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www.threesixtyjournalism.org Volume 4 • Issue 1 March–April 2013 Minnesota Teens Report Stories and Issues That Matter BuddIng deBate After voters in two states legalize marijuana use, Minnesota teens argue whether it should happen here. Pages 18–21 Cancer to ‘Clouds’ Zach Sobiech faces the unimaginable Page 16 Dating differences Can couples overcome a big age gap? Page 22 Illustration by Angela Brooks Volume 4 • Issue 1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is threeSixty Journalism? ThreeSixty Minnesota high school students, particularly low- Writers in this issue Simone Cazares, Woodbury HS • Mairead Journalism is a youth journalism program of the income and minority teens, at summer camps at the DeBruin, Avalon School • Calista Dunbar, St. Paul Central HS • Dami Gilbert, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. University of Minnesota. In 2001, the program moved Robbinsdale Cooper HS • Ibad Jafri, St. Paul Academy and Summit School Thomas. The non-profit program is committed to to the University of St. Thomas and became a year- • Simeon Lancaster, Concordia University PSEO • Nico Machlitt, Highland helping Minnesota teens tell the stories that matter in round program with a full-time staff. Park Senior HS • Frederick McConnell, St. Paul Conservatory of Performing their lives and communities. What does the name threeSixty mean? In 2006, Arts • Mary Meehan, Delano HS • Grace Pastoor, University of St. Thomas What is threeSixty Journalism’s mission? the program’s name changed to ThreeSixty Journalism • Katie Rounsville, Osseo Senior HS • Maya Shelton-Davies, River Falls HS ThreeSixty’s mission is to bring diverse voices into to reflect the program’s growth and the range of • Amolak Singh, Nova Classical Academy • Darwesh Singh, Nova Classical journalism and related professions and to using backgrounds among the students we serve. We are Academy • Brianna Skildum, Roosevelt HS • Mary Wu, Thomas Edison HS intense, personal instruction in the craft and principles interested in telling stories from all parts of our Photographers and illustrators in this issue Jennah Benalshaikh, of journalism to strengthen the literacy, writing skills community, using a variety of media tools, including and college-readiness of Minnesota teens. words, photos, illustrations and video. St. Paul Preparatory School • Angela Brooks, Thomas Edison HS • Mai Xiong Chang, Thomas Edison HS • Jaslyne Molina, Thomas Edison HS • Raul Whom do you serve? How can I get involved? ThreeSixty Journalism Molina, Thomas Edison HS directly serves more than 100 Minnesota high Apply for our Intermediate Summer Camp (June 16- school students each year via after-school classes, 28) and Intro to Journalism Camp (July 8-August 1). Lynda McDonnell weekend workshops, school partnerships, individual For applications and details, go to our website: www. Publisher: coaching and summer journalism camps. About half threesixtyjournalism.org/summercamps2013 Editors: Thomas Rozwadowski the students served come from low-income homes To submit ideas, essays, photos or artwork, email Design Consultant: Diana Boger and more than 60 percent come from communities them to [email protected] or contact Katie Johnson of color. We serve thousands more via our writing Editor Thomas Rozwadowski at thomas.rozwadows- Community Outreach Editor: contests, print publications and website—www. [email protected]. AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer coordinator: Briana Gruenewald threesixtyjournalism.org. To arrange classroom visits, contact Community Administrative Assistant: Grace Pastoor How did threeSixty Journalism start? The Outreach Editor Katie Johnson at katie.johnson@ Editorial offices: program began as the Urban Journalism Workshop stthomas.edu or Executive Director Lynda McDon- Mail 5057, 2115 Summit Ave. in 1971. UJW provided basic journalism training to nell at [email protected]. St. Paul, MN 55105 651-962-5282 Connect with us online [email protected] ✁ Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. ThreeSixty is grateful to the following individuals who donate their time For Minnesota teachers If you would like to receive ThreeSixty free of charge four times a year, send the following and expertise to the success of the program: information to [email protected]. threeSixty Journalism Board of advisors Brian Bellmont, Bellmont Name Partners Public Relations • Sue Campbell, MSP Publications • Dennis McGrath, McGrath Buckley Communications Counseling • Dr. Dina Gavrilos, University School of St. Thomas • Dr. Kristie Bunton, University of St. Thomas • Mike Burbach, School phone and extension ( ) Number of copies (30 minimum) St. Paul Pioneer Press • Doug Hennes, University of St. Thomas • Duchesne Email Drew, Star Tribune • Lida Poletz, Weber Shandwick • Scott Libin, Internet Broadcasting Address ex officio memberDr. Terence Langan, dean, College of Arts & Sciences, City, State, Zip University of St Thomas to get an individual subscription through the mail, send a $25 check for one year (four issues) to: Major supporters