In this issue Annual Reader Survey 8 Entertainment 9–10 Humor 13 Lifestyle 5–7 News 1–4 King of the track is Sneakerheads! On the Street 16 Sports 12 off to Pepperdine p. 16 Viewpoints 14–15 p. 12

Volume 18 • Number 9 • Summer 2009 Please display through Labor Day Trombone Shorty delivers jazz for all ages Priscilla Ward giving old school jazz a new cool. He said he Young D.C. draws from different life situations, good and The syncopated tunes of Trombone Shorty bad. Citing his music heroes – Lenny Kravitz, played. People swayed and stepped to the rhyth- Louis Armstrong and Lil Wayne – Shorty said, mic sounds. Troy Andrews , better known as “It is special to be a part of this jazz festival and Trombone Shorty, and the band Orleans Avenue have the opportunity to celebrate one of the main led an entourage of joyful marchers, some with figures in jazz, Duke Ellington,” bright umbrellas June 13. New Orleans played Howard University alumna Sunny Sumter, D.C. for the 10th Anniversary of the Duke El- director of the jazz festival and a former jazz lington Jazz Festival. The 11-day festival fea- singer, reinforced the importance of a unique tal- tured a free concert on the National Mall. YDC ent like Trombone Shorty, “Just listen to what’s interviewed Shorty in his trailer. underneath rap and R&B, its jazz, that’s what Shorty represents Treme, a New Orleans teens need to know, when they think this is just neighborhood. He began playing in a band at age old folks’ music,” Sumter said. six. He told YDC, “I am a 100 percent natural musician,” learning to play by ear and then at- Priscilla Ward, 18, was homeschooled for tending The New Orleans Center for Creative high school and will attend Temple Univer- Arts, improving on the trombone and trumpet. sity in Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall.

At 23, Shorty has worked with U2, Green Photo credit Priscilla Ward Day and Bob Ezrin. He travels all over the world Trombone Shorty on the National Mall June 13. Entrepreneur creates new tool for green activists Courtney Stein The Carrotmob premise is simple: improvements. According to the Car- to be a part of Carrotmob, Andrew Young D.C. organizers work with similar businesses rotmob web site , this tactic brought in a Ewell, 20, an urban studies major at When traditional methods of pro- in a given area to see which one is will- total of $9,276.50 in only about two Rutgers University, responded, “The test become ineffective, Americans ing to funnel the largest percentage of hours, three times the sales of a normal fact that we treat the earth like we de- must find another way to make their profits from sales to a Carrotmob into Saturday. In addition to products they serve it.” voices heard. A reverse boycott–one more energy-efficient practices. Then might have needed, participants also Ewell co-runs the Philadelphia which rewards businesses for what they hundreds of activists–the Carrotmob– donated 866 pounds of groceries for the branch of Carrotmob with partner Tony do right instead of ostracizing them show up on a set day to reward that spe- San Francisco Food Bank, and the mar- Montagnaro. Together they have set up what they do wrong–could be the long- cific business by buying things they’d ket now had enough money to “com- over 10 convenience store campaigns. awaited solution. With this in mind, usually buy anyway. Because they show pletely re-do their lighting system,” Ewell called the experience “energizing Brent Schulkin, 28, developed Carrot- up in large numbers, the business’s dai- Schulkin said in an online video. and exciting” and said he foresees a mob. Launched in San Francisco less ly profits are readily magnified two-, The group’s pledge to stymie healthy, expanding future for Carrot- than two years ago, the project encour- three-, even fourfold and business his- global warming, coupled with its re- mob in the City of Brotherly Love. ages businesses to make eco-friendly tory is made. verse boycott approach, has attracted Katie Wilson-Hamaker, 35, vice decisions in order to collect the cash of In its first campaign, a Carrotmob people of all ages, many are in their 20s, president of marketing at electric vehi- green-minded consumers. It’s a project flooded K&D Market in San Francisco, to make a difference in their communi- cle manufacturer Arcimoto, has just be- of Virgance, a company that applies which had pledged to donate 22 percent ties via the power of the purse. gun getting a coffee shop campaign off market-based methods to activism. of that day’s profits to eco-friendly store When asked what made him want Se e Ca r r o t m o b , p a g e 3 News t Young D.C. t Summer 2009 Secretary of Labor Solis, experts discuss cultures, industries that tolerate child labor Great challenges and opportunities associated with combating exploitative industry Fran Djoukeng 40,000 kids from hazardous conditions and educated Young D.C. over 70,000,” MacNeil said. The Nation’s Capital and the surrounding areas In addition, Oatley shared a prime example of are natural breeding grounds that attract thousands of the triumph of child laborers. “One classic example students for summer jobs. They look forward to a brief is in a refugee camp in Sierra Leone. We offered the “real world” experience. In contrast, kids in major cit- opportunity for a youth to be trained as a reporter,” ies and villages of Africa and Southeast Asia toil with Oatley recalls. “With the program, issues could be daily duties. Unlike typical American teens, many discussed. He and others could voice their views,” young people around the world are forced to travel to Oatley said. Oatley reiterated how crucial it is to various locations and work–with paltry or zero com- spread light on crises related to child labor. “We’ve pensation. Not only is their workload severe, it is haz- got to find ways of getting the message beyond com- ardous, abusive and demoralizing. munities and find ways of raising popular awareness Wednesday, June 10, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. of problems. The real challenge is to carry messages Solis convened a roundtable of policy makers and rep- beyond those present in the discussion,” Oately said. resentatives from various unions, non-governmental The participants’ organizations, similar groups organizations, international organizations, employers and academia all play a significant part in ending and research institutions to discuss issues involving child labor by providing sustainable methods and child labor, challenges to end the practice and solu- practices. Using newer forms of technology is in- tions that can transition kids, especially girls into edu- creasingly germane to supporting youth around the cational alternatives. globe towards being individuals within their society. This roundtable discussion anticipated “World Exploitative child labor is prevalent in many Day Against Child Labor” on June 12. It is a world- countries. An estimated 100 million girls are victims wide call to action against child labor. This year’s worldwide. More than $60 million for programs that theme concentrates on the exploitation of girls: “Give will provide training and education to kids and their Girls a Chance–End Child Labor.” The group met at parents will be granted by the Department Of Labor. the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Partici- Steady and structured initiatives, online or print, can pants reiterated labor problems that must be dealt with not only bring awareness and action to combat child and recommended ways to end child labor. Today Solis labor but hopefully achieve prosperity for young “child labor” includes slavery, bonded labor, prostitu- people and their families. tion and pornography–mostly ensnaring young girls. To learn more about the aforementioned groups, Nick Oatley, a director for Search for Common tographic work to expand,” Morris said. visit: Ground, describes how the this NGO aids child labor- Observing the plight of female child laborers, Media Voices for Children ers with culturally constructive means. “We work to James MacNeil from World Education noted the po- www.mediavoicesforchildren.org train them as young journalists and reporters so they tential of development programs. World Education is Search for Common Ground can prepare and have their own radio programs,” Oat- a global group that improves the lives of poor people www.sfcg.org ley said. “Many have been ex-combatants viewed with social, economic and education plans. MacNeil World Education with suspicion and stigmatized.” By providing the who led a program in India for two years is now vice www.worlded.org necessary equipment, Search for Common Ground president of Asia programs and special projects divi- supplies these troubled youth with an outlet that can sion for the organization. MacNeil indicated that Fran Djoukeng, 17, is a rising senior at Mont- benefit themselves and their society. “The radio pro- childhood programs can alleviate hardships plaguing gomery Blair HS in Silver Spring, Md. grams allow for them to reconcile with people in their older girls. “I found in India and Nepal that girls have community and re-integrate in society,” Oatley said. too many duties in agriculture and domestic work, es- Citing the Obama campaign’s use of the Internet, pecially the older girls. Parents turn to them to help filmmaker Len Morris from Media Voices for Chil- elders and young children in the house,” MacNeil dren said communication can advance the cause. said, adding that these girls are vulnerable and have a MVC is an Internet news agency promoting aware- tough time. “If you had early childhood support for ness for children’s rights. Morris said he hopes to see the younger ones then older girls could go to school.” more media dealing with former child laborers’ ac- Success has sprung from these programs and complishment spread even further so their work projects. They not only address root causes, but also doesn’t “sit in isolation.” He said, “We must use the facilitate positive changes in communities. However, tools of marketing to get the success stories out.” In underprivileged kids struggle. “The trouble is that, in addition, Morris is keen on continuing the work he has poor countries, there’s no safety net for them, so they done to make child labor issues reach wider audienc- make terrible decisions,” MacNeil said. The organiza- es. “I’ve been doing documentary work for 30 years tion has made great strides in tackling these problems. with these issues trying to get the word