The following poems were not in the print edition.

White 
by Frank Cabrera

I’m always being told
that I act different from other Hispanics,
that when I speak Spanish
I say words like a gringo.
All my life all I knew was America’s holidays
not Ecuador’s.
Something never felt right,
like having this
Ache in your neck,
always there to remind you
that something was wrong.
That everything I did was too white or too Hispanic.
That my skin color makes me different from my peers
and that I should be shut out of my parent’s traditional views.
You pushed these ideas of America so far down my throat,
that now 14 years later I know the pledge of Allegiance by heart.
I always felt like I was an outsider when I grew up speaking Spanglish
and having to be go to ESL
because my English wasn’t as good as the others
like everyone knew my terrible secret that I couldn’t hold no longer
because everywhere I went it always got out,
but also that I had to walk home
while others were picked up by their parents
while mine were working hard to make sure i had everything I wanted.
14 years later now in my Hispanic house,
I am still an outsider
not knowing my native tongue or not liking any food that my grandmas cooked
made me feel like I was falling down an endless pit
that only stopped to bring me pain.
Even now I see the comments made from my peers,
they know where I’m from, they notice the way I talk.
I no longer can hold my secret. It’s out there for the world to know.

It’s all beautiful to me
by Jason Valtierra

It’s all beautiful to me
Call your brothers magnificent,
call all the sisters queens
We all on the same team,
but many follow the cash
and don’t follow their dreams

And if you failed to achieve
and lowered your self esteem
at least you gave it a shot.
Excuse me while I Tupac,
Keep your head up, when did you stop?

When did the racism blur your vision
Being dark don’t make you stupid
You made some mistakes
but that’s what makes us human
Be successful and leave them clueless
Wondering how you made it
if you were wounded

All of the cards they take for granted
just use them to your advantage
let them watch you blow up like a cannon

I’ll Never Forget About Us
by Joshua Serralde

Oh how i miss that sweet baby face
That’d i race to every moment i glanced at you
Your aura was made of stars & galaxies that made my mind
completely stuck on you and your electrifying kisses

Oh how i’d always wait for you at the end of the day just to
hold your hand one last time each day and remind you how much
i acknowledged your presence around me and how much you make
me explode with every fiber in my body

God i’m so in love with you i can write an endless song with a
heart throbbing melody in the background playing as i think of the times
you stole my heart.

Oh how much you mean to me.
I Love You.

I will be here
by Angel Chavez

If in the morning when you wake,
If the sun does not appear,
I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
I will be here.

I will be here,
When you feel like being quiet,
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen.
Through the winning, losing,
and trying we’ll be together,
And I will be here.
If in the morning when you wake,
If the future is unclear,
I will be here.
As sure as seasons were made for change,
Our lifetimes were made for years,
I will be here.

I will be here,
And you can cry on my shoulder,
When the mirror tells us we’re older.
I will hold you,
to watch you grow in beauty,
And tell you all the things you are to me.
We’ll be together and I will be here.
I will be true to the promises I’ve made,
To you and to the one who gave you to me.
I will be here.

Christmas
by Isaura Hernandez

Christmas is a time you spend with family
And experience great joy
But what is family? And what is joy?
You look at a house but all you see
Is the family laughing and cheering
What if the father was an abuser??
And hurt the mother and kids?
That’s not what you’ll see.

You’ll see them smiling and having fun,
But deep down the mother wants to leave the father,
And the father wants to keep
All of them locked in that house.
The kids want to escape
But there isn’t a way.

And all those lies that have been given away, what are they good for?
The lies the father told the mother.
He’ll care, sure but he doesn’t.

You’ll never see the true sides of a family especially in Christmas.

You’ll see the decorations, which may i add, the mother spent 10 hours putting up.
You’ll see their smiles when you go to their Christmas party but you cant see how the father has been pinching the mother’s back.
The mother’s all bundled up, hiding those scars and bruises that were given to her.

The children fake a smile, knowing that if they made a mistake they’ll be gone from the party for a while.

The father stands tall, all dressed up in a nice suit, that the mother was forced to send to the dry cleaners.

He seems conceded,
Trying to hide the fact that he cheated, but he needn’t worry cause the mother already knows.
Under that suit he hides a big scratch from which he needed stitches.
Under that smile he hides, all those days he spent beating them.
And beneath that nice caring face hides a demon from which he listened to, and made his family’s life a living hell.
But his supposedly “nice eyes” blind those people from asking questions, and
Undoubtedly a cop that had been present.

