october 2010 in this issue: www.layouth.com I can’t find a job 6 overcoming my anger 20 I love to dance 22 the newspaper by and about teens Picturing myself at college page 10 For people who care about teens About L.A.Youth How L.A. Youth started Former teacher Donna Myrow founded the nonprofit teen newspaper in 1988 after the Supreme Court Hazelwood decision, which struck down student press rights. Myrow saw a need for an independent, uncensored forum for youth senior Writers: Ben Bang, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS • Patricia Chavarria • Kevin Ko, Wilson HS • Elliot Kwon, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS • Jasper Nahid, Hamilton HS • Stephany Yong, Walnut HS expression. L.A. Youth is now celebrating its 22nd year of publishing. staff: Anthony Arellano, Burroughs HS • Karina Arias, Locke HS #3 • Stacey Avnes, S.O.C.E.S. • Tyler Bradshaw, Redondo How L.A. Youth is doing today Union HS • Caitlin Bryan • Michelle Cao, Temple City HS • Vicky Chen, Walnut HS • Jennifer Choi, Crescenta Valley HS • L.A. Youth now has a readership of 350,000 in Los Angeles County. Hundreds of students Sydney Chou, Sonora HS • Lily Clark, Immaculate Heart HS • Angelica Conde, Los Angeles HS • Denise Cruz, Locke HS #3 • have benefited from L.A. Youth’s journalism training. Many have graduated from Merryck Dickerson, Pacifica Christian HS • Amy Fan, Temple City HS • Jacky Garcia, Lynwood HS • Kheri Givens, Culver City college and have built on their experiences at L.A. Youth to pursue careers in journalism, HS • Jennifer Gonzales-Romero, South Gate HS • Dana Green, North Hollywood HS Zoo Magnet • Ashley Hansack, King Drew Medical Magnet HS • Emily He, Whitney HS • Leslie Ho, Walnut HS • Jasmine Holloway, Serra HS • Melissa Hu, Ramona teaching, research and other fields. Our Foster Youth Writing Project has brought the Convent • Destiny Jackson, Mayfair HS • Francesco Jimenez, The Buckley School • Ronsanise Johnson, Locke HS #3 • Nadi stories of teens in foster care into the newspaper. For more info, see layouth.com. Khairi, Reseda HS • Cindy Kim, South Pasadena HS • Lubina Kim, Wilson HS • Yejean Kim, Arcadia HS • Adrian Kimmok, West HS • Bon Jin Koo, Crescenta Valley HS • Ha Young Kwen, Wilson HS • Sam Landsberg, Hamilton HS • Zoe Lemelson, How L.A. Youth is funded Crossroads School • Tanya Lopez • Keanu Lueong, Hoover HS • Julian Marenco, The School of Arts and Enterprise • Claudia L.A. Youth is a nonprofit charitable organization funded by donations Marin, Santa Monica HS • Jessica Marin, Culver City HS • Edgar Mejia, Venice HS • Luisa Mendoza, Lynwood HS • Chantelle Moghadam, Viewpoint School • Hani Mokhammad, Pacific Coast HS • Jean Park, Harvard-Westlake School • Elizabeth Pascual, from foundations, corporations and individuals. Burroughs HS • Charmaine Peggese • Kristy Plaza, Duarte HS • Yesenia Reyes, Locke HS #3 • Audrey Salas, Bravo Medical Magnet HS • M1arisol Samayoa, Wilson HS • Alma Sanchez, Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet HS • Helen Santacruz, L.A. Youth’s mission Bravo Medical Magnet HS • Christian Santiago, University HS • Aaron Schwartz, Gabrielino HS • Henry Studebaker, Hamilton L.A. Youth is a leading advocacy voice for teens through journalism, HS • Elizabeth Vidar, North Hollywood HS Zoo Magnet • Julia Waldow, Beverly Hills HS • Anita Wang, Walnut HS • Frankie literacy and civic engagement. We use media as a tool for young people to Wieden, California Virtual Academy • Tracy Yao, Covina HS • Lalageh Grigori Yeghazarian, Crescenta Valley HS • Brian Yu, examine themselves, their communities and the world at large. Walnut HS • Jose Zacarias, Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet HS Publisher: Donna C. Myrow Administrative Director: Robyn Zelmanovitz Advocating for teens Managing editors: Mike Fricano, Amanda Riddle Design Consultant: Wayne M. DeSelle Do you like what we do and want to support us? Go to why.layouth.com, our blog written editor: Laura Lee by L.A. Youth’s adult staff, to learn more about the challenges that L.A. Youth faces. L.A. Youth is published by Youth News Service (YNS), a not-for-profit corporation. You can read our criticisms and praise of policies affecting teens. We take stands on Editorial offices are at 5967 W. Third St. Suite 301, Los Angeles CA 90036. Phone (323) 938-9194. education, access to mental health, foster youth rights, teens’ rights to free speech and Website: layouth.com. E-mail: [email protected] more. There you can donate to help us provide a place where teen voices are valued. L.A. Youth would like to express its gratitude to the following individuals who donate their time, patience and expertise to our writers: Free copies of L.A. Youth for Los Angeles teachers L.A. Youth is distributed free six times a year to high school and middle L.A. Youth Board of Directors school teachers in Los Angeles County. Teachers also