It’ s time for you to meet the fresh and talented writer, Cornelia Smith! Originally hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Cornelia has overcome numerous trials and challenges in her life.  From living in urban poverty, to being raised in a single parent household, and being exposed to traumatic events such as watching her mother get shot and suffer a bullet wound, Cornelia’s strength & determination is beyond admirable. Prior to attending Carver High School, she became a member of the national honor society, Principal’s list and remained in the top ten percent of her class during high school. Upon high school graduation , Cornelia decided to attend Everest College to become a medical assistant. However, the hopes of pursuing a career in nursing changed once she began to realize her ambitions for writing novels. As a result, she chose to pursue a career in writing and in less than two years she has developed ways to express the art of writing.  Now Cornelia is on the rise of publishing her first Novel entitled “Forever Sistah’s”. She has persevered continuously and even won song writing contests, has a demo published, and is diligently working towards implementing a book club.

Let’s get to know Cornelia a little better…

What first motivated you to become a writer?
I always had these stories come to me in a dream and I knew I wanted to tell them but it wasn’t until I read “The Coldest Winter” that I wanted to be a writer. I thought to myself after reading the book in only two days, I can do this, I know I can. From that moment on I wanted to write great fictions that made you feign for more, like I was after reading my first fiction.

Your book “Forever Sistah’s” is about five sisters facing life struggles with no support, where did the concept of your book originate from?
The concept of my book originated from my sisters and me. I am the fifth child of eight, my mother has six girls and two boys and growing up for us wasn’t easy. So I took some of our bad experiences and added in some of the joys I would like for us to experience.

Why is it important to have a family support system?
Two beliefs are better than one so it’s important to have a support system period but to have your family to support you, the people who seen you grow, know you personally & believe in you. It gives one a whole new confident and cockiness about going hard on your dream.

Being a teen can be tough when you’re growing up, what was the most vital lesson as a teen you learned that carried into your adult life?
I learned one teen struggle can be another teen’s paradise. As a teen you think you are the only one who is facing life head on, that no one is going through what you are going through or that no one understands. But the reality is life is not over and nine times out of ten someone has gone through the same problem as you if not worst. There is always someone who problem is far worse than yours and even as an adult I look at life that way. You think you got it bad think about the homeless or the people who are fighting cancer.

We all need inspiration throughout our lives, who do you look up to?
Maya Angelou, I love the way she brings the best out of words.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment to me means motivation, courage, it’s the strength someone or something gives you to want to succeed in whatever your goals or desires maybe. It’s like Maya Angelou poem “Phenomenal Woman” it motivates me to be sexy, strong, all while being confident. Every time I read it I feel empowered, like I can do anything.

Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist? Celeb Crush?

Hotwings, Rihanna-Diamonds & Jayz

Check out more Cornelia Smith here…

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Cornelia Smith

It’s January 2013, and for millions of high school seniors across the country THINGS JUST GOT REAL!!! It’s time to make some really tough decisions, one of which is determining whether to attend college. I understand the pressure that comes along with a decision of this magnitude, but if I’m answering the question, “Should I go to college?” on a multiple choice test, I’m selecting the last bubble that says “Not enough information.” There are several factors that should be considered when determining if college is the best move immediately after high school, but deciding how to finance an education is the most important factor.

According to finaid.org, 66%of undergraduates financed their education with loans. The average student loan debt after graduation is approximately $23,000. And considering that the average starting salary for college graduates in 2012 was $44,000, student loan debt could be a major strain on your finances as a young professional. Imagine working everyday to only earn 80% of your salary. If that sounds like a crappy deal, it is. So here are a few tips to help you avoid or reduce the need for student loans, so that when you graduate college you will be working for 100% of your money, minus taxes of course, but that’s a conversation for another day:
Be the best high school student you can be. Work for a 3.5 GPA or better. Participate in as many sports and extracurricular activities as possible because universities covet well rounded students and show their appreciation by offering them full scholarships. Student loans are not a problem for those who do not have them.

Prior to beginning the collegiate application process, know the field of study you want to pursue.
It is important to determine what your academic focus will be before choosing the school you want to attend. Many programs have funding to offer scholarships to students interested in certain disciplines. For example, the College of Business at a local state college may have scholarships available for students majoring in Supply Chain Management.

Consider an in-state school. According to The Department of Education, in-state tuition can save a student $10,000 a year. The cost effectiveness of college needs to be more important than the temptation to move away from home.