out for people “We have a program in Nepal working for seven years to see. I want the work in educational videos and pho- with Department of Labor funding that’s removed Summer 2009 t Young D.C. t News Venturers hold national summit Priscilla Ward Young D.C. Youth Venture is a global community of young change makers. It held its second na- Young D.C. is an independent newspaper written by and tional summit June 25-29 in Boston, Mass. The organization is designed for young entrepre- about metropolitan area teens. neurs between the ages of 12 and 24. They are social entrepreneurs, people with ideas that Address correspondence to: solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. Youth Venture helps teams of people start Young D.C. new youth-led organizations. Once the Youth Venture board has approved a team’s business 1904 18th Street, NW Unit B plan they are given 1,000 dollars to start their organization. “We want to make youth making Washington, D.C. 20009-1707 change in their communities a reality. We want to make change a reality,” said Marco Davis tel: 202.232.5300 the head of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Youth Venture. fax: 202.232.5306 YDC spoke with Ryan Washington a seventh grader at St. Augustine School in Washing- www.youngdc.org ton D.C. He is the founder of a venture named Youth Central. He said “The summit is a great Copyright. All rights reserved. opportunity to meet people, get tips on how to sustain your youth venture, as well as build Co-Managing Editors your venture.” Washington’s non-profit youth organization is targeted towards youth ages 13- Fran Djoukeng Jin-Ah Kim 18. Its mission is to promote the importance of saving the environment to youth in different Montgomery Blair HS (Md.) Thos. Jefferson HS for Science communities and all over the country. Youth Central does different community service proj- and Technology (Va.) ects to help improve the community or environment. Copy Editor Entertainment Editors “We try to get as many young people involved as possible because we feel that youth can Sebastian Swain (D.C.) Sareum Kim achieve a lot,” Marco Davis, the Mid-Atlantic region director of Youth Venture, told YDC. He Centreville HS (Va.) News Editor started Lideres Initiative, an effort to identify, support and develop new leadership in the La- Brinda Gupta Priscilla Ward tino community through a national network of more than 500 organizations that serve Latino Thos. Jefferson HS for Science Homeschooling (D.C.) high school and college students when he worked at the National Council of La Raza before joining Youth Venture. As the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights organization, La Raza fo- and Technology (Va.) Layout Manager cuses on reducing poverty and discrimination for Americans. “When I was young I had so Gautier Lemyze-Young Lifestyle Editor many ideas. I knew that I couldn’t be the only person trying to start a new organization. Now Centennial HS (Md.) Courtney Stein I want to help other youth accomplish their dreams, by starting their own ventures that ad- St. Pius X HS (Tex.) dress their communities needs,” said Davis. Reporters: Faith Ajayi, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Melissa Belk, The King’s College (N.Y.); Archie Brown, Temple University (Pa.); Priscilla Ward, 18, was homeschooled for high school and will attend Temple Univer- Christina Chang, Wootton (Md.); Flora Cheng, (D.C.); Mohammad sity in Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall. Diallo, Friendship PCS (D.C.); Jade Earle, School Without Walls (D.C.); Allie Frith, South Lakes HS (Va.); Jessica Gelfarb, Walt Whitman HS (Md.); Noah Goetzel, Churchill HS (Md.); Melanie Kates, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Becky Koretz, Woodrow Wilson Carrotmobs enhance environment SHS (D.C.); Hojung Lee, Mt. Hebron HS (Md.); Armani McMillan, Ca r r o t m o b , f r o m Pa g e On e the ground. To rake in a little extra cash, from an A+ to an F,” he said. “That sort of Forestville Military Academy (Md.); Abigail Melick, Alice Deal she said, “We’re planning on selling shirts reputational damage would cut deep. That MS (D.C.); Matt Nguyen, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Caitlin Peterson, to enhance the actual profits of the mob fact should be enough of a deterrent to John S. Burke Catholic HS (N.Y.); Lindsey Rennie, Mount de Sales since coffee and scones are small ticket make sure promises get kept.” Academy (Md.); Diamond Riley, University of Virginia (Va.); items.” Though Philly is the only other So far, Carrotmob has branched out Emma Safford, The Lab School of Washington (D.C.); Megan branch known to have dabbled in mer- into 12 U.S. states and four other countries Ternes, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.); Jonathan Ward, St. Albans (D.C.); chandising thus far, this extra step both – Canada, Finland, France and Germany. Maya Wells, Morgan State University (Md). Hafie Yillah, St. John’s boosts profits and emphasizes the peaceful Although the group has no current College HS (D.C.); MaBinti Yillah, University of Maryland nature of the movement. For the record, plans to move into the Nation’s Capital, Artists: Steven Anderson, Homeschooling (Md.); Casey Drogin, the Philly shirts contain the word “love” “D.C. will happen one of these days,” Einstein (Md.) spelled out in carrots. Schulkin said. Others Carrotmob fans like Elise As for the unusual name, there are Board of Directors: George Curry, Tom Donlan, Hector Ericksen- Mangin, 16, a senior at St. Pius X High two orthodox ways to make a donkey Mendoza, Rich Foster, Mary Hanley, Judy Hines, Sean Jensen, School in Houston, Tex., are yet to partici- walk: holding a carrot in front of its face Cynthia Farrell Johnson, Rosamond King, Carol Knopes (chairman), pate in an event, but have nothing but good or hitting its behind with a stick. Schulkin Carol Lange, Kathleen Reilly Mannix, Sarah Menke-Fish, Bob things to say about it. “Carrotmob is a no- chose the carrot method. Metaphorically, Neuman, Michael Phelps, Reginald Ragland, Phil Reid ble and efficient campaign that bears re- of course. In this case, a better environ- Young D.C. is supported by The Bureau of National Affairs, The semblance to the sit-ins of the 1960s, as mental reputation and substantial profits Children’s Charities Foundation, The Freedom Forum, Herb Block nonviolent but heartfelt and effective ways are the carrot, while the business is, well, Foundation and sponsors of Cartoons & Cocktails, an auction of editorial to make the world a better place through the donkey. art held last Oct. 23 at the National Press Club which also benefited corporate change.” And that simple peace tactic is why, the Friedheim Library at the National Press Club and its programs, and Naturally, there’s always the ques- at least according to the founder, “Carrot- Cartoonists Rights Network International. Sponsors included BNA, tion of what to do about businesses that mob has no enemies.” C-SPAN, Congressional Quarterly, D’Orazio and Associates, Lynn refuse to change, or worse, go back on Edwards, Anne Ganz, Victor Kamber, the Newseum, Politico, The their word. Schulkin’s response is on his Courtney Stein, 18, is a graduate of Pius X HS in Houston, Tex. She will at- Washington Examiner and members of the YDC Board. web site. “If Carrotmob members were to tend Trinity University in San Antonio, Letters to the Editor are welcome and sometimes published, either whole or in part. discover that they had been deceived, that Tex., in the fall. Letters are subject to editing. Readers writing to the editors should include contact business’ reputation would instantly go information: name, age, telephone number. Summer 2009 t Young D.C. t News Amethyst Initiative drinking age issue gains momentum Priscilla Ward Young D.C. Turning 18 is a right of passage. Adults 18 years of age are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but deemed too immature to have a beer. The Amethyst Initiative confronts this inconsistency. It invites both leaders and everyday citizens to enter a national conversation on the 1984 federal law that made 21 the national drinking age. States that refused to ob- serve this drinking age would lose millions of dollars in federal highway funding. Since 2008, 135 presidents of universities and colleges have signed on with the Amethyst Initiative. John McCardell is the former president of Middlebury College and founder of Choose Responsibility, an organization that works directly with the Amethyst Initia- tive. Nick Desantis, a staff representative at Choose Responsibility said, “ We try to encourage policies that impact both college students that encourage them to make responsible decisions concerning alcohol.” Choose Responsibility’s main goal is to come up with educational programs allowing both teens and adults to make informed decisions concerning alcohol consumption. “Seventy-five percent of high school seniors have consumed alcohol. Not enough people are aware of toxic drinking, and the programs that do educate use scare tactics,” Desantis told YDC. He added, “Choose Responsibility wants to take a more re- alistic look at the drink- ing age.” YDC also spoke with J.T. Griffin vice president of public poli- cy at Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “The Amethyst is a bad idea, we have already had this argument in 1984, and all of science points to the fact that 21 is the right age,” said Griffin. “These presidents are sending the wrong message; we are very disappointed. They are discrediting the law in their states and all of the research. “Research has shown that other countries that have a lower drinking age have had more fatalities,” Griffin added. “College presidents are taking an easy way out. They think that, since this is such a widespread issue, maybe they are doing some- thing wrong and need to lower the legal drinking age,” he said. Last November, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acting ad- ministrator David Kelly presented a report from the Fatality Analysis Reporting Sys- tem of the US Department of Transportation to a MADD-led symposium on the minimum drinking age. The report estimated that over 4,000 lives (18, 19 and 20 year olds) were saved, 2003 through 2007, because of the current minimum drinking age. Kelly said, “Turning our back on these laws would be a deadly mistake. Mini- mum drinking age laws are among the most effective measures ever used to reduce drunken driving deaths among America’s young people.”

