As one of the founders of Louder Than A Bomb, the world’s biggest teen poetry slam, he’s inspired thousands of Chicago students to express themselves.

“Kevin made me understand what it is to be a poet, what it is to be an artist, and what it is to serve the people,” Chance the Rapper writes in his introduction to Mr. Coval’s book “A People’s History of Chicago.”

Steinmetz 2016 graduate Alejandro Hernandez, pictured above with Mr. Coval on the set of the DePaul University radio program the 5th Element, hosted him on the show after Mr. Coval published his book of poetry last spring.

The connection Mr. Coval made with teacher James Sloan and Steinmetz is evident in the 2010 award-winning film “Louder Than A Bomb.” His encouragement of Steinmetz students has created a legacy of self-confidence and truth-telling, along with much joy in creating and sharing poetry.

The commencement ceremony will take place on June 13. Senior class president Steven Nunez invited Mr. Coval.

“The Class of 2018 is honored to have Kevin Coval speak to the graduates,” Steven said.

Poetry slam team members Sammie Chafai, Alina Qureshy, Jamara Mcgarry and Agape Alfaro pose with friends and coaches Jon Hood and James Sloan after their LTAB bout on March 2.

]]> http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/2018/06/kevin-coval-to-speak-at-graduation/feed/ 0 http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/2016/06/introduction-of-hannibal-buress/ http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/2016/06/introduction-of-hannibal-buress/#respond Thu, 16 Jun 2016 11:15:32 +0000 http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/?p=4538 By Ashley Komperda

When Alejandro first told me about the idea of having Hannibal as a commencement speaker before the school year started, my first thought was, “Who the hell is Hannibal Buress?” I couldn’t put the name to his face, but when I looked him up on Google, I surprised to find out that I knew exactly who he was.

I had seen his specials before with my dad, and I had even seen him in his major film debut, “Neighbors.” I knew at that moment that having a Steinmetz alumnus of his stature and talent would provide a very memorable graduation indeed, so I emailed him. When he responded shortly after saying that he was interested, I knew that Ale would flip out when I told him, and that is exactly what he did.

Valedictorian Ashley Komperda invited comedian and Steinmetz graduate Hannibal Buress to speak at the Class of 2016’s graduation.

That was in late August, though, and since that time, Hannibal’s success has only grown , having done a world tour, released a new stand-up special exclusively on Netflix and having a role in half a dozen films that have been released since that time, including “Angry Birds,” “Neighbors 2,” and “Daddy’s Home.” 

However, before all of that, he was just a student sitting in the very seats you are all sitting in today. Let us give a quick thank you to Mr. Buress for taking time out of his schedule to come back where it all started for him.

By Alejandro Hernandez

As Ashley just stated, several years ago, Hannibal Buress walked the same hallways as we have for the last four years. Having the same Spanish teacher, Mr. Ochoa, as he had, I asked him about the type of student Hannibal was. Mr. Ochoa said that he was a very bright kid who hung around the wrong group of friends.

By Hannibal’s own admission in an interview with Chicago Magazine in 2014, he said that his friends were real screw-ups and trouble makers and that he barely graduated with a 1.9 GPA. However, none of that defines that who he is today, and in the same interview, he said he still had a focus on going to college.

Despite this, Hannibal’s story at Steinmetz should not be one that we should ignored despite the lack of traditional academic success. Instead, his story should be honored for the fact that he has been able to achieve such global success in notoriously tough career field despite national statistics saying that he shouldn’t be. His story should be an example to all of us that anything is possible.

No matter what type of student you were at Steinmetz, if you can find something you are passionate about and you can wholeheartedly apply yourself to that one thing, then you will be able to be welcomed into your definition of the good life. So without any further ado, it is with great honor that I present to you one of the funniest men alive and Steinmetz’s very own, Hannibal Buress.

Presentation of plaque

Ashley said, “Before he speaks we came up with an award for Hannibal. It is ‘In recognition for being the funniest and most successful alum to graduate from our school.’

Hannibal Buress responded: “I think Hugh Hefner would have something to say about that.”

See Hannibal Buress’ keynote address to graduates for a transcription of his remarks.

