In this issue ServiceNation– News 1–4 McCain and Obama Lifestyle 5–12 Dragons– Entertainment 8–10 YDC flies into the on the inside, Humor 13 youth on the outside Viewpoints 14–15 pages of Brisingr page 4 page 10

Volume 18 • Number 1 • October 2008 • Please display through Nov. 7 School rallies with student fighting leukemia Kevin Fries land, that kid is Justin Thornton. school, he kept us awake and interested. turn down a tough road just months af- Special to Young D.C. Justin entered Good Counsel in It was not just on the bus that he en- ter starting high school. You know that kid from school. 2006 as a freshman. He was just like tertained. Walking through the crowded In July 2006, Justin was diagnosed The one who always had the mischie- any kid, though he was a little less ner- hallways, he was patting people on the with T-Cell Acute Lymphatic Leuke- vous look in his eye, the smirk on his vous than the rest of us. He beamed back and making conversation, a little mia. He went into chemotherapy where face, the eyebrow raised. Yet you knew confidence, something so foreign to smile always on his face. That smirk of he seemed to recover. But just a month he was not doing anything wrong; he the scared little freshmen riding the bus his was so contagious that even those after treatment ended, doctors found the was just the silly, lovable kid in the that first day. Starting just the first week having a bad day had to smile when he cancer again, this time in his nervous class. He was the nice class clown, of school, we could walk on the bus came by. After school, he was off to foot- system. He was in and out of school his not the one who got into trouble, but and hear him cracking jokes to upper- ball where he made practice fun for all. sophomore year and barely in school at the one who always made things in- classmen. He was such a presence that Justin was the popular, fun-loving all his junior year. The treatment wore teresting. Well, at Our Lady of Good even if we were tired in the morning freshman. He loved sports, music, and him down; he was always tired. He took Counsel High School in Olney, Mary- and just wanted to sleep on the way to video games. But Justin’s life took a Se e Th o r n t o n , p a g e 2 Energy, environment policy on tap Matt Nguyen learned that McFarlane was Young D.C. “stuck in New York.” Rebecca It was a small crowd, most- Jensen Tallent was his replace- ly adults and senior citizens; ment. A legislative assistant to YDC was the only teen. The Sen. McCain and a policy ad- night of Sept. 24 was breezy. viser for the McCain 2008 cam- The Meridian House on a steep paign, she told the crowd that hill overlooking 16th Street, she was asked just three hours NW, was the elegant setting for earlier to speak. a discussion that would answer An expert on clean en- the question, “How will our next ergy development and cli- Photos by Matt Nguyen, president provide for the long- mate change, Leaner described screen views courtesy of the campaigns Tallent (above) and Learner (right) discuss policies term energy needs of the U.S. Obama’s views and dominated Sept. 24. Investigating the campaigns’ websites while protecting the future of the discussion. Tallent was very reveals that many energy or environment pieces match up in the two campaigns, but placement on our environment?” charming and told anecdotes, web pages differ quite a bit. Met by staff with the nor- but she didn’t give many specif- mal “welcome” and “register ics on McCain’s stand on energy here,” YDC was looking for- and environment issues. ward to seeing experts, Howard Boonie Applebeet, 22, Learner and Robert “Bud” Mc- a graduate student at Ameri- Farlane. At this event, Learner can University, disagreed with represented the Obama-Biden something mentioned in the pol- campaign and McFarlane was icy discussion. She told YDC, to represent the McCain-Palin one of the representatives said, campaign. The crowd soon “that ‘environment and ener- Se e Po l i c y , p a g e 2 News t Young D.C. t October 2008 GC supports student’s battle Th o r n t o n f r o m p a g e o n e his father gets. This has put Justin’s family in numerous medications and had to deal with a tough spot. nausea and severe pain. All of this amounted In addition to prayers, Good Counsel to little. His leukemia was stubborn and it is working to support Justin and his fam- Young D.C. is an independent newspaper written by and would not go away. ily through a fund-raiser at the nationally about metropolitan area teens. And now, Justin needs televised Dematha vs. Good Address correspondence to: a bone marrow transplant. Counsel game. The school Young D.C. His father, a lieutenant com- dedicated both its homecom- 1904 18th Street, NW Unit B mander at Bethesda Naval ing football game and this Washington, D.C. 20009-1707 Hospital, started a drive to week’s ESPN2 game to Jus- tel: 202.232.5300 get a match for a donor. How- tin and his family. The school fax: 202.232.5306 ever, getting a match is a very will have a tent set up to col- www.youngdc.org tough process and the most lect donations from the 4000- Copyright. All rights reserved. likely of donors would be of plus fans at Thursday’s game. Co-Managing Editors Jin-Ah Kim the same race. This means It seems fitting that Jus- Fran Djoukeng Thos. Jefferson HS for Science that Justin needs an African tin played football his fresh- Montgomery Blair HS (Md.) and Technology (Va.) American donor. Congres- photo courtesy of Good Counsel HS man year, and now football Justin Thornton sional Black Caucus mem- could be his saving grace. News Editor Co-Entertainment Editors bers Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Justin says that he is going to beat this Brinda Gupta Sareum Kim (Dem.–Ill.), Rep. Donna Edwards (Dem.– disease, and all those who have met him Thos. Jefferson HS for Science Centreville HS (Va.) Md.) and Del. Donna Christensen (Dem.– know he is not lying. When asked what he and Technology (Va.) Priscilla Ward V.I.), helped create a screening drive Sept. wants to do when he beats cancer, Justin says Homeschooling (D.C.) 26 at the Washington Convention Center to he wants to help those in the same spot. He Lifestyle Editor find Justin a donor. wants to become a pediatrician. Courtney Stein Layout Manager Now, Justin is being sent to the Duke St. Pius X HS (TX) Medical Center for treatment. This has forced Kevin Fries, 17, is a senior, Our Lady of Gautier Lemyze-Young his family to use their private medical insur- Good Counsel HS in Olney, Md. Centennial HS (Md.) ance instead of the naval medical insurance Reporters: Melissa Belk, The King’s College (N.Y.); Archie Brown, Temple University (Pa.); Christina Chang, Wootton (Md.); Flora Cheng, (D.C.); Mohammad Diallo, Friendship PCS (D.C.); Allie Frith, South Lakes HS (Va.); Jessica Gelfarb, Walt Whitman Meridian hosts Decision 2008 HS (Md.); Melanie Kates, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Becky Koretz, Po l i c y f r o m p a g e o n e Woodrow Wilson SHS (D.C.); Billie McCain, Salisbury University gy’ is third in the list of importance for the and Development, Brookings Institution; (Md.); Armani McMillan, Forestville Military Academy (Md.); American voter. But, in my study, I found Scott Lincicome, economic advisor to Matt Nguyen, McKinley