1. pets
2. zoo

February
Lessons
Issue 793
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Alex Haley’s roots, Page 2.
Art grows in Detroit, Page 3.
SUPER ACTING, Pages 4 and 5.
Supported by readers of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News
2 Thursday, February 9, 2012
Yak Chat
We learn at lot as we
read newspapers for sports,
entertainment, features and
news stories. So here at Yak’s
Corner – or Yak U. as we like to
call it – we’ve got some great
stories to share on a variety of
subjects. This week’s lessons:
On the entertainment front,
Disney XD is launching a
creative new comedy about a
teen with super human siblings
in “Lab Rats.” Read about the
show and actor Tyrel Jackson
Williams on Pages 4 and 5.
Learn about art from
Detroit’s gifted artists in an
exhibit at The Charles H. Wright
Museum, Page 3.
History’s lessons are
powerful and sometimes
painful. They also can be
personal. We visit the Kunta
Kinte - Alex Haley Memorial for
a heritage lesson, Page 2.
Learn about the new Tigers
player, Prince Fielder,
Page 6.
Also Inside:
• School Lunch Change,
Page 6.
• Your Art, Page 7.
On the cover:
Sculptor Ed Dwight created the
figures of Alex Haley sharing
stories with three diverse children.
(Dwight is the sculptor of an
Underground Railroad monument
in Battle Creek.)
Cover photo Courtesy of
www.visitannapolis.org and the
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Conference and Visitors Bureau.
Printed by: The Detroit Media Partnership
Sterling Heights, Michigan, Winter 2012.
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
Yak On The Road
Hope Grows From
Heritage in Annapolis
T
hirty-five years ago, a television drama called
“Roots” made history. Based on the book by
Alex Haley, the series introduced his family’s
story to generations and nations. Kunta Kinte was
the name of Alex Haley’s ancestor, the name and
story passed on by his grandmother. The author
was able to use the state of Maryland’s archives to
trace his family story, one that has become famous
because of the television series. It is a powerful
story of triumph and overcoming that began long
before a forced ship passage to America. Kunta
Kinte’s ship came ashore in Annapolis, Maryland,
where he was enslaved, as were millions of others.
The powerful saga, or generational tale, spurred
African Americans and all Americans to look to
their families’ stories.
Its lessons led the
Yak to visit Annapolis,
Maryland, where there
is now a permanent
memorial to Alex Haley
and Kunta Kinte and
the importance of
family heritage and
history. Thanks to the
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley
Foundation, a moving
memorial by sculptor
Ed Dwight, as well as many other artists, is now
carved on the Yak’s heart, as sure as it words were
etched in the stone “Story Wall” of the memorial.
We started by standing on the “Compass Rose” – a
compass inlaid into concrete. Then we gazed over
to the docks, and the sculptures.
The unique memorial shows the late author, Alex
Haley, sitting with his hand waving out to the blue
waters of the Chesapeake Bay on the Annapolis
docks.
When the Yak visited, the boatyard was busy,
but as he sat by the sculptures of three children –
each from a different ethnic group – he felt as if he
were hearing the author recount the powerful tale,
following Kunta Kinte who arrived on these shores
in 1767.
Reads the plaque by the statue: “Alex Haley…
shows how the strength of the human spirit to
The Story Wall is based on quotes from “Roots.”
Journalist Wiley A. Hall wrote the text for the wall. Peter
D. Tasi designed the graphics for the ten bronze plaques
that comprise the Story Wall.
overcome challenges comes
from maintaining strong family
connections and pride in one’s
heritage.”
Susan Steckman, vice
president of communications
for the Annapolis visitors’
bureau, says the memorial,
“speaks volumes to youth”
who visit. Maryland history is
required for schoolchildren, who
visit Annapolis, the capitol of
Maryland, and the memorial is
one of the many stops. “Slavery was part of the
history here…but this memorial has students of all
nationalities empowered, looking forward.”
The Story Wall, in particular, has inspiring quotes
from “Roots.” The Yak was struck by one on
Diversity:
“Hear me! Though we are of different tribes and
tongues, remember we are the same people!”