Star co-editor-in-chief Alejandro Hernandez conceived the idea to ask Steinmetz alumnus to speak.

Upon the release of the highly anticipated and well-received The Life of Pablo by Kanye West in mid-February, one of the most talked about aspects from the project was young Chicago artist Chance The Rapper’s legend-in-the-making guest verse in the album’s opening track, “Ultralight Beam.” The collaboration not only represented the soon-to-be changing of the guard as the face of Chicago music, but it was also when Chance announced to the world that he would be releasing his third mixtape in the near future, and that it would be incredible:

I made Sunday Candy, I’m never going to hell
I met Kanye West, I’m never going to fail
He said let’s do a good ass job with Chance three
I hear you gotta sell it to snatch the Grammy
Let’s make it so free and the bars so hard
That there ain’t one gosh darn part you can’t tweet
This is my part, nobody else speak.

The New People’s Champion is Here

Coloring Book is finally here and the promise was not only fulfilled, but expectations were astronomically surpassed. At the ripe age of 23, Lil Chano from 79th is all grown up, and his new music is a reflection of the leaps and bounds he has made since he first became a reputable name in the music industry.

He is no longer the immature high school slacker rapping during his two-week suspension after getting arrested for smoking weed, as chronicled in his stellar debut solo mixtape 10 Day. He is no longer the chain smoking 20-year old living life in the fast lane and experimenting with different drugs, which was expressed in his breakout sophomore tape Acid Rap.

He’s still a self-proclaimed “Grown Ass Kid,” but his perspective on life has changed dramatically ever since the birth of his daughter last year, to which Coloring Book is dedicated to. He has totally cleaned up his act by cutting down his drug use, becoming a more proactive member of society and realizing just how truly blessed his life is.

Coloring Book continues the growing trend of hip-hop artists expressing the role of religion in their life by making faith a major theme in their albums, recent examples being Kanye’s The Life of Pablo, Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Vince Staples’s Summertime ‘06. However, none of them express faith as thoroughly as Mr. Bennet does. While other artists have made religion one of the important themes in their work, Chance’s firm belief system is the preeminent theme of his tape, and it is oh so glorious. While there are a handful of legit gospel tracks out of a possible 14, biblical references are used in virtually every song, which isn’t a bad thing. I mean, if you’re gonna name drop, why not drop the name of the Big Fella Upstairs?

Since we are on the topic of gospel-influenced music, even though it is not fair to compare stylistically different albums that are both successful in their approaches, Coloring Book does a better job of being the gospel album with a lot cursing than The Life of Pablo is labeled as.

Chance pours his heart and soul out. You can hear his love and passion for all the important aspects of his life. Along with his faith, he praises his future wife and daughter, the family that raised him and his city. He exudes so much positive energy that I dare anyone to try and not smile at all while listening to any one of the 14 listed tracks.

While braggadocio has a place as an important component of hip-hop culture, much of today’s radio rap is filled to the brim with songs about luxury and hubris. So, it is quite refreshing to hear someone on Power 92 or WGCI talk about being able to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, making genuinely feel-good music while also instilling Chicago pride. He is, after all, a prominent member of local rap collective, SAVEMONEY, whose very name goes against the “ball out ‘til we fall out” stereotype in today’s mainstream music.

With the current stigma surrounding Chicago, or “Chiraq” as it has been called, Chancelor Bennett has emerged as the face and voice of peace and positivity in the city. Whether it be his involvement with youth Open Mike events at Harold Washington Library, shining a light on the problems plaguing Chicago’s inner-city, teaming up with a Detroit-based charity to give warm coats and sleeping bags to thousands of the city’s homeless during the winter season or his vocal disapproval of the cover up for Jason Van Dyke’s murder of Laquan McDonald, Chance truly gives a damn about his city and his people, and he is making sure to use his platform to try and make a difference. As Chance humbly says in the tape’s very last song, “They never seen a rapper practice modesty/I never practice, I only perform.”

