In this issue Annual Reader Survey 4 Entertainment 9–10 Humor 13 Lifestyle 5–7 C-SPAN airs YDC previews On the Street 16 key equal News 1–3, 15 summer movies Sports 12 rights cases p. 8 Viewpoints 14 p. 5

Volume 20 • Number 4 • Summer 2011 Please display through Labor Day YDC talks to Adam Goldstein of SPLC Kathy Zhang Adam Goldstein answers a physical disruption of the school day. They cer- questions from college and Young D.C. high school students in the tainly don’t have a general right to police what Censorship is the outcome of schools maintain- Ask Adam feature at www. students do at home, even if they do it online, and splc.org. ing order by reducing the free speech of students. Readers can view the even if school computers can access the speech. Adam Goldstein, attorney advocate for the Student censored stick figure The fact that online speech may eventually find its cartoon of the Ithaca case Press Law Center (SPLC), told YDC why censorship by visiting http://www. way on campus doesn’t mean that student speak- is not the best way to go and does not even work. splc.org/news/newsflash. ers are always on campus when they’re online. asp?id=2222 then scrolling In 2008,when students at Ithaca HS in New to and clicking on “view the YDC: As student-run blogs and [independent] York were not allowed to print a cartoon in the cartoon.” newspapers are not reviewed, if a student pub- school newspaper, they created an independent pub- Screenshot from Ask Adam video lishes false information about another student or a lication called The March Issue and printed the car- nors as they grow up. Most of the people who do end teacher, should they be punished through the toon. The school would not allow the students to up as killer[s] or someone who commits crime only school? If not, why? If so, how harsh should the distribute the paper. Through lawsuits brought by does it because of their choices in life.” consequences be? the students, the school won in an appeals court Gregory Bates, 16, a senior at Fishburne Mili- Goldstein: Generally speaking, the school shouldn’t May 18, 2011, but this case could go all the way to tary HS in Waynesboro, Va., agrees with both Park be in the business of policing speech, period. We the U.S. Supreme Court. YDC found blogs and com- and Oduro and adds, “Censorship only causes illegal already have a court system for that. If someone mentary that call this the worst student free speech transactions to occur.” wants to sue for libel, they can. Administrative au- decision made in 20 years–until adults started blog- Ironically, the cartoon in the Ithaca appeals court thority is for maintaining order, not for vindicat- ging and talking about a June 27 Supreme Court free decision uses stick figures and the “lewdness” of the ing personal reputations. speech decision on video games. drawings is not graphic. Goldstein is against censor- YDC: Since student-run newspapers and blogs are The Supreme Court deemed a California law ship. People, he said, tend to want to censor ‘im- discouraged to some degree, how else should the banning the sale of violent video games to minors moral’ things, but authority should be used for order student use their right to free expression? How was unconstitutional. Because of the gruesome au- and not to shape values. much free expression does a student really have? thenticity in video game graphics would affect a mi- YDC talked to Goldstein after the Ithaca deci- Goldstein: When at school in a school activity or us- nor’s mind, a California Assemblyman wrote a bill to sion: ing school resources, students can be censored make selling or renting videos with mature ratings to YDC: Should blogging and student-produced news- when the school can explain some legitimate edu- minors punishable by fine in 2005 and Governor papers be publicly advertised in schools? Should cational reason for doing so. When it is individual Schwarzenneger signed it into law that year. Supreme the school advocate free expression and advocate student speech at school, not part of an activity, it Court Justice Antonin Scalia disagrees and wrote in students to run blogs? can only be censored when it’s illegal or disrup- his opinion that, “Disgust is not a valid basis for re- Goldstein: The right to free speech includes the right tive. And when a student is at home, on a com- stricting expression.” Scalia also recounts violent to tell other people that you’re speaking and how puter, that speech can’t be censored at all in most situations in books on high school reading lists, such to find what you said. So absolutely, there ought to cases. So anytime a school censors something at as Lord of the Flies. Books are not off limits, video be ways to advertise student-produced publica- school, I think a student should turn around and games should be the same way. tions, online or otherwise, in schools. And any publish it outside of school, whether online or in a Marvin Oduro, 17, a senior at Paint Branch HS school that doesn’t want to support the idea of free community paper. Administrators want to censor in Burtonsville, Md., said, “I hate being restricted speech and self-expression doesn’t need to exist in because they don’t want you to read what some- from material. If I don’t see violence from a video this country, in my view. If they prefer a world one said. If you get the word out every time, they’ll game, I’d see it some other way.” without free speech, they can pack up and move to learn that censorship never works. Bryan Park, 14, a sophomore at James Hubert the other side of the world. Blake HS in Silver Spring, Md., said, “Violent video YDC: Should schools be able to regulate student Kathy Zhang, 16, is a rising junior at Paint games should be purchased by minors. I don’t think blogs and student-produced newspapers? Branch HS in Burtonsville, Md. minors play too much of these violent video games. I Goldstein: Schools only have the power to regulate believe that violent video games doesn’t affect mi- speech when it’s either in school or when it creates News t Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. t News Circuit court changes terrain for high school C-SPAN celebrates

