Young Performers

by Daniel Lee

February 24, 2020

Many performers get a young start and perform their whole lives. Actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Rob Lowe are famous actors who started young.

Performing from a young age allows for great growth. When a person has a lot of practice and experience, they can truly become successful.

Senior Richard Harrison got started by watching others. “I always love to see performances and try to do what I have seen and still pursue those dreams,” said Richard.

Senior Makayla Watts got her start by singing in her church. Her voice has grown since then, and she has appeared as a soloist in the PSM choirs. She has also played two lead roles in the Providence St. Mel musicals.

“I have been performing my whole life. I started when I was about three years old,” said Makayla.

Makayla was recently in the PSM Shakespeare competition where she won first place. She is not only accomplished as a singer, but also as an actor.

“I continue to perform because I love the feeling I get - the chills up my spine and just the overall thrill,” said Makayla.

Richard is a strong actor, singer, and dancer. He was seen recently as Dance Captain and Ensemble member of two Illinois All-State productions and most recently in Aida. Richard also has had lead roles in PSM musical productions.

“The energy and emotion the audience gives me are all I need. I remember this is all for them,” said Richard.

8th grader Bria Pryor had her start at her grandpa’s 70th birthday, where she wrote and performed a song for him.

“I was pretty young - maybe five or six. I had always loved music, and it was something I was passionate about,” said Bria.

Bria has been in the Providence St. Mel choirs, where she feels as if she has grown very much. She has also appeared in the PSM musicals and this year played a lead role in the production of Highschool Musical.

“Performing reminds me every day that I have something to work towards. It has always been a beacon of hope for me - I could never give that up,” said Bria.

Performing since a young age causes many students to have determination, strength, and smarts. Knowing that they have to be the best of the best to make it into their field of performing causes them to be that way.

Makayla, Bria, and Richard wish that more people would get into the Performing Arts. Seeing how the arts bring so much creativity, joy, and peace to the world, everyone should be involved more in the arts.

New Year, New Knights

by Robert Flynn

February 24, 2020

As we mature, we encounter things that will ultimately shape us into who we are. Every obstacle faced is preparation for the journey ahead, and a big milestone on that journey is highschool.

Although everything accomplished up to now is important, high school is a big transition from life before. Everything becomes different as we begin to mature and think about the future. For some, it can be difficult to adjust.

“Coming into high school, I was really excited because it seemed like it would be more fun than middle school. I like most of my classes, and I feel more involved in events and things than I did in the past,” said Rachel Summers.

While being in high school can be fun, students are still expected to focus on academics. It can be difficult to keep up with the pace, but once that is managed, there is much less to worry about.

“So far, this quarter seems to be the hardest due to the amount of work. I thought this year would be way more stressful from the start, but it ended up being better than I expected,” said Robert Morgan III.

Students can have a hard time getting to know the expectations of their new teachers, but they understand that the hard work they do now will help them in the future.

“My grades have been slipping a bit, but my goals for this year were to have fun and improve my grades so I can be accepted into different colleges,” said Rachel. “The workload is mostly the same as middle school, but it can be a bit more tedious.”

With the new year comes new change, and as schooling is advanced, there will be new people and new experiences that have a lasting impact on one's life.

“Some of my previous friends from last year are no longer here, so being able to make some new friends is nice,” said Rachel.

State Champs: A Proud Moment for All

By Jada Massey

May 10, 2019

Providence St. Mel now houses 14 State Champs, and almost the whole school has been there to support them. The Varsity Basketball team encountered many obstacles at first, but ended up turning everything around and changing their fate.

Many watched the team from start to end and were pleasantly surprised by the successful outcome. High school teacher John Hansen was moved by the team’s success.

“I actually got a tingle up and down my spine,” said Mr. Hansen.

He watched the team play since freshman year and seemed to notice the shift in spirit as the years progressed.

“When the seniors started as freshmen, there was a buzz about them: TJ, Taeyon, Tyriel, and Jason. They were fun to watch as freshmen and sophomores, but the team really started to gel when Eric, Sam, and Deion came in as transfers. That added more talent and a lot of depth to the talent that was already at PSM,” said Mr. Hansen.

Mr. Hansen was not the only person who noticed their progress. Senior Melony Zanders noticed a shift in their playing as well.

“They were way more committed this time around. It was go hard or go home for them,” said Melony.

Melony had watched them since freshman year as well. You can tell the students really want to support their team.

“Believe it or not, I was at every game except for two of them: The Thanksgiving tournament and Christmas tournament,” said Junior Mia Williams.

Mia is the school mascot so in a way, she is a part of the team too. This is probably why she never doubted the team’s success. Chemistry teacher, William Browns, was right with her.

“I already knew, so it wasn't shocking. However, it was very reassuring to the future of PSM and made me proud to be a Knight!,” said Mr. Browns.

He is not the only proud Knight. The team managed to build a solid fanbase. PSM even ordered a bus for fans to support the team at their final games.

“It was so fun. I didn’t think we’d get to see the state champs win at first because the games were so far away, so when they told us we could get on the fan bus, I was so excited. I love being able to support our team,” said Sophomore Ameerah Conner.

The fan bus carried about 50 supporters who couldn’t wait to yell and scream for our players, and the team couldn’t wait to hear them.

“The fan bus was a good idea. We felt so much better knowing we’d have a piece of home with us down there,” said Varsity Basketball player Samuel Herenton.

Giving It All Up

By Alyssa Goodwin

May 7, 2019

For 40 days and nights, millions of people around the world give up something that's important during the season of Lent. More and more teens at Providence St. Mel are participating in this and are willing to surrender very essential things.