Priscilla Ward, home schooled for high school, will be attending Temple Uni- versity in Philadelphia, Pa., in September. Summer 2009 t Young D.C. t Lifestyle Li f e St y l e Check out DURKL for first and last word in Sharp style Hafie Yillah the company. They included gaining exposure, econo- Young D.C. mies of scale, and working within an oversaturated For starters, DURKL is not an acronym – it is and highly competitive market. “In the D.C. area we the name of one of D.C.’s top clothing lines. In fact, only distribute to Palace 5ive, where we continue to DURKL was the first word founder and head design- sell out,” he said. Palace 5ive is a street wear boutique er Will Sharp, 28, uttered as a baby. He describes his on 14th Street, NW, a few blocks north of the U Street brand as “the most un-street-wear street-wear brand Corridor. Having met such challenges, DURKL has in the industry.” While many other brands tailor their had no problem distributing to countries including lines to the masses, Sharp says DURKL’s line of Australia, France, Japan and Spain. sharp designs and vibrant colors is “geared towards “I am constantly receiving e-mails of new lines someone who is looking to be dif- that want to be featured in the ferent… an independent-minded, store.” Palace 5ive owner Greg unique person.” Grammen said. “We have to like “I’ve loved clothes from an the line. They have to have the early age. Not so much from a con- right look and feel. It has to go sumer standpoint; I appreciate it with our store.” Grammen ex- when clothing is used as a form of plained the requisites a brand self-expression.” Sharp says. “I must meet in order to be on the went to a good high school, and a shelves of his very popular store. good university, but I didn’t find “The lines that do well make my grove in education. After fin- good hats, tees, and denim cuts. ishing school I went up to Brook- DURKL is all across the board lyn to find my ‘calling’ so to and a complete line.” “We design all our products speak.” Brooklyn was not the right Find DURKL designs at: fit. “How could I have a D.C.-based Palace Five Skateshop Washington, D.C. on our own,” Pierce noted. “We Social Study Frederick, Md. use bright pantone colors [and] a clothing company, located in Elite Boardshop Fairfax, Va. Brooklyn?” He says. Rumors Richmond, Va. slimmed classic cut for all our For retailers across the country who stuff.” The Spring ‘09 collection, When DURKL began in 2004, carry the DURKL line, visit http://durkl. Sharp was just riding the tide. “At com/retailers/ shown at Palace 5ive, portrayed first I started for fun: selling tees DURKL’s ethos and included bril- out my basement. [then] put up a website with a few liantly colored designs and a strong use of stripes. shirts. People started buying, and it just took off.” Sharp even manages to work his positive, can- Soon his brother Cole joined the business and in 2006 do attitude into his line. “I don’t understand the men- they attended an industry trade show where they dis- tality of some people,” he said. “It’s a waste of energy covered their brand had stimulated a level of interest to be negative. That’s why our taglines are ‘Make far beyond their initial expectations. Fun’ and ‘Be Alive.’” “The most pivotal point in my career was when He went on to say that some aspects of the line my brother Cole came on board. I was doing every- “are humorously a stab at other brands,” and the thing for myself and by myself, with him it was dou- “Make Fun” tagline is not limited to having fun in ble the man power. It’s amazing working with fami- your daily life. “Our clothes are supposed to reflect a ly,” Sharp says. fun lifestyle,” he said. “Be alive and be yourself.” Although the brothers did not possess any back- For those looking to break into the fashion in- ground in fashion at the time, the pair has since dustry, Sharp recommends an aggressive, dedicated learned the market and become quite successful. At approach. “When starting a business you need four the end of 2008, DURKL released their first complete things: hard work, dedication, loyalty, and trust.” He line, a Holiday ‘08 collection. “It was a step from a explains.“Oftentimes people will talk about how they small boutique that sold T-shirts to our first full com- want to do something. Don’t talk about it; just do it.” plete line,” Sharp told YDC. Now the DURKL line With that perspective and the support of a loyal staff, includes vibrantly colored T-shirts, high-quality den- he has been able to take something he loves and im, hats, sweaters, and jackets. transform it into a rewarding profession. “At 28, this Lucas Pierce, manager and PR director at is what I do for fun,” he said. “I’m a graphic designer DURKL, said there is even more to come, including living in D.C. and I’m living life to the fullest.” Sabre Vision accessories, new collabo tees, and even a music project. The line is always looking for Hafie Yillah, 18, is a 2009 graduate of St. John’s “growth into new products and areas,” he said. College HS in the District of Columbia. He will Working with a smaller brand, however, DURKL attend Maryland University-College Park in the has encountered some challenges in efforts to expand fall. Lifestyle t Young D.C. t Summer 2009 The many ways to wrap Americanization Hojung Deena Lee The church subsequently constructed more programs and expanded its role as Young D.C. demand for learning English increased. In addition to the regular ESL classes, it Marriottsville, Md. – In a skit to entertain her students, Julie Baugh, 54, wraps now offers Bible Study (held at the Baughs’ own home in Sykesville), outreach to herself in white fabric and spouts water at her fellow church members – one of the University of Maryland Baltimore County through the English Language Cen- whom is her husband. The students are not teenagers, nor are they Americans. Gen- ter, Hispanic ministry, and various entertaining, summer-long clubs, open to any erally in their 50s, they are a throng of Koreans, Chinese, Peruvians, Egyptians, immigrant who wishes to participate. Guatemalans, and Iranians who now live in Howard County, Md. “It is widely known among the international students at UMBC that if you Everybody bursts into laughter but Baugh does not care. She would do any- want to be cared about in America, you need to go to Chapelgate,” said Nancy thing to make her students laugh and relax. Booher, the director of ESL ministry at Missions North America, a “Even though [the stu- Baugh has been volunteering at the church’s Conversational nationwide Presbyterian organization. English International Ministry for eight years. A former college dent’s] English is limited, Immigrants today encounter even greater need to attend ESL professor who taught biology and pre-nursing for ten years, she I use pictures and body workshops as jobs become more and more scarce. Yet even in this quit her job two years ago in order to volunteer full-time. Though languages or anything I economic tailspin, the church has been financially generous to a money might be a continuous temptation, she is determined to can to make myself under- select group of underprivileged immigrants who could not other- work with adults who face linguistic barriers in their daily lives. stood. Then it’s not hard wise afford rent, medical bills, groceries and the like. “I walk into my classroom and get hugged to death,” Baugh anymore.” The hallmark of support, however, may be the dinner parties said. The students are so appreciative of the sacrifice she makes – Julie Baugh Chapelgate provides every semester. The biggest celebration is that they even have her food preferences and hobbies memorized. held at Thanksgiving when the teachers have an opportunity to Sunhwa Lee, 47, for example, has studied under Baugh for a share their culture with their students.It was at one of these parties year and frequently delivers Korean food to her and her husband. “Providing kim- that Lee experienced her first-ever Thanksgiving feast. chi is the least thing I can do for her,” Lee said in Korean. “I appreciate her sacrifice But for her this is not enough. She goes beyond what the church provides. Her and this is why I keep returning to her classes every week.” husband, David Baugh, 60, a research statistician for the government, is right there ESL programs at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church date back ten years to when alongside her every step of the way, providing rides for some students, helping Terri Grahm and Diana Mood, who now serve as missionaries in Ethiopia, founded them understand car insurance contracts, and even arranging one student’s surgery the program for underprivileged immigrants. by talking to her doctor. Only 17 students attended the initial classes. However, the number has grown “You are not just sitting in the classrooms,” he said. “You are really helping ever since and reached 110 this fall. Not surprisingly, her students are an eclectic people with real problems.” bunch, representing 30 different ethnic backgrounds. Take Lee, for instance, who emigrated from Korea two years ago not knowing “When I started, I was amazed at the students and just how much they appreci- any English when she first arrived in the U.S.. “I was always afraid to go outside of ated it,” Baugh said. “Learning so