Understand that a 4-year college does not always translate to more money. Without scholarships or grants, it is possible that attending a four-year college may only translate to additional debt with no corresponding increase in take home pay.  Community college is a viable option for students who are undecided on a college major. Community colleges are less expensive than four-year colleges and they allow students to complete their core coursework.

Be cautious of “for-profit” colleges and vocational schools. According to the Department of Education, the average cost for a degree of less than two years at a for-profit school is $11,480 compared to $2,451 at a public school. The integrity of these schools is constantly in question as there have been concerns regarding the disclosure of costs and accreditation concerns.

Preparing for life after high school can be a stressful process. It is important to fight through the pressure and make non-emotional, well researched decisions. The ultimate goal of a college education is to help you land the job of your dreams or, at a minimum, just land a job. Don’t limit your financial potential by becoming dependent on debt whether it be for your education or otherwise. Being debt free is liberating and it is comforting to know that you can work, earn and keep 100% of your money, kind of…

-Courtney Hale

Hey Girls!

Willow Smith just put out a FRESH song  called “Sugar & Spice.” In this song she pours out her emotions and shows  that even though she’s famous she still feels vulnerable. It’s a very honest & dope record that shows others that we all go through similar situations no matter who you are or your background.

“I try to be sugar and spice,
But I’m melancholic and can’t do anything right
The monsters under my bed keep making noise and I,
I just want silence, silence
Why can’t try this”

Check it out!

What did you think about her NEW song?

Hey Gorgeous Girls!

Have you ever had a friend that needed to crash at your place because they didn’t have a stable place to live? Maybe their parents kicked them out or they just decided to leave home because  it was a negative environment? Did they ever reach out to any organizations to help find housing?

According to a new report, it shows homeless black youth are invisible to service providers.

The report, conducted with homeless white and black youth in California, found that homeless black youth are less likely to consider themselves homeless. Those surveyed often use terms like “couch surfing” instead, and often stay with a different friend or family member each night.

White youth are more likely to identify as homeless, and more likely to access services that cater to homeless populations (like food banks and shelters).

Co-authored by Colette Auerswald and Ginny Puddlefoot, the report suggests that language and definitions surrounding homelessness must be re-framed to include “unstable housing,” in order reach and support homeless African American youth.

From New American Media:

“I would say about half of the white kids that we work with have been able to access the HOT Team (Homeless Outreach Team) and have used it to get off of the streets. One black youth that we work with has been able to,” said Rob Gitin, director of At the Crossroads, and one of the panelists at the forum. “That plays into the issue of who self-identifies as homeless and who other people look at as homeless.”

In their report, Auerswald and Puddefoot acknowledge that prior to adopting the term “unstable housing,” they had difficulty even identifying African American homeless youth to participate in the survey. Based on their experience, they and other panelists agreed that the number of African American homeless youth in San Francisco and elsewhere is likely grossly underestimated.

Service providers in other urban areas have also noticed an increasing number of African American homeless youth. In Los Angeles, although African Americans are only 9.3 percent of the population, they make up 40 percent of the homeless youth population served by at least one of the major homeless youth organizations.

The report also calls for support services for Black families supporting homeless youth, and vocational services for young people looking for employment opportunities.

Read more at NewAmericanMedia.org

How can you help your peers get all the aid that’s available to them?

SPEAK OUT!

“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life. It’s a trip more

wonderful than I could have imagined.” -Kerry Washington

It liked it happened in slow motion. “He” walked over to you…. no he glided over to your locker as the final bell rung. You knew he was up to something because you caught him glancing at you a little too long in the middle of Mr. Jones notes. As he opened his mouth the only thing you could hear was “Like to go out Friday night?” Simply ignoring where he wanted to take you or what time, you shyly and cooly replied, “sure, why not?” He grins, turns the corner and secretly gives his boy who was eavesdropping a head nod to confirm you said “yes.” All you can do is tell yourself robotically “1. Stop staring after him. 2. Slowly close the locker 3. Please hold your scream until you reach your car.”

Ok so you made it through the 3 step process, called all your homegirls and let out a very high pitched scream in the solitude of your car, now what?? Now you have a week to digest it all and come down to earth. The thought of your crush asking you on your first date is still surreal and gives you butterflies on a daily basis. But for the next 4 minutes I need you to lock in so your nerves can float away and you can enjoy it!

Background Check-Ok, so after you nodded your head agreeing yes, you realized that you forgot what you even agreed to. Was it bowling, movies, a game? Uh oh time to recap. Before the date make sure you get all the details of where,what and time. Not only is it for your safety and helps preps him before he meets the parentals but it gives you a better vibe of the date. Now you can know what to look forward to and mentally prepare for it.