Lent is the annual period of Christian observance that precedes Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days. The sixth Sunday in Lent is called Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy week, the final week of Lent immediately preceding Easter.

“Lent to me means giving up something that society deems needed - things like social media and other luxuries. It’s all surrounding sacrifice. If my ancestors can do it, then so can I,” said Senior Taeyon Neal.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. There is a plethora of ways people celebrate Lent in different cultures and religions. There is no one standard way to fast or cleanse yourself is necessary. People have their different versions of cleansing.

“I’m giving up sweets and arguing with my siblings. These are two of my biggest temptations, and I know it will be difficult, but worth it. This is just my way of fasting. People don’t necessarily have to stop eating meat; they can abstain from things as simple as not arguing with family. If I can do, it anyone can,” said senior Keeshawn Henderson.

What you choose to give up for Lent should be specific to you. Everyone’s choices will most likely be different, but that doesn’t make anyone’s sacrifice more or less than yours.

“Lent is what you make of it. No one's forcing you to make these huge sacrifices that are impossible;however it, is still important to sacrifice. People have to realize that they have to sacrifice in order to gain something meaningful,” said Keeshawn.

So I ask all the students of Providence St. Mel: What are you willing to sacrifice?

Showcasing Our Talent

By Caylan Gates

May 7, 2019

Not only does Providence St. Mel produce exceptional academic scholars, but we also have many successful musicians, singers, artists and poets.

During Fine Arts Week at Providence St. Mel, students are able to receive recognition at the annual Collage Concert. At this concert, students present their talents to friends and family.

“The Fine Arts Competition gives the students a chance to showcase their voice. This week makes students feel free to express themselves and perform their art,” said cellist and Senior Malissa Lindsey.

Fine Arts Week celebrates our students by allowing them to present their talents to be judged.

“I love to see new people audition during fine arts week because it displays passion for the arts, especially young children who admire music just me,” said singer Senior LaNiece Dennis.

Students are able to participate every year in whichever category they decide.

“I have participated in the Fine Arts Week Competition since I’ve been at Providence St Mel; from 6th grade to senior year,” said LaNiece.

After a week of preparation, students performed and were judged for 3rd to 1st place titles. The titles are then released and read aloud in the student announcements.

Students anxiously wait to hear back of the judges’ decisions.

“I really want to showcase my art. I love music, and I know other people do too. Plus people have been saying they really want to see me perform and feature the string instruments,” said Malissa.

Students appreciate Fine Arts Week because it gives them the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop into better artists.

“Fine Arts Week is great way to be critiqued on our personal passions and aspirations so that individuals are able to improve on their craft and if chosen, be able to display it for their classmates,” said LaNiece.

After a week of performing, preparing, and judging, students are then able to perform their talents in front of their friends and family at the Collage Concert. This concert presents all of the talents of students, and those who got higher titles were acknowledged.

Upcoming Seniors of 2020

By Nasira Muhammad

February 28, 2019

Transitioning from junior to senior year can be challenging. However, preparation is very important to make sure that you're able to succeed. Senior year is about making decisions about future colleges and having the credentials to make it there. With the right guidance, this next step won’t seem as overwhelming as it appears.

“I believe that I’m prepared for senior year because I do have senior friends that inform me about their experience. The college trip and college fair will allow me to decide what schools I will consider in the future,” said junior Angel Milton.

Every year Providence St. Mel hosts a college fair that helps connect students with the admission staff to learn about the college process and different scholarships.

“I never really started seriously looking into colleges until I attended these college fair opportunities at school,” said Junior Mia Williams.

Junior year is very crucial because colleges look very closely at these grades when considering admission. This is all about seeing a positive improvement and showing signs of consistency.

“I basically wanted to do well my junior year to show colleges that I’ve improved and show that I’m capable of being consistent,” said Mia.

Doing well on the ACT is another critical aspect to the college admission process. The ACT is just as important as having high grades on high school transcripts.

“I performed poorly on my first ACT test because I didn’t take it seriously, but with the help of a tutor, I was able to do significantly better the second time around,” said Junior Richard Harrison.

It all goes to show that the transition from junior to senior year will not be easy. However, if you are prepared, it will be easier to manage this next step. Keep your grades up, study for the ACT, and start seriously considering your college choice so that senior year will be a success.

PSM Scholars Achieve

By Dallas Wilson

February 28, 2019

A Providence St. Mel high school student's dream is to make it to the next step: college. PSM has had 100% of its senior class accepted to four year colleges and universities for over 40 years. Each year, seniors take a College Preparation class with College Counselor Renee Kallok, which helps students complete applications and apply for scholarships.

College costs a lot of money, and some students need help paying for tuition. Scholarships come in to help free some of the burden of college expenses. Posse and Chicago Scholars have done a phenomenal job of helping some Providence St. Mel students to find scholarship money for college.

“Being a part of the Chicago Scholars has allowed me to apply for colleges earlier and be eligible for many exclusive scholarships,” said senior Destiny Arnold.

The Chicago Scholars also appoint a mentor that assists with the whole application process and is able to answer questions you may have.

“My mentor specifically has helped me check over personal essays and has given me advice for college,” said Destiny.

Posse is another organization that has further helped our PSM students achieve exceptional scholarship money towards the college of their choices.

“Posse has given me the opportunity to really analyze what college I actually want to attend,” said senior Kaitlyn Mathis.