Tech (D.C.); Rayshon Patterson, Prince that environment can usually play a big role Sen. John McCain for President; in- George’s Community College (Md.); Caitlin Peterson, John S. Burke in security and economic issues.” ternational trade attorney with the Catholic HS (N.Y.) ;Lindsey Rennie, Mount de Sales Academy As both a domestic and foreign topic, firm of White & Case, confirmed. (Md.); Diamond Riley, University of Virginia (Va.); Emma Safford, environment and energy aligned with the Thursday, October 9, 6:30 p.m. The Lab School of Washington (D.C.); Helen Stoddard, Yorktown Meridian International Center mission, America and the Multilateral World (Va.); Megan Ternes, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.); Jonathan Ward, St. which “combines world public opinion, a Question: How will the next President Albans (D.C.); Maya Wells, Morgan State University (Md). MaBinti neutral convening forum for international help reshape and redefine multilateral, inter- Yillah, University of Maryland leaders and cultures, a strategic location, and national institutions to assist the global com- Artists: Casey Drogin, Einstein (Md.); Nina Stoddard, Yorktown (Va.) the energy of willing public and private ac- munity in times of crisis against borderless tors to build understanding and collaborate threats, such as disease, proliferation, terror- Board of Directors: George Curry, Tom Donlan, Hector Ericksen- on solutions to global challenges we face ism, climate change and organized crime? Mendoza, Rich Foster, Mary Hanley, Judy Hines, Sean Jensen, together.” The center developed five events Participants: Cynthia Farrell Johnson, Rosamond King, Carol Knopes (chairman), to answer questions from its Decision 2008 Ambassador Thomas Pickering, vice chair- Carol Lange, Kathleen Reilly Mannix, Sarah Menke-Fish, Bob program. Two will take place in October: man, Hills & Co, and career ambas- Neuman, Michael Phelps, Reginald Ragland, Phil Reid Thursday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. sador, including U.S ambassador Young D.C. is supported by The Bureau of National Affairs, The America in the World Economy: Fair to the , 1989–1992; Children’s Charities Foundation, The Freedom Forum, and sponsors Richard Williamson, foreign policy advi- Competition and Open Markets of the 21st Cartoons & Cocktails, an auction of editorial art to be sor to Senator John McCain for Presi- Question: How will the next president held Oct. 23 at the National Press Club. Cartoons & Cocktails 2008 dent; White House special envoy to enhance American leadership in internation- benefits Young D.C. the Friedheim Library at the National Press Club Sudan; U.S. ambassador to U.N. Com- al economic and trade issues while coping and its programs, and the Cartoonists Rights Network International. with a weak dollar, protectionist sentiment mission on Human Rights (2004), as- and the global impact of crisis in the U.S. sistant secretary of state for interna- Letters to the Editor are welcome and sometimes published, either whole or tional organization affairs, 1988–89; in part. Letters are subject to editing. Readers writing to the editors should credit and housing sectors? include contact information: name, age, telephone number. Invited participants: Magali Rheault, Gallup analyst. Gene Sperling, economic advisor to Sen. Correction for President and senior Matt Nguyen, 17, is a junior at McKinley YDC publishes corrections of matters of substance. Thanks for bringing fellow, Center for American Progress; Technology HS in the District of Columbia. them to the attention of the editors via snail mail or email to newsroom@ Lael Brainard, director, Global Economy youngdc.org.C October 2008 t Young D.C. t News

Who harshedMaddy Joseph the mellow at ServiceNation? Young D.C. On the morning of Sept. 11, when I ventured outside the gates of Columbia Uni- versity for a run there were road blocks, Secret Service agents, police vans and press trucks lining Broadway from 116th Street to 114th Street. This hubbub was the culmi- nation of a week of preparations by the Columbia community, which that night would be welcoming two of the most important United States Senators: Barack Obama and John McCain. I had been a Columbia student for two weeks when the candidates came to cam- pus. So, this was quite the introduction. We’re proud to say here that both candidates have connections to the school. Barack Obama graduated from Columbia in 1983; John McCain’s daughter, Meghan, graduated from Columbia in 2007. That night, a sea of students gathered on the steps of Low Library to watch the candidates speak. Over video feed, of course. The real venue, yards from the gathering of students, was much more exclusive. The candidates were speaking at something called the ServiceNation forum, which brings leaders from different sectors together to inspire Americans to serve. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, , Tobey Maguire, and Usher were all in the audience, along with Joe Biden and his wife, who probably aren’t used to being minor celebrities. The whole thing, of course, was in honor of Sept. 11. Both senators had agreed to Photo by Maddy Joseph Students flood the campus of Columbia University in to watch Sen. forego campaigning for the day. Campus groups, like the College Democrats and Col- John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama answer questions posed by PBS correspondent lege Republicans, were also encouraged to place partisan divisions aside and instead and Time editor for the ServiceNation summit. Existing organizations–Be the Change, City Year, Civic Enterprises and the focus on service. Institute–formed ServiceNation and organized its summit. ServiceNation campaign is I want to say that because of this and similar gestures of unity, that night was using the energy of this election year to attract volunteers to act in the public interest. a great moment of solidarity for the thousands of students who gathered Sadly, in Learn more, view the summit and sign up by visiting www.servicenation.org. the end, we weren’t brought together by any inspiring calls for service or remem- In the end, though, it was still an awe-inspiring night. Sitting amid thousands brance of the events of seven years ago. If anything, the journalists who conducted of my peers, it really was hard not to think about the power we might have if each the interviews, TIME magazine managing editor Richard Stengel and PBS corre- of us committed ourselves in some small way to service. spondent Judy Woodruff, succeeded in further uniting this liberal campus behind Barack Obama by asking partisan questions that provoked partisan answers. They Maddy Joseph, 18, is a freshman at Columbia University. She was the man- highlighted divisions between the candidates, and repeatedly brought up controver- aging editor of Young D.C., volume 17. sial issues like the absence of ROTC on Columbia’s campus. D.C.’s new home-school laws now in place Priscilla Ward regulations are to ensure that students are receiving the community continues on this issue,” said State Young DC regular and thorough instruction. Board of Education President Robert Bob. Over 120 A parent who wants to home-school a child in In chapter 52 of the District code, there are