Feature Articles
Feature articles are all about human interest, which means the articles are all about fun topics and things happening outside of LaVilla. This includes recipes, DIYs, and creative writing! With feature news, you never know what you're going to encounter!
It’s A Goal!
Playing sports for your neighborhood school
by Audrey
Inside LASOTA
Excitement. That’s the reaction many people have while watching and playing sports.
At LaVilla, the arts are the main focus. But some students don’t just play an instrument or draw, they also play sports outside of school.
The only time to actually play sports is during gym, and many students don’t like that.
Most students at LaVilla, who play sports, like to play competitive. From Soccer to Softball, different sports are played by the students of LaVilla. You don’t have to play sports outside of school, you can still play for a school.
Since LaVilla doesn’t have any sports, you can still play for your neighborhood school. Your neighborhood school would be the school you would have to go to if you didn’t get into your choice of schooling.
Not a lot of LaVilla students know of this option. But there are quite a few who play sports for their neighborhood school.
Seventh grader, Beatrice Renjifo is one of them. While playing the violin at LaVilla, she also finds time to play many sports including Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, and Swimming at her neighborhood school, Jeb Stuart Middle School.
"It gives us an advantage knowing that most kids who come from different schools can sometimes have more experience, especially when they come from an arts school." Eighth grader Linnea Brown from Jeb Stuart Middle says. Playing sports can help open up different opportunities for meeting new friends and learning new things.
"I enjoy making new friends and having fun with new sports I'm playing," seventh grader, Karen B., from Jeb Stuart Middle says.
While playing sports can be fun, it can have its difficulties. “Playing for my neighborhood school does get in the way of my violin, but I put all my effort into my playing,” Beatrice says. Some students would think differently, saying that playing sports is too time consuming with their arts area. Even so, most kids still play sports, knowing they have time or they want the experience.
If you’re interested in playing sports, find out what your neighborhood school is and join the team!
One Spark
The World's Largest Crowd-Funding Festival!
by Morgan G.
Inside LASOTA
Jacksonville, Florida is home to the World’s Largest Crowdfunding Festival, One Spark. This event is designed to connect creators with the resources they need to bring their ideas to life. From April 7 - 12, 2015, artists, entrepreneurs and innovators in Art, Education, Health & Science, Music, Social Good, and Technology displayed projects in a 20-square-block, multi-venue gallery in downtown Jacksonville.
One Spark is the community behind great ideas. The three individuals that had a hand in those great ideas are Elton Rivas, Dennis Eusebio, and Varick Rosete. In 2011, they were inspired to create a way to connect people with ideas to resources.
The inventors of the projects are people who register to showcase their ideas. They enter designs ranging from businesses and albums to products and works of art, bringing them to life at One Spark. The designers have the opportunity to connect with three different sources of funding: crowd-funds & awards, direct contributions from attendees, and potential capital investment.
This is a festival that builds brand awareness, at least that’s what Laura Blunt and Tim Taylor think. These two were one out of the 500 projects there, promoting their new invention, Holdsters: a shoulder bag with two pockets that is worn under your arms and that can be easily adjusted to fit, by using the sliders/tabs. It is also light as a feather.
“Holdsters are all you need to be carry free for games, concerts, travel, a girls night out, and just for the pleasure of walking. It is a revolutionary way of thinking, and can change the way we use purses.” said Tim Taylor.
According to Taylor, his wife Laura Blunt created the holdsters, because she just wants to go out and feel free without carrying a purse around. Even though it was their first year there, their booth was a big success. To find out more about Holdsters, you can visit their website, www.holdsterit.com, or email them at Tim@holdsterit.com; this team is always open to talk.
If you would like to promote your idea or showcase your invention at One Spark, make sure your location is within the One Spark festival footprint. You can register your Venue at onespark.com during the Venue registration phase, and then complete your venue profile by adding images, a description of your space, and what type of Projects you are interested in hosting during the festival. Email venues@beonespark for more information or to schedule a meeting with the One Spark team.
World of Nations
by Charlotte
Inside LASOTA
Have you ever wished you could visit a foreign nation? Maybe a nice calming island with majestic, swaying, palm trees? Well, whatever the case may be, worry no longer my friends. You can experience the wonders of over 30 different countries in a single day. You may start thinking this is madness right about now, but let me open your eyes.
This not-so-far away magical place is known as World of Nations. Located in Jacksonville Florida, this annual festival has been held in the Metropolitan Park since its beginning in 1993. World of Nations is a packed filled festival including but not limited to the wonderful food and the cool objects you can buy and win. Miss Charlotte Brown said "I really enjoyed the trinkets from the Poland portion and the snacks on the Jamaican portion." This amazing festival brings so many cultures together, all for just an entry fee of five dollars.
Whoever thought that they could visit Cambodia and Italy with just a 10 minute walk. I sure would have never believed it, but it is now a reality within your grasp! Sadly, the festival is now over; doors were open from April 28th through May 3rd. I hope you take my suggestion next year though; it will be worth your while.
