Will Farley Slides Into Seat As National Judge Lindsey Rennie Other People Influence Them

In this issue Entertainment 9–10 Humor 13 Lifestyle 5–7 CyTy gets the News 1–4 Free show skinny on the iPad Soapbox 13 at GALA Sports 12 p. 6 Viewpoints 14–15 p. 10 Volume 19 • Number 6 • April 2010 Please display through May 15 Will Farley slides into seat as national judge Lindsey Rennie other people influence them. Young D.C. Farley, a freshman at Bucknell Univer- April 26 and 27, 53 students from each sity, won his classroom competition at Wash- U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto ington-Lee High School in Virginia last year Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will come with the Langston Hughes poem “Theme for together at George Washington University English B.” He then moved on to the school- Lisner Auditorium in D.C. to compete in the wide competition, where he forgot the last Poetry Out Loud National Finals. The com- line of his second poem, “The Flea,” by John petition, sponsored by the National Endow- Donne. Farley says he was surprised that he ment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, won anyway, and felt “lucky and very tests participants’ skills in poetry recitation blessed.” At the state competition, Farley re- and memorization. Will Farley, 2009 winner cited both of these poems plus “Danse of the Poetry Out Loud National Finals, will Russe,” by William Carlos Williams. be a judge for this year’s competition, along- Farley told YDC, “Poetry Out Loud side author Garrison Keillor, actress Alfre takes students like me, who have no interest Woodard, and poets Valerie Martínez, Jane in poetry, and makes them really get into it,” Shore, and Adam Kirsch. said Farley. “I first looked at ‘Theme for Eng- Initially, Farley did not think he was lish B’ during my junior year, but didn’t like qualified to be a judge in this year’s National it and didn’t really understand it at that point. Finals. However, he told YDC in a telephone Senior year I read it again, started to under- interview April 18 that he thinks competing stand it, and was able to handle it better.” last year will give him some insight. “I am After winning the 2009 top honor, Far- going to look for uniqueness in the competi- ley attended a dinner at the White House and tors,” he said. “Not necessarily [people who was a guest on the radio show, A Prairie are] going off the walls, dancing, and going Home Companion. One of the biggest high- crazy, but people who don’t get stuck in the lights for Farley, though, was traveling to dif- same old traps.” ferent schools and encouraging young stu- Farley will look for contestants who un- dents. “I had the most fun visiting schools,” derstand their poems and truly make them he said, “talking to other kids who were com- their own. “People can see when you don’t peting in Poetry Out Loud, hearing about understand the poem you’re reciting,” he their experiences, and hopefully convincing said. He encourages contestants to know how others to compete,” he said. Farley said he they want to present their poems and not let SEE FARLEY , PAGE 3 Will Farley displays 2009 winner’s trophy, May 1, 2009. Biagio hosts Art Enables Studio B at Biagio Fine Chocolate To preview the show visit www.art-enables. splashed spring colors across its walls April 10. org and navigate through the “artwork/store” The colors are in the works of artists who are button to see pieces labeled “at event.” photo by Kadesh DuBose part of the Art Enables organization. Check out Dozens of artists find a place to create and this show through the end of the month at 1904 a way to earn money through Art Enables. 18th Street, NW (full disclosure: Biagio is YDC’s neighbor). See full story, page 16. Detail from City Blues by John Simposn News t Young D.C. t April 2010 April 2010 t Young D.C. t News Earth Day set to spin service activities W-L grad Will Farley joins but other people and the environment.” She added, tors’ cell phones, batteries, and accessories. For Fran Djoukeng Young D.C. is an independent newspaper written by and judges at Poetry Out Loud “These people are always trying to become more effi- many working cell phones, MP3 players, digital Young D.C. about metropolitan area teens. cient and live more sustainable lifestyles.whether it’s cameras, calculators, Apple laptop computers, was happy to hear many younger students tell him that they were going to try Poetry Out Throughout the metropolitan region, communi- Address correspondence to: just by doing small things like recycling or commit- gaming devices, and external drives—FONZ will Loud. Seeing that he won the competition gave them hope for their own aspirations of win- ties will be celebrating the 40th Earth Day with service Young D.C. projects and activities. Earth Day began as a “teach- ting to vegetarianism/veganism.” get money to support conservation. All other de- ning and inspired many competitors. 