Young D.C. is an independent newspaper written by and about metropolitan area teens. equal rights protections censorship of independent newspapers Address correspondence to: David Marston In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court held Lindsey Rennie tive, that is valuable input that policymakers should take into consideration,” said Young D.C. Special to Young D.C. that an amendment to the Colorado constitu- Young D.C. LoMonte. “The government should never be in the position of ordering people to 1904 18th Street, NW Unit B Intended to protect against discrimina- tion that prevents protected status under the May 18, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals Second Circuit (cov- stifle their criticism of government programs, particularly when speaking in publi- Washington, D.C. 20009-1707 tion since its ratification in 1868, the Equal law for homosexuals or bisexuals was struck ering Connecticut, New York and Vermont) ruled that censorship of lewd material cations that they publish themselves.” tel: 202.232.5300 Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution down because it was not rationally related to in school newspapers is legal, regardless of whether a paper is school-sponsored or The federal circuit court’s ruling found that The Tattler is a “limited public fax: 202.232.5306 will be commemorated on C-SPAN Radio a legitimate state interest. The three dissent- produced independently by students. This decision addressed a sex-ed stick figure forum,” meaning that it is nonpublic and is still able to be censored by the school, www.youngdc.org throughout the month of July. Found in Sec- ing votes were Chief Justice Rehnquist, Jus- Copyright. All rights reserved. cartoon that was created for the January 2005 issue of Ithaca High School’s school which, advocates believe, restricts students’ First Amendment rights. If The Tattler tion One of the 14th Amendment, the provi- tice Scalia and Justice Thomas. newspaper, The Tattler. School officials forbade students from printing the cartoon were deemed a “designated public forum,” then the school would not be permitted sion states: July 23: Gender Discrimination in Jury Se- Reporters: Charity Ajayi, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Faith Ajayi, in the school-sponsored paper, so students created an independent paper, produced to censor its contents. “All persons born or naturalized in the lection–J.E.B. v. Alabama (1994) McKinley Tech (D.C.); Mohammad Diallo, Syracuse University off school-grounds, called The March Issue, in which the cartoon was printed. The Student Press Law Center issued a statement saying the judges decided United States and subject to the jurisdiction In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court held (NY); Alex Greenhill, The Lab School of Washington (D.C.); Dana However, Ithaca City School District Officials did not allow copies of The March the case on the basis of a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Bethel School District v. thereof, are citizens of the United States and that intentional discrimination on the basis of Harrison, Wootton HS (Md.); Asha Johnson, Howard University Issue to be distributed on campus at the school. Fraser, that allowed schools to punish “lewd” or “vulgar” speech by speakers at of the State wherein they reside. No State gender by state actors in the use of peremp- (D.C.), Eyen Zame Johnson, homeschooled, Christina Lee, Oakton Meg Protzman, 17, a 2011 graduate of Mount de Sales Academy in Catons- official school assemblies without running afoul of the First Amendment. shall make or enforce any law which shall tory strikes in jury selection violates the HS (Va.); (D.C.), David Marston, Cesar Chavez PCHS (D.C.), Abi- ville, Md., said she thinks that legally, the school should be able to censor The Tat- “The Fraser ‘lewd speech’ standard grew out of a mandatory school assembly abridge the privileges or immunities of citi- Equal Protection Clause. The three dissent- gail Melick, Woodrow Wilson HS (D.C.); Matt Nguyen, Lafayette tler, but not the independent March Issue. This is a public high school, after all,” before a captive audience, and it should have nothing to do with an independently zens of the United States; nor shall any State ing votes were Chief Justice Rehnquist, Jus- College (P.a.); Olivia Patch, The Lab School of Washington (D.C.); said Protzman, “and the kids aren’t doing any of this through the school or even produced and independently financed student newspaper that readers can pick up or deprive any person of life, liberty, or prop- tice Scalia and Justice Thomas. A peremptory Andrew Pollowitz, The Lab School of Washington (D.C.); Lindsey hanging up signs or anything. They’re just passing out their newspapers, like they discard at their own choice,” LoMonte said. “As to the students’ independent news- erty, without due process of law; nor deny to challenge is a technique either the defense or Rennie, Mount de Sales (Md.); Abby Seitz, Fauquier HS (Va.); would pass out a party invitation. So why does the administration/law pick now to paper, The March Issue, this quite clearly isn’t a Fraser case. The Supreme Court any person within its jurisdiction the equal prosecution may use to reject a potential ju- Imani Thompson, The Madeira School (Va.); Priscilla Ward, Tem- start getting in their business and examining every note that they pass and every explicitly said in Fraser that schools can punish this type of speech to ‘disassociate’ protection of the laws.” ror without stating any reason. Each side gets ple University (Pa.); Emily Yang, Churchill HS (Md.), Kathy Zhang, paper in their backpack?” themselves from its message, but the independent student paper was very clearly The five-part C-SPAN series will allow a limited number of peremptory challenges. Paint Branch HS (Md.) Meagan Sievers, 18, a 2011 graduate of Montrose School in Medfield, Mass., unaffiliated with the school.” listeners to relive the oral arguments which July 30: Race Discrimination in Political agrees with the court’s ruling on the censorship of school-sponsored newspapers. Kylie Lowman, 17, a 2011 graduate of Seton Keough HS in Baltimore, Md., Artists: Lisa Hu, Wootton HS (Md.) led to landmark Supreme Court decisions Redistricting–Shaw v. Reno (1993) “The school should have the final say of what they deem inappropriate, as schools disagrees completely with the court’s ruling. The students should be able to express striking down discriminatory practices on In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court held do have the responsibility to help form the student’s minds,” says Sievers. “Schools themselves in their writing,” says Lowman, “especially if the paper is not printed Board of Directors: Nate Beeler, George Curry, Tom Donlan, Bob the bases of gender, race and sexual orienta- that redistricting based on race must be held should not, though,” she says, “have the right to censor student publications that are by the school and is made by the students. Kids want to read something they can Drogin, Rich Foster, Mary Hanley, Judy Hines, Cynthia Farrell tion, including: to a standard of strict scrutiny under the equal independent of the school.” relate and enjoy.” Johnson, Carol Knopes, Kathleen Reilly Mannix (ex officio), Sarah July 2: Education Gender Discrimination protection clause while bodies doing redis- The cartoon depicts stick-figures in various sexual positions and criticizes the This decision of the court is now binding precedent in New