Community service

By Kamisha Harvey, sophomore

If you go to your guidance counselors and talk to them about how you can get a scholarship, you might think they will just talk to you about grades. However, they will most likely bring up community service activities as well. If you participate in community service, and have extra curricular activities to support your grades, colleges will be very impressed with what they see.

Community Service is a great thing for Milwaukee. Although many people don’t participate in community service opportunities, that doesn’t mean they’re lazy or don’t care. Maybe they just don’t know what to participate in that’s going to fit them.

Participating in activities and community services tells Admissions Staff that you care and are willing to help out; they want active students to represent their colleges. Plus, being involved will help you feel good about yourself and about what you can give to other people.

Freshman Kasaundra Jones participates in community service activities at shelters. At the shelters she serves food and play games with the people there. She likes to help people and those in need of help. She says, “I love to be around people and help people as well.”

Many people will do community service just to help out others. Many people say they like to help out those in need. They don’t want anything in return, it’s the thought of it that’s count.

“I usually don’t like to help out but I’ll help for the Lord any day.” States sophomore Ashleigh Johnson. She likes to be apart of community service activities that occur at her church. She cleans the church, serve food, helps out during after service activities and plant flowers.

Some students also enjoy working with children as their source of service. “I love kids. I’ll help out with other things in the community, but I usually help out the babies,” claims junior Darren Welch. He’ll go to daycares and play with the kids. Welch also says, “Babies are the easiest to watch. Yea they’re a lot of work but they don’t talk back or cause as much trouble.”

Senior Chuka Ofojebe says, “I love books and love to read. All books are interesting I there own way.” He also volunteers at book sales. He once applied for a job at the library. “Books are an interesting source to go to for anything.

Marquette University student Kaitie Kovach takes on service work even in college, but about her work in high school she states, “I did community service activities in high school and loved it.” The things she did in school were picking up trash and collecting leftovers from restaurants to donate shelters. She now works for the newspaper at Marquette, but it’s a job that she’d do for free. “As a senior in college, I sill participate in community service.”

Kovach liked doing the work, and so do our high school students. In the Mesmer poll, 70% people say that they would like to participate in community service activities. People mostly participate in community service by helping out others. Helping the needy. Freshman Kasaundra Jones says, “I participate in community service activities by helping the people at shelters. I serve food and clothes to them.”

40% said that they wouldn’t like to participate in community service because certain activities might be stressful to them. “I would serve food, but if I have to touch someone I don’t know then, I will not participate in community service,” Kedara Suber states. Some people don’t participate in community service because they don’t like to pick up or clean up after people. “If I have to pick up trash then I will definitely not participate in community service. Trash can be contaminated, and I do not want to catch anything,” states Suber.

All in all, many people we help for free and enjoy what they do. Community service is great thing that could help a lot throughout people lives, and if you want to make an impact on those reading your college applications, get involved as soon as you possibly can.

Twitter isn't popular as everyone thinks

By Sharmane Hughes, sophomore

Twitter is a new network site that has taken a new toll on all populations. This social networking site has become so popular that celebrities are really active on it. Jay-Z, Nikki Minaj, Mario, Rihanna, and even the newest President Barack Obama are active Twitter users.

People are “tweeting” about many different things that are happening or going to happen in the future. This network website, that has been overflowed by all cultures, has also been referred to as the “New Facebook”.

In a Messmer poll, an overwhelming 95% of students know what Twitter is all about. Senior Tim Johnson states, “Of course I know what Twitter Is. Who doesn’t?” Maybe the other 5% will be a little more informed after they read this story!

“I’ve heard that it is a website where celebrities update or tweet about what they’re doing at the moment or what they’re going to do in the future,” states sophomore Alexandria Taylor. Celebrities are really popular among teenagers. There’s always a teenager who is obsessed or either wants to be just like a celebrity. Could that be their main attraction?

When people think of Twitter they might think of a website that lots of people are on and a place where everyone wants to visit. Surprisingly, even though almost everyone has heard of Twitter, 80% of people report that they never even use Twitter.