much about other countries and their cultures my house,” she said. “[But] after attending the program, I gained a lot of confidence was exciting and still is.” in speaking English.” Lee can now communicate with her neighbors, grocery store Baugh teaches the lowest levels of the program and people oftentimes wonder cashiers, venders and Comcast agents -- all due to Baugh’s class. how she communicates with her class without any difficulty. “Even though [the Dubbed an “angel” by her students, Julie Baugh has provided hope for more student’s] English is limited, I use pictures and body languages or anything I than 100 students – all of whom have expressed appreciation for her dedication and can to make myself understood,” she said. “Then it’s not hard anymore.” sacrifice. Many have said it is a blessing to have a teacher like her. Repetition is the But for Baugh, it’s linchpin of Baugh’s teach- the opposite. ing style. She repeats a cer- “I love what I do,” tain set of vocabulary 40 she said. “I am very hap- times with the class and py and blessed in teach- then uses it in sentences ing English to my stu- that apply to real life situa- dents.” tions. According to Baugh, a former biology professor, Hojung Deena Lee, this is how the brain ab- 17, is a rising senior sorbs information the at Mt. Hebron HS in quickest. Ellicott City, Md. But her influence does not stop there. Baugh also trains instructors across the world about her teaching methods in efforts to help immigrants outside her im- mediate reach. A traveler herself, Baugh’s passion for teaching has reached Julie Baugh engages countries such as China, adults learning English Japan and Mexico – loca- as a second language at Chapelgate Presbyterian tions where she has taught Church in Marriottsville, anywhere from one week Md. Photo courtesy to almost two months. of Julie Baugh Summer 2009 t Young D.C. Voices of local teens Picaresque tales of underage drinkers Sebastian Swain But he missed the humor and was apparently greatly my friends used to start with the question, ‘Dude, how Young D.C. disturbed. From across the street, he started pretty bel- are we gonna get alcohol?’ We started by getting the On the whole, it is safe to say illegal drinking ligerently questioning me about why I would steal his rare invite to an upperclassman’s party where we among teens is something that may never stop. To il- kidneys, and he ended up getting so upset he hurled would get our alcohol fix. From there we would take lustrate, this reporter has heard stories from a parent what was left of his drink at me and my friend. My from our parents amounts we hoped they would never about how, during this parent’s teenage years in El poor friend ended up getting most of it though. Oh, notice. When our parents began getting suspicious, we Paso in the early ‘60s, he and the rest of the football and I was still completely sober at this point; it was moved on to wondering around D.C. trying to find meet would simply cross the Mexican border, drink, strange being on the other side of the spectrum. Al- someone who would buy us alcohol. That’s where we and head back for afternoon practice--presumably though I’ve never gotten myself into such a state that met a homeless man who was willing to buy 40 oz. somewhat tipsy. With college heads now requesting I’ve thrown drinks in an effort to protect myself from beers for us if we were willing to vastly overpay–and the drinking age be lowered in an effort to keep under- the threat of kidney theft, it just made me wonder. In endure his never-ending stories. age drinking among their students to a reasonably other ways, am I that bad when I drink?” “At first we were aware of the danger but felt healthy moderation, this reporter felt it was time to do Over the top overseas somehow cool, as if we had important connections. something of an exposé on the inner-workings of teen A local jock was also willing to give a few sto- Soon enough the cool feeling would be gone, and [at drinking in high school. ries: “Last year on spring break I visited a friend in least in me] only the fear would remain. What [I be- Sightings in the suburbs Ecuador. He had been telling me for years about how lieve] lawmakers fail to realize is that we are perfectly Many of the anecdotes I collected border on the easy it was to get alcohol there, and I was very excited aware of the dangers, just as they were when they were absurd. A suburban girl from Vienna, Va., recalled, to try it out. My second night there, we made plans to our age. Just as it did nothing to stop them, the laws do “The summer after my freshman year, the night before go to a club. Beforehand, my friends and I had some nothing to stop us. Instead we take on increasingly the Fourth of July, my friend drank three-fourths of a drinks. I started in on rum and Coke, drinking as dangerous methods of obtaining alcohol. Every night, bottle of Vodka by herself. She walked around Vienna, quickly as I would have finished a normal glass hold- we would roam back alleys with a homeless man who and the cops found her. One of her shoes was on one ing a small amount of Coke. Eager to impress, I was telling us to watch out because there was a hit on side of town, and her purse was on the other. When the grabbed a bottle of Absolut and took a long swig, ex- him. When we couldn’t find him, we went to another cops were questioning her, she was still drunk and pecting the harsh, rubbing-alcohol taste of the cheap homeless man, a known drug dealer. didn’t really know what was going on, so she threw vodka I had had before. The conclusion I would reach “One day this all became too much. Putting our herself at the cop and she started trying to make out now that I have experience with alcohol would be lives at risk for three-dollar 40s that were costing us with him. She got charged for assault of an officer and ‘Wow, this is very good-tasting vodka.’ Unfortunately $10 just wasn’t worth it. I invested in a fake ID I use underage drinking.” the conclusion I reached at the time was ‘Wow, Amer- to this day. It has yet to fail me and has made my Another suburban girl, from Bethesda, Md., de- ican vodka has so much more alcohol than this.’ I friends and myself significantly safer. I now buy alco- scribed some post-prom antics: “So, the other day, at don’t know the exact amount, but my friend estimates hol for underclassmen so they don’t experience the prom, there was an after party, and some of my friends it was close to 10 shots–in one gulp. I never made it to same dangers I did. I also tell them how to drink, so got wasted, and there was a post-prom held at the the club that night; I passed out in a bar, was poured they can learn about alcohol in a safer setting then I school from 1-5 a.m. in an effort to keep students safe into a cab and sent home. It might not exactly get did. I feel I am doing my part to outweigh the dangers after prom, rather than going out to some crazy party across now, but at the time I felt like I was gonna die. of a flawed system, but I also know what I am doing is afterwards. There were raffles and stuff for the post- “Looking back on that trip I notice two things: illegal, and hope that lawmakers will realize their stu- prom. This one kid won a Mac computer. Someone one, it was amazing I didn’t die that night–or at least pidity soon so I don’t go to jail and ninth graders aren’t called him and told him to come to pick it up from the have to be rushed to an Ecuadorian hospital; the other, shot in back alleys with homeless men for alcohol.” raffle right then, but he was coming from the after everyone else’s almost disinterest with alcohol. Epilogue party and was completely trashed when he showed up “I came in with what I’ve heard referred to as the I’m afraid I’m going to have to be noncommittal at the school. He got busted, Breathalyzed and arrest- ‘American mindset,’ where I drank as much as I could as to a stance on this issue. I truly regret such extreme ed.” as fast as I could before being caught. Everyone else repercussions of teen drinking, yet feel I should give Stupid in the city who could get alcohol simply by walking into a store moral relativism a fair shot. The practice of teen drink- A local urbanite recalled one particular mishap: and buying it was perfectly content to have a few beers ing may be justified in that teens should arguably be “The same night, an old friend of a lot of my friends and enjoy the night. able to make such mistakes in order to learn from them was throwing a going-away party for himself. It was “I believe to this day that the binge drinking cul- on top of just having a good time. American culture in just down the block from where [we] were having din- ture in the United States is a direct result of a law that general loves extremes like nothing else, you may ner. Anyway, we had just gotten out of the restaurant does nothing but make alcohol seem more exciting struggle, reaching one extreme after the other in order and were talking on the side of the street when this and exotic. I do not believe for a second that the law to find moderation. As a minor, you may sneak drinks pretty obviously drunk guy starts getting into the back- has saved more teens’ lives in cars than it has ended in out of rebellious urges; then you may go balls-to-the- seat of a car with some friends, going on about how basements choking on their own vomit. wall once you’re 21. You have the stories; decide for they were all gonna go to Z-Burger. He started yelling “I learned about alcohol by myself through expe- yourselves. at us from across the street, asking if we (for whatever riences like that of the one I had in Ecuador, but I can- reason) would want to join. His friend, in an obviously not help but think that, had it been legal for my parents Sebastian Swain, 17, is a rising senior at the Lab well-intentioned effort to just get the drunk guy safely to teach me in my own home, I might have never come School of Washington in the District of Columbia. in the backseat, started telling the guy we were ‘bad so close to death.” people’ and to just get in the car. In an attempt encour- Risky business age him to get in the car as well (and, I’ll admit, to Aside from his adventures in Ecuador, this jock amuse myself a little) I told him, ‘Yes, we are bad also explained the lengths to which he and his friends people; we’ll steal your kidneys once you pass out.’ would go to find alcohol at times. “Friday nights with Young D.C. t Summer 2009 YDC Re a d e r Su r v e y

