AUTHOR PROFILES We are the freshmen of Wendell Phillips Academy High School. This website will show how creative and artistic we are as young poets in Dr. Guenther’s Survey of Literature class. Our school is located in the Bronzeville community on the South Side of Chicago. We strive for success to become the best young poets that we can be. As students at Phillips we know it takes teamwork to make dreams work. Our goal is to become top tier in the State of Illinois. As Wildcat Writers we also want to express our worlds through words. Wendell Phillips Academy High School has overcome adversity in the past years, and now we are here, a level one school on the top of the food chain. -Daurice Lee and Kenneth Sanders, Class of 2017
SANDRA ANDERSON likes to keep everything neat and organized. When you go in her room everything is where it supposed to be. For example, shoes are against the wall and clothes are in the clothes hamper. She doesn't like to go places where things are not organized. For example, Burlington is her least favorite store because everytime she goes there she sees something out of place. Sandra spends at least 2 hours a day organizing her room or her house. Although she might get lazy sometimes, when it comes to school even her bookbag is organized. All her folders and binders are organized by classes; therefore,she will never be late for classes. She will fix anything that is unorganized. For example, after all her family was done eating at a restaurant, she placed everything how it was before they were there, even though it was the waitress's job. Since she is a very organized person if you are unorganized she will unfriend you. She believes if everything is neat and clean you won't have to worry about dirty things.
NIREE BAILEY is always doing something spontaneous. Curiously, she will test people just to see how they will react. Her mother told her that one day she is going to test that one person that she will wish that you never did. Because of this Niree wants to do even more spontaneous things. One thing she did was jump on her sister’s bed with her shoes on because she really wanted to know what she would say or do. Niree does things that most people will never do. She does all of this just for the rush she gets from not knowing what’s going to happen next.
MALIK BROWN has a big heart, and he isn’t afraid of anyone bigger than him. He annoys people three times his size. For example, his friend Ledbetter is 6’3 and Malik is only 5’6. Although Ledbetter looks like a college lineman, Malik stills annoys him. He plays varsity football for Wendell Phillips. Another example is that when he plays he is like a Smurf in a land of giants. Despite his size he talks smart to people larger than him, daring them to attempt to attack him. For example, if you are annoying him he will start to talk about you until you get mad. Then he will probably kick you in the leg and run. Finally, he can take a hit. For example, when his school played Julian high school he didn’t care how big that person was; tried to squirm his way through or tried to completely run them over. Mr. Brown’s heart is bigger than anyone you would ever meet.
NICHOLAS CALLOWAY has two sides. Surely, he’s a whole different person in school and outside of school. His appearance is different from his actions. People in school think he’s a bad boy. You have to remember you should never judge a book by its cover. Constantly does it happen. People outside of school think he’s a bad individual’ they just haven't seen the good side. Outside he’s a troublemaker, makes bad decisions, hangs with the wrong crowd of people. In school he hangs with the ball players, pays attention, tries to avoid conflict. This is a turn around. There were not always two sides. Once there was only one side, the outside side and it never changed; it was always the same. He had to realize school was more important and you should have a different mindset in school. You enter to learn and learn to succeed. Outside it is what it is.
TYLER CAROTHERS, helpful and caring, is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He always helps people out because or if they need something. Surprisingly, his sister needed a $100 for a special school event. Even though he was down to his last $100 he gave it to her because she needed it more. People don’t even ask Tyler for anything, but he’ll still ask them if they're ok. Although Tyler had 1 pen left and Kenneth Sanders needed a pen, Tyler gave Kenneth his pen and used a pencil. The reason Tyler says he’s so helpful is because if you have it why not give it?He said this because when ever he needed money for school or something he got it. Like when he needed money for his basketball team someone was there for him and gave it to him.
CARLIYSIA CLARK is a very shy person until you get to know her. For example, when Carliysia was called to perform on stage, she had her head down the whole time while performing. Shockingly, she is even more terrified when it comes to making new friends and moving to new places. Sitting there quietly, she doesn’t say much when in a conversation. Although Carliysia tries to break her shyness, it has ruined many opportunities for her. Carliysia tries not to always be in her shell when she gets to know people very well. She also tries to show off her talents when she gets a chance to without being afraid. Carliysia’s shyness makes her stand out from everyone around her.
LUEZARN COOPER-VOSS is a very determined person. Constantly, people underestimate her because she is short. She sets challenging goals, because she knows she can achieve them. The fact that she is small for her age causes her to show people that size doesn’t matter. For example, when she was in the sixth grade a classmate, tall and lanky, told her he could beat her racing. She proved him wrong. She is determined because she knows she is capable of doing anything if she puts her mind to it.