York, Connecticut, Menke-Fish, Bob Neuman, Michael Phelps, Reginald Ragland Against Males–Mississippi University for tricting must be conscious of race to the ex- ineffective sexual education currently present in the public school system. “This and Vermont, unless it is reheard by all the judges of the Second Circuit court or (chairman), David R. Rapp, Phillip Reid, Samara Sit Women v. Hogan (1982) tent that they must ensure compliance with case is terribly destructive to the ability of students to voice their opinions about appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advisory Board (Emeritus Directors): Sean Jensen, Hector Ericks- In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court held the Voting Rights Act. legitimate matters of public concern, and in particular on the very school policies en-Mendoza, Rosamond King, Carol Lange that the exclusion of men from enrollment in Commending C-SPAN’s efforts to raise about which they are most knowledgeable,” said Frank LoMonte, the executive Lindsey Rennie, 18, is a 2011 graduate of Mount de Sales Academy in Ca- Young D.C. is supported by BNA, The Children’s Charities Founda- Mississippi University for Women’s nursing awareness and expand access to these his- director of the Student Law Press Center in a press release. “If the students who are tonsville, Md. She will attend Loyola University of Maryland in the fall. tion, Crowell & Moring Foundation, and sponsors of Cartoons & Cock- school violated the Fourteenth Amendment toric decisions, National History Day deputy opinion leaders in their school believe that the sex education curriculum is ineffec- tails 2010, an auction of editorial art held Oct. 28 at the National Press to the United States Constitution’s Equal director Kim Fortney said, “Historical litera- Club which also benefited the Cartoonists Rights Network Internation- Protection Clause. cy is a pre-requisite to good citizenship. As al. Sponsors included BNA, Bloomberg Government, Kathleen B. Bri- July 9: Education Gender Discrimination citizens nurture their civic voices, they are ancon, C-SPAN, Lynn Edwards of US News & World Report, Foster Against Females–United States v. Virgin- emboldened by studying history and under- Soltoff & Love, Foxhall Gallery, The Freedom Forum and The Newse- ia and Virginia Military Institute (1996) standing their rights.” College Board experts say education should um, Andrew J. Hagan and Linda T. Smith, Stephen C. and Cynthia In a 7-1 vote, the Supreme Court held The broadcasts can be heard on C-SPAN Farrell Johnson, Lipmann Hearne, Joe and Anne Murphy, The Ob- the Commonwealth of Virginia’s exclusion Radio 90.1 FM in the Washington, D.C. area, scure Organization, Sidney Olson, Scott Osborne and Jeff Schwartz, of women from the Virginia Military Insti- online at cspanradio.org and nationwide on focus on better results for men of color Politico, The Washington Examiner and members of the YDC Board. June 20 was full of news. Nationally, the of discussion with students and educators and tute violated Equal Protection Clause. Justice XM Satellite Radio channel 119. Supreme Court said it wouldn’t consider a reviewed the cases of individuals. They found Letters to the Editor are welcome and sometimes published. Letters Scalia was the sole dissenter, while Justice class action suit brought by women Wal-Mart that experts know a lot about African Ameri- are subject to editing. Readers writing to the editors should include Thomas took no part in the argument or the David Marston, 16, is a rising senior at employed who weren’t paid on the same scale cans, Asian Americans, Native Americans decision of the case. At the time, newspapers Cesar Chavez PDS for Public Policy in as men–a “class” of a million women was just Hispanics as isolated groups. The data hadn’t reported that this was because Thomas’ son the District of Columbia. too big. Internationally, Pope Benedict said been pulled together to find common obsta- Corrections was a student at VMI. global leaders should treat refugees better. cles young men of color face when pursuing July 16: Discrimination on the Basis of Sex- Locally, end-of-school year stories grabbed education beyond high school. This study fo- The masthead of the print edition of volume 20 inadver- ual Orientation–Romer v. Evans (1996) the headlines. cuses on those common obstacles and says tently dropped the name of news reporter Lindsey Rennie. Are those good reasons for missing the that young men of color could achieve more if Young D.C. sincerely regrets this error. report the College Board released about the educators, policy wonks and communities fo- educational experiences of young men of col- cused on encouraging them to get at least an Young D.C. publishes corrections of matters of substance. or? Its experts had done a lot of work since associates degree. 2010 to figure out how American education Read all about it by visiting http://young- was turning off young men of color and what menofcolor.collegeboard.org/sites/default/ Thank you for bringing them to the attention of the editors can be done to make sure they are achievers. files/downloads/EEYMC-ResearchReport.pdf by telephone (202.232.5300), Researchers looked at a lot of data, held days e-mail ([email protected]) or News t Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. t Lifestyle An n u al Re a d e r Su r v e y Li f e St y l e Purple 365 Dear Readers, Help YDC School advertising should read, Wanted: good volume 21 teachers, sexual orientation irrelevant Olivia Patch New York and Vermont have created marriage equality acts, so homosexuals can staffers plan Young D.C. enter same-sex marriages. It’s not clear if the same states tolerate gay teachers. Teachers can be fired in 29 states because of their sexual orientation. This is For people applying for teaching jobs, it’s probably safer to check with advocacy not right. It shouldn’t matter who they like. If they are good teachers, they should groups like the Human Rights Campaign to see if a state tolerates gay teachers. upcoming keep their jobs. Firing for orientation is discrimination against the teachers. These My teachers and my family tell me treat others the way you want to be teachers can’t reveal their sexuality to fellow teachers, administration or others treated. This is not what society is doing. They are hurting and de-humanizing because they will get fired. Sometimes teachers resign because they think that these people. If a girl wants to be in the congress let her. If a guy wants to try out coverage people know about their sexual orientation at for the cheerleading squad, let him. If a Fill in the blanks and send school. It shouldn’t matter who they like. homosexual couple want to get mar- I don’t get why schools are firing teachers ried, let them. Even though these people in your opinions, please because of their