Erhu Charms Local Teen Emily Yang the Sound of the Instrument Gives Off a Tradi- Young D.C
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In this issue Entertainment 6–9 Humor 11 Red Tails: Lifestyle 5 YDC defies Airmen as News 1–4 winter at U.S. action heroes On the Street 12 Soapbox 2 Botanic Garden p. 8 Sports 10 p. 12 Volume 21 issue 5 Winter 2012 Please display through St. Patrick’s Day Erhu charms local teen Emily Yang The sound of the instrument gives off a tradi- Young D.C. tional vibe for people with a Chinese heri- Instruments are seen and heard daily, tage. Chen played two well-known songs that whether as common as the piano or as un- anyone who grew up in China would imme- common as the bassoon. Anqi Chen, a junior diately recognize. at Walt Whitman HS in Bethesda, Md., plays Influenced by rising competition in Chi- one that’s not so common called the erhu. na’s education system, Chen says that chil- “Erhu” sounds like a toy or food, but for dren are “encouraged to play musical instru- Chen, it is a way for “more people to know ment in order to survive from the competition about Chinese culture. I want to spread Chi- among all the students. In other words, the nese culture through performing the erhu.” student who plays a musical instrument has a YDC went to Lakeforest Mall in Gaith- larger chance to get into better schools.” She ersburg, Md., Jan. 29 to see various perfor- played the piano for a month when she was mances by people of all ages and ethnicities younger, but says it didn’t really suit her. She during the celebration of lunar new year. In switched to playing the erhu, which intrigued Asian calendars, the new year is a 15-day cel- her. She says her father believes “erhu is not ebration – lunar year 4079 kicked off Jan. 23. only a Chinese traditional musical instru- At Lakeforest, YDC met Chen and heard her ment, but also easy to carry around.” play the erhu. She says, “I have been playing YDC asked why she wanted to partici- erhu for about ten years, starting at first grade pate at this particular event. Anqi says, “I per- in elementary school… Surprisingly, I wasn’t sonally enjoyed performing in cultural events. Photo by Emily Yang Anqi Chen plays a traditional Chinese song on the erhu at Lakeforest Mall on nervous [performing] at all.” I was introduced by Mrs. Mao, an ESOL Jan. 29. The erhu is a two-stringed instrument teacher at Walt Whitman. She found it would that is vertically propped on the player’s be good if I could perform in this event. I re- Emily Yang, 15, is a sophomore at Winston Churchill HS in Poto- lap,and bowed in a similar fashion as a cello. ally appreciated this opportunity.” mac, Md. Study links diabetes to dropping out, lower income Christina Lee tes can lead to serious health conse- Teens and their parents face the lot of things. It’s almost not fair. I also Young D.C. quences such as blindness, heart disease challenge of dealing with the disease have appointments for insulin replace- One out of every 400 children and and stroke. while dealing with lost opportunities to ment therapy and I have to go through adolescents in the United States is dia- Teens with diabetes, the study build teamwork and widen horizons these for life. It takes a lot of time out betic. A 14-year-long study by research- from Yale University reveals, are six through sports and other extracurricular from being able to be a normal teen.” ers at Yale University suggests that the percent more likely to drop out of high activities. Naqvi and her parents face After talking to Naqvi, YDC influence of the diabetes is way beyond school. They may earn up to $160,000 the risk of insulin reactions. This pre- sought out a young adult who balances known physical problems. less as adults than those without the dis- vents her from participating in school both the disease and a highly active life- “Having diabetes absolutely ease. The study of 15,000 young people related activities. She says, “I can’t play style. Just because teens are diagnosed sucks,” Aelia Naqvi, 16, of Paint Branch followed from middle or high school school sports because they’re too vigor- with diabetes doesn’t mean they cannot HS in Burtonsville, Md., says. “I have to into adulthood says the diabetics are ous and it’s possible that I can pass out. live successful lives—they just need check my blood sugar five times a day. prone to lose motivation, thus remain- “My parents don’t let me go on coping strategies. YDC asked diabetic Depending on its amount, I have to get ing in lower-paying jobs to avoid losing trips without someone looking after me David Levitt, a fourth year medical stu- insulin injected or