Week 2: Dear Mr. Kanye West

This week our group carried over the activity from last week by starting to create vision boards for our Hope, Build, Believe, and Achieve theme. While we were clipping out pictures and words to build our boards, we discussed Kanye Wests' latest controversy.

For those of you unfamiliar with last weeks VMA crashing, while 'Taylor Swift was making her acceptance speech for winning Best Female Video for "You Belong with Me", Kanye West got on stage, interrupted her and took her microphone, saying Beyoncé had "one of the best videos of all time" with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". Beyoncé looked shocked, and West was then booed by the audience. Angered, he flipped off the crowd. During the commercial break, singer Pink walked by the rapper and reportedly shook her head in disgust. West was later removed from the remainder of the show. After Beyoncé won Video of the Year, she asked Swift to come on stage to complete her speech. Later, West apologized on his blog (which he later removed). -sited from wikipedia.

Everybody in our writing club has been a long time fan of Kanye West. There is no argument over his struggles, success or talent. I do, however, have to point out some incriminating points of interest. This is not the first time Mr. West went out of his way to draw attention to himself. (Special note to his bizarre haircut, we get it Kanye.) He is becoming more famous for his rants and divo behavior than for his earned success. 'During the 2007 VMAs in Las Vegas, West delivered another rant and lost his temper after he was displeased with his performance being set inside a hotel suite rather than on the show's main stage. -sited from mtv.news.com. Mr. West also took the stage at the 2004 American Music Awards and declared that he was robbed of the Best New Artist nod. Really? You were disgraced by being robbed of a moment? Well here is what we think about your little (big) stunt.

Dear Kanye West,

I think what you did to Taylor Swift was very rude and uncalled for. You made (her) feel really bad because she won the award and it was her first time. I thought her video was awesome and very entertaining. She's only 19 years old, how could you do that to a child? If you had something to say, you should have said it while you were accepting your award.
-Sincerely, Jocelyn A. Jones.

Dear Kanye West,

I think what you did was wrong, but I still love you and your songs. I think when you apologize to Taylor Swift she will accept your apology because she seems like a very sweet girl. If you do this, than I hope to meet you at your concert with Lady GaGa.
- Love, Kyana Malone


Dear Mr. Kanye West,

It's my opinion that an apology would be suitable and obviously some good PR, but it cannot give a 19 year old girl her moment back. You took it upon yourself to humiliate and permanently damage Ms. Swifts' memory of receiving her first, and maybe only, VMA. Not to mention, the very first ever VMA to be awarded to a country artist. I find your behavior to be, at best, atrocious. I realize that it's not the end of the world, and there are people out there struggling to find work and make ends meet. So while all the attacks against you, including comments from President Obama, might seem a little excessive and harsh, I have to say it looks like the shoe fits.
-Sincerely, Shannyn Nellett

Dear Kanye West,

How does it feel knowing that you took the spotlight of a young girl winning a very special award? If I was there, I would have to laugh at your stupidity. Seriously, think about it, you took a selfish role and made yourself out to be the bad guy in the situation. Sure you were drunk, however, in my words, YOU FAILED EPICALLY! Thanks to Beyonce, Taylor Swift got a lesser version of her moment. I doubt you're feeling proud now. See ya failure. Yes, I seem mean, but I'm not paid to be nice. Clearly, neither are you.
-Sincerely, Charles Hill.

Dear Kanye,

Everyone has the right to express their opinions, but there is a right time and place to do so. Put yourself in other people's shoes and use better judgment before you speak your mind.

- Thanks, Jessica Vandivier.

Dear Kanye West,

I love your music and every song by you, but I believe your actions at the VMA's was very inappropriate. I feel it was highly disrespectful towards Taylor Swift, especially with that being her first VMA. It was a big deal, she was the first country artist to ever receive such an honor. I definitely think you should apologize in respect for Taylor Swift, as well as the viewers and her fans. I still love you, but you should never have done that.
- Sincerely, Imann Mitchell.

Week 1: HOPE, BUILD, BELIEVE, AND ACHIEVE!

As we kick off our Creative Writing Program for the 2009-2010 school year, we acknowledge and discuss this years theme for Cabrini Connections; "Hope, Build, Believe, and Achieve!" We wrote down each word and talked about what the word means to us, how we incorporate that word into our mission at Cabrini and in life, and words that relate to these ideas.

HOPE: Kyana and Jocelyn define hope as another way of wishing or really wanting something to materialize. Charles Hill says, "The word Hope, in my opinion, would mean to be given hope, as in having someone or something to believe in and to give you inspiration to accomplish something." He also says, "The only thing I really hope for in my life is true happiness, especially in a world filled with so much corruption and sorrow." Well done Charles! Kyana hopes for a bright future and Jocelyn hopes she passes the Constitution Test. (We'll help you out with that Jocelyn.)