1904 18th Street, NW Unit B One of the greatest effects Poetry Out Loud has had on Farley is renewing his interest in” to inspire citizen service and bring awareness to Surveying the green scene, YDC developed the vices will be recycled under strict environmental Washington, D.C. 20009-1707 in theatre. “I used to be in theatre when I was younger, but I got out of it,” he said. “Compet- protecting local environments. following list. guidelines, keeping hazardous materials from tel: 202.232.5300 ing in Poetry Out Loud and performing in front of people made me interested in theatre Sen. Gaylord Nelson (1916-2005), a Democrat April 24 and 25, at the National Mall the EPA is cel- reaching landfills and harming human and environ- fax: 202.232.5306 again.” He has taken a class in it and is considering declaring it as his major. from Wisconsin founded Earth Day, April 22, 1970, ebrating its birthday and Earth Day with two events, mental health. Visitors should deliver all materials www.youngdc.org Spectators can watch the 53 students, who advanced through a pool of almost 325,000 the first ever Earth Day. An estimated 20 million from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both events will include ex- to be recycled to the front desk in the Visitor Cen- Copyright. All rights reserved. students, compete at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals at Lisner Auditorium on April 26 Americans took action, according to press accounts. hibits that highlight the work of the EPA. There ter. and 27. The competition is free and open to the public. No reservations or tickets are re- Over the decades, the Earth Day movement has be- will be interactive presentations like the National Volunteers who want to help the Anacostia Watershed Fran Djoukeng quired. However, Lisner only holds an audience of 1,500. Go to Poetryoutloud.org for more come global. Over 180 countries have held formal Sustainable Design Expo which showcases alterna- will start at 8:30 cleaning up along the Anacostia Montgomery Blair HS (Md.) information or call 202-682-5001. Earth Day celebrations since 2000, according to the tive energy designs and advanced green technolo- River at more than 30 sites. Locations throughout Copy Editor Sports Editor The competition begins at the school level, where the partnership of the National En- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. gies and others that focus on the accomplishments the area include D.C., Montgomery and Prince Sebastian Swain Hojung Lee dowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation provides free educational materials to class- YDC asked local teens to define an environmen- and future work of the EPA. George’s Counties along local streams and the riv- Lab School of Washington (D.C.) Mt. Hebron HS (Md.) rooms. These materials include poetry anthologies in print and online, a teacher’s guide, a talist. “It is someone who cares about the well-being April 24 at the National Zoo, if registered by 8 a.m., er. There will also be a celebration including a pic- DVD of performances from the National Finals, and a CD of recitations by accomplished of the environment and planet in general and does visitors can work alongside zoo staff and help with nic lunch, performances and presentations by com- News Editor Entertainment Editors writers and actors. whatever in their ability to protect and help it,” Elaine a green effort to maintain the zoo by picking up lit- munity leaders at Anacostia Park in D.C. from noon Sophia Deng Sareum Kim Brice, a senior at Montgomery Blair HS in Silver ter in a special section. Although the Clean Up at the until 2 p.m., sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Montgomery Blair HS (Md.) Centreville HS (Va.) Lindsey Rennie, 17, is a junior at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville, Md. Spring, Md., said. Brice added that recycling is the Zoo projects end at 10 a.m., patrons will also be able Society. Visit www.anacostiaws.org/programs/ Lifestyle Editor Asha Johnson biggest and easiest way to help the environment. to talk with the zoo’s Green Team about environ- stewardship/earthday to view a map and register. Courtney Stein Emerson Prep (D.C.) Laura Li, also a senior at MBHS, plans to attend mental topics and get information on how to create April 24, Manassas, Va., in the Georgetown South Trinity University (Tex.) Lindsay Rennie the Climate Rally this Sunday on the National Mall. Li solutions on global issues.

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