sexual orientation. Would it are different it doesn’t give you the mater if the president or vise president was ho- right to treat them badly and take away My zip code: ______mosexual? To some people it might, but for me their rights. Everyone deserves to be Vol. 20, Iss. 1, December 2010 Vol. 20, Iss. 1, Winter 2011 it doesn’t mater. If they are good at their job equal. Let these people be equal. Every- My high school class: 19____ and make decisions based on the best for the one is different then everyone else. It 20____ country, then I don’t care. doesn’t mean we should treat them less Knowing a reader’s gender is Being anything other than heterosexual, ten that person deserves. important ____ in various eras, has been considered a crime. Some of my teachers are gay and irrelevant ____ Being heterosexual was, and too often still is, it doesn’t matter to me or anyone at my My favorite front page is ______“normal.” So anyone who isn’t heterosexual is school, for that matter. Our school is a For this list, use 5 for subjects you like not normal and is put out. In some countries school that cares for all the student and the most and lower numbers for sub- homosexuality is still considered a crime. Even teachers, it doesn’t matter their sexual jects you like less: in the 21st Century, in some countries anyone orientation. Some schools don’t accept I like reading stories about can be cast out, bullied, and called abnormal people that are different, either because because they are not a certain race, because of of the teachers of administration or kids ____ people a lot like me Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons and GNU their sexuality, or even how they look. This is Free Documentation, created by Silje et al mostly. When I think of our school and ____ people who are 1May include recent laws or court decisions which have created legal recognition how some societies work. It’s not fair. of same-sex relationships, but which have not entered into effect as yet. all the people in it, I think of diversity. different from me Because criminalizing homosexuality ex- Every school has diversity but some ____ teens with jobs ists in so many developing countries, a person aren’t recognized for it. No school ____ teens solving problems might assume discrimination has been around should carry a “diversity” banner if it’s ____ D.C. for a long time. However, laws about teachers in the U.S. seem to track back only LGBT teachers don’t have job security. ____ Maryland to 1961. These laws made homosexuality a crime and teachers went to jail and lost ____ Virginia their teacher’s licenses. It baffles me because it is not fair to hide who you are. Olivia Patch, 17, is a rising senior at The Lab school of Washington in the ____ new laws Lawmakers and legislators in some states are moving to support the homo- District of Columbia ____ new trends sexual community. Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Iowa, New Hampshire, ____ sports ____ movies Vol. 20, Iss. 1, April 2011 Vol. 20, Iss. 1, Summer 2011 ____ concerts ____ places to go ____ people who inspire teens

YDC should ____ publish newspaper only ____ publish online only ____ continue publishing both ways The YDC site, www.youngdc.org, features the newspaper content plus SportsLog. Andrew Pollotitz, a 2011 graduate of the Lab School of Washington, developed SportsLog in March 2010. When you click to read his posts, you’ll find over 60 articles on college and pro teams or games. You can also click to learn more about the help YDC receives each year from professional cartoonists to create YDC’s fundraiser Cartoons & Cocktails. For volume 20, the homepage featured a button to reach the Student Press Law Center and a link to “Bullying is NOT a Right of Passage,” a project of the Academy of Educaitonal Development. Scrolling down from these features, readers will find current and archived issues of YDC, ads, applications for joining YDC and a kit for advertisers. Lifestyle t Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. t Lifestyle Cyberian Tyger Washington Humane Society receives support CyTy drops in on Google image search Lisa Hu YDC volume 16 reporter Grady Page interviewing extensions in Firefox and Chrome to make image from national group to aid older dog adoptions Young D.C. then-Senator Barack Obama (YDC Winter 2007), searching possible by right-clicking on a picture. Safa- The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of Yes, Google images works, I’ve used it a couple Google didn’t identify Obama or Page, but it did bring ri–at least the aging version YDC is using–doesn’t han- at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to of times although there are some kinks in it. Try drag- up the November 2008 issue, when YDC ran the pic- dle image searching so well. Time for YDC to upgrade animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other ging and dropping a picture you can’t identify into the ture a second time. from Safari 4.1.3 non-profit groups nationwide. In July, Grey Muzzle recog- search box. You can also click on the camera icon on the nized the Washington Humane Society for its commitment YDC isn’t quite sure how Google’s mighty algo- search box and paste a URL into it. Lisa Hu, 17, is a rising senior at Wootton HS in to improving the lives of senior dogs with a $4,000 grant to rithms are working on image search. Using a photo of Be sure to check your browser. You can click on Rockville, Md. expand the WHS senior companion dog program and in- crease adoptions of dogs at its two D.C. shelters. “Senior dogs are uniquely suited to many potential adopters in Washington, D.C.,” said Julie Conway, Chief Development Officer, Washington Humane Society. “We are located in an urban environment, and many of our patrons have limited time and space to exercise their dog, making a more mature canine a good match for their lifestyles. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make it easier for such senior companions to find new homes.” The WHS Senior Companions program will sponsor a portion of the adoption fee for all senior dogs and provide basic initial veterinary care in foster homes and at its shelters to help dogs prepare for finding their forever homes. “We are extremely grateful to the Grey Muzzle Organi- photo courtesy of the Washington Humane Society zation for helping us better serve some of our most vulnera- Hagrid is a senior dog in the care of the Washington Humane Society until someone adopts him. He is 10-12 years ble companion animals,” Conway added. old and was a stray. The WHS Snior Companions program helps people who want to adopt dogs like Hagrid with the adoption fees.

Screenshot from www.google.com/insidesearch/searchbyimage.html CyTy has had good luck with image searches, but the newsroom’s older version of Safari isn’t too cooperative.

