College Park's New Year's Resolution, Jasmine Eubanks

In 2003 Leadership Public School -- College Park opened its doors as a small school, but now it's 2009 and a lot has changed for example, we have a new principal and new rules and procedures. We are excited that we have survived previous years and teachers and administrators.

We welcome new years -- the opportunity to turn a new leaf and grow towards adulthood. But, 2009 is a tough year for us to adapt to. Many students feel as if "a lot is being thrown at us this year." I am confident that we will adjust to the new leadership and thrive academically. After all, we survived at least eight years of schooling thus far.

A new year to Briana Williams means “a new number, not so much a new beginning because you can’t start over something that is already done. That is impossible. It’s a fresher start to change and do better.”

Not all students welcome or thrive with change. Ninth grader Danielle Straughton explained that a new year to her means she is going to stop caring about what others say. She is going to be herself and not change a thing. This is what New Year's resolutions are all about -- improving ourselves and our lives.

Roxana Hurtado's New Year’s resolution with regards to school and her future is “to pass the Cahsee, so I won’t have to take it over again.” Her resolution is different than others', because she is a 10th grader, but the grade doesn’t always determine the resolution.

The students feel that the new administration, which took effect in late December had a New Year's resolution too -- which was to throw a bunch of new rules at us. We are not sure if these rules will help or hurt our school, but what we do know is that 2010 will give us a clearer view of 2009.

Girl Attacked By a Dog, Genaro Moreno

Fort Worth, Texas -- A 3-year-old girl died after being attacked by her neighbor's Rottweiler. The neighbor said Friday the 17-year-old dog attacked the toddler after she climbed through a hole in the fence of her backyard and into an enclosure with the animal. The dog's owner turned the pet over to the city and was cooperating with authorities, said Keane Menifee, manager of the city's Animal Care and Control Division.

Menifee told the Fort Worth Star Telegram the animal's vaccinations were not current, and that the dog will likely be euthanised. This is a problem for the neighborhood because a lot of attacks by a dog were happened in this days and this need to stop like this girl who was kill by a dog.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Response:
There are stray dogs in East Oakland. People who have dogs need to have their dogs under control and away from the people outside in the streets. There are laws and fines that can be assigned if residents do not obey the law. This is a big problem in East Oakland, but we feel powerless to stop dog attacks. A fellow student, ninth grader Cameron Williams, was attacked and bitten in his face by a dog, which was off leash on a public street. Nothing will change until dog owners start acting responsibly.

Presidential Inauguration, Lasanna Pegues

This year is one of the most important years for America. It is the month that Barack Obama will finally be titled President of the United States. This is the first time that America has voted an African American president.

Students at College Park are excited to be led by an African American president. Yelling and screaming came from all classes when the news informed us that on January 22,2009 a black will take office. There were many Barack Obama skeptics. They are entitled to their opinion, but I for one am happy to see that a America has had enough trust in a African American to lead us. I am excited to see what President Obama will do while in office.

Everybody Has Secrets, Geraldine Ramirez

Victoria has her Secrets (excuse the pun Victoria Secrets) so do we. Students at LPS -- College Park have a lot of secrets, as do all people. This came to life for the students who attended the play, “Secrets,” on December 1st, 2008 on the Castlemont campus.

The play was about how teenagers have a lot of secrets that affect their lives. Eddy was playing a roll of a teenage boy who was going out with a lot of girls. Also, he was having a lot of sex with girls without protection, this caused Eddy to become HIV positive.

Juana Reyes, grade nine, said, “I’m going to check myself!” This is something everybody in the world has to do because this it's their life. HIV is something that every teenager must watch out for if he or she is sexual active.

Teen should not feel embarrassed for having HIV. This disease will not make you weak it’s going to make you stronger and love life more.

One of my family members has HIV and I’m very proud of him because he doesn’t give up on life. He tries and tries to be better each day and I thank God for letting him live.

Teens don’t feel bad, if you know you have HIV tell someone because we only have one life and think about the people that love you. Secrets are only yours and you have to realize that your life is more important than everything else. Your happiness and health should not be your private secret.

The Youth Uprising, Brittanie Williams

The Youth Uprising is a youth center where younger people, ranging in age from 13 to 24, can discover and polish their talents. The center is located on MacArthur at 87th Street in Oakland. The goal of the center is to help students and youth stay off the streets and to find a career or realize what they want to be in life.

You can discover who you are at Youth Uprising. The center offers activities, such as theater, music production, dance classes, and much more. These activities serve allow youth to entertain themselves rather than find themselves in violent situations in the neighborhood.

The most favorite activities at Youth Uprising are raping & singing, dancing, and recently the center started a drama class. The music studio is state-of-the-art.

Youth that attend these activities are improving their opportunities in the future. The alternative in neighborhood results in jail and death for an alarming number of local youth. The activities would get you further in life to be successful.

If you are interested in learning more about Youth Uprising, you can visit the center at:

Youth UpRising
8711 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, California 94605
Phone: 510-777-9909
Fax: 510-777-9949
http://youthuprising.org/center.htm

A New Year. A New Hope, Sandra Ruvalcaba

This year is one of the most important years for America. Even though January just past, it's still fresh in our minds and is one of the most important months of 2009. It is the month that President Barack Obama became the first African American president.

College Park students were excited to see an African American president, because the students are minorities themselves. President Obama represents an opportunity for minorities to have a voice in America.

There was yelling and screaming coming from all classes when the news released the information that on January 22,2009 a black will take office. There were many comments said against Barack Obama, but those were not agreed with by the students.

As a Latina, I am happy to see that a America has had enough trust in a African American become the president. I am excited to see what he does while in the White House.

The Switch, Lashanna Pegues

Here at College Park we have a newspaper and blog staffs. Over the past couple of months half of the class worked on the newspaper and the other half worked on the school blog. Newspaper writing does not allow opinion -- it's all about the facts -- but bloggers can be more personal with the reader. It's a completely different way of writing and all the journalists need to adapt to this.

Bloggers write their feelings. Newspaper journalists write the facts. This is what we had to adapt to when we returned from winter. As journalists in the midst of this "switch" we have to come leave our “comfort zone” and write to you in a new way.

Journalism is tough.