Freedom Music

A review could be written for each track on how incredible each one is. Picking and choosing standout tracks is a little difficult just because of the parity between each record and how they individually stand out in their own unique way. There are some great tunes that you can just really vibe to at a high volume when you’re just riding in your car like “Angels” or “No Problem,” two of the most infectiously fun songs of the year. The former is Chano’s tropical-influenced appreciation thread to his personal life and Chicago. The latter is an autotuned warning to any and all music label trying to impede on his notoriously strong independent status.

Other songs are going to sound great at parties, whether it be the up-tempo Chicago house music-esque, Kaytranada produced “All Night,”  or the silky-smooth, Justin Bieber-assisted slow dance ode to his younger days finding summer love in the roller rink, “Juke Jam.” Some songs sound like they could be performed at church like in “Finish Line/Drown” or both versions of “Blessings,” with their simple yet elegant beats backed by a gospel choir, and religious themed lyrics.

Then, there are other tracks where you just have to take the time and really pay attention to in order to truly appreciate them, such as “Same Drugs,” a song that uses Peter Pan references and the act of quitting certain drugs as metaphor for maturing and growing away from people you care about. Another is the melancholy “Summer Friends,” which serves as a bittersweet ode to the nostalgia of childhood innocence (“JJ, Mikey, Lil Derek and them/79th street was America then” as Chance reminisces), while also being a somber eulogy for all the friends Chance, or anyone living with survivor’s guilt for that matter, lost during the summer season due to senseless violence (“First day, n*gga’s shooting/Summer school get to losing students”). Songs like these serve as an important reminder in Chance’s music that while we should not dwell in the past by appreciating the blessings in our lives and always enjoy the present, we have to look back every once in awhile, no matter painful, in order to truly grow and look forward to brighter days in the future.

There were more than a few pleasant surprises, such as Chano’s expert use of autotune in a few songs, despite the fact that it marks the first time of him using it in his music. Other unexpected aspects were some of the guest spots, featuring artists you would never expect to see Chance jump on a track with, such as Future on “Smoke Break,” 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne (resurrecting his Carter III days) on “No Problem,” his first collaboration with Bieber in more than two years, and of course, it cannot be a gospel album until Kirk Franklin drops some prayers.

By far the most surprising collaboration was with Young Thug and Lil Yachty, who both appear on “Mixtapes,” a song paying homage to the ubiquitous rap mixtape, a medium that arguably serves as the backbone to hip-hop culture. Giving credit where it is due, props go to Thugger who, despite his polarizing solo work, does know how to compliment songs as a featured artist. Even Lil Yachty, widely considered to be poorly skilled, can start rapping in a similar way to his guest verse, then he might just be able to have pretty damn good career.

Despite finally being able to work with these big names, Chance was once a local artist just trying to get his name out there, working with other local artists trying to do the same. He does not forget his humble beginnings, and he continues his tradition of working with other Chicago musicians such as Noname Gypsy, Jamila Woods, Saba, Towkio and some crazy dude who likes to call himself Yeezus.

One of the best things about Coloring Book is that Chance puts an emphasis on putting meaning behind each and every song. He went on record saying there are no throwaway bars in his mixtape, and as a result, every song is wonderfully filled with clever rhymes, genius-level lyricism, and truly poetic songwriting. Two songs which that are definitely in the top three of the soundtrack are “Blessings (Reprise)” and “How Great,” each containing two of Chance’s best verses in a mixtape (and career) that’s already chock-full of outstanding ones, with the latter also featuring a verse from the elusive but always outstanding Jay Electronica.

The production – handled almost exclusively by The Social Experiment crew – is absolutely flawless and you can tell that everyone who was involved brought their A-game. Perfect beats were chosen and tweaked to sound just right and mixed with live instrumentation, something that has become a lost art in hip-hop. The overall sound is a fantastic stew of gospel, jazz, old school boom-bap and even some new school trap vibes. One the best decisions that went into the project was also the use of live vocal recordings of the Chicago Children’s Choir singing. Songs features a choir singing in the background was sung by 16 lucky Chicago kids. The end result is a human element that adds just a little bit more of soulfulness that just makes the spirit feel better.

No matter what said in this review, words honestly cannot do Coloring Book justice. Coloring Book joins a personal shortlist of perfect pieces of sonic art. Other people’s opinions are going to be different, but I have no complaints. It not only ranks as my favorite soundtrack of the year, but it ranks as one of my all-time favorite pieces of music.