Senior Malissa Lindsey is also in Posse and has received a full scholarship to her first choice, Connecticut College.

“This is my number one school, and I never thought I would be able to afford to go here. With the help from Posse, I’m able to consider going to my dream school,” said Malissa.

These organizations have blessed these students with the start of their college journey. You, as PSM students, should do your best so that you, too, can get scholarships to help with tuition and fees.

How Giving Back Can Give Back To You

By Lauren Leggett

February 28, 2019

A mother and daughter are on their average morning commute, racing past cars and fighting against traffic. They get stuck at a light that takes a little too long to change from red to green. In her frustration, the mother lets out a slow and sorrowful groan. This would be the third time they were late this week.

Suddenly, a man knocks on their window. Appearing penniless, he simply says, “I just want coins for food ma’am.” First, the little girl looks to her mom for approval. Then, she reaches into her purse and pulls out her last five dollar bill. Though her mother impatiently drove off just as the money slipped out of her hand, she could still catch a glimpse of the man smiling at her. She returned the gesture.

Poverty plagues the lives of more than half of the country. In response, many young people have taken action to combat this reality. Many Providence St. Mel students take initiative outside of school every year and have learned a valuable lesson in the process: helping others can help you as well.

“Community service allows you to give back to the communities that have shaped who we are today,” said avid volunteer and senior LaNiece Dennis.

LaNiece has participated in the Mikva challenge where she helped set up voters in black and brown communities. This is important since, according to WBEZ news, the votes of minorities are often not represented in Chicago regional elections.

“I'm also going to start the Environmental Club at PSM. This spring we’ll go around the Garfield Park area and pick up trash, educate others on the importance of a clean neighborhood, and promote recycling,” said LaNiece.

Because giving back provides a sense of purpose and well being, it can leave a long lasting impact on your outlook and view of self. This has been shown through studies but also simply through the remarks of those that frequently build on their neighborhoods.

“It helps me feel like I’m doing something about my surroundings,” said LaNiece. “I feel like I’m really making a difference and disarming the detrimental aspects of my community.”

In fact, even the Harvard Health research papers reported weekly volunteer work can significantly improve one’s level of happiness and overall satisfaction with their own life. Most importantly, it found the size of the action does not make a difference.

“It doesn’t take much. You can give back in a lot of different ways. You just have to find a way that works best for you,” said LaNiece.

Other students have done exceptional work outside of school. Junior Ty Townsend Ford has not only volunteered in his local community, but has dedicated hours to canvassing for local politicians.

“I’ve spent the last year meeting West Side community activists to understand the problems plaguing black communities in Chicago and all over the country, the most prevalent of which is the war on drugs, which disproportionately cracks down on our communities and deprives the black community of our human resources,” said Ty.

By being active in his community, he has persuaded many to change their vote to politicians that embody the beliefs of the citizens. It has not only impacted local communities, but earned him many amazing experiences.

“There are all types of volunteer work to be done. Because of my work, I was invited to debates, attended community discussions, and enjoyed the experience of going door to door to convince citizens to vote.”

Everyone should give back as much as possible and whenever they are able. While there is an intrinsic motivation to give back simply because there are people in need, the notion that it can also be beneficial to you makes it all the more satisfactory. The internal reward of happiness is just another reason to take the time to make a difference in your community today.

Making Changes Over Time

By Joshua Mason

February 28, 2019

The 2018-2019 class has made changes that will benefit students, including a dance with special guests and dressing up as famous African Americans during Black History month.

PSM had its first dance student dance with a guest performer which absolutely enticed PSM students to attend the homecoming dance. The students enjoyed hearing their favorite songs and dancing with friends. Seniors and juniors pushed for this and now students can potentially try to make it a tradition.

“Presenting something like a performer and a DJ are pretty big things to ask for at a dance because not only do they have to pick someone who is popular and someone who the audience would like, but you also have to make sure that this person is affordable,” said senior officer Timothy Ervin.

Officers are also in charge of raising money for their class.

“We take all the opportunities we can when it comes to trying to raise money because we are trying to give our class more money that will lower prices next year so students and parents will not have to empty their wallets for different events like prom,” said junior officer Richard Harrison.

Jada Cooper, a phenomenal student who received the Paul J. Adams scholarship, is a leader of the sophomore class. Having raised money for two years, she is one of the up and coming class officers that knows cooperation plays a huge role in fundraising success and should be a key factor in every officer’s rulebook.

“Cooperating is what gets things done when it comes to being a class officer. When it comes to bringing in new ideas and trying to execute them, there should be nothing done alone when you are a class officer. We have a big responsibility when it comes to representing our class,” said Jada.

Cooperation with each other is a major factor in developing and executing new ideas, but officers also need cooperation from that of the students being represented. Many class officers, including Jada, feel as if class officers are being undervalued because students who aren’t officers have little to no understanding of what they do.

“Students really do not see all of the hard work, teamwork, and brainstorming that goes into being a class officer. The only thing the students see are results whether they like them or not, and it is hard to please everyone,” said Timothy.

The class officers are working very hard to help their classes have the best time they can have while in high school. Do not forget that with more support from you, the officers will be able to make student life at PSM even better.

Students Return for their Future’s Sake

By Jada Massey

February 28, 2019

Imagine leaving a place only to realize it was where you belonged all along. This is how seniors Kadeja Love, Nyla Larry, and Kyla Pollard all felt after leaving Providence St. Mel, which ultimately led to their return.

Kadeja attended PSM from kindergarten to sixth grade and then again freshman year through senior year. She sought the proper foundation to prepare her for her life after high school.