By Cathy Collison
Yaktivity: If you were to write a story wall, what
words would you inscribe? To learn more, check
out www.visitannapolis.org.
Photos Courtesy of www.visitannapolis.org and the Annapolis and
Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
Richard Lewis has a bachelor’s and a
master’s degree in fine arts and has
been an artist-in-residence at the Studio
Museum in Harlem, in New York City.
This is a painting of his beloved mother.
This painting by Gregory Johnson of kids at a beach is
titled, “Sandman.” Up close, each color has a shape. Step
back, though, and the lines fade and the colors blend.
An Art Tree Grows in Detroit
T
here’s no better place to brighten up
the cold, bleak month of February and
celebrate African American History
Month than at the Charles H. Wright Museum
of African American History.
Last year in February, we warmed
ourselves up with a stroll through a gallery
that was abloom with 34 colorful paintings
by master artists. And guess what? The
museum is abloom again this year with more
artworks by masters, or artists who have
worked so hard for so long and have become
so good they inspire younger artists.
All living and working in Detroit, the three
artists in this year’s show don’t use the term
“masters.” They like to think of themselves
as the “roots” of the city’s art community.
Just like on a tree, these very talented,
human “roots” nourish the “branches,” or
younger generation of working artists. Roots
and branches both nourish the “seeds of the
future,” the youngest generation of artists.
“Great American Artists: Roots, Branches,
and Seeds” features 31 paintings and mixed
media works by Gregory Johnson, Richard
Lewis and Sabrina Nelson.
Gregory’s are the most kid-friendly. But
then he has a particular interest in depicting
the individuality of Detroit school children.
(Come back in March for an interview with
Gregory at his Detroit studio.) And he has a
very realistic, distinctive style.
“There are no shadows,” noted Patrina
Chapman, the museum’s curator or
exhibition. “He uses layers of paint with
different shades of colors,” creating areas of
light and contrast.
Each shade is defined, or has a distinct
shape. A single arm, for example, might
include several shapes, “but it’s not
shading,” Patrina said.
One favorite was “Girlfriends,” of a bunch
of kids hanging out at recess. One girl is
wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Girls Rule,
Boys Drool.” Another was “Crossing Fifth
Ave,” of a stylish young musician carrying a
bass, a huge classical instrument, in a pink
backpack in New York City. “She’s invested
in becoming a great artist, I think,” mused
Patrina.
Richard Lewis likes to paint his family and
friends. One favorite was of his mother, who
is ill, said Patrina. His love for her shows.
Sabrina Nelson works in mixed media,
using paint as well as bits of fabric, lace,
buttons, photos, paper cutouts and other
materials in her works. Our favorite was “Lilly
of the Valley,” a painting of her daughter,
In “Lilly of the Valley,” Sabrina Nelson painted
her daughter, Sudani Shaah, in a yoga pose of
total relaxation.
Sudani, wearing a white, flowing robe. One
of Sudani’s eyes was blinded in an accident,
an injury her mother treats as a kind of
beauty mark. She looks like an angel.
The “roots” paintings will remain on
display until April 29. Artworks by three
Detroit “branches” will replace them from
May to August, and works by three Detroit
“seeds” will follow and remain until the
end of the year. For more, visit
www.thewright.org.
By Patricia Chargot
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4 Thursday, February 9, 2012
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
YAKTV
Meet Tyrel:
Super Acting Runs In the Family
kids. Tyrel was born in New York, but says
the family moved to Los Angeles in 2005
when his big brother Tyler landed the part
of Chris (inspired by comedian Chris Rock’s
growing up years) in the sitcom “Everybody
Hates Chris.” His little brother, Tylen is also
an actor.
How did Tyrel get his start? “My older
brother was at an audition and I was still a
baby at the time,” shares Tyrel. “And I saw
a door for a casting audition and I climbed
out of my stroller, walked in the room, said
‘hi’, said my name and walked right back out.
The next day I booked it,” said Tyrel with a
laugh. He was only 18 months old when he
landed that first job for a commercial and has
been working ever since.
