Studying Our World

by Keira Savage

February 24, 2020

It’s very important to know about what’s going on in your country, but it’s also important to know what’s happening around the world. Providence St. Mel now has a new class called Global Issues, taught by Humanities department chair Dr. Dan Wessel.

More students should want to take this class because it offers an advantage to being aware of what economic issues are present today.

“I recommend this class because we learn about the events that I would never research myself if I heard about them on my own,” said senior Keasjah Wilson.

It’s important to know what’s going on around the world because it could have an impact on this country. It gives us the benefit of knowing the issues and how we should respond to them.

“It’s important for students to hold their elected leaders accountable - as future voters. We live in a multicultural society. We should be able to develop solutions to our problems,” said Dr. Wessel.

Students need facts and should be able to come up with conclusions to understand their thinking around the world.

“Focusing on issues outside of America is what Global Issues is about. Founding ideas is more just inside America, but we tend to forget and misinterpret what goes on around our country and we should be mindful of that,” said Dr. Wessel.

When you learn new things about different countries, you understand more about why certain things are the way they are and develop an opinion. These students in the class share their opinions during discussion.

“Discussions are helpful because with social media, you may never get the facts, and it’s better to know what’s really going on instead of just trusting what others are saying,'' said senior Taniza Lewis.

Expanding knowledge about the world is a great thing for PSM students. We should be able to think through problems in order to develop efficient solutions.

Junior Camille Campbell puts a memory card inside of her camera to review photos.

Core academic classes are essential to life, but the arts offer a way for students to express themselves. In addition to the creativity offered, basic skills can be improved upon such as critical thinking and decision making.

At Providence St. Mel, the arts are valued just as much as academics, offering many different mediums. These include Art Fundamentals, Digital Photography, Intermediate Art, Dark Room Photography, Advanced Art, Ceramics, and Graphic Design. In addition to these, there are also Choir and Band courses, at advancing levels. To some, art is something they do for fun, but others see it as a form of expression.

“Art means expressing yourself in a unique way so that others can understand your emotions,'' said junior Eryon Campbell.

Art doesn’t only act as a form of expression. It also offers relief from stress and alleviates anxiety.

“I like how calm the class was because we would listen to music while we worked. Mrs. Beaty was always available after school so if I needed help; I would always feel comfortable going to her,” said Eryon.

While it is a stress-reliever, there lies an intimate relationship between art and emotion. When someone struggles to create something but works hard to complete it, they get a sense of success. Upon achieving something so difficult at first, there is a bond created. You are proud of the piece you were able to create and that passion shows through.

“I didn’t sign up for intermediate art, but I got it. I think that when you are working on something that can be difficult, it challenges you. Intermediate art tests my skills, but it can be fun too,” said junior D’aira Hendrix.

Word has spread around the halls and classes of PSM of what art offers. This year, many students are taking up the electives to try something new and different.

“Getting to draw is exciting for me. It’s new to me, but I’ve heard from a lot of my friends that they had a good time,” said junior Akhirah Muhammad.

Art teacher Melissa Beaty wants to inspire her students and let them know that there can be a career in the arts. To start off the year with a bang, in the first class she shared excerpts from Big Magic, a New York Times Bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert that acts as a guide to living a life filled with creativity.

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all and then stands back to see if we can find them,'' Gilbert says. “You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.”

Art classes may be overlooked, but the effect that they can have on those who participate in them is undeniable. Developing creativity is just one part of many, as students get skills that will benefit them for life.

The Elective Effect

by Lauryn Norris

November 12, 2019

Preparing for ACTs/ PSATs

By Cyan Channel

November 12, 2019

Preparing for standardized tests can be a challenge, but Providence St. Mel offers a variety of solutions to help students prepare for the ACTs and PSATs.

“I prepared for the ACT by coming after school to learn methods that will best help me get the right answer and the best score. I took multiple practice tests from teachers, and that really got me into ACT mode,” said Junior Akhirah Muhammad.

Teachers will help you if you take the time to come after school. Akhirah Muhammad has one of the highest scores in the junior class, and she took advantage of that help.

“I would tell them—students who have bad scores and want to improve—to set some time aside and really focus only on the ACTs and focus on the problems you have and what are your main problems and subjects on the ACT. Go to your teacher. Just have faith in yourself; have that courage and optimism,” said Akhirah.

