1/22/10 Teen News – National

At-large teen bandit becomes legend - Profile 0f 18-year-old Colton Harris-Moore who has been on the run from fugitives for over 20 months after escaping from his halfway house in an airplane. Since then, the now-18-year-old fugitive has eluded police in Washington, Idaho and Canada, repeatedly vanishing into the woods. Police suspect he’s stolen at least two planes, two boats and several cars, plus broken into more than 50 homes. Yet the only thing growing faster than Harris-Moore’s alleged rap sheet is his legend. (NPR)

Review of Lady Gaga concert in NYC -And Lady Gaga was great. Even without all the bells and whistles — video screens, smoke machines, costumes and dancers — she would have captivated the crowd. Her voice was strong, even while dancing; she didn’t lip sync; and her banter between numbers was alternately funny and touching. (Jezebel)

Schools reduce languages, except Chinese – Thousands of public schools are dropping foreign language classes, except for a huge increase in the number of Chinese classes taught in some cases by teachers provided free from China.The number of students taking the Advanced Placement test in Chinese, introduced in 2007, has grown so fast that it is likely to pass German this year as the third most-tested A.P. language, after Spanish and French, said Trevor Packer, a vice president at the College Board. (NYT)

Teacher’s Bible divides Ohio town – Is an 8th grade teacher who refused to remove a Bible from his desk a hero who is being unfairly punished for Christian beliefs or a zealot who pushed his beliefs onto students? “Freshwater’s supporters want to make this into a new and reverse version of the Scopes trial,” said David Millstone, the lawyer for the Mount Vernon Board of Education, referring to the Tennessee teacher tried in 1925 for teaching evolution. “We see this as a basic issue about students having a constitutional right to be free from religious indoctrination in the public schools.”(NYT)

Accident or senior prank? – During the senior class photo, students wearing t-shirts with the C and the L left A and S and S on their own.“I heard C and L ran off. That’s not ass’s fault. That’s C and L’s fault, said senior Austin Knight. “It was funny and they shouldn’t have been punished.” (KHOU)

1/20/10 Local Teen News

Wilson teen models in Paris fashion shows – 16-year-old Carter Helms will walk the runway for Christian Dior, although he thinks he will be a better print model than show model.”It’s very exciting,” he said last week. “It’s overwhelming as well. I’ve been [modeling] for two years, and it’s finally paid off.” (N&O)

H.S. students attempt to set world record – Students at NC School of Science and Math in Durham are attempting to set a world record for the most food collected in one day. The school must collect over 509,147 pounds of food to break the record. “In the end there are more kids out there who are not getting food daily, but we’re getting fed three times a day,” said Daniel Choi, 18, a senior from Goldsboro. “Our main point is to do the food drive so we can give the food to the community.” (Durham News)

Lowes Groves has 1st middle school drumline – Art teacher Shawn Smith created Durham’s first middle school band to involve students in positive activity.“People are definitely impressed by them when they see them come in,” the principal said. “They’re disciplined. They have spirit. It’s all one package. It’s just another incentive for them to take control of their lives and go forth as a positive person.” (Durham News)

Profile of Mollie Pathman – Durham Academy Senior who will attend Duke to play soccer has been named Gatorade Player of the Year in NC and Adidas High School Scholar Athlete of the Year. “Mollie just gave me and our team that traditional definition of what hard work is,” soccer coach Sue Ellis said. “You want people to copy her passion for the game and you want people to copy her commitment for the game. Her passion for the game and her schoolwork is what sets her apart.” (Durham News)

Mother wants leniency for suspended son – Jasper Lee was suspended from South Johnston High School for the remainder of the year and prohibited from attending school events after he and three others were caught gluing toothpicks into the exterior locks of the school.Under the school system’s conduct code, a student who vandalizes school property can face long-term suspension. Such a suspension is more likely when the damage to school property exceeds $1,000. Jasper Lee was ordered to make $1,350 in restitution, according to court documents. (Garner Clayton Record)

Vote all but ends year-round schools - The Wake County School Board approved by 5-3 a resolution saying that every effort will be made to eliminate mandatory year-round schools. (N&O)