now home-schoolers attended the March hearing and over the District must now give written notice 15 days procedural rules for home schooling for the D.C. 30 testified. The Home School Legal Defense Asso- before taking a child out of public school. The par- residents ages 5 to 18. President of the D.C. Home ciation reports that OSSE received over 2,800 emails, ent must maintain a portfolio of the student’s work Educators Association Ethan Reedy said, while the 400 phone calls, and written comments. for a possible review by the Office of the State Su- home-school community hasn’t been pleased about “I don’t think the home school regulations will perintendent. These are two regulations that OSSE the regulations, “we have ended up with a better set help. As they are currently being enforced, I don’t put in place last July. “We look forward to working of regulations than what we started with by quite a think they do much harm, but there is a lot of leeway with home school families in the District of Colum- bit.” in the regulations to allow for the Office of the State bia to ensure that all receive all of the supports neces- He added, “I’m very happy at the way the home Superintendent of Education to become very intru- sary to successfully educate their students at home,” school community got together and made their voice sive in a family’s home-school plans,” said Reedy. said State Superintendent of Education Deborah Gist. heard. We have a very diverse home-school commu- To read the new home-school regula- Jan. 11, 2008, U.S. marshals found the bodies nity in the District, and it wasn’t easy to keep every- tions visit http://osse.dc.gov/seo/lib/lib/fi- of four girls in Southeast D.C. Their mother Benita one focused on the main issues, but I think our hard nal_home_schooling_rules_7_15_2008.pdf. Jacks, who will go on trial for their murder Dec.1, work was fruitful.” In 2000, the District passed legislation that removed the girls from D.C. charter schools in the OSSE changed draft home schooling regula- made compulsory school attendance until age 18 ap- spring of 2007. Jacks told school officials she was tions after a public hearing by the State Board of Ed- ply to home-schoolers. home schooling. ucation March 5,2008. “The preparation of the home This case brought home schooling into focus for school community was a very significant component Priscilla Ward, 17, a home schooled se- both OSSE and home-schoolers in general. A review of this process. The voice of the community helped to nior, in the District of Columbia. of regulations governing home school instruction en- ensure that we approved regulations which are sound sued. The purpose of the District’s home schooling and balanced. We must make sure that our work with October 2008 t Young D.C. t News McCain, Obama debate international challenges Courtney Stein for U.S. troops. But she thought McCain clammed up Ultimately, the winner was Obama – at least ac- Young D.C. a bit on certain Middle Eastern affairs as well. cording to Wu. He won “by showing he could handle On Friday the first of three presidential debates In a nutshell, “McCain was willing to talk more foreign policy,” adding, “McCain really [just] ham- was held in Oxford, MS. Surprisingly, most students about Iraq, and I think Obama wanted to talk more mered in on how naive he thought Obama was.” agreed on what they viewed as most prominent aspects about Afghanistan,” she said. While he didn’t specifically crown Obama the of this verbal crossfire. And naturally, there were a few surprises. champion, Heins did admit that “it seemed like Obama One inevitable element of any debate is question “What stood out the most was how Obama seemed kind of did better in that debate” dodging. to try really hard to be nice,” said David Wu, 17, a Nick Starr, 18, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High “McCain certainly seemed to avoid certain ques- junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science School for Science and Technology, disagreed. tions, especially the first question which was about and Technology in Alexandria, Va. “You heard him say “I actually think McCain came out a bit on top. I the economy,” said Alison Silverman, 17, a junior at John is right about something several times, while Mc- wasn’t as impressed [by] Obama’s spontaneous re- Villa Maria Academy in Malvern, Pa. “He spent about Cain would always be saying Senator Obama lacks the sponses as I had been by his prepared speeches,” he 30 seconds (although it seemed much longer) talking knowledge and judgment.” said. about and the unification of both parties, But Steven Gergen, 15, a sophomore at St. Pius Winning aside, Heins felt the debate was overall and although these were very nice comment[s], they X HS in Houston, was surprised the debate took place informative because “they brought up some specifics did not relate to the topic at hand.” period, “seeing as [McCain] needed to go to the White on what they plan to be doing, about how they plan on However, Zack Heins, 17, a senior at St. Pius House to work on the economic crisis.” dealing with foreign policy around the world, about X HS in Houston, Tex,, thought that both candidates Overall, students felt the debate went well. the issues going on.” seemed to avoid answering this question. “It flowed. It moved along nicely,” said Sobota. “It was interesting,” said Wu. “They kind of just stressed what they wanted to. “No one was like, interrupting or yelling at each other” They didn’t really stress how they were gonna deal with – well, for the most part. the all problems with the economy now,” he said. Despite Obama’s “rude” interruptions toward the Courtney Stein, 18, is a senior at St. Pius X HS in Ashley Sobota, 18, a freshman at St. Edward’s end of the debate, Heins said, “They both talked about Houston, TX. University in Austin, Tex,, also recognized this reluc- what they wanted to talk about. It wasn’t like an attack Gina Kim contributed to this article. tance to speak on a certain topic yet highly emphasize on each other. There was only like a few times when another. To her, Obama seemed less willing to talk they talked bad about each other or like, brought up Visitors to www.factcheck.org will find detailed about issues that may make him seem “unpatriotic,” each other. It was mostly ‘what I want to do and how I explanations of “muddled facts” from this debate. such as his disinclination to provide additional funding think it should be done.’” Campaigns are entitled to their Listen to 2KNation own opinions, not their own facts the voice of teen poets, Caitlin Peterson what to do. More taxes. No leadership. A risk Young D.C. your family can’t afford.” When checked the re- reporters and artists Technology is forever advancing. Recorded cord shows that Sen. Obama had actually given a Sunday nights, 7 p.m. words are spliced and laced with hidden mean- speech in Green Bay, Wis., giving a six-part plan ings. A society needs to be able to trust the words to address the economic issues the nation is deal- WPFW 89.3 FM it hears, especially in a time when a nation is ing with. about to choose a new president. We should be An Obama ad says McCain is opposed to able to trust that candidates will do as they say embryonic stem cell research. Not so. Since 