SHIMONIQUE DAVIS likes to see the positive in people before seeing the negative side of people. She likes to know if they have a positive mindset before knowing their negative streak because if you think positive of someone then they maybe will do the same in return. Surprisingly, before introducing herself to her friend she had already found out that Brandi Smith was caring, loving, nice, smart and funny which are all positive thoughts. Shimonique later found out Brandi had a negative streak but didn’t mind because she knew she had a very outstanding positive side. This shows that Shimonique always thinks of the bright side before thinking of anyone’s dark side. She loves positive energy; Shimonique is very understanding and accepting of others.
MYA ERVING is a very athletic person; she’s tall and energetic. Mya always talks about how she dreams her life would be when she gets older and graduates from college and plays professional basketball, which is what her big sister is doing and those are the footsteps she’s tending to follow. Mya always makes people laugh. You would never know what she is going through or how hurt she would be because she would never show it. Mya has 4 sisters and 1 brother. She was raised on the west side of Chicago. Mya was born to Charles and Johnnie Mae December 31st. Mya is the most impatient person you would ever meet. She loves music. Every time you she Mya she’s either laughing or smiling. Mya is a very competitive person. She really hates losing and she never quit. Mya has been playing basketball since 7th grade. Mya’s parents taught her that there is nothing wrong with not being a show off because that gives people who are very insecure a time to shine and that’s okay because obviously if they’re insecure they’ve been put down or never really tried because they were maybe not encouraged enough to shine. Mya now attends Wendell Phillips Academy High School.
BRENDA FARLEY is a very caring and generous person to elderly people. When she saw an elderly lady on the bus Brenda automatically gave her the seat. Slowly, Brenda once walked an elderly woman who was carrying groceries to her house up the street from the store. There was this one time when Brenda was at an elderly home and was helping her grandma take care of her great grandma because she just wanted to help even though she had an afterschool event happening the same day. Brenda, a girl from Chicago, is very hospitable when it comes to helping others because it makes her feel amazing. She sometimes sees other people not treating their elders right and she just want to make sure that she gives the respect to any elder that they deserve, which makes her happy and them happy.
LIBATIONS FIELDS is committing himself to becoming a basketball player. He is a basketball player on the rise. He says he plays basketball for a variety of reasons such as the simple fact he just loves to play. He uses basketball as a way to take out his aggression when he gets mad as a positive way to take out out his anger. Libations says every time he plays in a game he gets a closer bond to the court. Man he is good! You should see him in practice; the kid plays hard! Although he doesn't get every play on the first try, he is perspicacious. Libations is the type of basketball player that gets better after a game.
For a long time CRISSHAWN FURDGE has been a goofy person that likes to entertain people. Most people say he should become a comedian or a actor that plays in funny movies. When he was just 5 he used to run around, do flips, and dance in front of his mother to get her attention; he did that to make her laugh. Although he can be serious, he manages to entertain the people he loves and cares about. Just yesterday Crisshawn was talking to his mom and brother telling jokes to make them laugh. When Crisshawn grows up he wants to do a variety of things such as becoming a comedian because he feels that this can lead him into becoming a successful adult.
ALEXIS HANKS is a person who is very caring. One time she collected and donated her own money for the Pennies For Patients organization. When she sees a place is having a food drive she collects then donates cans and other foods. Generous, she is willing to raise money for those in need. Young but helpful she gives money to the homeless people she sees. She is very caring because she feels that the people she helps should have a good life like everyone else.
JERICA JOHNSON is very athletic. She likes to reach goals that she set. Last night she told her mother that she wanted to quit basketball. Her mother looked at her and told her “I wish you would quit I will black your eye.” On October 25,2013 Jerica and boyfriend were playing basketball in the backyard of his house. She was getting tired. He told her if she made a lay-up and one jump shot she can go in the house. She made a jump shot but couldn’t seem to made a lay-up so she got mad and walked off. Her boyfriend called her and told her to come back but she didn’t listen to him. He ran after her and grabbed her by the arm and asked her “where are you going?” She told him she can’t do it He looked at her and told her that he doesn’t ever want to hear the word can’t come out of her mouth ever again because you can put your mind to whatever you want to do. So they tried over and over again until she got it right. She began to play basketball everyday. She set a goal to play basketball for all 4 years of high school. She says she wants to finish off her father’s dream. She want’s to finish off what he started. She always knew she was going to play basketball because she used to always play basketball when she was little. She said if it isn’t anything her father taught her he taught her how to play basketball. He told her that if he doesn’t make it to play basketball he wants her to play.