September 2008 October 2008 November 2008

December 2008 Winter 2009 March 2009

April 2009 published online only May 2009 Summer 2009

Please email your answers to My zip code is ______Does your school publish a I like to read about people like me, [email protected]. I go to school newspaper? ______public, private, charter artists, leaders, innovators, volunteer op- You may also mail it to and will graduate in ______. Young D.C. Survey portunities, religion, technology, places to go, Do you go to news web sites? 1904 18th Street, NW ways to pay for college, ways to stay healthy. My favorite Volume 18 front daily, occasionally, never. Washington, DC 20009 page is ______. In the last year, have you visited www.youngdc.org? Do you find YDC atthe library, I am a Another newspaper I read is regular, occasional, infrequent ______? reader of YDC. ______. school, a teen hangout, a coffeehouse En t e r t a i n m e n t Summer 2009 t Young D.C. Tabi Bonney–from whiteboard to soundboard Hafie Yillah ity as an artist, showing that he is not just limited to hip-hop. Young D.C. Bonney takes a very innovative approach to music. “I’m completely myself. From the whiteboard to the soundboard, former D.C. teacher and hip-hop su- Everything is me. Through my music I don’t try to personify something I’m not, so perstar Tabi Bonney has been making major moves. He was the sole local talent on its easy to stay consistent.” A song that may fully encompass his essence will be on the bill July 12 when the Rock the Bells national tour played Merriweather Post his next album release. “If I were to have a theme song it’d be “Dreams are only Pavilion in Columbia, Md. dreams,” off of the album “Fresh” but that wont be out till the summer.” He states. Tabiabue, his first name, is actually Old English for “he is also nice.” Clearly, Although having very diverse sounds in each track, Bonney consistently manages to Bonney is living up to his name, since the release of his debut manifest himself in different ways through his music. album “A Fly Guy’s Theme ” he has continued to generously “Where ever I go I definitely represent home,” said Tabi to grace the radio waves with his unique sound. the crowd at his album release party hosted by 3x3 Entertain- However, Bonney was not always a pioneer of the D.C. ment last month. “Aside from his versatile flow and retrospec- music scene. Born in Togo, Bonney moved to D.C. at a young tive blends and arrangements, Tabi Bonney also manages to age. As a child, he was lucky enough to go on tour with his fa- infuse rhythm sections that are very reminiscent of the city’s ther, international superstar Itadi Bonney. This exposure caused own unique sound called go-go.” Said Philip Phenty, a dedi- him to gravitate toward a unique sound and contributed to the cated fan and avid supporter of Bonney. “There is definitely a showmanship of his performances. go-go influence in some of my tracks.” He says. “I taught for two years at Roosevelt,” Bonney told YDC. Although he has an international sound, proud Washingto- His students were a bit skeptical about his lyricism at first. nian, Bonney incorporates go-go into some of his music. “D.C. “When I started telling my students, they did not believe I could will always be a go-go city. It’s just starting to become a hip rap,” he said. Now his former students are found saying “It’s so hop scene,” he said. Bonney–along with artists like Wale, Flex cool. You used to be my teacher.” Mathews, X.O and Rosetta Stoned–is putting the DMV hip-hop Although, his mother, also a member of the DCPS sys- scene on the map. But as Bonney frequently says, “Hip hop still tem, was a bit wary about his choice to rap at first, he said both has a long way to go in D.C.” parents have been very supportive throughout his career, espe- Be sure to check out his album “Fresh” when its drops this cially his father. “My father is an entertainer and has always summer as well. “Wherever I go I definitely represent home,” said Tabi to been very supportive of me.” courtesy of DC Rap Bonney describes the process as anything but easy. “At first Tabi Bonney the crowd at his album release party last month. I spent a lot of time looking for a deal.” With no luck initially, he “Tabi Bonney is a very humble and respectable individual. became an ambitious independent artist. “Once I stopped looking, things started to He put on an amazing performance and really connects with the audience. Even fall into place.” He cites this change as a pivotal moment in his career.Bonney has though I didn’t get the turnout I expected that evening due to rain, Tabi still rocked had videos featured on MTV, VHI and other major music networks. “My career is the crowd as if there were thousands of people there,” says Omar Haleem, founder just starting to pick up, it still has not even come close to its peak. I don’t even feel of 3x3 Entertainment, the agency that hosted the party. like I’ve come close to the climax of it. I still have room to grow.” “Aside from his versatile flow and retrospective blends and arrangements, Where some artists fail Bonney triumphs. He is able transcend the boundaries Tabi Bonney also manages to infuse rhythm sections that are very reminiscent of that identifying with a specific genre might present. His most recent venture is an the city’s own unique sound called go-go,” said Philip Phenty, a dedicated fan and example of that. Initially the setup was to put out one album called “Dope meet avid supporter of Bonney. Fresh.. Fresh Meet Superstar,” which would be a combination of sounds. However, “There is definitely a go-go influence in some of my tracks.” He says.” Bonney chose to break it up into 3 parts as each has its own unique vibe. “The al- bum “Dope” is straight hip-hop. Where as “Fresh” is a bit more soulful, and “Su- Hafie Yillah, 18, is a graduate of St. John’s College HS in the District of Co- perstar” has a pop appeal.” He says. Each album will be an example of his versatil- lumbia. He will attend Maryland University-College Park in the fall. Teens fill casts in local summer theater productions Throughout the region, it’s a good summer for theatrical productions. Georgetown University and Duke Ellington School of the Arts partner to produce the American classic Our Town at the Gonda Theatre, July 15-18. Prices range from $5 to $12. Visit http://events.georgetown.edu/events/index.cfm?Acti on=View&CalendarID=251&EventID=68085 For a production of Les Miserables, Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts has drawn a cast of students from four colleges and an array of public and private high schools in Montgomery, Howard and Carol Counties in Maryland. July 23- 26, Reservoir HS, 11550 Scaggsville Rd., Fulton, Md. $15 ($10, Saturday mati- nee). Visit www.cctarts.com/ccta_001.htm Though few are in the casts, teens are encouraged to join audiences at the Capital Fringe Festival through July 26. The extravaganza offers 122 shows in 18 Erica Clare, 16, a rising junior at Westminster HS, days. From Annabelle Lee to The Honest-to-God True Story of the Atheist, there’s plays Eponine for three an abundance of new work from soon-to-be famous authors and troupes. The less performances of CCTA’s Les Miserables, Friday evening, adventurous can find works by Samuel Beckett, Gilbert and Sullivan, Shake- July 24, plus matinees speare and Tom Stoppard. Visit http://shows.capfringe.org and sort the schedule Saturday and Sunday. by show, date, troupe or venue. Entertainment t Young D.C. t Summer 2009 A self-selected summer reading list Priscilla Ward Do Hard Things Young D.C. Twins Alex and Brett Harris are the authors of Do Hard Things: a Teenage Before I head off to Temple University in the fall, there are a few books I Rebellion Against Low Expectations. The book calls young people to rethink the plan to read this summer while I chill. These books will help broaden my perspec- teen years. “Right now our society views the teen years as nothing more than a tive as an aspiring journalist and urban planner. Following are samples. vacation away from responsibility. We are expected to be immature, and rebel- The Breakthrough lious for no