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Author: Tom

We were honored to have John Brenner and Philippia Richardson in for a "Conversation with.." today.  They are the administrators for the Early Admission Program at the University of Baltimore and have been providing college classes at the Community School this year.  The students engaged in a conversation with them about their backgrounds, educational experiences and careers. We appreciate the kindness of the University of Baltimore in providing this great opportunity for our students and especially the great working relationship with John and Philippia....

The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We  are  featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND A land or place full of wonder? Do any of you know a place like that? I do—my brain. I would love to see my brain one day. I would cut open my head and rip it right out. You know, if it wouldn’t kill me! My brain is different from everyone else’s. Sometimes I can’t even wrap my own head around it. Like when I’m having a bad day and my brain just shuts it out. Or when someone says something that really tests my patience, and my brain figures out a way to make a joke out of it. My brain can make a joke about anything. People tend to be attracted to me because of my brain. Whether it be how funny I am or how empathic I am. But you know the thing about having such a good, funny brain? When I get low, I don’t stay low long. My brain tries to fight every bad thought that I have. Sometimes even before I’m done coping.  It's like...

The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We  are  featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND There is no opportunity in my country. I can’t make enough to support myself. I have to go to America. America seems like a wonderland. I won’t be persecuted for what I say, I can practice my own religion, and it has good paying jobs. But how do I get there? I have no visa or a green card. I have to make it there myself. I started off in Colombia to make it through the Darien Gap to Panama. Hundreds of miles of jungle are between me and freedom. The cartels set up a sophisticated operation to move us; they’re trafficking us. They told us it will only be a two-day walk. I use my savings to buy water, some clothes, and to pay the fees. As soon as we make it on the trail, it's nothing like the cartel said it would be. The mud grips your feet and pulls you down. People lose their shoes and have to walk the rest of the trip barefoot. Cartel members get paid...

The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We  are  featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND Sitting in the classroom, my head felt light. I closed my eyes and started thinking. A few minutes later I hear this ticking. I try to ignore it, but the ticking continues. I pick up my head, everyone is gone, and this white, ugly, red-eyed rabbit is staring at me. It looks down at its ticking clock, then at me, and runs off. I run after the rabbit. We get to a park, and he jumps down a hole. It reminds me of the movie “Alice in Wonderland.” However, when I jumped down the hole, my trip wasn’t as slow or as nice as Alice. I smashed into a piano, dislocated my finger, and slammed into the ground. “Damn gang, why you land like that?” Karla says “What you mean? You acting like this a regular thing” I said “You saw that rabbit too huh? He threw a rock at me, next thing I know I’m spiraling down this hole” Karla explains “Anyone else down here?” “Kendall, but she ain’t see the rabbit, she was walking and fell into the hole” “Where...

We had a fascinaating "Conversation with" long time activist, radio producer and interviewer Marc Steiner. Marc shared personal stories that intersected with the events the students are studying in the civil rights struggle including desegregation in Baltimore and Freedom Summer in Mississippi. The students were also interested in his career and the many people he has interviewed and issues that he has shed light on. Thanks Marc for a great conversation. ...

This week's broadcast covers labor strife with the writer's guild that will affect many shows the students watch.  News around the school includes a Conversation with Sean Armstrong also know as DJ Face, the Home Improvement Seminar with Done Construction, the Financial Seminar on college funding and a special seminar on the journey many migrants to the U.S. take. [embed]https://youtu.be/uuN6W2MMROc[/embed]...

We had another great Financial Literacy Seminar with Kathleen Gower and Kimberly Mamaril from Berman McAleer. This one focused on college funding including how to fill out the FAFSA application and the different types of grants and scholarships available.  Thank you and BMc for the great lunch and seminar!...

An important aspect of Creative Writing is an opening that grabs attention and provokes the reader’s interest to know more. Last week, the students were tasked to share stories about their Spring Break experiences. Here are some of their opening lines. CHASE: I wake up at 3 P.M. on the table. My head feels light. This massive white light shines down on me. People surround me in white coats. “Okay, Chase. We’re going to move you onto your bed,” a blurry figure says. I nod my head. I can’t talk. I can barely breathe. I’m hyperventilating. “3, 2, 1,” someone says. I’m lifted off the operating table. Someone shoots me with a shotgun 7 times. At least that’s what it feels like. RHYS: I don’t know if anyone else does this, but I have a list of the coolest things I’ve ever done. I’ve been on a roller coaster with no seatbelt, drop-kicked my brother, and saved my house from a fire. But nothing I ever did tops what I did over Spring Break—I met Batman. HECTOR: On Wednesday afternoon, I finally snapped. JAYLA: I thought it was a great idea to go out to eat. The car ride was terrible. Shonda was blasting church music the entire ride. KARLA: Spring Break was terrible. I was so sad. I hated it. KENDALL: On Saturday, I decided to change things up a bit. I knew what had to be done. It was finally time to get my nose pierced....