Tyrel lives in Los Angeles with his parents,
Le’Roy and Angela, and brothers Tyler, 19,
and Tylen, 10. Does it ever get confusing
with so many T’s in the family? “All the time,”
says Tyrel. The family also has a dog, Benny.
Tyrel may not have any super powers, but
he does have some super talents. In addition
to acting, he loves playing video games and
plans to study game design in college.
He’s also been playing the
guitar for about two years and
Tyrel
Jackson Williams
he’s a great breakfast cook
stars as Leo. The new
and baker. “I cook and bake
series premieres at
for my family all the time,”
8:30 p.m. on Disney XD
says Tyrel.
on Monday,
February 27.
What else does Tyrel want
to share with Yak readers?
Just this: “If you want to see
action and you want to laugh,
then you should definitely tune in to
‘Lab Rats.’ It’s a show that has a whole
bunch of stunts and special effects, and a
lot of physical comedy – it’s funny,” says
Tyrel. Now that’s a good lab report. We’ll
definitely be watching.
By Janis Campbell
Photos by Craig Sjodin/Disney XD
I
f your mom needs to marry again, it might
as well be to a billionaire scientist and
inventor, living in an amazing high-tech
house with a secret underground laboratory,
right? And his latest experiment? That
would be growing three bionic teenagers
in the basement lab. This is the clever and
wacky storyline for “Lab Rats,” a new Disney
XD comedy premiering February 27.
“As soon as I read the storyline, what the
show was about, I immediately fell in love
with it,” said Tyrel Jackson Williams, who
plays Leo, the stepson with three superpowered siblings. From the first time he read
the script, he remembers thinking, “It was so
great and interesting and quirky. All the while
when I was auditioning, I kept thinking ‘I hope
I get this. I hope I get this!’ ” And of course,
he did, but it took some time. After five or six
auditions, Tyrel landed the part. The show’s
creators made a pilot, or test show. That first
pilot didn’t work out, so eventually another
pilot show was made with a new name. By
September, the show was a go!
On the show, Tyrel’s character is a regular
kid and doesn’t have any bionic abilities, but
if he could have one in real life, he says he’d
choose bionic strength. “I think I would love
to have super strength because that seems
like an amazing power – to be strong enough
to lift anything or push anything over.”
In between rehearsals and shooting the
episodes, Tyrel and his costars Kelli Berglund
and Billy Unger make time for their lessons
onset every day. (Spencer Boldman has
already finished high school.) Tyrel, who
turns 15 on March 16, is a ninth-grader this
year. His favorite subject is appropriately
enough – science! Because of Tyrel’s career,
he says, “I’ve been homeschooled almost all
my life.”
In fact, he’s been in the entertainment
business most of his life, too. You could
say it’s the family business for the Williams
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
Thursday, February 9, 2012
MEET THE SUPER-HUMAN SIBLINGS
Billy Unger
Billy stars as Chase, the youngest of the
three bionic siblings and the brainiac (or as
we like to say brainiyak) of the bunch in “Lab
Rats.”
Billy was born in Palm Beach County,
Florida, and moved to Hollywood, with his
family, about six years ago, to seriously
pursue his acting career. Since moving to Los
Angeles, Billy has guest starred on a long
list of television shows including Disney XD’s
“Kickin’ It,” Disney Channel’s “Sonny with
a Chance,” “No Ordinary Family,” “Ghost
Whisperer,” and “Hawthorne.” He’s also had
several movie roles including a starring role in
“National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.”
When he’s not working on the series,
his interests include
extreme martial arts
motocross, surfing,
skateboarding,
and playing guitar.
Spencer Boldman
Spencer stars as Adam, the super-strong
big brother on the show.
He’s also a busy young actor. Next month,
he’ll be on the big screen in the movie “21
Jump Street,” starring Johnny Depp and
Channing Tatum. Spencer has also appeared
on popular television shows including Disney
XD’s “I’m in the Band” and “iCarly.”
