The Dangers of Online Teen Dating

By ANGELICA SANCHEZ Maryanne DeJesus started dating at age 11. That was five years ago. But Maryanne, now 16, learned a lesson: “Don’t start dating online,” she said. “Online dating is dangerous because the person you’re actually talking to can actually be way older than you. In many cases, the start of teen dating comes somewhat with a learning curve–teens may simply not know what they are getting themselves into. Statistics show five percent of online sex predators pretend to be teenagers, according to Online Safety Site, a group that offers outreach in how to protect oneself from the Internet.

Questioning One’s Faith Often Leads With Tough Decisions

By ANGELINNA VERAS Jada Cuveras is a teen attending the Academy of Mount St. Ursula High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Bedford Park, who doesn’t believe that God truly loves us all. “I think He has favorites and chooses who to care for and love,” Jada said when asked about her faith, which she admits is at an all-time low. It seems that attending a Catholic school has not helped her faith at all. “I’m grateful, but I also think He has favorites like the people who are wealthy and are in good health,” Jada said. And in some cases, the loss of faith, or

Fighting With Parents: a Phase Marking the Start of Adolescence

By PAMELA VENTURA About three years ago, Rubi Ventura, 13, went out with her friends. She claims her curfew was set for 10 p.m., though she arrived home at midnight. According to her, the trains were delayed. As soon as she gets home her mother is up waiting for her. That’s when it started. Soon a war of words ignited. They could not agree on anything and it only got worse. “We don’t have a close connection,” said Rubi. “We’re always fighting. She doesn’t understand me.” The kind of argument that is commonplace in Bronx households–adolescents reaching an age of

Bronx School Students Turn Down School Lunch for Junk Food

By LIZIE MENSAH They starve. They eat chips. They drink soda and embrace the sweet life of junk food. It is all they want. But, for some students, it’s their only option since they’re exposed to, in their opinion, the unappealing school lunch that they couldn’t help but turn down. This often creates the un-nutritious cycle that can follow a teen to adulthood. For some students, school lunch isn’t that bad. But for others, the disgust for school lunch is real. That’s the case for Jada Colon, 15, a current freshman at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula (AMSU) High

Even at All-Girls Schools, Females Become Foes and Abandon Sisterhood

By IMANI MALITI Last year, Nyasha Francis, 14, attending the Academy of Mount St. Ursula High School, an all-girls school, was in a school-wide spelling bee. She ultimately won against all her peers from the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. When she returned to class, her female teacher exclaimed, “Wow! You’re the top girl in the school.” But the compliment drew aggression from her friend, a female student who went to the same school. It dragged her down, particularly since the hostility came from a friend she admired. This ongoing problem often can play out among rivaling female teens, particularly

By DAVID CRUZ The latest edition of the Norwood News is hitting 300 locations throughout the northwest Bronx this morning, and it’s loaded with plenty of community news you can use. Here are some stories that can grab you: We begin what’s been happening in the neighborhood’s long running story: developments at the Kingsbridge Armory. Haydee Camacho delves into the story focusing on some folks wishing the Community Benefits Agreement tied to the Kingsbridge Armory Ice Center would have been fleshed out better. Worth a read. Valentine Avenue neighbors are still reeling over the death of a teen who plunged

Norwood In Pictures

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Latest Edition Of The Norwood News Hits Stands, and Online

By DAVID CRUZ The Norwood News is out with 24 pages of community news you can use, happenings and other nuggets of information. What’s intriguing about this edition (just coincidence really) is it’s heavily park-related. Makes sense, given all the parks that Norwood has been afforded these days. We begin with a push to restore some infrastructure issues at Mosholu Parkway, with representatives from the local institutions urging the community for some momentum in getting elected officials to commit to restoring the parkway. Find out what went on at a March 25 community meeting. One of our more attractive features this edition

2015 Participatory Budgeting Projects – District 11

Education 1. P.S. 8 Auditorium Renovation I. $450,ooo II. Replace outdated seating in auditorium, which is almost 60 years old. Performances and community meetings are held in the auditorium throughout the year. III. 3010 Briggs Ave. (Bedford Park) 2. M.S./H.S. 141 Auditorium I. $375,000 II. Upgrade 55 year old auditorium used by 1,400 students and several other community organizations. Installation of new stage drapes and replacement of wooden seats in disrepair. III. 660 W. 237th St. (Riverdale) 3. P.S. 7 Cafeteria Upgrade I. $200,000 II. Install a roof air conditioning unit to cafeteria. There is only one wall of outside