The Cristo Rey Torch

Transcription

1 The Cristo Rey Torch Issue 4 Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School * 680 W Peachtree, Atlanta, GA Wednesday, March 9, 2016 The Flames Surface Above Water Benton Thompson On November 10, 2015, the Cristo Rey freshman class went on a field trip to the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium. Two of Cristo Rey s finest freshman, Chloe Simon and Carlos Pedraza were interviewed about their experience. When asked how he felt when he heard he was going on a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, Carlos said that he was not thrilled initially. However, once taken to the backstage of the aquarium, he became more intrigued and enjoyed his experience. Carlos learned that a person could be a scuba diver at as young an age as 14. Seeing the technology that was operating was Carlos s favorite part because he is very passionate about things that are in the technology and S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Chloe also said at first she was not so happy about going on the trip because she had already been numerous times before. However, once at the aquarium, Chloe had lots of fun and learned something new. Chloe learned that fish do not breathe in water because their gills filter out oxygen. Her favorite part of the aquarium was seeing the American alligators because they are her favorite animal. Thanks to the thoughtful planning of their teachers, the Cristo Rey freshman class had a great time and learned lots of information during their visit to the aquarium. New Principal Profile How many hats does she wear? Naol Hulufe s Mrs. Bush is a woman of many faces. There is the kind and strict Mrs. Bush who watches the hall. There is the Mrs. Bush who is a devout reader and tries to read a book a week. Then there is also the Mrs. Bush who feels honored and privileged to have her new position as principal. Mrs. Bush said her expectations for the new year are seeing hard work from students and grade improvement. Shockingly, when asked when she first knew she wanted to be a teacher, she answered, I never wanted to be a teacher. She said that she fell in love with teaching students while a substitute. When asked if she would change the school, Mrs. Bush replied, I don t plan on making any changes. Mrs. Bush has a B.S. in Experimental Psychology, an M.S. in Physical Therapy, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership. When asked if she preferred her new position or teaching, she responded, I m never leaving students and I enjoy working with teachers.

2 A2 SCHOOL NEWS A Night to Remember Melanie Mata The gleaming lights, great music, and party atmosphere made the first Cristo Rey dance a great success. With the many activities at the dance such as dancing, talking to friends, and taking pictures it was impossible not to have fun. It was a night all of the students will definitely remember for a long time. Here are some memorable moments from the night. Wondering when the next dance will be? Wonder no more, the date is set. Join us Friday, April 15th from 6-8 p.m.

3 B1 OPINION My Connection to Dr. King s Words of Wisdom Camila Morales Guest Contributor In Dr. King s speech I ve Been to the Mountaintop, the topic that is discussed the most is equality for minorities in the USA. The most powerful line is, All we say to America is Be true to what you said on paper. This is something that could still be said today, even though the United States has changed since the late 1900 s; many citizens are not treated fairly based on their race, sexuality, or sometimes even their financial state. Many U.S citizens have illegal parents, meaning their parents came to the United States in search of a better future for their families, but simply because these children are born into families who are not exactly considered legal, they are looked down upon by society and considered criminals. This country does not always remember that these children have rights, not just constitutional, but also human rights; they are separated from their families at young ages. In conclusion, I ve Been to the Mountaintop leaves a powerful message by reminding the U.S that they need to remember that all of us have the same rights as all of them do. Although Martin Luther King, Jr. played a large role in gaining of equal rights for all African Americans, he was also a great role model and showed us that violence is not needed in order to show others what you believe is right for society. And Bull Connor would tell them to send the dogs forth...bull Connor next would say, Turn the fire hoses on. I would follow Dr. King s footsteps and choose to stand up for what I think is right even if it involves getting hurt. Something that would drive me to stand up for my beliefs is the rights of all those immigrants who simply come here, the United States, in search of a better future, and are seen as criminals by the government for crossing the border. I would most definitely choose getting hurt for the rights of these families over sitting back and watching them get separated from their children. I would also stand up for those teenagers who were born in foreign countries but were brought here at a young age by their parents; I would stand up for them and stop the country from taking them away from the only country they have ever really considered their home. In conclusion, I would choose to stand up for what is right even if it would lead to my own physical pain.

