The NYC Subway Station Terror Attack

The New York City Subway Terror Explosion:

The Ones Who Are Effected

By Ryan Ngala

New York (STN News) – The transit commuters were having a hectic day during a subway explosion that injured many people at Times Square between 7th and 8th Avenues in connection with the transit hub connected to the Port Authority Bus Terminal as trains are still bypassing that is still in effect for the subway lines of (A) (C) (E) (1) (2) (3) and (7), calling this as a terror attack in New York City history.

This has been the second time and several many months, New York City the scene of a terror attack, but this time the target commuters in the nation’s busiest subway system, but New Yorkers nowadays are seem to be used to it, that bomb went off in the subway walkway in 8th Avenue’s Port Authority Bus Terminal as it was strapped to a terror suspect.

Many people suffered minor injuries bringing it to a total of five, while the man is still in police custody for planning a pipe bomb underneath the underground subway transit system as it detonated at about 7:20 a.m. in the passageway Monday morning between subway lines that runs a full city block under 42nd Street between seventh and eighth avenues.

The suspect who planned the attack was twenty seventh year old Ahkayed Ullah

who attached himself with the bomb and has suffered minor injuries and was later taken into the hospital, a former livery driver from Bangladesh who lives in Brooklyn, is in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital tonight, many people where hurt in this blast, as chaos erupted underground subway service is restored through Times Square and Port Authority now backup and running as the passageway is still an active crime scene and remains closed.

From the suspect, to the investigation to your commute route,

what do we know as confirmed sources tells STN New York and STN News that he was a student, and we don’t know what kind of a livery cab driver he was either, as he had that job but he isn’t the type that will make a pipe bomb maker, the pipe bomb that he confessed to the police today as he was building, carrying, and detonating here at the Port Authority causes no life threatening injuries but police said it was not for a lack of crime.

Anti Terror police scrambled to the Port Authority Bus Terminal this morning a muscular show of force and deathness as K-9 units sweep nearby buildings just to make sure that the threat was over, after a man detonated a pipe bomb underground,

“I just heard a big sound like there was smoke coming from the station, I came out of there” – Said Christina Bathea as a eyewitness to the scene,

James Ramirez eyewitness the scene as it hear what happened he said,

“The door was open up as people planned to start rushing out the police was all behind them as they say ‘Everybody out of the building, Everybody out of the building’ so I just got to the other side of the building and got out away from the scene on 8th Ave as fast as I could got away from the crowded people as fast as I could, I didn’t know what else was going to happen”.

According to the Port Authority CCTV footage, Police said 27 year old Ahkayed Ullah was walking the tunnel that connects 7th avenue and 8th avenue alongside 42nd street when he detonated a homemade bomb that he built,

“This male was wearing a improvised low tech explosive device, that was attached to his body, he intentionally detonated that device“ – said NYC Police Commissioner James O’ Neill,

“The device is based on a pipe bomb, it was a fixture with a combination of velcro and zip ties“ said NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller,

But the bomb it self didn’t start off very well as it seriously injured the man who police said built it, carried it and detonated it to 27 year old Ahkayed Ullah, the other four now total up to five others sustained minor injuries, but luckily no one was killed, but sources said he told police he was a supporter of ISIS and was radicalized watching videos produced by the group online.

“We are the statue of liberty, in our harbor and that makes us an international target“ – said Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo,

“We have prevented a significant number of plots, a significant number of attacks, but this is a fact of life for whether if you are in New York or London or Paris, the question is Will it happened here? And the answer is and will be it can happened anywhere” – John Miller added.

The police said Ullah is the ultimate lone wolf, They said he talked about his plans with nobody at all, he went online, first watch videos and then follow instructions on how to make a pipe bomb unfortunately for commuters here today he wasn’t very good at it.

The mayor also made a statement in remarks of the Subway Station Terror Attack

stating “The terrorists will not win. We are going to keep being New Yorkers”.