YDC is looking for more Cyberian Tygers. YDC welcomes both teens with strong interests in technology and teen

8,))1403=))3;2)67%8&2%-2' techno-skeptics. %6)4639(8379443688,)463+6%173*=392+(' Write–with CyTy in the subject line–to the lifestyle editor: [email protected] Young D.C. t Summer 2011 En t e r t a i n m e n t Summer 2011 t Young D.C. Summer of heroes now playing: Super 8, Pirates of the Caribbean, Thor, Captain America debut, Harry Potter finale directed by Matthew Cullen Christina Lee

Young D.C. Screenshot from “California Gurls” video With a cornucopia of new movies, franchise finales, rom-coms and action thrillers, Hollywood will quench your thirst for a banging summer of 2011. If you don’t have any major plans this summer, you may as well frequent the movie theatre until August. For the sake of your time (now don’t be fooled— summer will be over faster than you think) and money, here is a synopsis of each movie to help you decide which ones are worth the trip to the theatre. From Thor to Harry Potter, the summer will be full of fantastic heroes, but comedies fill out the season. You know very well how it’s going to end, yet you can’t help but watch. Thor opening May 6 Although I am not a huge fan of superhero movies, I admit that “Thor” Katy Perry takes Candy Land imagery on the road with her current tour. was amazing. It may have been that Chris Hemsworth (Thor) made me want to keep watching, but the movie itself is quite commendable. Reminiscent of the action in “The Clash of the Titans” and the humor in the Indiana Jones Mmm, Katy Perry franchise, Thor was a nice twist of mythology and modern life. “Thor” can Alex Greenhill raise his hammer in success for both topping the charts and for satisfying all Young D.C. kinds of moviegoers. This was my first concert, and what a concert it was. Left center X-Men: First Class opening June 3 Left photo by Mark Fellman / Marvel Studios, © 2011 MVLFFLLC. TM & © 2011 Marvel. All Rights Reserved. Left, Chris Hemsworth is the title character in Thor, a saga of an reckless warrior cast out of a realm seats, but it didn’t matter where we sat. The stage was pretty big. It had photo by Francois Duhamel © 2011 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. This prequel focuses on the life and relationship of Charles Xavier and of the gods in 900 AD who lands in modern day New Mexico. fancy drapery with two video screens on the left and right side of the The reel is all too real for Preston, left, played by Zach Mills, and Jackson Lamb, right, played Erik Lehnsherr before they become the legendary archenemies Professor X Right photo by Jay Maidment Captain America: The First Avenger, the Movie: © 2010 MVL Film Finance LLC. by Kyle Chandler, in Super 8. Marvel, Captain America, all character names and their distinctive likenesses: TM & ©2010 Marvel Entertainment, stage. The audience was ready to see the star. I actually felt bad for the and Magneto, respectively. Even if you haven’t been up-to-date with the previ- LLC and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. opening act (Swedish singer Robyn Carlsson) because the audience Alex Greenhill ous X-Men movies, you will be pleased with the plot, action, and Cold-War Roghy, Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, can’t get into the U.S. Army to fight the Nazis in World Young D.C. War II, but becomes Captain America through an experiment. shouted “Katy!” over and over as she and her band sang an entire album. references—enough to make you wish you were a mutant. There was no enthusiasm when Robyn tried to grind the microphone. Super 8 The Green Lantern opening June 17 with Benefits is a tweaked version of No Strings Attached, featuring Natalie Portman and Robyn’s exit around 9:15 cued a collective scream from the crowd. Super 8 is the latest motion picture from the creator of Lost, J.J. Abrams. This Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is a cocky but determined test pilot of the Ashton Kutcher. If you’ve already seen the latter, released during Portman’s golden month of A bright purple Katy Perry California Dreams tour logo flashed on the film has definitely had a lot of hype. The question is, does the film deserve it? The re- Green Lantern Peace Corps. If he can defeat the new archvillain Parallax, he movies and a pregnancy, I don’t think you need be reminded that two people involved in a two screens. The funny thing about crowds at concerts is that they freak sult is a bit of a mixed bag. Super 8 is a throwback to the “childhood wonder films” will prove himself the best Green Lantern. Carol Ferris aka Star Sapphire purely physical relationship will eventually fall in love anyway. out over everything that happens. Even when the stagehand came on, by Steven Spielberg, think ET and The Goonies. Abrams is, no doubt, a huge fan of (Blake Lively) plays his love interest. people were screaming. I’m not joking. Of course, they were the loudest Speilberg’s work and it definitely shows. Steven Spielberg is a giant of the film indus- The Change-Up opening Aug. 5 Captain America: The First Avenger opening July 22 when Perry herself came on stage. After introducing herself and getting to try who brought us a slew of Hollywood blockbusters such as Jurassic Park (1993) Here’s a formula to refresh your mathematics: Ryan Reynolds + Jason Bateman + After a voluntary experiment, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) emerges as know her audience of about 15,000 people, she began her concert. and The Goonies (1985). He also inspired Abrams and many others to get into the in- “Freaky Friday” = “The Change-Up”. Captain America. He, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hay- This was no ordinary show, a video with an on-going story updated dustry. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 July 15 ley Atwell) join forces to defeat the evil HYDRA organization. the crowd between songs. The star was trapped in a candy-themed Won- Super 8 focuses on a group of kids in 1979 who try to film a zombie movie but Enough said. Blimey, better save up for the loads of tickets you ought to buy for the next Hangover Part 2 opening May 26 derland and each song related to the story. For example, when she met witness a devastating train crash–with the whole thing caught on their Kodak super 8 two months! A bit repetitive of the first one, but nonetheless hilarious. Viewer discre- two mime versions of Tweedledee and Tweedledum, she sang her hit camera. The kids are immediately entwined in the mystery surrounding the train’s Wait—don’t forget to add another $3 for the 3-D experience. We all know that movie tion is advised–those guys are just so indiscreet. “Your So Gay (and you don’t even like boys).” As the story progressed cargo. Strange things now happen in their small hometown and the kids are determined companies are just trying to leech a few extra bucks by adding random 3D features, but we Monte Carlo opening July 1 the numbers got louder and definitely more colorful and elaborate. To- to find out what is going on. can’t deny the fact that some movies are better with the glasses. Usually, the extra pop-up just Disney and J. Bieb’s cutie Selena Gomez makes it to the big screen again wards the end of the concert, Perry interacted a lot with the audience and The film is everything a movie should be–chilling, thrilling and very moving. makes people dizzy but if top box office numbers are any indication, it will be worth it this but this time with Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy. When even invited a few on stage with her. She was very funny when she in- You can’t help but be involved with the characters. summer. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Thor” are great choices to watch Grace (Gomez) is mistaken for a British socialite, the three young women try vited some male fans because after only 15 minutes, she lied and told I love the dialogue in this film because it feels very natural. It is not like most in 3D. Movies that are originally unsuccessful in 2D aren’t going to get any better in another to maintain their identities to continue their luxurious adventure. It seems that them her husband was coming. They scattered. She sang some songs by movies today in which actors seem like they’re waiting for their turn to speak. Super dimension. As for “Harry Potter”, it’s the last of the series. We can afford to sacrifice $3 to Lizzy McGuire has made a comeback in disguise. other artists including Rebecca Black and Rihanna, whom Katy referred 8’s dialogue is alive. People are interrupting each other, arguing and emoting like real the magic we experienced these past ten years. Friends with Benefits opening July 22 to as her friend “Rhi Rhi.” people. Looking for a summer fling? Well, here’s a movie that shows you how to My favorite number would have to be her penultimate performance Audience’s will really connect with the middle-school-aged characters like the Christina Lee, 17, is a rising senior at Oakton HS in Vienna, Va. obtain a pretty fake but long, passionate, and quixotic relationship. Friends “Hot & Cold.” It was absolutely over the top crazy because she shy make-up artist Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) who just wants to be noticed or Charles (Riley Griffiths) the loud-mouthed wannabe director who will stop at nothing to get ©2011 Warner Bros changed into at least ten different costumes during the song. Entertainment Inc. his movie filmed. However, the child actors don’t outshine the adults. Tony Guma Harry Potter publishing However, this performance didn’t beat the grand finale: a larg- rights ©J.K.R. gives a cold performance as the films military villain Sergeant Walters and Kyle Harry Potter character er-than-life rendition of “California Gurls” which left the audi- Channler is very emotional in his role as Sheriff Lamb, Jackson’s father. Both the kids names and related indicia ence, including me, quite speechless. are trademarks of and © and adults share a great deal of drama throughout the film with a light sprinkling of Waner Bros. Ent. comedy to break the tension. All rights reserved In all, Super 8 is a great gift to filmmaking fans and sci-fi fans alike. Harry Potter(Daniel Alex Greenhill, 16, is a junior at The Lab school of Washington in Radcliffe), left, faces the District of Columbia his archenemy Lord Alex Greenhill, 17, is a rising senior at The Lab school of Washington in the Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in the series District of Columbia. finale. Entertainment t Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. Omnivorous Reader OR tackles a dystopian future and a stressful rite of passage Alex Greenhill along for the ride from na- Young D.C. tional college rankings to The Hunger Games applications. The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins is a best The book also has a seller for a reason. This 2008 novel isn’t just your ordi- particularly fascinating nary dystopian novel. The book is a scathing critique chapter on standardized of reality television that reads like an action film. Col- testing, and how much the lins was inspired to write the hunger games when she SAT has been put under the was flipping through channels and got stuck between microscope and how many footage of the Iraq war and a reality TV show. Slowly, changes it has gone she says, they seemed to “blurr together” in her mind. through. The text gives several nods and allusions to other dys- Crazy U details the topian novels such as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. ever-present truth that col- The first in a trilogy of dystopian novels by urban lege has become a market fantasy author Suzanne Collins, the novel is about a and Ferguson helps his son girl who lives in a post-apocalyptic country made of a and the reader differentiate capital city and twelve surrounding districts. Due to a a realistic college pamphlet revolution against the oppressive capital in the past, from propaganda. the other districts are forced to participate in the ulti- The book is a great read for not just teens who mate gladiator games known only as the Hunger want to get into college but also their parents as well. OR isn’t saying that this book has everything you need He really is an omnivorous reader Games. Each year 24 kids from ages 12 to 18 (one boy, and one girl from each district ) are chosen in a lottery to know. That’s the claim of most of the college guides examined by Ferguson. However, it definitely breaks to participate in the games. Then they are delivered to Crazy U: One dad’s crash course in getting his an arena to fight to the death on live television. down the processes for readers. While very informa- Variety marks list OR gives Kojo Nnamdi on WAMU kid into college The main character of the story is 16-year-old tive, the author does his best not to overwhelm the Crazy U is definitely crazy, but it’s also quite an Katniss Everdeen, who sacrifices herself when her reader with information. If there ever is a passage with informative read. Author Andrew Ferguson tells his Recommended and reviewed in YDC Volume 20: Recommended but not yet reviewed in YDC: 12-year-old sister is chosen for the games. As a “trib- too much information, Ferguson will lighten the read- side of the story as a father getting his son into college. ute” for the games she is forced to fight for her life in er’s anxiety or boredom with a clever joke or two. Be- One thing that stands out to OR is how well researched Crazy U by Andrew Ferguson Who Goes There the arena. She faces an ever changing array of obsta- ing a teenager, one can’t help but be stressed about col- the book is. It has tons of information from cover to A look at the college admissions process from the dad’s perspective. By John W. Campbell cles from genetically engineered animals to the merce- lege and Ferguson definitely will calm teen nerves. cover. The book also is very humorous and has chuck- Disturbing tale that is the basis for John Carpenter’s The Thing nary “career tributes.” le worthy dialogue. The books funniest character, be- Look for a film adaptation of The Hunger Games Alex Greenhill, 16, is a junior at The Lab school of Earth the Book by Jon Stewart and the staff of the Daily Show sides the narrator himself, has to be his son, Gillum. in 2012. Washington in the District of Columbia. This book is basically The Daily Show satirizing the world. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin Ferguson showcases the chaotic and stressful admis- First of the series A Song of Ice and Fire sions process from start to finish taking the reader The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins This book is the basis for the popular HBO series of the same name Action packed sci-fi due to be adapted into a film in 2012. Robopocalypse Daniel H, Wilson Jasper Dash and the Flame Pits of Delaware by M. T. Anderson It’s a weird title but a good book, It is basically a robot-uprising A twist on adventure stories, M. T. Anderson twists this genre inside story written by a robotics expert. It has also caught the eye of Ste- out, spilling the chuckling remains on paper. ven Speilberg for adaptation. Before you know it, everyone will be talking and reading about back-to-school this and back-to-school The Last Hero by Rick Riordan Mythology that. Other stuff will be happening in September. Action, Monsters, Gods–put them together and what do you got? By Edith Hamilton There must be a reason Labor Day is a national This book of course. A classic reference for Greek, Roman and Norse Mythology. holiday and YDC will be checking into that. OR is checking out union-related books for the first issue of Say it Loud! (anthology of speeches) Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeild YDC volume 21. Great speeches on African American race relations. My favorite was A trilogy of alternate history novels that retells World War I and This September also marks a decade since terrorists Michael Eric Dyson’s “Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?”. includes genetically engineered animals and robots. hijacked commercial jet planes and used them as weap- ons to attack the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and The Ten-Cent Plague by David Hajdu an undetermined target. OR is reading Running Toward A great book on the comic book paranoia of the 1950’s, Hajdu also Danger: Stories behind the breaking news of 9/11. Read- ers can also prepare by visiting http://www.newseum. provide great details cartoonists and mid-century trivia. org/exhibits-and-theaters/online-exhibits/9-11/index. html. Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. Sp o r t s Hu m o r Spikes, power alleys and pancakes Churchill captains share views on coed volleyball Emily Yang A violation of one of these Young D.C. rules awards the opposing team Editor’s note: Montgomery a point. County Public Schools faced The most significant differ- budget cuts this spring and ence between girls and boys vol- everything was rumored to be leyball is the height of the net. on the chopping block. Ulti- Girls play with the net set at 7 mately no sport was cut, but feet 4 1/8 inches. Boys play at 7 boys and co-ed volleyball feet 11 5/8 inches. Coed teams must each cut one game from plays with the net at the higher next school year’s schedules. height. Sze said, “I like playing Pass, set and hit. Agile vol- coed because it’s a little different leyball players must dig up from playing on an all girls’ spikes that can travel toward team. Girls have to compensate them at 70 mph, sometimes fast- for the increase in net height and er. Fast players must save passes the increase in strength of the at- that soar beyond teammates 15 tacks from the males.” feet behind, in front or beside Coed volleyball is a tad dif- them. The best must sprawl, bel- ferent in other areas. There must ly-flopping with a hand reached be three boys and three girls on out in a last resort attempt to the court at any time. During the keep the ball in play. These are three consecutive touches a team fundamentals of the game, and can make, a girl must touch the every one of them can be seen in ball at least once. . There is no action in a volleyball match. vice versa rule: girls can touch None of those moves are gender the ball all three consecutive specific. YDC talked to James plays and a boy does not have to in the District of Columbia. 17 is a rising senior at The Lab school of Washington Alex Greenhill, Lee, Clara Sze, and Jesse Wu, be included. These rules seem to captains of the coed volleyball ensure that aggressive boys don’t team at Winston Churchill HS in completely hoard over the ball, Potomac, Md. but girls can be just as aggres- High school volleyball, sive. However, no rules are does split up team play by gen- formed to prevent girls from der, with girls teams competing hoarding over the ball. in the fall and boys teams com- Wu told YDC, “I like play- peting in the spring. Coed teams ing coed because it’s generally play in the spring. Most of the more loose and fun,” and added action remains the same. In girls that during their season, “We and boys high school volleyball, had a rough patch in the middle the rules of the game are stan- of our season, but we finished dard. Some basic rules are: strong.” Once Churchill was out • there must be six players on of contention, Damascus and the court; Sherwood battled it out for the • a team is limited to three con- championship May 12. Damas- secutive touches when the cus won the title. photo courtesy of Hong Zhao ball is on its side of the net; Coed teams from Poolesville and Churchill high schools in Montgomery County, Md., take the action to the • no player can touch the ball net. Emily Yang, 15, is a rising two consecutive times; sophomore at Winston • a player cannot block or attack Churchill HS in Potomac, a serve; Md. • carrying, palming, tossing, or other grasping of the ball is il- legal • no touching the net or going under it. Vi e w p o i n t s Young D.C. t Summer 2011 Summer 2011 t Young D.C. t Flashback Flashback: Great interview from YDC Volume Four County considers curfew Abigail Burman is different and attempting to parent every minor AG Janet Reno tells YDC how the Special to Young D.C. in Montgomery County. Been thinking about taking a nighttime walk If it becomes law, this curfew would also cre- What’s your topic for YDC to tackle in Viewpoints? to look at stars? Putting off hanging out with your ate cracks in the Montgomery County community. The editors would love to hear about things that in- U.S. should deal with teens in trouble friends and then going for a midnight snack? If you When every teen is a suspect simply because of his form, concern, inspire, disappoint or drive you crazy. Send live in Montgomery County, your time might be or her age, trust between young people and the po- your Viewpoints idea to [email protected] Nathan Postell IV running out. The County Council is considering a lice–crucial to curtailing crime–is lost. Instead of Young D.C. bill that would make it illegal, with a few excep- simply shutting teens away, the council should be About Viewpoints Washington, D.C., Spring 1995–YDC managing editor Nathan Postell IV sat tions, for minors to be in businesses or