Try not to panic if you are not getting the scores you want. In order to address the issues, you have to want the help.

“Ms. Stopka helps me the most, and that is no surprise because of how high my English and reading scores were,” said Akhirah .

A.P. English and Junior Test Prep teacher Carolyn Stopka helps students improve skills by going over types of questions that will possibly show up on the test. She helps specifically in the Reading and Writing/Language sections of the tests by going over practice tests and showing videos on grammar skills.

“Ms. Stopka would give us practice problems, and she did daily English and reading passages with us,” said Junior Nia Johnson, who also had a very high score on her ACT.

PSM offers many resources to help you, including the ACT/ PSAT website.

“To prepare for these standardized tests, try to practice on your own. Use Khan Academy and videos to practice certain areas,” said Nia.

ACTs are important and all of these methods will help you reach your goal in getting accepted into college.

Work, Plan, Build, and Dream - What you do right now will affect your future.

ACT-SO Competition - The Program that Works

By Lauren Leggett

May 7, 2019

The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program celebrates some of the most gifted African American youth in a nationwide competition every year: singers, dancers, writers, and more. From entrepreneurship to dramatics and poetry performance, there are countless categories for any and every enthusiastic student.

Providence St. Mel students have not only participated in this event, but have returned with gold medals on regional and national levels. With over twenty different categories, students are allowed to explore and compete in fields that are tailored to their specific interests.

“For both STEM and Humanities, it is a wonderful chance to find out what you enjoy doing and what your personal skill set is tuned for,” said senior Erik Imathu-Jones.

A number of PSM students have competed in this program including senior Lauren Leggett, junior Ayonie Evans, and sophomore Tramell Wright. The past two years, seniors Erik Imathu-Jones and LaNiece Dennis have both won gold regionally and went on to compete on a national level.

“Last year, I participated in Musical Singing and Poetry Performance. I participated in those two sections because I wanted to test my own individual voice,” said Tramell.

In the most recent competition, Erik participated in the category of Mathematics, presenting his project entitled “Investigations and Mathematical Demonstrations In The Topological Dynamics Of Fluid Vortices”.

“ACT-SO is my opportunity to perform research in the subject I love. It helps me understand myself as a learner and an aspiring mathematician,” said Erik.

Other contestants have said they learned immensely from their experience as well, claiming they grew as performers and learned fundamental life lessons along the way.

“A special skill I learned was maintaining absolute confidence, even in the face of extreme pressure. I also felt the weight of responsibility when I struggled with mastering a musical performance,” said Tramell

By constantly placing the students under the critique of judges and forcing them to focus on their talents, it garners them the push they need to show dedication, focus, and responsibility.

“Students should participate not only to gain notoriety on their talents and gifts but also to gain great guidance. The competition itself teaches students what’s it like in the real world and how competitive people can be,” said Ayonie.

ACT-SO is also a great way for students to understand the larger role they play in leading the next generation of African American students. By gathering large groups of African American youth with diverse talents, it exposes many to the beautiful reality that is sometimes hidden in black communities.

“It also helped me realize that my gift is being seen and heard. I feel like ACT-SO is a great place for African American kids to feel a sense that we are not trapped inside of our communities with no dream to catch. It gives gifted people the guidance they deserve,” said Ayonie.

Because ACT-SO offers skilled professional coaching and a venue for kids to fully explore their passions, it not only strengthens their passions, but builds on their character as well. ACT-SO is more than just a competition. It is a program that encompasses hard work, dedication, support, and a final presentation of one’s work that altogether constitutes to one life-changing experience. It is organizations such as these that galvanize our youth to see the potential in what they can contribute to the world around them.

Singing to Success

By Josh Mason

May 7, 2019

It comes as no surprise that the Providence St. Mel Chamber Choir has had a great number of accomplishments when it comes to competing in choral or solo competitions. Judges can’t just look at the children within the choir, but you also have to look at the person behind the choir’s performance. PSM is definitely not lacking in this department as they have an excellent choir director, Dr. David Baar.

“He really pushes us to be the best that we can be and really encourages us to try new things and sing different songs,” said Junior Angel Milton.

Preparation is also a big factor, and it can be a preview of how a choir is going to perform.

