JANUARY/FEBRUARY VOL 1 ISSUE 1

2010

JOHN LIECHTY SHARK TIMES

Letter from the Editor

Our first school newsletter is dedicated to the
students and staff of John Liechty Middle School,
who work hard everyday to make our daily stories a
success and an enriching experience.

This newsletter was put together by the students of

my 8th grade advisor class as to give voice to the
talent and drive that are within each of us.

There are various topics in the newsletter that we

hope to inform, entertain, and provoke your thoughts
and curiosity.
Damages caused by the earthquake.
Enjoy.

Mr. Lam Some even hitting a week after the

English/History Teacher
Room 338
Current Events:
Haiti Earthquake
By Angie & Monse
A massive 7.0 earthquake struck near
the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince,
shortly before 5p.m. on January 12,
2010. The earthquake caused lots of
damage, and a telegraph.co.uk report
stated that the death toll could reach
200,000 although no one will ever
know the exact number.
The Haitians were left without
electricity and phone service. Many left
the city to seek refuge with family in
the countryside due to lack of food and
water. And there have been many
aftershocks.
original earthquake and reaching a
magnitude of 6.1. The quake was
so big it was felt from the
Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba,
and parts of the Bahamas.
Numerous buildings collapsed,
including the presidential palace,
the World Bank local offices, hotels,
a hospital, the University and the
UN headquarters. One of the
biggest problems is that Port-au-
Prince's main prison was
completely destroyed, where about
4,000 inmates escaped. Besides
that, hundreds of other buildings
have also been destroyed or
suffered critical damage.
JLMS
MONTH DAY YEAR
GLOBAL NEWS AND EVENTS
Map of Haiti and surrounding countries
, conditions. This is happening more in
Earthquake destruction in Haiti.
“THE U.S. SENT 3,500 EXTRA TROOPS
AND POLICE TO ASSIST IN THE
RECOVERY WORK.”
VOL 1 ISSUE 1
Haiti (Continued)
There are many efforts to help the
people of Haiti. Many have donated
money, including celebrities, and
President Obama asked former
presidents Bill Clinton and George W.
Bush to lead a national drive to raise
money for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
And the U.S. sent 3,500 extra troops
and police to assist in the recovery
work. And many firefighters went to
Haiti to help rescue victims trapped
under the rubble. But the road
helping Haiti is long and will take
time.
Trafficking of Women
By Yessnia and Nancy
A problem that is affecting all
women around the world is the
trafficking of woman. It is painful as
women ourselves to hear how woman
are taken from their homes and
forced in to prostitution under terrible
third world countries and due to
poverty in those lands the people
themselves sell women from their
own families. We would like to inform
you about this issue and hope that
you to can appreciate the lives we
have and be thankful for all the
women in our lives.
JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

GLOBAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Trafficking (continued)

The U.S. estimates at least 270,000

victims of human trafficking in the
European Union. Countries that have a
great amount to do with this problem such
as Albania, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria,
Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It has been
estimated that 500,000 woman from
central and Eastern Europe are working in
prostitution in the EU alone. Poor
economic conditions and social problems
create a climate that is favorable to
human trafficking. Out of all 8,000 to
11,000 prostitutes in Amsterdam about
75% are from Eastern Europe, Africa, and
Asia. A person trafficking has reached
epidemic proportions over the past
decade, with a global annual market of
about $42.5 billion. The United Nations
estimates nearly 2.5 million people from
127 different countries are being
trafficked around the world. Trafficked
people are usually the most vulnerable
and powerless minorities in a region. They
often come from the poorer areas where
opportunities are limited, they often are
ethnic minorities, and they often are
displaced people such as runaways or
refugees, though they may come from any
social background, class or race.
Traffickers, especially for the sex industry,
particularly target women in dire
circumstances. Criminals exploit lack of
opportunities, promise good jobs or
opportunities for work or study, and then “INSERT PULL QUOTE HERE.
force the victims to become prostitutes. DELETE BOX IF NOT IN USE.”

