CYCSI Students Shine In “Live, Laugh, Love, Cry!”

This year some of our talented students performed “Live, Laugh, Love, Cry!” a York College Fall production play based on the poetry of Dr. Linda Michelle Baron. The play was conceived by Lelia Billings and directed by York college professor Tom Marion. Our star students cast in the play are Aaliyah King, Kyle Thomas, Lordina Ampere, Makiyah Turner-Hicks, Miles Harris, Noel Boone, Paris Clarke, and Victoria Fentress. Cast members also included our media activity specialist Eric Normil-Mendez and former journalism activity specialist Jessica Danielle Powell. 

Photos from the Play & Cast Interviews Below:

Interview with Live Laugh Love Cry Director and CYCSI cast members conducted by Aniya Cambell, 4th Grade.

Anaya Cambell met with Tom Marion, the director of “Live, Laugh, Love, Cry” and the CYCSI student cast members to discuss working on the production.

How does it feel to be in a play at York College?

Paris Clarke, 5th Grade: It feels exciting because being a part of the production allows me to experience life as a college student performer.

Lordina Amprea, 4th Grade: I feel excited because this is my first college level production. I am able to work with my friends, and I have the opportunity to express my feelings with poetry.

Is this your first play?

Noel Boone, 3rd Grade: This is my first play. I am happy because I will perform my first poem at York college.

Is this a big deal for you?

Ms. Jessica, Activity Specialist: Yes this is big. The first milestone was an all girls poetry club during the CYCSI summer program. For most of the students this is their first time performing in a theater.

Makiyah Turner-Hicks, 4th Grade: Well I started acting about 2-3 years ago so this was really easy for me. This is a big deal because the show will be running for multiple performances.

Kyle Thomas, 3rd Grade: It is a big deal because I have a huge part.

What did you learn?

Aliyah King: I worked on several poems and I learned to use my diaphragm instead of my throat to improve my vocal projection.

Miles Harris, 5th Grade: I learned to be mindful of everyone because we all play important roles.

How did the play come to fruition?

Professor Tom Marion, Play Director: I knew a professor (Dr.Linda Michelle Baron) who had her poems featured in an off-Broadway play and I thought it would be fun to incorporate her poetry into a play.

How do you engage the students to rehearse and perform?

Tom Marion: It wasn’t easy because no one knew what the play was about. So I picked students that are interested in Poetry.

Why did you choose students from CYCSI?

Tom Marion: Mr. Eric recommended the children from CYCSI. He said they are wonderful kids.

Is being a director your dream job?

Tom Marion: Sometimes I think acting is my real dream job. I like acting. I like performing on stage, but then sometimes I think directing is better. A director gets to make decisions about the whole play. When you help everyone with their parts, it's almost like a little part of you is acting in every part. The only difference is, instead of being on the stage you get to sit in the audience and relax.

Pope Francis In NYC!

 “Pope Francis is the leading global voice on issues of social justice and income inequality, and New Yorkers from all backgrounds will be tremendously humbled and honored to hear his message right here in our city later this year."  

- Bill De Blasio, Mayor of New York City

This year Pope Francis made his first visit to the great Empire City. His presence had a big impact on the people of New York City regardless of culture or faith.  Pope Francis attended a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and held mass at Madison Square Garden.

                        About Pope Francis by Paige Hall, 4th Grade

Pope Francis was born December 17,  1930. He is the 266th pope and current pope of the Catholic church. He received his education from the Milltown Institute of Theology and Physiology. His parents are Mario Jose Berglio and Regina Mario Sivori Beglio.  - Paige Hall, 4th Grade

Source: abc7ny.com

Our Next President?

Students discuss who they would vote for and voice their opinions on the 2016 presidential candidates.

If I could vote, I would vote for Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a part of the Democratic party. Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State. Even though she is currently first place for the Democratic party, she made some mistakes. For example, she shared secret job files, but apologized later. –Makiyah Turner-Hicks, 4th Grade

If I could vote for a president I would vote for Hillary Clinton. I would elect Hillary Clinton because, 1) In 2008 she ran for president, but lost to Barack Obama, 2) She is a Democrat, 3) She is on top of the polls. I wouldn’t vote for a Republican, especially Donald Trump because he only cares about money. Also, Donald Trump is always in the media talking about topics that are not related to the issues such as his blonde hair (which isn’t genuinely blonde). This is why I would vote for Hillary Clinton. -Lordina Ampere, 4th Grade

Game Day 2015

Today's event highlighted one of the students' favorite days of the year, Game Day! Game Day features different variations of games such as cards, video games, and board games. 

Hosted by Media Club, members put a lot of time and effort to make sure that this event was a success among the kids ensuring that the room was prepped and a system was created so everyone had a chance to play and have fun.

Game consoles were set up and a sign-up sheet was created so kids could play, but not forever, so other students could have a chance to play. Some staff members contributed valuable equipment such as gaming systems and TVs. Even vintage consoles were brought in for kids to play. In addition, laptops were set up so students could play games on the internet. In other rooms, students uninterested in playing video games could play with cards or board games.

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ELA Speech Presentation

The students arrived at the school and proceeded to the auditorium to perform their speeches from ELA class. All students were dressed professionally and accordingly to fit their preferred future career. The theme "Jobs of the Future" molded the students speeches, costumes and ideas. One by one they entered the stage and performed their speeches on camera.

Malia Weaver is performing her speech as a research scientist. 

She was a little bit scared that she would speak badly, but did well and is proud of herself.

Many students recited their speeches excellently, projecting their voices and some even memorized their lines at home in order to be prepared. These students were excellent and helped to save time.

Home Depot Workshop/ Star Lab

Today's workshop featured a building using equipment from  Home Depot. Each student received a kit fit with materials and instructions for them to independently construct.















The groups were responsible for building scooters and bug houses.

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The staff and students worked together to safely build and use tools such as hammers and nails. Some students were able to make sporty book cases, aside from making scooters and bug houses.

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After completing building activities, students had the chance to experience the Star Labs. They excitedly crawled into the Star Lab Bubble. Inside the Bubble holograms were projected while stars and constellations were described and explained.

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Visiting Other Clubs:Cooking

Ms. Ruth allowed the students to prepare personal salads in cooking class today consisting of various ingredients.

"Today we made a salad that consisted of chopped cheddar cheese, mandarins, cherry tomatoes, lettuce (of course) raisins, radishes and Italian dressing. I enjoyed it because it is very healthy and the Italian dressing gave it a unique taste." -Lordina 3rd grader

Trip to Vaughn College

TRIP TO VAUGHN COLLEGE

Thursday, 23 June 2015

The students went on a trip to Vaughn College to take a tour and experience the educational opportunities the institution has to offer. They were able to see airplanes, engines, experience a flight simulator, and even witness live 3-D printing. At the end of the tour, everyone met up to watch a game of soccer using programmed robots. 

A flight simulator in which an instructor allowed students to use to know what it feels like to fly an airplane. 

The students went to the lab. At the lab, people from the institution showed them the robots they made, used in competitions, and described their thinking processes.

Then they stepped over to the 3-D printer which they were using to create a model of a shark.

We stepped outside to view airplanes and their massive engines. We were even able to see Laguardia airport from there.

We gathered back inside to witness a robot soccer match which was controlled remotely.

Visiting Other Clubs: Music

The Media Club visited the Music club to take photos and of instructors Taj and Namiah working with the students. The instructors are teaching students how to play the guitar and piano.

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The Music Club was busy rehearsing to ensure an enjoyable performance at Market Day and the Culminating Event while learning new and valuable skills.