other reason than the fact that we are Gwen Ifill is the managing editor of Washing- between the ages of 13-19 years old,” said Brett ton Week and a senior correspondent for News- Harris. The twins wrote the book when they were Hour with Jim Lehrer, both on PBS. June 4, Ifill 18. They also set up the website www.therebelu- and her cousin Sherrilyn Ifill, a law professor at the tion, blog, ministry and a series of Christian con- University of Maryland School of Law, spoke at ferences for parents and teens. Their father, the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore, Md. Their Gregg Harris, is prominent in the Christian ho- topic was “Talking About Race Now: How to Build meschooling movement. Success Without Forgetting the Struggle.” Do Hard Things: a Teenage Rebellion I had the honor of buying the last copy of the Against Low Expectations book sold that evening – and shaking hands with by Alex and Brett Harris the queen herself. She signed my book, “We need Hardcover, 256 pages you,” something I only dream of. List Price: $16.99 Ifill takes the story of President Barack Audiobook: $19.95. Obama’s success and extends it to other politicians, who are doing very similar things. From politics to Priscilla Ward, 18, was homeschooled for culture the book takes a look at stories of break- high school and will attend Temple Univer- throughs in the African American community. “We sity in Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall. have celebrified Barrack Obama,” Ifill said, adding Readers can listen to the inspiring and witty that the book takes a look at the extraordinary lives Ifill-Ifill discussion via http://www.soros.org/ of Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, N.J., Massa- initiatives/baltimore/events/suc- chusetts Gov. Duval Patrick, and U.S. Rep. Artur cess_20090604 Davis (Alabama, 7th District). “These politicians took very seriously the achievements their parents Opportunities for book lovers made,” she said. These politicians are doing the YDC is looking for teens who love to read very same thing Obama did just in different ways. and share their reactions to books. Zap the edi- Sherrilyn Ifill is the author of On the Court- tors an email –[email protected] – to tell house Lawn, Confronting the Legacy of Lynching them about books that caught your interest and in the 21st Century. books you think other teens may have over- The Breakthrough: Politics and Race looked. Click on staff and leadership applications in the Age of Obama at the bottom of the YDC homepage to download by Gwen Ifill forms to learn more about YDC’s expectations. Price: $24.95–Hardcover, 288 pages If your school didn’t provide a summer Publisher : Random House reading list for students, confer with your local Green Collar Economy librarian or book store. They often have copies of book lists from many schools. Why not dis- Van Jones is the author of The Green Collar cover what Malia Obama will be reading for Economy: How One Solution Can Solve Two of Sidwell Friends? Spoiler alert– http://www. Our Biggest Problems. Jones serves on the White sidwell.edu/data/files/directory/MSSummer- House Council on Environmental Quality and is Reading/56_summer_reading_2009.pdf president of Green For All. I was amazed by Jones’ What books do colleges expect incoming genius when he addressed an audience of passion- freshman to have read? Many are not books ate young environmentalist during Powershift 2009 from your English classes. Two nonfiction se- (See Young D.C. March 2009, page 5) lections are Three Cups of Tea by Greg Morten- Jones has been called a magnificent disrupter son and David Oliver Relin and True Enough: of the status quo. He stands at the forefront of social Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society by Far- and environmental justice. In his book he takes a had Manjoo. look at how to involve entire communities who A surprising number of them, fiction and have traditionally been uninvolved. “We don’t want any throw-away communi- nonfiction, have been reviewed by YDC over the years. Here are just a few: ties or most importantly throw away people,” said Jones. He wants to help retrofit Blink by Malcolm Gladwell America and provide jobs for hundreds of thousands of urban workers in the pro- Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers by Alissa Quart cess. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich Can Solve Two of Our Biggest Problems The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd by Van Jones Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Price: $18.99–Paperback, 256 pages To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Publisher: HarperOne Summer 2009 t Young D.C. Young D.C. t Summer 2009 Sp o r t s Sean King runs Erik Opsahl sets sites with family legacy on European soccer Noah Goetzel Fran Djoukeng other states, including Florida and Ohio. Young D.C. Young D.C. Subsequently, Opsahl accepted a grand Although, Sean King, 18, Winston Churchill HS Class of 2009, seems Since the age of three, Erik Opsahl opportunity. After the season’s end, a quiet and reserved; his impressive running career in cross country, indoor and had one target in mind: soccer. He’s Blair friend, senior Georges Landry, re- outdoor track speaks volumes about his achievements. aimed high by participating on travel ferred Opsahl to his sports agent. Once Some of King’s proudest accom- teams and school teams from the time he the agent got into contact with Opsahl he plishments throughout his high school turned seven years old. With his dad’s offered him an overseas trip for a 10-day running career include leading his guidance, he’s practiced consistently dur- tryout with a French league in May. Op- team during the 2008 cross country ing his personal time and watched count- sahl agreed and then flew with Funes to season culminating in a fifth place less soccer games. Now it seems his tar- audition with a professional club, AJ team finish in the 2008 Maryland get will tangle with his future as he Auxerre. The experience was a mixture Cross Country Championship, finish- considers showcasing his soccer-playing of tension and triumph as Opsahl played ing fourth in the mile event during the expertise in France, potentially forgoing alongside other player his age. “I was 2009 Maryland State Championship his final stint in high school–senior year. nervous at first but the kids were nice to with a blistering time of 4:23, just 6 A member of Montgomery Blair HS me and it was a good experience. It was seconds behind the winner, and being Class of 2010, Opsahl has always cen- good to see the difference in game level a four-year member of the school’s tered his development on soccer and rel- that was played in a foreign country,” elite 4x800m relay team. egated school work behind. “My dad got Opsahl said. “I put the team’s accomplish- me my first soccer ball, exposed me to it Also participating was Funes, who ments before my own,” King said. As and I got to love it,” Opsahl told YDC. has known Opsahl for over two years. a member of the 2009 indoor and out- “Soccer has always been my priority be- Playing in distant territory, Opsahl door Montgomery County Champion cause my dad trained me that way. Soc- showed a great deal of stamina according 4x800m relay team, he said he tries cer first, school second,” Opsahl said. to Funes. “Training with Erik was amaz- harder in relays when his teammates “My dad is really involved in soccer and ing because he always tries to do better depend on him to finish strong. Photo by Allison King every weekend, when we don’t have a than you. So you have to push yourself Sean King runs in a relay race for After years of playing basketball, game, we would watch a game [from] more just to keep up with him,” Funes Winston Churchill. His mother and sister soccer and baseball, King said he real- also ran for Churchill. His father and overseas.” said. “He was always very serious and grandfather ran in college. ized that running would be his primary He played on Blair’s varsity soccer took everything like it was his first and sport in high school when he was team for the 2008 fall season and said he only chance to train in France.” placed on the team’s 4x800m relay as a freshman at the 2006 4A West Re- enjoyed the experience. “It was my first Baez expresses confidence Opsahl gional Championship, considered an enormous honor. King feels that the com- year playing for Blair and it was fun. will excel, telling YDC “His talent is petitive nature of playing other sports, especially basketball, contributed to his Some of the games were competitive and there. I see him playing professionally or development as a runner. it was nice to get to know people on the probably in the college circuit. He is an “I wanted to find a sport where I could work hard and see instant rewards team,” Opsahl added. exceptional young man who adds great with no sitting on the bench,” he said. “Running is black and white: if you don’t Although Opsahl came late to the chemistry to the team. He’s always egg- prepare, you won’t see results.” team and started in mid-field, within a ing everybody on with a never-give-up “My sister Allison was probably the biggest influence on me to begin run- few days he advanced to the front, Head attitude,” ning competitively,” he said. According to