JLMS
 JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

SCHOOL NEWS
Trafficking (continued)
Through agents and brokers who arrange
the travel and job placements, women are
escorted to their destinations and
delivered to the employers. Upon reaching
their destinations, some women learn that
they have been deceived about the nature
of the work they will do; most have been
lied to about the financial arrangements
and conditions of their employment and
find themselves in coercive or abusive
situations from which escape is both
difficult and dangerous. According to the Our new principal: Mrs. Carrillo
U.S. Department of Justice, there were
1,229 human trafficking incidents in the
United States from January 2007-
September 2008. Of these, 83 percent An Interview with the Principal
were sex trafficking cases. By Angie and Monse

So we hope that we can all value the lives
we have for us women have the right to be
happy, love, and reach our goals. And so
we hope that you can help women around
the world to stop this problem. Oh and so
we close this story with a message to all
women around the world we all have the
right to the pursuit of happiness.
SCHOOL NEWS
JLMS is in big trouble because of budget cuts. All the
extra money the school had is all gone. LAUSD had
to take it back for other reasons. Field trips, dances,
and school supplies have been reduced to the
minimum. The school is trying hard to keep teachers
with their original jobs but some teachers have
already been changed to substitute teachers or sub
teaching. Also, if you didn’t know we got a new
principal. Ms.Stevens was offered a bigger job and
left JLMS. The new principal is named Ms. Carillo.
By Suzett
Q: Could you tell us a little about yourself and
anything you think is important for us to know?
A: I’m passionate about teaching and I am a lifelong
learner.
Q: What kind of activities do you have planned for
the 8th graders?
A: An awards assembly and dance.
Q: What high school did you attend?
A: Roosevelt High School
Q: If you could change anything about the school,
what would you change?
A: For the school to have more space.
Q: What do you like about the school?
A: The people, the kids/students are fabulous, the
teachers are great, and the parents.
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

SCHOOL NEWS
Principal (Continued)
Q: What do you dislike about the school?

A: Nothing so far.

Q: What college did you attend?

A: Cal State L.A.

Q: Who do you go for: UCLA or USC?

A: UCLA

Q: How do you like our school compared to others that

Tagging you’ve worked at?

A: I love the school.

Q: What do you think is the best thing about our school?

A: How everyone works together.

T@GG1NG
By Juan and Edwin

Tagging is a very important

issue that many people are
facing today. Tagging is also
, illegal in the United States if
they catch you tagging in the
streets or in any place, the
A tagger. police will give you a ticket
or/and community service. But
if you are adult you may as
well get some time in jail,
tagging was used primary to
gang members to mark
territory and writers to be
known everywhere and to
become famous. Writers who
sometimes also do graffiti are
battling in the streets to win
supplies meaning that who ever

JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

ENTERTAINMENT

Avatar Movie Review

By Cristina P. & Michelle R.

Avatar The Movie takes place in the future,
where Sam Worthington is Jake Sully who is
sent in replacement of his brother. Jake a former
marine, travels to a future planet named Pandora
where his brother’s mission was suppose to take
place. The Na’vi people, who live in enormous
tree, inhabit Pandora but the human race want to Scene and movie poster from James
develop a relationship with the Na’vi to obtain a Cameron’s Avatar
precious material scattered throughout their
home. Since Jake is disabled, is on a wheel chair,
the military agreed to make a deal to fix his legs.
Jake co-operates to help the military, and is put
in an avatar body. Jake’s mission is to bond with
Na’vi people and convince them to move out of
there home. During his mission Jake falls in love
with one of the Na’vi whose name is Neytiri.
Instead of trying to convince them to move from
there home land, Jake becomes one of them. The
military does not like his actions and act quickly
to destroy their home. Jake fights on the side of
the Na’vi and they finally kick the human race
out of their planet. Jake permanently becomes
one of them with a mind transfer to the body of
him to the avatar.

8th Grade Survey

By Suzett and Andres

Cutest Smile: Ernesto L.