“Honestly, I came back because I knew PSM would prepare me for college,” said Kadeja.

Nyla agreed. Like Kadeja, she’d returned for her future’s sake. When she left PSM, she wasn’t getting the help needed for college applications.

“The sole reason why I came back was the help that I’d get with college applications and scholarship applications and things of that nature. High schoolers in the Chicago Public School system don’t get the individualized attention that we get. Some of them haven’t even started applying to colleges and/or don’t even know what the FAFSA is,” said Nyla.

PSM is well known for its academic success. However, there are many other factors that attract students as well. For example, PSM provides sports.

“Volleyball was my safe haven at PSM and I really had fun. PSM made that experience enjoyable,” said Kadeja.

PSM also provides an adequate support system. The teachers play a huge role in the success of the students.

“At PSM, all of the teachers are passionate. For instance, Ms. Stopka can start a class talking about one thing then transform the whole lesson into background knowledge so that we can understand better. Then, she’s always on us because she wants us to improve,” said Kyla.

Teachers aren’t the only ones passing out support though. At PSM, there’s a foundation built around healthy relationships with peers.

“It’ll be hard leaving behind concrete friendships. I met some people here I never would’ve thought existed. I’ve also gained the friendship of all my teammates,” said Kadeja.

Also, since PSM is a smaller school, it has the ability to connect personally with its students. Students can be helped step by step.

“Being at PSM made the college process more intimate for me, and I applaud the school for that,” said Kadeja.

Spirit Is Our Strength

By Timothy Ervin

December 12, 2018

Providence St. Mel has a multitude of traditions, and one of them is spirit week. Spirit week is valuable to the school because it gives students the opportunity to showcase their school spirit for an entire week by dressing out of uniform on the designated day.

Every year, the spirit week lineup changes because kids do not want to wear the same thing every year. The lineup this year was: Monday-Twin Day, Tuesday-Professional Day, Wednesday-Sports Day, Thursday-Spirit Day, Friday-Purple/Gold Day.

“I really love sports, and I missed playing volleyball so I coordinated my outfit based on that. I twinned with Keasjah, and we both wore the brand Adidas because our volleyball team was sponsored by Adidas,” said senior Kadeja Love.

It is significant that our students participate during spirit week because it brings life to the castle.

“I get to share some of my passions with the school through clothing,” said Kadeja.

The second day of Spirit week was “Professional Day,” which allowed the students to dress up as if they work in the corporate field or as if they were going to an interview for a job.

“I choose to dress in pants and a suit jacket because it is comfortable for me. When I go to interview for jobs or go to work, I want to feel the most comfortable because it will allow me to work at my best,” said senior Kaniya Houston.

It is beneficial to our students to have a day where they dress professionally because it will prepare them for their future interviews.

“People who are not comfortable with dressing up professionally now will struggle later when it matters the most,” said Kaniya.

The third day of Spirit Week was “Sports Day” and it allowed for students to come to school with their favorite sports team apparel.

“I chose to represent Jimmy Butler and wear his Chicago Bulls jersey. I enjoy the Bulls because it essentially is my home team and has a great legacy behind the team,” said senior Kaitlyn Mathis.

Spirit Week is not only for the students of Providence St. Mel, but also for the teachers.

“It is great to see that not only our students, but teachers have school spirit as well. With teachers participating in Spirit Week, it adds energy, enthusiasm, and spirit towards the atmosphere of the school,” said Kaitlyn.

The fourth day of Spirit Week was “Pep Rally Day,” and it is the day all of the students look forward to because they are able to witness the boys and girls basketball team before their season kicks off. Also this day allows for cheerleaders to perform their chants and dances for the students.

“Pep rally day is my favorite because of the warm and energetic environment that individuals have. It makes me proud to be a knight,” said Kaitlyn.

For Pep Rally Day, some students wore throwback jerseys from previous years to showcase their school spirit and respect for the ones that came before them.

“I wanted to show off the throwback jerseys that the school used to have, and I like how the older jersey logos looked. Hopefully, one day a student can wear my jersey as a throwback jersey to show their school spirit; it would mean a lot to me,” said senior Deion Jackson.

On Pep Rally Day, students from 6th through 12th grades sit inside the gym and watch students compete with teachers, watch the girls basketball team showcase their talents, and watch the boys basketball team put on a show. The gym is the place to be during the Pep Rally.

“Pep rally is my favorite day of Spirit Week because of the atmosphere in the gym. The vibes you feel when you hear the classes chanting, when you hear the cheerleaders cheering, when you see the boys basketball team dunking; it’s unmatched. There is no other day like Pep Rally Day at Providence St. Mel. It shows why students are proud to be knights inside of a castle,” said Junior Arion Hills.

The fifth day of Spirit Week was “Purple and Gold Day,” and it was the newest addition to the Spirit Week days.

“I chose my cheer shell for purple and gold day because it was representative of something that I really enjoy doing, cheering,” said Junior Cheer Captain Aaliyah Bynum.

The students really enjoyed having a full week of spirit week.

“Spirit week allows me to add fun memories to my high school career. Each spirit week is unique and different, and it was a great week,” said Aaliyah.

There are a few changes students would like to see made.

“I would have different days for each year. Each year should provide something new and exciting. The days should not be repeated besides Pep Rally day,” said Kaitlyn.

Spirit Week brings the spirit out of students at Providence St. Mel, and it shows students outside of PSM, who come to view the school, how big our school spirit is.