“Practice is basically performance because the only thing that’s missing are the judges and the audience, so as long as we are prepared, performance should be easy,” said Sophomore Daniel Lee

The Chamber Choir members sing together or in the IHSA Solo and Ensemble contest, which is an opportunity for individual students from member schools to perform a selection of their choice for adjudication. The pressure of singing alone can be rough for certain singers, but that doesn't stop the Chamber Choir from excelling with students like Senior La’Niece Dennis placing in division one during her solo.

“I like performing with the choir more for sure. When it comes to performing by yourself as a soloist, there are way more things to worry about. If you mess up, it’s clearly heard,” said Sophomore Daniel Lee.

With Seniors getting ready to leave the Chamber Choir, the choir will be missing some very valuable singers. Seniors who are moving on to college have a surplus amount of confidence for the future of the PSM Chamber Choir.

“I feel like they are going to be just as successful because they have phenomenal singers and some of them have a lot of experience, which will help newer members,” said Senior Kaitlyn Mathis.

With a good choral program and consistent choir, the future looks bright for the PSM Chamber Choir. “I'll miss the times when we placed high at events. The energy that was on the bus and how everybody felt accomplished is what I will miss the most, and the fact that I was able to enjoy this experience with some of my closest friends,” said Kaitlyn.

Lower School Music Theater Students to Perform First Musical

By Tyriel Nelson

February 28, 2019

For many years, the Providence St. Mel lower school related arts classes have included bible, art, physical education, and music. President Jeanette Butala felt that a new class was needed to bring a different kind of excitement to the students, so she proposed a new theatre class.

The class, for grades one through five, is taught by Journalism and lower school music teacher Brian Ward. Mr. Ward has done everything from holding auditions, to composing songs and writing the script, and directing the musical. He really feels it will benefit the students.

“Any performance class helps students with being comfortable in front of an audience. Even more, a musical will challenge these students to not only sing in front of an audience, but also to act and dance. The students will gain more of a love for music and theater,” said Mr. Ward.

The show has many surprises within it; the kids even helped compose many of the songs, and during the play, the audience will get involved by creating a storm.

“Snap, Snap, Snap,

Stomp, Stomp, Stomp,

Leg Pat, Leg Pat, Leg Pat,

and the storm hits,“ said Mr. Ward.

Although this will be a first for some of these young performers, the students are confident that they will be prepared.

“This class will help me have less stage fright and will help me practice my voice,” said 4th grader Lysia Burks, who plays the role of Ruth.

Even though this is a theatre class, there are many more things taught than just how to be a part of a play.

“This class will prepare me for the theatre business,” said 5th grader Erica pope, who plays the role of Mary.

The kids have a clear goal, but Mr. Ward has a bigger vision for the kids with the class. In a theatre class, most people only focus on the talents already within the class and try to embrace them, but he also gave his students the opportunity to compose.

“Four of the songs in the musical have words that were written by 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I hope that they are proud of that work, and of the entire performance,” said Mr. Ward.

This class serves as a stepping stone into the theatre spectrum for young students. The show is a first time premier, so we are in for some fun.

This is the first time that this show, Faithful Through All Generations will be seen by an audience. The first through fifth graders’ musical performance is on April 5 at 6:00 PM, and it will be performed in the Easter Assembly on April 18.

Visiting College Is A Must

By Corey Brooks

February 28, 2019

Seniors have to apply to institutions where they can excel at a high rate. When making one of life's biggest decisions, research should be done.

There are many factors that should be considered when making a choice. College-bound students should consider climate, student life, organizations, ethnic makeup, and location.

“Some advice that I have is to look at the campus and see how you might fit in with everyone on the campus. I visited many schools, including Loyola, Indiana State, Western Michigan, and many more, and these visits gave me the insight on choosing the right school for me,” said senior Destiny Arnold.

In college, focus is required to be prepared for the real world. In order to thrive, the environment should not be a hindrance to one’s goals.

“Visiting colleges is beneficial because you get to see how life in college actually is, and you get familiar with the campus. You are able to see what type of activities or organizations interest you on different campuses,” said Senior Kadeja Love.

When a student visits several colleges, he or she should be able to compare and then find the best place possible to lead to success.

“I say to visit as many colleges as possible that you are interested in so that you can get a feel for the environment,” said Kadeja.