Spencer grew up in Dallas, Texas, where
he was involved in
school and community
productions before
moving to Los
Angeles to become
a professional actor.
When he’s not working,
he loves to be outdoors,
playing lacrosse, going
snowboarding and
hiking.
Kelli Berglund
Kelli stars as bionic Bree, the sibling with
lightning speed and agility. Kelli is also a
busy actress and has played a wide range of
roles. On the small screen, she was on “Hip
Hop Harry” and “America’s Next Producer”
and also appeared in the feature film “Bye,
Bye Benjamin.” She’s also appeared in
many commercials for major companies and
brands, including Old Navy, Hyundai, Bratz,
McDonald’s and Mattel.
Kelli, an accomplished dancer, is from
California. When she’s not acting or dancing,
she enjoys photography and making movies
on her computer.
Source: Disney XD
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6 Thursday, February 9, 2012
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
Yakking about the news
A weekly wrap-up for young readers
• Player Number: 28
• Little League: Played on the Expos in
Grosse Pointe Woods.
Another Tiger
Detroit Free Press photo by Julian H. Gonzalez
Prince Fielder brought one son, Jadyn, to the
press conference with the Tigers.
New Tiger In Town
Just after the Yak went to press and saw the
Tigers visit at the Kids Convention, a new Tiger
joined the team – Prince Fielder. Prince is no
stranger to Detroit. His father is Cecil Fielder,
former Tiger, and Prince spent a good part of
his growing-up years in metro Detroit. Prince
will be playing first base. Here is more about
the new Tiger. Come back later this spring for
more on Prince!
• Birthday: Prince Fielder was born on May 9,
1984. (That was the year the Tigers won the
World Series).
• High School: Graduated from Eau Gallie
High School in Florida.
• Charities: He and his wife made a donation
in 2009, which allowed Ronald McDonald
House of Eastern Wisconsin to create a new
outdoor play area for children.
• Quote: “A lot of people here have seen me
grow up, so it’s just special... It’s an awesome
moment. ... It’s a really special day.”
Over at the Detroit
Zoo, another Tiger
came to town. Kolyma,
a 13-year-old male
Amur tiger, has arrived
at the Detroit Zoo as
a potential mate for
8-year-old female Kisa.
The Detroit Zoo
reports that Amur
Photo Kelly Anne Berg/
Courtesy of Detroit Zoo
tiger breeding season
typically runs from
January through April but ovulation can occur
every three to nine weeks, allowing for yearround breeding. The usual gestation period is
approximately three-and-a-half months, after
which an average of two cubs is born.
Kolyma is named for the region in Russia
where the Amur tiger is found, and arrived
from the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin.
Eye on Elephants
In other animal zoo news, elephants are
making headlines in the Netherlands. A Dutch
zoo has become the first in Europe to fit a
contact lens on an elephant’s eye. An elephant
in the Artis Zoo of Amsterdam had injured her
eyes, reported the Irish Times newspaper. The
zoo’s veterinarian was able to fit a contact
lens on the eye. The hardest part, said the
veterinarian to the paper, was the height to
reach the eye. She used a ladder!
Michigan Skaters Tops
Michigan has long been a home to super
skaters with several training centers here that
have sent the skaters to Olympic Games. In
the recent U.S. Figure Skating Championships,
several skaters won medals. Jeremy Abbot of
the Detroit Skating Club won the men’s title.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the Arctic
Figure Skating Club in Canton won the title
in the ice dancing competition. Alissa Czisny,
also of the Detroit Skating Club, won the silver
medal for women in figure skating.
School Lunch Rules
Last month, the kids at Parklawn
Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia had
celebrities stopping by the cafeteria, including
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, First Lady
Michelle Obama and celebrity cook Rachel
Ray (pictured below). Why the big visit? It
was the kickoff of
the new government
school lunch rules,
signed into law by
the president in
2011. You’ll see
the changes, too,
which mean the
cafeterias will offer
more whole-grain
rich foods, only fatfree or low-fat milk
and more fruits and
vegetables.
