NJ UYRI Biographies

Hakiemah Bateman

I’m a very hard working person, and I fight for what is right. I joined the Urban Youth Research because “I am the youth,” and I need to be involved with anything that effects or benefits me.

 

I work with project Grad Newark. We support central and Malcolm x Shabazz high schools in Newark. Our goals are to have 80% of students entering high school stay and graduate fro high school and at least 50% of the graduates will go on to college. I am particularly pleased with this opportunity to work with this Urban Youth Research project. The three Shabazz students experienced a research process and working with their peers from other Newark high schools as well as Paterson and Jersey City. They learned value in working a collaborative approach to tackle critical issues.

 

Amira Berry

I’m 14 years old. I’m a freshman at Rosa Parks Fine and Performing Arts High school. I major in drama. In September 2009 I will be a minor in vocals. I joined because I wanted college experience and because I wanted to have a say in education.

 

Jameka Carter

My name is Jameka Carter. I am sixteen years old attending Henry Snyder high school in Jersey City. My hobbies are singing, dancing, modeling, and acting. I like to stay active and have fun. I like sports such as football and basketball. I am a really out going person. I joined the Urban Youth Research Initiative because I wanted to be involved. Before I got involved, I didn’t know anything about what was going on with the redesign plan. I am so glad I participated with this research camp and had the opportunity to voice my opinion.

 

Francisco DeJesus

I’m 17 years old. I am training to be a graphic artist, editor, & voice actor. I am graduating in 2010. I joined the urban youth research initiative because when I heard about the changes in the high school requirements to graduate, I wanted to influence where it would lead.

 

Kwame Gilbert

Me, well I always want to do good, always want to touch people in a positive way. Watching other people struggle, feeling as though I have not had the best growing up, has made me hurt in a certain way. I can’t explain, this seems to bother me everywhere I go. I want to achieve all I can, all that I can for good. I know I will, I believe this project has helped me do that. I joined the Urban Youth Research Initiative because the Urban Youth Research Initiative investigated, researched the statistical difference between suburban schools, and Abbott districts. Not only were statistical differences between urban and suburban schools made, but there was an investigation of my school, other schools in Paterson, which you would consider a poor, crime filled city. Therefore, this puts students more at risk; this at risk label explains why Abbott schools are more apt to fail.

 

Simone Inman

I’m a passionate person with a big heart. I joined in hopes of becoming a part of my community and finally have a voice in changes that go on around me.

 

Fantasia Jones

Hi, my name is Fantasia and I am a 17 year old senior at Barringer High School. I enjoy having fun and helping others. I joined the Urban Youth Research Initiative because I wanted to learn more about the high school redesign plan and how I can help fix the problem because I believe everyone should have equal opportunities.

 

Mikhail Josephs

I love being a teenager. I am a college bound skater boy with a part time job. I joined because I care about the outcome, it will affect my younger peers.

 

Shawnteah Mckinnis

Let me see… I’m a wonderful, funny, and friendly person. I love being involved and being the center of attention. The reason I joined the Urban Youth Research Initiative was because I wanted the opportunity to get to expand my ideas with other city research groups. Another reason was so that I would earn three college course credits, and be rewarded with $6,000 dollars for being involved!

 

Shantise Parker

I’m very out going but very quiet around people. I’m not anti-social. I’m very silly and easy to get along with. I was very interested in the sound of the program. Also it offered 3 college credits and it helped me work towards a project grad scholarship. Researching is exciting when its something interesting and our topics were beyond.

 

 

Kenya Pauldo

I’m 17 years old. I attend Passaic county Technical Institute. I major in cosmetology and received my license on May 18, 2009. In September 2009, I will be attending William Paterson University for business management. I joined because I wanted a say in the education process.

 

Ericka Sanchez

I’m a very happy person. I can be shy but I’m a very funny person. I love to laugh and I hate to be sad. I love animals and I love to act. I joined it be cause the ASPIRA representative told me about it. The main reason why I came here was because she told me I would get three credits for college. But the project was very interesting because this will have a very great impact on students.

 

Victoria Scott

I’m kind and out spoken when it comes to disadvantages. I believe that an equal opportunity should be given to all.

 

Yahne Sneed

I love poetry, dancing, and psychology. I joined the initiative for the credits and because I know I’d have a voice to speak.

 

Keith Stephenson

I am a friendly person. I love animals. I am a very passionate person that believes strongly in believing in yourself and you can do anything. I joined the Urban Youth Research Initiative because this subject was brought to my attention and I felt that I wanted to help change this and for once be a part of something bigger then myself.