Perfect Fit!– So you got the full background check and now it’s outfit time!Now, you know you’re going bowling and then grabbing a bite to eat afterwards. So you and your girls can make a day of girls time before “the date” happens. Have a few of your girls come over pick a comfy but suitable outfit and it even gives you a chance to get some of your extra nerves out of the way! So now you’ll be fully ready with your date with your dream ‘guy!’ When you know you look fresh on the outside, you’re more likely to relax and be able to focus on your date and not your appearance.

Have Fun!!- So, let’s see I have a secret for you! Guess What??He’s just excited as you are Trust me! I let you in on this insider tip, so you can realize how fly you are and that your job is not impress but simply be yourself and have fun! Talk, laugh, get to know him and just let your naturally fabulousness shine thru! I know the nerves are going to be there at first, but simply enjoy it! Get to know him and see if there would be second.

-C.O.R.E Family

Wake up, Class, Practice, Homework, Facebook, Bed. How many of you know this common routine? The truth is we all can be sucked into a daily routine that can make our days go by quickly instead of enjoying them. It’s pretty scary on how you can easily get pulled in to your day to day responsibilities and forget that you’re still suppose to enjoy life as well. Making sure that you still have your peace of mind in a world full of assignments, teachers , boyfriends and parents is very important. Check out different ways how to remix your daily routine!

New Environment??– So you always leave school, jump in your car, go home, grab something to eat and then get started on your homework. Well, why don’t you change up your environment?? Instead of rushing home tell the parentals that you’ll do your home work at a local café or library. Sometimes homework doesn’t feel so much like work when you’re surrounded by others who are focused too. Think about it, it’s less likely the at you’ll be distracted by the TV or your comfy bed. And who doesn’t love a tastey lemonade or passion tea while doing algebra homework??

Make Yourself Smile– Ok so I know this may sound a tad bit corny but think about it…How often do you take yourself too seriously?? Sometimes the best way to shake up your routine is to simply loosen up. So if it’s cracking up at a joke you remembered that your friend told your or doing a random dance break in the middle of your pile of homework, laughter is the best medicine in breaking up your routine. It serves as a reminder to simply have fun in life!

A Gift for Me!– Yes! You! You sometimes deserve to treat yourself. Even though parents don’t always admit how difficult it is to balance classes, extra-curricular activities, chores and a part time job, they do realize it! So yes, you deserve to give yourself a pat on the back for keeping your head above water during your busy days. So if it’s taking a walk at your fave park or grabbing your special treat at your local bakery, sometimes you just need to treat yourself!

-C.O.R.E Fam

Check out Reginae Carter’s Fresh Style!

5…4…3…2…1…Take off! That is what the beginning g of your day feels like until you get to unwind from a hard day of school and practice late in the evening. Going nonstop is not only exhausting but can tear down your health if you’re not eating right. You’re on a budget and need some healthy snacks to keep your fuel going to get through to two tests and cheerleading practice. No, worries check out 5 healthy snacks for under 5 dollars…

Fruit– Yes, fruits are one of the healthiest and affordable snacks to throw in your bag and go. Either buying a bag of apples or a bunch of grapes at the beginning of the week or just buying a new fruit daily in the café, they are both filling and you do not have to worry about going over your budget for it.- $0.99- $2.99

Smoothies– Ok, so fruit is a little too boring for your taste! Ok so time to blend! Just gather either 2 or 3 of your fave fruits,veggies,ice and create a smoothie. You would be surprised how full you would get off a good ole’ smoothie. $4.50-$5.00

Nuts- Walnuts, Peanuts, cashews…all you can snag under 5 dollars. Toss a bag or a can in your bag and you will make it through the day without starving but will are keep your heart ,hair and nails healthy. Also they contain tons of protein. – $0.99-$3.50

Whole Wheat Pretzels- Time to start crunching and grab for the bag of pretzels! Pretzels not only fit in you price range but whole grain pretzels add fiber to your diet. Fiber is important for a healthy digestive system, and most teens don’t get enough -$1.50-$4.00

Trail Mix-If you need a mixture grab or even make trailmix. You can just blend one cup each of two different whole grain cereals, like whole grain Cheerios and Shredded Wheat. Add one cup of mixed nuts and one-half cup of raisins or other dried fruits-$3.50- $5.00

-C.O.R.E Family