A Pioneering Project

Whether or not it will snatch a Grammy award remains to be seen considering the current rules restricting free music from being nominated, however that rule is on the verge of being changed in the near future. Regardless of whether or not it wins a Grammy, Coloring Book is bound to be remembered as one the best and most important full-length projects of 2016 and the music scene is bound to be a little more interesting now that Chance The Rapper’s name is officially added to the mix of best MCs.

For someone who claims “I don’t believe in kings, believe in the Kingdom,” Mr. Bennett justifiably takes his stake at being the heir apparent to hip-hop’s throne and to that, this writer can only say this: Thank you, Chance.

Tracklist:
1. All We Got (feat. Kanye West & Chicago Children’s Choir)
2. No Problem (feat. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne)
3. Summer Friends (feat. Jeremih & Francis & The Lights)
4. D.R.A.M Sings Special
5. Blessings
6. Same Drugs
7. Mixtape (feat. Young Thug & Lil Yachty)
8. Angels (feat. Saba)
9. Juke Jam (feat. Justin Bieber & Towkio)
10. All Night (feat. Knox Fortune)
11. How Great (feat. Jay Electronica & My cousin Nicole)
12. Smoke Break (feat. Future)
13. Finish Line / Drown (feat. T-Pain, Kirk Franklin, Eryn Allen Kane & Noname)
14. Blessings (Reprise) (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

[Editor’s note: Coloring Book was supposed to include called another track called “Grown Ass Kid,” but was scrapped due to a sample clearance issue. It was leaked though, and I highly recommend listening to it on soundcloud for it still captures the essence of CB and would have been one the best records on the project. It also features Alex Wiley and Mick Jenkins, who might be the best young Chicago artist not named Chancellor.]

The presentation of the 2016 media awards, open to all public and private schools in Chicago, was held on March 10.

Steinmetz Star reporters pose with individual and overall media awards at Millennium Park after the media awards were presented at the Chicago Cultural Society. (Top row): Alejandro Hernandez, Ashley Komperda, Ronald Evans, Zaneta Marcink, Steven Nunez, (Bottom row): Jamara McGarry, Daria Velazquez, Brian Geans, McKenzie Lacefield and Rikeya Hargrove.

“So much of the credit goes to Hugh Hefner, whose financial support, encouragement and example has enabled our students to excel,” Star adviser Sharon Schmidt said.

For the past five years, and in a pledge for five more, Mr. Hefner, the editor of Playboy and a 1944 graduate of Steinmetz, has financed the printing of the Steinmetz Star. In addition, he provided computers, software, a scanner and copy machine, cameras and other equipment for journalists in his initial gift in 2011.

Mr. Hefner’s help boosted the Star from a small newsletter to a full-size, full-color newspaper.

Although the Star has been in print ever since the Steinmetz opened in the 1930s and sometimes published in a print shops, for more than a decade before Mr. Hefner’s donation the Star was printed as a newsletter on a Riso machine in the school. The journalism teacher and students were responsible for finding ink and paper, working with printing glitches, making copies, collating and folding the pages.

Editor-in-chief Alejandro Hernandez won “Superior” review and “Excellent” sports story. Alejandro  won “Superior” review in 2015, too. His excellent sports and entertainment stories have been published in the Star since he was a freshmen. The awards acknowledge that Alejandro is one of the best high school writers in Chicago.

“Now that our students publish a professionally printed, full-size paper, people can see that they’re among the best scholastic journalists in Chicago,” Ms. Schmidt said. “Their excellent reporting, writing, photography and art comes through in every issue.”

2016 SPAC, McCormick Foundation Media Awards

In addition to Steinmetz, three other schools received “Superior” overall newspaper – Lane, Jones and Morgan Park.

In the awards book, Steinmetz was listed first for “Superior Overall Newspaper,” with a review by media awards judges who critiqued the Star’s Jan.-Feb. 2016 issue:

Nearly 50 students contributed to the content and design of that Jan.-Feb. 2016 “Superior” issue, including editors Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik.