DAURICE LEE is a student-athlete who sets goals for himself. For example, when he got an F on his progress report he ran to his teacher and talked to her about the work that he was missing. Fortunately, he wasn’t missing any work and she changed his grade to an A. Daurice had also set a goal for himself in the athletic field. He wanted to be a starter for his school’s varsity football team, and he was able to accomplish that goal. One game, nervous but determined, he went up against a senior defensive lineman in an IHSA state playoff game. Although he was not known for overachieving, he always goes that extra mile!
TANISHA MINNIS is the most competitive person you’ll probably ever meet. For an example, at her school she is one of many wonderful freshman students. Although they are all great, Tanisha is really trying to outshine them all. Consistently, she is maintaining all her A’s and B’s. She is even thinking about joining at least two different sports such as basketball and golf. She will even be the teacher’s favorite without even trying. Being anything less will make her feel second best.
SKYE MINTER, a freshman in high school, is outgoing and talented. There’s always a challenge when basketball is on the table. Whenever she’s on the court she feels unbeatable. She likes to repeat drills until she can do it to her best ability. Basketball brings her so much excitement that she has to be the best. Although it’s a lot of work, she pushes herself to do her best when in doubt. When she graduates she wants to play college basketball, and to do that she must try her hardest to complete the courses.
STEPHANIE MITCHELL is from Chicago Illinois. She was raised in the ghetto; Stephanie became the most popular girl in her neighborhood. Stephanie has big dreams and goals. She wants to graduate out of high school in go to college. Stephanie wants to be a CSI. That is her big dream; her goals are achieving better and working hard to get a 4.0 GPA. She’s also smart. Stephanie and her family went traveling downtown on Thanksgiving and passed out food to the homeless people. Stephanie loves to help others. She really cares about everything; and she is a very nice person. No one will ever think Stephanie is a sweet person; they always thought she was mean but she proved them wrong. Ms. Mitchell visits The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital to support the sick kids. Because she knows they don't feel normal like the other kids, so Stephanie visits them and plays games, smiles and talks to them about their life. She’s loving, kind, and generous. At the age of fourteen Stephanie had a lot of pressure on her. She had family issues that no one knows about because she always has a smile on her face. Stephanie’s grandfather has skin cancer. Her grandfather had been in the hospital for three months. Stephanie is really worried because she doesn't want to lose her grandfather. She helps her grandfather eat and she makes him laugh when he’s in a lot of pain. Ms. Mitchell cries but no one sees her cry. She’s ashamed to cry in school. Stephanie keeps everything to herself never tells people her business. I never saw a young lady like Ms. Mitchell; she’s so generous. I think Stephanie is successful for all the things she has done for people.
XAVIER NASH is a kid who loves football. He loves football because he likes the fans yelling when he gets a big hit. Nash loves football because he gets to hit people, although his mother hates the whole concept of people hitting each other. He enjoys football, because its just a rush chasing someone to drag them to the ground. It is such a rush to Xavier because Xavier Nash was born aggressive also he just has a love for the game. He loves football because he likes to fight for the win. Unfortunately, not every time you will win, but that is his main goal. Xavier Nash likes having his picture taken while making a massive hit. He loves having his picture taken because he enjoys going back to look at the amazing things he did in the previous games. Nash enjoys hitting people, especially at full speed. The crowds screaming drives Xavier Nash to do what he does.
BRIANNA PARKS is very caring. Throughout her life, she has been a very nice and caring young lady. Every summer Brianna volunteers at a children’s hospital, just because she likes to take care of kids. She also volunteers at a church every third Thursday to pass out food to the less fortunate. Brianna is the type of person to see an old lady carrying really heavy grocery bags across the street, and she just has the urge to go help her with her bags, and make sure she gets across the street safe. Brianna cares for others because, when she was little her older cousin always told her to “treat others the way you want to be treated.” Brianna wants to be cared for, so she cares for others. Kind, caring, helpful, and respectful, that’s what Brianna likes to consider herself. She cares for people so much it hurts. Since Brianna was 5 years old, she wanted to care for people. She wanted to care for people of all ages. No matter if you're young or old, Brianna will always be there for you. I think you would like Brianna.