During sophomore or junior year in highschool, students should plan to visit an abundance of colleges. Even though some schools might not be on your list, visiting the college might change your perspective and help in your quest to find your dream school.

Civic Engagement

By Lauren Leggett

December 10, 2018

“Thinking about different interpretations of history, giving people a medium to think through the past, and analyzing how these events have affected the present is of the utmost importance” - Dr. Dan Wessel, History teacher at Providence St. Mel.

Dr. Wessel begins every class with this in mind. On a Monday morning you will see him instructing his class about the war of 1812. Each student, locked into the presentation, attentively takes note. The students then disperse, analyzing the information and debating the controversial options American leaders once had to choose from. Before allowing them to waiver over details, he reminds them that history is never black and white or finite. History is then and history is now.

Providence St. Mel prides itself on its successful students, dedicated athletes, and talented artists, but also its willingness to mold students into becoming contributors of society. Inspired by Mr. Adams’ own involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, the students strive to become young leaders that help advance and progress Chicago communities.

To fulfill this mission, Providence St. Mel has a lot of passionate teachers that work to help their students become those leaders. Through classes such as History, Law & Government, and American Politics, these teachers reveal the inner workings of America’s political, social, and economical systems.

“I understand how fundamental politics is as it can guide you into making real life choices, and make you a more well-rounded person,” said Dr. Wessel.

Not only do these teachers see the importance of civic engagement, but they have a true passion for the values they instill in their students.

“Being able to see young people wanting to step into democratic roles is amazing,” said American Politics teacher Mr. Hansen. “I know that when my generation steps out of the center, there are a lot of young people who can get the trains back on the tracks.”

These teachers find new and creative ways to get their students interested in civic engagement everyday. From rap battles and anachronistic history reenactments to mock trials and seminar discussions, these social studies classes are never uneventful.

“I love doing the debates with the freshmen. The most influential person in history debate always brings out the inner voice of my students,” said Mr. Hansen.

The social studies teachers’ enthusiasm is a reflection of PSM’s school spirit to be involved in our community’s development. These teachers instruct their students to help our political systems on a municipal level, state level, and even our country as a whole.

Therefore, when thinking about Providence St. Mel, it's important to remember how it molds its students to innovate and improve the American society. Moreover, it's important to remember the immense hard work its teachers and faculty put forth to make this motto become reality.

Dreams Don't Have To Have An Age Limit

By Alyssa Goodwin

December 10, 2018

“It’s not about how many years of experience you have. It’s about the quality of your years of experience.”– Jacob Cass, creator of Logo of the Day

Your age doesn't limit you. Senior Nigeria Brooks and Junior Richard Harrison are prime examples of young entrepreneurs that are proving this statement to be true.

Nigeria, the founder of Girlz Empowerment, and Richard, Owner of Anomalous Clothing, have both have managed to juggle both school and a business with little to no help.

These two young leaders represent that no matter your age, you can follow your dreams.

“My age doesn't mean anything. It’s consistency and hard work that matters,” said Nigeria.

Nigeria explained how Girlz Empowerment is a mentoring group that helps young girls like herself maneuver through high school.

“I know that most girls aren’t fortunate enough to have people to talk to and to help them out with certain situations, so I wanted to be the one to do that,” said Nigeria.

Richard focuses more on the fashion aspect of things and T-shirts specifically. He says that his brand is specifically based on deviating from what is expected and standing out from the rest.

“I wanted to be different from other clothing brands. I wanted to alert people that you don't need material things or brands to define who you are. These days, teenagers want to keep up with the recent trends, but we sometimes should stand out from others,” said Richard.

He gets a lot of his ideas from out of the box companies like A Tribe Unknown to use for inspiration. Unlike Nigeria, Richard runs Anomalous clothing all on his own.

Although it may seem easy to run a business, Richard and Nigeria both explained that the hardest part has been juggling school and their business at once.

“I can’t put my all into it like I want to now that school has started, so I try to multitask. When I’m finished studying, I devote my time to planning stuff for the group,” said Nigeria.

Both have learned valuable lessons from their experiences.

“One thing I learned is how to manage money. I also have learned, as other say, to ‘Value your time by putting a price tag on it.’ Time is your most essential thing as an entrepreneur, and if you don't have time, you might as well not think about doing a business because you need to put your 100% effort in it,” said Richard.

