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/2018/04/star-reporters-win-honors-in-scholastic-press-association-of-chicago-awards/ http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/2018/04/star-reporters-win-honors-in-scholastic-press-association-of-chicago-awards/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:17:46 +0000 http://steinmetzstar.com/wordpress/?p=7034 Senior Steven Nunez received a $1,500 college scholarship by winning the Scholastic Press Association of Chicago “Student Journalist of the Year” on March 7.

“Steven deserves this recognition and award because of his talent and tireless work serving Steinmetz through his incredible photojournalism,” said Star adviser Sharon Schmidt, who had submitted dozens of Steven’s published photos from the past year’s print edition of the Star along with a nomination letter, excerpted below.

In addition to Steven’s prestigious award, the Star won many other honors in the media awards held at Roosevelt University.

Editor Elise Guillen holds the award for ‘Superior Special Coverage.’ Steinmetz Star reporters and photographers are among the best high school journalists in the city of Chicago.

The Steinmetz Star again showed it is one of the best high school newspapers in Chicago. Only Lane, Payton and Jones ranked higher in the number of honors awarded to high school journalists, overall newspapers and websites.

The Star won in the following categories:

• Superior Special Coverage – Elise Guillen, editor (More than 50 personality profiles of the Class of 2017)
• Superior News Story – Alyanna Fontinilla, reporter (“CPS policies create severe enrollment decline at Steinmetz”)
• Superior Sports Photo – Steven Nunez, photo editor (“Streaks teamwork shows in 19 wins”)
• Excellent Overall Newspaper – Agape Alfaro, editor (Nov. – Dec. 2017 Steinmetz Star)
• Excellent Overall Layout – Monica Marroquin, staff photographer (Nov. – Dec. 2017 Steinmetz Star)
• Excellent Website – Kyiah Morris, editor (www.steinmetzstar.com)
• Excellent Web Design – Jamara Mcgarry, editor(www.steinmetzstar.com)
• Excellent Sports Story – Tyrek Gates, reporter (“Streaks varsity baseball dominating conference”)
• Excellent Column – Agape Alfaro, editor (“Am I Asian enough?”)
• Excellent Review – Alina Qureshy, editor (“‘Hamilton’ hype is well deserved”)
• Excellent Non-Sports Photo – Steven Nunez, photo editor (“Cuban Fest – another great cultural opportunity in Chicago”)

Newspaper club and journalism students pose by the statue of “The Bowman” at Michigan and Congress after the Scholastic Press Association of Chicago media awards at Roosevelt University on March 7.

Steven Nunez’s “Student Journalist of the Year” award came with a $1,500 scholarship, which he will use toward his tuition at Columbia College where he will study photography. (Photo by Aly Fontanilla)

Nomination letter for Steven Nunez, Student Journalist of the Year
By Sharon Schmidt, Star adviser
Feb. 2, 2018

The Star’s 2017-18 MVP is our photo editor

While the Star has many excellent reporters and editors on our staff, especially four senior girls who have contributed very good reporting, copy editing and editing throughout their years at Steinmetz, the most valuable staff member, who has done the most for the Star this year, is our photo editor, senior Steven Nunez.

One of the most important aspects of the Star is our photography. It has made the Star well-liked in the school and stand out from other newspapers. Nearly every piece we publish is illustrated, usually with one or two photos. This style draws in our student readers, whose news consumption is mostly limited to graphic-heavy Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook or Twitter feeds. Photos are necessary for students to read our headlines and become interested enough to read our articles. Our photos also help highlight many students in our school who are not making news, but whose value is evident by being pictured in the school newspaper.

Steven’s work

Steven is responsible for contributing the most – and the best – photos to the Star. I’m glad one of the guidelines for this nomination is to focus on the past year. Our last four issues of the Star yielded nine, tabloid-size pages of his clips. I’m glad I didn’t have to go through more papers from previous years because there would be many more pictures to clip and mount. (For this nomination, I looked at only our print editions; I did not go through any of our website articles or slideshows, which include many more photos taken by Steven during this year.) To me, and others, his many clips from the year show his tireless coverage, as well as his talent and understanding of photojournalism.

Steven is completely driven to obtain the best shots for whatever story he’s covering and he wants to cover everything. This last year he seemed to be everywhere there was something newsworthy in our school and community. He took pictures of the mayor and alderman at a community meeting, Local School Council members and student and teacher public participants, athletes and teams of every sport at practices and competitions, drama performers, fashion models, musicians, extra-curricular club members, and groups and individuals when we needed to pose them for their portraits. Steven has never said no to an assignment and he’s found many other student events to cover that no one else on the staff even considered.