Spirit of the Knights

By Corey Brooks

December 11, 2018

Across the country many schools have a spirit week, but each school has its own unique traditions.

Spirit week at Providence St. Mel is a time that almost every student looks forward to. At PSM, the pep rally is an event that helps attract students because they get to see the spirit of the school first hand.

“Since I’ve been at PSM, the pep rally has been a time for students to express their spirit and be comfortable during the week,” said freshman Jordan Green.

Providence St. Mel is a school where there is a good load of homework and studying which can sometimes be stressful. Spirit week is a week where students can relax from the dress code and get excited about the school.

“It is a way to see our school spirit. Over the years, participating and being a part of the pep rally has made me more grateful to get a day where we can come together and just have fun,” said Senior Caylan Gates.

During the pep rally, our spirit is hard to miss. Many students wear their shirt or jacket that each grade designed for their class during the day of pep rally.

“After watching varsity do their thing last year, I was excited to finally participate in the pep rally as a varsity member,” said junior Avonte Thomas.

The varsity boys basketball team is the highlight of the pep rally as they do defensive drills, reveal their dunking skills, and showcase a lay up line. After the pep rally there is a “ Purple vs Gold” game, a scrimmage where the varsity boys split up into two different teams to showcase their potential for the season.

“Being the son of the coach and the brother of one of the players, I always loved the purple versus gold game because it was like a NBA All-Star game with people I know,” said freshman Titus Ervin.

Many fans cheer on the team as they watch the varsity boys show off their talent.

“The spirit of Providence St. Mel shows during Spirit Week because people are able to showcase their spirit for the school,” said TJ Ervin.

Spirit week is a great way to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

The Inside Scoop On Students Who Work a Part-Time Job

By Nasira Muhammad

November 7, 2018

Students value getting a job for a variety of reasons. They might need the extra money to support their family and schooling. A job allows one to learn the aspects of responsibility and how to maintain this task.

Providence St. Mel students has a rigorous academic workload which might make it challenging to have an outside job. These students have to be committed to completing school work on top of working. This is something that can be stressful, but there are some students at PSM who are able to handle this demanding task.

Senior Mauriauna Burnside is an example of how to survive the heavy workload as well as balancing working a part time job.

“Yes, I did have some struggles with working and having to do school work - as far as not gaining much sleep. The job I had wasn’t really a big job, but my boss understood my situation. Sometimes she would let me complete homework if she didn't have anything for me to do, which was very helpful,” said Mauriauna.

Mauriauna would like to inform every student that they can become successful just like her by working on time management. Time management is the key to all of this because this is what guided her to success.

“It's important because you don't want to be in a rushing situation and half complete assignments,” said Mauriauna.

Senior Melony Zanders also struggled with balancing her homework and working a part time job. She overcame it by doing what she thought was best for her.

“I would work 40 hours in two weeks which is not easy to do during junior year. I would end up working on weeknights until 11:30 and still have to get home to do homework. When I felt like it was becoming unbearable, I shortened my availability and took time from work. Other times, I would try to do homework before school was over,” said Melony

Melony wants to pass down advice that would help other students as it did for her.

“You never have free time. Do whatever homework you can whenever you get the chance to so that you can alleviate any stress of having to do at home after working a late night,” said Melony

Working a job and going to school takes a lot time and effort. If you’re not willing to put in the work or manage your time isn’t something you should consider.

Slow & Steady Fundraising

By Messiah Martin

November 6, 2018

Finding the money to fund an event can be hard sometimes. Fundraising is a reliable and positive way to raise money for school activities.

PSM uses a combination of fundraising and donations to help bring down the cost of tuition and make the school more affordable for new and current students who want to attend the school. Also, Senior need to fundraise to cover the cost of prom and senior retreat.

Fundraising is especially helpful to PSM's senior class when it comes to paying off those expenses they have.

“The money we raise as a class cuts down the cost of activities like prom and senior retreat,” said senior class president Kaitlyn Mathis.

In order to really cover all the costs, the seniors need to work as a team.

“If the seniors raise more than the required minimum of $4,000, we could possibly lower the costs of senior events even more,” said senior counselor Renee Kallok.

Participation is encouraged because no one wants to pay high prices for these upcoming events.

“We need everyone’s participation so that we don't have to pay a lot of money from these activities,” said Kaitlyn.

Raising this amount of money appears to be a large task. However, this goal can become possible with the help of everyone.

“I know for a fact that it is only because of fundraising and our generous donors that the doors of Providence St. Mel are open today. The tuition amount that each family pays is only a small portion of the total amount it takes to educate each student,” said Ms. Kallok.

Providence St. Mel Precautions

By Samuel Herenton

May 8, 2018

Many students at Providence St. Mel live in Chicago neighborhoods that aren't necessarily safe. Because the neighborhoods tend to be this way, parents are concerned about their children’s learning environment. Despite its location, PSM is a safe haven.

Providence St. Mel is located in the heart of the West Side of Chicago, which maintains a high crime rate. The overall crime rate in East Garfield Park is 103% higher than the national average, according to areavibes.com.

“Gun violence has definitely affected my family in terms of the conversations we have most days of the week. On our street, there are at least 30 shootings a year, and so many people I’ve known have ended up [as victims] of a senseless killing caused by gun violence,” said Junior Taeyon Neal.

School shootings have been surfacing nationally. This has affected many people personally, and it is a household topic among many.

“During my freshman year I was grazed on the head by a bullet from a gun, and it made me see the world differently. I could’ve been on the news as one of thousands of people who are victims of gun violence. Ever since that day, we as a family speak about these issues so we can be aware of what’s going on and try our best to prevent it,” said Taeyon.