Some key tips Nigeria gave to teens interested in starting a new business is that they should always follow their dreams and trust their faith. She explained how she had to learn this lesson the hard way and hopes it keeps others from making the same mistakes.

“Don’t let others control your decisions because you’re your own person. Remember also to pray and ask God for guidance,”said Nigeria.

Their businesses also influence their future plans as well. Both plan to one day turn their business into careers and an essential income. Nigeria is even planning on majoring in business to further her knowledge. After college she plans on working with her mom to expand her daycare, and one day have a facility as big as the McCormick place for teens.

Having a business as a teen isn't easy, but it's rewards overshadow the negatives. Nigeria and Richard both show that it is possible to follow your dreams now.

You don't have to wait until later.

ACT Importance

By Corey Brooks

November 6, 2018

“I really didn’t think much of it. I honestly could say I didn’t put my best foot forward, and I paid the price,” said senior Tyriel Nelson.

This was his mindset going into his sophomore year in 2016, his first year taking the ACT. Tyriel believed the ACT wasn't serious, earning a 18 on his first try.

His demeanor changed after he realized that the ACT is his ticket to the next level.

Tyriel took the ACT again in February and earned a 20. He continued to work hard throughout his junior year. His hard work and studying paid off. When he took it for the third time in July of 2018, he jumped to a 31, 11 points higher than his last score.

“The ACT is very important to me because I do want to attend UCLA, the most applied to college in the country, and there are many applicants that have the same credentials as me with high test scores to stand out. Everyone around me needs the ACT in one way or another, so it is highly important,” said Kadeja Love.

Kadeja is someone that knew how key the ACT was to achieving success in life, so she devoted herself to preparing and focusing on the test.

“If you believe, you can achieve. Don’t set limits on yourself based on the limitations of others because you don’t know what you’re capable of. Everybody has a different route,” said Tyriel.

This was his motto when he went to take the test again after realizing the importance of the ACT.

“It honestly is an unthinkable achievement in my life, but it helped me realize what I could do if I put my mind to it. Going into the test, all I could think about was my future and how this one test impacted it so much, so I practiced a lot and only focused on that, “ said Tyriel.

The ACT and SAT are very important for getting into college, obtaining scholarships, and being eligible for great internships. These tests should be taken seriously by everyone because it will either hinder you or help you excel in life.

Light is essential to everyday life as it shines through all its facets. Photography is the pinnacle of light in life, besides of course photosynthesis.

Photography is the art or practice of taking and processing photographs using light. Photo means light and as such photography is the study of how light affects things.

There are two different types of photography classes that are offered; darkroom and digital. Darkroom photography teaches students how to develop photos from a reel, while digital photography teaches you the basics of editing photos with online resources.

“I prefer darkroom because you get to develop your own photos and see them come to life in a matter of seconds,” said Junior Caylan Gates.

The students in the digital class not only take pictures, but also edit them to fit criteria.

“In digital photography, we are assigned photoshoots where we have to capture 20-24 photos of the topic that we are given in the beginning of the week. Over the weekend, we shoot and during the week we create creative edits,” said Caylan.

These edits have specific things that you must do and a style to follow.

“We did different photography based off of different professional’s styles. We took photos over the course of the week and then edited them to mimic the professional’s style,” said Senior Gabrielle Barefield.

Darkroom photography takes a lot of time and effort to get photos to develop.

“We have to go in the dark closet and get our film reel and then develop them with chemical solutions. After development, the reel dries, and it’s used to make larger pictures. The larger photos are then developed within two buckets of solution, then rinsed and dried,” said senior Zakiya Calhoun.

Photography classes have an impact on the people that take them.

“It changed my view of how to see the world basically through a lens,” said Gabbie.

Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering

Cartoon by Ryan Coleman

May 8, 2018

ACT Anticipation

Sophomores take the ACT for the first time

By Breanna Bonslater

March 2, 2018

Anxiety? Apprehension? Confidence?

As the date for the ACT drew near, sophomores’ tensions steadily rose to the surface. Whether it was the time, the length, or simply just the idea of the nationally ranked test, every sophomore felt anxious about taking the ACT.

The ACT is an important test that can very well determine a student’s future. Many students said they felt prepared for the test, yet were still nervous about taking it.