Strawberries & Crème Dessert Squares
by Morgan C.
Inside LASOTA
Ingredients:
Crust
•1 pouch of Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
•1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
•1 egg
Filling
•1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 oz.)
•1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
Topping
•4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
•1/2 cup sugar
•2 tablespoons cornstarch
•1/3 cup water
•10 to 12 drops of red food color, if deserved
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 15x10x1 or 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until chips are melted and can be stirred smooth. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in melted chips until blended. Spread mixture over crust. Refrigerate while making topping.
In small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in crushed strawberries and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in food color. Cool 10 minutes. Gently stir in remaining 3 cups strawberries. Spoon topping over filling. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set; serve within 4 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.
Review:
If you're looking for a delicious dessert for your family this recipe is perfect. On bettycrocker.com @Kathylovespets said "I followed the recipe exactly, and it was easy to make!" When I'm searching for a recipe I always look for something that will be simple and I can repeat it. Many people believe that this recipe is great. I've followed many of Betty Crocker's recipes and they have all been very easy to make and delicious. If you don't have fresh fruit or strawberries you can always use jam instead. Many people said that it works just as well.
A Blooming Flower
by Jasmine
Inside LASOTA
A withered flower
Frowns down upon the earth,
Forever cursed
To die and decay.
Until the rain showers down,
The light from above
Enveloping those
Who have let their souls perish.
A welcoming hand
Caresses the tender flower and
Within his healing palm,
He restores all.
The strong boughs
Of a weak root
Is restored
To its maturity.
The bright petals
Of the once forgotten bloomer
The restoration
Of youthful roots left to die.
Only one
One;
Just one
Cared and loved it.
How to tie-dye your own t-shirt
by Madeleine
Inside LASOTA
Get ready for summer by tie-dying your own t-shirt! It is a fun and easy way to save money and still look groovy. It is a method of dying fabrics that was popularized in the’60s. You can also tie-dye other fabrics such as cotton bed sheets or bathing suits. Using these 8 steps, you can create your own personalized tie-dye t-shirt.
Step 1- Lay down sheets of garbage bags on a flat work surface to save yourself a lot of clean-up. Keep a roll of paper towels around to soak up any excess dyes or clean up accidents. Wear clothes you don't mind getting ruined.
Step 2- Wet the shirt you're planning to dye and ring out excess water.
To make the classic spiral tie dye, lay the shirt flat and pinch it in the middle. Twist tightly and wrap the shirt with rubber bands.
Step 3- Fill your bucket with 2 gallons of really hot tap water. Use a long-handled spoon to stir in the soda ash until it is completely dissolved.
Step 4- Soak your bound shirt in the hot soda ash for half an hour to make sure the dyes will bind to the shirt fibers. When you're ready to dye, wear rubber gloves, pull your shirt out of the soda ash water and wring out excess liquid.
Step 5- Get your squeeze bottles and pour in 2 cups of hot water into each bottle. In one bottle put in one box of the dye and put the other dye in the second bottle. You should have 2 squeeze bottles with 2 different liquid dye colors in each.
Step 6- With your rubber gloves on, get ready to tie dye. Squirt the dyes between the sections of your bound shirt and squeeze the fabric gently to make sure that it is saturated.
Step 7- While the rubber bands are still on, put the shirt in a plastic bag and let sit for 24 hours. After the 24 hours are done, cut rubber bands off and rinse the shirt with the water until the water runs clear.
Step 8- Wash your shirt with detergent on the regular wash setting. When it's done, you can either machine or line dry your shirt. From this point on, the dye is set and you should be able to wash your tie dye shirt with similar colors with your regular laundry.
Now you have a one of a kind top that will have people asking “Where did you get that snazzy shirt?”
You can do it, too!
by Breana
Inside LASOTA
“Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.” – Dennis Gabor. That’s what poetry is: touching a reader and getting an emotional reaction out of them. However, not all poetry is so severe. Poetry is too often overlooked as a pastime for only the thoughtful and deep-minded, when in reality, it’s not. Anyone can sit down with a pen and paper write poetry. Whether it’s serious or silly, poetic or comedic, professional or mediocre, it all falls under the category of poetry. And anything in the category of poetry gets a special spotlight during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month.
National Poetry month started in 1996, when the Academy of American Poets decided to establish a month in recognition of poets and poetry. They were inspired by Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March). The goals of National Poetry Month, according to poets.org, are to, “Encourage the reading of poetry, increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media, encourage support for poets and poetry,” and more.
National Poetry Month can be celebrated by anyone, and of course, it’s being celebrated right here at LaVilla, in our Creative Writing Department, courtesy their teacher, Cheryl Lemine. In her eight years of teaching at LaVilla, she just began celebrating National Poetry Month in the last three.
“This year my student[s] are doing projects involving poetry from a book called The Adventures of Dr. Alphabet,” Lemine shared. “For example, some students made origami items and wrote poetry pertaining to [the origami] on them.”
