My Website




I have always been interested in photography, so when it was time for me to choose a capstone, I had already made my mind up. The focus of my project was to learn about an art that is starting to make a come back, known as film photography. I received multiple mini lessons from Mr. Herman and a few other people, showing me the depth of a film camera compared to a digital camera. A photo exhibit in the pool will be coming soon, as I want to showcase what I have learned in an interesting fashion.

Advisor: Zoe Siswick

Mentor: Susan Butterwick

Click here to view my blog.​


Abstract: 
There are many questions that people have because not many know about rowing. To help increase the knowledge of rowing and the struggle of being an African-American, female rower, I’ve created a blog. This blog answers general questions non-rowers have, it shares my own personal thoughts on rowing, my growth with rowing, and more. Creating this blog has helped me think back to how I’ve grown as a person thanks to SLA and rowing for providing me a supportive environment and learning what it means to be responsible and have dedication with a positive attitude. My research for this project begun the second I joined PCR back in 2010. I knew nothing about rowing when I first joined and it’s literally taken me 3 years to completely understand rowing. 

Bibliography:

1. Kitch, Bryan. "Rowing Related." Rowing Related. Bryan Kitch, 2010. Web. 31 May 2013.

This is a blog that comments on huge rowing events  such as the IRA National Championship Regatta and Dad Vails. Going through this blog helped showed me what is going on in the rowing community outside of PCR's bubble. This also gave me a general idea of what a rowing blog should look like.

2. "Rowing Journal." Rowing Journal. N.p., 2013. Web. 31 May 2013.

3. ScullerX. "The CrossFit Rowing Blog." The CrossFit Rowing Blog. N.p., 24 Feb. 2010. Web. 31 May 2013.

This blog is very similar to my own. However, this one touches more on the actual workouts ScullerX does. This blog encourages me to add video and pictures rather than just words on my own blog. This also showed me how I should type my blog post. Like how to phrase different things.

4. Fay, Devin. "The Bates Rower." The Bates Rower. N.p., 18 May 2009. Web. 31 May 2013.

This is another blog used to influence how I phrase different things in my blog. This blog was a little different than the other blogs I looked at because it allowed a couple of people to post on the blog. So the wording changed between different blog posts. This blog also includes the race results from the regattas Bates competed at. It was interesting because my coach rowed for Bates.

 

5. "Philadelphia City Rowing." Philadelphia City Rowing. Philadelphia City Rowing, 2011. Web. 31 May 2013.

This is the website for my team. I took some information about PCR from this website whenever I found it hard to explain a certain thing.

6. Peters, Libby. PCR First Season. 2010. video. Youtube, Philadelphia. Web. 31 May 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3O4Og6yla8>.

This video was created by my original coach when PCR first begun. I remember watching this video when it first came out and getting excited by seeing the results from my first year of rowing. This video also makes me happy because I find it inspirational that we've come so far in the past 3 years.

7. Philadelphia City Rowing- Fall 2011. 2011. video. Youtube, Philadelphia. Web. 31 May 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJDXhf3aMek>.

This video was created by the girls novice coach, Annie, last year. 

8. Slack, Peter. Philadelphia City Rowing (short).mov. 2012. video. Youtube, Philadelphia. Web. 31 May 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2baUhyG2UqU>.

I remember when this video was created because it was the first time an outside person actually wanted to make a video about us. This was used with a goPro and it only films the boys.

9. "Rowing Terminology." T.C William High School Crew. Alexandria Crew Boosters Club, Inc., 2007. Web. 31 May 2013.

Non-rowers always have questions about rowing terminology because I agree that rowing gets pretty complicated. It was difficult to define each term in my own words without being confusing. 

I began creating pottery in Junior year of high school and the thought of breaking a piece or it falling to its fragmented end off the end of the counter was a painful idea at best. It takes so much time and love to throw a bowl or cup, trim the foot and fire it twice over. For it to survive as a functioning piece of ceramics was a marvel to me. 

All that changed when I began this project. 

When I considered what type of project to do, I knew I would enjoy something artistic, especially if it involved my new found love of ceramics

SLA has had a ceramics class for 5 years and over time beginner pieces have accumulated in the studio. Pots, plates, and vases of all colors and sizes were left behind by students to collect dust. 

It should be said that I'd only done small scale mosaics in various art classes over the years-- I have never even done any piece of artwork this large. Using the 30-40 pieces left over from the ceramics class, I created a 13.5 sq ft mosaic. 