It’s been like that every Christmas, and every party they’re ever invited to.
The mother’s always praying for her children not to make a mistake, uncaring for her own health.
While the children each pray their mother doesn’t make a mistake, so that if anything happens to them their mother will hopefully be okay.
The father doesn’t pray at all, for he has no beliefs other than the one hekeeps in his mind that he’s powerful

He’s uncaring for his own health because he knows the mother won’t do anything.
The mother’s family is present and they’re each blinded by the father’s character.
He flashes smile after smile, and the parents become hypnotized by the father’s charm.
His eyes hold them in a portal from which stops them from knowing
what really happens to their daughter and their grandchildren.

Christmas for them isn’t about joy or happiness,
it’s about caring for each other, leaving the one that doesn’t care behind.
In Christmas no one ever knows a family’s true side.

Why Do I Love You?
by Angel Chavez

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For ignoring the possibilities
Of the fool in me
And for laying firm hold
Of the possibilities for good.

Why do I love you?

I love you
For closing your eyes
To the discords –
And for adding to the music in me
By worshipful listening.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
And out of the words
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
To make me happy.

You have done it
Without a word,
Without a touch,
Without a sign.
You have done it
Just by being yourself.

After all
Perhaps that is what
Love means.

Forever waiting
by Tyler Graves

The city starts to fade into the setting sun
As I turn my back and walk the lonely road
I felt your hand slip through my fingers once again
And what was left was just a momentary warmth
Every time I felt your touch, it would seep into my heart

If I could hold you for a little longer
And the lingering scent as you whispered in my ear
Would fade forever in the vivid sky
I hear the sound of your voice, I hear it echo inside my dreams

Turning into memories as they start to fall away
And the tears that I cry, washed away by the rain
I promise this is where I’ll be
Waiting for you

Without a sound the days are slowly passing by
And the night is like a story without an end
The only light that shines upon the quiet world
Are the stars and they will lead me back to you
As I find another piece of a memory inside
As the story grows a little longer
And the look on your face as you waved your hand goodbye

Would fade forever in the darkened sky
I drown inside these memories, I feel them fall from the sky above

Washing everything away and staining me in gray
But I will stand in the rain, until I know that I’ve found you

This is where I’ll always be

I hear the sound of your voice, I hear it echo inside my dreams
Turning into memories as they start to fall away
And the tears that I cry, soon remind me of you touch, as I look to the sky, I think to myself , this is where I will always be, waiting for you

Resolve
by Tyler Graves

Even if the percentage can’t even change the orbit
If there’s as less as even one per cent shouldn’t I obviously resist?
After all, it was thrown to me as “fate” but, no I won’t!
I’ll turn it around, because if I could see the future with you wouldn’t it be great?

Bring it on! Cause I’m just gonna grow up in the battle. I’ll push through the cloudy sky
Still burning my fire the thunder slashes the sky I gotta drown out the nightmare I just want to see the future!

Past, Future, and the Now we live in, I ain’t scared of my past and now for the entrusted past
Screaming out for my pride!

I don’t want to see tears, so I’ll keep screaming! All the way…
I’m never falling down! With the tail wind behind me I’ll blow away Destiny
Because I want to protect this smile at my back! All the way…
I gotta shake off pain for you and me! let the sadness rest in peace

No matter how many times…

Even if in the corner of my heart I pound the wall saying “It’s hard”
No matter what percent, I probably won’t turn back anymore
Even if the rain of reason starts to fall All I know!
I won’t get lost because in tomorrow I have a dream that I want to fulfill with you

We’ll clad ourselves in dawn and counterattack soldiers follow me now. Don’t you ever stop! We pay it back in spades right!
Play back the perverse nature! I’ll live this moment without sorrow
Struggle, sorrow, They’ll disappear like bubbles but no one can blow out the candle in my heart
Screaming out for your pride

We gotta stand up and go with the pride  It’s like the sun rising way over the clouds

I’ll burn my heart, and keep lighting it up All the way…

Nobody can blow out my fire can’t erase! I’ll overcome the grey world So that I won’t hesitate, so that I wont lose sight
All the way…
Don’t blind your eyes, if you’re lost on the way! I don’t care I’m gonna be your light
So take my hand

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