4/23/10 Local Teen News

 Comedian says school ‘waste of time’ – Aries Spears began performing stand-up at age 14 and dropped-out in 10th grade to study comedy on television and in the clubs.  “School is highly overrated,” he says. “Once you learn how to add, subtract, read and write, it’s a waste of time unless you go on ‘Jeopardy.’” (N&O)

 Profile on NC Youth Tap Ensemble - One of the world’s most premiere tap groups relies on collaboration where older dancers teach routines to the younger dancers.  Michelle Dorrance, daughter of UNC women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, will perform with the ensemble this weekend at the Carolina Theater in Durham.  An NCYTE alumna, Michelle Dorrance is now considered one of the premier tap dancers in the world, highly sought after and currently performing in the Off-Broadway production of STOMP.  (Daily Tar Heel)

 Profile of Durham 4-H Meat Goat Club – Led by Joel Dahms of Durham Academy and Alex Flores-Burgess, the team last year won the state championship in a competition called the 4-H Jr. Livestock Skill-a-Thon, and they competed hard at the 65th Annual Central Piedmont Junior Livestock Show & Sale Wednesday and Thursday at the Central Carolina Holstein Association Barn in Orange County. (Herald-Sun)

 Student profile of Olivia Bass - Garner High School senior will attend UNC to double major in Biology and Spanish, with hopes of attending medical school.  “Olivia is a great person; but more significantly she is a kind-hearted, positive, spirited, young lady,” Golden said. “Never have I seen her without a smile on her face. Her smile is contagious to both faculty and students alike. And whether in the classroom, at sporting events or merely in the hall between classes, her personality draws people to her. She is an asset to Garner Magnet High School and the Garner community in general.” (Garner Citizen)

NCCU International Event

(CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE – photos by wjzo.com)

NCCU International Event

Southern Durham Academic Gallery Walk

(CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE - photos by wjzo.com)

To read about this event, please read this story in the Herald-Sun.

Southern Durham High School Academic Gallery Walk

India Fest

(Click images to enlarge – photos by wjzo.com)

2/26/10 High School Newspaper Stories

Jerk, jerk, jerk – Durham Riverside article explores the origins of Jerkin’ and the popularity of Northern Durham dance group The Rejerks.  “We jerk because it expresses who we are. And, we stand out in teen society, without any negative connotation.  Many people respect us for our videos and popularity we receive,” Brandon Cook of Rejerks said.  ”Many people want to join our group, but what they should really do is create their own, individual group.  Jerkin’ crews are like families.” (Pirate’s Hook)

“Why we love bad t.v.” – East Chapel Hill High School column explores the bliss of sinking into a couch and watching truly awful television.  ”I’ll be the first to admit it, loud and proud: I thoroughly relish watching girls tear each other’s weaves off. I love the catty confession room remarks that accompany each minor tiff. I take sides. I have strong opinions on which contestant Flava Flav, Bret Michaels, Tiffany New York Pollard, and Ray J should have picked as their lifelong soul mate. I just appreciate good television.”  (ECHO Observer)

Mac or P.C. – Athens Drive High School article compares the pros and cons of Mac vs. P.C. in terms of buying a computer for college.  “PCs aren’t just good because they’re usually cheaper, though that is a plus. They’re easier to program than Macs. There’s a reason so many people like them,” said Holmes. “Macs are universally accessible; anyone can use one. They’re easy to understand.” (Athens Oracle)

Is daily cosmetic use bad? – Broughton High School article reveals the hidden health dangers of using cosmetics on your face on a daily basis.  Even products marked “all-natural” and “organic” are not always safe and may contain these hazardous ingredients. Recent studies have revealed troubling amounts of lead in lipstick and hair dyes, mercury in mascara, and a seemingly never ending list of chemicals in a variety of other products. (Hi-Times)