“Twitter is just a waste of time. It’s just another way to create drama,” claims Junior Keonna Windom. Although Twitter has become one of the most popular trends on the internet outside of the Messmer community, not everyone agrees that it is better than the network site called “Faceboook”.

“Better than Facebook? Never! You do the same things on Facebook that you do on Twitter except more,” exclaims Freshman Felix Ramsey. “You can update your statuses, upload cool pictures, and join celeb fan pages where they state where they’re going to be at the moment or what to look forward to them doing in the near future,” adds freshman Felix Ramsey.

There are also a number of other things you can do on Facebook that you can’t do on Twitter. You can watch videos, take quizzes ondifferent topics and compare them to other people scores, play games, and partake in other applications and things that are available there.

On the other hand, other individuals believe that Twitter is more convenient and informational. Kaitie Kovach, a Marquette University senior, is part of the Marquette Tribune newspaper staff. “As a journalism student, [Twitter is] good for news. You can tweet news and get it to tons of people, fast. Personally, I love it.”

Even though the Messmer community has an overwhelming dislike of the website Twitter, it may be a more quick and easier way of getting news from point A to point B. Say less but mean more; what do you think?

Best friends forever (BFF)?

By Tamiya Edwards, sophomore

In a Messmer poll, only half of students claim that they have a best friend. Most students believe that they have a best friend forever (BFF) because they want someone they can go to and tell all their secrets to or maybe want a friend that they can tell all their problems to without the whole schools knowing about it.

But what about the other half? Junior Briana Stewart-Jiles stated, “No, I don’t have a best friend.” She believes that she doesn’t need one and best friends don’t last forever.

However, most of the answers that was collected responses “yes” seem to be the same answer that popped up the most but with different a reason which was that they wanted someone who they can go to and talk to. Some people just feel as if they don’t need a best friend and don’t have any that’s worthy of being called their best friend.

Some students say that they choose their BFF based on trust, honesty, and humor. Freshman Jaelynn Molley stated, “They have to be trustworthy and they need to be a person who actually cares about how you feel.”

Sophomore Xavier Johnson stated, “Me and my BFF have been friends for about 6 years.” The reason why they lasted so long is because Johnson and his best friend do a lot of things together and have similar interests. Just like Johnson, half of those polled have been friends with their best friend for 6 years or more. Maybe the reason some friendships last that long is because they are friends with a person that they can trust, have good advice, never go behind their backs and talk bout them, and knows how to keep secrets

Senior Garry Santilana states, “I have 2 or 4 best friends.” Even though there is no limit on how many best friends you can, have but many students just call anyone they talk to their “BFF”. Only 40% claim say that they have only one or two BFFs. If you have students calling anyone their BFF then what’s the purpose for having a BFF at all then?

So many people change their best friends everyday. Maybe the reason for that is because they really don’t know what a real best friend really is. Or it can just be the person that they called their best friend did something that ruined their friendship either it was telling their secrets or talked about them behind their back. If you keep changing best friends every week or so then that means the people that you are calling your best friend really isn’t your best friend.

Tips for friends

Things you should do….

1. Be honest with your friend

2. There must be loyalty in your friendship

3. Communication, talk to your friend

4. You have to be trustworthy

5. Have things in common

Things you shouldn’t do….

1. Don’t betray your friend

2. Don’t be a back stabber

3. Don’t ever talk bout your friend behind their back

4. NEVER go with your best friend’s ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend

5. NEVER tell your best friend’s secrets to anyone else

Journal Sentinel Trip

2009 Spring Foursquare staff

Seniors .... and school ....

Comic composed by Melvin Coulter

Fine Arts Night Is Here!

By Sydney Walls

This is the 12th year that Messmer High School is celebrating Fine Arts Night. Every year the school has created a new theme for this celebration. This year the theme is “The Streets of Paris”.