Most likely to succeed: Nancy S.
Cutest couple(for now): Elmer M.&
Cynthia O.
Most Funniest: Brandon C.
Most talented: Ashley E.
Most athletic: Joset H.
Best soccer player: Delmis A.
Best hair due: Jacky T.
 JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

ENTERTAINMENT
WHICH I BETTER FAMILY GUY
OR SIMPSONS?
By Karen & Liliana

FAMILY GUY
1. It has more jokes
2. Because they watch it more often
3. Have funny characters

Teens say that Family Guy is much better than

the Simpsons because Matt Groening has to do
something very funny to make us laugh where
as family guy doesn’t and albert is stupid all you
have to do is watch one episode of the
Simpsons and one episode of family guy and u
decide which is funny and the teenagers or
students is family guy. They have been watching
the Simpsons for years but when they watched
family guy they thought it was much funnier and
better!!
Damages caused by the earthquake.
So we say simpsons, because family guy is
really offensive, although funny. It's obvious
the idea of FG came from the simpsons. A
drunk lazy dad, a mom who has to clean
and worry about the kids and baby, a
daughter who is always left out, a baby, a
dog, and a son.

SIMPSONS Which one do you think is better?

1. Is more educated Simpsons or Family Guy
2. It came before family guy
3. Their stupidness make it more funny

Parents or even small kids love Simpsons, but

family guy is funnier. But most teens will always
like Simpsons more, just because it's so
likeable. Family guy has been canceled more
than 3 times, and Simpsons has been going on
for more than 15 years. Plus, family guy is
annoying sometimes, with the chicken fights and
when peter falls and goes, "Theeee, ahhhh," like
that's just there to kill time. Simpsons always
has a good storyline, and all the guest stars
(Except dead ones obviously) are played by the
real actors, actresses, singers, athletes, etc.

JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010
PEOPLE IN HISTORY
Elvis Presley playing the guitar.
Elvis’ Jail House Rock.
VOL 1 ISSUE 1
Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977)
By Karen and Liliana
Born January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, Mississippi,
Presley was the son of Gladys and Vernon Presley,
a sewing machine operator and a truck driver.
Presley's twin brotherjessie1.jpg (87868 bytes)
Jesse Garon was stillborn, and he grew up as an
only child. At age three, Vernon was sent to prison
for forgery. It seems that Vernon, Travis Smith, and
Luther Gable changed the amount of a check from
Orville Bean, Vernon's boss, from $3 to $8 and
cashed it at a local bank. Vernon pled guilty and
was sentenced to three years at Parchment Farms
Penitentiary. Vernon's boss, Mr. Bass called in a
note that Vernon signed to borrow money to build
the house and Gladys is forced to move in with
Vernon's parents. Vernon would only serve eight
months. Afterward Vernon's employment was
spotty and the family lived just above the poverty
line. The Presley’s attended the First Assembly of
God Church whose Pentecostal services always
included singing.
Elvis Presley was the first real rock and roll star. A
white southerner who singing blues laced with
country and country tinged with gospel, Presley
brought together music from both sides of the color
line. Presley performed this music with a natural hip
swiveling sexuality that made him a teen idol and a
role model for generations of cool rebels. Presley
was repeatedly dismissed as vulgar, incompetent
and a bad influence. However the force of his
, music and image signaled to the mainstream
culture it was time for a change.
JLMS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY VOL 1 ISSUE 1
2010

PEOPLE IN HISTORY
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
By Edwin and Juan
Jackie Robinson was a famous
baseball player that made it to
the major league baseball. He
was also the first African
American to play with the
Dodgers next to the Caucasians
because at that time here was
racism going on it was weird that
a African American would get
along with a Caucasian. So in
reality Jackie Robinson was very
good enough that the Dodgers
where pure Caucasians and
wanted him to play in the major
league baseball next to the best
baseball team in those days the
Dodgers. After he was playing in
the Dodgers team everyone
made a chaos because of the
action that Dodgers did by
contracting an African American
person. Jackie Robinson first year
of professional ball was in 1946
when he played for the Montreal, Jackie Robinson with the Dodgers.
Brooklyn Dodgers triple-A minor
league team he played 1 year for
Montreal and played for the
Dodgers in 1947-1956. He retired
after the 1956 season.

JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

RECENT EVENTS
Don’t Stop The Beat: Dancing
Through the Decades
February 4, 2010

Reported by Rafael, Yasmin, Karla,

Ellyuz, and Stacy from Mr. Barker/Ms.
Park’s class.

On February 4, 2010, Ms. Mendzela’s

Dance Elective performed for
assemblies in the MPR. The show was
called Don’t Stop The Beat: Dancing
Through the Decades and featured a
variety of dances, including swing,
disco, Michael Jackson, techno, salsa,
hip hop, and punta.

Beginning at 10:53 am and ending at

11:17 am, the dancers moved
through routines with astonishing
precision and quickness. The show
demonstrated how dance has
evolved through the decades.

Evelyn, a Speartooth dancer in the

show said “I had fun doing it,
especially when I was dancing to
techno music.” She said though, that
her favorite style of music is punta.
Joanna, a Mako audience member
said “It was awesome.” Joanna cites
techno as now among her favorite
dance styles, along with hip-hop,
bachata, cumbia, and merengue.

JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

ENTERTAINMENT

New Moon Movie Review

By Katya & Jocelyn

The movie New Moon is about a vampire

Edward Collin (Robert Pattinson) who’s going
out with a human girl Bella swan (Kristen
Stewart) they are going to forks high school
Spartans they are in senior year. Before her
birthday night Bella swan dreams about her
and Edward Collin and she looks at her self-
old. Later on Edward decides to leave for a
short time and she panics about Edwards
decision. Since then she likes her self-being
alone. The whole movie starts at Cullen’s PLACE PHOTO HERE,
house its bellas eighteen birthdays. She opens
a gift a gives her paper cut and jasper leaps at
her to bite her he is the newest vampire. The
reason for Edwards’s decision of leaving her is
because he thinks his family is too dangerous
for him. After he leaves she is in a zombie-like
stage and stays in her house for months. It is
until that she goes to the movies and sees
drunken men that she walks closer to them
that she hears Edwards voice I her head. When
she drives down the streets she sees two run
down motorcycles and thinks of Edward.
Months later Bella arrives home with Jacob and
sees Edwards car parked outside she runs in
but Jacob don’t want her to he says he cant
defend her in there. She goes in and finds
herself with Alice and ask for Edward and she
says he saw a vision of her jumping of a cliff
and she tells Alice it is true but she did it for
fun. Edward is headed to the owners of the
vampires to get killed because he thinks Bella
is dead. While Alice and Bella are headed to
him to tell him Bella is alive but she don’t think
shell make it the owners of the vampires don’t
want to kill him so at 12:00 sharp he will show
everyone how he looks in the sun so they can
kill him. But Bella makes it in time to push him
away from the sun.

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VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

Fifa 10
By Edgar

Fifa 10 it’s a pretty cool game because it has all

the soccer teams in the world and it has all the
players also. It also has the best graphics in all
the soccer game there is. It is also cool because
you could play against other hard team and you
could also play multiplayer. It is also cool cause
you get into it

Left 4 Dead 2
By Ernie and Gabe
Fifa 10
The game left for dead two is
the best multiplayer game as
voted by game critics .its also
the best selling game right
now.you could also down load it
at gamestop

Left 4 Dead 2

JLMS
JAN/FEB 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

FOOD

McDonald’s Big Mac

vs.
Burger King’s
Whopper
By Jennifer M.

A lot of students like

Burger king better than
McDonalds because they
have better value meals
to choose from. The fries
from Burger king are
crunchier than he ones
from McDonalds. The
whopper jr. has 340
calories and the big Mac
has 540. The higher the
number is the worse it is
for you. The hamburgers
that tastes better is the
whopper.