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

14-year-old publishes novel – “A Broken Yesterday” tells the story of a teenage girl struggling to cope with the death of her older sister.  Laura Simula began the novel at 12, finding time to write early in the morning or late at night, sometimes disappearing for entire weekends. (MSNBC)

Valedictorian allowed to speak – Los Angeles High School previously banned Aurora Ponce from speaking at graduation because she participated in a student protest over increasing class size. (LA Times)

Former H.S. football player sues over hazing – Sodomized by a broom stick and a banana, Stamatios Shinas filed a $1 million suit against his attackers, his coaches and his old school.  He said the goal of the lawsuit is to make sure “this will not happen again, so someone can play football or any other sport they wanted in peace.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Teens, coaches face hazing charges – Incident occurred on school bus following high school baseball game.  (Lockport Journal)

(∆) Clayton track star makes U.S. team – Johnny Dutch ran a personal best of 48.18 seconds in the 400 meter hurdles to make the national team that will compete in the world championships this summer in Berlin.  He won nine state titles while competing for Clayton High. (N&O)

(∆) Carrboro teens learning green tech skills – Solar Tech South summer program teaches students how to install solar panels.  (My NC)

Teens protest underage military recruiting – Chicago students protesting against military presence in high schools. Darlene Gramigna asserted the U.S. Army is “entrenched in the Chicago public schools system, which is 91 percent non-White, and 85 percent from low-income families. According to the American Friends, 44 of the city’s 93 high schools have a JROTC, with 1 out of 10 high schoolers wearing a military uniform. Chicago is also home to six military academies.” (Final Call) photo by Dorie Turner

Parent arrested after teen party – San Diego mother claims uninvited teens showed up at party with alcohol. Detective Jim Pucillo described the 100-person party as “like a riot.” Video at link.  (San Diego 6)

School officials unhappy over Bruno photos – GQ Magazine photo shoot features comedian Sacha Baron Cohen “cavorting” with a Los Angeles High School football team. (LA Times) photo by Mark Seliger

Top Summer Gadgets – According to Teen Vogue.

Editorial argues against college degree – Author argues college, intellectually and financially, is no longer worth it. (NY Post)

Friday’s teen news (local and national)

After 15 years of decline, teen birth rate rising – Study shows levels of sexual activity remain steady, but use of contraception is down. (Washington Post) photo by wjzo.com

(∆) Teacher-student sex cases reported more – Nine teachers or school employees in central North Carolina have been accused of sexual misconduct since 2008. According to Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz, this type of abuse is “more on people’s radar screens, so those cases are getting reported more.” (WRAL)

Survey: Teens using phones in class to cheat, text – Despite cellphone bans in schools, 1/4 of teen texts are sent while in school.  25% of teens in study admit to storing test information on phones. (USA Today)

Military academies see rise in applications – Due to aggressive marketing, declining casualties in Iraq, and the recession, 35,000 students applied for 4,000 slots in the class of 2013.  Tuition and room and board are free and students also receive a stipend totaling thousands of dollars per year. (NYTimes)

(∆)David Sedaris recalls his youth in Raleigh – “They have alternative proms now, and when I was growing up, it was easy to believe you were the only homosexual on Earth. Now, when I meet parents who want me to sign a book to their 17-year-old son and his boyfriend, that’s just beautiful to me.” (Independent)

Ohio yearbook cover hides F bomb – When turned upside down, h.s. senior’s illustration reveals secret message: “F*** All Y’all!” (MTV)

H.S. trainers: Stop two-a-day practices in August – 39 football players have died from heat related causes since 1995. (Sports Illustrated)

5 ways for Class of ’09 to save the world – According to MTV.

Friday News

Senior Prank or Criminal Action? – Seven East Wake High seniors barred from commencement after vandalizing 28 buses and pouring baby oil on the hallway floor. (WRAL)

Raleigh Charter High – Small charter school is in 5th place for 1-A Wachovia Cup despite no athletic facilities. (News & Observer)

Allegations of Transcript Change, Fraudulent SAT Scores – Chicago newspapers are reporting that a grade on NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose’s high school transcript was altered from a D to a C and that there may be some irregularities concerning his SAT exam.  (Chicago Tribune)