2001, and not have to dig around for their true inten- McCain has supported it with votes and a letter to tions. Is this a false hope? Lucky for us, there President Bush asking that federal restrictions on are organizations that specialize in determining such research be lifted. the truth. These sites fact-check ads, specializing These sites attempt to take away confusion in political advertising. potential voters may feel after watching political Though the words in an ad or interview may ads and debates. They also note deceptions. They sound enticing to the voter, frequently partisans examine campaign ads and communication for play with words to make it seem that their candi- accuracy, telling the public what doesn’t check dates are working for the greater good of our coun- out. They work on establishing the difference be- try. This isn’t to say that politicians aren’t working tween fact and myth in each candidate’s speech. for our greater good. Their promises and inten- They also host online broadcasts discussing the sions should be looked at in the light of their past speeches and explaining their reasoning and what performance and the state of the nation. is really meant by the words strung together by A recent campaign ad for Republican can- the opposing parties. didate Sen. John McCain tried to make it seem Visit www.factcheck.org and www.onthe- as if he had done all he could to help the cur- media.org to see if your favorite ad or point made rent economic crisis, and Sen. Barack Obama in a speech checks out. had done nothing to address or help the matter. The narrator said, “Obama and his liberal allies? Caitlin Peterson, 15, is a junior at John Mum on the market crisis. Because no one knows S. Burke Catholic HS in Goshen, NY. t t October 2008 Young D.C. Lifestyle Li f e St y l e ! Cyberian Tyger Crafty Chrome-a-zone CyTy explores Google’s first browser and finds it full of cool features Jin-ah Kim prised by which ones I viewed regularly!” Young D.C. Chrome, like Firefox, has a portable Google’s open source Web browser, version of it, making it easy for users to Chrome, launched on Sept. 2. While its bring Chrome with them to work or to innovative design and impressive new fea- school, where they cannot install Chrome tures have already attracted a sizable fol- on the computer. Chrome also allows us- lowing, it still has ers to go Incog- many technical nito, or leave no glitches that only history. However, die-hard Google Web sites can still fans could toler- collect informa- ate. Not available tion from the user. on Mac or Linux, Despite its Google Chrome innovative new is not perceived features and in- as a major threat genious design, to other brows- Chrome is far from ers such as Inter- perfect. There are net Explorer or still many bugs to Mozilla Firefox. be fixed. For ex- Chrome’s ample, I have found biggest attrac- that while Chrome tion is its innova- can open PDFs and tive, sleek design. Flash Player, it’s Chrome’s mini- too slow to be prac- malist design is not only attractive but also tical. Trying to go from one page of a PDF minimizes the wasted space on the screen file to another often crashes the browser. such as the menu bar and the toolbar. The Sometimes, it freezes for a few seconds menu bar and the title bar are both replaced for no apparent reason. “I actually stopped with a tab bar and the URL box and the search using chrome a bit because it wasn’t very box is replaced with an Omnibox with both friendly with Facebook, which is a show- functions. This design makes Chrome look stopper for me because I pretty much live on more like a software application rather than Facebook these days,” said Goines. None- a Web browser. From mirrors function theless, the developers are constantly -- Chrome has a feature that allows users fixing these bugs that get automatically to create desktop shortcuts of Web pages, reported every time Chrome crashes. Its speed also makes Chrome popular among the tech-savvy users. Compared to Jin-Ah Kim, 18, is a senior at Thom- both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, as Jefferson High School for Science I observed that the Chrome both launched and Technology in Alexandria, Va. and loaded Web pages faster. Chrome also has several features which make naviga- Editor’s note: Jonathan “Chip” tion faster. For example, the default page, Guines, interviewed for this story, was called New Tab Page, is a birds-eye view a YDC reporter, 1992-94. of the nine most frequently visited Web sites. Chip Goines, 32, a software engineer at Harvard University Library, was particu- larly impressed with this feature. “I was sur- Lifestyle t Young D.C. t October 2008 Ancient people come back to us for Halloween Caitlin Peterson the Dead occur Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Skeletons The name was derived from the Irish legend of Young D.C. and skull decorations dominate Día de los Muertos. Stingy Jack, a trickster with a long history of outsmart- The next time you are getting ready to dress up and The origins of jack-o’-lanterns could be as sim- ing the devil. Unfortunately, he didn’t do anything to make your rounds of trick-or-treating, take the time to ple as the need for a flashlight when autumn days grow get into heaven, either. The legend says he was cursed to appreciate where this tradition came from. You’ll find short and night falls earlier and earlier. The Celts be- stay on Earth forever, walking at night with a single light, it has much more on the inside once you peel away lieved that the head was the strongest part of the body, the burning coal inside of a single, hollowed-out turnip. the layers of costumes, candy and spooky stories. perhaps the a fire inside represented the knowledge Today, Oct. 31, Halloween, is the holiday for and spirit of the human mind. Jack-o’-lanterns could Caitlin Peterson, 15, is a junior at John S. Burke children of all ages. A time of candy, costumes and have been used to guide spirits or scare them off. Catholic HS in Goshen, N.Y. trick-or-treating, often leading to many stomachaches after a night of laughter and fun. We all know what the tradition en- tails, but few take the time to think about the history of the holiday, or why its old- est traditions began in the first place. It is a No matter how you look at it newspaper readers and While it’s true that younger voters are more likely mixture of superstitions and legends from voters go hand in hand. An incredible eight out of 10 to access political information on the internet, it’s the ancient Celts, Europeans and the Irish. newspaper readers voted in the last two presidential newspaper websites they go to. The Celts were tribal people liv- elections. And when it comes to the most reliable ing in Europe during the Iron Age, about So, even though cable news would like you to voting block – seniors – an overwhelming 70% are 1,000 BC. Halloween can be traced back believe something else, the truth is it’s newspapers to the Celtic festival of Samhain, the day frequent and regular newspaper readers. In fact, a that deliver voters of all ages. Put newspapers in before their new year. They believed majority of all voters, 55%, read their local your media mix if you want to put your candidate in ghosts could return to the earth for Sam- newspaper every day. hain, because boundaries between the the winner’s column. living and the dead were open. Although Sources: Moore Information (Mar. 2008), American Voter Media Use Study they caused mischief and trouble while conducted by Costas Panagopoulos, Yale University (Jan. 2008), they were earthbound for the day, the Pew Internet and American Life Project (Jan. 2007) spirits made it easier for Celtic priests to tell fortunes. Facing a long winter, Celtic people built huge sacred bonfires and pre- dicted one another’s futures, They also dressed up in animal skins and heads. The Druids were members of the Celtic learned and priestly classes. Trick- or-treating can be traced to their belief that the spirits would cause mischief and trouble if not satisfied on this day. To prevent havoc and destruction spir- its would cause, the Druids visited each house and collected food and other goods, in the hopes that the spirits would leave the people alone and visit elsewhere. This non-beggar begging can also be related to the ninth century Euro- pean tradition of ‘souling.’ Christians would walk from door to door beg- ging for ‘soul cakes.’ The more they received the more prayers they prom- ised to say on behalf of the donors. Along with roots in traditions of an- cient people, the holiday is also filled with many symbols from skeletons to carved pumpkins lit from inside by candles. In North and Central America, scholars say, the link between skeletons and a harvest-time festival go back cen- For more turies before Europeans arrived. Aztecs information believed that the goddess Mictecacihuatl watched over the bones of the dead. The visit our website Day of the Dead, celebrated wherever Mexican and Central American people The Newspaper Association of America is a non-profit organization representing the newspaper industry. political.naa.org settle, has roots in the Mictecacihuatl festival. Festivities linked to the Day of October 2008 t Young D.C. t Lifestyle When the fashion bug bites, scratch the itch here Mohammad Diallo thing from a vintage shirt to something you could wear Young D.C. for school to go with your Nike [boots.”] Their prices Have you ever said to yourself I’m tired of always range from $28-$1400. shopping the same store or I don’t want to shop at the 1065 Wisconsin Avenue NW same store my friends shop? Look no further. I will Washington, D.C. show you the top ten places to shop in D.C. rated by French Connection price, quality and location. This UK brand has been in the fashion business American Apparel for 40 years and has been in Georgetown for seven Established in 2000 by Dov Charney a Canadian years. “Our clothes are very trendy. We are a trendset- who flourished selling American cotton T-shirts north ting company,” says salesperson Kevin Efereti. “Our of the border. After earning enough money in whole- brand is fresh, young, and innovative.” sale work, he moved to Los Angeles to open a sweat- And in case if you were wondering, FCUK is an shop-free clothing manufacturing company. They sell acronym for French Connection United Kingdom and T-shirts, hoodies, spandex, underwear, bomber jackets, not something crude. tanks, and pants all in a myriad of colors. Their [prices The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City range] from $15-$80. Arlington, Va. 1090 F Street NW ation, Y-3, and Prada. Bloomingdale’s Washington, D.C. 3040 M Street NW With its newest metro area branch in Friendship Barney’s New York Co-op Washington, D.C. Heights just a year old, this 148-year-old upscale de- A junior branch of Barney’s New York, Co-op Rugby partment store sells American and European design- sells casual clothes that fans use to transcend from Rugby is the younger line of Polo by Ralph er read-to-wear. “The demographics of our [Chevy work to evening. “What makes us so different than Lauren. The style is college prep meets vintage. This Chase] store are diplomats, African Americans and from other stores is that we’re quirky. We have a fresh Georgetown boutique sells blazers, tees, jeans, denim, Asians. Our age group is 18-60,” says Bernard Paul. approach and show excessive luxury,” says salesperson madras – all in standard fabric cut in modern ways. “Our store is fresh, young, hip.” Carlton. A pricey Georgetown boutique (price range Rugby even stitches the patch you pick for your very Bloomies sells Marc Jacobs, L.A.M.B., Elie Tar- of $50-$1,500), this store sells exclusive brands like own rugby shirt or dress. ”We have a classic American hari, Ralph Lauren, Dsquared, Hugo Boss, Juicy Cou- MarcJacobs,, Ksubi, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Creative Recre- style[,]” says salesperson Donell. You can find any- ture, Diesel, Chanel, and Armani. Although the clothes are expensive, you can find good deals during sales. Plus, ttheir events and promotions are very festive . Bloomingdale’s newest location From local news to world politics, 5300 Western Ave. Chevy Chase, Md. also in White Flint Mall, Kensington, Md. The Washington Examiner and Tyson’s Corner, McLean, Va. Meeps Vintage Fashionette has you covered. Located in the uber-trendy Adam’s Morgan neighborhood, Meeps is a chic vintage boutique that sells gorgeous fashions from eras past and from hip local designers. Opened in 1992 in the Shaw neighbor- hood, this little shop moved west in 2006. It sells retro, vintage, local brands, bridal gowns, lingerie and chil- dren’s clothes. Friendly salespeople and a great range of accessories and clothes are why girls and guys alike pay homage to Meeps. And with a price range that can start as low as $5 and seldom exceed $100, , their goods can fit your budget even in this recession. 2104 18th St. NW Washington, DC 20009 Zara Founded in the mid-1970s, this sleek destination has casual and evening wear for men and women. “We take inspirations and ideas from luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and Balenciaga,” Available in print, online at says salesperson Rashard. “What makes us different from H&M or Gap [is that] we have [a new] shipment dcexaminer.com, or free to every two weeks so our clothes constantly change our E-dition subscribers. Zara 1025 F Street NW Washington, D.C.

Mohammad Diallo, 17, is a senior at Friend- Contact us at 703.560.4000. ship PCS Collegiate Academy in the District of Columbia. Young D.C. t October 2008 Entertainment ! All kinds of action festival honors Duke, DC on the big screenLindsey Rennie Young D.C. Eagle Eye Gets Viewers Thinking…and Leaves Them That Way “Jerry Shaw, you have been activated.” In the new intense thriller Eagle Eye, Shia Labeouf plays Jerry Shaw, who is pursued as a terrorist after the mysterious death of his twin brother. Jerry receives phone calls from an unidentified woman throughout the course of the movie, telling him ex- actly what to do and when to do it to escape imminent death. His fate intertwines with that of Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan). Rachel obeys the woman on the other end of the phone to keep her young son safe. Rachel and Jerry realize that their actions are much bigger than themselves and they could be responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. They struggle to keep them alive. This film is addictive and intense. WatchingEagle Eye in an IMAX theatre, I found it hard to look away or even blink. During the entire movie I was on the edge of my seat, feeling like I was in the ac- tion, and constantly trying to guess what would happen next. Eagle Eye is so well written and enigmatic that I hardly ever guessed correctly. One of the best parts about this movie is that you never see what’s coming. Jerry Shaw and Rachel Holloman are truly good people, and