Sophomores Monica Laddaran, Allyza Inson and Lesli Avila wait for the McCormick Foundation luncheon to begin. Winners of the media awards were called up to the podium, in front of 350 people, to receive their certificates. Photo by Brian Geans.

Star editors and reporters also received impressive, individual awards for their work in other issues of the Star.

Senior Zaneta Marcinik: Superior News Story
“CPS slashes school budgets,” Sept.-Oct. 2015

Senior Alejandro Hernandez: Superior Review
“Pro-feminist, non-stop action Fury Road is a must see movie,” May-June 2015

Alejandro Hernandez Excellent Sports News Story
“Streaks still strong, even with loss of key players,” Sept.-Oct. 2015

Senior McKenzie Lacefield: Excellent Column/Editorial
“Mission: Happiness,” Sept.-Oct. 2015

Junior Anthony Morgan-Kitch: Excellent Drawing
Anti-Valentine’s Day cupid, Jan.-Feb. 2016

Sophomore Daria Velazquez: Excellent News Feature
“Animal companions offer many benefits, especially to those anxious or depressed,” Nov.-Dec. 2015

Sophomore Steven Nunez: Excellent Photo
Black Live Matter and Fight for $15 march, Nov.-Dec. 2015

Junior Ronald Evans received the McCormick Foundation Fellowship
The letter of congratulations from the SPAC director Linda Jones states: “The foundation will provide you, as the recipient, with up to $1,000 toward your attendance at the summer journalism workshop of your choice.”

Star reporters and editors pose for pictures in Millennium Park following the awards presentation. Select photo for clear view of students who attended the SPAC workshop and McCormick Media Awards luncheon.

“Superior” overall newspaper & “Superior” overall layout
January – February 2016 Steinmetz Star

Nearly 50 Steinmetz Star staff members contributed to the paper that SPAC judges found to be the best high school newspaper in Chicago.

All of the following students contributed by reporting, interviewing, researching, writing stories, taking photos, making art, creating page layouts, editing articles and/or proof reading:

Co-editors-in-chief: Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik

Section editors and copy editors: Agape Alfaro, Lesli Avila, Ashley Komperda, McKenzie Lacefield, Jailene Torres, Daria Velazquez

 Journalism class reporters: Jacara Adams, Juan Ceballos, Valery Champion, David Ciechanowski, Yesenia Deluna, Kara Dziadosz, Ronald Evans, Brian Geans, Paris Glispie, Luis Gomez, Venice Gonzalez, Rikeya Hargrove, Gerardo Jerez, Angelo Jones, Daniel Lozeau, Rosemary Mcgurn, Wiljalisha Mollfulleda, Anthony Morgan-Kitch, Gissel Mendoza, Olivia Nunez, Elizabeth Patino, Camila Pina, Lisette Pravinchandra, Flor Renteria, Maya Robinson, Eduardo Vazquez, Imari Walker

Newspaper Club reporters: Karen Bahena, Daniella Blas, Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch, Frederick Crittendon, Elise Guillen, Luz Herrera, Lagunas, Gerardo Martinez, Monica Marroquin, Jamara McGarry, Tyffani Quintero, Jacquelyn Rodriguez, Emony Tate

See photo captions to see what specific contributions of individual students.

‘Later bell schedule’ by McKenzie Lacefield, all 1st period journalism students, Jacara Adams, Juan Ceballos, and Alejandro Hernandez; ‘Regional science fair winners advance’ photo by Steven Nunoz; ‘Principal Ngo responds to Star ‘censorship accusations” submitted by Principal Steven Ngo, photo by Rikeya Hargrove

‘Staff and students mourn’ by Diana Lagunas; ‘College Cafe available for underclassmen’ by Monica Marroquin, photos by Tony Morgan-Kitch; ‘Senior Seminar assists in application process’ by Brian Geans, photo by Brian Geans; ‘Senior Seminar is a great class that helps for college’ by Maya Robinson; ‘Senior Seminar is a waste of time for some students’ by McKenzie Lacefield

