Online MagazineAliasRoosee

photography courtesy of iCSC Media Group/P.AL Photography

Contents

Editor’s NoteDear Readers,

I am wring this lI am wring this leer as I fly home from Houston, TX. So many amazing things happened during this trip. I was able to collaborate and learn from some the most forward-thinking women. I enjoyed live music from local arsts and ate some of the finest cuisine. When reflecng on this trip one thing stood out, my willingness to try new things.

As childAs children we have this wide-eyed amazement with our world, and somewhere down the road of life it fades. My challenge to you, renew that sense of wonder you reveled in as a child.

A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires. (Paulo Coelho)

Happy Reading,

AliasRooseeAliasRoosee

is month’s issue continues... “Ask Marie”is is new addition is for school aged kids, pre-teens, and teens. Got a question; got a problem, ask Marie!

Roll Call

Don’t get left out!

@aliasroosee

One of the reasons I am special is because I speak two languages, English and Spanish. My family is from Mexico. People think I was born in Mexico because I speak Spanish, but I was born in Chicago. I learned Spanish because my dad is Mexican and it is part of my culture.Mexican and it is part of my culture.

Another reason I am special is because I have a lot of talent in art. I draw really well! I have to look at pictures to draw, but I am getting good at making stuff up. I think my art talent comes from my granddad. He is a painter; he sells a lot of his art.art.

The final reason I am special is that I am me! No one else looks like me. No one is exactly like me. I am one of a kind and that makes me special all by itself.

Arnulfo Montejano

This week the students in Visual Arts were asked to do something out of the norm; write. Mrs. Johnson, the permanent art substitute, gave a simple writing assignment. Students were to answer the following: following:

What is it about you that makes you special? The students had to write no less than 3 paragraphs outlining no less than 3 reasons why they were special. If the student decided they were not special, they had to write 3 paragraphs, with no less than 5 paragraphs, with no less than 5 reasons, stating why they were not special. After a few grumbles and blank stares, the students began to write.

One student decided she was special because she had pretty eyes, long hair, and made straight A’s. When asked, “What if you were blind and had no concept of color, all your hair fell out, and you flunked every class; would you not be class; would you not be special,” the student rushed back to her desk to continue writing. Of the 50 students that turned in papers, this one stood out…

To be considered for the Student Spotlight please email reason the recommendation along with on along with the name, grade, and school of the student to, aliasroosee@gmail.com.

Student Spotlight

Nikera was first introduced to you in the March issue of AliasRoosee. She was March’s Student Spotlight. Immediately after the issue premiered, Ms. Daniels asked about having her own column in the magazine. She came to me with a book full of artwork and I could not say no.

Readers I present to you the Artistic Expressions of Miss Nikera Daniels.

Digital Portfolio by: Nikera Daniels

Dear Marie,

I am 13 years old and sometimes I get so depressed that I cut myself. I know that I shouldn‛t but that seems like the only way to make me feel better. No one knows that I do this. I feel embarrased alot and hate making up stories about why I am wearing long sleeves or a jacket all the time.

I am writing you because I told m best friend and she said that I should I am writing you because I told m best friend and she said that I should talk to someone.

-Sad Girl

Dear Sad Girl,

First, I want to say WOW! You are so brave! It takes a lot to ask for help, especially from someone you do not know. Your friend is right, you should talk to someone. There are special doctors you can talk to that can help you sort out your feelings and help get to the feelings that make you cut yourself.

Second, you are not alone! There are many kids and some adults that Second, you are not alone! There are many kids and some adults that struggle with this. One that really helps is to have a strong support team that you can go to and talk. You may want to also start keeping a journal. I am not a doctor, but it may help when you feel the urge to cut you stop and write down exactly what you are thinking and feeling.

Last, TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! I know sometimes we want to handle Last, TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! I know sometimes we want to handle things on our own but some issues are too big for us to tackle alone. Tell your parent, and if you can‛t find the words show them this article. They can get you the help you need to get better.Even though I don‛t know you, I am here if you ever need to talk just send in another email :-),

-Marie

Photography by Ebanezer Matthues for Eagle Eye Photography

Photography courtesy of P.AL (P dot AL) Photography

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Don’t get left out!

@aliasroosee

There are some family names that are immediately associated with greatness; Kennedy‛s, Rockefeller‛s, Obama‛s. Central Illinois is no different. The mere mention of the Cannon name makes ears perk up and makes ears perk up and gives you a certain amount of clout within any circle. I must admit, before conducting this interview I was a bit nervous. I did not know what to expect from this person whose name is this person whose name is shadowed only by her love of people, unwavering faith, and commitment to her community. We spent the next 1 ½ hours discussing projects, relationships, love, faith, and even food. I love, faith, and even food. I entered her home as an interviewer and advertisement connection and left as a friend.Ladies and gentlemen...

To be honest, it started out of selfishness. I had a grandson that was about to enter a public high school, and I was afraid how he would transition. I began to panic because so many things were going on at our schools at the time. I did not know how he would handle it. I have always been a firm believer that if you aren‛t part of the solution then you are part of the problem. I felt compelled to do a conference; mind you, I had no felt compelled to do a conference; mind you, I had no idea how to do it or where to begin.

I heard that Jeff Johnson would be at Bradley for Dr. King month. I met him, and here he was the young guy, into hip hop, he had dreadlocks, but was very well-kept. He had this profound message and was giving so much wisdom to these college kids. I said this is the kind of guy I need for this conference.

I talked to him and asked what do I have to do to bring you back for a youth conference I am doing. He gave me his card, and he said that number on that card goes directly to me. I sent him a message and his manager said, “Jeff would love to come!” His fee was $5,000. They might as well ask me for as million dollars; I didn‛t have that kind of money, but I did have a vision. I spoke to my very best friend‛s husband asked, “Is this what to my very best friend‛s husband asked, “Is this what God put on your heart?” I said, “Yes, yes God did!” He asked, “Did he say he needed the money up front?” I said no. He said, “Well do what God told you to do and the rest will work itself out!” That is exactly what happened! I wrote to different people, and I will never forget Maui Jim™ gave us our first $1,000 donation; every year after that we figured out how to do it every year after that we figured out how to do it better. We finally incorporated this year and are waiting our official non-profit information.

For more information about the Hope Renewed Youth Conference visit www.HRYC.info

What is this year‛s theme?This year it is called Charting Your Course. I chose that because you have to have a plan, and these kids don‛t have that. This year it is called Charting Your Course. I chose that because you have to have a plan, and these kids don‛t have that. We want to be able to help them verbalize and visualize their goals, not just living in the moment. You need to chart your course. We hope to bring in information from community colleges, we have to meet these kids where they are and show they can succeed. We have these lofty ideas that are unrealistic when you think about the skill set of some of our youth. But if we take the basis for those ideas, achievement, and show kids how to move towards that achievement in realistic steps it becomes more practical.