When I work with ceramic I am reminded that nothing is permanent and anything can be repurposed to make something completely new. The concept of recycling or "up-cycling" these pieces was a major concept for this project. I begin a piece by making many designs. I like having options and then choosing the one that speaks to me most. The design that I settled on, the silhouetted skyline of Philadelphia, was first and foremost something that means a lot to me, but also a manageable design for a beginner like myself. 

A combination of smashing the pieces with a hammer and throwing them into cardboard boxes allowed me to make usable tiles for the mosaic. 

When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of vitality-- I don't feel anything but excitement for this project. Many times, I found myself most productive during the night time. My house was quiet and it felt like I was in my own little world. I never felt tired until I finished what I set out to do in a session of work. 

There is a sense of finality that comes with mosaic art because once it is glued and grouted it is permanent and cannot be changed. It was a huge challenge for my perfectionism because I had to sort through many tiles that were less than perfect and choose to use them. It was the beauty of recycling tiles instead of using tesserae- the unusual shape and thickness gives the piece its life. 

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Malik Tlili

ABSTRACT
For my capstone I decided to think outside of the box. The beginning of the 2nd quarter a guest speaker from the “Women’s way” organization inspired me to help make a change in the world starting with my community. My goal is to enlighten my community about sex trafficking in the US and heavily emphasize awareness of sex trafficking in Philadelphia. Before doing so I researched the topic and discovered a lot of newfound information. Sex Trafficking targets a specific group of individuals while creating an environment that surrounds the victim that makes it difficult for the victim to make their own decisions. I have decided to specifically enlighten the underclassmen with all of the new research I have found. On December 24, 2012 House Bill 235 mandated the advertisement of the Nation Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. Since then I have printed out hundreds of flyers and distributed them to my community as well as informing them about the hotline and it's benefits. My senior capstone is to document how well a community can come together in order to achieve a goal of creating a safe environment for victims of sex trafficking.


Annotated Bibliography

Blancarte, Jody. "Anti-Trafficking Program." SafeHorizon (2013): n.pag. Safe Horizon. Web. 31 Jan 2013.

<http://www.safehorizon.org/index/what-we-do-2/anti-trafficking-program-13.html?gclid=CMiSwOvpkrUCFVCd4AodSF8A9g>.

 Safe Horizon is an organization that provides alarming facts on sex trafficking in the U.S. It also provides a thorough description of what exactly sex trafficking is. This source is what framed the type of organization we would like to collaborate with.

 Vejar, Ellis. "Sex Trafficking In America." For the Sake of One (2012): n.pag. FSO. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.FortheSakeofOne.org/>.

This source has interactive features that make you view sex trafficking in obscure ways. This source provided me with more personal stories and information on sex trafficking in America. I used these stories in the awareness presentation my partner and I are creating.

Padmore , Theda. "Human Trafficking is an international problem." Active Activism with Global Impact (2013): n.pag. The Defender Foundation. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://thedefenderfoundation.org/>.

This organization is the second largest enterprise in the Nation. It targets the most vulnerable victims (ranging from 4 – 19) and provides shelters and other essentials that these girls are deprived of. This source is incorporated into my final project to provide the sense of variety for change. This is one of many organizations that are conveniently available.

Brooke , Axtwell. "Selling American Girls: The Truth About Domestic Minor Sex-Trafficking." Forbes (2013): n.pag. She Negotiates. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/shenegotiates/2012/12/03/selling-american-girls-the-truth-about-domestic-minor-sex-trafficking/>.

This article is written on how women are “sold” all around the nation. It calculates how much on average these people make and how human trafficking has become so large in the black market. It provides statistics on how these women are taken out of society and given a price. This is just extra information for our presentation.

Glenn , Booker. "Advocacy and Public Policy." Message Agency (2013): n.pag. Women's Way. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://womensway.org/advocacy>.

Women’s Way is the organization we are going to partner with. It provides an advocacy program that overall empowers women. Women’s way also works with domestic violence (sex trafficking), which is what our capstone is heavily focused on. They provide clothing and other essential items that the victims of domestic violence (sex trafficking) lack.

Renata , Nicoulin. "The Victims." Polaris Project (2013): n.pag. A World Without Slavery. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/overview/the-victims?

This source provides inside stories from victims of sex trafficking. It includes how someone is targeted to the struggles of overcoming their obstacles. The stories from the Polaris Project acquire inspiration in the final presentation.

ALEX, WIGGLESWORTH. "Officials discuss why Phill'ys 'poised to become major hub of human trafficking'." Club Metro (2012): n.pag. Metro U.S.. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.metro.us/philadelphia/local/article/1157934--officials-discuss-why-philly-s-poised-to-become-major-hub-of-human-trafficking>.