Words that remind us of Hope were: Faith, Believe, Wish, and Inspiration.

BUILD: The collective opinion on how we define the word Build was to provide a foundation for growth, work hard throughout the years to build friendships, relationships, and to go through obstacles until you achieve your layers of goals. Jocelyn wants to build positive strong friendships, Kyana Kiche wants to build toward becoming a successful Veterinarian, and Charles wants to build a world in peace, without the need for crime, violence and corruption.

Words that remind us of Build were: Structure, Create, Grow, and Foundation.

BELIEVE: We agreed that to Believe is to hold a personal opinion and to stand behind it as factual and representative of what, to us, is true. Charles took a deeper insight with, "To believe is to have a certain mindset, knowing exactly what it is that you stand for and what your opinion on life is." I couldn't agree more Charles! A common denominator of beliefs among this group was, hands down, the power and importance of education.

Words that remind us of Believe were: Faith, Confidence, and Trust.

ACHIEVE: Charles believes that, "To achieve means to get past an obstacle or goal, reaching the destination of accomplishment and satisfaction." Agreed. Jocelyn Jones says, "To achieve something is to complete a project that you have started with satisfaction." Agreed. Kyana simply and accurately states that, "To achieve means to complete a mission." Agreed! To highlight just a few of the many goals these bright young students would like to achieve; Completing High School and furthering their educations, to become productive and successful citizens, and to make the world a better place with their abilities.

Words that remind us of Achieve were: Complete, Finish, Succeed, and Execute.

Next week we will take the theme a step further, but for now, what an excellent kick off to 2009 and we hope to see you all next week!

Writing club year-end dinner performance

On June 4, 2009, during the annual year end dinner, the students of the Cabrini Connections writing club performed a skit that they had written during the previous weeks. Dan Bassill, President of Cabrini Connections, was enlisted as one of the performers.

These are some of the photos along with the entire script. Good job writing club!

Scene opens with everyone collecting around the writing club table chattering about what they saw outside and how cool it is….

De’sean – Narrator to introduce set the scene

Dan: You guys, sorry but writing club in canceled tonight!

Group: Why??

Dan: Someone has graffittied the wall outside the center!! All groups are canceled until we get to the bottom of this! I know just the investigators who can help us get to the bottom of this! {Leaves to go call investigators}

Sketch: Wow…. I wonder who did this? (Sarcastically… starts laughing with friends)

{Everyone looks at Sketch suspiciously}

Charlie: {Looks nervous and starts pointing at sketch} It’s so obvious that it is indeed you, Sketch!! Who else could have done this? This is your labor!

Sketch: What? Are you serious? Just because I know how to draw don’t mean it was me. Besides, if you look at my other stuff they don’t look anything like this one!

Charlie: Whatever! You’re not going to get away with this!! {Still nervous, looks side to side}

Sketch: Whateva man, I told you I didn’t do this!

De’sean – Narrator to introduce the investigators in rhyme and foreshadows the events to come. Questioning who actually committed the crime…………………

{In walks the investigators – Sherlocka & Wattsonia }

Sherlocka: So what do we have here?

Sketch: Why am I here? Why are you grabbing me fo?

Sherlocka: Cause we know it was you that tagged the wall at Cabrini Connections!

Charlie: Yup Yup – it was him! I saw him do it!

Narrator “Now it’s time to show the proof. Let’s see who tells the truth!”

Sherlocka: Just admit that you did it and this can be all over, shorty!

Sherlocka and Watsonia continue to harass Sketch while Charlie continues to look pretty quilty…

Dan: {Enters} Call off the investigation Sherlocka, I think I need to offer sketch here a job!

Everyone: {Shocked} What for?!

Dan: It turns out this magnificent piece of art has brought a lot more attention to the center! People keep stopping their cars and looking at the wall – asking who the artist is! This could bring the extra attention the center needs and may bring a lot more donors and volunteers to Cabrini Connections!

{Says while looking over at Charlie who appears very perplexed and uncomfortable}
Charlie: A masterpiece? Really? No, No, No!! Wait! It was me! I did it! I tagged the Cabrini Connections wall! It’s my masterpiece. I’m the 4.0 GPA student, I’m the one going to Princeton, I deserve all the credit for this piece of art!

Sketch: I told you it wasn’t me, now what!

Sherlocka: Shut up!

Dan: Well, well, well. It looks like the truth has finally come out! But we knew it all along! We were just waiting for you to confess! {Walks over to Sherlocka & Watsonia}

Charlie: What?! But how did you know?