Unlike the former celebrations this year is expected to be a formal affair. Everyone in attendance is encouraged to dress up. Not dressing as formal as prom dresses and tuxedos, but more like cocktail dresses and pant suits are encouraged. Then there is always music and food to make the night more enjoyable.

The first time Messmer had Fine Arts Night there were thirty people in attendance. Last year, for the “Green and Growing theme”, there were eight hundred people that came to view the artwork that really showcased the talents that the students possess. This year, Mrs. Flierl expects the attendance to be around five hundred people. There’s no cost and the date will be April 30th.

Sophomore Giovanni Rodriguez had her self-portrait showcased last year. She stated, “Having my artwork showcased made me feel proud of myself.”

Junior, Tieara Stewart spoke about students having the chance to express themselves.

“I think Fine Arts Night is great because it gives students the chance to express their individual talents and who they are if they feel misunderstood,” Stewart expressed.

Out of students surveyed about what they like to see at Fine Arts Night 32% percent of the students enjoy seeing the paintings, 30% like the sketches, 25% percent were more drawn to the sculptures, and 13% percent of the students liked seeing the pottery.

Art teacher, Mr. Mike Boyle, works with all of his art classes to decorate and hang murals in the basement’s hallway that display this year’s Fine Arts Night theme, “The Streets of Paris.”

Bookstore Manager, Mr. Jeremy Armstrong, wishes we had a Fine Arts Week because he feels that the nightly event is not enough. “Fine Arts Week is an exciting idea”, Mrs. Flierl thought when it was brought to her attention. She wants to share that idea at the next Fine Arts Night meeting and hopes that gets approved. Mrs. Flierl also mentioned that the most important thing is the student’s artwork.

“All year I save the best pieces from my students, mount all of the artwork, and help plan activities for the night. There will musical performances and a judged art contest. The night is to celebrate all the hard work our students do over the course of a year and share the beauty of art and music with friends and family.”

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Who is it?

Post a comment with your name and the name of this teacher and you will have a chance to win Bishop Bucks!

Picture of the week - Teachers play, too.

Vince LoCoco, Josh Reiss, Greg Flattery, Justin Armitage KC Simon, Kris Puddicombe, Jeremy Armstrong, Kim Stein, Abby Vogt, Rachel Dobrauc, Mark Ketterhagen and Liz Flattery use the snow day productively for a snow football game. And yes, teachers do have first names.

Hip Hop influences some students but in various ways

By Shayla Wesley, Senior

Hip Hop is a culture that includes rap music, style, language, and the way one presents themselves, and it influences well beyond those categories. Many are touched by this culture which as become its own industry of sales and promotion, but are teens at Messmer any more or less attracted to the ways of this world?

“I don’t think I am influenced by the Hip Hop world,” says senior Jasmine L. Davis. “I am my own person, and I do not let it get me to do anything.” Davis, then, is not one of the 46% of students that say that style influences them the most.

Junior Anthony Spicer claims, “Style influences me because if I am watching BET and I see a jacket or a belt that I like, I am most likely going to go out and buy it.” Surprisingly, only 14% say that the use of good and bad language influences them. “I am not influenced by the bad use of language because I do not repeat what other people say if I know that it will get me in trouble,” Spicer continues. Regarding others, “I think people do mimic of the Hip Hop World for kids because if a child sees something that they will like to try then they will eventually try to experience what they just saw,” stated Spicer.

Fashion trends are mostly routinely modeled by teens. If the Hip Hop trends bring out a new fashion such as skinny jeans or the puppy dog hat, a majority will most likely mimic that or try to find a similar style. Over three fourths of the studnets admit to buying into the trends they see.

There are both positive and negative affects of this culture on the general public. A positive effect can be encouraging people to stop all the violence and hatred towards one another.

“Nas is a perfect example because he wants people to come together as one and he wants to see change in the world,” states senior Shakira Taylor.

On the other hand, one negative effect trickles down to young kids. Children can be listening to a radio or watching television then all of a sudden a bad word is said and now the child is just going around saying that word they heard. Parents must be aware of what their children are watching or listening to and have a discussion about what is acceptable to model.