Besides that she’s a creative writing teacher, why exactly do they celebrate National Poetry Month? “It’s a good excuse to write and write more. It makes us feel part of a bigger celebration of writing and what we love to do,” Lemine says.
Many creative writers feel similarly. Anna Howse, a seventh grade intermediate creative writer, says poetry is “A way to express your feelings when you can’t speak them.” That’s true to many other writers here at LaVilla, and around the world. Dwayne Hayes, an eighth grader and former creative writer, says that he enjoys National Poetry Month, and, “Mrs. Lemine made me step out of my comfort zone and [helped] me write poems that I was new to.”
If you want to celebrate National Poetry Month but don’t know how, you can visit http://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/30-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month. It’s a list of 30 activities you can participate in to celebrate National Poetry Month, even if you’re not a Creative Writer! “ANYONE can write poetry,” Lemine encourages. “It’s an accessible writing form for folks who are afraid to write longer items or to write at all.”
Green is the New Black
by Grace
Inside LASOTA
Spring has finally sprung! The sun is shining and there's pollen in the breeze, and on the 22nd is National Earth Day! People everywhere will gather garbage, plant new trees, sign petitions, and continue making our planet a better place. There are so many ways we can make a difference and improve our world. What’s a smarter way to protect our environment and ensure health than to become a vegetarian?
That “v” word may be scary to some, but vegetarians have been gaining immense popularity in recent times. Many people have taken the rights of animals into consideration, and discontinued eating them and being a part of their cruel and unjust treatment.
“It makes me feel great knowing that I'm one of the few who are taking a stand against animal abuse,” says 7th grader Leah Pelham, who has been sticking to this diet for 4 months.
Did you know: The number of animals killed for meat every hour in the U.S is a whopping 500,000?
Sticking to vegetarian diet can be tricky. It means giving up bacon for breakfast, ham sandwiches for lunch, hamburgers for dinner, even marshmallows and Jell-O!(which contain believe it or not, bone marrow from hooves...ew) Some have even taken it further as to not eat animal products, which is referred to as veganism. That means no dairy, honey, and eggs. But you know what they say, the milk tastes better when you leave it in the cow!
All of that may seem daunting, but there are so many other protein sources that require no torment and mistreatment of cows, pigs, chickens, and other meat providing animals.
“Being a vegetarian has introduced me to more vegetables and heart healthy foods I would never had tried before,” Leah comments.
Pamela Levine, a fellow vegetarian, says that it discourages getting fast food, and has allowed her to make healthier choices. She has been a vegetarian for over 15 years. Talk about commitment!
Of course there are some drawbacks to this way of life. Leah says that family meals are difficult, and BBQ's leave her walking on eggshells (which the vegans do not appreciate) and many people are quick to discriminate and see the diet useless in the lives of animals. It is true, there are billions upon billions of animals in the world, killing one may not affect the world, but to me and the fellow vegetarians, it does. It means saving a life, and it’s one step closer to the end of tormenting nature.
“I'd like to encourage others to become a vegetarian. If you think it wouldn't make a difference, just know it does,” says Leah. “It only takes one spark to start a fire; be that spark.”
The Bean That Started it All
by Olivia M.
Inside LASOTA
A little while after Starbucks was founded in 1971, Gordon Bowker, Zev Siegl, and Jerry Baldwin didn’t know what hit them. It had only been 365 days and their company had rocketed. The company had already conquered its home (Seattle, Washington) and was out to take over the country. Little did they know that only a little more time would be needed to reach outside of the nation and have their first international opening in Tokyo, Japan. Now in 2015, Starbucks has expanded to 11,000 stores in the United States, 17,000 stores world-wide, in 55 different countries. These statistics don’t even compare to the amount of popularity it has gained in the United States- the hashtags even related to Starbucks reaching 17,000 per hour worldwide.
So what’s the big deal? According to the National Coffee Association’s website, the coffee bean has been in our society since the fifteenth century. The Arabian Peninsula was booming with coffee bean trade in the mid sixteenth century- all the way in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. Fortunes were made off of coffee crops by the end of the eighteenth century- making coffee one of America’s most preferred beverages. So why on earth has Starbucks been so successful? Have they completely reinvented an originally not-so-exciting drink? What magic do they put in your caramel macchiato that makes you crave another cup, and another, and another?
The answer is one that you would least expect- community.
Since 1997, according to Starbucks’s official website, the Starbucks Foundation has funded literacy programs all over the globe. In the year 2013, the Starbucks Foundation gave $8.7 million- making 144 grants to nonprofit organizations. Starbucks as a whole has funded many companies and projects in an effort to keep a strong-knitted and peaceful community- down to giving you a free beverage on your birthday up to helping 430,000 people in third-world countries get clean water. The sense of community and peacefulness given by Starbucks is not something you get at just any corner bakery. This is probably what makes Starbucks so popular (not to mention their fresh snacks and other warm treats.)
The Starbucks frenzy that has swept the globe has influenced practically everyone, from their daily lives to where they officially buy their coffee. But the funny thing is, all the company’s success originated from one little bean of hope.