the viewer sympathizes Photo above courtesy of Jana La Sorte with and feels connected Priscilla Ward Photo below, YDC archive Young D.C. Above, left to right, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, DEJF founder to both of them. Along Charlie Fishman and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera join forces with the writers, the ac- The fourth annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival lights Oct. 1-7 to bring a big jazz festival to D.C. up D.C., Oct. 1-7. It will feature more than 100 jazz per- Below, a mural of Duke Ellington looks over U Street, NW, once tors are spectacular in known as “the Black Broadway,” which is the address of many Eagle Eye. You can see formances at concert venues and clubs around Ellington’s DEJF venues. the emotion, terror, love, hometown. The event honors its namesake, the grandfa- and desire to save others ther of jazz, and showcases emerging jazz artists from all in the eyes’ of the ac- over the country. DEJF founder and executive producer tors. They truly become Charlie Fishman, came up with the idea for the festival their characters. Shia while managing Dizzy Gillespie. Fishman explained the Labeouf, Michelle Mon- start of the festival to YDC as he had earlier to Jazz Re- aghan, Rosario Dawson, view magazine, “Washington was sort of like a way sta- and Billy Bob Thornton tion to wash clothes and repack. I took a look around and will go down in history as the actors though, “we invented this music, Ellington and so many who have made people really wonder: others are from here, and we don’t have a jazz festival? “Can the federal government really “There are jazz festivals in so many other big know everything about me by track- and small cities and even other countries and we don’t ing my technology?” Hmmm… even have one, [jazz] is the demigod in Europe.” In 2004, determined to make D.C. a premier jazz des- Thursday, Oct. 2 Free unless otherwise noted Lindsey Rennie, 15, is a sopho- tination, Fishman made his dream a reality with a sneak Student Concert: Berklee College of Music Latin Jazz All more at Mount De Sales Academy preview of the Jazz Fest at the Lincoln Theatre on U Street, in Catonsville, Md. NW, followed by two ticketed events at D.C.-area clubs. Stars, Duke Ellington School of the Arts - 9:30 a.m. “Jazz reflects the inherent values of this country, which Student Concert: Step Afrika & W.E.S. Group, Atlas Per- articulates so much better than I do,” forming Arts CenterMaster Class: Berklee College of Bleach Music Latin Jazz All Stars, Duke Ellington School of DC Anime Club president Chris said Fishman. He added that DEJF was very important in terms of improving and enriching the community, while the Arts - 1:00 p.m. Wanamaker writes YDC with news of Student Concert: Origem, Sitar Arts Center, 5:30 p.m. the screening of Bleach The Movie: celebrating the music that was invented in this country. “Whatever you do in D.C, whether it’s intended or not, Bar J Wrangers, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6 p.m. Memories of Nobody at the In- Spoken Word: Kenny Carroll & DC Writers Corp, at Bus- formation and Culture Center, 1155 is viewed as a national event. The festival supports diversity by showcasing an art form that is by nature very diverse,” boys & Poets, 7:00/9:00 p.m., $15 21st Street, NW, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. Yardena, at Goldman Theater, DC Jewish Community Based on Manga, Japanese com- said Liz Stark, communications assistant at the National En- dowments for the Arts. The event has something for every- Center - 7:30 p.m., $25, but $20 for JCC memberrs ics, Bleach follows the sudden out- Step Afrika & W.E.S. Group, Atlas Performing Arts Center, break of unidentified spirits. They the one from any cultural background. It features both free and ticketed events, ranging from $10 – 20. DEJF includes a free 7:30 p.m., $25 action as a mystrious woman, a hero Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Monty Alexander, , 8/10pm and a group called the “Dark Ones” all-day concert on the National Mall, a student educational series, celebrating the National Endowment for the Arts, $27.50 pursue their missions. Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Luis Faife @ Twins8/10 p.m., $15 Seating is limited for this free Jazz Masters concert, a “Families Fun Day,” the popular “ Jazz in the ‘Hood”, and the “International Jazz Showcase.” Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Meeting French-American Jazz Quin- screening, so reservations by email, tet featuring Pierrick Henuau and Paul Steinbeck, Bo- [email protected], are en- hemian Caverns, 9/11 p.m., $15 couraged. Priscilla Ward, 17, a home-schooled senior, in the District of Columbia. October 2008 t Young D.C. Entertainment ! Fill in your October calendar 10/2 New Kids on the Block concert – Verizon Center, Hiatt, Warner Theatre, 13th Street between E & F 601 F Street NW, D.C. Streets NW, D.C. Jazz festival honors Duke, DC 10/2 Jenny Lewis concert – Sixth & I Synagogue, 600 10/20 Jason Mraz concert, DAR Constitution Hall, I Street NW, D.C. 18th & C Streets NW, D.C. 10/5 George Lopez – Warner Theatre, 13th Street be- 10/26 Luis Miguel concert – Patriot Center, 4400 Uni- tween E & F Streets NW, D.C. versity Drive, Fairfax, Va. 10/5 David Sedaris – Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 10/30 2008 World Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, Ve- Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD rizon Center, 601 F Street NW, D.C. 10/15 Janet Jackson concert – Verizon Center, 601 F Street NW, D.C. Compiled by Lindsey Rennie, 15, a sophomore at 10/19 An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Mount De Sales Academy in Catonsville, Md.

DEJF Sc h e d u l e c o n t ’d. Friday, Oct. 3 Winard Harper Sextet @ Atlas Center - 7:30pm $25 Student Concert: W.E.S. Group Jazz Meets Hip Hop, Steve Herberman, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Lincoln Theatre, 10:30 a.m. Smith Farm,7:30 p.m. Master Class: Paquito D’Rivera, George Washington Grady Tate, Kennedy Center Jazz Club, 7:30pm / 9:30 University Department of Music, 12 noon p.m., $25 Frédéric Yonnet Quintet, National Gallery of Art Sculp- NEA Jazz Masters Concert: Duke Ellington Orchestra ture Garden, 5 p.m., with special guests Paquito D’Rivera, Buck Hill, Alex Han & Beyond the Construct, Kennedy Center George Botts, and Sharón Clark / DC Bass Choir Photo above courtesy of Jana La Sorte Photo below, YDC archive Millennium Stage, 6 p.m. with special guest: Christian McBride, Lincoln Above, left to right, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, DEJF founder La Timbistica (Berklee College of Music’s Latin Jazz Theatre, 8 p.m., $25 Charlie Fishman and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera join forces Oct. 1-7 to bring a big jazz festival