There is much more to Stevens photography than the volume of his work. His always-focused pictures also show that he understands lighting, composition, focus, and energy. I believe he has an intuitive understanding of what makes a good shot. His photos show intrigue and emotion; they tell the story.

While Steinmetz is a diverse school, most of our students tend to stick with their own groups. Steven has worked with students in all racial and ability groups and with those whose interests that are not his. He doesn’t just take pictures of his friends or his sport or his grade level or students who look like him. Because of this willingness to capture our school’s diversity, the newspaper really reflects Steinmetz and shows that all our students are valuable.

Steven’s commitment to learning

We don’t have a photography course at Steinmetz and Steven hasn’t been able to take the journalism class I teach, which includes some instruction on photography. But Steven has learned to be a good photographer on his own, by seeking out teachers at workshops and through online instruction. Steven has also studied other student newspapers’ photography and past McCormick Foundation Media Awards booklets, learning from judges’ comments.

He’s experimented with lenses and settings. For awhile, he burdened himself with carrying two cameras with him, to see which would achieve his best shot. Steven is adventurous. He explores Chicago, searching for new settings to shoot. In addition to the time and effort he’s put into his photography, he has also put in a lot of money. He took a pretty tough job, working long hours at the amusement center Go Bananas, even cleaning bathrooms there, to earn money for camera equipment. He chose to spend $300 of his savings on a helicopter trip with his girlfriend to get the experience of shooting the Chicago skyline from above.

After three years of taking pictures for the Star, Steven said he noticed that he shoots the same thing every year (the same sports, same events). “But I make sure my work is improving,” he said. This year, he convinced the administration to move the Homecoming Dance to the gym. He said he was tired of shooting it in the lunchroom and wanted different lighting.

In addition to photography, Steven has learned Adobe InDesign and worked on the layout of the paper more than other staff members. He’s also made the most intelligent decisions about our overall design. (Our messy, middle spread in the Nov.-Dec. 2017 paper, the one we submitted for Overall Newspaper and Overall Layout, was created by me and my journalism class students, not Steven. I like his spreads for the fashion show and prom, which look cleaner.)

Service and character growth

Steven spends many hours covering events that other people are participating in to serve the Steinmetz community. “My work is appreciated by students, that’s why I keep pushing,” Steven said. “Photography gives me a purpose in life to go out in the world and to connect with others.” Whenever Steven shoots an event, and before any of his pictures are published, people want to see his pictures. He goes out of his way to share photos with the students and the staff involved.

I believe that photography changed him. When I met him during his sophomore year, I would have called him standoffish or arrogant. But through his contact with so many people at Steinmetz, I now see him as an empathic person, who respects others for their talents and individuality. He’s learned to connect with others. “I built a strong relationship with my photography and the students,” Steven said. “They feel comfortable with me taking photos of them.” I now see a willingness to ask for help and real confidence instead of arrogance in Steven. He’s become a patient, critical thinker, and it’s reflected in his work.

This year, he also became a leader. After our veteran yearbook teacher stepped down, the position was taken by Renato Roldan, a history teacher and coach with no publications experience. Roldan knew that Steven had mad skills, so he asked him to attend a workshop last summer and be the editor of the yearbook. Steven is running the book this year.

“Steven established himself as the lead photographer and chief editor,” Roldan said. “He helps other kids with the software and layout. He set timelines and assignments. He works with different personalities, with those of low social skills or high. He works with people’s talents and strengths. It reaffirmed my conviction that when you give kids power and the ability use their passion, they will be so much more productive.”

Basically, without Steven, Roldan would never be able to do the yearbook. “I knew I needed somebody like Steven,” Roldan said. “His passion and talent supercedes my rookie year.” He also said he thinks he’ll be able to learn enough from Steven this year so that he can teach without him next year. Like me, Roldan appreciates Steven’s work ethic and talent. “Steven is the most driven student I have met in a long time,” Roldan said. “He has dedicated his life to the yearbook, the Star and other projects revolving around photography. There is no better photographer in the city than Steven Nunez.”

College plans

Steven plans to study photography at college. He’s interested in photo journalism, particularly in the music scene. (It was a great experience for him last summer after he sought out and obtained press credentials for the Cuban Fest. He said it was a dream come true to shoot professional musicians in the pit at the concert venue.) Steven has been accepted at Columbia College. He could use the $1,500 scholarship for inspiration and financial necessity.

Please choose Steven for student journalist of the year. I believe he deserves the honor and award for his great effort, growing talent, dedication, service to others, and reachable goal to keep improving in his ability to tell real stories through photo journalism.

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