Kiyarie Pete is a sophomore and a returning student. She said she felt “somewhat prepared for the ACT,” but was still “a tad bit nervous.”

She was not alone in this plight as many other sophomores agreed with her statement. Though students may have been prepared academically, most sophomores felt they were unprepared emotionally.

Not knowing if you’ll score above benchmark, or if your score will be high enough for your dream college - all of these factors cause emotional uneasiness when thinking about the ACT.

Even with all the stress the ACT brings, there were a few students who were confident in their intelligence and test taking skills. Though they were apprehensive, they looked forward to the ACT with hopeful eyes.

“Some may feel very down or disappointed about it, that they have to take this rigorous test, but I see it as an opportunity to better myself,” said sophomore Samuel Herenton.

Samuel is a transfer student, but he said that after watching his two older brothers take the ACT, he has “a better understanding of what the ACT is like.” He says his brothers go to top colleges, so he felt “motivated and confident” about taking the ACT.

Samuel and Kiyarie both attributed their preparedness to PSM.

“Providence St. Mel has prepared me very well. Over the summer I was required to take an ACT class which gave me an idea of what the test would be like. Over the course of the 4 week class, my practice scores increased. I feel prepared for the ACT coming up in February,” said Samuel.

“Yes, I feel somewhat prepared for the ACT because I have teachers that have been giving me helpful techniques and practice problems and questions that may be on the ACT,” said Kiyarie.

S.T.E.M Works

By Ryan Coleman

December 13, 2018

Integrating more extracurricular activities is no foreign concept to PSM. It is only natural that as our curriculum expands, so should the rest of the school.

“The S.T.E.M Club was created to give students that are interested in S.T.E.M careers a chance to to explore and experiment with math and science beyond what they do in their classes,” said Algebra teacher Adrienne Turner.

S.T.E.M club is working to be more innovative this school year. It was created to give more students an interest in the S.T.E.M fields of the world.

“S.T.E.M club was created by intellectual PSM students who meet to practice inquiry based [on] science, technology, engineering, and math, and apply to real-world applications,” said Senior Karinton Triplett.

The content they learn is fundamental to the real world.

“S.T.E.M Club is a student-led organization. The students meet each week to determine the focus of the club and the projects they want to complete. They devise a plan for completion, determine which members will complete which portions of the plan, complete independent research, and make models,” said Ms. Turner.

The current members of S.T.E.M are not only doing exciting activities, but they are also finding practical real-world applications for them.

“Currently, we are working with coding and 3D printers because we are working towards building a small car to code functions or create solar power. Also, we brainstorm bigger projects which are not set yet - things such as figuring out how to make solar power efficient,” said Senior Jasmine Smith.

S.T.E.M may occur outside of the usual class times, but it improves the knowledge you apply everyday during school.

“Personally, I was never a big fan of math, but S.T.E.M club has made me more engaged, and I no longer shut out learning math material. I now know what coding is, and I understand the meaningful purpose behind it,” said Karinton.

Since this is the first year the club has been initiated, the senior members are encouraging students to join and keep it going for future years. It doesn't matter who you are, you can join. You are sure to reap some benefits for being a part of what they do.

“I most definitely encourage others to join. It is something we are working towards in our senior year because when we leave, we want this program to continue. We want [others] to have a foundation in the S.T.E.M world,” said Jasmine.

Geniuses in the Making

By Zakiya Calhoun

December 13, 2017

Jumping, climbing, skipping, and swinging can be seen on Providence St. Mel’s new lower school playground, built in summer 2014 by a company called KaBoom, along with PSM parents, faculty, and students.

The playground is a fun space and a great addition to the school. It helps provide positive exercise and activities to our lower school classes. What about when the winter comes?

When it is too cold outside and the snow is falling, lower school students can’t use the playground. Instead they use the Makerspace Center.

“I came up with the idea, first of all, as a fun learning environment for indoor winter recess for lower school,” said 4th/5th Grade Teacher Cecily Meers.

The Makerspace Center, previously known as the LRC, is a place where students can gather to create various projects. These projects involve legos, duplos, and other circuit kits. It is almost like a STEM club for lower school students.

“As the substitute [last year], I always found recess in the classroom to be difficult, and the library was underutilized at that time of day,” said Ms. Meers.