to D.C. All Stars)/Chopteeth/Fertile Ground, 9:30 CLUB, 7 Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Monty Alexander, Blues Alley - Below, a mural of Duke Ellington looks over U Street, NW, once p.m., $20 8/10 p.m., $27.50 known as “the Black Broadway,” which is the address of many DEJF venues. Anat Cohen, National Museum of Women in the Arts Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Jazz ‘n Salsa Jam, Bohemian Cav- 7:30 p.m., $25 erns, 9/11 p.m., $15 Step Afrika & W.E.S. Group, Atlas Performing Arts Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Dana Leong Quartet, Busboy’s & Center, 7:30 p.m., $25 Poets, 9/11 p.m., $15 Ricky Padron, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Sonny Fortune Quartet, Twins, 9/11 Smith Farm, 7:30 p.m., p.m. $20 Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Dana Leong Quartet, Ebenezer’s Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Tarea Anderson, Atlas Center, 9:30 Coffeehouse, 7:30/9:30pm $20 p.m. /11 p.m., $15 Music for Strings: Michael Bowie Sextet, 87 Florida, Sunday, Oct. 5 8 p.m. $15 Jazz on The National Mall featuring Taj Mahal, McCoy Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Monty Alexander, Blues Alley - Tyner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, 8/10 p.m., $27.50 Conrad Herwig Latin Side Project, Afro Blue, the Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Winard Harper Sextet, Bohemian Sylvan Amphitheater, National Mall, 12 noon to 7 Caverns, 9/ 11p.m., $20 p.m. Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Time for Three, Busboys & Poets, Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Monty Alexander, Blues Alley - Thursday, Oct. 2 Free unless otherwise noted 9 p.m., $15 8/10 p.m., $27.50 Student Concert: Berklee College of Music Latin Jazz All Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Sonny Fortune Quartet, Twins, 9/11 After Mall Festival Celebration, Bohemian Caverns , Stars, Duke Ellington School of the Arts - 9:30 a.m. p.m. $20 from 8:30 p.m., $15 Student Concert: Step Afrika & W.E.S. Group, Atlas Per- Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Michael Thomas Quartet, Indigo Monday, Oct. 6 forming Arts CenterMaster Class: Berklee College of at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 9:30 p.m./11 Student Concert: Na’Rimbo, Mexican Cultural Insti- Music Latin Jazz All Stars, Duke Ellington School of p.m., $15 tute, 10:30 a.m. the Arts - 1:00 p.m. Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Midnight Jam: Antonio Master Class: Christian McBride, Duke Elling- Student Concert: Origem, Sitar Arts Center, 5:30 p.m. Parker Quartet, Busboys & Poets, 12 mid- ton School of the Arts, 2 p.m. Bar J Wrangers, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6 p.m. night, $15 Master Class: Dana Leong, Howard University Spoken Word: Kenny Carroll & DC Writers Corp, at Bus- Saturday, Oct. 4 Department of Music, 12 noon boys & Poets, 7:00/9:00 p.m., $15 Jazz n’ Families Fun Day, all day on the National Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Alex Brown Trio, Blues Al- Yardena, at Goldman Theater, DC Jewish Community Mall, featuring the Louisville Leopard Kid ley, 8/10 p.m., $15 Center - 7:30 p.m., $25, but $20 for JCC memberrs Percussionists / La Timbistica (Berklee Col- Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Thad Wilson Big Band, Bo- Step Afrika & W.E.S. Group, Atlas Performing Arts Center, lege of Music Latin All-Stars)/ U.S. Army hemian Caverns, 8:30 p.m., $15 7:30 p.m., $25 Blues / Miss Lucy Lion / Na’Rimbo Mexi- Tuesday, Oct. 7 Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8/10pm can Marimba Mariachi ensemble / Marcy Student Concert: Nasar Abadey Legacy, The $27.50 Marxner & Cathy Fink @ Sylvan Ampithe- ARC, 10:30 a.m., Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Luis Faife @ Twins8/10 p.m., $15 atre, National Mall, 12 to 6 p.m., face painting, sto- Na’Rimbo, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6 p.m. Jazz in the ‘Hoods: Meeting French-American Jazz Quin- ry telling, instrument petting zoo, jazz band family Paquito D’Rivera Presents Vivas Las Americas, Cohen tet featuring Pierrick Henuau and Paul Steinbeck, Bo- portraits Auditorium, Voice of America, 7:00 p.m., reser- hemian Caverns, 9/11 p.m., $15 Christian Sands Quartet, Kennedy Center Millennium vation required: [email protected] subject: Stage, 6 p.m. Viva Las Americas RSVP Entertainment t Young D.C. t October 2008 YDC flies into the pages of Paolini’s Brisingr Caitlin Petersen Young D.C. The long awaited third book in the Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini was released on Sep. 20 after nearly two years of fans waiting to see what would happen. The series follows a young man named Eragon, a common farm boy who finds himself engulfed in legends and danger when he discovers a dragon egg. What ensues is a mixture of turmoil, terror and learning as he flees the valley in which he grew up and attempts to find the rebel force known as the Varden. On his journey, he explores the magic and connection between his dragon, Saphira, and discovers a world he thought only existed among the elders’ stories. It is a wonder- ful and exhilarating series, and the third book did not bring its legacy down at all. Beginning a short time after the second book ends, the third book, Brisingr, starts with Eragon fulfilling his promise to his cousin to help him rescue his be- loved Katrina from a terror of a species known as the Ra’zac. It continues with the war that is now in full force among the four species that inhabit the lands: the elves, the humans, the Urgals and the Dwarves. The action never stops and each page keeps you on your toes wanting to see what will happen next. Its 700+ pages will fly by much too fast, and you will be left wanting to knowmore. Many fans and reviewers are saying that this series could com- pete with Harry Potter and Twilight, though the editors seem re- luctant to say this and not have the book live up to its hype. When it comes to the writing, there are awkwardly phrased sentences that make it seem as if the book was written in a rush. The descriptions aren’t the best, but it is still a satisfying read that will keep fans hooked and waiting anxiously for the fourth in the Inheritance Cycle, rumored to be titled Empire. The release date for this is still in the air, and we can only hope it will be sometime in the near future.

Caitlin Peterson, 15, is a junior at John S. Burke Catholic HS in Goshen, N.Y. October 2008 t Young D.C.

Boxes? We ain’t got no stinkin’ boxes. We deliver free to schools, libraries and teen hangouts.

Call the newsroom to get on the list: 202.232.5300 t Ko n r a d ’s Le n s Young D.C. October 2008

Niagara Skies Photo by Konrad Walkuski Konrad Walkuski, 16, is a junior at H. B. Woodlawn HS in Arlington, Va. archery•badminton•baseball•basketball• bobsledding•bowling•boxing• canoeing• cross country•cycling•fencing•football•golf•hockey •judo•lacrosse•rowing •skating•skiing•swimming•tennis•track and field•volleyball•water polo• weightlifting•wrestling Has an amateur athlete in your sport been profiled in YDC lately? YDC is recruiting sports reporters and looking for profile prospects. Send us an email: [email protected] t October 2008 Young D.C. Hu m o r !