King, she saw his potential in other Coach Adrian Baez told YDC. He de- Opsahl’s brief tenure in France sports and convinced him to start running. Allison King was also a top runner scribes Opsahl as having a European- proved very rewarding as he was extend- at WCHS for four years, and continued to run cross country and track at North- style. “He’s very quick to the touch and ed another chance to exhibit his talent. western University all four year before graduating this past June. has a great right foot. Even when you are “Supposedly the French coaches thought However, Allison is not the only other runner in the King family. Their down by one or two points, Erik is tough I was pretty good and I have been offered mother Betsy Yu was a member of WCHS’ first ever cross country team and on the opponent,” Baez said. “When the a one year agreement to show that I de- went on to run at Wake Forest University. Their father Brian also ran cross- chips are down, you can count on Erik to serve a professional contract,” Opsahl country and track in high school. Finally, Brian King’s father Frederick, who provide a positive attitude.” said. The goal now for Opsahl is to deter- ran competitively throughout high school and college, was the longtime mile Michael Funes, Blair 2009, played mine whether he wants to move forward record holder at West Point. with Opsahl on the varsity team. He says with the agreement. “I need to do well Though King says his best race, like his grandfather’s, is the mile, the open that Opsahl was a hard-working athlete. and show them that I deserve to be there. 800m race is his favorite. “The open 800 is slow enough that there is strategy “He is very good and has a good mental- It’s an investment for them and I have to involved, but fast enough that at the end of the race you feel as if you are sprint- ity. He’s a well-rounded player and likes show that I’m a good investment because ing,” he said. to lead the team even if he is not the cap- they have to get something out of it,” Op- King said he believes that all of his races are about equal in difficulty be- tain. He is a leader on the field and plays sahl said. cause he always pushes himself to the limit. Whether he is running a 400m, all 90 minutes of the game,” Funes said. There are stipulations and sacrifices 800m, mile or 5k race (approximately 3.1 miles), he stays hungry mentally to Opsahl also played with Pachuca involved if Opsahl decides to participate keep pushing himself during the final, grueling stretches of his races mainly Internationals, a club team associated with the European group. These include through self-motivation and support from the coaches. with a Mexican team. Pachuca provided adjusting to a new routine and managing Se e Ki n g , p a g e 13 the chance to play at a tournaments in Se e Op s a h l , p a g e 13 Summer 2009 t Young D.C. Hu m o r

Casey Drogin, 17, is a rising senior at Einstein HS in Kensington, Md. Churchill’s cross country King trains for Division 1 Ki n g , f r o m Pa g e 12 While King sees running in college as an opportunity to distinguish himself “Sean is a really gutsy runner,” WCHS’ indoor and outdoor track coach Scott and add more meaning to his life, he said he realizes that not everything revolves Silverstein said. “He finds an extra gear whenever it looks like he is out of a race and around running. He puts his family and school first, conceding that running is just never falls apart at the end.” He added that this year King gained a lot of confidence something he does for fun to keep healthy and in good physical shape. and became more competitive, traits that will help him in running and in life. “I don’t want to put any limits on myself and say ‘I can do this or can’t do Aside from his coaches and himself, King also uses the following Eric Liddell that,’” King said of his ultimate goal in competitive running. “I just want to in- quote from Chariots of Fire to stay determined, “I believe God made me for a pur- crease the intensity of my training and see how much better I can become.” pose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” “This summer I will increase my mileage to prepare for the jump in distance Noah Goetzel, 18, is a graduate of Winston Churchill HS in Potomac, Md. of cross-country races,” King told YDC. Despite his sensational personal best time and will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall. of 16:01 in the 5k, Sean must adjust to the nearly two extra miles of the college level 8k race this fall when he plans to run for Pepperdine University’s Division I cross country team in Malibu, Calif. Opsahl, parents plan to build on international experience Op s a h l , f r o m Pa g e 12 school work. “It’s going to be hard and my mom is league. “I love the way he plays, carries himself and trying to work out my high school diploma. I will be works hard. I hope to grow up and be like the kind of a missing everyone at Blair and it’s going to be hard person that works hard and does what he needs to be having a completely different lifestyle.” Opsahl told successful,” Opsahl said. YDC. If Opsahl decides to train next year, he must Baez said. “He is very valuable and will be an as- also secure personal arrangements. “I have to pro- set wherever he lands. I can see him playing interna- vide my own housing and my parents need to find tionally in ten years because he is above the caliber in housing for me while I train with the team.” high school when he plays.” With a steadfast focus on the soccer arena, No matter what, Opsahl has staked his future in the and now that he is 16, Opsahl is priming himself for sport that he played when he was just a toddler. “Wheth- a lifelong career in any avenue dealing with soccer, er it’s playing or coaching, I just want to be involved in whether he engages as a player or a mentor. Opsahl Photo by Pete McMillan soccer,” Opsahl said. seeks to emulate his role model, Michael Essien, Opsahl, front row far left, and teammates on Pachuca who plays for the Chelsea team, a premier European International celebrate a muddy victory. Fran Djoukeng, 17, is a rising senior at Montgom- t Vi e w p o i n t s Young D.C. Summer 2009 Casey’s Corner Growing into the news Matt Nguyen obvious to me a year ago when I had not Young D.C. yet joined YDC. I think people don’t appreciate news- I discovered what other active and paper journalism enough. I was one of ambitious kids my age were doing, think- them. People might refuse free newspapers ing, feeling and more. I was impressed handed out every morning near Metro sta- with the teens who wrote the stories. I tions all over the city for a number of rea- could also relate to the teens who were sons. My reason for denying them was that subjects of the stories. I discovered a gold I didn’t like reading very much, especially mine where I could go to read about things reading newspapers – to me they were too that interested me and it was in the form of comprehensive of what happened yester- a newspaper. I decided to join the newspa- day. I was like this a year ago, perhaps be- per because I wanted to be part of the shar- cause I’m a teenager, perhaps because ing and learning. I realized the power of English is my second language. newspapers as a way to share and to learn. A year in AP history class and junior I now appreciate a newspaper for being a year English class helped me become a bet- great tool. ter student of literature and interested ob- Working and participating in the as- server of what happens in the world around sembly of a newspaper, I discovered that me. However, it was being a YDC reporter newspapers do not just grow from a tree that helped me understand the value of but are the compiled work from many real newspaper journalism. Nowadays, I say the people. The stories in YDC are the works Casey Drogin, 17, is a rising senior at Einstein HS in Kensington, Md. newspaper is the “all in one” place for in- of many writers who manage to get things The teens and friends of formation. There is world news, national done so the final product can go to press. I Young D.C. thank news, local news, reporting on styles, sports, learned what it takes to produce a monthly The Bureau of National business and much more. newspaper – much less a daily newspaper. Affairs Additionally I see a newspaper as a It takes a lot of planning, researching, in- Children’s Charities collection of information about humani- terviewing, writing, revising and hard Foundation ties. I realized a newspaper is tied to the work. The production of newspapers is the The Examiner humanities after I read a copy of YDC for collective effort of many hard working and the Washington Examiner Fund people. the first time. of The Community The human dimension in newspaper The stories in newspapers are often Foundation journalism was new to me and profound important. Readers can learn and grow, for the National once I noticed it. I didn’t see newspaper in which to me is the purpose of newspapers– Capital Region that human dimension before. Real humans serving humanity. The Freedom Forum are the working engines behind the miracle The Herb Block Foundation of a finished quality newspaper for readers. Matt Nguyen, 17, is a rising senior at for your generous support The ways I see newspapers now was not McKinley Technology HS in the Dis- of YDC’s programs in 2009 trict of Columbia. Michael Jackson’s iconic style – androgynous, nostalgic, thrilling Mohammad Diallo Gaga, and Rihanna take components of turned them into a smooth polished look Young D.C. Jackson’s style and incorporate them in that would be donned by teenagers and Michael Jackson was an influential theirs. His style continues to be high- celebrities globally. style icon in the past four decades. From lighted on the runways. For spring and Michael Jackson’s, style is signifi- the leather jackets in vivid colors he fall 2009 collections, fashion houses cant in American pop culture. His an- rocked in music videos to the suave Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Balmain took drogynous and nostalgic elements loafers he glided in, from his dazzling inspiration from Jackson panache and earned him the title “style icon.” He is metallic tour ensembles to the pure executed it innovatively. the reason why you wear metal embel- white silk shirt he wore bare-chested in It’s very intriguing that Jackson, lishments, or skinny jeans in bursting the Bad video, Jackson’s style was, is born in 1958, captured 1940’s, 50’s and colors or tank tops with denim jackets. and will be omnipresent. 