Senior Celebs

During the four years at Jamaica HighSchool, students have created identities for themselves as well as others. In April, seniors get a chance to campaign themselves in order to win various titles.

The walls just about everywhere are amost unrecognizable. They are plastered with posters demanding seniors to vote for them. Some read "Vote for me","Vote or Die" or
simply"Vote Now!"

While some seniors chose to only have posters others wanted to make sure they
would win. Some had catchy slogans, some handed out candy, and others gave out inscribed
pencils.

Some people wanted to run for multiple titles. Senior Larkin Proyor running for
Most Popular,Best Personality and Batman & Robin stated "I'm unique I'm the only one who had
a batman car."

Some titles seniors believe were just "made for them" and they just can't lose.
Kortni Garcia running for Best Smile states "I have a beautiful smile and it brightens up
everyone's day."

While others relied on posters, slogans and other ways to win the voters, some
seniors stuck by the "you vote for me, I vote for you" motto.

Ricardo Nicholas states "I asked my friends to vote for me and I'll vote for them if they're running for anything."

The votes are in and the seniors will just have to wait just a little while longer to find the results.

Senior Celebs

Adopt -A-Hallway

As spring begins, flowers begin to bloom as well as ideas at JHS. Beginning this spring 2008 JHS has decided to install a new program called Adopt- A-Hallway. Principal William Acham derived this idea from the Department of Traffic’s Adopt –A-Highway program seen on city roadways. What was supposed to be an enjoyable task to beautify Jamaica may have turned to a complete flop due to lack of interest.

While walking down the halls of Jamaica High School, the walls appear to be dull and boring. As a way to show student creativity as well as increase the beauty in the school, the Adopt- A-Hallway program was created.

In the program, teams would be composed of one staff member or teacher as well as eight other students. Each team would then have to submit an application for the area of the building that they intend to adopt along with their plans to beautify that area.

Some students have already planned their teams and decided what they would want done with the school. “I want to beautify the hallway by the library, said Senior Lelosa. “I love books and believe students should read more.” Now there is a possibility that their dreams will no longer come to life.

Also the Adopt-A-Hallway program would have a celebration and awards ceremony for the most innovative and successful projects. Some awards would be the most challenging project, the most artistic project, the best maintained project and overall best for Spring 2008.

The deadline was Tuesday, April 1, 2008, but some students do not even know about the program. “I didn’t even know there was that type of program in the school, said Racquel Monroe. “None of my teachers said anything and there weren’t any signs on the walls or nothing.” Hopefully the Adopt -A- Hallway program does help Jamaica High School as well as the students to indulge in their creativity to help beautify the school.

college acceptances

It’s just about that time when college-bound seniors begin to receive the mail that will determine their future: college acceptances. Apprehension, uneasiness, and nervousness are only a few of the emotions that a senior might feel around this time. The uncertainty has allowed seniors to become distressed but now they can take a deep sigh of relief. The waiting is over.

GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendations as well as extracurricular activities depend on a college accepting or rejecting a student. Colleges also look for what a student does outside of school such as volunteering or community work helps others. The main goal of the student is to be well-rounded in every aspect. Some students have their own opinions on the reasons colleges accept or reject them. “I think a college accepts a person based on their academic record, and their potential to be an asset to their school. I think they also look at your progress from your freshman year to your senior year.” said Senior Lauren Moonessar
Slowly but surely college acceptances have begun. Some seniors got accepted to some schools they applied to but not necessarily their first choice.“I got into Queens College, St. Johns, Brooklyn College, and Oswego. said senior Umar Khan "My number one college was Baruch but I didn’t get in so I think Queens College is my next choice.”
While not being accepted to a first choice college could be disappointing, it should not be depressing. Applying to several colleges gives plenty of options for the student to choose from. Senior Mea Hemmings Crenshaw has chosen a couple of back-up schools to rely on.
Some seniors want to continue a legacy by attending the colleges their parents attended. “I would like to attend my mother's old school, Queens College,” exclaimed said Mea Crenshaw. Mea is not alone a lot of students hope to attendtheir parents alma mater.
Although the waiting is almost over for the seniors, the challenge really starts once they walk through the college doors.

Preparing for College

Gateway juniors as well as their parents attended the meeting "Preparing for the College Application Process", On thursday, March 6, at 6 :00pm sponsered by Mrs.Kalansky and Dr.Sloan. This meeting was beneficial and the juniors definitely took advantages of this experience.