‘Black History Month hero interviews’ by Lisette Pravinchandra and Eduardo Vazquez; ‘Letters from our Readers:’ School uniforms are unnecessary’ by Felipe Orozco, senior (obtained by Gerardo Jerez); ‘Star investigation uncovers unconvincing arguments for sagging pants’ by Jamara McGarry, photos by Jamara McGarry

‘Campaigning for presidential candidates inspires young voters’ by Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch and Emony Tate, photos by Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch; ‘Star editor opinion: Bernie is the best’ by Alejandro Hernandez

‘Academic decathlon team advances to city championships’ by Zaneta Marcinik, photos by Daniela Blas; ‘Urban Alliance provides paid downtown job internships’ by Olivia Nunez, photo by Jamara McGarry; ‘Making the adjustment to a new school and a new climate’ by Agape Alfaro, photo by Jamara McGarry; ‘New teacher makes big impact’ by Jacara Adams

‘Journalism professionals inspire student reporters’ photos by Brian Geans, Rosemary McGurn, Brian Geans; ‘Why I like journalism’ by Ronald Evans; ‘Accurate information should be shared, not delayed’ by McKenzie Lacefield

‘When you wake up, ‘put two feet on the ground for truth’ by Elise Guillen; ‘Scholastic Journalism Week showcases importance of newspapers and yearbooks’ photos by Monica Marroquin and Karen Bahena

Anti-Valentine’s Day Cupid drawing by Anthony Morgan-Kitch; Valentine’s Day shout outs by Ashley Komperda, Daria Velazquez, Yesenia Deluna and Star readers

Valentine’s Day Shout Outs by Venice Gonzalez, McKenzie Lacefield, Zaneta Marcinik, Jailene Torres andStar readers

Story continued from Page One; Photo by Rikeya Hargrove

CPS school comparison research by 1st period journalism students

‘Working seniors may be eligible to leave school early,’ photo by McKenzie Lacefield

Survey tabulation and comment transcription by 1st period journalism students

About Face Theater ‘Interaction’ performs and teaches workshop’ by Daria Velazquez; ‘Museums are free on Feb. 15’ by Lesli Avila, photos by Lesli Avila; ‘What do you like about Valentine’s Day?’ Interviews by Jailene Torres; ‘Improve the local music scene’ by Valery Champion; ‘Pride and fun in ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’’ by Brian Geans; ‘Priceless’ (comic) by Melanie Rolon

‘Streaks cheerleaders reach new heights in competition’ by Ashley Komperda, photos by Steven Nunez; ‘Bowlers roll to 3rd place’ by Camila Pina; ‘Tough season for boys basketball’ by Kara Dziadosz, photo by Steven Nunez; ‘Lessons learned from football coach, Sgt. Garry Frank’ by Frederick Crittendon

‘Streaks win close game on senior night’ by Paris Glispie, Luis Gomez, Jacquelyn Rodriguez, photos by Steven Nunez; ‘Footbell ends with winning record and college bound players’ by Alejandro Hernandez, photo by Tyfanni Quintero; ‘Swimmers take 3rd in conference’ by David Ciechandowski and Maya Robinson, photo by Brian Geans

Bernie Sanders is hands down the best candidate running in this year’s election.

If you are not familiar with Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, here’s some basic information. He’s a senator from Vermont, and in less than a year, he’s gone from political no-name, to possibly being the strongest candidate for the presidential nomination. A big part of his meteoric rise comes from his unorthodox grassroots campaign. While most candidates traditionally rely on funding from big business and the 1%, that money is expected to help benefit the wealthy more than rest of 99%.

This is where Bernie separates himself from the Super-Pac. His campaign money is strictly funded by donations from the common man. His political stance is to bring about a revolutionary social reform that will hopefully close the gap between the upper and lower classes. He opposes the major banks, and he is appalled by the fact that the top one-tenth of the 1% has almost the same amount of money as 90% of the rest of population. If Sanders is elected he will do everything he can to put the people first and help make life easier for people without money. Among the things he hopes to change are free college education and universal healthcare.

I would highly suggest anyone take the time to do some more research about what Bernie’s campaign is about. In a race in which the media coverage is largely dominated by Trump’s bigotry and senselessness, listening to Bernie speak with an open-mind and a genuine care about social reform is refreshing and promising.