60s style while making it so contempo- Elements of his style are worn to- rary. In his 1984 Thriller video, the look Mohammad Diallo, 17, is a graduate day by celebrities, teenagers and fash- was courtesy of costume designer Deb- of Friendship Edison Collegiate ionistas. For a performer to incorporate orah Noodlman Landis. He procured Academy in the District of Colum- androgyny as principal is very auda- elements of that style that were so nos- bia. He will attend Syracuse Univer- cious. Superstars like Kanye West, Lady talgic—bomber jackets, and loafers and sity in the fall. Summer 2009 t Young D.C. t Viewpoints Point counterpoint: let’s change the drinking age Lindsey, Courtney, harmful behavior, why not raise the age to 22, 23, 24? Think about it: the 18-to-20 demographic can Moderation. It’s an easy word to say. It may even Why not introduce a bill that would require all those vote, yet it cannot drink alcohol unspervised. We can be easy to try moderation. But, we all know that youths already 21 or older to pass a board-certified alcohol help elect the nation’s greatest leader, but can’t order a don’t always know what’s best for them. Young people education course? How are we to determine when a margarita at a Mexican restaurant. might get sick after a night of drinking and partying. given individual is responsible and mature enough to In terms of allocated responsibility, something The sad part is that they go out and do the same thing legally drink on his or her own? doesn’t quite line up. again the next time they get the chance. Let’s also consider that the majority of 18-to-20 –Courtney Laws need to be made or maintained to protect year olds ignore age-related privileges. Most students Courtney, everyone in this country. do not buy cigarettes or porn. They don’t get tattoos. Lowering the drinking age to 18 will simply undo How often do you hear about college students go- Many don’t vote the first time they are eligible. all the positive effects of raising it to 21 decades ago. If ing out to a nice restaurant and sipping one margarita or –Courtney we allow that restriction to end now, thousands of two glasses of champagne? Hardly ever. How often do Courtney, young lives may end prematurely. you hear about college kids–ones who aren’t 21 –mak- We both agree that people of all ages often con- Though a law on the books does not prevent ev- ing themselves sick with alcohol? On a regular basis. sume more alcohol than they can handle with bad re- eryone under 21 from drinking, it still deters many a As nice as the sippers could be, that’s not reality. sults, but I’m not calling for raising the drinking age to conscientious youth from drinking because “the cool It’s ridiculous to justify lowering the drinking age the mid-20s. However, I feel that lowering the drinking kids are doing it.” so young people won’t succumb to the temptation to age will certainly have a domino effect. Fourteen, 15- If anything needs to be done about this law, it’s a break the law. How does changing a law change the and 16-year olds will start to think, “Well, we’re al- stricter enforcement of it–on campuses and beyond. developmental level of late adolescence? most 18. Close enough. We must be mature enough to –Lindsey –Lindsey handle alcohol.” Lindsey, Lindsey, Though members of Congress have their flaws, I If, in fact, raising the legal drinking age to 21 has I see a common theme running through your ar- do believe they care about this country and its youth. decreased the number of alcohol-related automobile gument: youthful irresponsibility. Let me address it They aren’t going to change this law. Patience is a vir- accidents, that’s definitely a positive side effect. first by saying that while it’s true many teens and tue. The best way to overcome under-age drinking is to However America’s youth must master the sim- 20-somethings don’t practice moderation with alcohol admit that alcohol has an allure that must be resisted. ple art of moderation. Not just in terms of alcohol, but and encounter tragic consequences, the law alone will –Lindsey everything. A new law allowing a lower drinking age never prevent any truly determined high school or col- could still be reversed. If 18-to-20 year olds do abuse lege student from obtaining alcohol. Courtney Stein, 18, is a graduate of Pius X HS in the privilege to drink, take that privilege away. Let’s assume the Amethyst Initiative doesn’t per- Houston, Tex. She will attend Trinity University in –Courtney suade Congress to change the legal drinking age. If a San Antonio, Tex., in the fall. law’s primary function is to serve as a deterrent against Lindsey Rennie, 16, is a rising junior at Mount de Sales Academy in Baltimore, Md.

What’s your topic for YDC to tackle in Viewpoints? The editors would love to hear about things that inform, concern, inspire, disappoint or drive you crazy. Send your Viewpoints idea to [email protected] About Viewpoints Unsigned Viewpoints articles, or editorials, convey the opinions of the Young D.C. editorial board. Any Viewpoint or column that has a byline or is signed by the author reflects the opinion of the individual author. It is not necessarily the opinion of Young D.C., its edi- torial board or staff. Young D.C. welcomes letters to the editor, comments and submissions from teens (in school or not) for all sections of the newspaper. Please enclose name, address and telephone number on all correspondence. Address correspondence to Young D.C. Managing Editor 1904 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Young D.C., Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to create opportunities for young people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and economic backgrounds to work together to develop a responsible, independent media voice. Its program encourages teens to examine new territory in the region’s fragmented so- ciety to produce this newspaper. In the process, its editors, reporters, photographers, car- toonists, illustrators and interns develop skills for college and career. On t h e St r e e t Young D.C. t Summer 2009 Charter school French club snaps Parisian sites The French Club of Friendship Edison Collegiate Academy left its campus near the Minnesota Avenue Metro station in D.C. for Paris, May 14 to 19. Thanks to supplemental fundraising, the cost per student was only $150 plus spending money.

Photo by Angelita Alston Mohammad Diallo, YDC reporter and the male 2009 Free Spirit scholarship winner for D.C., kicks up his heals in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Photos by Mohammad Diallo Photos by Mohammad Diallo Top, Cathedral of Notre Dame is de rigueur. Top, touring through the rain pays off in Ile de la Cite. Bottom, Parisian graffiti was a surprise to the D.C. Bottom, L’Ossuaire Municipal is visited by tourists today. The catacombs were created in abandoned quarries in visitors. the late 1700s when city growth and fear of disease forced removal of remains from cemeteries within the gates of Paris. The catacombs are in the Montparansse part of Paris with an entry near a metro station. Sneakerheads swarm Dunkxchange D.C.

Latin restaurant Bravo Bravo near Faragut Square in D.C. was the host for the DMV Dunkxchange June 7, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dozens of brands were represented by both vendors and everyday sneakerheads. Each participant paid $11 and sellers with tabletop space paid $100 before June 7 and $120 on the day of the megasale. Dunkxchange events have crisscrossed the country for four years. What could be a dull swap is a lively event, thanks to DJs, auctions, discount cou- pons and giveaways.

Photos by Hafie Yillah Center, DMV Dunkxchange emcee auctions limited edition Nike Low Pro SB June 7 at Bravo Bravo; top left, vendor raffles $2,000 NYC Pigeons; top right, swooshes rule; bottom right, low volume sellers ISO buyers; bottom left, vendors with more stock try to attract buyers to their tables and stalls. Hafie Yillah, 18, is a graduate of St. John’s College HS in the District of Columbia. He will attend Maryland University College Park in the fall.