The Second Avenue Subway: All Aboard To The Three New Stations Up & Running

The Second Avenue Subway: E 96th, 86th & 72nd Street Stations Resume On New Years Day Grand Opening

By Ryan Ngala

Digital Reporter, STN News

[Upper East Side, New York] Finally The Wait Is Over, As The Highly Anticipated Second Avenue Subway Will Open On 3 New Stations, Many People Doubt That It Will Never Happen, But As Many People Except To One Day Come True, But In Reality I Will Believe It When I See It Come To Pass, As The Stations Will Resume To Be Opening At Noon.
After Years Of Building In The Underground Railroad On The Upper East Side Of Second Avenue, Train Workers and Construction workers have worked their way around the clock, as they build the ultimate subway station that will one day run on the New York City Transit System in twenty seventeen of the month in January.
The First Phase Of The Project Completes The Final Steps Of Building The East 96th Street, 86th Street And 72nd Street Stations with an all new Glass Design Featuring Not Only Escalators But Also Subway Elevators For Each Individual Subway Station, As The New York City Police And The State Of New York Officers Are Beefing And Tighten Up Station Entrance For The Opening Of The New Three Stations 72nd, 86th & 96th Street Lines.
It’s the largest expansion in the system in 50 years, expanding more than thirty blocks and costing roughly $4.6 Billion Dollars, that had been rejected so many times over the years, It has first been proposed in 1920, then it has been delayed in the 1930’s, 1940’s & 1970’s that the skepticism are remained high long after the second ave subway project construction restarted In 2007.
The MTA Announces The Introduction Of The New Second Avenue Subway, Starting With The Q Line Service Beginning At The 96th Street Subway Station as New Yorkers and tourists gets excited to be into the subway station to get a front row seat, On Monday, January 9th, 2017 late night service will begin from 10PM through 6AM, shortly going from between Coney Island – 57th Street – 7 Avenue uptown to downtown on second avenue, and for the early morning rush at 6AM – 10PM service from 96th Street – 2 Avenue.
As I walk up my way to 63rd Street & 2nd Avenue I saw the glass design as it came about very much perfect and ready to go as the billboard calling the Q Line Service quote “Second Avenue Subway: Upper East Side to Coney Island A one-seat ride” end quote and showing it on the subway map as an example of where the Q line would travel to and from as it reach to it’s destination.
Many businesses from second avenue would have there hands full with customers, as for many who get off from the second avenue subway station, from not only restaurants but also in supermarkets too as for many who will be posting it on Social Media as they follow the Second Avenue Subway Social Media Page On Twitter.com/2ndAvenueSubway, Using the hashtag #SecondAvenueSubway, #FirstRide & #MyRide, this will become the greatest second avenue subway station, not only for New York City but also in New York State.
Copyright © Student Television Network Media Publication. All Rights Reserved.

STN NEWS: Exclusive Interview With The Models At The OlaStyle Fashion Talent Show At The Webster Hall

  

5 – On – One Interview With Ryan Ngala

The Five Extraordinary Models Out Of 18 models speaks out about the fun they had at the Olastyle Fashion Talent Show At The Webster Hall. 

