3/3/10 Local Teen News

Wake Co. school board changes policy – Following a tense meeting, the school board voted 5-4 to end the long-standing diversity policy in favor of assigning students to neighborhood schools.  Dawn Bartlett, a parent, said neighborhood schools will be better for families.”I’m completely in favor of neighborhood and community schools,” Bartlett said. “It will allow me to volunteer in a school that’s not 20 miles away.” VS. “In the words of George Wallace, do you want your legacy to be segregation now, segregation forever?” said Samuel Greene, a retired Wake principal. Barber said, “Your plan is wrong. It’s wayward. It will make things worse and you know it. Data doesn’t support it. Morality doesn’t support it.” (N&O)

Hillside grad tells story of Emmett Till – Kevin Wilson wrote the play as a 15-year-old sophomore at Durham Hillside, then decided to revive the production when some of his fellow college students didn’t know of Emmett Till. “It’s bigger than us,” Wilson said. “We have a message to tell. I really want people to hear the story, not just in Greensboro and not just in Durham. It’s an important, forgotten story.” (Herald-Sun)

How teens earn money - Students at Riverside High School discuss how they make money through allowance, jobs, or entrepreneurship. Garrett Dahms and his brother have operated a dog boarding facility of 200 clinets for over eight years: “My brother and I started doing it during the summers so that people could leave their dogs in a more family friendly environment.  We started out doing it just for friends as a favor since we had the space.”  (Pirate’s Hook)

Profile of scientist Chelsea Sumner - Working with Project SEED, Knightdale H.S. student Chelsea Summer won a science competition for her project on hydrogen and alcohol addiction and will now travel to China to present her project.  “I really hope to learn something so that I can bring my experiences back and share them with other people, especially to encourage other students so that they know they can achieve what I achieve-that it’s not impossible.” (Knightdale News)

N&O preview of high school soccer - ESPN has ranked Leesville Road High School the #1 soccer team in the nation and last year’s player of the year Mollie Pathman returns for her senior year at Durham Academy.  (N&O)

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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)

H.S. soccer playoffs: Durham Jordan H.S. v. Wakefield H.S. (photos)

(click images for info – photos by wjzo.com)

H.S. soccer: Durham Jordan v. Durham Riverside (photos)

(click images for info – photos by wjzo.com)

H.S. soccer: Durham Jordan v. Wakefield – photos

(Click images for info – photos by wjzo.com)