ELIJAH PICKETT likes to lift spirits by being silly. He says it kills two birds with one stone. Surprisingly, his silly act cheers people up when they are down, and it also helps him relieve his stress when he is going through something. In the 7th grade Elijah first realized for the first time he cheered a girl up who lost her auntie, and by him being silly it helped her smile and make it through the rest of the day. When Elijah is going through things you could never tell because he is always being silly to hide his emotions. Although sometimes it gets annoying you still gotta love him. When bad things happen to him or he is getting bad grades or things aren't going well at home you could never tell because he’s so silly everything seems swell.
JEALISSA PRESSWOOD has so much love for the game of basketball. Since her dad she had to pick her game and help her mom out. Jealissa has been playing basketball since 5th grade, and now she is a freshman. When Jealissa had graduated from Wells Prep Academy she was already on the varsity team at Wendell Phillips. Her coaches always said that she was too talented to just be on the freshman team and should be able to experience the older teams. Jealissa is the youngest in her family. She lives with her mom and older sister. By it just being her, her sister and her mom she is realizing that it’s time to grow up and become a beautiful young lady and be strong for her mother.
BRANDI SMITH is a very sensitive person. She is always giving in to something or to please someone. For example; when she was 11 her sister had lost her money and was very sad about it. Brandi saw her crying and decided to give her half of her money. She doesn’t like to see tears. What I mean by that is when she sees someone crying she has to come over and make sure you’re fine and try to make you feel better. She cares a lot about others feelings and tears. She doesn’t like to see people hurt and down. That type of stuff doesn’t give her a kick to make her laugh. Brandi is one to always see good through the bad. She believes out of every dose of bad comes good or maybe a lesson. She has to make others proud and happy or laugh. If she doesn’t she won’t keep bothering you because she knows sometimes it makes people cry worse such as herself. For example, in sixth grade when her cousin had passed away she came to school sad and puffy red eyed. Someone being generous ask her “what's wrong?” then all the water works began to pour out. Brandi is this way to others because she has been through a lot so far in life and she doesn’t like to see people hurting or sad because she don’t like to be that way. She is an understander. What I mean is she will understand other’s problems and issues no matter how long it takes. To come to the end the point I am trying to make is Brandi is a sensitive young lady still even going on 15 years old. I don’t see any change coming soon.
KENNETH SANDERS loves the game of football. Pumped, the fans are what drives him to do his ultimate best to send them home happy. Although he doesn’t think about the past the game memories stay with him forever. Hungry and driven, Kenneth has a deep passion for the game and works like no other man on that field. The battles are what he loves most about the game. His team against another team strapping up for the fight of his life, they are like a million car crashes in 48 minutes. He loves the celebrations; he lives for them. It’s the best time of his life when he can get a win and celebrate with his brothers. Competition is one reason he wanted to play football, and is the reason he loves the game of football. The challenges are what make him better. The ability to prove people wrong is what drives him, because they always told him that he couldn’t make varsity. It would be impossible for him to even think about starting on varsity let alone do so. Kenneth did it all; he strived for success and got it and proved all the disbelievers wrong.
DONDRE SAVAGE is the most competitive person. He is so competitive because he doesn't like to be embarrassed. Whenever Dondre Savage is playing against someone he goes at them until it’s over. Dondre Savage doesn’t back down from a challenge no matter what. During the summer time him and his brother decided they were going to play a one-on-one against each other even though his brother was bigger than him. Surprisingly, Dondre Savage, filled with anger, still did not stop doing what he was doing to beat him because everybody thought that he was going to lose. The reason Dondre Savage is so competitive is because he was always told by people “Don’t do things if you are not going to try.” So if you try you might as well try to be the best at doing it.
KRISTINA SMITH is a very competitive person. She is competitive in academics, sports and even an average board game. She loves the praise and attention after a win. It makes her feel so good inside. The feeling is so unexplainable. Surprisingly, She's lost a few times in her entire life. Some losses included a third grade spelling bee, a few sports games and debates. Although she is often underestimated, she comes out the best and proves everyone wrong. She loves the rush of being under pressure. She loves the pressure because it makes her push harder and comes out a champion. The pressure makes her better because knowing everyone is watching makes her do her best. No matter if it’s a sport, game or a real life task, she wows the crowd and comes out the best. For example, one time she was playing tag football with a couple of friends. Everyone thought since she was a girl she was going to lose. They were wrong, Kristina played with excellence. She was diligent with her work. She won the game 52 to 10. Kristina has ever since excelled in everything she did. She so competitive now because she loves being the best and greatest person her audience has ever seen.