By Ryan Ngala
What makes five out of the best hottest girls who has guts to walked up upon the stage along with the thirteen other models right in front of them, that doesn’t take no chances in risking just to show off a thing or two while they strike a pose, now that’s what I like to called fashion girl power but with all say and done, These girls just took time off there busy schedule just to show what they got it takes to be in the Olastyle fashion talent show at the Webster Hall. 
Many photographers decided to take pictures with individual models right in front of them but knowing that they look so fashionably gorgeous in their stunning dress as they walked the Marlin Ballroom stage, Celebrity Fashion Designer Ola Hawatmeh designs each set of clothes for the fabulous 18 fashion models standing right behind her, but as these Five Models who were Anna Winter, Porcha Gordon, Claire Nam, Lori Spano and Rosy Ramchandani or Rosy R. for short speaks exclusively to STN News, about how was the event so important to them and how they can reach their fans out on social media. 
1. RN: What Is Your Age, Name And Where Are You From?
Porcha Gordon, Age: 26 Born In Houston,TX But Originally From The Bronx, NY | 
Anna Winter, Age: 26 Born In Sioux Falls, South Dakota But Originally From Astoria, NY | 
Lori Spano, Age: 38 Long Island, NY | 
Claire Nam, Age: 25 Korea | 
Rosy R, Age: 24 Queens, NY
2. RN: How was the event exciting for you at the Webster Hall?
AW: I love Ola Hawatmeh and wanted to work with her for the past year. 
PG: The event was awesome – I am very excited to be able to participate in the show. 
LS: A lot of fun, very friendly and very nice people. 
RR: I love that many of the photographers were here in show of support for us and the talent we bring at the Webster Hall. 
CN: I never imagine being on stage, and I really like the design of the dress that Olastyle made. 
3. RN: How Was It Like To Perform on the runway on this historic occasion?
AW: A very long final bow – very fun. 
PG: Amazing. 
LS: Really exciting and very liberating. 
CN: I love cool music and the flow, DJ plays the music and make everyone feel that they are here to celebrate for their own stuff. 
RR: It was amazing, fun and very different. 
4. RN: How was it like seeing a venue this big for you to perform in?
AW: We owned it and used all the space. 
PG: It was unlike any other experience. 
LS: Big room, small room is all the same. 
RR: It was really fun, interesting and neat. This is my first time modeling. 
CN: I like the way how the designer and model perform together at the same time, Fantastic. 
5. RN: Any Comments You Would Want To Add. (Ex. Social Media)
AW: My fans can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter at Http://www.Facebook.com/AnnaWinter | Http://www.Instagram.com/AnnaWinter119 | Http://www.Linkedin.com/pub/Anna-Winter/5b/601/a27/ | Http://www.Pinterest.com/AnnaWinter119/ | Http://www.Twitter.com/AnnaWinter11 
PG: Ola is an amazingly fashion designer and her line is just perfection. 

You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter:

Http://www.instagram.com/IamPorchaGordon, Http://www.Twitter.com/PorchaGordon 

And make sure you follow Ola Hawatmeh 

On Instagram At Http://www.Instagram.com/StyleOla. 
LS: I will love to do this again. 
RR: You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:
Http://www.facebook.com/modelrosy

Http://www.instagram.com/ImRosyR

Http://www.twitter.com/ImRosyR
CN: My website is www.ClaireNam.com | 

Follow me at Instagram on  

http://www.Instagram.com/Wasavvi | 

Follow me on LinkedIn on https://www.linkedin.com/pub/claire-nam/a6/646/8 | 

Follow Me On Facebook on https://www.facebook.com/clairewasavvi
During our interview now officially being over as I speak, all of the models are there being speak to other people of how the event went and what not and seeing that my time spending with them did not go to waste, My exclusive interview features one by a rap artist turn model named Barbee Eselebor (Whose Real named is Faith Jackson Eselebor according to RepeatingIslands.com). But no comment on Trish Ramado & James S. Ryan Or Ola Hawatmeh reaction of the event they went because it was such an amazing day. 

STN News Exclusive: Faith Jackson Eselebor A.K.A Barbee Eselebor Talks About The Olastyle Fashion Talent Show At The Webster Hall

Rap Star Barbee Eselebor Attends The Olastyle Fashion Talent Show 

At The Webster Hall

By Ryan Ngala

What if you imagine that a rapper wanting to become a fashion model with many photographers flashing their photos as she strike a pose, the 26 year old Faith Jackson Eselebor also known as Barbee Eselebor spoke to STN News exclusively about having herself a good time while she was at the event in support of Olastyle Fashion, as she was wearing a hoodie but she also has great talented right in front of her both in rapping and modeling skills. 