public spac- investigating how we can be involved in bettering Unsigned Viewpoints articles, or editorials, convey the down with Clinton Administration Attorney General Janet Reno to learn more es past 11:00 p.m. weeknights or 12:00 midnight our community, because it really is our community. opinions of the Young D.C. editorial board. Any Viewpoint about her views on teens who wind up in court for violent or drug-related of- weekends. The curfew ends at 5 a.m. It is where we live and we want to preserve it. or column that has a byline or is signed by the author reflects fenses. No one seems to be able to figure out why An event page set up to tell people about the the opinion of the individual author. It is not necessarily the YDC: Why do you think that today’s teenagers are committing more violent crime County Executive Ike Leggett proposed this legisla- July 26 public hearing on the curfew drew thousands opinion of Young D.C., its editorial board or staff. and what can be done to stop this behavior? tion. Its supporters say the curfew is meant to reduce of teens and hundreds of petition signatures plus let- Young D.C. welcomes letters to the editor, comments Reno: It’s because there is no follow-up after adjudication. We need compre- the number of crimes committed by youth and gang ters to the council. And then page visitors offered and submissions from teens (in school or not) for all sec- hensive programs that deal with young offenders. Also there need to be violence. But studies like “The Effectiveness of Ju- their own ideas for how to stop crime. This move- tions of the newspaper. Please enclose name, address and fair, firm punishments that fit the crime. venile Curfews at Crime Prevention” by Kenneth ment is proof that you can’t write off teens as hooli- telephone number on all correspondence. YDC: There has been talk of trying teen criminals as adults. What do you think Adams (The Annals of the American Academy of gans or delinquents. We are involved in the civic Address correspondence to needs to be done about violent teenage offenders, especially first-time offend- Political and Social Science, May 2003) show that process and invested in the places where we live. Young D.C. Managing Editor ers? curfews do not reduce crime. And crime in Mont- So let’s engage teens, let’s engage everyone, 1904 18th Street, NW Reno: We need to change the way teens are treated. We need comprehensive gomery County is already decreasing. The crime in figuring out how to actually reduce crime instead Washington, DC 20009 programs to reach young people before they start getting into real trouble. statistics that were just released for this quarter con- of passing laws that won’t keep us safer, but will Young D.C., Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, I don’t mean just detention centers, but boot camps—boot camps that tinue a four-year downward trend. This has been ac- interfere with people’s right to peaceably assemble exists to create opportunities for young people from diverse work, ones that provide counseling, discipline, education opportunities complished by simply enforcing existing laws. in their own communities. Photo by Mike Sesay racial, ethnic, geographic and economic backgrounds to that can make a real difference in a young person’s life. Boot camps won’t That’s what curfews won’t do. They won’t Clinton Administration Attorney General makes a point to YDC managing editor Nathan work together to develop a responsible, independent media work without structure. Postell IV in her office, Spring 1995. reduce crime. They won’t make people safer. But Abigail Burman, 17, will attend Philips Acad- voice. YDC: Do you believe that drug users ought to be viewed more as victims of their the proposed law would have several nasty side emy in Andover, Mass., in the fall. A Silver Nathan Postell IV, a 1995 graduate of Gwynn Park HS in Brandywine, Md., Its program encourages teens to examine new territory drug habit and less like criminals? effects. If you are the parent of a kid caught violat- Spring resident, she attended Richard Mont- was managing editor of Young D.C. volume four (1994-95). He went on to in the region’s fragmented society to produce this newspa- Reno: I think treatment needs to be available to everyone. It breaks my heart ing the curfew, you may be forced to take parent- gomery HS, in Rockville, Md., 2008-2010. edit an alternative weekly newspaper in North Carolina and serve as a per. In the process, its editors, reporters, photographers, to hear about these incredibly long waiting lists of people who want treat- ing classes, implying that any parent who lets his She is the coordinator of Stand Up to the Mont- deputy sheriff in Louisiana. cartoonists, illustrators and interns develop skills for col- ment, want help, but can’t get it because they don’t have the health care or her kid out so late is negligent. The county is gomery County Curfew. To learn more about Michael Sesay, a 1996 graduate of Dunbar SHS in the District of Colum- lege and career. insurance and the jurisdictions are too overextended. We simply must pro- bia, was a YDC photographer 1995-97. He went on to major in computer ignoring the fact that every family and every child the proposed curfew, visit to stopthecurfew.net vide treatment. science. He is the assistant services manager at the University of Califor- However, many young addicts have told me that getting arrested and nia Washington Center in the District of Columbia. Zandertoon thrown in jail and having to go through that process really woke them up. It’s the threat of punishment that helped keep them off the drugs. Editor’s note: The sixth issue of YDC volume four didn’t go to press be- YDC: Do you think that having gun education for children in schools is necessary, cause the organization ran out of money for printing. Nowadays, YDC can especially in these times when gun violence and gun deaths are increasing? post stories to www.youngdc.org when funds ebb. However, readers could Reno: Yes, I think some people don’t understand that guns are real. They see ensure that all the work done by volume 21’s reporters, photographers and them on television and don’t really understand the consequences. cartoonists goes to press. It’s easy. They can donate via PayPal (navigate YDC: Has the new Republican Congress been help or a hindrance to getting ideas from www.youngdc.org, which has a PayPal button) or send donations to into action? Managing Editor Young D.C. Reno: Right now, the Republicans are trying to dismantle the crime bill. 1904 18th Street, NW I think that crime prevention needs to be guided by nonpartisan com- Washington, DC 20009 mon sense.

Alex Greenhill, 17 is a rising senior at The Lab school of Washington in the District of Columbia. On Th e St r e e t Young D.C. t Summer 2011

photos by Alex Greenhill and Olivia Patch collage by Olivia Patch YDC’s neighborhood is right on the border between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. In addition ot its urban charms, staffers often find the unexpected –like that blooming cactus on T Street, NW.