The lower school students create projects like simple programing with various computer toys and electrical and physics experiments. Being introduced to these activities introduces a curiosity to explore more in the future.

“Curiosity is the foundation of being a lifelong learner,” said Ms. Meers.

The Makerspace Center is a great way to prepare the lower school students for middle and high school. These projects not only promote curiosity, but also give the student an initial motivation to do something more.

“It prepares them for moving forward each year,” said Ms. Meers.

PSM Band Under New Command

By Kaneisha Henderson

November 8, 2017

It’s the thumping rhythm that you can feel in your body. It’s the feeling of freedom as you produce a unique sound from your instrument. It’s the loud, vibrating sound of harmony and the smiles on the faces of the audience. It’s the Providence St. Mel Band.

Band is a great way to produce amazing music using an instrument. This year’s new students are not the only fresh faces seen in the band room. Ms. Sorensen, the new instructor, has begun the year with a great start and many students look forward to a great year with her.

“I love how Ms. Sorensen challenges us. The amount of hard work she puts in raises the bar for us as students,” said Senior Aryell Cantrell.

Band requires a lot of work, but when it gets frustrating, it is best to ask for help. With the help offered, you can achieve the level of success that you're aiming for.

“Band is a very challenging experience, but with help from my teacher I can make it through,” said Aryell.

Teachers are essential when experiencing new or complex activities. Not all teachers have the same style, but the common goal is to ensure the success of the student.

“I have experienced three different teachers throughout my 9 years in band and each one had a different teaching style,” said Aryell.

Ms. Sorensen has a teaching style that will guarantee success for her students and push them to be the best that they can be. The students appreciate her style and goals.

“Ms. Sorensen is requiring us to put in our best effort individually and that helps us improve as a band,” said Symphonic Band Member Louis Hayag.

The band is a very popular activity even with the amount of work that is required. The result is worth all of the work put in.

“Band is a great experience, and with the amazing aid that Ms. Sorenson offers, the end result is well worth the effort,” said Louis.

Expertise is not a requirement to join band. Many students start the school year conflicted about which elective should be chosen due to lack of experience. That is not a problem because many band students begin with little to no experience and become very fine musicians over time.

“I couldn’t draw and could barely hold a note, but on top of that I had never been truly exposed to playing any instrument, besides a recorder in middle school,” said Symphonic band member La'Treil Allen.

Band is a recommended class that is believed to be a treat for students interested in the musical field.

“Band satisfies the passion that I have for music. If someone really loves musical production and the feelings that it gives, then I would definitely recommend band. It would be a great experience,” said Aryell.

Art’s Advantages

By Zakiya Calhoun

November 8, 2017

Paint splattered. Charcoal smeared. Pencil shavings scattered. An art class is where students express themselves, but only about 1 in 5 high school students experience the world of art, according to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.

Art helps students become better problem solvers and critical thinkers. Today, these skills are essential for people to be successful no matter what career you choose. You do not have to know how to draw to benefit from an art class.

“The answer isn’t always going to be in black and white. It’s important to be able to understand that,” said art teacher Melissa Mamroth.

Art is a time of peace and relaxation. It relieves stress and gives the student time to take a break from academic classes.

“Art gives me the chance to escape reality and really get into my creative thinking,” said senior Karinton Triplett.

Science has proven that there are two sides of the human brain. The left side functions as your logical thinking. It is used in subjects such as math, writing, or reading. The right side functions as your creative thinking, expressing things like imagination, feelings, and artistic aspects of your life. For example, when learning the lyrics of a song you use the right side of the brain. When reading a book you use the left side.

“In art class, I am allowed to be myself because art is about self-expression,” said Karinton.

This explains why an art class is said to be “easier,” but it is not that art is “easier;” art still involves critical thinking and problem solving. The brain is less strained when using the right side. Art is more enjoyable and entertaining. This is why we are more intrigued by music rather than novels.

Sometimes art is hard to teach because of left brain thinking versus right brain thinking. There are so many different types of thinkers. Some students naturally gravitate to the left side - especially students who do not understand right brain thinking. This results in students giving up because they believe they aren’t good enough or don’t have the skill. Just because the creative concept is harder to grasp doesn’t mean that students can’t succeed in an art class. They can still gain the benefits from it.