According to a website of RepeatingIslands.com, A United States – based actress, dancer, and singer Barbee Eselebor (whose real name is Faith Jackson Eselebor and whose parents hail from Jamaica and Nigeria), joins in suppport for the Olastyle Fashion Talent Show At The Marlin Ballroom In Webster Hall.

1. What Is Your Age, Name And Where Are You From?

BE: My name is Barbee Eselebor and I’m 26 years old. 

2. How was the event exciting for you at the Webster Hall?

BE: I love the event, it was smashing to me. 

3. How Was It Like To Perform on the runway on this historic occasion?

BE: I love it, It was an amazing historic moment to witness. 

4. How was it like seeing a venue this big for you to perform in?

BE: It was very inspiring to work even harder to get where I am to perform at the Webster hall, It was such a blast. 

5. Any Comments You Would Want To Add. (Ex. Social Media)

BE: The fans can follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/officialBarbee.  

While our conversation was over many photographers wanted to start taking more photos and also knowing that she is just an excellent woman at what she does, a dozen of gorgeous poses means a couple of photos from the photographers in an venue space for a special event Trish Ramado was the Host and Emcee for the Olastyle fashion talent show but out of all the models I seen, she will always be a one in a million. 

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18 Models Takes Center Stage At The Webster Hall

18 Models Takes Center Stage At The Webster Hall

The Dresses And Bikinis: Celebrity Designer Ola Hawatmeh Takes Over Center Stage And A Big Standing Ovation For The Love Of Fashion Designing

By Ryan Ngala

[New York, NY] Lights, Cameras, Action!!! The models are all set and ready to party, but the many of models they are in total, the more loud pack excitement the crowd will be having and as many photographers to start taking pictures with, this Webster hall event has a total of eight sections in all and so far the marlin ballroom is one of the most biggest venue space I have ever seen, in terms of the DJ’s who plays the music and also getting their groove on.

At the Marlin Ballroom located at the Webster Hall on the east side of 125th East 11th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue, The Olastyle fashion talent show has started no later than eight-thirty pm the models perform it on stage, where they eventually started in the center where as many photographers started to flick their cameras and along came the total of eighteen fashion models right in front of them as they walked upon the stage and came back down the stage stairway as the photographers directed and pointed to which the models should stand as they were taking the photos one by one, as I was sitting by the comfy chairs rooting and cheering for them hollering “Whoo Hoo”.

The eighteen fashion gorgeous models started with their design dresses first but then here comes the fun part that becomes very interesting as they started to changed into their bikini swimsuit look the photographers were very satisfied and please with their stunning gorgeous look so they decided to take some more, but in the meantime they all took a break with a light refreshments of cool drinks and when the fashion talent show was finally over at nine-thirty pm, Ms. Ola Hawatmeh and the 18 fashion models behind her take a bow as many photographers started to continued taking their pictures from the left, to the center and from the right corner of the main Marlin ballroom stage.

The Elaine Marie Cruz Interview:In Her Own Words About The Italian Fashion Talent Show

  
The Elaine Marie Cruz Interview:

In Her Own Words About The Italian Fashion Talent Show

At The Skyroom Penthouse

By Ryan Ngala

Digital Reporter, STN News | STNNewsOnline.Blogspot.com

She’s a force to be reckoned with, not because of her high hopes and accomplished goals that she will be setting for herself in the near future, but that she believe in herself in anyway possible, a Queens, New York native who she’s also a dancer, singer, actress, smart, good looking and wears a good looking outfit, that scores the entire audience as she walk down the runway during the anticipation of the Italian Fashion Show At The Skyroom Penthouse.

She describes the moment living her life before she was even becoming to be a fashion model as she tells STN Pelevision News’ Ryan Ngala her reaction to become one of the six models to be even taken herself a risk but she has no fear when it comes to her being independent and doing her own thing but she’s so photogenic.

