4/02/10 Local teen news

Life in foster care - Riverside High School profile of a young man who lived in various foster homes during his teenage years.  “I went to six different places.  I started to keep my stuff in trash bags because I was tired of moving so much.  The systemʼs messed up; once you get in its hard to get out. You have no control. If you want a group of people to decide whats best for you, then foster care is for you.” (Pirate’s Hook)

Student review of Ipad Touch – ECHHS student offers lukewarm review of Ipad, saying that many of the features are already available on other Apple products and that other issues that still need to be worked-out.  However, the iPad was designed to target a specific audience: people who are not skilled with computers. In this regard, the iPad is a wonderful present for say, Grandma. Yet the device may actually encourage computer illiteracy, as people may settle for this tablet instead of gaining the basic skills necessary to use a laptop or desktop. (The ECHO)

Profile of KHS drum major – Student profile of multi-instrumentalist Tram Quach and her many responsibilities as the drum major of an award-winning high school band.  “They’ve become a close knit family,” says Quach. If one is in trouble the rest will come to their rescue. Quach discovered that it is the drum major’s job to take care of everyone in the band and watch over them all even if there is no beforehand knowledge of how to do the job. She explained, “Even if you come from no where and are totally lost, you’ve got to act like you know what you’re doing.” (Knight’s Scroll)

CHHS student raising funds for refugee youth – Profile of Maddy Kameny, who is trying to raise money to send local Thai and Burmese youth to summer camps. Kameny knew refugee children struggling to learn English in school could benefit from more interaction with English-speaking children their own age and thought summer camp would be a good opportunity. She then worked with Carolina Friends School to arrange for eight refugees, aged 7 to 13, to attend the school’s day camps. (Carrboro Citizen)

H.S. Playoffs: East Chapel Hill vs. Broughton

To see more photos of this first round 4-A playoff game between East Chapel Hill High School and Broughton High School, please visit highschoolot.com.  (photos by wjzo)

2/12/10 Teen News: Local and National

Durham teen best rapper in Triangle – According to the Independent, 19-year-old Kourvioisier’s mixtape signals a dynamic new voice in the hiphop world.“Do not recommend simple syllables/ sample subliminals/ nerve struck/ terrible the intention,” he lets loose in one instance. “KRS the teacher/ I’m the sub/ Now you got detention/ double loser who recycled in defeat/ The stripes get beat off of Tigers who wanna cheat.” (Indy)

Teen hunter wins swan contest - 15-year-old Nathan Garrett, who is also a hunting guide and nationally published wildlife author, won the world junior swan calling championships at the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild’s 15th Annual Wildlife Arts Festival.“It’s like hunting with a 40-year-old,” Bliven said. “He just lays back. He knows when to call, when not to call. He identifies birds. He’s just a natural.” (N&O)

ECHHS wins state swim championship - “As a senior, to win … the relay and win the state title, it makes it all worth it,” said Dania Marinshaw, one-fourth of the winning relay team. “It’s going out with a bang. And it’s coach’s last season, so we wanted to win it for her. It’s so rewarding.” (Herald-Sun) Photo gallery by N&O

Hanes Mall begins teen escort policy - This Winston Salem mall has started a new policy where all youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 6 pm on Friday and Saturdays.  “The conduct of unsupervised youth and young adults at Hanes Mall has created an uncomfortable atmosphere for mall visitors and an increasing safety challenge,” the release said. (Greensboro Record)

H.S. soccer: Durham Jordan vs. East Chapel Hill -photos

Friday’s teen news – local(∆) and national

(∆) Greensboro program pays teens $1 a day not to get pregnant – Girls in the College Bound Sisters program attend 90-minute meetings every week where they receive lessons on abstinence and contraception use.  For every week they remain in school and not pregnant, $7 is deposited into a fund which they collect when they enroll in college.  According to the director, only six girls out of the 125 girls who have enrolled in the program since 1997 have dropped out or become pregnant. (Fox News)

(∆) ECHHS cheerleading team wins BET contest – Link to ‘sassy but classy’ performance on BET.

(∆) NC sex ed classes to be more comprehensive – The House narrowly passed a bill 60-55 that will allow for more information about contraceptives and STDs but the overall curriculum will remain abstinence based.  NC ranks 9th in the nation in teenage pregnancy rates. (N&O)

Supreme Court rules strip search violated teen’s rights – In a 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled school officials violated a 13-year-old girl’s 4th Amendment rights by strip searching her for prescription-strength ibuprofen.  However, the Court did state that school officials had a right to search her outer garments and backpack.  Judge Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenter and said this decision alerts students as to where they can safely hide drugs. (NYT)

Homeless teen hopes for Harvard – Kenneth Chancey of Los Angeles is top of his class, student body president, starting running back on the football team and homeless.

Ga. home schoolers form football league – Not allowed to play on local high school teams, home schoolers formed successful 8 team Glory for Christ Football League. (NYT) photo by Mike Tierney

Chicago public schools to test teens for STDs – 11th and 12th grades will be voluntarily tested and treated in the health centers at six high schools.  Cook County leads the nation in reported cases of gonorrhea and is second in cases of chlamydia.

N.Y. teen surfer making waves – 17-year-old Belaram Stack is competing in national h.s. championships this weekend and will turn professional this summer.“I’ve had countless times where people have said: ‘You’re from New York? Is there even an ocean there?’ ”said Stack. (NY Times) photo by Mike Nelson

Mother charged with changing daughter’s grades – A Pa. high school secretary raised her daughter’s grades (and lowered others) to improve her class ranking. (Modesto Bee)

Interview with Michael Jackson by Regina Jones – Vibe Magazine