3/16/10 Local Teen News

Kings of Leon, Gaga to play Raleigh – Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, and Jack Johnson are among the artists who have already announced local concert dates for this summer.  A few years ago, Kings of Leon played the Cat’s Cradle, now they are expected to sell-out Walnut Creek. (MyNC)

So. Durham sprinter wins national title – Southern Durham High School sprinter Desmond Lawrence, who will play football and run track next year at ECU, won the 60 meter dash at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in New York this past weekend with a time of 6.93 seconds. Millbrook sophomore Samantha George finished second place in the mile with a time of 5:01.29. (N&O)

Hillside student wins presidential award – Junior Moses Richards won the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work as a mentor and counselor with Duke’s BOOST program, which encourages middle school students to become interested in science.  ”Moses is an exemplary student and leader at Hillside, and we are very proud of his service to his fellow students and our community,” said Hillside principal Hans Lassiter. “To have Moses recognized by the president and to represent Hillside in such a wonderful way is indeed a testament to him, his teachers and his family.” (Herald-Sun)

Army changes basic training – Adapting to battlefield experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Army has revamped basic training to emphasize quick sprints and core muscles rather than long runs and bayonet drills. “Most of these soldiers have never been in a fistfight or any kind of a physical confrontation. They are stunned when they get smacked in the face,” said Capt. Scott Sewell, overseeing almost 190 trainees in their third week of training. “We are trying to get them to act, to think like warriors.” (N&O)

Durham County/City Cross Country Championships – photos

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

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

“The Reality of Fashion Jobs” – According to the New York Times, the number of young people pursuing fashion as a career has exploded.  However, this comes at a time when fashion houses are going bankrupt and magazines are folding. Karl Lagerfeld says: “Are you ready to accept injustice?” There will be no hobnobbing, lavish lifestyle, reaping rewards. It’s all grunt work. And I’ve been there. Steaming piles of dresses. Filing. Addressing envelopes. Stuffing envelopes. Paperwork. Packing boxes. On a good day? Cataloguing heaps and heaps of shoes. Quickly. On a deadline.” (Jezebel)

(∆) Bball player released from letter of commitment – When Western Carolina University basketball coach Kellie Harper left for NC State, Kelsey Evans asked to be released from her letter of commitment to play for the school but WCU refused so Evans took them to court and won, which means she can now play this year at another school. (News & Observer) photo by Ted Richardson

Ex-Nirvana members upset about Cobain avatar – Former band mates are upset with Courtney Love for allowing Guitar Hero 5 to use the image of Kurt Cobain in their video game. “It’s hard to watch an image of Kurt pantomiming other artists’ music alongside cartoon characters. Kurt Cobain wrote songs that hold a lot of meaning to people all over the world. We feel he deserves better.” Courtney Love denies she allowed the video game to use Cobain’s image. (Rolling Stone)

Teen track star a hermaphrodite – South African track sensation Caster Semenya was forced to take a gender test after exploding onto the scene to dominate the world track championships.  The tests revealed, according to Daily News, that she has both male and female organs, which means she could be prohibited from competing in future competitions. (CBS)

(∆) NC Board eyes longer school year – 180 days is not enough compared to educational progress occurring in other parts of world, but NC schools are already having difficulty funding 180 days. “When we look at disadvantaged students, they’re really doing nothing productive when they’re away from school,” Bill Harrison said. “The most productive thing they’re doing is sitting and watching TV.” (News & Observer)

“Meet the real Van Jones” – A Los Angeles writer discusses how Jones found his way to the leadership of the Green movement and that his past radicalism should not have been grounds for his dismissal from the Obama cabinet. (LA Times)

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

(∆) Wake Tech student offers seat on Craig’s List - A 17-year-old student offered to sell a spot in a fully-enrolled government class in which he was mistakingly enrolled twice.  ”Please let your offers be generous.”  Wake Tech made him remove the ad. (WRAL)

(∆) NC grad rate improves – 71% overall, up from 70% last year.  67% male, 76% female, 61% low-income, 56% students with disabilities. (Apex Herald)

Teen track star’s gender disputed – Unknown South African Caster Semenya exploded on track scene overnight, international governing body is testing whether she is really a female. (SI)

Low-income kids first sex experience: 12 – A new study found that among nearly 1,000 low-income families in three major cities, one in four children between the ages of 11 and 16 reported having sex, with their first sexual intercourse experience occurring at the average age of 12.77. (Science Daily)

Column: Teen curfews unconstitutional - Agrees with court ruling that overturned a city curfew in New York because it violated “youths’ rights to freedom of movement, expression, association and equal protection.” (Niagara Gazette)

Mother blames school for girl’s anorexia – The mother of a former Pittsburgh schools student claims administrators knew her daughter was being harassed over her weight, but their lack of action led the girl to develop anorexia, withdraw from school and seek mental health treatment. (USA Today)

Woman charged with cyber bullying – A Missouri woman is facing felony harassment charges after posting a teen girl’s image and information on the ‘Casual Encounters’ section of Craig’s List.  (LA Times)

Fla. school officials face jail time for prayer – Already received injunction against officially sanctioned prayer in the school, principal and A.D. prayed over a meal at a booster club meeting. (CNN)

USATF Jr. National Championships – Photos

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