RN: What Your’s Name And Age?

EMC: Elaine Marie Cruz, 27 Years Old

RN: What do you love about this event, Is it amazing as you would even imagined It To Become?

EMC: The Crowd, Reaching out to the customers at the Skyroom Penthouse and the interviews after I walked the runway. I have such amazing fans too. It’s always fun modeling.

RN: How has the fashion talent show developed In your career by modeling, the creator

Ms. Pamela Quinzi that design your own clothes creativity?

EMC: It’s given me more exposure. I have been modeling since at the age of 5. I have been on the red carpet for VH1, etc.

RN: What type of store brand do you want to see yourself being displayed in? (For Example: H&M, Old Navy or Gucci)

EMC: Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, BeBe, etc.

RN: What do you love most about fashion?

EMC: It’s a form of art where I can express myself and be a good role model.

RN: Any Comments You Would Like To Add.

EMC: You can always follow me on

Facebook, Google+, Instagram And Twitter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModelElaineMarie

Google+: https://plus.google.com/100833418364206520855/

Instagram: WWW.Instagram.com/Model_ElaineMarie

Twitter: WWW.Twitter.com/ModelElaineM 

She will be doing more events like these and so on, her career has been so straight forward

But knowing her own style and critique and what clothes she wears, I know she’s going to killed it, And knowing that her fans will support her too, she has been modeling even though that’s her talented skill in wanting to do something big in the fashion world, but if she want it she has to go

for it and take it cause there’s no limit to what she can do in the long run if she only believe in herself.

Six Models Strut Their Heels @ The Italian Fashion Talent Show

  

By Ryan Ngala

Digital Reporter, STN NEWS | STNNEWSOnline.Blogspot.com
New York (May 12, 2015) – When there is a passion for fashion in everything that we do, there are models who are always willing to dress to impress for the entire audience to see, located at the Skyroom Penthouse at 330 West 40th Street, on both 33rd And 34th floors of the tallest building in Manhattan where the city never sleeps and where there is always room for fashionista fans gathering for their center of attention. 
This event was sponsored by NYCFashionSociety.com, A Meetup Group based on events that talks about the latest events on all things fashion in the New York City Community and Pamela Quinzi The Fashion Designer and Executive Director in making this event possible than ever before, it was six – fifty three pm as many people arrived at the Skyroom Penthouse which was exactly than 7 minutes on the dot to get to the 33rd floor as many people got in before or after their book bag and luggage was securely check, a total of 100 Meetup people attended to see the Italian Fashion talent show at exactly nine – thirty pm. 
At 8:30pm many people had went up to the roof to see the bird’s eye view of the Manhattan skyline, got themselves a couple of drinks, talk a bit and just have a really good wonderful time, Mr. Lyndon help set up the event with a Dj even playing the music by up to 23 songs sung by potential artists such as: 
1. Truffle Butter (feat. Drake & Lil Wayne) By Nicki Minaj

2. Worth It (feat. Kid Ink) By Fifth Harmony

3. Hey Mama (feat. Nicki Minaj & Afrojack) By David Guetta

4. Blurred Lines (feat. Pharrell & T.I.) By Robin Thicke

5. Time Of Our Lives (feat. Pitbull) By Ne-Yo

6. Freaks (feat. Nicki Minaj) By French Montana

7. Talk Dirty (feat. 2 Chainz) By Jason Derülo

8. Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) By Mark Ronson

9. Burnin’ Up (feat. 2 Chainz) By Jessie J

10. Buzzin’ By Mann

11. Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z) By Beyoncé 

12. Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz) By Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