4 B2 Cell Phones in Solitude? OPINION Jahdirah Wilkinson & Amani Clark s Hey you, loner on the phone! You could be socializing with your friends, but instead you re on social media. This proves that the technology we use today makes us more alone than ever before in history. Today teens can be seen twiddling their thumbs while texting more often than they are seen in the presence of the very people they are talking to. According to New York Times, recent studies have shown that today s teens are feeling more alone than ever, in a seemingly highly connected world. New and improved apps and intricacies of our phones cause us to be more introverted than outgoing with friends and family. We don t realize that the more infatuated we are with technology, the more dependent we become. We need to be mindful before turning on our devices of what is really important: the people in front of us, or, the phone in front of us? Djana Martin Donald Trump: Yea or Nay? If you haven t been watching the news recently or you have been living under a rock for the past six months, then you don t know that Donald Trump is running for President of the United States of America. If you do know all this, congrats, you re not like a thousand years old. So now that you know the topic of conversation, I will tell you how a sample of the Cristo Rey populace feels about Donald Trump. I asked the people of Cristo Rey Atlanta how they felt about Donald Trump running for president. Alejandro Bello, a ninth grader, responded with, I think he has good ideas but no legitimate plans for America. He doesn t know what he s doing and he only likes rich white people. The tenth grade chemistry teacher, Ms. Beam answered, I think it s comical, yet it has generated a lot of political conversation among those who usually are not as active in the world of politics. Will Trump be able to solve problems in America such as homelessness, gun violence, police brutality, and college tuition fees? Tenth grader Camila Marin said, Yes, I think he would. I know many people will disagree with me, but I believe there are pros and cons to every president. He would help some of the people in America, but not everyone. Nicolas St. Cloud, who is also in the tenth grade said, I believe we are all people and everyone should be treated fairly. I think Trump does not understand that. He does not know what America needs, and he may have good intentions, but he is not helping. In regards to Ms. Beam s comment, I went on to ask if Donald Trump running for president made students want to get more involved in politics and if so, why?t enth grader Joy Paillet answered, Yes, because I will be worried about the direction Trump will lead the country in. Another tenth grader Jamal Penton said, No, because I don t think he ll win. My final question about Trump was how students view his morality.. Ninth grader Makeda Atsbaha said this, I think he s a good person, but I don t think he s able to lead the country. The way he treats other races shows that his morals are off...he s not fair to all races. A good president gives all citizens with the same level of respect. Tenth grader Joy Paillet said, I feel like everyone is capable of being a good person, but Donald Trump takes advantage of his power.

5 C1 O Captain! My Captain! Elizabeth Rodriguez SPORTS Jada Milligan Girls Basketball captain reflects on the season. What is your opinion on the season? How do you feel about it? The season was a battle which ended in a victory. We were the underdogs because we didn't have a gym or coach that wasn't a teacher or even good balls to practice with. I feel proud of all the girls that came out and practiced for hours in the cold. Many had never played before and the courage that it takes to join a team and stick with it is what makes the girls amazing. How did you feel when you won your first and last game of the season? Winning our last game of the season was a gift. We all felt disappointed because we felt that we had not yet seen the benefits of our hard work. However, the game we won was not only one game. All the tears and frowns during the whole season led up to this victory. To have the team end on a strong note showed that all the struggles we went through were for a reason. Did you enjoy the basketball season? I definitely enjoyed the basketball season. Regardless of the long nights and practices, my teammates taught me how to love the game. How did you connect with the team? Describe some of your teammates. My teammates were my family for the season and beyond. Each one of them is persevering and hardworking. Flame Spotlight: Isanel Montiel- Conteras Isanel, a 15 year old cheerleader at Cristo Rey Atlanta, puts lots of work in for her school. Isanel is originally from Roswell, Georgia. She is a very modest girl with a little past cheerleading experience from a previous gymnastics coach who used to be a cheerleader. She joined the cheerleading squad at Cristo Rey to boost her confidence as well as support her school. During Isanel's time as a cheerleader she has done an abundance of hard work but her favorite part is tumbling. She has made a few friends within the cheerleading. She has even gotten help and support from the other cheerleaders. The Cristo Rey Torch Staff would like to thank all of the faculty, staff, and students for their contributions. Sincerely, Benton Thompson IV Jadirah Wilkinson Melanie Mata Naol Hulufe Jada Milligan Amani Clark