Providence St. Mel is different than other schools. For anybody trying to enter the school who isn't a part of the staff, there is only one entrance.

“There has never been a time where I have felt unsafe. There has to be someone (who is behind this glass casing) buzzing in people just to get in the school. Then, when visitors come through the school, it is a bit of a process. No one can easily just walk in. They make sure it is safe in and out of school,” said Junior Malissa Lindsey.

As of February 2018, there have been 19 school shootings in the United States. The most famous school shooting has been the Parkland, Florida incident. A 19-year-old male blended in with students in the school and later killed 17 people.

“My mom just thinks that it's getting out of hand and that there must be some way to control it. It stems from a lot of things like mental health, family households and school security. I think all of those need to be addressed and taken care of,” said Junior Aniyah Jones.

I am a new student at PSM. Last year, I attended a school that had over 4,000 students. Pretty much anyone could walk in and blend in with all of those students which was extremely dangerous. I witnessed a student getting arrested for having an unloaded pistol during school hours. At Providence St. Mel, I feel safer.

Although many schools are struggling with keeping school safety levels at their highest, Providence St. Mel has been proactive in this area since its beginning. School safety at PSM has always been a priority.

Showing off Our Talents

By Zakiya Calhoun

March 2, 2018

Whether you’re a dancer, painter, photographer, instrumentalist, or vocalist, you can share your talent with the world. Talents are what make you special. Showing them off gives you individuality and the passion to succeed.

Fine Arts Week is a week when students of any caliber can participate and express their specialities to a group of judges for a chance to perform in the Collage Concert. Fine Arts Week is when you can make your individual talents known.

“Fine Arts Week to me means to put on display some of the many talents that we have at our school and to appreciate the beauty that is within the arts,” said Chamber Choir Member Tia Epps.

Fine Arts Week is about showing the students that school is not just work. It allows students to appreciate their gifts and talents. Appreciating their gifts can help students ride the wave of motivation to produce another piece.

“[Fine Arts Week] gives a platform for others to appreciate, value, and discuss the artwork with the artist or other students,” said Ms. Mamroth.

Throughout the week, students compete for a spot to be chosen to perform in the Collage Concert.

Students should know that “good art” is “good art” for a reason. You’re not just at the mercy of someone’s random opinion. Good art has qualities, and there is consideration for which pieces are chosen because all the areas of the arts are so drastically different.

“I feel like everyone should be involved. It’s not often you get to see your peers show their best talent and skills,” said Photography Student Ariella Meeks.

There are different levels of the arts. The competition is school wide: lower school to high school. As far as visual arts, the teachers choose first, second and third place piece. With the performing arts, everyday of the week there are competitions held for each type of art, including dance, vocal, instrumental, and more. Students will perform in front of judges and 1st and 2nd place entries are usually chosen to perform in the Collage Concert.

This is a chance to show off your talents during Fine Arts Week between March 19th and March 23rd! Claim you spot to participate in this year’s Collage Concert on March 24th.

It Can Be Done

By Samuel Herenton

Mach 2, 2018

Many students at Providence St. Mel are finding a way to manage their rigorous homework load with their outside academic interests in order to be well-rounded people. Finding time to complete all homework assignments and participate in extra-curricular activities can be a juggling act, but PSM students are finding a way to enjoy and thrive in meeting both of these demanding responsibilities.

Senior and varsity cheerleader captain Jade Miller has effectively managed her homework in seven classes as well as leading the PSM cheer squad.

“I am very aware of the large amount of homework that is provided at PSM. I manage my schedule by going to work study, and after that I automatically do my homework,” said Jade.

Junior Blake Taylor is developing a strong work ethic and good character by helping his family through his part-time job at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant. In addition to his job, Blake practices daily as a PSM varsity basketball player and as an active member of the PSM poetry club.

“I enjoy working because it makes me a better person. The level of maturity I have gained from having to manage my schedule is incredible; I try to work consistently so I can provide for myself, and [so that my family] will have more money,” said Blake.

Senior Jarvis Garrison lives in Bolingbrook, which is nearly an hour commute each way to school. Jarvis believes that the sacrifice is totally worth it. As a student athlete, Jarvis’ daily responsibilities include practicing at least a couple of hours and studying 2-3 hours. Despite his long school days, he has managed to earn honor roll status in quarters one and two with a 3.7 GPA.

“I had to learn how to manage my time in order to keep my grades up. I learned that some things had to be sacrificed, such as sleep, in order for me to play basketball and maintain a good GPA. There are times when I wonder why I do it. I then remember that it’s for my future. If I want to go far in life, I have to push myself,” said Jarvis.

Four-star army general and the former Chairman of the Joints Chief of staff, Colin Powell eloquently stated, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” General Powell climbed his way to the the highest military office in America and was respected between both political parties. Similarly, the philosophy at PSM echoes the beliefs of General Powell. PSM is committed to educational excellence.

“Good outcomes outweigh temporary struggles. PSM is getting me ready for the future,” said Blake Taylor. He sounds like a young man on a mission to greatness.

Who knows? Blake, Jade or Jarvis could perhaps be the next Colin Powell. Providence St. Mel is preparing these three students and many others to become highly dedicated students, leaders and professionals.

Class Officers on the Move

How our class officers improve student life

By Kaneisha Henderson

December 13, 2017

A few years ago, students could not walk into the building with gym shoes on, play video games in the cafeteria lounge, or have input on where our all school field trip takes place. However, today we have these privileges, and it is primarily due to the work of our class officers.