This article discusses how Philadelphia must respond to the corrupt actions around us. Statistics show that law enforcements are not the first to respond to cases of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is popular in most common areas like restaurants, gas stations, and super markets. Philadelphia residents should be more aware and reporting what they see to the authorities.

Organ, Hugh, and Carl Hill. "Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition." PATCOALTION (2013): n.pag. Modern Day Slavery. Database. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.patcoalition.org/index.html>.

The Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition provides services to victims around the city of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition describes the misconception of sex trafficking and how it is modern day slavery. This organization is in partnership with Women’s Way where they create foundations to help victims in the city.

Dunn, Mike. "Philadelphia Officials Probing Problem Of Human Trafficking Here." PHILADELPHIA(CBS) (2012): CBS PHILLY. Database. 31 Jan 2013. <http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/12/11/philadelphia-officials-probing-problem-of-human-trafficking-here/>.

This article is of the Philadelphia Official’s response to the rise of sex trafficking around the city. Many people around the city misunderstand the circumstances that women undergo. Also Philadelphia officials describe how to identify victims of sex trafficking and this incorporated into the final presentation.

Machuga, Laurence. "Man charged with human trafficking in Philadelphia." Local/State (2012): ABC Action News. Database. 31 Jan 2013. <http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story? section=news/local&id=8860941>.

This article is of a local in Philadelphia who was convicted of allegedly raping and forcing an underage teen into sex trafficking. This article provides the story of the young girl and how high the rates of sex trafficking in Philadelphia. This will be used in our presentation to help reach to students to be aware.

D. Kristof, Nicholas, and Sheryl WuDunn. Half the Sky. New York: Little, Brown Book Group, 2010. Print.

Nicholas D. Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn have first handedly experienced and viewed the issues/circumstances women in Asia and Africa go through. The Novel discusses the revolutionary actions taking place around the world such as Micro-credit. This Novel is what inspired the capstone as a whole.

Murtha, Tara. "For Americans in the Sex Trade, Still Little Hope Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/For-Americans-in-the-Sex-Trade-Still-Little-Hope.html?page=3&comments=1&showAll=.

This article discusses the journey of 20 year old Mimi living in New York. She has struggled through the sex-trafficking enterprise in New York and she enlightens the property on the inside look of the victims in sex trafficking. This article was used to research the prospective of sex trafficking.

Edel, Lionel. "Sex trafficking, prostitution & backpage ads." WHYY (2012): n.pag. RadioTimes. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/2012/03/16/sex-trafficking-prostitution-and-backpage-ads/>.

This source discusses sex trafficking not only in Philadelphia, but across the nation as a whole. The article discusses statistics of the amount of victims both boys and girls. It also provides alarming information of advertisements that promote sex trafficking. This source was use in order to get more information on sex trafficking in the U.S.

Ki-moon, Ban. "Human Trafficking - Modern Day Slavery." NOVA (2008): n.pag. Network of Victim Assistance. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.novabucks.org/humantrafficking.html>.

The NOVA organization provides a safe line for victims to call when in distress or in need of emergency. This network is a nationwide organization that provides hotlines and shelters for women and men to use. This source is used in the conclusion of our presentation where we will provide “options” for students to use.

Attorney Office, U.S. "Philadelphia Man Charged with Child Sex Trafficking ." Federal Bureau of Investigation (2012): n.pag. Philadelphia Devision. Web. 31 Jan 2013. <http://www.fbi.gov/philadelphia/press-releases/2012/philadelphia-man-charged-with-child-sex-trafficking>.

The Philadelphia Division recently convicted Rashaad McIntyre for childe pornography and sex trafficking. This bust was very recent, occurring on December 14, 2012. This raises the awareness that this is happening in our own city with great stealth. This source is used to disprove the belief of sex trafficking occurring in areas around local families.

 

​Loren Jenkins
SLA first offical Pep squad
(Dance and Step)
Mentor: Jasmine Taborn
Advisor: Zoe Siswick

As a founder, coach, and choreographer of SLA’s first Pep Squad, I can gladly say it was all worth it. I have been working on this team for my capstone, and own interest purposes. It’s been 2 years working on this club, and I have gained many exposure such as responsibility and patience. In order to be successful in an time consuming club you also learn how to manage time with school work and your personal life. These were just a few skills that I can for sure say better me to help me mature as a young women. 

During these two years of conducting pep squad we have became very successful. Both years were full of excitement with shows and contest. Especially, this year 2013 with the step team  and SLA first ever step show which happened to be more than a great success.  I have been preparing for this time for awhile, and the prepping was all worth it. Practices were held on Monday and Thursday or every day if we had a show coming up. They usually last for 2 hours. 

