Today
This Month in the World
Random Acts of Kindness
By Emily Green ('22)
February 13th-19th is Random Acts of Kindness week. Thursday, the 17th of February is Random Acts of Kindness Day.
When I was asked to write this, I was not completely sure how I could accurately convey my message about this week of Random Acts of Kindness. I did not want to be the cheesy person and say “go be nice to someone,” so it got me thinking. It made me reflect on what my actions towards others have been and the impact of the random intentional acts of kindness that I have been shown or given to others. The keyword, to me, is intentional. The intentional act to be kind to others. This is what the week of Random Acts of Kindness is all about. The little acts of service for others are what make a huge difference in people’s lives. I know in my experience, the little things mean the most, holding the door open for me, letting me borrow a pen, or letting me go first at the microwaves were all little things that brought so much joy. You never know when your little actions will and can make a huge difference in someone’s life. It was just the other day when I was at Target and one of the target workers told me they liked my jeans. That comment they made, made my day and well, obviously, had some sort of impact in my life. As Mother Teresa would say, “Do little things with great love.” I think that phrase really encapsulates the intention of this week. Whether it restores your faith in humanity, brings you joy or makes someone’s day. DO IT! It is so, so worth it. You never know when someone is having a bad day but your little acts of kindness can help to reverse that. So I urge you to take on the challenge of doing little acts of kindness each day. I know when I was given this topic to write about I thought of what I could do. I challenged myself to grow and show the kindness I have received from others to others.
So I extend the challenge to you, go out, be intentional and spread a little bit of kindness. If you don't know where to start, here are some suggestions:
Reply to someone’s story if you liked it!
See it, say it - if you see something about someone, say it! Complement them!
Write a handwritten note to someone!
Say hi to someone in the hallway that you normally wouldn't!
Write a thank you note to a teacher!
Bake your lunch table something!
Hold the door open when going up the stairs!
Ask someone how their day was!
Be polite on the road to someone!
Betty White Tribute
By Sarah Douglass ('23)
Ending 2021 on a bad note, on the last day of the year, Hollywood’s beloved Betty White passed away in her Los Angeles home, only 17 days before her 100th birthday.
Betty acted in several tv shows and movies, her top ones including “The Golden Girls,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Life with Elizabeth,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “The Proposal,” and was a voice actor in many kids movies like “The Lorax.” Betty White wrote several books, spanning from autobiographies to children’s books, including “Betty White IN Person,” “Here We Go Again: My Life in Television,” and “My Life at the Zoo: Betty and Her Friends.”
She was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. She started her acting career in the late 1930’s, and launched “Life with Elizabeth” in the early 1950’s. She was a producer on “Life with Elizabeth,” making her one of the first women producers in Hollywood. She was married three times, her most recent husband being Allen Ludden. He passed away in 1981 from stomach cancer, and was what Betty calls the love of her life. She had a deep love and connection with all animals, and she spent more than four decades working with the Los Angeles Zoo and the Morris Animal Foundation. She suffered a mild stroke 6 days before her peaceful passing in her sleep.
In her over 70 years as an actress, she has received 20+ Emmy nominations, 5 of which she won. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Betty White was the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live.
While we are sad to see her go, there’s no denying that she lived a successful, wonderful and loving life.
Betty White Tribute
By Sarah Douglass ('23)
Ending 2021 on a bad note, on the last day of the year, Hollywood’s beloved Betty White passed away in her Los Angeles home, only 17 days before her 100th birthday.
Betty acted in several tv shows and movies, her top ones including “The Golden Girls,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Life with Elizabeth,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “The Proposal,” and was a voice actor in many kids movies like “The Lorax.” Betty White wrote several books, spanning from autobiographies to children’s books, including “Betty White IN Person,” “Here We Go Again: My Life in Television,” and “My Life at the Zoo: Betty and Her Friends.”
She was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. She started her acting career in the late 1930’s, and launched “Life with Elizabeth” in the early 1950’s. She was a producer on “Life with Elizabeth,” making her one of the first women producers in Hollywood. She was married three times, her most recent husband being Allen Ludden. He passed away in 1981 from stomach cancer, and was what Betty calls the love of her life. She had a deep love and connection with all animals, and she spent more than four decades working with the Los Angeles Zoo and the Morris Animal Foundation. She suffered a mild stroke 6 days before her peaceful passing in her sleep.
In her over 70 years as an actress, she has received 20+ Emmy nominations, 5 of which she won. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Betty White was the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live.
While we are sad to see her go, there’s no denying that she lived a successful, wonderful and loving life.