USDA Photo by Bob Nichols
KIDS MAKING NEWS
Teen Has Home
We wrote about Samantha Garvey last month. The homeless teen and her family have now moved into a three-bedroom house, provided with
help from a special program in New York. She also made an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and received a scholarship check, as well
as being a guest at President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech. Although she didn’t make it to the final round in the Intel Science Talent
Search, she told, MSNBC, “I have had all these amazing opportunities. Just the fact that I was able to apply is winning in itself.”
Compiled by Cathy Collison
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Think About Art
Each artist of a Valentine has a personal style of
drawing a simple shape — a heart. One artist the Yak
knows uses a heart for a heart-shaped face.
Be aware of and experiment with other shapes when
you draw. Try using one shape — for example a
triangle — and see what you can make of it.
By William Wilson, 10, Detroit
By Maleah Jones, 10, Detroit
By Jose Carreon, 10, Detroit
See more art online
in the Yak Art Gallery
at www.yakscorner.com
By Gabriel Merino, 9, Detroit
By Kylie Laginess, 8, Allen Park
By Rogelio Garcia, 9, Detroit
Send us
your art
By Daniela Diaz, 9, Detroit
By Jada Williams, 9, Detroit
Draw on only white 8 -by-11 paper and use bright colors. Be sure to print your name, age, city and phone
number clearly on the back of your drawing. Send your art to Yak’s Corner Art, c/o DNIE, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd.,
Detroit, MI 48226
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8 Thursday, February 9, 2012
MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
brought to
you by:
Yak’s
take-home page
Say ‘I’m In’ to Bus Safety
K
eeping students safe is one of the top
priorities in Detroit Public Schools.
That’s why the district is launching a
new campaign to raise awareness about the
importance of safety on school buses.
The campaign slogan is: “Say I’m In to Bus
Safety.”
As part of the campaign, staff members
from the DPS Office of Student Transportation,
bus companies, and other district offices
have been visiting schools and holding safety
assemblies with students.
During the assemblies, the team shows
video clips of that school’s bus routes,
allowing students to see how they are
conducting themselves on the bus. The
students and staff review bus safety rules from
the DPS Student Code of Conduct Handbook.
“We want our students to act the same
way on the bus that they would in their
parents’ cars,” said Alvin Wood, Assistant
Superintendent for Detroit Public Schools.
“We need our young people to understand the
importance of bus safety and following rules at
all times. They must make the right decisions
on the bus, just as they would in the classroom
because their safety on the bus ultimately
affects their academic success.”
“We shouldn’t do things to distract the bus
driver,” Nhakiya Parker, a 13-year-old student
at Farwell Elementary-Middle School, said after
a bus safety assembly. “We shouldn’t fight. We
shouldn’t walk around. And we shouldn’t throw
stuff because it could distract the bus driver.”
The bus safety team stresses that students
riding the bus must follow the same rules in the
Student Code of Conduct handbook that they
follow in school. Some of those rules are:
Q&A
Test your knowledge:
What is the new bus safety campaign
slogan?
What are some of the tips to remember
when you are waiting for a bus?
Students from Farwell Elementary-Middle School
say “I’m In!” to Bus Safety. If students at Farwell
Elementary-Middle School showcase good behavior on
the bus for 30 days, they will be rewarded with a pizza
party.
• Avoid any behavior that is harmful to
yourself or others.
• Show respect for staff and fellow
students.
• Follow directions at all times.
• Use only acceptable and courteous
language.
• Do not engage in name-calling, fighting,
harassment, or attempts to embarrass others.
Bus Safety Tips:
1. Leave plenty of time to get to the bus
stop.
2. Remain alert at all times. Don’t listen to
music, text, talk on your cell phone.
3. Make sure the driver can see you at all
times by staying 10 giant steps away from the
outside of the bus.
For more Bus Safety Tips, go to
www.firststudentinc.com/school-bus-tips
Source: First Student
How many “giant” steps should you
stay away from a bus?
Build skills for
reading – tips to try
Think of more bus safety tips that you
can share with your friends. Write down
five things students should NOT do on
the bus.
Source: Detroit Public Schools