TERRELL SMITH has always been funny even without trying. Recently, he was in class and he raised his hand and the class laughed, because they thought he was going to crack a joke. Surprisingly, he does comedy every Thanksgiving. He is dedicated to his work but every now and then people would go to him so that can be comforted by a joke, a joke with meaning. Terrell is misunderstood. A lot of people think he is just playful because he is never sad but,little do they know his sad days are the days, when he is the saddest, when all the pain he and sadness is inside him, and the only way he thinks he can show it without being embarrassed is with a joke, rather than be embarrassed by his true feelings. Next time you see him walking down the street stop him just for a good clean laugh.
J’KYRA SPACE enjoys being in competition. Competition allows her to prove her ability to others who would underestimate her. For example, when she and her brother play basketball on the court, he tries to dog her out because she’s a girl. Although she is capable of being just as great as he is, she doesn’t allow that to effect her game. Even if it is something as simple as a video game, it has to be completed with excellence. Also with competing, winning is an added bonus to her confidence. It makes her feel as if she’s the greatest at what she does. Even when she wants to give up, surprisely, she pulls through. Losing is not an option when it comes to anything to her.
MAYA TARVER is a person who is known for giving advice. However it could be helpful in the long run. She can also be known for being caring, silly, respectful, and quiet at times. Everytime she sees a person down she will volunteer to ask what’s wrong, and if she feels that they are down and she won’t take no for an answer. She would help anyone that needs help and knows what to say because she knows what to say and it works everytime. She feels the need to help others with their problems so that they could really get the point of their problems. When people are sad she automatically will know what to say when they tell her their problems.
PATSEAN TERRELL is a competitive person. He hates to lose. He hates to be the last person to do something, and he always has to be number 1. He is a person that has to win. He always has to be in charge. He always has to be the star. It all started when he started doing competitive things like playing sports. When he was younger his cousins beat him in everything because they were bigger and more skilled than him Until he got bigger and started working on his game. He beat his cousins a couple of times then after that he had to be the best. Now when Patsean loses he has to come back and win the next one. Patsean is the type of person that never forgets so when he loses he has an edge. And he he has to come back and win so he could stop thinking about it.
WOODROW TURNER is a person who is very competitive. When he is losing, he tries his hardest to win. When the odds were against the team in a football game, he caught the game winning catch for 39 yards even though many people doubted his team. When he is under pressure, calmly, he cools down to get a good view of the situation. He also loves and enjoys friendly competition because he has good sportsmanship. He doesn’t like losing, although it is part of competing. He loves competition and is competitive because he likes to be on top and enjoys going against others.
MALIK WARE is trying to keep his family athletic tradition going. When he was younger his uncle taught him how to become a better basketball player by teaching him how to shoot the ball. His dad taught him how to hold a football while running with it, to become a better football player. A year or two ago his mother was giving him advice about getting a good take off in track. Now that his cousin is training for the Olympics he wants to do it too. WOW! Every time he joins a sport his family comes to his game day to support him. Although he isn’t good at everything he tries his very best. Malik Ware has proven to his family that he has what it takes to keep his tradition going. Malik, smart and gifted, has what it takes to get it going.
TECORA WILEY has been misunderstood her whole life. Surprisingly, she was misunderstood yesterday when someone called her conceited because of the way she acts. She only lets certain people around her. She is very private. She always stays with a mean look on her face; because of the mean look people are scared to talk to her. Although they say she acts like this she doesn’t see that she does. She tells them that’s just the way she acts and it’s part of her personality. Another one she has been misunderstood for is to be out-going. For an example she always says what’s on her mind even if it’s mean. She doesn’t try to say mean things to hurt people. It just comes out that way.
HEAVEN WILLIAMS is known for being a well-spoken orator or a very articulate person. When she was in the sixth grade she won The Presidential Award for the best written paper and speech. During Heaven’s seventh through eighth grade year she started to speak about her school in open tours and in closed meetings. Surprisingly, she kept going with her writing and speaking because she wanted people to know she comes from a well-educated place, and that she can be in professional environments. Until this day she is still known for some of her writing pieces and her speeches.
JAMEESHA WILLIAMS is a person that doesn’t let anybody get her down. Sadly, last year Jameesha used to let people get to her. Even though she isn’t supposed to, she did anyways. She used to fight everyday, although things weren’t that serious. Now she doesn't care what anybody says. She laughs at them as if they are jokes. She finally realized words don’t hurt you. Jameesha doesn't let anybody get to her, because she says “it’s bad for your soul.” Jameesha Williams is a person that doesn’t let anyone affect her mood.