13. We Can’t Stop By Miley Cyrus

14. Problem By Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea

15. Wrecking Ball By Miley Cyrus

16. Young & Beautiful By Lana Del Rey

17. Roar By Katy Perry 

18. Timber By Pitbull & Ke$ha

19. Turn Down For What By DJ Snake & Lil Jon

20. Gas Pedal (feat. Iamsu!) By Sage The Gemini

21. Paranoid By Ty Dolla $ign

22. B*tch Better Have My Money By Rihanna 

23. Energy By Drake
At exactly nine – thirty pm this evening the Italian Fashion Talent Show was about to begin many photographers stood in line for the six models to showed up to take pictures while they were posing right in front of them, as the massive crowd was jam packed as it is with a lot of people to choose from, some visiting from France and Washington, D.C.
But one person tells Me that what the six models had may have done was so proactive:
NYC’s Italian Fashion Talent Show: Live At The Skyroom Penthouse Interview: 

With Ms. Fatima Lalani
1. What Your’s Name And Age? Fatima Lalani, 29
2. What do you love about this event, Is it amazing as you would even imagine? No, The event suck to me, the models were so mediocre, I didn’t think the venue was not appropriate for this type of show that they were even doing in the process. 
3. What do you love most about fashion? What I love the most is the models in general and of how they are taken a risk, to put themselves out there for the world to see. 
The models had tons of gorgeous most beautiful dresses to wear on them, when the photographers started flicking their cameras until nine-thirty nine pm as the show approximately ended at the time, As the night was still young and many people started to exit the Skyroom Penthouse at exactly ten o clock pm this evening, they all left with smiley faces on their cheeks and thought about what a good time it must be to see the show as they witnessed it with their very own eyes. 
Reporting from the Skyroom Penthouse in Midtown Manhattan, I’m Ryan Ngala, STN NEWS, New York.

HCZ Summer Games 2013

By Ryan Ngala

 

[New York] Let The Games Begin!!!, Today was a gorgeous and sunny day when the Harlem Children’s Zone hosted the Summer Games located at 216 Fort Washington Avenue and West 168th street, this event took place on Friday July the twenty sixth of twentieth thirteen.

 

 

Some HCZ staff and students arrived on a school bus, while others walked; all of them went upstairs to the third floor to be seated as the HCZ Summer Games were about to start at 10:00am and ending at 4:00pm on the dot. Many of the main events were shown on a large projector screen including the fifty-five meter dash, the shot put, the two-hundred meter dash, the 4×200 meter relay, and the long jump.

 

 

The 55 meter dash was for eleven – fifteen year olds who ran so fast at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory; the crowd gave the runners a round of applause. The shot put contest was for the CSO site group and 19 year olds who Threw the heavy ball and had to spin themselves around in circles just to see how to throw it so far and so high. When The shot put athletes were finished it was on to the next event, which was the 200 meter dash for 13 – 15 year old students; and they were running so fast around the track which was splendid indeed. Next it was the long jump for the 11 – 14 and 16 – 18 year old students who ran and jumped as far as possible in the sand. The audience watched it all, and all the while many refreshments were served to each HCZ site, including Learn To Earn, Truce Media, Truce Fitness, Employment and Technology Center, College Success Office, A Cut Above and Promise Academy One.

 

 

After all that, the HCZ students and staff from each site group stood for the national anthem, then on to the next event which was the 55 meter dash for the fastest staff member, both men and women.Each runner had to race at his or her own pace to see who could reach the finish line, Each and every last runner had a turn to compete.

 

Finally comes the best events of the Games: the 11-12, 13-15, & 16-18 year olds competed in the 4×200 meter relay; four students from each site group ran in this event at his or her own pace, From what I saw, the students who won the 4×200 meter relay ran the fastest of all. Just to see who reached the finish line, the winners who earned the Bronze, Gold and Silver medal, were from A Cut Above, Truce Fitness and Promise Academy One.   

 

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Harlem HIV / AIDS Faith Walk 2013: The End To Stop The Disease

By Ryan Ngala

[Harlem, New York] – What a gorgeous sunny day it was in the heart of the Harlem community many people gathered at the Fred Samuel playground located on 140^th Street at Malcolm X Boulevard. I saw many of them wearing tee-shirts, both in black and white, that read “Faith Walk Twenty Thirteen: Promoting Awareness in communities of color,” both in black and white as they registered online at EventBrite.com; their names were added to the list as they signed in.