can download a free L.A. Youth Teacher’s Guide for each issue at layouth.com. Gail Boyle — Union Bank of California Douglas Mirell — Loeb & Loeb LLP We do not share your info with other organizations or businesses. Paul Catherwood — The Capital Group David Morgan—Yahoo! Annie Chau—The Gores Group Ken Preston — Business Consultant Minerva Chavez—Cal State Fullerton David Rickley — Los Angeles Times Nicole Childers—L.A. Public Media Service Jeff Sperber — Educator Vanna Dao—MTV Kids and Family Network David Tokofsky—Education Strategies Consultant I would like to receive l.a. youth Eva Semple Davis —Warner Brothers Home Video Leo Wolinksy — Variety Fred Freeman — Writer/Producer free of charge six times a year. Name L.A. Youth Advisory Board School Noel Greenwood, Los Angeles Times (retired) • Alan Duignan • Leonard Simon, Ph.D. • Rosabel Tao, MySpace • Loretta Thompson, Loeb & Loeb LLP • William Tran, Sidley Austin LLP • Zeek Interactive, Inc. • Los Angeles Times Staff Production Advisors: Dave Novotney, Shirley Robison, Rick Terry School Phone Ext. Donors Address Annenberg Foundation • AT&T • Bank of America Foundation • Bay & Paul Foundation • Best Buy • Bing Family Foundation • Blue Shield of California Foundation • Brinson Foundation • The California Endowment • The California City Zip code Wellness Foundation • The Capital Group • Marcy Carsey • City National Bank • Carol and James Collins Foundation • Compton Foundation • D. Dougherty Foundation • Brad and Grace Ellis • Endeavor Foundation • Ethics and Excellence E-mail in Journalism Foundation • The Ford Foundation • Leonard Green Foundation • The James Irvine Foundation • Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation • L.A. County Board of Supervisors • Majestic Realty • McCormick Foundation • Northrup Special delivery instructions: Grumman • Open Society Institute • Parsons Foundation • The Rose Hills Foundation • Robert Ellis Simon Foundation • Lon Smith Foundation • Sony Pictures • Helen and Jeff Sperber • S. Stern Trust • Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation • Stuart Foundation • Surdna Foundation • Union Bank • Weingart Foundation I would like: copies (20-copy minimum order) The Los Angeles Times donates the printing of L.A. Youth. Mail to: L.A. Youth Subscriptions, 5967 W. Third St. Suite 301, to get a subscription through the mail, send $15 for one year (six issues) to: Los Angeles CA 90036 or call (323) 938-9194 or e-mail [email protected]. Circulation Dept., L.A. Youth, 5967 W. Third St. Suite 301, Los Angeles CA 90036. Provide name, address and zip code. Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved. 2 layouTh.CoM • facebook.CoM / la y ouTh newspaper • twitte r.CoM / L A Yo u T h contents issue this in Cover story: 10 Picturing myself at college Visiting schools made Yesenia’s dream seem more real Plus: Tips from recent grads on applying to college . 12 the perks of being a nerd 5 how dangerous is It might not be cool, but Jose loves marijuana? . 19 learning and the friends he’s made. From it’s not that bad to it’s harmful, someone please hire me . 6 our staff has mixed opinions. Patricia has spent months Finally free trying to find her first job. from my anger . 20 Life in the bike lane . 8 Going to a treatment center for troubled Sam likes getting around kids helped Tiffany stop fighting. 9 L.A. on his bike. stepping it up . 22 Fighting to save my home 9 Anthony loves to dance but he had A proposed freeway extension to overcome his fear of performing. could demolish the houses in Audrey’s neighborhood. how to save a life . 24 i’ve got spirit . 14 Now that Sydney knows CPR, she feels Kheri loves being a cheerleader more prepared in an emergency. and pumping up the crowd at football games. Who should be governor? 25 Aaron says the election is important . Odd girl out 16 because the winner will affect The cool kids didn’t accept Charmaine education and teens’ futures. but she finally found a group that did. the lows of being high . 18 CD reviews . 27 When a girl smoked marijuana Our teen reviewers give thumbs 22 she felt irresponsible and up to Adam Lambert, Ratatat started losing her friends. and Selena Gomez. artist spotlight behind the scenes Taking photos for L.A. Youth is great. I want to be a journalist so I’ve always wanted to I love using the camera for something do an interview to experience what journalism productive. When I go on a photo is (Jobs Q&A, p. 7). At first I was nervous. My shoot, I get an inside look at people’s voice was quivering and I didn’t know if the stories. I have learned so much about words were going to come out but as we talked photojournalism. And I’ve been so I relaxed. When I asked her something she was many places I would have never gone, nice and went into details. I’m glad I did it. I like tango lessons and high school think a lot of people are going to find the job tips football games (p.