Dan: Charlie, the art supplies that you used are not the same as what sketch uses and El Dasheon witnessed you hanging around the center long after everyone else had left with paint on your pants! The only question we had was why did you do it? And why frame Sketch?

Sherlocka: Your busted Buddy!! Yeah, tell us. Why did you do it?

Charlie: {Nervous, head down} Well, okay,okay, okay……

Sherlocka: C’mon, the Okays are killing me!

Charlie: Fine! I did it because I was frustrated sketch never asked me hang out with him and his crew. I wanted to prove to sketch and everyone else that I’m cool. I panicked and let Sketch take the blame because he’s always in trouble and I’m never in trouble. {Head down} I’m sorry, I should have fessed up.

Sketch: Yeah man, you shouldn’t have blamed me! I mean, your work is actually good! I didn’t know you had this kind of skill! We should collaborate…

{Sherlocka gets upset and goes towards sketch “Why I oughta”}

Dan : {Interrupts} ONLY if that collaboration is intended for Cabrini Connections!! I think we can come up with a great mural. Both of you need to be signed up for Art club. Let’s put your talents to good use – not an illegal use!

Charlie: {To sketch} Man, I’m really sorry. I screwed up.

Sketch: Forget about it, next time though, just ask me to hang out instead of framing me!

Sherlocka: Should I charge Charlie with Vandalism? Defacing private property? False accusations? Lying to an officer of the law…

Dan: Thank you Sherlocka, but I don’t think any of that is necessary! I think Charlie has learned his lesson – OR at least he will after all the work I have ready for him at Cabrini Connections. I think we can start with scrapping all the used chewing gum from under all the desks followed by cleaning the toilets, washing the windows ……

De’Sean – Narrator to end the play with a moral in ryme

2008-2009 Writing Club

"The writing club will be doing much of the same as last year. We will continue to provide opportunity for the participants to express themselves in various forms of writing emphasizing and encouraging the creative writing skills. We will be exposing the participants to new forms of writing while hopefully showing them the power of words and the impact they have. Each week we will have a new activity which is recorded in each of their journals. The journals are turned in at the end of each class and the participants are encouraged to participate in the activity or free write."
-Jen King

Writing Club Stars at June 2008 Year End Dinner

The writing club continued to meet weekly at Cabrini Connections throughout the 2007-08 school year.

On June 12 the year-end dinner celebration featured presentations from several of the young poets.

This year we had two guests from Korea at the dinner, and they created a video that you can now see on YouTube, to document the excitment and warmth of this year's celebration.

Clubs are still meeting each week at Cabrini during the summer and we're seeking additional volunteers to support the writing club during the coming school year. Contact us at 312-492-9614, or email tutormentor2@earthlink.net if you are interested.

9/27: Taking a Deeper Look..

This week we started out with a fun activity that fuses descriptive writing and an insightful look into each other.

Taking a deeper look!

We started this week with a Descriptive Essay…but not just any descriptive essay. We are making Character Descriptions. And who are the characters? Us!
We decided to put all of our names into a hat and pick students and/or volunteers from group to creatively describe. After we secretly picked our names the group sat in a contemplative state looking for the depth in us all. Everybody loved the idea and had fun determining how to describe not only physical characteristics but more importantly, what lies beneath the surface. It was truly an eye opening activity. Through this we discovered that our diverse group of young people think highly of one another and found a plethora of positive attributes to highlight and discuss.

9/19: And so it begins!

We started our ‘official’ new year as Cabrini Connections Writing Group, Wednesday September 19, 2007. And we couldn’t be more excited! First we regret to announce that our beloved Meg has moved to Arizona. We were sad to see her go, but we’re so proud of her and will keep in touch.

This year we’re changing things up a bit. At our first meeting we passed out new notebooks and plenty of stickers and gems to decorate with. While the ladies were decorating the books we talked about goals we’d like to achieve for the year. They jotted down their goals and we discovered we have some motivated individuals on our hands! Tajeria would like to start applying for college scholarships, Eboni would like to score a 25 or higher on her ACT test, LaFaye would like to not only have an A+ average but would also like to finish writing her story! Mercedes and Namieka would like to stay focused on school, while Vontesha would love to learn a little Spanish!

This year the notebooks are serving a higher purpose. At the end of each group the notebooks will be collected for Jen and Shannyn to review and positively reinforce the girls with comments and feedback. We also write the girls our own notes and they write back to us! We’ve also implemented a reward system. Points are rewarded for attendance, activity completion, and group participation. At the end of each week, we’ll tally up the points and determine a writer of the week! And at the end of each quarter we’ll have a pizza party and let the girls ‘shop’ with their points. For example, if you have 200 points you can trade them in for a Target Gift Card or Museum Tickets. The girls loved the idea and we can’t wait to see them rack up those points!