As students and parents entered the library, they hurried to find their seats while enjoying the complimentary refereshments. Mr. Medina opened the meeting by stating the most factual and memorable statement "the financial aid process will upset the parents and the application process will upset the students."

He suggested that juniors try to present themselves to colleges as "people," not just grades. One way they could do this is by academic related internships. This can open the the student to a school or even a possible career.

An important word students should keep in mind is essays. While applying to colleges, students will have to write atleast six to seven creative essays. These essays need to be well developed and explain life experiences, personality or interesting events. Colleges do read these essays and sometime it could determine one's acceptance or rejection.

Another important key factor in the application process is recommendations. Formally ask a teacher to write a recomendation discussing personaity as well as academics. Ask atleast four teachers just in case someone is unable to write one. Remember these recomendations are key do not get a recomendation from a spanish teacher and the intended major is biology it might not be the best choice. Refer to a science teacher.

"There are many important parts to the application process, such as a high GPA, high SAT scores, extracurricular activities an essay, recommendations and your high school ranks, according to Ms.James. "Of these I would say your grade point average is the most important part of the application process."

In Jamaica HighSchool, the college office is key to preparing for college. It supplies various information for college bound students such as internships, scholarships and SAT help. Student's in the 10th- 12th grade visit the college office to get the college related materials and to use the internet to do research. They ask questions regarding the PSAT, SAT, scholarships and the Financial Aid. They ask questions about admission requirements for various colleges.

Now with all the information provided and advantages students should be able to prepare for college with no problem.

Flavor of Love 3

Flavor of Love 3

Here we go again. After two failed seasons, the smooth talking, outgoing, ladies man, Flavor Flav has decided to go on another quest for his true love. Flavor of Love 3 premiered February 8, 2008. Will one of these women have Flav's heart?

Flavor Flav has made his public debut on VH1 on January 1, 2006 with Flavor of Love. Executive producers Chris Abrego and Marc Cronin decided to put 20 women in a VH1 mansion to compete for Flav's heart. They perform various challenges in order to spend more time with Flav.

At the end of season 1 Flav chose Nicole Alexander aka. "Hoops" but decided they were better off as friends. Season 2 soon came along and he chose London Charles aka "Deelishis" leaving the infamous runner up "New York" devastated. In the end their relationship did not work out. Now its season 3 and Flav hopes to find his leading lady. He states this will be the last time he will be looking for love.

Flav of Love has been the first reality show to tremendously increase the ratings of VH1 as well as fans. It has become very popular amoung teens.

"I make sure I do all my homework ans relax so I can have to myself to watch Flavor of Love."

said Junior Lauren Lomax

Tune into Flavor of Love 3 at 9/8c on VH1 every Monday to see Flav choose his soon to be mate.

Hopefully this season can find his true love. If he does not, the one thing he will always have is the love of his huge fan base.

New Requirements

New Requirements

The not so glamorous life of teaching will become less glamorous. Students will no longer be the only one writing essays this year, but aspiring teachers as well. Coming soon all wishful teachers will be required to write an essay. The new requirements has caused an uproar between ambitious teachers and The Board of Education. But, will the new found policy, improve the IQ of New York City students?

Starting this month striving teachers will have to submit two written essays and a resume. One essay would focus on how teachers handle a "hypothetical education system," while the second one will focus on their personal and professional strengths. This new registration policy calls for more work. It takes a Master's Degree and three years of experience to become a fully licensed teacher in New York. Along with essays apiring teachers are become discouraged. While some teachers think this new requirement others have been dispirited on their dreams on becoming a teacher.

Some believe it is benneficial for the teacher as well as the student to have more qualified teachers.

"I believe that it is necessary for teachers to write an essay so as to verify that the new teacher has the necessary linguistie skills and knowledge of their subject matter in order to enter the profession." states Ms. Cox from Jamaica High School

Most students are happy that teachers have to write an essay. One student felt strongly about the new requirements for teachers.

" I agree with the new requirements I feel that it is good because it tests teachers ability to perform insuring that students are getting the best education and not just someone who passed a test to get a certificate but someone who understands the work they teach." said Seban Questelles

Some students even think the teachers deserve to write essays because of the gruelling hours they spent writing essays.

"I think its good because it makes teachers do they same work we do. There are some teachers who are teaching and probably cant even write a good essay or two..but they still teach anyway. Now they get a chance to practice what they preech" says senior Korrin Williams

The new controversial requirements have caused a debate between aspiring teachers and The Board of Education. Ambitious teachers now have to feel the pressure of the challenging deadlines they must face. Overall students love the new requirements and believe it will be beneficial.