Cartoon by Casey Drogin Casey Drogin, 16, is a junior at Einstein HS in Kensington, Md. Palin goes all introspective on us Alli Frith Where is my mirror? Oh, there it is. Well! I Young D.C. don’t look half bad! The black suit definitely brings This just isn’t workin’. I’ll have to ask him what out my cheekbones. he makes of it. Now, about treats. I’ll take this yellow purse. Oh gosh, just look at me. I gotta find that bleach Ugh, Marc Jacobs certainly degraded himself with to clean my glasses and find the spare cans of hair- this one. spray. I only got 15 minutes to get ready. I just know What shall I do if they don’t give me anythin’? I spent too much time eatin’ that moose stew with Oh, shucks, they’ll give me somethin’, right? I’m Piper, Willow and Bristol. their governor, after all. I’m not some Wall Street guy Okay, okay, this isn’t too bad. I’ll just use one of or gal lookin’ for a handout. my old purses to hold treats. Or maybe John will let Well, I guess if I don’t get anythin’, then I can me borrow one of Cindy’s. give them some straight talk at the door. They’ll be My hair! Why does it have to be so flat right sure to listen in to that! now? What’s happenin’? Oh and look at my toes! I I bet John will help me. though I told that rotten woman to paint the pedicure Okay, ready to go. Oh and I’m already 15 min- symmetrically. utes late. Fabulous. Right, I got 10 minutes. Don’t panic, Sarah. Nev- Who’s takin’ care of the kids tonight? Did I get er blink. a babysitter? Did Todd? Okay, Bristol will take care I wish John wasn’t comin’ trick or treatin’ with of it. She shouldn’t be out runnin’ around these days us. The gang and I are dressin’ up as ourselves this anyway. year, for comic effect, and he’s insistin’ on coming as Todd? Ta-a-a-a-add! You ready? Okay, dude, a warlock. let’s go. Oh, we look every bit perfect. Now, where is Todd? Tad! Ta-a-a-add?! I love Halloween, when all them scary ghosts Oh good, just back in time from his hunt. I hope and witches come out to get ya. The night is dark and I can go kill somethin’ tomorrow. Yes, and I’ll invite full of scary monsters. And Tuesday is Election Day. Cindy! Try to ease that tension. All I have to do to look the part is throw on some Okay, focus, Sarah, focus. Don’t blink. Find the extra hairspray! best pant suit in your closet. Beige? No. Peach? Definitely not. Too Hillary! Alli Frith, 17, is a senior at South Lakes HS in Black as night? Hmm. Perfect. Reston, Va. t Vi e w p o i n t s Young D.C. October 2008 The Shadow Knows... With Casey Drogin’s 2008 editorial car- toon, YDC digs into its archives to bring readers a selection of work published for Viewpoints from past election years. Un- fortunately, we couldn’t access the elec- tronic archives for the cartoons below. Old newspaper just doesn’t scan well. Sorry.

Casey Casey Drogin, 15, is a junior at Einstein HS in Kensington, Md. YDC is recruiting cartoonists for both the humor section and the viewpoints section. Know a good teen cartoonist? Encourage her or him to download an application from www.youngdc.org

Eddy Harrington Sam Means Clinton, Bush, Perot–1992 Dole, Clinton–1996

Tovo Rakotovao Casey Drogin Gore’s not in the picture after the 2000 campaign Kerry, Bush–2004 October 2008 t Young D.C. t Viewpoints Point, counterpoint on Halloween Jin-ah Kim frowned upon, but they certainly are Aziza Ayo Tichavakunda Costumes Creative in Silver Spring, Young D.C. being scrutinized, especially by the Young D.C. Md., most people do not buy or rent There’s the classic Playboy younger girls. These young girls, During the ancient Celtic festival scary costumes. Instead, most people bunny and the French maid. Then already influenced by stars such as Samhain, people wore costumes made enjoy wearing costumes that relate there are the pirates with headbands Miley Cyrus, are abandoning their out of animal skins and heads, made to popular movies; a few years ago, and not much else on. And there’s fairy wands at increasingly younger bonfires, and made sacrifices to their pirates became more popular due to always the goth girls dressed in skin- ages. In fact, the Halloween costumes deities. This celebration was later in- Pirates of the Caribbean. Other tele- tight leather. Oh, and boys dressed up industry, jumping at the opportunity to fluenced by two Roman feasts and the vision and movie characters, such as as drag queens are an added bonus. expand its market, is selling racy cos- Christian All Saint’s Day. Zorro and Batman, are popular; and This is not a scene at an outra- tumes designed for trick-or-treaters as The holiday is undoubtedly pop- political figures of the past and pres- geous club’s costume party. These young as eight. ular and diverse in the United States. ent are favorites too. Costumes from are teens roaming the neighborhood You might argue that you are Donneka McPherson, a senior particular decades, like the 1920s, on Halloween. mature enough to handle looking like at Booker T. Washington Public Char- are also popular in the costume shop. Long gone are the pumpkin suits a slut for one night in the year, but ter School, described many teenagers’ There is always a customer that wants and monster face paint. Somehow, you cannot speak for these eight-year- sentiments when she said, “It [Hallow- to rent the expensive, bizarre, fright- slutty has become the new scary. olds running around in belly-baring een] is fun and you get free candy.” ening costume. However, most people How is it fair that every time my costumes. So please, if you were Yet, many teenagers have never trick- do not aim to terrify; dressing up as a doorbell rings, I need to brace myself planning on being a Playboy bunny or-treated because the holiday is some- vampire, werewolf, or ghost is too cli- to see a group of girls at my doorstep this Halloween, think twice about times associated with devil worship. ché to be frightening. shivering in October’s night air? what kind of example you’re setting Halloween is also about fear. Peo- Halloween today appears to be Those in favor of this outrageous for these young girls. ple often watch scary movies on that the time when you can pretend, for trend argue that this is the one night day, and the first word in the phrase that one day, to be someone else. in a year when girls can let all their Jin-ah Kim, 18, is a senior at “trick or treat” is fairly ominous. YDC inhibition go and dress however they Thomas Jefferson HS for Science wondered if costumes usually reflect Aziza Ayo Tichavakunda, 17, is a want without being frowned upon. and Technology in Alexandria, Va. this aspect of Halloween? junior at Banneker HS in the Dis- I beg to differ. They might not be According to the store owner of trict of Columbia.

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 nec- essarily the opinion of Young D.C., its editorial board or staff. The Bureau of National Affairs 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 Children’s Charities Foundation name, address and telephone number on all correspondence. Congressional Quarterly Address correspondence to Young D.C. Managing Editor The Examiner 1904 18th Street, NW and the Washington Examiner Fund Washington, DC 20009 Young D.C., Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to create of The Community Foundation opportunities for young people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and for the National Capital Region economic backgrounds to work together to develop a responsible, indepen- dent media voice. The Freedom Forum Its program encourages teens to examine new territory in the region’s fragmented society to produce this newspaper. In the process, its editors, re- The Herb Block Foundation porters, photographers, cartoonists, illustrators and interns develop skills for college and career. for your generous support! Young D.C. t October 2008