As a reflection to this I have created a strong sisterhood between each member and each member has created a sisterhood with each other. I was proud to see the eagerness, and the maturity developed that helped among all of us. I was glad to have brought girls from all ages, and grades from SLA to participate together in a positive youthful cub. I am thankful for all of my supporters, and mentors who were able to guide me while I was riding this road. I am excited to see what I have left here at SLA to become when I am gone.

For my project I focused on giving back to my SLA community. SLA has given me so much and I have also lived my life by giving back. I based my Capstone off the things I learned while being a part of City Year: City Heroes Program. For my project, I painted different pieces of art work around the school to encourage positive attitudes and to beautify the school. Doing this helps students to have better attitudes and to feel more part of a community that cares. There is three final products that are located around the school. For these pieces I led groups of students in prepping and painting. Through this project I learned more time management skills and got to put my leadership skills to the test to help make the school a prettier place to be. This project also helped me to leave a permanent imprint of me and my beliefs on the school community.  

Annotated Bib:

Paint it forward. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.homedepot.com/?cm_mmc=SEM|THD|G|BT1|HighVolumeExact&skwcid=TC|13614|home depot||S|e|9436124004&gclid=CPTc2ZOXk7UCFQLd4AodMyAAVQ

I used this website to help me find prices of supplies that I am going to need during my event. I also used it to get ideas of other materials I am going to need during the event. This helps give me an idea of things to get and the amount of money I need to have prepared before I walk into the store. This helps me be a smart shopper.

Never stop improving . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lowes.com/Paint/_/N-1z0yyfe/pl?goToProdList=true&UserSearch=paint&rpp=32

I used Lowe’s website to help me find prices of supplies that I know I am going to need during my event. I used two different sites so I was able to compare prices and buy supplies from the cheaper of the two stores, this helped so I was able to spend my money wisely and stay on my budget.

Art news. (2013, Jan 30). Retrieved from http://www.mutualart.com/

I used this site to help me get some basic art ideas that I can add into my murals that I am going to paint. This site talked about different artist and their range of styles. This helped give me different ideas to take when approaching cool art to put on the walls here at SLA.

Jonas, P. (2013, Feb 1). Interview by C.A Smtih [Personal Interview]., SLA.

For this project, I talked to Pearl Jonas about how she took part in past service projects through City Year Greater Philadelphia. She worked on the Corps team for the Young Hero Program in 2008-2009. I was able to ask her questions about her experience in planning the events and ask her for advice in planning my event.

City year: Give a year, change the world. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cityyear.org/CityYear/Home_New_2011/Home_A_2011.aspx

City Year is a program that I was a part of for four years. Every skill that I am using in this project, I have learned through City Year and the time I spent in their program. They have helped me gain and sharpen these skills in a way that now I am able to do my own type of service project on my own. City Year is my main resource of instruction when it has come to planning and preparing for this event.

Boddy-Evans, M. (n.d.). How to paint a wall mural . Retrieved from http://kiwaniskids.org/en/KKids/Serve/Planning_a_service_project.aspx

This site talked a lot about different ways to paint a mutual on a wall. It gave me ideas and suggestions of ways to approach this task. This is important because I have to make sure the sketches I put on the walls are good enough to be painted in and for people at SLA to take serious in a beautification sense.

Pegan, C. (2013, Jan 20). Interview by C.A Smtih [Personal Interview]., SLA.

Cheyenne is a good friend of mine, who has great artistic talent. She is going to help me create the sketches of the murals to be painted on the walls. We have sat down and talked about what these sketches should look like and what direction I am heading in by the theme of the sketches.

Utzig, M. (2013, Jan 20). Interview by C.A Smtih [Personal Interview]., SLA.

Marley is one of my best friends who has great doodling and lettering styles. Along with a mix of small murals, I am also going to be putting up a few quotes, these quotes are going to be written in different types of bubble letters. This is where Marley comes in, she is going to help me design the font and style of this quotes.

Planning a service project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://kiwaniskids.org/en/KKids/Serve/Planning_a_service_project.aspx

This site has given me pointers and ideas about how to go about planning my service event. This site is a guide to planning service events. This site has touched on things that had slipped my mind and has also retouched on some things that I already knew. By the site doing this, I was able to recognize what things were super important to making this event a success.

Dig Vid Crew. (2013, Feb). Interview by C.A Smtih [Personal Interview]., SLA.

On the day of my service project, I am going to have a few Dig Vid students come out and film the event. They are helping me create a few minute video that is going to document the event. This is going to capture the service taking place. I am going to use this video during my presentation to show the viewers a little bit of the actual service project happening.