“The hardest part about teaching an art class is helping students believe they can actually do it,” said Ms. Mamroth.

Art gives a different perspective of the world. Learning the way an artist views the world is beneficial because in the eyes of an artist you see how things were created. You understand a new perspective on life.

“I believe we can use the process of art as a tool to better understand the way we view ourselves and the world around us,” said Ms. Mamroth.

The impact of art is larger than we think. Art benefits this world in ways that we just take for granted. We take advertising, building design, and those shoes that everyone loves for granted, but it actually takes a lot of work to create.

“Taking Photography has opened up my eyes to an abundance of various forms of design that form our lives, from architecture to fashion,” said Senior Gabrielle Barefield.

The Love of Poetry

By AJ Cooks

November 8, 2017

Poetry is a series of words

Words that describe a place or time

Words that contain rhythm and ease the soul with rhyme

The Providence St. Mel Poetry Club is always open to newcomers. It’s where “word artists” feel comfortable expressing and addressing the situations that take place in society.

“My favorite memories in high school revolve around discovering and becoming a part of creative communities where I felt that my passions were shared and my voice was heard. ‘Louder Than a Bomb’ is the ultimate example of the support and inspiration found in these creative spaces, so I jumped at the opportunity to be able to bring that environment to PSM,” said Poetry Club Director Kelly Staskel.

“Louder Than A Bomb” is a poetry slam contest for students from different schools to compete and present their poetry.

“This year, I am hoping that we can broaden our preparation, performance, and exposure through participation in the Young Chicago Authors’ weekly wordplay events, as well as west-side regional open mics hosted by nearby schools,” said Ms. Staskel.

Art can be heard, seen, felt, or even tasted, which makes it such a unique subject. Poetry is beauty, which is art, and can be expressed in a variety of ways.

“Poetry is freedom for your mind. It is a creative outlet,” said senior Kaneisha Henderson.

“Poetry is the expression of a poet’s unique perspective on life,” said junior Lauren Leggett.

“I’m going to quote Franz Kafka (German-language novelist and short story writer) here who says that literature should be ‘the axe which breaks the frozen sea within us’. I think poetry is uniquely positioned to do so in its ability to render the momentous in our everyday moments,” said Ms. Staskel.

Poetry club is obviously something good for the students and is very welcoming for those who conceal their “poetic voice.” Performing poetry is a brave thing to do, and public speaking is something most people aren’t comfortable with.

“It feels liberating to express my thoughts to others through poetry. I enjoy the overall experience as I am not only sharing a part of myself with fellow poets, but I’m able to hear their stories and perspectives as well,” said Lauren.

A college fair motivates students to prolong their education and to seek out their best interest. Here at PSM we bring the college fair to you.

“The purpose of a college fair is to provide prospective students with information about a college,” said senior Janai Robbins.

College fairs expose students to what a college has to offer, such as different types of majors and financial aid.

“There are many benefits when attending a college fair. One benefit of attending a college fair is to find out more information about the college you want to attend. Another benefit will be establishing a relationship with a representative because it will give you a permanent connection to the school,” said Junior Kaneisha Henderson.

Freshman/Sophomore counselor Michelle Byrd runs the college fair.

“It keeps me in great communication with the different colleges, and it generates good communication with the different grade levels of students,” said Mrs. Byrd.

Attending a college fair can help determine a student's future. It can help prepare them for many opportunities.

“No matter what grade of high school you are in, attending college fairs would be the best thing to do. Of course you should do something before approaching your senior year, however, anytime is the right time. From speaking directly to admissions counselors, to receiving booklets about the school, the best way to ensure yourself a spot at a university is to familiarize yourself with a college representative. You never know what doors may open for you,” said Janai.

The PSM college fair has played a major role in students’ lives. For example, students who visit the college fair have been more informed and know the kinds of things some colleges look for in future students.

“Visiting the PSM college fair last year was very influential to me because talking to one of the representatives really helped me narrow down my choices for college. I looked at schools that supported my major and didn’t support it,” said Kaneisha.

Before visiting the PSM college fair many students had trouble trying to find out the right school that's best for them.

“I didn't have a sense of direction in which I should take for the college process until my first college fair here at PSM. From there I decided which schools were worth doing extensive research on, and what schools I would be interested in by the end of my junior year,” said Janai.