Class officers are students elected by their peers to represent the entire class. They work with administration to communicate the feelings of the students. By working with class officers, students are presented with a quicker way to get their voice heard.

“[Senior] class officers provide input to plan events such as the prom and senior banquet. They also meet with the officers from other classes and Ms. Butala to discuss broader needs of the entire school,” said College Counselor Renee Kallok.

Discussing issues that we may have with our class officers will be nearly the same as talking with an administrator because they will relay our concerns and act as our liaison.

“Being an officer not only provides students with the opportunity to provide input on a class level, but also on a school level,” said Ms. Kallok.

We also have to do a lot of fundraising throughout our four years to ensure a great senior year. Our officers come up with plans to raise that money.

“The senior officers, during both junior and senior years, have raised about $2,500 for our class retreat and prom; they created and ordered senior shirts/jackets for both years. They have also created a plan to raise enough money for the class of 2018 to have a great prom, retreat and senior banquet,” said Ms. Kallok.

The majority of the work the officers do is for the students, or on behalf of the students. Therefore, officers must be able to communicate and understand their peers.

“The officers seem to have a good rapport with the class, and through their own hard work, encourage others to do the same,” said Ms. Kallok.

Being a class officer is not something just anyone can do. There are a lot of qualities that an officer must have.

“A class officer should be a leader, not just vocally, but more importantly through his/her actions. A class officer needs to be able to connect to his/her classmates, be a good listener, and be able to incorporate various suggestions into a viable plan of action. A good officer should know that he/she will never be able to please everyone, yet be able to make a decision to satisfy the majority,” said Ms. Kallok.

The work to create changes sought after by peers can be very extensive for class officers. There is a very specific process that officers have to go through to work with administration.

“We first communicate with our classmates to get their input on what they would like, we sit down amongst each other, being the officers, and discuss what the class wants. Next, we try to find a compromising solution, bring it to the attention of Ms. Ward and Ms. Butala. If they approve, we inform the class of the final decisions that have been made,” said Senior Vice President Tia Epps.

Night of Knights

Freshman and seniors of classes bonding

By Ryan Coleman

November 8, 2017

For some freshman, high school can a very nerve-racking time. You're walking into unfamiliar territory with few connections or friendships in high school. Seniors went through this experience when they were once freshmen.

Seniors also have their own struggles that they go through in their final year of high school. There is a lot of responsibility and pressure during one’s senior year, since they have to prepare for college, apply for scholarships, and keep up with their assignments and extracurricular activities. Bringing these two classes together helps establish strong bonds and relations through games and activities.

“Yeah. It’s always fun bringing two [or more] grades together. I still hang out with my big brother from the night,” said Freshman Simeon Henderson.

A new student can get more situated and comfortable here with Freshman Fun Night. It is similar to a big brother/big sister program. Freshmen and seniors pair up to get to know each other and give the Freshmen a better sense of welcoming. The night serves to welcome students to high school and get them familiar with students and teachers in the school.

“After interacting with my sister, I definitely felt more of a connection to the school. I was able to hear someone else's point of view and relate to such things and give her advice,” said senior Brianna McDonald.

The night also had an impact on the younger students.

“It shows us how to be more social and active,” said freshman Ronald Neely.

The night began with the senior class officers providing greetings and advice to the incoming Freshman class. Afterwards everyone met another student and got to know each other with snacks in the cafeteria. As the night proceeded, the activities moved to the auditorium for partner games and dancing.

“We should have more one on one time with our “siblings” so we can know them as people as well as make the night longer,” said senior Mikayla Patton. Many others agreed with her on this statement.

The process really changes the freshmen’s perspectives of the school and how to act at PSM.

“I know that other students have endured the process that I’m going through, so it releases stress,” said Ronald.

Seniors are expected to act a certain way to be viewed as mentors influencing the grades below.

“As a new leader of the school, I believe that it is a huge responsibility to hold. This is because others who are younger than me look up to me and see the actions that I do throughout the day and may follow my example. I know that this is what I did when I saw the seniors as a freshman,” said Brianna.

What’s Your Commute?

By Nasira C. Muhammad

November 8, 2017

One student lives down the street from the school and wakes up at 7:30 in the morning and walks easily to school.

The other lives about an hour and a half away and has to take two buses and three trains to school and barely makes it on time because of delays.

They both go to the same school and have the same expectations and workload.

Commuting affects your mental and physical health. Different commuters have found different ways to cope with their travel.

Senior Ar-Raheem Payne has been at Providence St. Mel since 5th grade and is involved in many after school activities. He gets up around five in the morning to do his early morning routines and catch the bus. The extracurricular activities Ar-Raheem participates in require him to wake up early in morning to make it to school for basketball practice.

“Commuting affects almost everything about my life. I take public transportation, so I am always scheduling out my trips to preferred destinations. I always anticipate things earlier than most people would, because traveling to school from home and back has made me very sensitive to time,” said Ar-Raheem.

When it comes to homework, Ar-Raheem says it's pretty hard to do on his way to and from school because there are other students on the bus making it crowded and rowdy. Another difficulty he has is the fact that there is construction going on everywhere, making the bus late and harder to get to school on time.

“I would tell future students that are commuting to school to always think ahead. At Providence St. Mel, you have a lot of homework and extracurriculars that are appealing, but if you do not think ahead you will find yourself in a difficult situation,” said Ar-Raheem.