People were representing their churches and organizations in the neighborhood including Abyssinian Baptist Church, Abyssinian Development Corporation, African-American Muslim Commission On HIV / AIDS, Bethany Baptist Church, Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, Church of the Intercession, Coalition On Positive Health Empowerment [Cope Health], Community Health and Awareness Ministry, Inc., Convent Avenue Baptist Church, East Ward Missionary Baptist Church, First AME Bethel Church, First Corinthian Baptist Church, FOY HIV / AIDS Ministry [Mt. Calvary Baptist Church], Iris House – A Center For Women Living With HIV / AIDS, Inc., Love Alive International Foundation, Inc., Masjid Sabur Worship, Educational and Referral, New Mount Zion Baptist Church, New Hope Community Church, New Testament Baptist Church, Paradise Baptist Church, Rivers of Living Faith Ministries, St. John’s Baptist Church, and St. Luke’s AME Church and Survivors Fountain of Hope Wellness Initiative.

When they were about to leave the park, many people were holding up their banners and signs with slogans such as, “Get Yourself Tested”, “Engage, Educate, Prevent” and “Twenty Thirteen Harlem HIV / AIDS Faith Walk.” The marchers also got wristbands with the words, “Know Your Status.” This march was a major event being sponsored by The Harlem Hospital Center, NYC Council Faith Based Initiative, The National Black Leadership Commission Aids, Inc., and many more.

When the march began the participants walked throughout the streets chanting “HIV, Get Tested!!!” and “Wake Up Harlem.” They also sang a couple of gospel songs along the way.  I joined the marchers as they started to walk towards 125^th Street to go to the Harlem State Office Building where the health fair was being held. We walked the red carpet to where there was a worship service with special guest speaker Bill Thompson sending a strong message that the disease of HIV / AIDS must come to an end!  He raised awareness about young people in our communities getting the disease and not even knowing, If they are positive.

There are so many ways to get the disease: sexual contact, drug use, occupational contact with the virus. It is so important that young people should: Get Educated, Get Tested, and Get Involved.  Many people decided to go to HIV Testing and get started with their National HIV Testing Day Health and Resource Fair Passport 2013, which they carried with them to each table to have to get the names and signatures of people who want more information on Diabetes, Hepatitis C, as well as information about the FDNY Application and Iris House. Those who were able to collect a total up to twelve signatures or more received a special gift. Refreshments including hot dogs, ice cream and bottled water were provided.

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Figure Skating In Harlem presents It’s 16th Annual Ice Show “A Salute To Great Women In Music”

By Ryan Ngala

[Riverbank State Park, New York] Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) kicks off its 16th annual ice show at Riverbank State Park in Harlem on (Sat. March 23rd and Sun. March 24th at both 7 and 3pm); many people had waited in line with their tickets in their hands just to get in. It was a long line; as I got there the show was about to start. Things were running smoothly. Some ticket holders started to go upstairs to the upper balcony while some people wanted seats in the middle of the lower area; when everyone was settled the ice show began.

The host of the show was none other than Tamara Tunie of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU.” She started things off by introducing the Harlem Ice Beginner 3 Synchronized Skating Team; they skated to three Whitney Houston songs, “My Love Is Your Love,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and “How will I know?.” The team danced and skated so swiftly that they wowed the crowd with a stunning performance; “La Conga Blicoti” by Josephine Baker. The event was an outstanding Sunday skating performance featuring FSH students, Kaylia Allen, Nya Davis, Kortney DeBride, Ava Grace Gardner, Isis Glover, Andrea Heredia, Zoe Littles-Ward, Narju Nawar, Eden Pichardo, Ashley Prentice and Jalynn Satterthwaite. Nina Simone’s “Feelin’ Good” was performed by FSH students Tanay Davis, Taharie Murga, Thalyia Thompson, and Zenzile Tonge; the quartet of performers skated with all their strength as they spun and twirled until the very end.

