eackles, you would see a young African American girl. With short brown curly hair, glasses and her strong Pittsburgh accent. She has humorous and laid back personality but behind that is a young girl who has a bright future ahead.
Vernessa Eackles is a student who lives in Pittsburgh, PA and attends Imani Christian academy. Vernessa is an A average student and is the manager and statistician on her girl’s basketball team. Vernessa has lots of friends but one good friend of 12 years, Arnelle Jones. Vernessa is a cool person and doesn’t get into drama or confrontations with anyone because of her loving personality.
Vernessa is the second to youngest child of 13 siblings and is the daughter of Marie Blair and Vernard Eackles. Vernessa’s hobbies are writing talking and having fun with her friends. She also enjoys reading urban fiction books and listening to gospel and R&B music. V
ernessa describes her sense of style as different and unique from others. Vernessa has goals of one day becoming a lawyer and a writer in order to express her opinions to others. Vernessa’s greatest fear in life is herself because sometimes she can make bad decisions and she lives by the philosophy that “past victories do not guarantee success.”
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Marcus Grinkley
Reporter
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Marcus Grinkley, a rising junior at Stone Bridge High School of Ashburn, Va., describes himself as “a young adult trying to succeed on life.”
Born on May 24, 1993 to John and Germaine Grinkley, the 16 year-old Christian maintain his morals by valuing time with family. The scholarly athlete has such high morality that it makes one want to change one’s ways. Laid-back, thoughtful and usually with a positive attitude, Grinkley enjoys various types of music, hence his love for deejaying. The high school student pays close attention to his stylistic image: a neat, urban metro look with a mix of preppy rock.
According to Grinkley, his strongest character trait is his competitive drive to be in leadership positions. However, “live life to the fullest” is the hard-working teenager’s philosophy.
Grinkley is very passionate about mathematics. He hopes one day to become an educator in his favorite subject because “math is the only language that is universal.”
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Crystal Hood
Reporter
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Seventeen year-old Crystal Hood was raised in New Jersey. She is a friendly and outspoken young woman. Her desire to explore the field of journalism came from the complaints of others. Therefore, she decided to challenge herself by attending the Multicultural High School Journalism workshop at Penn State University.
As a journalist, she feels that the best way to express her self is through writing. With her ambition to become a lawyer, the support of her family and her best friend Amber Trucker she will one day succeed in life.
“ Some people say that I’m too nice, but I wont let anyone walk over me,” said Hood.
She works hard and stands strong to over come her fear of becoming one of society statistics. Hood has a down-to -earth personality and a positive view on life. “You must earn everything in life because nothing is given to you free,” said Hood. She describes herself as outgoing, a mother figure, and open minded to new ideas and experiences.
“ I have no regrets in life, the things I do molded me to who I’ am today,” said Hood |
Arnelle Jones
Reporter
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Self-titled a conqueror with a “fire and passion to live, breathe and teach the gospel of Christ,” Arnelle Jones is a 17 year old from Pittsburgh, Pa. Although she says she can be gullible, Jones lives with a strong sense of integrity and spirituality and is viewed as an optimistic leader and mother figure in her community and the non-denominational private academy that she attends.
She believes it is her appreciation of discipline in her life that helps keep her on track. Growing up in a Christian home has given Jones a great love for God and the philosophy to follow the will of God in everything she does. In her spare time, Jones enjoys reading, singing, listening to music, writing poetry and helping others by being a mentor.
She is attending the journalism workshop with her best friend Vernessa Eackles.
“My success,” Jones says firmly, “is inevitable.”
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Talia Kirkland
Reporter
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Talia Kirkland’s bubbly personality is a warm greeting. Pittsburgh’s 16- year old scholar is an impressive student who always has a hunger for a challenge. She maintains a 3.7 grade point average at Penn Hills High school, excels in her favorite subject History and is a member of The National Honor Society.
Her positive attitude helps her overcome stressful days of being overloaded with work or making mistakes. Kirkland is looking forward to starting a career in the field of Broadcast Journalism. She is fascinated with this field because she enjoys communicating to others.
She says, “If I know information benefiting others, I want people to know.”
Kirkland believes her hard working manner and concern for others will definitely give her the right tools to reach her career goal. Kirkland hopes to get a better understanding of journalism in the Multicultural High School Journalism Summer Workshop.
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Amber Lee
Reporter
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A-D-D, Rollercoaster, Twinkle Toes, Cheerios, Gold Digger and Amberrino are all names that the friends of Amber Lee call her. She describes her town of Leesburg, Va. as “nothing like New York City, but not the farm life either.”
Lee comes from a background in which family is a tight circle. She can talk to or hang out with her aunts and uncles, when Chey Rainy, her best friend, is not around.
When Lee is not assisting friends, family and others with personal issues, one can find her writing stories, singing or even planning parties. Lee has been given the responsibility to develop the 2010 black history show that her school has every year at Heritage High School. Heritage is a small high school with a mission, “your future is our focus.” Lee is excited to begin progress and get this show on the road.
With the endurance, talent and friends who support her, she says, “I know I can do it if I put my back into it.”
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Jonathan Tieu
Reporter
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Others might identify soft-spoken Jonathan Tieu, 16, as a “shy and quiet kid,” but Tieu compares himself to the ancient Greek orator and general, Pericles, who kept to himself and seldom made public appearances in front of the assembly.
Tieu believes that, as a Cancer, he is introverted and stays in the comfort and safety of his own shell. He says that he is careful to think before he speaks and chooses his words carefully. Along with being organized, analytic and observant, Tieu has a “fear of being discovered,” but he is a peaceful and pleasant person nonetheless.
Born in Philadelphia on June 23, 1991 to Chinese parents native from Vietnam, Tieu is an avid fan of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and hopes to become a traffic engineer. He entered the Multicultural Journalism Workshop to expand his horizon since he believes that “communication is important no matter which job one chooses.” Unlike most, Tieu says his greatest fear is “succeeding because you can’t improve anymore.”
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Ashia Tokponwey
Reporter
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Brooklyn born 16-year-old Ashia Tokponwey always has her eye on the prize. She is a straight A student with a grade A personality to match. Her friends says that her ability to find the humor in every situation is the key reason to why people like her so much.
Tokponwey loves to write and dance. She is not particularly in love with art but is extremely open-minded to all forms of art whether it is reading the latest new romance or mystery novel to checking out new styles of music. Her favorite subject in school is English and she says that she never ceases to amaze her teachers each year with her writing.
Though described as a lighthearted, funny, easy-going person, she knows the difference between play time and work time. She always manages to stay focused even when life hits her with unexplainable circumstances. She knows that “everything happens for a reason,” and maintains high spirits. |
Shenee Williams
Reporter
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Shenee Williams is a determined 18 year old that believes in living life the fullest. Williams was born on April 23, 1991 in New York City.
Williams is taking part in the Multicultural High School Journalism Workshop to take advantage of the perfect learning opportunity, “Like they say, you learn something new everyday so why not make the most of it,” said Williams.
Her friends and family view her as a responsible, upstanding young lady, whether she is working in her community or simply setting an example for her younger sister. William’s ability to overcome adversity has allowed her to maintain her ambition of becoming a psychologist. She has worked as an assistant secretary in immigration services and plans on working in a field where she can help others. In her free time she enjoys writing poetry and reading urban novels.
“Some people say that I’m too friendly, but I’d like to think that I kill people with my kindness,” said Williams.
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