include Carl & Eloise Pohlad Family Fdn. • Bremer Marketing coordinator, ThreeSixty Journalism, 2115 Summit Ave. Mail 5057, St. Paul, MN 55105 Foundation • Best Buy Children’s Foundation • University of St. Thomas • John Please include your name, address and email address. S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund • Minnesota Literacy Council • Gannett Foundation • Dow Jones Newspaper Fund • Youthprise 2 threesixtyjournalism.org COVER STORY When the Smoke Clears... With votes considered unthinkable a decade ago, residents of Colorado and Washington are free to breathe in new freedoms thanks to the legalization of marijuana last November—a first in the United States. Could it happen in Minnesota? As local advocates prepare to make a legislative play for medical marijuana in the next two years, Twin Cities teens share their thoughts about a drug that doesn’t get the same full court press as alcohol and tobacco. But with recent studies showing a long term intelligence drop-off after frequent pot use, perhaps there’s more they should consider? I Pages 18–21 Send comments to threeSixty Journalism CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL Send your letters to ThreeSixty Journalism at 8 Pressing pause I 5 2115 Summit Ave., Mail 5057, A rabid gamer contemplates the effects of virtual violence after the Newtown school massacre. St. Paul, MN. 55105, or comment online at exploring education differences I 8 www.threesixtyjournalism.org What are the pros and cons of studying in America? Overseas? Three writers compare notes. You can also join ThreeSixty Journalism’s Facebook Yourturn winners I 12 fan page or follow us on Check your inbox, President Obama. You’ve got mail. Twitter@ThreeSixtyMN @16 with R.t. Rybak I 14 thank you The popular Minneapolis mayor had his sights on City Hall at an early age. Finance & Commerce Head in the ‘Clouds’ 16 The print version of ThreeSixty I Lakeland teen Zach Sobiech turned to his guitar after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. will be published four times 31 during the 2013–2014 school Is age just a number? 22 year. Finance & Commerce I Older guy + younger girl = trouble, right? Navigating age gap relationships can certainly be tricky. in Minneapolis has donated printing of the publication. Whole lotta ‘Love’ 26 We are grateful for this I Craig Minowa of Minneapolis band Cloud Cult reflects on an ambitious new album. generous gift. Meet Mr. Showtime 31 Find more at our website: I All eyes are on Robbinsdale Cooper basketball star Rashad Vaughn when he takes the court. www.threesixty journalism.org March/April 2013 3 Getting to know the Twin has grown. Over the years, I have added Reader response generalized anxiety disorder, opposition- Cities, one story at a time al defiance disorder, clinical depression, as well as a sleep disorder or two. All of hough I’ve only been in the Twin Cities WE WRITE, YOU REACT these things contribute to who I am, and since September, Johnny Cash’s “I‘ve Been how I act around people. TEverywhere” officially serves as the theme eing a special needs kid makes life I was diagnosed Starting at a young age, I knew that song for March’s issue. a challenge. Depending on your with obsessive I was different. Thankfully, my parents Even with Mother Nature’s Bspecial need, the challenges will compulsive disorder, were able to find me the help I needed. icy grip paralyzing my will to also be very different. attention deficit I’ve been to seven to nine doctors or so. I live on most days, ThreeSixty’s Personally, the challenges I have are disorder and atten- stopped keeping track. student writers have been strictly social, though I have met many tion deficit hyperac- There are two very challenging parts game to hop in my car and kids whose problems were mostly about tive disorder when I to treating disorders. The first: Finding try anything this winter. So their learning capabilities. was in second grade. the right therapist. Some of them just whether it’s Burnsville, Lake- After reading the “I’m in Special Ed. All of these are be- Elizabeth don’t work with your personality. For ex- land, Stillwater, New Hope, Does it Matter?” essay in ThreeSixty’s havioral disorders, Hogshire ample, I’m an extremely Type A person. the University of Minnesota Thomas December issue, I realized that there are which makes sense, Perfectionism, making lists and checking campus, City Hall in down- Rozwadowski quite a few similarities that most of us go because I was always a bit different from the time constantly are a few things that town Minneapolis—you through. Of course, that’s not to say that everyone else in my class. dominate my life. name it—the ThreeSixty road show has been busy we don’t have different stories. Seven years later, my list of disorders The first psychiatrist I worked with putting our young journalists in the hot seat. was a half hour late to our second or Face-to-face interviews give our teen writers the third meeting. Obviously, our partner- best opportunity to experience the thrill of journal- WRITE IN get puBlISHed Teachers, send us your ship didn’t last long.