eat a sugar pack.” health insurance or suffer restrictions if [who] knows my condition well. Having dent at the University of Maryland Monitoring is important because diabe- they transition to other jobs. diabetes really keeps me from doing a SEE DIABETE S , PAGE FOUR SOAPBOX News t Young D.C. t Winter 2012 Winter 2012 t Young D.C. t News It’s award show season! With the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys nominees rocking the red carpet, Soapbox asks local teens PARKMONT POETRY FESTIVAL CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF STUDENT POETRY Calling all Poets, grades 6 - 12 Enter your poems * Open to students attending public or private schools in the District of Columbia Are you a fan of awards shows? Young D.C. is an independent newspaper written by and * Limit is two entries per student: each entry must include a submission form* about metropolitan area teens. * Festival will be held at Parkmont School on MAY 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Address correspondence to: * 40 finalists will receive a $40 gift certificate, tee-shirt What do you think of them? Young D.C. and publication in the Festival Anthology. 1904 18th Street, NW Unit B DEA D LINE F OR ENTRIES : MARCH 12, 2012 Compiled by Christina Lee Christina Lee, 17, is a senior at Oakton HS in Vienna, Va. Washington, D.C. 20009-1707 Young D.C.- Mail poems with submission forms to tel: 202.232.5300 Parkmont Poetry Festival c/o Parkmont School fax: 202.232.5306 4842 16th Street, N.W. www.youngdc.org Washington, D.C. 20011 Copyright. All rights reserved. OR E-mail to: [email protected] For more information, call 202-726-0740 x306 Managing Editor: Christina Lee Oakton HS (Va.) *Visit www.parkmontpoetryfestival.org to download the form News Editor: Dana Harrison, Wootton HS (Md.) Lifestyle Editor: Lisa Hu, Wootton HS (Md.) Reporters: Cuyler Deegan, The Lab School of Washington Endorsement kerfuffle precedes (D.C.); Mohammad Diallo, Syracuse University (NY); Alex Greenhill, Brehm School (Ill.); Eyen Zame Johnson, home- schooled, (D.C.); Abigail Melick, Woodrow Wilson HS (D.C.); odd caucusCassidy Riley vote countmention TFL itself) in and thereIowa is no doubt that Yes. I think they are Although I’m not too I watch award shows if they If I know it’s happening Well, I don’t really know Matt Nguyen, Lafayette College (Pa.); Olivia Patch, The Lab Young D.C. Santorum’s surge in December polls was aided entertaining and an opportu- informed about the careers of happen to be on while I’m I’ll try to watch it but I mainly anything about [award shows] School of Washington (D.C.); Nick Pope, Ellington School for Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, Iowa-based con- by his endorsement. The important thing is, only nity to showcase talented Hollywood stars, I still watch watching TV but that’s pretty go for the fashion and actor/ because I never have time to the Arts (D.C); Cassidy Riley, Des Moines North H.S. (Iowa); servative group The Family Leader told the time and money of individuals connected with artists in our country. award shows to expose myself rare. I’m not entirely familiar actress aesthetics. I don’t get watch TV anymore. Abby Seitz, Fauquier HS (Va.); Emily Yang, Churchill HS press that it would not be backing a GOP candi- TFL is being spent, rather than the time and to the fashion aspect…I enjoy with the content but it’s cool to as invested in the actual (Md.), Kathy Zhang, Paint Branch HS (Md.) date in the Iowa Caucus. Local news outlets money of the organization. Hurley isn’t sure - Mayura Iyer is a watching iconic actresses model see your favorite celebrity or works unless I really liked it - Natalia Sanchez is a Photographers: Kelly Fisher, The Lab School of Washington reported that after a year of discussion and de- where the confusion happened or why the media freshman at the University of their latest expensive designer movie win for its accomplish- which then obviously I want senior at Gaston Day in (D.C.); Chidiki Jones Whitley, The Lab School of Washington bate, TFL board members could not focus on reported allegations of bribery. “All I know is Virginia in Charlottesville, dresses. ments rather than their popularity. it to win. Gastonia, NC. (D.C.) one of the Republicans running for president when I started seeing the headlines come out I Va. for an official TFL endorsement. thought, ‘What?’” - Wendy Xue is a fresh- - Stacy Ham is a senior at - Bianca Kim is a Board of Directors: Nate Beeler, George Curry (chairman), Within hours, TFL President Bob Vander Hurley believes that one or two journalists man at the Virginia Polytechnic Oakton HS in Vienna, Va.