Senior Matthew Bozeman, who takes the Providence St. Mel school bus, has to wake up at 5:00 on school days. When it comes to sports or any after-school activities, he has a hard time because the school bus leaves the first session after school and practice usually does not start until second session.

“My commute makes me very tired from getting up before sunrise and sometimes not coming home until after dark. This makes me more organized though, because I have to know my schedule off the top of my head to make sure I can get home after school and practice,” said Matthew.

Matthew would prefer to drive to school to get away from the rowdiness that happens on the bus to and from school. The bus helps him get homework done that he didn't get to do the night before.When he does after school activities he either gets a ride from his dad or uses the CTA.

“For anyone that gets on the bus when they still have homework, try to do it when the bus stops.

Otherwise, your work will be messy. Also, pay attention so you don’t miss your stop. The long rides are great for sleep and when I need to finish up some homework, but I miss waking up at 7 am for school,” said Matthew.

Some parents at PSM give their children the chance to drive themselves to school. It’s the ultimate step for a highschool student to start driving to school in their own car by themselves.

Senior Kendall Allen has been driving herself to school since the end of junior year. Kendall participates in after school activities such as volleyball and basketball. She also does work study in the gym for Mrs.Cullen.

“I don't prefer any other type of transportation because sometimes it feels good just to drive myself to school and have time to think when I am by myself. Other times I do like to get driven to school by my parents. It depends on whether I am tired or not,” said Kendall.

Her transportation does not affect her studies as much. The only struggle is if she has to study in the morning, she knows she can’t because she has to focus on driving.

“A difficult thing about getting to school in the morning is the traffic coming from the south to the west side. It takes a while,” said Kendall.

The best way to deal with your commute is to organize yourself. You should also be very patient with others, specifically when you're on the road.

“My advice for student drivers is to make sure you get enough sleep at night and to always stay focused on the road, no matter what is going on,” said Kendall.

Knights on Broadway: Hamilton Education

Program Puts PSM Students on the Big Stage

By Dwight Kilgore

April 24, 2017

Senior Kai Bosley performs her song, "In the Cold," at The PrivateBank Theatre. Picture by the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

“Teaching and watching the students create their works of art was inspiring and amazing for me,” said high school and middle school teacher George Meier

Providence St. Mels high school students had the opportunity to participate in the Hamilton Education program on February 22nd. Prior to this date, the selected group of sophomores and juniors worked hard to create historical art pieces that could possibly be featured on the Broadway stage in Chicago. Although this program was designed for CPS schools, PSM was fortunate enough to be a part of this program.

“Our school has a long history with the Gilder Lehrman Institute in New York City, which gives us great benefits,“ said Mr. Meier.

Originally, this program was created in New York City through the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s connection to Lin- Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton. Thanks to the connection to Paul J. Adams III, PSM was able be included in this experience.

“The experience of creating a historical piece in an artistic way was very new to me. I wasn't really sure how to transform a document in an artistic way,” said junior Jalen Fox.

The students were required to read sources and analyze them the same way that Lin-Manuel Miranda did when he wrote the musical. This gave the students direction into how they would create their own plays, speeches or poems. For some students this part of the process was not the easiest.

“ I found it hard to put different ideas in a way in which they flowed and expressed facts and concepts clearly,”said junior Tia Epps

Students had the decision of either creating their artistic piece on their own or in a group. Then all the performances were judged until the top three performances were chosen.

“ I wasn't sure we would make it into the top three, but when we did I became very excited and proud of the work that I did,” said junior Ayimoni Muhammad.

The students that made it into the top three performed their pieces for the judges at PSM to decide a winner of the competition. The winner of the competition, Kai Bosley, would then perform on stage in front of the entire audience at the theater.

“This is an experience that is truly unforgettable, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity,” said Jalen.

Hello Dolly at PSM

Video by Serena Jackson and Jade Miller

Bravo, Dolly

By Ahmari Dantzler

April 24, 2017

Hello, Dolly! written by Michael Stewart, follows matchmaker Dolly Levi’s adventures throughout New York as she searches for wives for unlucky bachelors. By the end of the musical, Dolly unexpectedly finds a husband for herself and the town learns an important message on the meaning of true love.

Providence St. Mel put on their own rendition of Hello, Dolly! on November 11th and 12th. The audiences loved seeing students take on challenging roles and musical numbers.

“It took a lot of work, and it eventually paid off,” said Senior Leo Boler, who played the role of Horace Vandergelder.

This production took countless hours of rehearsal: dancing, singing, blocking, and run-throughs that went late into the night.

“The hours may have been long, but if we didn't have as much time as we did, the play wouldn't be as good as we made it look,” said Senior Kai Bosley, who played the role of Dolly Levi.

The students weren't the only people who were the ones that contributed to the great outcome of the production. Director George Meier worked with the cast to make sure that the results of the play would lead to an astounding performance. He even visits New York City when he can to watch professional productions like Hamilton, West Side Story, and Hello, Dolly.

“Being a play critic made my role very important. I wanted the students to have fun, but at the same time I want the play to be a memorable moment for them and us,” said Mr. Meier.

Providence St. Mel is very proud to have showcased student talents to friends, families, and other audience members that came to see the show. The crowd was so big that one of the actors caught butterflies in his stomach.

“I actually got nervous when I saw the amount of people that attended. This school has gotten great publicity, and that allowed our show to be even better,” said Leo.

The play was an overall magnificent performance and will be a marking point to make next year’s production better.

“Even though we've had musicals in the past, I think we can put this one with the better ones,” said Kai.