National Cancer Prevention Month
By Elizabeth Hunt ('23)
National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month is a lesser known, but no less important, national yearly event. Cancer is defined as a “disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body” and is, unfortunately, incurable (Oxford Dictionary). However, I’m not here to discuss what cancer is—as many already have an idea—but rather to advise you on ways to decrease your risks. It is not enough to simply know about cancer, it is necessary to take action against it. So whether you have a family history of cancer or not, it is still important to understand what factors help increase your risks of this genetic condition and hopefully avoid them.
To begin with, let’s list some of factors that have been scientifically proven to increase the risk of cancer:
Infections - Some viruses can disrupt biological signals that help to keep cell growth in check while also weakening your immune system and make you more susceptible to cancer-causing infections.
Cigarette Smoking and Tobacco Use - Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco make it harder for cells to repair any DNA damages.
Radiation - Radiation, such as ultraviolet light from the sun, may disassemble atoms and cause DNA damage in cells, resulting in side effects including cancer.
Black History
Black History - An Interview With Gabriella Beckham
By Alexandra Perez ('23)
February is Black History Month and to honor and educate ourselves I interviewed Senior Gabriella Beckham. Gabriella holds several leadership roles in the African American Culture Club here at Incarnate Word Academy, she is Vice President and also helps with Public Relations. Black History Month began in 1926 as a way of remembering important people and events. Gabriella was asked, “What would you say Black History Month means to you?” to which she responded that “Black History Month is a way of remembering and celebrating those leaders who did so much for us in the past. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X are all examples of the people we celebrate during the month of February.” This is truly another way of celebrating and honoring their accomplishments that they achieved despite their hardships in life.” As Gabriella puts it best, “The accomplishments that they achieved in spite of the racial injustices which they experienced calls for a month to celebrate.”
When asked, “How would you say being the Vice President and Public Relations officer for The African American Culture Club has helped you and what does it mean to you?” Gabriella replied, “Reflecting on my time with the club, I can conclude that this environment at IWA is just one of the things that has helped me to be able to improve and grow by molding me into a well rounded individual.” She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities given to her in the club, and the lasting bond she will have with the members long after she graduates. Gabriella shared that the sisterhood she has built has taught her what it means to be a true friend and a true role model for others. Recently, she has been using her platform in the club to talk about the importance of Black History Month, and what it truly means. “We acknowledge the struggles of the black individual, while also celebrating their achievements,” Gabriella said.
Black Owned Businesses in Houston
By Amelie Dinh ('23)
If you’re looking to support Black-owned restaurants and find your next delicious meal, look no further than here! Compiled below are some Black-owned restaurants in Houston. Click on the links to read more!
A popular, breakfast food cafe known for its delicious soul food
A casual restaurant located in the Museum District, famous for its, you guessed it, turkey legs
Inspired by culinary family tradition, Lucille’s boasts delicious Southern food passed down through the ages
Favoring not only a beautiful open-air location but also gourmet vegan sandwiches, juices and smoothies
A cool jazz lounge to sit back and enjoy live music or comedy shows along with Cajun-Creole food
Calling all cheese lovers, one of Houston’s favorite food trucks that takes wild spins on all the classic sandwiches
A woman-run bakery, offering not only delicious baked goods but also vegan options as well
Dedicated to bringing you the best doughnuts in Houston, Glazed features handmade, specialty doughnuts
The perfect place to relax or to study while enjoying a nice cup of coffee
A pop-up food truck that unlocks childhood memories and new flavors with its deluxe funnel cakes.
A long-standing cafe perfect for a chill afternoon with quality coffee and warm baked goods
Women's History
Black Owned Businesses in Houston
By Danielle Bartholet ('23)
To highlight for Women’s History Month 2022, Ruth Badger Ginsberg’s story of success and triumph in the field of law continues to inspire new generations of women to break barriers and challenge the accepted beliefs. Ruth Bader Ginsberg, also known as RBG, was born in New York in 1933. She graduated top of her class at Cornell before attending Harvard Law school with her husband Martin Ginsberg. There she was one of nine women in a class of 500 people. She was the first female member of the Harvard Law Review and graduated top of her class from Columbia Law after transferring there for her last year of school. Despite these achievements, she had difficulty finding a job, and even when she did she was paid a lower salary than men in the same position. In the 1970s, she directed the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, in which she argued six landmark cases in the Supreme Court. She fought against discrimination for both the women and men who’d been left behind by society. She was appointed as a US Supreme Court justice by President Bill Clinton in 1993.
Ginsberg used a direct and calculated approach when battling gender discrimination to send messages to the US legislatures. She believed that change should come from Congress rather than the courts. She was active in Court despite all challenges until her recent death on September 18, 2020.