Other FSH students skated to the songs of many great women artists and songs including:

“Fantasy” By Mariah Carey

“I Got Rhythm” By Lena Horne

“New Attitude” By Patti LaBelle

“Unpretty” By TLC

“Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” By Selena

“Sweet Dreams” By Beyoncé

“No One” By Alicia Keys

“Respect” By Aretha Franklin

“Strong Enough” By Cher

“Colette Shows Him the Ropes / Infernal Galop” By Michael Giacchino & Jacques Offenbach

“Family Affair” By Mary J. Blige

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” By Lauryn Hill

“Step by Step” By Whitney Houston

“Brave” By Idina Menzel

“Palladio” By Escala and

“Midnight Train to Georgia” By Gladys Knight and The Pips.

Three FSH soloists then prepared to skate on the ice and strut their stuff; Sharendalle Murga was up first skating to Idina Menzel’s “Brave.” Executing her spins and going around in circles, skating so magnificently, her performance ended in even more memorable moves on the ice. Second was Jiordan Ali who danced to Leontyne Price’s “Summertime;” her skating was actually quite amazing and the crowd applauded for her so she continued to skate even harder; the more she skated, the better her skating became. Last but not least, there was the one and only Florence Ngala (my sister) who skated to Adele’s “Hometown Glory;” her performance was choreographed by Ali Blank. On hand to see Florence’s skating routine during FSH’s Saturday prorgram were Abel, Wendy, Auntie Doreen and Tina (Mom); her amazing performance was recorded on Auntie Doreen’s iPad by her sister Wendy. It was a marvelous performance as ever and the entire crowd gave Florence a standing ovation which was even louder than ever before. Because it was Florence’s last performance as an FSH student, her family and fans gave her an enthusiastic send off. It had been 11 years since she started skating at the age of six.

When Florence’s solo performance was over, Sharon Cohen, FSH founder and director, stepped into the ice rink and said a couple of words before the start of the skating finale. She asked the crowd “Are you guys having a good time?” The crowd went wild as the audience yelled “Yeah!!!”, I was shouting and screaming even more than the audience did.

Sharon then said “It really takes a village to run a fantastic organization.” She and Bernice had dreamt about an ice skating program in Harlem for years before FSH became a reality. Sharon then introduced the FSH staff members who made the performance possible by pushing the FSH students to be successful both on and off the ice.

Three FSH students who will be leaving the program–Florence, Sharendalle and Jiordan–received flowers; along with Bria Culpepper and Kayla Stewart also received flowers because they will be going to college soon. At that point Florence cried heartfelt tears of joy. Then all five FSH students stepped into the ice rink for a final bow.

The finale Performance was performed by all the FSH students who were introduced by Tamara Tunie, the FSH students skated to both Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire” and Beyoncé’s “Run The World.”

The Harlem Ice Open Juvenile Synchronized Skating Team (Jiordan Ali and Sharendalle Murga were up along with Kolby Couch, Tanay Davis, Eliyah Mckayle, Taharie Murga, Florence Ngala, Zjana Ray, Nikaila Saunders, Kayla Stewart, Thaylia Thompson, Zenzile Tonge and Sandra Williams) skated to “Girl On Fire.” The two team captains skated so swiftly with spins and twirls to the audience’s delight; the crowd cheered with excitement. Next all of the FSH students skated to the right and left of the ice rink to Beyoncé’s “Run the world.” When the entire group of skaters entered during the ice rink the crowd went wild, screaming from the top of their lungs.

The FSH students from the youngest to oldest were the stars of the event. As their performance came to an end, the crowd gave them a loud round of applause and a standing ovation for their outstanding skating performance at the heart of Riverbank State Park.